Congrats, Suzanne and Robert

On Saturday, December 12 Suzanne and Robert were married at the TFWC Mansion. It was such pleasure working with this couple. Here is a glimpse of their wedding.As always, its a pleasure to work with Bob and the entire TFWC staff. Its such a unique and grand location to have any event!

The ceremony took place in the Georgian Room. I was able to work with one of my favorite photographers, Blanca Garcia with Photography by Blanca (note the shots in this post are from my iPhone. Blanca's work is MUCH better).

The ballroom looked stunning in black and bright pink decor!


The simple yet stunning florals were done by The Glass Fountain



I get to sample a lot of cake and it takes a lot to impress me. Lavender and Roses did a fantastic job! I only was able to capture the groom's cake (yes, that is an edible camara, complete with a picture of the bride and groom in the viewfinder).

Cute little details!

The happy couple.

I also have to give props to Primizie. The food was beautiful and extremely tasty. They're so great at their job, it makes my job just a bit easier.
All in all, it was a successful, beautiful event!

My Favorite Things

Since it is the season for giving, I decided to post this week's blog on my favorite gift ideas. Okay, so maybe I was inspired by Oprah, but who isn't?
This year when picking out my presents I decided to focus on giving meaningful gifts that help out the economy and the overall planet Earth.

The majority of my presents came from http://tenthousandvillages.com. You can find absolutely wonderful gifts at amazing prices here, but the really cool thing about this site is that they, "work with over 130 artisan groups in more than 38 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.... As one of the world's oldest and largest fair trade organizations, [they] build long-term relationships with artisans that are based on mutual understanding and respect. Fair trade enables artisans to earn a fair wage and provides the opportunity for a better quality of life," (Ten Thousand Villages. 2009. 7 December 2009. http://www.tenthousandvillages.com). Not only is it great to know that you are contributing to a wonderful cause, but there's just something about giving a handmade authentic gift that is not mass produced.
Another big gift idea for this season.....Buying presents from small businesses instead of big name, national chains. Nothing against Walmart, but did you know that when you contribute to a small business it improves the quality of the economy substantially more than that of a chain. One of my favorites is http://etsy.com (which many brides know about). I just can't get enough of Sweet Life Paper (http://www.sweetlifepaper.com), which I found on Etsy! They have the cutest personalized stationary and wonderful customer service to boot! Austin is an amazing city to carry out the idea of contributing to small business gift ideas. We are very fortunate to have wonderful and distinctly Austin shops around every corner. One of my personal favorite things to do is shop the jewelry stands (or any of the quirky stores) on South Congress. Not only are you contributing to small businesses, but you are also helping the local economy.
Face it....The elderly are very difficult to shop for. If your grandparents are anything like mine, they have lived a long, amazing life and have just about every kind of trinket to prove it. Last year I decided instead of contributing to their collection of things that they really don't need I would donate to a certain charity for them. Last year I decided on Save the Children...This year I'm going with Habitat for Humanity. I'll write them up a letter and explain the contribution. They absolutely love it!
Well, I hope this article inspired you and helped you to find some meaningful gifts this year!

Keeping in Shape

Whether trying to fit in your wedding dress or you just want to be healthier, it is always great to exercise and eat right. Not only will you look great, but you'll feel great, as well.
I am always looking for wonderful businesses that I can refer to my brides and until recently, I had never come across a great personal trainer. I had the pleasure of meeting Jake Bellonzi at none other than one of my weddings and when he asked me whether I had a boot camp that I referred, I could honestly say no. Being the professional that I am, I made him aware that it is not so easy to make my preferred vendors list. First, I have to see you in action and second, you have to be exceedingly good at your trade. Well, needless to say, Train with Jake qualified for the list.
If your looking to get in shape or stay in shape, you should definitely check him out. His approaches are challenging, yet accomplishable and he motivates you to do well without being a drill sergeant. Not only is his pricing better than the typical gym memership, but he will also provide you with nutritional advise and give you personalized attention so that you are not wasting your workout by doing all the exercise incorrectly. I encourage everyone to check out his website (http://trainwithjake.com) and get involved with his boot camps.

Chic in the Heart of Texas

This Tuesday, Kristi and I had the pleasure of attending a dinner at the Driskill put on by NEAWP (Nuptial Essentials Association of Wedding Planners). The key note speaker was none other than the amazing Colin Cowie; event planner for the stars. It was such a wonderful and educational night. It was absolutely amazing to see how Colin converts an ordinary venue into a magical space. To learn about Colin Cowie go to www.colincowie.com. Here is a photo of Kristi and me with Colin taken by the fabulous Laura with Anthology Photography.

