Austin Rehearsal Dinner Options

Oh hello lovebirds…

Are you feeling hungry today lovebirds? Because we are…

Today we are talking about the hottest spots around Austin to have your wedding rehearsal (or any other fun event you want to throw to celebrate love).

Austin as you know is a huge hub for great food so this list is truly only a starting point. It was hard to pick just a handful to shout out and we have a good feeling one day down the line we may be having a part two to this!

SO, here are our current favorite spots to nosh down and celebrate

Austin Rehearsal Dinner Options

1. Eberly
2. Jacoby’s
3. Jester King Brewery
4. Lenoir
5. Mattie’s
6. Juliette Italian Kitchen
7. Uchi
8. Clay Pit
9. Homepun Kitchen and Bar
10. Salty Sow

Now that you know some great places to book for your rehearsal dinners… are you wondering what happens at rehearsal dinners?

Well first, you eat!

This is a celebration! A great time to share laughs and conversation over a delicious meal. The rehearsal is a nice way to honor your bridal party and very close members of your family and friend circle. The wedding is so busy and you say hi to so many people. The rehearsal really gives you a chance to be with those nearest and dearest to you.

Toasts on toasts on toasts!

Again, a great way to celebrate with those closest to you. A rehearsal dinner is a great place where all kinds of toasts can happen. Typically at the wedding only parents and best men and maids of honor do toasts. At the rehearsal dinner anyone and everyone can make a toast. Plus, this is a great time for you as the bride or groom to toast your family and loved ones, too!

Gifts!

Sometimes couples like to exchange their personal wedding gifts to another during the rehearsal. This is a more private time and space to do the exchange, if that is something you are interested in. Plus if the gift is something you want incorporated into the wedding day, this timing is great.

Anything else you want!

Make your rehearsal perfect for you! The celebration can include anything you want to do!

Need more rehearsal dinner inspo?

Let us know!

As always, we are happy to share ideas and help!

Until next time lovebirds, cheers to Love!

C+K

Destination Weddings: What To Know

Hey lovebirds!

Happy Engagement Season!

We have been seeing some amazing engagements happening and we know many of you are in the process of planning!

Have you thought about destination weddings? Destination weddings are a popular option for couples who want to travel for their big day or find a place for all their friends and families to meet in the middle.

If you are thinking about a destination wedding for your big day, we have some tips to think about when planning a destination wedding.

It is a totally different experience than planning a wedding locally. So many things to think about!

But also, so fun and unique and totally worth it if planned correctly!

Destination Weddings: What To Know

Let’s get to the fun details!

When To Plan:

Destination weddings can take a lot of time to plan, typically it is best to take time to go through the process of booking everything and planning all the details. Typically a good time range for planning a destination wedding is at least a year out from the time you want to say I do. Plus, it is important to take the seasons into account too. Wherever you want to go, when is it the best time to wed? What is the weather like? Do your homework here so you can have a gorgeous day in the best season of your choosing!

Who To Invite:

Typically, destination weddings are smaller and more intimate! So, when thinking about who to include in this personal event, make sure you invite people you really want there.Think about officiant, family, and friends — the people who matter most to you. 

Also, consider your budget as well. Some people think that the bride and groom or their families should pay for people to travel far distances for a wedding. If you end up paying for everyone to attend, be sure it is a cost you are ready to handle!

Where To Go:

There are so many options! First consider the type of destination space you want: beach, mountain, city, etc. Then narrow down options based on preference and price. Think about going somewhere you have never been before OR think about going somewhere that you have been together and it has a special place in your heart and mind. Then again, think about price — how much does it cost to travel there? How much does it cost to stay there? 

Who Pays?:

In traditional wedding planning, it is typical for parents of the bride and groom to chip in but more and more, brides and grooms are taking costs on themselves! With destination weddings, it is more likely to see the couple take on more of the costs than other people. 

Who To Hire?:

LOCAL, local, local! We cannot say it enough! This will save you big bucks. The more you can focus on local vendors, the better. Plus local vendors know the area, they know each other, and they will be able to help you immensely when it comes to connecting all the planning elements.

