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RECIPIENT OF THE WEDDINGWIRE COUPLES’ CHOICE AWARDS 2018

Wedding Wire Couples’ Choice Awards 2018

It’s official! The Wedding Belles has won the prestigious annual WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ 2018 for Wedding Planning! A honor we have recieved every year since 2011. We are recognized in the top 5% of wedding professionals nationwide!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. The Wedding Belles’ selection as a Couples’ Choice Award 2018 winner was selected based on the positive experiences expressed by past clients on WeddingWire, the world’s largest wedding review site with over one million reviews. While many industry awards are given by the host organization, the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences working with The Wedding Belles.

We are happy to announce that The Wedding Belles is among the very best wedding planners within the WeddingWire Network. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ for 2018.

RECIPIENT OF THE WEDDINGWIRE COUPLES’ CHOICE AWARDS 2017

Wedding Wire Couples’ Choice Awards 2017

It’s official! The Wedding Belles has won the prestigious annual WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ 2017 for Wedding Planning! A honor we have recieved every year since 2011. We are recognized in the top 5% of wedding professionals nationwide!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. The Wedding Belles’ selection as a Couples’ Choice Award 2017 winner was selected based on the positive experiences expressed by past clients on WeddingWire, the world’s largest wedding review site with over one million reviews. While many industry awards are given by the host organization, the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences working with The Wedding Belles.

We are happy to announce that The Wedding Belles is among the very best wedding planners within the WeddingWire Network. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ for 2017.

For more information, please visit us at WeddingWire.

WEDDINGWIRE GOLD LEVEL RATED

The Wedding Belles has 50 reviews on WeddingWire. Reviews by our newlywed clients include detailed ratings and insightful descriptions about their experiences working with our business and staff. Our reviews provide transparency for potential clients, assisting them in making informed decisions for their big day.

For more information, please visit The Wedding Belles on WeddingWire.

RECIPIENT OF THE WEDDINGWIRE COUPLES’ CHOICE AWARDS 2016

Wedding Wire Couples’ Choice Awards 2016

It’s official! The Wedding Belles has won the prestigious annual WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ 2016 for Wedding Planning! A honor we have recieved every year since 2011. We are recognized in the top 5% of wedding professionals nationwide!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. The Wedding Belles’ selection as a Couples’ Choice Award 2016 winner was selected based on the positive experiences expressed by past clients on WeddingWire, the world’s largest wedding review site with over one million reviews. While many industry awards are given by the host organization, the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences working with The Wedding Belles.

We are happy to announce that The Wedding Belles is among the very best wedding planners within the WeddingWire Network. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ for 2016.

For more information, please visit us at WeddingWire.

THE WEDDINGWIRE COUPLES’ CHOICE AWARDS 2015

Wedding Wire Couples’ Choice Awards 2014

The Wedding Belles has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ 2015 for Wedding Planning! A honor we have recieved every year since 2011.

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. The Wedding Belles’ selection as a Couples’ Choice Award 2015 winner was selected based on the positive experiences expressed by past clients on WeddingWire, the world’s largest wedding review site with over one million reviews. While many industry awards are given by the host organization, the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences working with The Wedding Belles.

We are happy to announce that The Wedding Belles is among the very best wedding planners within the WeddingWire Network. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ for 2015.

For more information, please visit us at WeddingWire.

PALMER GOSTECNIK WEDDING

November 8, 2014

KELLIE AND LUKE’S AMAZING STORY

February 14, 2014

I am working on something very dear to my heart. I think this is the most fun I have had in my life so far, especially in my work career. Being Valentine’s Day, I thought I would share the story with you.

I was watching KVUE-TV here in Austin in May 27, 2011 when they ran a story about a young couple. Kellie had been involved in an SUV tire blowout/rollover accident the month prior and was hospitalized with a broken leg, broken ankle and spinal cord injuries. Doctors thought she would be a quadriplegic. At the time of the accident, Kellie was a student, with no insurance, so her medical bills were going to be astronomical. Her boyfriend of seven years, Luke, proposed to Kellie while she was in the hospital, and he has been an integral part of her recovery over the past three years. When Luke proposed, Kellie said “Yes”, but did not want to talk wedding plans until, as she said, she could walk herself down the aisle.

I contacted KVUE and was put in contact with one of Kellie’s friends. I suggested that when Kellie was ready to plan her wedding, I would like to put a wedding together for her. I reached out to many of my vendors after seeing the story, to see if they would be willing to donate time, services and product. As excited as I was at this prospect, I am also somewhat of a realist, and did not expect to get a response from everyone. After all, weddings are expensive! To my great surprise, EVERYONE I asked said “YES!” Everyone said yes within 12 hours of receiving my email! Needless to say, I was stunned.

