Weddings to Celebrate::Alicia & Joel

/

In October we had the honor of coordinating Alicia and Joel's wedding. It was a beautiful fall day that began at St. Martin's Lutheran Church followed by reception at the wonderful Hyatt Lost Pines. Here are some great pictures captured by Debra from Debra Gulbas Photography





Plate Guestbook


Candy Bar and Photobooth..They used Polaroid cameras as their photobooth, by the end of the night there were not enough clothespins for all the photos! such a fun idea!
Whoop!


Alicia & Joel- It was a pleasure working with you both and we wish you many years of happiness!!


Amazing Cast of Vendors::
Hair/Makeup: Defining Styles

Weddings to Celebrate: Lindsey & Payton

/
I love the name Lindsey. Every.single. Lindsey I've ever known has been a great person. And Lindsey S. is no exception! From the moment I met her and her FABULOUS mother, I was hooked. I adore them. And I was so excited when they asked me to assist with the decor and day-of for their November wedding. I looked forward to every appointment we had, and I found myself not wanting those appointments to end :-) Here are some of the fantastic photos taken by Ruven of Allure Photography. Enjoy!











Guys - I had a blast helping you plan! I wish you all the love and laughter a lifetime will allow :-)

xoxo,


Cast of Vendors...

Venue: Alden Hotel
Coordinator: Something to Celebrate, Resha Zazueta
Photographer: Allure Photography, Ruven
Florist: Simply Charming Flowers (didn't she do an awesome job?!)
Rentals: Elegant Beginnings, Inc.
Cakes: Susie's Cakes
DJ & Lighting: LG Entertainment

Weddings to Celebrate: Kristy & Allen

/

Back in October I had the absolute privilege of coordinating Kristy & Allen's morning wedding at the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and afternoon brunch reception at the Paggi House. When you have amazing clients like Kristy & Allen and an amazing venue like the Paggi House it creates the perfect combination for a beautiful event. Below are a few images from Photography by Vanessa. More images to follow soon :)

Kristy & Allen-
I had the best time working with you guys! It truly was a pleasure :)

Lauren


Cast of vendors:
Venues: Good Shepherd Episcopal Church/Paggi House
Coordinator: Something to Celebrate, Lauren Carrillo
Florist: Last Petal
Cocktail hour music: Divisi Strings
Transportation: Longhorn Limos


Flower Girls and Ring Bearers

/

People have strong opinions about almost everything when it comes to weddings - nothing more than whether or not kids should be in the wedding ceremony. Some think that children should never be involved, while others think that there is nothing cuter than little flower girls and ring bearers prancing down the aisle. The important thing is to do whatever you feel is right.

If you would rather not have children in your bridal party, then that is totally fine! Don't let anyone pressure you into doing otherwise. If there are children in your life that are special to you, then honor them (and their parents) by inviting them to be part of the wedding.
If you do decide to have children in your ceremony, then remember two things:

1) Especially if your flower girl and/or ring bearers are under the age of 6 or so, consider having them walk down the aisle and then sit with a family member during the ceremony. Even if your ceremony is only 15 minutes long, that is still a pretty long time to expect someone so young to stand up in front of everyone and behave themselves.

2) Have someone designated to be in charge of watching the kids before, during, and after the ceremony. Family members or a trusted babysitter are usually good choices for this task. You and your bridesmaids are going to have a lot on your plate, so passing this job off to someone who can concentrate on the little cuties is a great plan.

If you do decide to have the kids join in, you just might get some adorable pictures.



Happy planning!
Holly

When To Hire Us

/
Clients who want our help with the planning and design of their wedding typically hire us 12-18 months before the wedding, but can be as early as 2 years prior and as late as 6 months prior to the wedding date.

Those who are doing the planning on their own but want us for "day of" execution (we call it "Weekend Coordinator" because it's really so much more than just one day) typically hire us 6-12 months before the wedding, but sometimes as late as 2 months prior to the wedding date.


Weddings to Celebrate: Kristin & Matt

/
When Kristin asked me to handle the day-of for her January wedding, I couldn't have been more excited. Why? Because Kristin is part of an adorable group of small-town girls who I have had the pleasure of working with. I've done day-of for several of her friends, and I LOVE being around them all. Little Nada, TX boasts some of the most charming, kind and FABULOUSLY FUN people you could ever have the pleasure of meeting. It's hard for me not to smile every time I think of them. And Kristin is no exception. Calm, collected, sweet and sincere ... being around Kristin is like drinking a glass of cool water on a hot summer day.

Here are a few of the amazing pictures my dear friend, Tyler Schmitt (of The Mill Photo Studio) captured that day. Tyler has been my partner-in-crime on all of this group's events, and I can't tell you how awesome he is to work with. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Working with him is like a paid vacation.