Wedding Insurance:

Get it! Things are always a little more unknown in an unusual place. Wedding Insurance exists to cover unforeseen things happening and this is a great option at not a horrible price!

Documents:

Now this is important lovebirds, when it comes to documentation you want to put all your focus here. Make sure to not forget about your passport first and foremost. Then, be sure to do your homework when it comes to securing a marriage license. Different places have different requirements when it comes to timing. Make sure you get yours in time!

Have more questions about destination weddings? Or need more help?

Let us know!

We think that destination weddings are a fabulous idea when it comes to planning your wedding day so we are here to support you in any planning way we can!

Until then, cheers to love and cheers to love all over the world!

C+K

To Tour or Not To Tour, that is the Wedding Planning Question

Hello lovebirds!

As you know, picking out your venue is a big part of the wedding planning process. And there is a lot that goes into that decision. Where do you want to get married? When do you want to get married? Who is available, who is not?

Which leads us to an important question – what are the pro’s and con’s to touring venues before selecting one?

While we are heavily team Go See The Venues, we can see the argument on both sides so we wanted to present them here to you so you can choose what works best for your wedding planning process.

So, let’s begin.

To Tour or Not To Tour, that is the Wedding Planning Question

Reasons Why You Might Not Want to Tour a Venue

Online Shopping Is All The Rage

Thanks to companies like Amazon, shopping for all kinds of things from the comfort of home makes life all the easier. Especially if you are planning a destination wedding, shopping and venue searching from your laptop can be a very appealing option. With all the information and pictures and social media at your finger tips, you can learn so much about venues and probably figure out if they are a good fit for your wedding day dreams!

Social Distancing

If the past two years have taught us anything, it is that social distancing can be a valid reason to not go and do things outside of the normal daily necessities. If you are wanting to stay home and not worry about mixing in the elements, this is a great reason to do all your homework online. Might we suggest being sure to ask for a virtual or Youtube tour though – those are a fabulous resource if you can’t get out to the venue.

You Already KNOW

Sometimes they say, you know when you know! If there is a venue that you just love and adore and are sure is the right fit for your big day, a tour may not be needed at all. If this is the case, at least jump on a call with your venue so you can learn important details and be sure of pricing before you push the booking button.

Reasons Why You Might Want to Tour a Venue

 

Real Life, Real Picture

Seeing something online versus in real life can really make a difference. Pictures are a powerful thing but being able to see where bathrooms are actually located or how big a space technically is can really make or break a decision. By experiencing a venue in it’s real day to day element, you can get a good idea of what your wedding day might be like.

Meet the Team

One of the biggest parts of a venue is the team who runs it. During your wedding planning journey you talk to your venue a lot and we recommend making sure you like and vibe with the wedding venue team. If you don’t you might know that this is a make or break for deciding on the venue.

Neighboring Knows

Going out and seeing a venue tells you a lot. It may even tell you more about your venue and its surroundings than you think. By going out to look at a venue you can see if there is lodging nearby, restaurants for a rehearsal, etc. Picking a venue means looking at the whole picture. So, if you are interested in those details, going and seeing it in real life may be for you!

Want some other tips about visiting a venue? Take a look at this great article from A Practical Wedding.

Not sure which venues to go see?

Let us know and we can help you find the perfect one!

Until then, have fun visiting or searching for venues! Especially on WDW!

C+K

Wedding Dates and How To Choose Them

Oh hello again, lovebirds! 

We hope wedding planning is going so well for you.

If you are a familiar with We Do Weddings, you might know our opinion on one of the most important factors when it comes to your wedding day!

DATE SELECTION

When you think about date selection, what do you think of? Do you know when you want to get married? Are you only thinking about the season or the day of the week?

Typically, securing the wedding date is the most exciting part of the step! It is the first big piece of the wedding pie that couples have to focus on in order to book everything else. It turns out there can be a lot more to think about than just when you want to get married.

So, today we thought we would talk about important dates throughout the year to be mindful of when deciding on when you want to get married!

These specific types of dates and actual days are great to consider for many reasons. Not only do you need to think about what dates are important to you, but it is also good to consider how dates may affect your guests (and if you care).