Tips on How to have a Low-Stress, Successful Wedding

One of my most asked questions is what makes a wedding successful. Here is the advise that I give my brides.


1) Hire The Right Vendors

Your vendors are going to make or break your wedding. If you are not using a wedding planner's preferred vendors list, you should really do your homework. Talk to past brides, read reviews on the Knot, meet with the vendor before hiring, have a list of questions of things that are important to you. If you are using a reputable wedding planner's vendor list, make sure you ask the planner which vendor would be the right choice for you specifically. They should be able to point you in the right direction, but be sure that the planner has worked with these vendors and is not suggesting them because they get a kick-back. I highly suggest hiring a professional band or DJ. They will be front and center and they will determine whether your guests have a great time or whether they leave early.


2) Have Everything Done a Week Before the Wedding

This means that you should not be purchasing things the week of your wedding, you should not be calling and confirming vendors the week of your wedding (that's your planner's job), and you should have all responsibilities assigned and all of your friends/family aware of their responsibilities (i.e.vehicle that will be taking the gifts). All of the personal items (guest book) and decor that you are providing should be packed neatly in labeled boxes and handed to your planner or delivered to the reception site the day before the wedding. This will ensure that nothing is left behind in a rush to get everything completed and that all of the decor is placed in the proper place on the day of the wedding. The week leading up to the wedding should be spent with friends and family; not trying to put together last minute plans.

3) Relax, Have Fun, and Realize the Significance of the Day

Not everything is going to go as planned, but if you keep in mind that no matter what, this is the day that you will be marrying the love of your life, you will be able to keep the meaning of the day in perspective and enjoy the wedding. Also, be able to relinquish the control over to the wedding professionals. They do this every week and know what works and what doesn't. You will not be able to relax if you are trying to manage them and they won't be able to do their job to the best of their abilities.

If you keep these few tips in mind, you should have a blast on your day, no matter what life throws at you!

Credits:
Top Photo- Photography by Blanca, Funky Old Soul (Band), Olden Lighting
Middle Photo- Sledd Photography, Bouquets of Austin (floral arrangements)
Bottom Photo- Crosswhite Photography

Update

I know, I know.....Its been awhile since I've last updated, but I'm back and after a BUSY couple of months, I've got so much to post. Let's start with an update of Buon Affaré Events. First of all, here is a glimpse of some of our weddings that we've been busy with:

Alisha and Chad's Wedding, Temple CAC and First Baptist Church of Belton













Crosswhite Photography
Catering by Las Casas

Heather and Robert's Wedding, Phillip's Event Center





Photography by Scott Sprague

Flowers by the Glass Fountain

Austin Wedding Jookbox for DJ

Catering by Crave

Cake by Michelle's Patisserie







Regan and Brian's wedding, Vintage Villas



Flowers by Bouquets of Austin

Cake by Michelle's Patisserie

DJ Complete Music

Photography by Sledd Photography

The Do's and Don'ts of DIY-Artical 2: The Don'ts

Doing things yourself is a great way to personalize your wedding and save money, but what is appropriate for you and your family to take on and what projects will haunt your dreams and make your perfect wedding a disaster waiting to happen? Inspired by an article on theknot.com, here is a guideline to steer you in the right direction.

The Don'ts

The Cake- I think this one's a no brainer....it is SOOO easy to mess up a cake and SOOO difficult to fix it. There are so many stressers concerning taste, decorating, and transporting the cake that its just not worth it.

Photography- Photography along with videographery are the lasting impressions of your special day. Its important to get all of the shots that you need to remember every last detail. The only way to guarantee this is to hire the pros.

Coordinating- Your wedding is all about you! How can you be the guest of honor and the coordinator at the same time? Doing the coordinating yourself does not give you the oppurtunity to relax and be the bride. Instead of getting your makeup done, you will be wondering if your florals arrived on time. Not to mention that coordinators will be able to set-up and breakdown. Who wants to work on their wedding day?

Centerpieces- Okay, so I don't completely agree on this one. I think it is perfectly acceptible to do candle centerpieces and stems in vases. Anything that can be done before the wedding and set out by your coordinator is fine (especially if they supplement the big extavagant floral arrangements). With that said, you should leave large arrangements or anything else more complicated to the pros. Its just too much work for you to have to worry about.



Caterering- I think this one's another no brainer and most facilities will not allow you to do this. There is to much risk of contamination. Also, what it the food runs out? Who will be taking care of the serving and the bussing? Who will clean up and put away the left over?