Kristin and Matt - I wish you both a lifetime of happiness! Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your special day. :-)

xoxo,


Cast of Vendors:
Venues: St. Mary's Catholic Church (Nada, TX) / Stafford Opera House (Columbus, TX)
Coordinator: Something to Celebrate, Resha Zazueta
Photographer: The Mill Photo Studio, Tyler Schmitt
Band: The Emotions

Weddings to Celebrate :: Caroline and Ravi, French Legation Museum

/
Caroline and Ravi are such a unique couple. They are actually already married, so the wedding was a special way they could celebrate with their family and friends. They wanted the day to have a French/New Orleans-y vibe, so the French Legation was the perfect spot. Even though this venue is in the heart of Austin's East side, directly across from downtown, you feel secluded and almost like you are celebrating at your family's home place. Caroline also wanted the food to reflect her Louisiana roots, and decided on gumbo shooters and profiteroles with andouille sausage for cockatil hour. It's hard to choose my favorite part, between their dog Jack participating (and chasing the French Legation's cat during the ceremony!), their sweet daughter Vivienne and the special moment they had with her during the ceremony, the Pedi-Cab as a get-away vehicle, or just the unabashed look of love between these two.
Caroline and Ravi, it was my pleasure to help your day run smoothly and I wish your family much happiness in the years to come!
--Katie








Caroline's cousin hula-hooping!



Cast of Vendors
Something to Celebrate: Katie Netherton
Venue: French Legation Museum
Officiant: Spike Gillespie
Catering: Central Market/Austin's Elite
Cake: Austin's Cake Ball
Florist: Petals Ink
Photographer: Charlotte Bell Photography
Videographer: Jack Lee Wedding Videos
Ceremony Musicians: Arundel Ensemble
Reception Music: FC Media
Rentals: Marquee
Pedi-Cab: Metrocycle Pedicabs








Weddings To Celebrate :: Elizabeth and Matt, Laguna Gloria

/
I had the pleasure of being the "day of" wedding coordinator for Elizabeth and Matt at Laguna Gloria. Like most of our Austin clients, Elizabeth and Matt live out-of-state, so we met only once before their big weekend, and the majority of our collaboration was over the phone or email. These two are genuinely good people, and it was such an honor to help them enjoy their day.

Elizabeth and Matt - congratulations! Thank you for trusting me with the details of your celebration. I enjoyed getting to know you a bit, and look forward to Facebook updates. :) If anyone captured video of the special song your friends composed/performed for you, I'd love to see it! That was an impressive performance!

Best,
jessica

Pictures by Amelia Tarbet.













It was Elizabeth's birthday, and her wedding day!


































Cast of Vendors:
Something To Celebrate - Jessica Moore
AMOA Laguna Gloria
Primizie Catering
Michelle's Patisserie
Petal Pushers
Amelia Tarbet
Mark A Cruz
Los Brillantes
London Calling
Marquee
Ilios Lighting
Tiff's Treats
Uptown Valet

Happy Valentines Day!

/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sis/98171915/

Once upon a time, I was one of those anti-Valentines Day people. You know, the people who argue that Valentines Day is just a cliche, dreamed up by greeting card companies and floral distributors.

But circumstances have taught me otherwise.

The truth is, love is celebrated far too infrequently these days. In this day of scrolling to-do lists, when multitasking has made it impossible for any one thing to truly hold our undivided attention, we need reminders that there are simple, amazing things around us every day that aren't to be taken for granted. We need birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries and valentines day, because these days force us to stop and acknowledge our loves.

As you plan your wedding, take time to also plan your marriage. What will you agree to do to keep each other a priority and make sure time is set aside to celebrate your relationship? When you get settled into a routine, your careers get busier, and then you have kids who tend to dominate your attention, what will you do to keep the spark in your marriage?

My husband and I are in our 9th year of marriage, and I remember a time when we had weekly date nights. Try as we may, we just haven't been able to get those back while balancing our work schedules with the demands of raising a 4-year-old and 1-year-old. So we've had to get creative with ways to keep each other a priority. And for us, that includes maturing from our anti-Vday days and embracing that cubby cherub archer. :)

What are some ways you'll keep the romance in your marriage?

xoxo,
jessica

Babies to Celebrate: My Little Sister :-)

/
Being an Event Coordinator can be tough in one respect: You have to work HARD (or at least I do) not to go over-board on things like your childrens' birthday parties, friends' showers, etc. I, like so many other people these days, am on a budget. While I would love nothing more than to throw the most outrageous parties, I still have to write the check (and explain the expense to my hubby) at the end of the day.

