Weddings to Celebrate :: Leslie and Andy {Barton Creek Resort, Austin, TX}

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Mood Board page from the Design Board I created for Leslie's wedding


Classic, lush, stunning.... this wedding was so much fun to design! Leslie and her mother, Kay, hired me about one year prior to help with their long-distance planning. We spent a lot of time together, and the hard work paid off. So excited to show you the images, captured by Stacy Cross! At the end, I've also included a video preview that you don't want to miss.

Leslie and Kay - thank you so much for choosing me. Your attention to detail and aspirations for perfection were a delight to work with. I miss working with you ladies!

Leslie and Andy - congratulations!! Your celebration was one for the books, and it was such a joy to see you enjoy every second of it. :)

Much love to the three of you!
jess


Not sure who was more emotional - Leslie or her sister. :) Love.

Leslie and Andy were able to spend some time together after their "First Look."

Gorgeous people!

Barton Creek Resort :: Pavilion

Aisle marker in urn by David Kurio Designs

Truly a collaborative creation, we spend a lot of time planning this Chuppah. Couldn't be more pleased with what David Kurio produced!



Two of the three table designs



Third table design in ballroom. Picture Display in atrium.



Amazing dessert display - bananas foster, creme brûlée, and a large assortment of truffles, parfaits, cheesecake bites, etc. Lovely.

Hora!






Leslie & Andy, the Introduction from Chris P. Jones on Vimeo.


Cast of Vendors:
Jessica Moore of Something To Celebrate
Barton Creek Resort
Stacy Cross Photography
Mason Jar Productions
David Kurio Designs
Dennis Prager
Collector's Item
High Island Hepcats
Emerald Entertainment
BBJ Linen
Marquee Event Group
Ilios Lighting
Say Cheese
Pamela's Beauty Secrets
Maris Malone Calderon Makeup Artistry

Sweet Treats

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Wanting to get away from the traditional wedding cake or looking for a sweet addition? Take a look at these ideas that will keep you and your guests sweet tooth happy and wanting more :)

Cake Balls

courtesy of Sweet Tooth
Cake balls are a great way to still get all the cake you want but in bite size portion. Perfect for couples, who want many different flavors, and the picky cake eaters :)


Cupcakes

courtesy of Wedding Cupcakes
Cupcakes, like cake balls, are great for couples that want many different flavors and still want the cake. Cupcakes can also be decorated in many different ways, either to go with your theme or put a fun twist on it and allow your guests to decorate their own!




Cookies

courtesy of Martha Stewart
Yum! Who doesn't love the taste of some home-baked cookies? I don't know about you, but my sweet tooth is loving these ideas :)


Ice Cream

courtesy of 100 layer cake
Ice cream is a great for those hot summer weddings. You can choose to have it pre-made in mason jars or you can have an ice cream bar where your guests can be allowed to add their own toppings.


S'mores

courtesy of pinterest
Great way to get your guests to reminisce, at your outdoor wedding, about being young and making s'mores around a warm campfire.


Pies

courtesy of pinterest
For those that don't like cake, pie is a great alternative. Pies remind me of fall and family so what a perfect choice for your upcoming fall wedding!


Dessert Shots

courtesy of Cupcake Couture
Signature dessert shots are another fun alternative that will keep your guests light and happy throughout the night.



Sweet Planning!

Jacklyn

Easy Holiday Treats!

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If you are looking for a yummy holiday treat that is quick and easy to make, chocolate covered pretzels are the treat for you! Not only are these great holiday gifts, they would also be great favors at your wedding, the perfect addition to your wedding's candy bar, and a cute little snack to add to your hotel welcome bags.

Here is how to make these delicious treats:

You will need pretzels (rods, dipping sticks, or mini pretzels work best), chocolate chips (play around with different varieties- semi-sweet, dark chocolate, white chocolate, peanut butter/semi-sweet combo, or dark chocolate mint), sprinkles (I used holiday sprinkles, but for your wedding it would be fun to use your wedding colors.) and wax paper.



1. Melt the chocolate in the microwave or on the stove. I prefer to do it on the stove. I put a small amount of water in a saucepan and place a glass bowl on top. Bring the water to boil and then add the chocolate. Make sure the glass bowl is not touching the water otherwise the chocolate will burn.

2. Dip all or half of the pretzel in the melted chocolate. For mini pretzels use a two prong fork to dip the pretzels. For rods when you are dipping halfway it is easier to scoop chocolate onto a spatula and then rotate the pretzel around it. This will give you more control enabling you to achieve a thin even layer of chocolate.

3. You will then sprinkle the sprinkles on the chocolate part of the pretzel. I do not recommend dipping the pretzels into the sprinkles because the chocolate will be very gooey and will result in a sprinkle overload!