Music- I've mentioned this serval times, but it doesn't hurt to say this agian. Your entertainment is your most important vendor. Your DJ or band will make or break the party. They get your guests dancing and enjoying everything and they will make your wedding memorable. They know how to make announcements, direct your guests, and cover awkward moments. They will also be able to judge the crowd and cater towards their likes. If there's something that doesn't work, they can quickly change it and get the party going again. Not so with an iPod.

For different ideas on the same topic go to
http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/diy-do-it-yourself-weddings/articles/diy-wedding-dos-and-donts.aspx

Leslie and Jason's Wedding

On March 28, 2009 Leslie and Jason were married at the beautiful Texas Federation of Women's Club Mansion. It was a wonderful celebration with an antique Spanish theme.


The ceremony took place in the Georgian Room. Rose petals lined the aisle and two alter arrangements added to the simple elegance of the room. Pastor Mike Clawson did a wonderful job with the ceremony.



The ballroom was decorated with red roses, cardinals, and antique silver vases to add to the antique Spanish feel. All the decor was actually done by Leslie and her family. Of course, we were there to set it all up.


Wonderful food was important to the Carmona's and Ecstatic Cuisine did an amazing job. Everything was vegan and it turned out spectacular.


The cake was done by CoCo Paloma. It was absolutely perfect; a hard fete using vegan butter cream.


Amanda with Whitney Lee Photography did a fantastic job with the pictures. I just love this shot of Leslie right before she walked down the aisle. You can actually see all the emotion and anticipation. Beautiful!

The Dos and Don'ts of DIY- Article 1: The Dos

Doing things yourself is a great way to personalize your wedding and save money, but what is appropriate for you and your family to take on and what projects will haunt your dreams and make your perfect wedding a disaster waiting to happen? Inspired by an article on theknot.com, here is a guideline to steer you in the right direction.

DIY Dos:

1) Wedding Day Makeup:
Many of my brides are very leery about having a professional do their make-up. Who wants to look like a completely different person on the day of their wedding? Another option; have a trusted friend do your make-up for you.

2) Ceremony Decor:
Many times the ceremony site is already beautiful without additional decor. For a church you may only want to mark a few pews with ribbon and stems. You can even do mini pomanders (stay tuned for a DIY pomander post). If you have an outdoor ceremony nature is your decor. I would define the aisle with large candles in cylinders, but a lot of decor is not necessary. For anything more I would leave it to the pros. I can't imagine a bride in a tree hanging flowers and votives three hours before the wedding. You should definitely include this decor in the reception area. Designate someone to transport before hand to make sure this task gets done.

3) Your Favors:
The work can be done a month before the wedding and this can easily add a personal touch. Procrastinators and busy brides beware: Creating favors can be laborious...I suggest having everything completed by two weeks before the wedding. You do not want to spend your last night of being a single women cutting, pasting, and filling favor boxes!

4) Your Invitations, Programs and Save-the-Dates:
Again, a project that will be completed months before the wedding. Now-a-days you can purchase price friendly invitation kits. I love the ones at Target! I also suggest vistaprint.com for save-the-dates, but remember to allow time for delivery.

For different ideas on the same topic go to
http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/diy-do-it-yourself-weddings/articles/diy-wedding-dos-and-donts.aspx

Stay tuned for Article 2: The Don'ts

Blog Special: Email your DIY ideas to info@buonaffareevents.com for a free hour on the day of the event if you are a new bride. If you are an existing BAE bride email your ideas and receive a free rental return. (Offer expires May 1, 2009. Not good with any other offer.)

Perez/Estrada Wedding

On March 21st we were honored to coordinate the wedding of Teresa Perez and Erick Estrada at the beautiful Villa Antonia. Maria Bernal did a wonderful job with the photography, as you can see.





The ceremony was at St. Williams in Round Rock. Isn't it breathe taking?




The Glass Fountain did the florals.




Villa Antonia made a beautiful back drop for the reception.




Other vendors:
Dinner Music- Mariachi Esrella
Reception Music- Complete Music, Kit
Caterers- Sterling Affairs
Videographer- Video Shoppe
Cake Designer- Cakes 'n More
Ice Sculpture- Amazing Ice Design
Rentals- Marquee

Five Easy Ways to Save on Your Wedding

In times like these we are all cutting back. But when it comes to your wedding how can you save without looking cheap? Here are five great tips for brides with champagne tastes on a beer budget.

1. Schedule your wedding during an off peak season, day of the week, or time:

Many vendors (venues especially) will give discounts to brides willing to schedule during slower times. Think its a funny idea to have a wedding on a Sunday? Well, that is actually the traditional time to perform wedding ceremonies. So you're set on having a Saturday event...Look into having one in the afternoon instead of the evening; you'll also find major savings during this time and you can think about serving a brunch (even more savings). If you're willing to be flexible with your date and time, it just might make the difference in actually having your wedding at the perfect venue.

2. Select a city owned venue:

In Austin, we are fortunate to have MANY beautiful city owned parks and recreation centers. A lot of the times these venues are a great steal. One thing to watch out for is that these sites are usually bare bone packages. It might take you (or your coordinator) a little more work in the end, but, if done correctly, you can select all your own (perfect) vendors instead of the venue selecting them for you, save a lot of money, and have a great and memorable party that is uniquely yours. (BAE does have a comprehensive list of venues including city owned parks and recreational buildings.)

3. Pass on the traditional champagne toast:

So you spend all this money, pour all this champagne, and nine out of ten of the guests take two sips and then leave the rest. You would be astonished with how cost affective it is to just have the guests toast with what they are drinking. Not only do you save money on the bubbly, but your caterer can cut back on servers, saving you even more.

4. Skip the grooms cake:

Okay, so maybe my bakers don't like this idea, but did you know that having a groom's cake is totally a southern tradition? If you ask a bride in California what flavor her groom's cake is, she would look at you like you just sprouted antennas. If you're set on having two different flavored cakes, try having two different layers on your wedding cake.

5. Hire a wedding planner:

Many people know that a wedding planner will save you time, but did you know that a good wedding planner will also save you money. Many times other vendors will actually seek out a wedding planner and offer them savings to pass on to their brides. Recently, I was able to offer one bride a videography package for free. Not only did that eliminate the cost of my services, but it also left her with some extra money in her pocket.

Something that I tell my brides that they might not want to completely save on is music. Either your DJ or you band have complete control of the entire reception. I guarantee that your guest will not remember the flowers that you had, but they will remember if they had a blast. The best way to assure a good time is to have a professional in charge of your music.

For other great tips, schedule your free initial consultation (FREE- a word that is not heard too often in today's economy.)

Making Dreams Reality

At Buon Affaré Events, we believe that every bride deserves a wedding planner and we are very passionate about this viewpoint. In today's economy, many people are finding themselves in positions they never imagined they would be in. Every year, we meet with brides that have a genuine need for a wedding planner, but because of their financial situation or unforeseen emergencies this need is not fulfilled. As a response, Buon Affaré Events has developed a program for engaged couples in a loving relationship with financial or emotional issues. One couple will be awarded a perfect planning package developed specifically for them. Please send your touching story to info@buonaffareevents.com. We are currently looking for a 2010 wedding to award to a deserving couple.

Design on a Shoestring

Well, of course you know about our wedding planning services, but did you also know we can help you out with design? Whether you need more candlelight or would like some simple floral pieces we're here to help.
Our designs are created as another way to save you money. We will help you supplement your large arrangements and your personal bouquets designed by a professional florist with candle centerpieces and simple (but dramatic) floral centerpieces. Our philosophy...Use less flowers in an eye-catching way. This will create a stunning centerpiece and save you money!
Like our ideas? Check out some more of our designs at www.pbase.com/buonaffareevents.
Call or email (512.657.7209 or info@buonaffareevents.com) for a free consultation to receive a quote.

Bridal Extravaganza and DIY Guest Favors

The Bridal Extravaganza this weekend was a big hit. Hundreds of Austin area brides showed up for great deals and one-stop wedding shopping.
One item that we included in our booth this year were pyramids filled with chocolate peanut butter cups. They were a huge hit and for all of those DIYers out there, this could be a great project for guest favors. Just make sure you have plenty of help (that's what bridesmaids are for); it can be time consuming (it took me one hour to make 10). Not quite the crafty girl, but still like these little treasure boxes? No problem...Buon Affaré Events can help you out. You supply all the materials and we'll do the dirty work for $1.50/favor. For all us those that are ready to roll up their sleeves and begin crafting, here are the instructions:

Creates 200 favors
Materials:
*100 sheets of cardstock or heavy paper
*30 yards of ribbon (I Love the ribbon from namemaker.com. You can have your names printed on it)
*Ad tech Glue Runner
*Scissors
*Box Cutter
*200 pieces of your favorite candy (or enough for 200 people)

Instructions:
*Print the template under pyramid template found on this link
http://buonaffareevents.com/services/. You can even add a message in the middle if you choose.
*Cut out the out line of each shape.
*Add a slit on the top of two opposite sides to thread your ribbon
*Fold on the inside lines (to make this step easier, I would trace over the dotted line with a box cutter, just make sure that you don't pierce through the paper.)
*Add glue to the tabs using the glue runner
*Paste together three side of the pyramid. Insert your candy and glue the last side in place.
*Thread your ribbon through the slits and tie.
Voula...You have perfectly shaped pyramid!