Well...my baby sister is expecting her first baby in March. She is the best sister a girl could ask for ... close doesn't begin to describe our relationship. Throwing her a shower was a no-brainer. But what's a girl on a budget to do?? Here is what I did. It was simple. But elegant. And oh so fun. :-)
  • Invitations - I went "green." I sent a really cute electronic invitation from Evite's new website: Postmark. If you haven't seen it yet, you should check it out.
  • Food - I opted for a brunch shower. Breakfast foods are typically less expensive than other alternatives. And it helps that my sister loves a good brunch. :-) I served french toast shooters, fruit skewers, my Mother's famous chicken salad with crackers, and pigs-in-a-blanket.
  • Beverages - Who doesn't love a good mimosa? We had them, of course. Along with orange juice for the mommies-to-be and sparkling water for anyone who preferred a non-juice alternative.
  • Flowers - It took going to four different grocery stores, but I finally found white stock (love) and white tulips. Yes, you did read that correctly. I said grocery store. I got 8 stems of stock and 20 tulips for less than $30. I used two vases and one coffee mug that I already owned.
  • Other decor - I am all about using what you already have. I own 20 beautiful wood mingling plates and 10 champagne flutes. I borrowed 10 more flutes from my sister (they didn't match mine, but they didn't need to). Throw in a few colorful napkins, some existing placemats and an old baby-blanket, and you're all set. The mingling plates allowed guests to wonder around without feeling the need to sit down. If you don't know what I'm talking about, google them. They are my go-to choice for any party I throw. Best.Buy.Ever.
  • Favors - My sister loves macaroons, so I opted to splurge on them. We didn't serve cake or any other sweet during the shower (with french toast & fruit, I thought it would be sugar over-kill), and I thought they would make a great little take-home. I threw them on top of two cake plates I already owned, and they made for another great decor piece.

Here are a couple of pictures I snapped with my iphone that day. I know they aren't the best quality, but I was busy playing hostess :-)



Happy Planning!

Wedding Dress Rental

/
For many brides the thought of spending upwards of $3000 on a designer wedding dress is absolutely daunting. Spending that much money on an item of clothing that you're only going to wear once can appear ridiculous. When planning my wedding, I always thought it odd that men had the option of renting tuxedos, which they could wear over and over again, while women were expected to purchase their wedding dresses, which they only wore once. Well the bridal industry has finally wised up and bridal consignment and rental shops are popping up all over the country. In Houston, Milad Bridal, is the only bridal salon where brides and former brides can consign, purchase and/or rent wedding dresses. Yes, brides can finally rent wedding dresses! Now to some, this may seem odd and not the route they would pursue with their wedding dress. But for others, it's the perfect solution--they get to wear a designer wedding dress at a fraction of the cost! Check out some of the inventory at Milad Bridal:

Romona Keveza

Kenneth Pool

Jorge Manuel

Interior of salon

Ines di Santo


Happy Planning!
Kourtney

Weddings to Celebrate: Alexis & Nicoli

/
Back in December I had the pleasure of coordinating Alexis & Nicoli's wedding at the beautiful Las Velas. From day one Alexis was so incredibly organized and knew exactly what she wanted- she was an absolute dream to work with!

Below are some images captured by the amazing Tina Lau of Agape House Studio.



Alexis & Nicoli- I had an absolute blast working with you! You are such an amazing couple and I know you have a lifetime of happiness ahead of you.
Much Love,
Lauren


Cast of Vendors:

Venue: Las Velas
Coordinator: Something to Celebrate, Lauren Carrillo
Officiant: Weddings Performed, Lynn Turner
Photographer: Agape House Studio
Floral Decor: Dream Bouquet
Caterer: Cafe Natalie

The Special Event, 2012

/
Good morning Texas!

It's a gorgeous morning here in Florida as Resha, Lauren, and I are getting ready for the 4-day Special Event conference, hosted by International Special Events Society (ISES). Here's a sampling of what's in store for us these next few days:

  • Event Design Trends
  • New Trends Inspired by Hollywood and Pop Culture 2012
  • Balancing the Mother-Bride Relationship of Wedding Planning
  • Exciting and Challenging Spaces
  • Rethinking and Repurposing Decor
  • Turning You Ideas and Inspirations Into Flawless Events
  • An Event Planners Guide to Lighting Design
  • The Art of Environmentally Responsible Event Planning
So fun! I feel like we're at Wedding Planner summer camp! :)

xoxo,
jessica


Weddings to Celebrate: Pamela & Sam

/
I love the Holidays. Especially Christmas. And I love that Pamela wanted to embrace Christmas for her December wedding. She and Sam are such a great couple. I had so much fun helping them pull everything together.

