Upon the start of a New Year...

Ahh...everyone knows what the New Year brings: fireworks, parties, and YES New Year's resolutions! These mental (or written) promises to workout a certain number of times a week, read a book a month, etc. help people to accomplish goals set for themselves. However, many people fail to complete their goal over the course of the year. Low and behold, a New Year's resolution can be perfect to help get back on track of planning your wedding, especially if you have slipped during the month of December. Set goals for yourself for each week and write them down. If you write them down, it makes it harder for you to pretend these goals don't exist! Also, post reminders of what you have to have done before the end of the week around your house to help remind you! The bathroom mirror, the fridge door, and the back of the front door are perfect places to put reminders!

Have a Happy New Year!

Rebecca ;)

Trail of Lights!

The Trail of Lights is another one of the reasons I LOVE Austin! Our city is so cool! I hope you had the chance to see the beautiful display of lights this year in Zilker Park and if not... pencil it in your calendar for 2009, It's a MUST SEE!

In case you are wondering when this great Austin tradition began, read below!

History: The festival, originally known as Yule Fest, began in 1965 by Mrs. Alden Mabel Davis and former Parks and Recreation Director Beverly Sheffield as a holiday gift from the Parks and Recreation Department to the citizens of Austin and its visitors. The first display, "The Twelve Days of Christmas", was initially set up in Zilker Park and still holds a prominent location on the Trail every year.

The first festival lasted four days and consisted of a candlelight path, dance performances, a live nativity scene, and the Yule log. In 1967 the Zilker Tree, the "World's Largest Man-made Tree", made its first appearance at the festival.

Through the years the festival continues to grow and long lasting traditions, such as the trail of lighted displays, a 5K run, the Zilker Tree lighting, an Opening Night Parade sustain the holiday memories of thousands of families. In 1992, the festival was renamed the Trail of Lights.

Oh to be a kid again..

"It's the kid inside of us that keeps us all from going crazy.” – From my favorite tv show, Scrubs

All of us have this inner delight, wonder, and imagination that keeps us from being brought down by the ups and downs of the world. Remember to keep your inner kid alive by taking pleasure in the joys of life. Happy New Year!

sara :)

Tis the Season!

The Something to Celebrate team wishes you a relaxing and fun-filled holiday week. Take a break from your planning and enjoy this time with family and friends.

Congratulations to all the newly engaged (or soon-to-be engaged!!) couples out there. It's such a great time of year and we can't wait to hear all about your wedding plans.

Happy holidays to you and yours!

~Jessica, Becky, Lorena, Cortney, Sara & Rebecca

P.S. Happy anniversary to Ashley and Kurt -- my Vintage Villas Christmas wedding from last year. Enjoy a few shots from their festive day!




Photos courtesy of Red Letter Photo

Technical Difficulties!

Our website is temporarily down as we're shifting from one hosting company to another. But never fear, we're still here! And hope to have the issue resolved soon.
In the mean time, feel free to contact me directly should you have any questions -
jessica@somethingtocelebrate.biz

Thanks!

Kim and Travis

I knew working with Kim and Travis would be a unique experience - Travis is a wedding vendor! In fact, we've worked together for years and he's my top choice when brides are looking for a wedding videographer. I was so honored when they chose me to pull the details of their wedding day together - out of all the multitudes of coordinators Travis works with!





I LOVED this wedding. Kim and Travis chose the oh-so-cool stables of Pearl Brewery for their wedding backdrop, and ran with the alcohol theme. The wine bottles used throughout were a bit hit and a conversation starter among their guests.

On a personal note, I am so happy for this couple. Travis is a genuinely nice guy and he found his perfect match in Kim. She's smart, funny, and so supportive of Travis and her girls. I was so thrilled to help this family come together.

Congratulations guys!!!!
xoxox
jessica













These awesome pictures, courtesy of Anne Marie Photography, will be featured in an upcoming issue of The Knot Real Weddings Texas.

Christmas Holidays

"Plan for the future, but live and enjoy today."

While enjoying time with friends and family, take a few minutes during the week to review tasks that need to be complete during the month before the big day. It will help you to stay on top of things while having fun! That way, you will not be behind and stressed when the holidays are over!

Happy Holidays!

Rebecca ;)

Meet Katherine & Ben!

It has been an absolute pleasure working with Katherine & Ben on their 2009 wedding! Read below to learn more about what makes them so special :)

Katherine & Ben

• Wedding Website? To be created... it's top on my priority list to get done.
  
  
• Do you have a Wedding Planning Blog to document all of your planning details? No. Though I have collected my thoughts and samples via a notebook and The Knot.
  
  
• Where's Home? Austin
  
  
• Why an Austin Wedding? We live here and love the city and especially the lake. We really wanted our family and friends to enjoy the beauty and wonderful things that we love about Austin.
  
  
• Length of engagement? just short of 1 yr.
  
  
• How long until the wedding? approximately 6 months
  
• Who did you first tell you were engaged? I texted all my friends while we were at dinner and then called my best friend (MOH) first the next morning. I tried calling my parents first, but couldn't get a hold of them.·
  
  
• If you had to start over in your wedding planning, name one thing would you do differently? I wish I had started some things earlier.
  
  
• During the ceremony, who will be the first to cry? My Dad and I will both be holding back the tears as he walks me down the aisle.
  
• What are your three favorite blogs/websites (besides STC's)? The Knot, Style Me Pretty
  
  
• When selecting someone to entrust with your wedding day, why did you choose STC? I met Cortney and Becky at the Tribeza Wedding Day event and really hit it off with both of them. I didn't just want someone that could plan my wedding, but someone that I really liked and got along with. I met some other wedding planners and didn't feel I really connected with them. STC not only has great wedding planners, but great people... and that makes the difference. You know they really care!

Hungry yet?

I love cupcake wedding cakes! Everyone can have their own perfect piece of cake.. with no messy cutting. Plus they can be fun but still classy!




















sara :)

Oh Happy Day!

When I first met Liz, I liked her instantly. She had great style. And she also had the largest planning binder I had ever seen. From Colin Cowie to Martha to In Style Weddings, she had pages torn out of every wedding magazine and book and blog under the sun. And as I learned during the wedding toasts, this wedding binder had become quite infamous in this couple's relationship. I never heard.. but I fully expect that her ginormous binder was thrown into Lady Bird Lake post-wedding :)

Like so many brides, Liz had been planning her wedding ever since she was a little girl. Only this wedding was going to be a little different -- meet the lovely Carrie. Together Liz and Carrie (okay... mostly Liz) worked with us all the way from Boston to create a very special commitment ceremony celebration.

I know I say this about all of my weddings, but this was one of my favorites!! Liz and Carrie have stellar taste. I loved the monochromatic palette and clean modern elements we incorporated into this eco-chic celebration. From the succulents to their oh-so-cute choreographed first dance to their fabulous pink shoes, this wedding was super stylish and so much fun for all their guests. And so fun to plan!

Every element in their wedding told a story -- their favorite Austin hangout (the Hotel San Jose) inspired the agave on their stationery, the tables were named after the couple's many vacations and the specialty drinks were favorite family recipes.

It was a great night. Lots of laughter, happy tears and yummy cupcakes! Cortney and I have said MANY times since this wedding that we have never seen a group with so much love.

When I look back at Liz and Carrie's wedding program, I am struck by the last paragraph:

"We were legally married in Massachusetts on June 20th, 2008. We look forward to the day when our union, and those like it, will be recognized and legal throughout the United States and the world."

Well said, ladies.

I am so thankful we could be a part of this special day.

~Becky














Photos courtesy (many thanks, Melanie!!) of Melanie West Photography.

Motivational Monday:

"Try to be happy in this present moment, and put not off being so to a time to come,—as though that time should be of another make from this which has already come and is ours."
Thomas Fuller

Meet Lauren!

Name - Lauren Currie (AND, don't tell my fiancé, but I am definitely keeping this name for as long as I can without him knowing...thinking about secretly hyphenating..who wants the last name ELOLF????).

Wedding Website - www.theknot.com/ourwedding/LAURENCURRIEANDCHRISELOLF

Where's Home? - My fiancé and I are both from San Antonio. We currently reside in DFW and definitely miss the unpretentiousness of San Antonio/Austin area!!!

Why an Austin Wedding? - We are actually getting married in San Antonio. Jessica is fab enough to help me plan our wedding in SA! She rocks!

Length of engagement? - A year and a half and it has flown by!

How long until the wedding? - 23 days :)

Who did you first tell you were engaged? - Chris and I got engaged in Alaska so he told my parents prior to our departure. In my family, secrets are hard to keep so really, everyone knew...except me :) BUT, I called mom first!

If you had to start over in your wedding planning, what one thing would you do differently? - Be more patient! It was really hard for us to choose vendors being that we live in DFW and are planning a wedding in SA. I am still in school and was limited in the number of time that I was able to come home. I sprung at the chance to hire a DJ based on his rate and after a conversation on the phone. My choice of DJ was not the best and thankfully Jessica was able to fly in to rescue us from what could have been a bad situation!

During the ceremony, who will be the first to cry? - My dad is so in love with his girls and always finds the time to tell us how much we mean to him. It has come to the point at any event where he just has to open his mouth and the tears start rolling. I'll definitely be the first, but in a close second would be my mom!

What are your three favorite blogs/websites (besides STC's)?
Anne Marie Photography (I love them)!!!
Mindy Weiss's website for good ideas (layout hahahah)
All of the YOUTUBE videos of fun wedding dances...they always make me smile!

Why did you hire a wedding coordinator? - I originally was not going to hire a wedding coordinator! I am pretty picky and thought that I had everything sorted out. I am so glad that we decided to hire Jessica! Her suggestions and advice are amazing! She has made me (and my mom) feel completely at ease through this entire process!

Here are a few pics of us... :) (PS-the Christmas outfits are for our annual Tacky Christmas Sweater Party Bus party).

Picture Says It All

Little did you know what goofy pictures your friends were taking while you were busy talking to guests... ;) (I thought these were pretty funny!)

Happy Holidays!!

Rebecca ;)

Planning Trends

Damask, once relegated to your grandma's wallpaper has suddenly become the decor de jour for weddings! I LOVE the classic elegance and sophistication that damask brings to any space.

Options for use:

• You could use Damask patterns for your linens (Try alternating solid linens in between the damask tables, or use damask table toppers over solid linens).


• Your table numbers.


• Your wedding cake


• It also looks great as a lighting pattern...

The options are endless! And the great thing about Damask is that a little goes a long way.
Expect to see damask all over the next wedding season or two. Have fun, be creative and, with a great pattern like this, it only looks like you spent a lot of time and money on decor :).

Decor is one of my favorite aspects of wedding planning, so if you need assistance give me a call, I'm happy to help! :)

xoxo

Cortney Z

Thanks to June Bug Weddings for this photo.

Personal Touches

A gorgeous yet chilly day was the setting for Josh and Erica's wedding at Star Hill Ranch. The officiant, (Sarah) an old friend, did a fabulous job! She had asked the couple to write their own versus to The Beatles song: When I’m Sixty-Four, which she read during the ceremony. It was so cute! To me the most important part of the wedding is having it reflect who you each are and who you are as a couple. I thought this was a beautiful and fun way to do that!


























Thanks to Shannon Cunningham for the beautiful pictures!

sara :)

Getting the best deal from vendors

No matter how much in demand your vendor may be, there are still always ways to cut costs: like having the wedding on a less-popular Friday night:

Understand who you are wokring with: Find out what other vendors offer for the same price point, and use this as leverage. See if costs could be negotiated if other vendors offer the services at a similar price.

Stick to your budget: A vendor may be willing to cut you a deal as long as you agree to something additional -- for example, he might consent to give you an extra hour of shooting, but only if you have him take your engagement photos. What you need to ask yourself is whether this will actually cost you more in the end.

Be friendly, yet firm: There's no harm in politely asking for a deal. If vendors are excited to work with you, they may be more willing to come up with creative solutions.

Hope this helps!

XOXO
Lorena

The Anticipation...

I love this fabulous shot from one of my favorite weddings of the year. Okay, two shots. But they were both so great, I couldn't decide. 

It's that moment right before we head downstairs for the ceremony. There are tears, dancing, deep breathing ... anything to keep you from getting too nervous ;) 

And then it's your time! 

Savor every moment. 

~Becky

Thanks to Studio 563 the great work... More pictures from Ashley & Jason's big day to come! 

Picking A Date

You're engaged! And probably pretty excited to start planning... but when would you like to get married? When looking at your calendar, there are some dates you may want to cross off.

Holiday Weekends
While holiday weekend weddings can seem appealing with the offer of an extra day of recovery/rest, keep in mind that your guests may already have plans or family traditions that will call them away on a holiday weekend. Additionally, you may have difficulty in finding wedding vendors who will work over the holiday weekend, or who will do so for their regular fee.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, January 19, 2009
Monday, January 18, 2010

President's Day
Monday, February 16, 2009
Monday, February 15, 2010

Memorial Day
Monday, May 25, 2009
Monday, May 31, 2010

Independence Day
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Sunday, July 4, 2010

Labor Day
Monday, September 7, 2009
Monday, September 6, 2010

Columbus Day
Monday, October 12, 2009
Monday, October 11, 2010

Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thursday, November 25, 2010

New Year's Eve
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, December 31, 2010

Religious Holidays
Be mindful of religious holidays when planning your wedding. There may even be restrictions at your place of worship as to whether you're allowed to marry at these times.

Palm Sunday
April 5, 2009
March 28, 2010

Easter Sunday
April 12, 2009
April 4, 2010

Passover (begins at sunset the night before and lasts 7 days)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Rosh Hashanah
In 2009, begins at sunset on Saturday, September 19, and lasts until nightfall on Sunday, September 20
In 2010, begins at sunset on Thursday, September 9, and lasts until nightfall on Sunday, September 10

Yom Kippur (begins at sunset the night before)
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 18, 2010

Hanukkah (begins at sunset the night before)
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Thursday, December 2, 2010

Christmas
Friday, December 25, 2009
Saturday, December 25, 2010

Kwanzaa
Begins Saturday, December 26, 2009
Begins Sunday, December 26, 2010

Costly Holidays
If you're looking to marry around Valentine's Day, keep your floral bill in mind, especially if you've got your heart set on roses as they'll be at a premium. Likewise, reception facilities often charge a higher fee for a New Year's Eve wedding.

Notable Holidays

April Fool's Day
If you and your fiance are jokesters at heart, this could be the perfect wedding day for you. If not, choose another day.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Thursday, April 1, 2010

Mother's Day
Make sure your mom is okay with sharing this weekend with your wedding -- but it could be the perfect opportunity to honor her. We once did a wedding on Mother's Day where we presented each mother present with a red rose.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sunday, May 9, 2010

Father's Day
Ditto for dad.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Sunday, June 20, 2010

Halloween
Avoid it if you're terrified that someone might actually show up in costume.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 31, 2010

Days of Remembrance
Historically significant days may cause a conflict of interest for some guests.
September 11: Falls on a Friday in 2009 and on a Saturday in 2010
December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: Falls on a Monday in 2009 and a Tuesday in 2010

Super Bowl
If you don't live in Florida, and are marrying on the Saturday rather than the Sunday of Super Bowl weekend, then the big game shouldn't affect your wedding too much -- unless you and your hubby are diehard pigskin fans and can't bear to miss the big game for your honeymoon. If in doubt, steer clear of these dates:
Sunday, February 1, 2009, Tampa, FL
Sunday, February 7, 2010, Miami, FL

Final Four/March Madness
Everyone loves the excitement of college b-ball (and betting on it!). Keep your sports fans at bay by avoiding these dates:
Saturday, April 4, 2009 and Monday, April 6, 2009, Detroit, Michigan
Saturday, April 3, 2010 and Monday, April 5, 2010, Indianapolis, Indiana

Quirky Dates
03/06/09 falls on a Friday
09/09/09 falls on a Wednesday
10/10/10 falls on a Sunday

Other Dates to Avoid
College reunions and/or homecoming, big conventions/festivals in your city (ACL? SxSW? ROT Rally?), and any annual charity events that involve your family or close friends.

Finally, no matter what date you decide on, keep in mind that date is not official until you've booked your facility.

Happy planning!

Corporate Event: SC'08

Last week Austin hosted the international SC'08 - Supercomputing Conference. This conference throws a good party! I was thrilled to help them pull together the details for their Thursday night "Technical Program Reception." Here's a peek...


We transformed Star Hill Ranch into a tour of three Texan heritages - Native American, Mexican, and Old West. Food and entertainment were evenly distributed throughout all three areas, ensuring that all 2,000 guests had somewhere to go and something FUN to do.


The Native American area was complete with a custom tipi, a gazebo cleverly disguised as a hogan, Native American dancers and musicians, painted horses, and posole and roasted corn.



When guests unloaded the 40 charter busses, they immediately stepped into our own Margaritaville. Bustling with mariachis, salsa dancers, and flamenco performers, it was difficult to choose which performance to watch first! We have plenty of bars to keep the lines short and the guests well-hydrated, and the aroma from the quesadillas and tamales was hard to miss!


My favorite area was the Old West area - there was just so much going on! Cowboy storytellers, toe-tapping country music, trick roping.... and then there were the guest-participation activities! Like bull-riding, mechanical lassoing, and instructors helping you to learn how to line-dance - SO FUN!! And I can't forget the food! Guests LOVED the bar-b-que and plentiful desserts, they even made their own s'mores at the campfires.


SUCH a fun event! And the committee I worked with over our year of planning was a group of really great, smart people. This experience was a blast from start to finish.