My husband David and I attended a fundraiser for Kellie a couple of months later. We were so amazed with her courage, her humor, her determination, and especially her fiancé. This has to be one of most inspiring young couples I have ever met. We kept in touch periodically through her friend, learning of her slow but steady progress.

Fast forward 3 years. A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from Kellie. She asked if I still remembered her and my offer to help plan the wedding. (Right, like I could forget!) She wanted to know if my offer still stood. I contacted her immediately, as well as my vendors, and we are now in the process of planning a beautiful September 2014 wedding for Kellie and Luke. I met with Kellie and Luke a few days later at their apartment. Although still in a wheelchair, Kellie has regained some use of her arms and hands and can do some things for herself. Luke is still her go-to man, helping her with day-to-day living, which he says he knows God wants him to do. He says he loved her before the accident, and why should it be any different now. To paraphrase Luke “Kellie’s body may be broken, but her spirit is not. Why should I feel any differently about her now than before.”

Through the generosity, kindness and love of strangers, Kellie and Luke will have a beautiful wedding celebration. I want to say “thank you” to everyone involved, so far, in this effort:

Terri Hammond Designing and providing wedding invitations
Courtney’s Catering Providing rehearsal dinner
The Retter Family Providing the space for the rehearsal dinner
Vista West Ranch Wedding _ Reception Venue
Bar Butlers Bartending services
Petal Pushers Florist Flowers
Marci Palmer Photography Engagement _ Wedding Photos
Central Texas J Booth Photo Booth
Pink Avocado Catering
Alfred Angelo Wedding dress and alterations, along with 8 bridesmaids dresses
Mens Wearhouse Discounting suits for Groom’s wedding party
Blonde Faith Salon Hair Styles _ Makeup for Bridesmaids _ Hair Style for Bride
Teri Palmer Makeup for Bride
Hill Country Cupcakes Bride’s Cake
Sweet Treets Bakery Groom’s Cake
Austin Ultimate Sedans Limo/Transportation
Premiere Party Central Rentals
Unique Designs and Events Linens for the rehearsal dinner
Obi Ariguzo Videography
Musical Discovery Chamber Players Ceremony Music – Strings
Hill Country DJs Reception Music
Anonymous Donor Honeymoon and 2 Airline Tickets
through DepartureLounge.com

To my Vendors, and our Anonymous Donor—You are the best people anywhere, anytime. I have enjoyed working with each and every one of you in the past, and am looking forward to working with you on this very, very special wedding as we go forward with all of the plans. As I said earlier, this wedding was just a fleeting thought in my head—you all have made it a reality. I have cried more tears (happy ones!) over this wedding than ever before, but to see the smiles and amazement on Kellie and Luke’s face each time I am privileged to present a new vendor to them, makes it all worthwhile. God bless you all for your time and effort spent on this endeavor. I can’t wait until we are all together in one room in September to celebrate this event. It will be one terrific night. Thank you all so much!!

Donna

RECIPIENT OF THE WEDDINGWIRE COUPLES’ CHOICE AWARDS 2014

Wedding Wire Couples’ Choice Awards 2014

The Wedding Belles has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ 2014 for Wedding Planning!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. The Wedding Belles’ selection as a Couples’ Choice Award 2014 winner was selected based on the positive experiences expressed by past clients on WeddingWire, the world’s largest wedding review site with over one million reviews. While many industry awards are given by the host organization, the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences working with The Wedding Belles.

We are happy to announce that The Wedding Belles is among the very best wedding planners within the WeddingWire Network. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ for 2014.

For more information, please visit us at WeddingWire.

WEDDINGWIRE SILVER LEVEL RATED

The Wedding Belles has 25 reviews on WeddingWire. Reviews by our newlywed clients include detailed ratings and insightful descriptions about their experiences working with our business and staff. Our reviews provide transparency for potential clients, assisting them in making informed decisions for their big day.

For more information, please visit The Wedding Belles on WeddingWire.

RECIPIENT OF THE WEDDINGWIRE BRIDE’S CHOICE AWARDS 2013

Wedding Wire Bride’s Choice Awards 2013

The Wedding Belles has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2013 for Wedding Planning!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. The Wedding Belles’ selection as a Bride’s Choice Award 2013 winner was selected based on the positive experiences expressed by past clients on WeddingWire, the world’s largest wedding review site with over one million reviews. While many industry awards are given by the host organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences working with The Wedding Belles.