Here are a few of the fantastic photos taken by Ashley K of Ashley K Photography. She was a DREAM to work with! If you don't know her, you should. :-)

xoxo,








































Cast of Vendors:

Venue: The Courtyard at St. James - What an AWESOME venue. The food and staff were beyond fantastic.
Coordinator: Something to Celebrate, Resha Zazueta
Photographer: Ashley K Photography
Videographer: A&A Video Productions
Cakes: Edible Designs by Jessie
Floral Decor: Simply Charming Flowers
Linen Rentals: Elegant Beginnings, Inc.

May I Show You to Your Seat?

/
One of the most complex things involved in planning your wedding is figuring out where everyone should sit at your reception. Some couples opt to let everyone sit wherever they choose - which is perfectly fine. But know that if you go this route, most tables will not be completely full (so plan to have quite a few more chairs than you do guests) and some families may have a hard time finding enough seats to sit together. While assigning guests to tables (or to certain seats if you prefer) requires more prep work, guests will be thankful that you've eliminated the guesswork in figuring out where to sit.

So if you elect to have assigned seating, then you'll need to have escort cards of some sort so that your guests will know where to sit. You can get creative with displaying (and distributing) the cards:




or you can go for a traditional display.


The main point is to make sure guests can find their card easily - its usually best to sort the cards alphabetically.

Happy Planning!
-Holly

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

/
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

Something Blue

/







The traditional "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue" is fresh in every newly-engaged woman's mind. How will you fulfill the tradition that is said to bring you good luck on your wedding day? Well ladies, never fear, I've gathered some ideas for your "something blue." You can monogram your new initials or wedding date in blue thread on the inside of your gown. If you're a little more adventurous, wear a blue crinoline instead of white, or get custom-made blue Converse to wear for dancing. What about wearing blue heels on your big day or inscribing the bottom of your shoes with your wedding date and new name in blue ink? And you know I can't resist a sentimental option...your bridesmaids and special friends can pin small blue bows on your crinoline and make wishes for your happy years ahead as a married couple. How sweet!

Pictures from Pinterest, marthastewartweddings.com, etsy.com and bridalhood.blogspot.com

Weddings to Celebrate :: Tori and Robby, Red Corral Ranch, Wimberley

/
Ahh my heart is at Red Corral Ranch. As I get ready for this weekend's wedding at Red Corral Ranch, I can't help but think of my last wedding at the same venue, with a bride of the same name (this weekend Tori S, last wedding was Tori D)!

Tori was sent to me by one of my favorite brides, Lisa, and I helped Tori and Robby with just about every aspect of their wedding. There's was a beautiful and FUN celebration, and I'm so excited to share the images captured by Bloom Photography.

Tori and Robby - thank you so much for choosing me to help with your amazing day. I truly had a blast working with you, and miss you already! Congratulations to you both!

xoxo,
jessica

Mood Board page from the Design Board I created for Tori and Robby
A page from the Design Board I created for Tori and Robby

I love fiddlehead fern! Such a whimsy but elegant touch.




Love these two!



Hayride from cocktail hour to reception, with a few mariachis on-board






















Cast of vendors:
Jessica Moore, with Jacklyn Rudd, of Something To Celebrate
Red Corral Ranch
Pink Avocado
Simon Lee
Tiny Pies
Petal Pushers
Bloom Photography
Third Language
Mariachi Estrella
Marquee
Ilios
The Inviting Pear

/
Ask any wedding professional and they’ll tell you that invitations set the tone for your wedding. And boy, have invitation choices expanded in the last few decades. Gone are the days when couples had a choice of three invitation styles in standard black, white or ecru. Now, there are numerous types of printing methods in a variety of colors. Here’s a quick overview of the types of invitation printing:

Engraved Wedding Invitations - Engraving is the most traditional form of wedding invitation printing, and one of the most expensive. Text is etched onto a copper plate, which is then coated with ink and wiped clean, leaving the ink only in the indentations. Soft, high-quality paper is pressed hard against the plate, causing it to deform into the etchings, resulting in raised, crisp text.

Thermography - Thermography was developed as a less expensive alternative to engraving. The printer uses ink and a powder resin combined with heat to reproduce the raised lettering effect of engraving. The text has a shiny finish and is often said to not be as sharp as engraving.

Letterpress - This old-fashioned technique has become popular again. A letterpress printer presses inked letters or designs into a piece of paper, forming an indented surface. By repeating the process, he or she can create images with more than one color. Many people appreciate the tactile nature of letterpress, although some dislike its lack of crispness.

Embossing or Blind Embossing - Most often used for small insignias, monograms, or return addresses, this process creates a raised impression on paper by running the paper through two metal sheets. When no ink is used, it is called "blind" embossing.

Offset Printing - Most modern printing is offset printing, also known as lithography. From magazines to postcards, this flat style of printing is a familiar one, and appropriate for an informal wedding invitation. Traditionally, an inked image is transferred from an inked plate to a rubber "blanket", which is then passed over the paper.


Happy Planning!
Kourtney