To Elope Or Not To Elope

To Elope Or Not To Elope

Welcome back lovebirds!

Today we are talking about a very hot topic: Micro Weddings and Elopements.

We know we have done a blog on this subject before…BUT today we are talking about the idea and question of whether or not you should elope…

As you know, 2020 was the year of the smaller event thanks to Covid.

Now, 2021 has been more about celebrating and finally getting to WED — BUT — micro weddings and elopements are still happening.

Are you wondering why?

We think this is a trend to stay. There is a lot to be said about the positive points for doing smaller affairs and we are going to run through some reasons on why you still might want to elope or do a micro wedding despite Covid not being the determining factor.

To Elope Or Not To Elope

Reasons TO ELOPE:

Budget Friend

Smaller weddings mean smaller guest counts which means a lot more money to go things you want to spend your budget on: photographer, food, honeymoon, etc.

Intimacy and Meaningful

Sometimes when you have a big day, it can feel a little less special and more like a show. If you have a smaller event then you may feel like you can really connect with the people who are there.

Venue/Vendor Availability

Micro weddings and elopements typically happen during the weekday or in slower seasons for wedding planning. Also, due to their size this may mean that venues and vendors have more flexibility to schedule them!

Destination Wedding Fun

When you think on a smaller scale, this might make traveling to your dream wedding destination more of a possibility! Plus, guests might be able to make it on the trip too!

Less Stress

If you are just focused on getting married and not all the fuss that can surround larger days, the likelihood that your stress level goes down goes way up!

Now, if you are wondering if there are any reasons to possibly not think smaller when it comes to your wedding, here are some reasons we came up:

Reasons to possibly NOT Elope

Inability To Celebrate With Everyone

When you go to a smaller type event, that usually means not being able to invite everyone you know to your big day. This can sometimes risk hurting people’s feelings or even make you sad not to see all the faces you want to see.

Not Getting Your “Dream Wedding”

By doing a more intimate event, some people worry that they are risking the ability to have that wedding they have always dreamt of. They think smaller means losing out on detail or sentiment…

Not as Traditional

With the idea of doing this newer “cooler” type of wedding, it is some people’s opinions that tradition of a “big day” will be lost if you do a micro wedding or elopement.

So, as you can see lovebirds, like with anything in life, there are pro’s and con’s to the idea of eloping..

We are big fans though and as we can see in the Central Texas area, lots of couples are loving this new idea and option for their special day too.

Need help knowing what venues can help you with your micro wedding or elopement?

Let us know and we will connect you with your favorite venues to discuss availability and smaller options 🙂

Until then, we can’t wait to hear about all  your planning adventures! 

Cheers to love and cheers to intimate events!

C+K

Wedding Seasons: Pro’s and Con’s

Wedding Seasons: Pro’s and Con’s

Hi there lovebirds!

Can you believe August is just around the corner??

That means that Fall weddings will soon be upon us…but with the weather still telling us it is very much summer, it has us thinking about ALL the wedding seasons.


With every season there are Pro’s and Con’s to getting married due to the time of year and what the weather has to offer.

Today we wanted to give you a little food for thought snippets when it comes to thinking about when you might want to have your wedding.


Take a look at just a handful of things to consider when picking the season for your big day!

Wedding Seasons: Pro’s and Con’s

Fall

Pro’s:

  1. The Beautiful Weather — Fall is stunning and gorgeous. There is a reason it is the favorite peak season for weddings in Texas. The climate is lovely, the scenery is gorgeous, the beauty is like no other season!
  2. Less is More — Because Fall is such a beautiful season, you really don’t have to worry about decor as much. You can let your surroundings do the talking — or simply decorate with fall themed elements like pumpkins or lanterns.

Con’s:

  1. Holiday Timing — After Halloween, the rest of the year is surrounded and based off of Holidays. Thanksgiving and December based holidays keep everyone busy, so you may possibly need to consider this when it comes to guest availability.
  2. Indoor Options Might Be Hard to Come By — Due to the fact that Fall is a peak season, it may be hard to secure any venue — but specifically booking an indoor facility might be hard too. Be sure to plan ahead of time!

Winter

Pro’s:

  1. Lower $$$ — You have to love the budget friendly seasons. Winter is a slower season for weddings in Texas so that most likely means that venues and vendors may have better pricing if you are wanting to stick to a budget.
  2. So Romantic — Winter means all the romantic things, candlelight, snuggles, warming beverages…it is all so romantic! This is a great element that goes hand in hand with weddings. What is better than a romance filled wedding?

Con’s:

  1. Baby, it is COLD Outside — The likelihood that a winter wedding is going to be chilly is high. Consider this when thinking about if a venue has warming options for guests and your attire too! You don’t want to feel icy come wedding day.
  2. Shorter Picture Windows — In the winter, the sun goes down SO early — that means that you are going to want to plan with your photographer about an earlier timeline for your big day. You don’t want to miss out on the golden hour shots!

