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A Passion for What We Do
Since our opening, we have hosted various events, which we are so grateful for. We have had several weddings, varying in size and style, and we’ve learned a lot from each! We created our venue to be versatile, and I am pleased to say that it has been just that.
We’ve had a wedding for 100 guests and a wedding for 500 guests. We’ve had a casual, country wedding, an elaborate, elegant wedding, and everything in between. Each wedding that we have hosted has been different and beautiful and so special! Each bride has been unique and absolutely gorgeous.
One of the things I’ve discovered that make a wedding special is the details. It’s the photos of family that has passed on the reception tables, so everyone remembers they, too, are there to celebrate. It’s the sign in book, or painting, or bench that was made by someone special just for the bride and groom. It’s the unique trinket given by the groom to the bride to wear or carry on her walk down to commit to forever with him.
Moments also make a wedding noteworthy. It’s the story during the ceremony that is told of the bride and groom that brings a tear to everyone’s eye. It’s the secret moments the bride and groom have when no one else is watching when they realize they can finally call each other husband and wife. It’s the instant the parents of the bride take a deep breath of relief knowing their daughter is in good hands.
Maybe I’m just 40 weeks pregnant, but thinking back on these moments I’ve witnessed the last few months absolutely gets me emotional. I feel so fortunate to get to see this all the time. Marriage is such a beautiful thing and one of the most exciting things in life, and I get to see this commitment made every weekend. How lucky am I??
There are certain people that you meet that just really make an impact. We’ve certainly met several families that have been that for us. We feel so incredibly blessed to be able to interact with so many incredible families. It makes all of these 16 hour wedding days so completely worth it! 🙂
Creative Ways to Include Scriptures in Your Wedding Day
Among the many things my mom did for me on my wedding day, she was able to give me a very special surprise that I will cherish forever. After helping me get my dress on, she lifted the train and showed me something that immediately brought us both to tears. She had a scripture embroidered on the inside of my train in blue. During one of our busy wedding planning days I mentioned to my mom that 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 was a verse that my fiancé and I referred to often.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
I absolutely love this special keepsake from my mom. I still remember walking down the aisle and thinking about the scripture embroidered in my dress. I hope to one day do the same for my daughter and carry on the tradition that my mom started.
There are many other ways to incorporate a scripture into your wedding attire or décor. I’ve seen a few Brides get creative and paint a verse on the bottom of their wedding shoes or on the ribbon wrapped around their bouquet.
I love these ideas I found on Pinterest, too! Walking down the aisle and seeing one of your favorite bible verses is a beautiful way to start your journey with your new husband.
You could also share one verse or several verses with your guests as they walk down the aisle to their seats.
Whether you chose to display a scripture for everyone or simply keep it somewhere for yourself, I am confident it will be a special addition to your wedding day that you will cherish forever!
Wedding Day Emergency Kit
My sister in law created an emergency kit for her wedding day and it was a HUGE blessing! Who would have thought one Bride, six Bridesmaids, two Flower girls, and two Moms could have so many last minute “emergencies”. Throughout the day, we had several unexpected opportunities to use our emergency kit- someone needing a snack, someone sick at their stomach, a stain or two, and lots of happy tears. We were lucky to have the necessities and not have to leave the wedding venue for any of our “emergencies.”
Below is a list of everything included in my sister in law’s wedding day emergency kit. By the end of the day everything in our bag had been used at least once.
- Granola Bars 12. Stain Remover Pen
- Advil 13.Mouthwash
- Razors 14.Gum
- Deodorant 15.Bobby Pins
- Feminine Products 16.Eye Drops
- Band Aids 17.Scissors
- Mints 18.Clear nail polish
- Lint Roller 19.Nail File
- Sewing Kit 20.Pepto-Bism ol
- Tweezers 21.Tissues
- Safety Pins 22.Hair Spray
During all the wedding day commotion it can be easy to forget to eat a bite so granola bars can come in very handy. Trail Mix would be a great snack also!
If your bridesmaid dresses are short, razors may be very important for your forgetful girls!
Band Aids, a lint roller, sewing kit, stain remover pen, and clear nail polish are all great to have around for your fun, clumsy girls. Clear nail polish works wonders on runners!
Most importantly, don’t forget the tissues. In each wedding I have been apart of, I made sure to wrap a few tissues around my bouquet just in case and was happy to have them each time.
These are just the items that were usual for us, but there are many other things you may feel are important for your emergency kit! I posted more ideas on our Autumn Oaks Event Center Pinterest page, here!
Rainy Wedding Day at an Indoor/Outdoor Wedding Venue
This morning my two year old looked outside and said “rain, rain go away come again so I can play!” Something like that anyways! I’m sure many Spring Brides can relate to her feeling- a feeling of disappointment and worry. In her case, will she be able to go outside today? Will the rain wash away her sidewalk chalk? As a Bride you worry if you and your guests will be rained on, will the venue be muddy, will guests come if it is raining, etc. After planning your dream outdoor wedding for months, a rainy wedding day forecast can be very disappointing and stressful. This is when an indoor/outdoor wedding venue comes in handy!
Growing up in the Texas Panhandle, this was something we knew we wanted to be prepared for when designing Autumn Oaks Event Center. We took in to consideration how unpredictable the weather can be and made it very easy for Brides to quickly transition their wedding indoors. We also added a 2,400 square foot back porch in case Brides want to move the wedding out of the rain but still enjoy the view outside.
However, the” old wives tale” is that rain on your wedding day means good luck, so why not embrace it! I’ve found a few photos of daring couples who decided not to let the rain ruin their special day and continue with their plans.
This couple definitely seized the moment. What a gorgeous picture to remember the pure joy they felt on their wedding day in the rain!
lis-noldor.livejournal.com
The couple who dared to dance in the rain! What a fun first dance as husband and wife!
Wedding Forward | Inspirations Ideas Planning
What a fun picture and great idea! This couple incorporated their rainy day umbrellas in their photos while enjoying the sunshine!
Jonathan Ivy Photography
Love this picture of the Bride and her girls having some fun in the rain! The clear umbrellas make for a gorgeous photo!
Bartlett Pair Photography
Lastly, the couple who decided to be prepared and prepare their guest for a fun, rainy wedding day!
Inked Weddings
Be sure to check out our Autumn Oaks Event Center’s Pinterest page for more rainy day ideas and wedding day inspirations!
Open Vendor Wedding Venue- Perfect for “DIYers”
Do- it- yourself weddings have become very popular and are a great way for couples to show some creativity and save on their budget! Whether you are a craft enthusiast or your skills are less than superior, I have found DIY projects for every skill level! From DIY wedding invitations to centerpieces and wedding favors, you can do it all. At Autumn Oaks, we offer an Open Vendor Policy making us the perfect wedding venue for “DIYers”!
DIY Wedding Invitations
If you are planning a big wedding, a big chunk of your budget can go to invitations. Recruit your groom, mom, or bridesmaids and create your own invitations. You will want to send out your invitations 6 to 8 weeks before your wedding date so make sure to start this project early! Don’t forget to include the name and address of your wedding venue! I love the simple, elegant look of the invitations pictured.
DIY Wedding Centerpieces
Centerpieces are a great way to add your personal touch to a wedding venue. My sister in law decided to get creative and make her own centerpieces for her wedding. The bridal party pitched in and we made them at her wedding venue the morning of her wedding. We had a lot of fun putting them together and of course they turned out beautiful!
DIY Wedding Favors
After your loved ones join you at your wedding venue to celebrate your big day, send them home with a fun DIY wedding favor! I attended a wedding last year where Smores were the wedding favors and they were delicious! My sister in law was a bridesmaid so I knew they were DIY favors created by the bride and bridesmaids, but I wouldn’t have known otherwise. They looked professionally done and tasted even better!
These are just a few of the DIY wedding ideas I have seen. I dropped some more ideas for you on our Pinterest page. Check them out! I am the least creative person ever but still found several I think I could manage!
Southern Elegance Design
What/Who is Southern Elegance Design?
Southern Elegance Design is comprised of two friends that created a business doing what they love. They are now Lubbock’s premier full service wedding stylists and planners. We first met Tonjua and Shelley at the Bridal Service Associates of Lubbock Bridal Show (https://www.facebook.com/BridalServiceAssociatesofLubbock/) back in September. It was our first time to do a bridal show and we were a little nervous and scatter brained and apparently we weren’t hiding it very well! Southern Elegance Design’s booth was set up right next to ours. The girls came over and introduced themselves, and gave us some much appreciated advice. They were beyond sweet and we continued to chit chat throughout the event. Also, at their booth was April’s Sweet Tooth, who kept giving my husband cupcakes to make the Bridal Show experience a little more enjoyable for him. He was an immediate fan!
Why We Love Them
Their decor at the show was amazing! I was so impressed. Their style is fantastic and their knowledge and personalities just put them over the top. I’ve mentioned this before, but it is so important to us to refer companies and individuals that we think are not only talented, but good people as well. Trust me, these are some great gals! They have been awesome in offering to help us, and have been so excited about our new venue. They absolutely always come from a place of contribution, and that is so important when offering to help with someone’s big day!
Why You Should Call Them
Clearly we think these ladies are pretty sweet, but we also think they do a fabulous job! Tonjua and Shelley know the importance of each wedding being uniquely beautiful and they cater to each bride and her personality to make it the perfect event for her. They are willing to customize each package so that they can work with any budget. They offer wedding planning, catering, floral options, and several other services. For a complete list of services offered, please visit their website http://southernelegancedesign.com/services/ .
Need more reasons to choose these gals to make all your wedding dreams come true?? Read these testimonials from some of their clients! You can see several photos and videos of weddings they’ve done on their website. Each wedding they have designed is distinctively beautiful. Also, be sure to like them on Facebook.
Winter Inspired Wedding Ideas
I had so much fun collecting Autumn Inspired wedding ideas; I thought it was necessary to share a few of my favorite Winter Wedding Inspirations. It seems like more and more Brides are choosing winter months for their wedding date. After looking into winter ideas, I don’t blame them! The colors are absolutely gorgeous and winter brings a special romantic feeling along with it.
Whimsical Winter Wedding Color Scheme:
Found on chicvintagebrides.com
I can think of one word to best describe these colors- romantic. These colors are beautiful individually and even better when combined together. Five colors could be a lot to incorporate so you could easily eliminate one or two.
Romantic Winter Wedding Bouquet:
Found on elegantweddinginvites.com
Simple yet elegant. The pops of plum are what really pulled me into this bouquet. I love a touch of dark romance! This is another one I would have a hard time throwing to my screaming Bachelorettes!
Winter Wedding Reception Bar:
Found on hometalk.com
If you read my blog on dessert bars, (here), you already know how much I adore this idea. Such a fun way to serve desserts and in this case yummy, warming hot chocolate! I absolutely love the shabby, rustic décor but it could easily be changed to suit your wedding style.
Winter Wedding Inspired Favors:
Found on buzzfeed.com
Maybe I’m just craving hot chocolate but this is so cute and looks super yummy! These favors could easily be dressed up or down and could be paired with or without the alcoholic beverage.
Once again, these are just a few of my favorite winter wedding ideas from Pinterest Be sure to check out Autumn Oaks Pinterest page for more of my finds! We also have lots of ideas for Spring and Summer!
Our Spring and Fall weddings are booking up fast! Call us today to set up your tour!
Creative Dessert Bars for Wedding Receptions
Desert Bars are a popular trend with Brides this year. Many brides are ditching the traditional 7 layer wedding cake and chocolate groom’s cake and creating “do it yourself” dessert bars. What a fun idea for a wedding reception! Everyone loves the idea of getting to create their own yummy dessert! Here are my 5 favorite dessert bars by couples who dared to take a leap.
1. Reception Donut Bar
A donut bar?! Yumm!!! There are few sweets I enjoy more than a warm, flaky donut! Love the chalkboard display with the flavor choices. Not to mention- donuts are pretty inexpensive!
2. Reception Sundae Station
Jenn & Dave Stark / via stylemepretty.com
Being an ice cream connoisseur, this one was a must for me. This is a GREAT idea for summer weddings! Different flavors of ice cream with different topics to choose from sounds dreamy on a hot day. All this picture is missing are the cute mason jars to serve the sundaes in!
3. Reception Pie Bar
Brooke Courtney Photography / via ruffledblog.com
I’ll take one of each please! I’m in love with the idea of a pie bar. Pies are not something you usually see offered at weddings, and why not- everyone loves a pie! This is a great setting for an indoor or outdoor reception.
4. Reception Oreo Bar
Seneca Epley Photography / via rusticfolkweddings.com
I couldn’t pass up this creative oreo cake! What an original idea! I’m not sure that I would want this to be the only dessert offered at a wedding reception but it is a very clever idea. Kids would absolutely love it. I would definitely make sure to have an “oreo cutter” for this cake- no free for all for the kiddos!
5. Reception Milk and Cookie Bar
Liz and Ryan / Allison Barnhill Designs
This is another fun, kid friendly bar for a wedding reception. I love the idea of offering different types of cookies to munch on throughout the night, but would suggest offering a cake or other dessert to go with it. I’m also not sure many adults would pick up the milk but the kids would love it! Maybe you could add a supervised “adult milk” section?
The Importance of a Good Caterer
Caterers are going to love the prep kitchen at Autumn Oaks Event Center! We focused on “catering to our caterers” when it came to our prep kitchen. Our kitchen comes fully equipped with a full size heater/proofer holding cabinet, 2 door turbo air reach in refrigerator, 3 compartment stainless steel sink, commercial microwave, large chest freezer, and stainless steel work tables. Don’t skip ahead Brides- This blog is for you! Besides your venue, the food and drink for your wedding will consume the largest part of your budget. Not to mention be one of the most important things to your guests! Below are a few tips and tricks for our Brides when choosing a caterer for their wedding day.
10 Interview Questions to ask your Wedding Caterer
- Are you available on my wedding date?
- How long have you been in business?
- Given my budget and guest count, what food choices would you recommend?
- Will you create a custom menu for our wedding?
- Do you offer packages or is everything a la carte? What packages do you offer?
- What décor do you provide for appetizer stations or buffet tables?
- How much do you charge for children’s meals?
- Do you offer food tastings? Is there an extra charge for this?
- What is your clean up policy?
- How much time do you require for setting up and breaking down my event? Are there extra fees for this?
Catering Options
Keep in mind that many caterers’ now days offer a range of services other than catering. Some are “event designers”, meaning they provide props and décor for the food and drinks. My sister in law went with this option for her wedding and it was beautiful! The caterer made sure to stick to her style and colors and the set up was a huge hit at the reception. Once again, Pinterest is a great spot for decoration ideas! Pick out your favorites and take them when you interview caterers.
Found on colincowieweddings.com
One of the MANY ideas I found on Pinterest! Absolutely love this simple, elegant look!
Caterers are also taking on The Cake role now days. While you are tasting food you might as well sample some cakes! Lunch and dessert?! Mmmm! Don’t forget to take pictures of your favorite cakes to the interview also!
Another one of my favorites! Love the rustic cake theme of this cake. Once again I had a hard time choosing one cake to show you. Check out the rest on our Autumn Oaks Pinterest page.
Another option caterers are offering is reception coordinating. Not only will they provide the food and drink but they also coordinate the entire reception. I highly recommend hiring someone for this! Worrying about making sure everyone has gone through the serving line and things are running smoothly is the last thing you and your family want to do! Hire someone and enjoy your day!
We are currently interviewing Caterers for our preferred vendor list and are anxious to share them with you! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for wedding vendor updates!
Dad’s Point of View
I’ve never written a blog before (and probably never will again) but in the spirit of doing my part, I thought I’d give it a shot. This blog is an alert to dads that are about to go through their little girls special day. I say alert because you have no idea what’s coming unless you have two “little girls” and get to experience it twice! I realize there aren’t too many men out there reading wedding day blogs so Brides to be, you may want to share this with your dads.
Father of the Bride
When my “little girl” had her special day, her mother and I thought we had it all covered. We had spent countless hours going over every detail and trying to think ahead to what we needed to do on the wedding day. So, we hired two boys to help with parking and driving our older guest around in golf carts. We also hired two people to help with serving, cleaning tables, even helping getting the bridal party arranged and out the door during the ceremony. Food was catered, so no issues there. As the evening started, I was able to enjoy the wedding party pictures taken before the wedding ceremony. I was able to walk my little girl Cortnee, down the long winding path without either one of us falling down which was an accomplishment in itself. I was able to enjoy the beautiful ceremony from my VIP seat and appreciate a long time friend presiding over the ceremony.
The Reception
ALERT! This is when the night becomes a blur. Instead of enjoying a fabulous evening with friends and family, I was caught up in making sure everyone was ok. Was our older guest and family able to navigate the outdoor terrain and get to their cars ok? Was the trash being dumped, food served at the appropriate time and plenty of chairs and tables to go around? Was there enough to eat and drink, etc. At the end of the night my wife and I fell into bed exhausted to a point I can’t even begin to describe. We had aches where I’ve never felt aches before. It was akin to water skiing for the first time at 45. I could go on and on but my point is, don’t try to do it all yourself. Hire someone to help manage this special day whether it be professional, friend, or acquaintance. If you think you have it covered, you probably don’t. It’s too special of a day to squander away with stress and worry. Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy this very special fall day that went as good as it could have gone, but Dads get plenty of help so you can enjoy it to the fullest. It’s not every day that you give away a daughter.