4. Place the dipped and sprinkled pretzels on wax paper to harden for 24
hours. To quicken the process you can place the pretzels in the refrigerator.


Happy Dipping!
Lauren Carrillo



Mexican Pumpkin Punch

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I was introduced to "Pumpkin Punch" at a Halloween party last weekend. YUM! I know it's typically considered a spooky drink. However, I think it could be a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving feast.

Here is a great receipe from The Food Network:

Ingredients
2 cups packed dark brown sugar
4 cinnamon sticks, preferably Mexican
1 29-ounce can pure pumpkin (about 3 1/2 cups)
2 limes
Splash of rum (optional)
Pineapple chunks and/or pecans, for serving (optional)


Directions
Combine 12 cups water, the brown sugar and cinnamon sticks in a large pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the pumpkin and return to a simmer. Meanwhile, remove the zest from the limes in wide strips using a vegetable peeler; add the zest to the pot and simmer 15 minutes. Let cool, then refrigerate until the liquid is cold and the pumpkin pulp settles to the bottom, 2 to 3 hours.

Working in batches, ladle the liquid into a fine-mesh strainer set over a pitcher (repeat if necessary to strain out all the pumpkin pulp). Discard the pulp and lime zest. Return the cinnamon sticks to the punch and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Pour the punch into ice-filled glasses. Add rum, pineapple and/or pecans, if desired. Serve with the cinnamon sticks.


Cheers,


Resha

All Things Cake

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I am a huge fan of good cake. And I firmly believe in highlighting your cake on your wedding day. Why put something that costs $4-$8 / slice in the corner of the room unattended and un-highlighted? To paraphrase the late Patrick Swayze, "Nobody puts cake in the corner." Not on my watch, at least :-)

One of the easiest ways to give your cake an extra boost is by using a fabulous cake stand. Here are a few cute ideas for stands (some you would have to modify to fit a wedding cake) from Etsy (have I mentioned how much I love Etsy?):



And here are a few of my favorite cake tables from past weddings I've coordinated. (Pictures in this section are courtesy of Anne Marie Photography, Studio 563, and Eric Hegwer Photography.)


And just for fun (and so you can see just how serious I am about cake), here are a couple of pictures of my personal wedding cakes...




Happy Planning! Resha :-)

Frosty Summer Treat

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With the summer fast approaching, I am constantly craving one of my favorite childhood desserts - the root beer float. Whether you are hosting a baby shower for a summer mommy-to-be, a birthday party for your favorite 2-year-old, or a wedding with a less traditional feel, this could be the perfect treat.

And if you just want to make them for yourself at home, here is a great recipe from McCormick's.

Ingredients: 1 cup of water, 3/4 cup of sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons root beer concentrate, 1 liter of cold club soda, 1 pint of vanilla ice cream

Directions: (1) Bring water to a boil in medium saucepan. Add sugar; stir until dissolved. Add root beer concentrate; stir until well-mixed. (2) Refrigerate until ready to serve. Slowly poor soda into root beer mixture. Place 2 scoops of ice cream into each of 4 tall glasses. Slowly poor root beer between ice cream and side of the glass. Serve immediately.

Enjoy! Resha :-)

Huge Discount on Candy Buffet!

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Attention clients!

A local Houston candy company would like to work with us, so they are offering 45% off to one of our lucky clients. If visions of sugar plums dance in your head, this is a huge opportunity!

For your chance to get this great discount, you must be a current Something To Celebrate client. Just send a quick email to weddings@somethingtocelebrate.com and let us know you're interested.

Winner will be notified via email in one week.

Happy planning!
Resha

photo credit

And We All Scream....

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The summer is almost here and I can't help but think how hot its going to be, I always cool down in the summer with a nice ice cream cone and plenty of sno-cones. Add one of these fun treats to your spring and summer weddings and your guests will love you even more!


Love,

Corniche


P.S I have even heard tales of vintage ice cream trucks conveniently pulling up at weddings =)


photo credit:wishpot wedding blog

There's a game this weekend...

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... right? I'm not entirely sure because there are few things I care less about than football, but I love an excuse for a party! And if someone in your group is excited about watching grown men chase a ball (I kid, I kid!), then you've got a great excuse to throw a party. Why not make it fabulous?

Have you discovered the deliciousness that is cake balls? I first heard about cake balls a couple of years ago, on the bakerella blog. And about a year ago, I was introduced to Stacey Bridges of Austin Cake Ball, an expert in all things cake ball! Check out these amazing cake balls that she has designed for this weekend's game:



Who knew football could be so pretty?? And, given my first-hand experience with Stacey's cake balls, I am sure they taste as amazing as they look. Give Stacey a call and serve these bite-sized samples of heaven to your pigskin-loving crowd. And, while you're at it, send a box to your favorite pregnant wedding coordinator! ;) Yum.

Go team!
jessica