So, let’s get started! Here are some dates you might want to keep in mind!

Wedding Dates and How To Choose Them

Holiday Weekends

Holiday weekends are an interesting concept because they usually mean LONG weekends, either incorporating a Friday or Monday holiday. When these holiday weekends arise, your guests may go on long weekend trips and may not be available for your wedding. You might also be open to other days than just a Saturday here. If no one has to go to work on a Monday, then perhaps a Sunday option is okay too?

Here are some examples of Holiday weekends you might want to be mindful of!

Tis’ the season all the time!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Presidents’ Day

Mother’s Day

Memorial Day

Father’s Day 

Fourth of July

Labor Day 

Columbus Day 

Religious Holidays

Religious holidays are a big one because they are so significant to not only you but your friends and family too. Typically if a religious based occasion is one that you want to celebrate, having your wedding on that day may not be the best idea. However, on the other side of the coin we have seen couples really want to celebrate on that day and share their wedding with such a  momentous occasion. 

Think about these upcoming religious holidays when thinking about when you might want to secure your wedding date:

Palm Sunday

Easter Sunday

Passover 

Rosh Hashanah 

Yom Kippur 

Hanukkah 

Christmas

Kwanzaa

Ramadan 

Major Sporting Events

Believe it or not, and especially in Texas (where sports are life), major sporting events can absolutely be a deterrent for guests to join in on a wedding day. We have seen many guests come and watch games during weddings and if this matters to you, it may be a good thought to not get married on these fanatical days. 

Here are the biggest sporting days we can think of (we aren’t quite sports experts, though):

Super Bowl Sunday

Final Four During March Madness

The Series for Baseball

Unlucky Dates

Now, we know what you might be thinking…unlucky dates?? For some this is a really big deal! Think about Amy Adam’s cute movie about this very thing and you will know what we are talking about!

If you are of the superstitious nature, you might not want to get married on “unlucky days”. Whether they are days that you deem unlucky or are actually known for being unlucky, avoiding these tricky dates may be the best idea!

For instance:

The Ides of March

Any Friday the 13th

Leap Years — the next one is in 2024!!

So, as you can see there are definitely lots of things to consider when you are choosing a date for your special day.

The most important piece of advice we can offer to you is this: CHOOSE THE DATE YOU WANT and have always dreamt of. This is your one day, so be sure to be happy with the time of year you choose, the date you choose, and everything else. It’s all about your love and nothing else really matters.

We hope you take that to heart lovebirds.

If you need help finding venues or securing a wedding date, please let us know!
That is what we are here to help with.

We can’t wait to see all the dates you pick!

Cheers to you, lovebirds!

C+K

WDW Venue Showcase: Shiraz Garden

 

Hello again, lovebirds!

Today we are shedding some light on an amazing venue that we love called, Shiraz Garden

This amazing venue is located in Bastrop, Texas and is certainly one of a kind. We love the amazing weddings that come out of this space and we love how it can truly cater to all kinds of couples and wedding day dreams.

The views from Shiraz are just incredible and their interior spaces match in the same level of beauty.

And we have to mention the amazing staff at the venue. Working with Kalli and co is like a dream. They are all so kind, so knowledgeable, and they really do make dreams come true.

Ready to learn more about the amazing Shiraz Garden?

 

WDW Venue Showcase: Shiraz Garden

Here is some history:

“Since purchasing this property in 2008, our family has shared this space with friends, family, and colleagues over the years, seeing numerous weddings, retreats, reunions, dinner parties, and fishing trips along the Colorado. More and more couples asked us about hosting their weddings at Shiraz Garden from Austin, Houston, and beyond. What an honor to be considered as the backdrop to someone’s wedding day. We are excited to open as an official event space for private events to share the magic of this property and be part of these meaningful days.” 

