Casey and DJ

Casey and DJ were a cute and fun couple. He is active Navy and Casey will be joining him out East where he is stationed. Aren't they beautiful?

The Kiss Ahh.

The Rings. The wedding colors were yellow and pool blue. The cakes were great. They were done by Jason someone the family has gotten to know well. Interested in contacting him let me know I have his email. The grooms cake did have the Navy insignia on the top. Very Well Done

There were so may great people that made this wedding happen.

The Ceremony was at First United Methodist Church Round Rock

The Reception was the Wingate Hotel/Conference Center Round Rock

Cake by Jason

DJ: D and M Sound they did a great job. Great selection of music.

Caterer: Debbie Cole Catering

Decorations: Put together by Jimmie. I have her contact information if anyone is interested.

Rentals: A to Z rentals and Hill Country Event Planning.

Photos: Jess Watson Photography. You can see more of her work here

I have contact information for all of these vendors if you are interested. I have to say I really enjoyed working with everyone of these vendors. The family made the centerpieces themselves. Lots of DIY touches. Beautiful Wedding. I will post more photos as I get them.

Daytime Formal Wedding

Surprisingly this is not very different than an formal evening. One big difference is the time of day, obviously. But other things I see is that the cocktail hour has a different and lighter feel to it. Signature drinks, fruity drinks are popular during daytime. Meals are not as heavy. Lighter chicken and turkey dishes with steamed veggies are more often served than heavier beef dishes with heavy starchy sides. The dancing also is usually limited. Receptions often are shorter. Still very fun, elegant, and formal.

Traditional Formal Evening Wedding

The traditional formal evening wedding is a model of elegance. From a vast array of foods @ the cocktail hour, a gourmet dinner, fine decor, good china and crystal on the tables, a several-tierred cake, and dancing throughout the reception. It's the princess wedding for a princess bride- and it's also the model that the $27,000 national average wedding budget comes from. For some couples this is the wedding that they are trying to get away from in order to do something more personal more to their style.

Back to School

For the past few weeks my kids have been going stir crazy. Its been too hot to go outside much, and they have played with all their toys and with each other until they just didn't want to any more. TV was not so interesting either. So picking on each other became the best option in their mind. I felt like I was playing referee everyday.
So today they started school and they were so excited and I have to admit that I was too. I have so many things to do and can do with them out of the house. This morning though I was not as ready to send them back.
Isaiah decided last night that he wanted daddy to drop him off at school this morning. He did not want to be walked in because he is a big boy. He is starting 2nd grade. Christina wanted me to walk her into school. So we take two cars to the school that is only 4 miles away from home. I park and walk Christina in. As I get in the door, Isaiah is coming in from the car pool line. He walks with us to the Cafeteria. I help Christina figure out how to pick out breakfast and sit with her and Isaiah as they have breakfast. As soon as Isaiah finishes he asks what to do next. This is a new school for both of them this year. So I tell him to ask the teacher that is helping. She takes him to the door and shows him to his room. I don't get a hug and kiss or a good bye. I hold the tears as my son is such a big boy. Christina finishes her breakfast and we ask where she needs to go. They tell us to her class. I ask if she is ready for me to go. She said no. So I walk her to her room. I help her find her cubby and put up her back pack. I tell her I can stay only one minute and then I have to leave. She sits with her class on the rug. A minute passes and a bell rings signaling that everyone not in class needs to get to class. I give her a hug and kiss and I walk out not looking back with a tear down my cheek. Her teacher handed parents that come into the classroom a few Hershey kisses wrapped in Kleenex and a poem about the first day. It was sweet. The tissues did come in handy. I know they have to grow up and I know I will learn to cherish this time at home without them. Until then I will keep myself busy with wedding and events, and various other projects I need to work on.

The Grooms Cake

The grooms cake is making its comeback. Due to budgets there was a time they were one of the items that were cut out. When they were there the traditional grooms cake was a simple chocolate sheet cake. No imagination. Lets face it brides, you have all the fun at the wedding, you get to pick from a wealth of pretty dresses. You get tons of pretty cakes to pick from. You pick the color of the flowers and the linens, and all the other fun details. All that to say let him eat cake.

Not just any cake mind you but one that fits who he is. Here are some ideas

A soccer ball for the soccer fan or player

A football for the football fan or player

what about the golf fan getting a golf bag and clubs

A running shoe for the runner.

Doctors bag for the physician

Computer for the techie

Law books for the lawyer

Car for the Mechanic

And like the photo in the blog a cigar box with real cigars for the cigar loving groom.

Their cakes should reflect who they are. Don't worry about it fitting in with the rest of the decorations or the feel of the wedding. Also don't fall into the trap that it has to be chocolate. Let it be a flavor he likes. If he does not like chocolate don't make him choose that. Your guest don't have to have chocolate cake at your wedding. ( thanks Carli for the photo)

Details

Favors were margarita jelly beans in margarita glasses. too cute.

this was a fab. cake look at all the work and is all icing. no fondunt and the flowers on top are icing too.

Cigar box grooms cake. So yummy.
Escourt cards

sign in tree

program

professional photos for Jill and Allen

I met up yesterday with Carli and inked fingers and she gave me some more photos from Jill and Allen's wedding. There were so many great photos. I am going to post a few of them here. Jill had lots of great details at her reception. While i was only working the reception on this one i will share some of the wedding photos as well.

Cool Bookmarks

Carli with inked fingers fotography posted on her website that she was able to make bookmarks for her clients. I was intrigued. I asked her more about them and if I could order some for my company. She used a photo she took at Kelly and Darryl's wedding and made me some great bookmarks. I am collecting things to put together in a welcome to Stress Free events packet and this is a perfect addition to that. I am thrilled with the quality and the design way to go Carli. You can check them out here on their blog.

I can see these being great favors at a wedding using one of your engagement or bridal photos. Or give them with the thank you cards after the wedding. Or just use them yourself great for the avid reader.