Spring 

Pro’s: 

  1. Nature Speaks For Itself — Spring is so gorgeous! From the blooming buds, to the abundance of greenery — this season gives you such a lovely natural background for your big day.
  2. Picture Perfection — the capabilities you have for pictures — timing, lighting, etc. are pure perfection. 

Con’s:

  1. Competition is Stiff — Due to this being the MOST popular wedding season in Texas, there is a good chance that you might have to wait or really plan ahead for your wedding. Spring dates are the first to go so beware!
  2. Beware of Allergies — If you are a Texan, you know what we mean here. Pack some tissues and drink lots of water. The sneezing is bound to happen.

Summer

Pro’s:

  1. Open Calendars — with Summer being a slower part of the year for weddings, venues and vendors most likely will have some great choices for weekend dates! 
  2. Plenty of Picture Time — Summer means the longest days in the year, which means plenty of time for pictures! Soak it up and use it!

Con’s:

  1. It’s Hot In Here… — is it ever not hot in Texas?? Summer is surely warm so when thinking about getting married in this season be sure to consider ways you can keep your guests and yourself cool on the big day.
  2. Too Much Lighting — there is such thing as too much lighting, if you can believe it. During summer days the sun is usually out and brighter than ever. This can make it hard to capture darker images — so if you get married here be ready for bright pictures!

As you can see this is only a handful of things to consider when you are picking a good time to get married during the year.

There are so many things to consider, but hopefully this list will get your brain pumping and excited about what season you want to choose.

If you need help or have any seasonal based questions – let us know! We are both native Texans so we know ALL about the seasons and can help you find a venue who will be the best fit for when you want to get married.

Until then lovebirds, cheers to all four seasons and all the love!

C+K

We Do Weddings Favorite Current Wedding Trends

We Do Weddings Favorite Current Wedding Trends

Well hello there, lovebirds,

Has anyone else realized that somehow August is around the corner? Which officially means that 2021 is halfway over.

With the year being almost done we thought it was about time we talk about some trends that have popped up and that are having a moment right now.

Here are the We Do Weddings Current Favorite Wedding Trends 

The Micro Wedding

Micro weddings and elopements have really taken a front seat in the wedding world since 2020. Smaller, more intimate celebrations and ceremonies really let couples concentrate on the love. Not to mention, these celebrations tend to be more budget friendly and you can have the choice to have a larger celebration later on. Why wait to say I do? Wed your way! If you want to marry now, a smaller celebration may be the perfect thing for you!

Bold Fashion Choices

Lately we have seen both brides and grooms making some exciting choices when it comes to their wedding day wardrobe. From colorful tuxedos to bridal pant suits we are loving these bold looks that really show off the personality of the bride or groom. Not to mention, we are total suckers for statement jewelry pieces or accent shoes that make a real statement! 

Daring Color Palettes

All color palettes are beautiful but in recent months we have seen a big departure from the typical wedding color schemes. Couples are throwing in gorgeous accent tones to their color scheme AND going full throttle on the color spectrum. Every season has beautiful colors to choose from. If you are ready to break out of the creams and greens, think about doing some metallics or textured color options! So unique and fun.

Shopping Local

We are huge supporters of supporting small businesses and shopping local here and everywhere. The idea of using local vendors for all wedding needs is one that we love and hope it is here to stay! If you are looking for help with things like paper goods, invitation suites, etc. think of shopping local. There are great options right in your backyard, we promise!

Flower Power

Ok this is an honorable mention because we love love love florals at a wedding. Florals have always been an important piece to many weddings but lately they are having a real moment! Floral masterpieces are showing up all over weddings. From amazing arches during the ceremony to covering staircases or being a part of the photo booth experience, we are loving this floral boom going on right now! The more florals, the better (if you are into that kind of thing)!

These are just a few examples of some amazing trends that are going on currently and we cannot wait to see the new ones that pop up for 2022.


If you are looking for more tips and inspo, check out this link from Green Wedding Shoes.  

If you want to pick our brains too, we are always here to help!

Until next time y’all… Cheers to You and Cheers to Love,

C+K

Didi Russell: Wedding Venue Expert

Didi Russell: Wedding Venue Expert

 

Today we are calling all lovebirds AND venue owners!

 

We are really excited to introduce you to an amazing woman who is here to help wedding couples and wedding professionals in all kinds of ways.

 

Let us introduce you to the amazing Didi Russell: Wedding Venue Expert —  of Wedding Nerd and weddingvenueowners.com.

 

This gal is one of a kind and knows about all things weddings.

We are currently working with her and learning all about wedding venues around the country so we can help our lovebirds find and book the best wedding venues in the country!


However, she can do so much more!

Here is a little bit of information about Didi:

 

Didi Russell is a self proclaimed #wedding nerd. She helps wedding venue owners connect with each other for support, information and a sense of community. She also loves helping engaged couples find wedding venues through her website’s wedding venue search map and wedding venue gallery.

 

Learn more about Didi and all her amazing offerings here:

 

Engaged Couples:

If you would like help finding a wedding venue just send Didi a request for help! She will send you a list of venues within 24 hours of your initial inquiry and will help you with any of your questions. Everything she does for couples is FREE! While she is not a planner, her knowledge is invaluable.