 

Pricing:

SATURDAY | 13-HOUR RENTAL

March, April, May, October + November $5060

June, July, August, September, December, January, + February $4500

VENUE ACCESS:

October-April — 10 am-11 pm (vendors out by midnight)

May-September — 11 am – 12 am (vendors out by 1 am)

FRIDAY| 13-HOUR RENTAL

March, April, May, October + November $4500

June, July, August, September, December, January, + February $3900

VENUE ACCESS:

October-April — 9 am-10 pm (vendors out by 11 pm)

May-September — 10 am – 11 am (vendors out by midnight)

PREPARATION DAY   5-HOUR RENTAL $1000

Add 5 hours the day before your rental to…

• Rehearse when it fits your schedule. Otherwise, rehearsals are not guaranteed depending on other booked events.
• Drop off and assemble décor for easy placement on wedding day.
• Prep the Bridal Cottage with all your breakfast, lunch, and drinks! There is a full fridge and kitchen!
• No reason the wedding party can’t drop off their belongings in the cabins too. The fewer items that can be forgotten on wedding day the better for everyone.
• Avoid Saturday Rental drop-off fees or even cake, and other vendor drop-offs – all are welcome during your 5-hour window.
• Use the hours on Friday to maximize your day on Saturday! You’ll be amazed at what a stress relief these hours are!

5-HOUR ACCESS OPTIONS

• Starting as early as 9 am
• All events over and all guests/vendors off property no later than 8 pm
• Examples: 9 am – 2pm, or Noon- 5pm, or 3pm – 8 pm
• At this time access to the Indoor Space is not included in the 5-hour window

 

 

Amenities included:

TABLES + CHAIRS

• 245 chairs – These are high-quality resin garden chairs with a seat pad, dark brown in color. If more chairs are needed couples will need to rent additional chairs from a rental vendor.
• Ceremony Setup & Teardown of Shiraz Chairs
• Reception Setup & Teardown of Shiraz Tables + Chairs
• Fifteen 8′ X 32” folding banquet tables for use at the Formal Garden
• Nine 6′ x 30″ folding banquet tables for use at the Formal Garden
• Four 30” Cocktail Tables
• Décor to Borrow here and additional tables, chairs, rentals.

 

SPACES

• Sunset Vista Ceremony and Outdoor Cathedral as rain or summer option
• Formal Garden 6400 sq ft space for a cocktail, dining, dancing, and more
• Indoor Banquet Hall 4,000 sq ft with mobile dry bar.
• Bridal Cottage full bathroom, full kitchen, living space, large front porch, and ample getting ready spaces.  
• Groom’s Cabin for changing, full bathroom, full kitchen, and outdoor seating area with great spaces for photos.
• The rest of the property for first looks, wedding party photos, family, and golden hour photos. Endless options! No other events are happening on your wedding day!

 

SUPPORT + LOGISTICS

• Shiraz Garden Day-Of Representative to provide logistical assistance and help the couple and wedding party move around the property via ATV for photos and more. Our couples are spoiled by our Team Leaders on the wedding day!
• In addition, a 2nd Shiraz Representative will be on-site 30 minutes before the ceremony with a golf cart and or ATV to help move guests as needed until the end of the event. Shiraz Representative is on-site for the entire event.
• One-hour rehearsal hour pending availability.
• Access for Bridals or Engagement photos if working with a Shiraz Recommended Photographer
• On-Site, paved parking for 82 vehicles, 8 handicapped parking spaces.

Things to note:

Full-service catering of your choosing (bust be licensed and insured and approved by Shiraz Garden)

A professional, insured event coordinator or planner

Independent liability insurance from Event Helper (~$100-300)

Two Security officer(s) are required

Flexibility to bring your own alcohol but must be served by TABC certified and insured bartenders (WeTndBar Co or through your catering).

To book a date at Shiraz, we require a 1) signed contract, the 2) first installment in your rental package (1/3 of package price), and 3) independent liability insurance from Event Helper.

Have you fallen in love yet, lovebirds? We bet so!

Shiraz Garden is always offering tours. Go there for yourself and fall in love. You will not be sorry! This venue truly is a special place and you will feel so magical getting married here.

If you would like us to connect you with this amazing venue, let us know too! We are here to help!

Until next time, lovebirds!

Cheers to amazing venues and cheers to LOVE,

C+K

**All information taken from Shiraz Garden’s website**

**All photos taken from Shiraz Garden website**