Wedding planning can be a bit of a nightmare, as I have expressed in previous postings. When you are new to this world of decor, decisions and etiquette, it is so easy to get lost in translation. How do you know who to go to, what you need and more importantly how do you find someone you can trust to be there before and on the day of?
I lucked out in the fact that my venue, Vista West Ranch, included lighting, day of coordinator (Coordinate This...), tables, chairs, DJ (Complete Music Austin) and bartenders - so my list of other vendors was not extensive (thankfully), we had already found our photographer (Nathan Russell Photography - learn about our experience here), now we needed catering, cake, flowers, mechanical bull technician (prenuptial party), hotel accommodations, transportation, string quartet, flatware, etc.
Photo Credit: Nathan Russell Photography
Tip: So, where does one go to knock this extensive list out, one might ask? Your venue's open house is a great place to start! The benefits of finding vendors at an open house is that most of them have all worked the location before, they know the coordinator, the owners, they know how things work - it isn't their first rodeo if you catch my drift. I needed to find people that I could trust to be there and do the job that I hired them to do. I was able to confidently pick up my wedding caterer (Railroad BBQ), prenuptial caterer (Pappasitos), florist (Petal Pushers), cake decorator (Classic Cakes by Lori) and event rental company (Whim) at the Vista West Ranch open house. It was an amazing feeling to walk out of there knowing that I could check those items off my list. I was so pleased with every single one of these vendors (obviously), there wasn't a single hiccup at our wedding and that has a lot to do with the quality of the professionals that were there. Everything was amazing. The other thing that I suggest is to return to future open houses at your venue, even if you have already selected your vendors. This gives you a fabulous opportunity to scope things out, touch base with your vendors, and to come up with new ideas and toss some to the curb! Happy Planning!
I am excited to announce my venue, Vista West Ranch, is having an Open House on 9/22, and many of my favorite vendors will be in attendance. VWR will unveil it's NEWLY redecorated Bridal Suite courtesy of Petal Pushers for the Home! If you enjoy free drinks and food and are in need of some direction, vendors, and ideas, then I recommend you come and check it out! Hope to see you there!
XOXO-
Lindsay
Here is a list of those attending!
Florist:
Petal Pushers http://www.petalpushers.us/
Event Planner:
Coordinate This... http://www.coordinatethis.com/
Photographer:
Caroline + Ben http://carolineplusben.com/ Christina Carroll Photographyhttp://www.christinacarrollphotography.com/ Jenny DeMarco http://www.jennydemarco.com/ Loft Photographie http://loftphotographie.com/ Luxe Photography - http://luxephotography.com Nathan Russell http://nathanrussellphoto.com/ Shannon Cunningham http://shannoncunninghamphoto.com/
Catering:
Gourmet Gals Catering http://www.gourmetgalscateringaustin.com/ Pok-E-Jo's http://www.pokejos.com/ Railroad BBQ http://www.rrbbq.com/ Verde's http://www.verdesmexican.com/ Catering with a Twist http://www.cateringwithatwist.com/index2.php The Salt Lick www.saltlickbbq.com/? Catering by Mopsie - http://cateringbymopsie.com
Cakes:
Classic Cakes by Lori http://
Specialty Desserts:
The Cupcake Bar http://www.thecupcakebar.com/
Bartending:
Bar Butlers http://www.barbutlers.net/
Music:
Complete Music Austin http://dj-austin-tx.com/
Janie Baldaras http://www.janiebalderas.com/
Rentals:
Hill Country Rentals http://
Hotel Accommodations:
Best Western Suites - Blanco http://bestwesterntexas.com/