 

Wedding Venue Owners & Managers:

Think about joining her amazing Facebook group for wedding venue owners and managers. This is a private group where you can find incredible information on everything you need to know about contracts, daily operations, venue management, advertising – anything you can think of, is talked about in this group. Our sister company, Ma Maison is in the group and has enjoyed the experience and the people immensely! 

 

Are you starting to see why we adore working with her?

 

This woman is so passionate about weddings and can really teach you so very much whether you are a lovebird looking for a wedding venue or a venue manager looking to connect with others and learn more.

 

If you want to learn more, please visit her site here.

 

Have fun with Didi, lovebirds and friends!

 

Until next time, cheers to you and cheers to love!

C+K

 

Venue Showcase: Springdale Station

Venue Showcase: Springdale Station

 

Well hello lovebirds!

 

It is that time again! Time to introduce you to another amazing Central Texas wedding venue!

 

Springdale Station is located in the downtown heart of Austin, Texas. It is an amazing option for all kinds of events and is splendidly unique.

 

Venue Showcase: Springdale Station

First we want to take a little look at its historical roots. 

 

“Springdale Station is a historic train station built by Arthur Upshaw Boone. Arthur Boone, a descendent of Daniel Boone, was born in 1921 in Kentucky and passed away in 2008. After fighting in World War II, he moved to Austin to begin a food manufacturing company, Frostex Foods. As his business thrived for nearly four decades, he invested his resources into his passion for trains and built what is now known as Springdale Station in the field next door to his warehouse.

Boone sold his business in 1987 and his family later sold the property to a local developer in 2003. Springdale Station is nestled alongside the warehouse, sitting in a beautiful field as if it were a time capsule. Owner Moya McIntyre conceived the idea to breathe life back into the old relic. She joined forces with the developer to convert the unique train station into a public event venue to be shared with all of Austin. 

In the summer of 2016, Springdale Station opened to the public, as an event venue, a one of a kind space to host parties, receptions, fundraisers, weddings, and community events.”

Now, on to the interesting booking points!

 

Booking Options:

There are two booking options, so you can pick what works best for you!

  1. “Do it Yourself (DIY)” 
  2. “Turnkey”.

 DIY means that you rent the venue from Springdale Station and then you hire your own caterer, bartender, florist, etc. 

Turnkey is when we organize everything for you using our in-house vendors. This can be a great option if you would like the venue to handle all of the details.

 

Their Rental Rates:

They fluctuate depending on the day of the week and the month of the year. The nightly rate ranges from $3,000 to $7,300 depending on the season.

 

Amenities included with the rental price:

A comprehensive furniture package, which includes (300) fruitwood chairs, (125) white ceremony chairs, (20) 60” round tables, (18) 8′ banquet tables, (10) 30” cocktail tables, (9) 36″ natural wood cocktail tables, (2) sweetheart tables, (2) 6′ tables, (16) copper barstools, (10) gold barstools, (4) custom hardwood farm tables, and (3) two mobile wooden bars  + all of the setup and break down labor (Please note that linens and all dining items including cups, flatware, plates, napkins must be rented from an outside vendor or bought and brought in.)

A contemporary triangular maple wedding arch with a brass inlay

A hand crafted steal diamond arch with a brass patina 

Privacy curtain for outdoor wedding ceremonies

In-house styled lounge sets with two indoor lounges and one outdoor lounge

In-house floral options

Yard games

 

Is it just us or does this venue sound like a dream?

We love their team, we love the location, we love the building…there is so much to love!

Be sure to check out Springdale Station if you are looking for a one of a kind venue for your special day. We cannot recommend it enough!

 

Have questions or want us to connect you?

Let us know!


Until next time lovebirds, cheers to amazing wedding venues!

C+K

 

 

 

*all information taken from Springdale Station website*

*all photos taken from Springdale Station Instagram*

 

LGBTQ+ Wedding Vendors

LGBTQ+ Wedding Vendors

 

Well hello there lovebirds!

 

Happy June and Happy PRIDE month! 

 

Here are We Do Weddings, we are suckers for all types of love and all types of love stories!
We hope you know that We Do is a safe and loving spot and if you need anything, Kaitlyn and I are always here to help!

 

SO! Today we wanted to share an amazing list of creatives who are LGBTQ+ friendly here in the Austin area. 

 

This amazing list is originally from Creatrix Photography and we added even more people to it!

 

If you need any help making any connections, let us know. We would be happy to reach out to any vendors for you!

 

Otherwise, enjoy this list and pick some amazing people to work with!

 

Cheers to LOVE, lovebirds!

 

LGBTQ+ Wedding Vendors

 

Makeup Artist

DJ:

 

Caterer:

 

Wedding Planners & Designers:

 

Venues:

 

Florists:

 

Invitations 

 

Bartenders:

 

Videographer:

Lighting:

Rentals:

 

Cakes:

 

Officiants:

 

Photobooth:

 

Outfits: