As many of you might now, I've got a lot of ideas as to what I like and want. Usually, this leads to me change my mind about things a few times (or more).
That said, Lon and I have changed our minds completely as to the location and date of the wedding. We love Austin so much we decided to move the location back to the city. After researching locations, we've settled on Zilker Clubhouse.
Located west of the famous Zilker Park, the Hilltop ranch-style lodge owned by the City of Austin and offers panoramic views of downtown a clubhouse and adjoining patio and seems like the perfect location -- I've also heard plenty of stories of amazing weddings my friends have attended there. Rental also includes tables and chairs for 150, which is a nice savings. I think it will be incredibly beautiful and romantic.
Renting the clubhouse is the only tricky part. We have to submit a letter entering a lottery for its use. April and October are the busiest months of our year, so we think November (1, 8 or 15th) is a nice compromise. The leaves will be changing then so I anticipate an amazing view of Austin trees in red, orange and yellow.
I also spoke with my friend Lauren of LD Design and will likely use her services for decor. Lauren designs sustainable planters in modern gorgeous styles. Lon and I simply love her work, so are excited to see what she will do with the space (on a limited budget!). Her roommate Erin does graphic design, and they offered to give us a quote for both decor and save-the-dates/invitations. I'm really excited about this as they understand my style and budget. Erin actually gave me a great perspective to have on the wedding. As she put it, I'm really just throwing a big party so a budget of 5-10K should get me a great party. A sample of Erin's work: check out www.designld.com!
Speaking of perspectives, I read a story lately on how best to save money in planning. The biggest and most meaningful lesson was to stop calling items you purchase/rent "wedding" items. As soon as a seller hears wedding they think $$$. I want them to hear "party" and think $. In this case, I'll be ordering a party cake, which will then be adorned with fresh flowers by Lauren. My dress will likely be a evening gown. I absolutely love the bottom of this one, but Lon and I agree the top is too informal. I'm more concerned with having something completely unexpected and fun. Something I can wear again if I choose and not be obvious.
So there it is, our plans have changed and will continue to as we move forward in planning. It's so exciting to work on!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
31 Flavors
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Sparkly!
Lon gave me my engagement ring last night! On our way to dinner, he admitted getting down on one knee at the restaurant wasn't his thing (nor mine) and did it right in his dining room. We both laughed a little as it was the second time around, but I stopped laughing once I saw it.
It's more beautiful than I imagined! On a white gold band, you'll find a gorgeous electric blue sapphire surrounded on each side by three round diamonds. It's so sparkly and bright, I cant stop staring at it.
We picked out the setting together last week and I have been waiting patiently for it to be ready (er, sorta patiently, okay not at all but whatever) . Originally, I thought I wanted an antique setting for the sapphire, but once we looked at this band I knew it was the one! That and the matching wedding band is equally gorgeous with six-seven diamonds of the same size and makes the engagement ring shine even more.
Lon's parents went with him to pick it out and Janet chronicled it with her camera--pics I'm ready to see. They chose from four sapphires the brightest and most color consistent of them all, even going outside to see the stone in natural light.
After he proposed we went to our favorite restaurant for dinner and stared at it on and off throughout. Then Jenny met us for a drink so she could see it. I think we exhausted her with our excitement, haha.
My coworkers called it "striking" and "really beautiful" (I'm having a hard time not holding it up to everyone I see!)
Update: Here's a pic Janet took of my ring this weekend!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Yummy Yummy BBQ
Last night Lon and I went to Chisholm Trail Icehouse & BBQ to meet with Randy the owner. I found their website online sometime ago and emailed him about catering our wedding. He invited me to bring Lon in for a tasting and what a tasting it was!
After anticipating much slower traffic and making a few u-turns--this place is tiny, we arrived about an hour early. I finally just drove through a strip mall and hidden among some big-box stores was Chisholm Trail.
Randy was fantastic. As a fifth generation Austinite and the owner of Chisholm Trail for the past 5 years, he knew Texas bbq. He poured us each a beer and proceeded to give us an abundance of information on his services, food (with vegetarian options), wedding advice, and personal connections we could call. Then he brought us samples of his food.
We tried turkey, jalapeño sausage, pork ribs, and brisket in lean and moist. For sides we had cole slaw, potato salad, beans, and a roasted potato. Everything was delicious. The sauces were fantastic--we both preferred the non-spicy over spicy sauce. I can't begin to tell you how good it was. I don't know if it was the beer or Randy's talk that made it so special, but we both agreed it was arguably the best bbq in Austin, rivaling only the Salt Lick. After filling up to the brim, we asked Randy to email us a pricing list and he agreed to check in with us in February regarding the date and time of the wedding.
We both agreed to check other catering options, but are fairly sure this will be it. Not only was it delicious, Randy seems like a stand up guy and the prices are perfect. I just hope the rest of our planning is this fun!
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Reception Decor - Sorta
Last night at dinner Lon's mom Janet reminded me of a Susan's wedding on Desperate Housewives which was pretty close to what we're going after in its decor (romance!). It was undoubtedly prettier on TV, but this screen shot gives an idea I hope to include - paper lanterns. Add to this white Christmas lights in the trees and real grass (and take away the wood thingy) and you get the idea.
Lon's response to the pic, "Whoa, where's Frodo?"
Maybe they are called "wildflowers" for a reason...
Last week I sent an email to Austin's Wildflower Center asking about seeds to plant for use at our wedding. The email (below) is very helpful as you'll see. The only lingering piece of info I've taken from it is that wildflowers don't last long once picked. It may be time to re-think using them as part of the table/bouquet decor. I'd still like to plant/throw seed though; any extra flowers around the house seems like a good thing.
"First of all, congratulations on your planned wedding and for choosing such an appropriate site. Second, PLEASE don't ask us for foolproof anything! Especially wildflowers. There are so many variables: too much rain (pretty rare), too little rain, a mild winter, a very bad winter, late spring, early spring, you name it, it can go wrong. What we can do is recommend that you plant wildflowers that are native to your area, because you know they can survive there. However, you don't have to limit yourselves to flowers that you commonly see in your areas; others might very well grow, too.
So, Wildflower Weddings, Class 101 now in session. Follow this link to our Native Plant Database. You'll use this link again, because there's lots on that opening screen. We tested out the possibilities, and went to the "Combination Search" on that screen. Now, you can play around with the wildflowers that are possible for that time of year and that location. Select Texas for state, Herbs for habit, Annual for duration (most of the favorite wildflowers are reseeding annuals), 6 hours or more of sun a day, and dry soil moisture. Under "Bloom Characteristics", check bloom time of March and April. We left color choices blank, but as you experiment, you might try selected colors, see what suggestions for specific colors you get. When we clicked on "Combination Search" we got 33 possibilities. We went through these, eliminating some that we know are beautiful but stickery, and any that don't start blooming by March. We also took a look at the soils required on each descriptive page, and made sure they would have a good chance in your area. Our Top Twelve are: Lupinus texensis (Texas bluebonnet), Castilleja indivisa (entireleaf Indian paintbrush) , Eriogonum annuum (annual buckwheat), Gaillardia pulchella (firewheel) , Ipomopsis longiflora (flaxflowered ipomopsis), Linum berlandieri var. berlandieri (Berlandier's yellow flax) , Lindheimera texana (Texas yellowstar), Monarda punctata (spotted beebalm) , Phlox drummondii (annual phlox), Salvia coccinea (blood sage) , Thelesperma filifolium var. filifolium (stiff greenthread), and Scutellaria drummondii (Drummond's skullcap) .You do not have to limit yourselves to these, choose any or all or find others that work for you.
Next, go to the How To Articles. Here you'll find articles on bluebonnets, wildflower gardening, and other things you'll be interested in for your wedding site. Now take a look at the Propagation Datasheets with information on planting many of the most popular wildflowers.
You should be loaded with information by now, so we'll throw in a couple more hints. The first is, it's really too late for trying to plant most wildflowers to bloom in spring of 2008. If you wanted to experiment, you could certainly get some in the ground right away, but they really should be planted beginning September through October, mid-November at the latest. So, next fall you will be putting in the actual flowers that will, hopefully, be ready for your wedding. If some come up next spring, be careful not to mow the area until they have seeded, so you'll have a head start on the 2009 crop. Finally, you asked about the possibility of picking wildflowers for your wedding, and whether it was illegal to pick bluebonnets in Texas. In our experience, wildflowers do not tend to last long once they been picked, even if they're put into water. If you get some blooms next spring, experiment with them, see which ones last and how long. In Texas, it is illegal to damage or remove property from State lands, which could include bluebonnets. However, since you will be on land belonging to your future in-laws, you should certainly feel free to pick what you wish.
And best of luck from all of us at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Fredericksburg, Texas
Fredericksburg is well known as a predominately German town. Settled by Germans in 1846, the town still offers charm of that day, complete with beer gardens and quaint little cottages that serve as shops and B&Bs.
I first experienced F'burg while moving to Austin in July 2005. Jon and I drove through in the early morning just as the sun rose. It is beautiful. I've had the pleasure of taking a few trips since then, including a memorable one with my Mom. We rented a B&B and shopped until we'd (I) had enough.
One of the many highlights of F'burg is its many surrounding/famous wineries. Just south of the town on its main road you will pass half a dozen. Lon and I have discussed organizing a wine tour for the Friday afternoon before the wedding, we'll keep you posted on our plans. We are also looking into staying at one of our favorite wineries, Becker Vineyards on the night of and for a few days after. Becker is fantastic. The tasting room features an antique bar for tasting the delicious locally grown wine. The lead sommelier is a funny little Frenchman with a penchant for flirting with the ladies... http://www.beckervineyards.com/
Inspirations
We have many... Right now they focus around the wedding site, Lon's family's River House in Johnson City, just over an hour north of Austin in the beautiful Texas hill country.
With over a year to go, we've got big plans for that beautiful piece of land on the Pedernales river. First we've got to clear the overgrown meadows for places to run and play. Next weekend we'll start the process with friends (talk about fun!). We'll also plant some wild flowers for a test run- if all goes well, they'll be the decorations for the big day (keep your fingers crossed!). Here are some flowers we hope to plant:
I've got more to share-when time permits!