We are happy to announce that The Wedding Belles is among the very best wedding planners within the WeddingWire Network. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2013.

For more information, please visit us at WeddingWire.

ELIZABETH AND NATHAN R. WEDDING

June 2, 2012

Elizabeth and Nathan chose the Umlauf Sculpture Garden as the site for their early June outdoor wedding and reception.

Approximately 100 guests were in attendance as Elizabeth’s bridesmaids walked down the aisle in royal blue dresses, carrying hot pink and purple bouquets. The flowergirls were in white dresses and carried dark pink pomanders.

A wonderful buffet dinner provided by Dagar’s Catering fed the guests, followed by terrific bride’s and groom’s cakes provided by Cakes by Lori. The guests were then back at the ceremony site, which had now been turned into the dance floor, where they partied until the bride and groom left by limo for their honeymoon.

KATHRYN AND CESAR M. WEDDING

May 26, 2012

Texas Old Town in Kyle provided the perfect background for Kathryn _ Cesar’s late spring wedding. Kathryn chose the colors watermelon and lemon yellow for her decorations. Her
bridesmaids wore the dark pink dresses and carried yellow roses. The 2 younger flowergirls wore pink dresses and spread yellow rose petals as they walked up the aisle. The two older flowergirls wore yellow dresses and carried large sunflower pillows with the rings attached.

Butterflies decorated the bride’s cake, as well as the bushes outside the reception hall. Centerpieces on the guest tables consisted of yellow roses, hydrangea and calla lilies. The bride carried a bouquet of varying shades of white to red calla lilies and roses.

After a fun evening that included a barbeque buffet and bar, and dancing to the DJ’s music list, the newlyweds were the last people to leave the reception.

JULIE AND MICHAEL P. WEDDING

April 22, 2012

This was one of the most fun weddings we have worked on. Julie and Michael were just a great couple to work with, very laid back and easy. We were hired as day-of coordinators and traveled to Arlington, Texas, where the wedding and reception were held at River Legacy Park in the wedding pavilion.

We set up the altar with 3 cylinders holding pillar candles, surrounded by white lilies and peacock feathers. Above, we hung white, turquoise and teal blue lanterns in varying sizes. To each side of the altar were 3 white columns, each holding a Boston fern with white roses and peacock feathers. Each family row was marked with a tall wooden candlestick decorated with white lilies and peacock feathers, tulle and ribbon. The sign in table and cake table were also decorated with peacock feathers, garland and candles. Guest tables were simply covered with a white linen, and on top set mason jars with candles, votives, and crystals.

        

KRISTIN AND MARK W. WEDDING

April 14, 2012

This beautiful wedding was held in downtown Austin at the Austin Club. Kristin’s bridesmaids wore red dresses and carried multi-colored bouquets of reds, yellows, greens, purples and orange. The guest table centerpieces were also of the same flowers, which put much color into the room. Table linens were white, as were the chair covers, and gold sashes were tied onto the chairs.

Set up for the ceremony, the altar had 3 large multi-colored arrangements and many candles on it. Down the aisle varying colors of rose petals were used. After the reception, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were served by the bar while the staff turned the ceremony room over for the reception. DJ Joel Giorgio kept the guests on their feet until it was time for the bride and groom to leave. Everyone went downstairs with their colored wedding wands to see the bride and groom off in a horse-drawn carriage.

          

NICOLE AND BRENDAN F. WEDDING

March 31, 2012

Nicole and Brendan were a delight to work with. Brendan is in the Army, and while on deployment in Iraq, found The Wedding Belles on line, and wrote to see if we were available to help with last minute planning and day-of coordination. The bride had chosen royal blue and white as her wedding colors, along with peacock feathers.

The wedding was held at Pflugerville Community Church. The church provided the large white altar arrangement, to which we added blue flowers and peacock feathers. On each side of the altar, we used black wrought iron candelabra with 7 pillar candles, and decorated grapevine wreaths on each with ribbon, tulle, white flowers and peacock feathers. We also coordinated the processional and recessional, were available for the bride prior to the ceremony, and made sure everyone was in their place at the right time.

For the reception, which was held at the Ben Hur Shrine Temple in Austin, the bride and groom brought to us blue vases, peacock feathers, photos _ frames and candles as their decor. We added extra candles, roses, crystals and candle cylinders. We decorated the sign in table, the cake table, food table, cocktail tables and gift table. At the end of the night, we helped pack up their personal items and got the gifts to the car for transport.

JENNIFER AND PHIL S. WEDDING

March 24, 2012

This wedding and reception was held at Star Hill Ranch in Austin, Texas. It could not have been a prettier spring day for Jennifer and Phil’s outdoor arbor wedding.

Jennifer’s dress was very light and flowing, perfect for the light breeze that day. Everyone in the bridal party, including the bride and groom, wore lavender Converse tennis shoes with their names on the back heel. The bridesmaids wore chocolate brown dresses and carried varying shades of lavender to purple flowers.

The reception in the Reception Hall had brown linens with lavender runners. Tall vases of branches and white flowers topped the tables. Each guest was given as a favor a stemless wine glass, which was waiting for them at their seat at the table. The bride’s cake was white with lavender trim, and the groom’s cake was a Texas Longhorn. The entire family supports the Longhorns, and the final song that night was the Texas Fight Song!

    

RECIPIENT OF THE WEDDINGWIRE BRIDE’S CHOICE AWARDS 2012

The Wedding Belles has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for Wedding Planning!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, The Wedding Belles was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.

The Wedding Belles is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

We are happy to announce that The Wedding Belles is among the very best wedding planners within the WeddingWire Network. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2012.

For more information, please visit us at WeddingWire.

SAMANTHA & GEOFFREY G. WEDDING

October 9, 2010

This wedding was a referral from a past bride. In this case, we actually worked with the mother of the groom to put the wedding together from start to finish. The bride and groom worked and lived out of town, so it was up to the MOG to plan the wedding.

When the mother called us, the wedding and reception venues had been chosen—the Texas Baptist Children’s Home Hankamer-Fleming Chapel in Round Rock, Texas was to be the venue for the wedding ceremony. The reception venue was also selected and a deposit had been made. Once we went to look at it, we found that it would not work well for the number of guests expected. So we began looking for an alternative immediately, and found the Brushy Creek Community Center, which provided a beautiful garden view at the ballroom reception.

We then began the task of finding all of the vendors necessary for the wedding, keeping in mind the bride and groom’s “old Hollywood glam” theme. We used art deco style design for the tables, in black, white and red. Tulips filled oblong oval vases and black and white runners set on top of white linens. A sign-in tree was used, with small cards for signing and hanging on the white tree. The bride chose cupcakes for her guests, with a small cake for the traditional cutting. The favors were votive candles and a CD of the bride and groom’s favorite songs. Guests mingled, ate, drank, and danced the evening away before sending the bride and groom off on their honeymoon.

JESSIE AND JUSTIN H. WEDDING

July 31, 2010

Jessie and Justin were a sweet couple to work with. She is a teacher for the deaf, and he was working on his Master degree at TCU. They needed day-of coordination for their wedding, which was held at Rose Chapel in Fort Worth, Texas, with the reception to follow in the reception hall.

We arrived in town the night before, in time to attend the rehearsal, and to make sure that Jessie and Justin had everything they needed for us to set up the following day. After a trip to a local craft store for a few things, we got started early Saturday morning getting the chapel and hall set up for the wedding and reception. We printed programs for them and they were put on the table with the guest book. We added purple flowers to the already existing white floral arrangements provided by the venue. Tall wooden candelsticks with ribbon bows were used to mark the family pews. For the reception, we set up a sweetheart table for the bride and groom and decorated the guest tables, gift and cake tables.

Jessie wore her mother’s dress, the ribbon on it changed to her color, purple. Purple dresses were worn by the bridesmaids, and the groom and groomsmen wore purple vests and ties with their suits. Following the wedding, guests made their way to the reception hall, where a friend’s band was playing and the buffet was open. The bride and groom left the reception through a cloud of bubbles.

MALLORY AND ROB W. WEDDING

July 10, 2010

The wedding was held outdoors under the arbor at Vista West Ranch in Dripping Springs. The bride chose khaki and green for her colors. The interior of the venue is very shabby chic, with old barn wood walls, wicker light balls hanging from the metal ceiling. Khaki colored linens covered the tables, with chocolate runners. Flowers were green hydrangeas mixed with other green and white flowers and mosses. We topped her cake with fresh flowers to match.

LEIGH AND DAVID W. WEDDING

What a delightful couple to work with! Leigh and David came to The Wedding Belles in need of day-of coordination for their spring wedding. This was very much a DIY wedding, with the bride doing her own flowers for the wedding party, and her mother making the groom’s (favorite) cake. We sat down and went over all of their plans, making sure that everything was covered and booked, and during the course of the next few months we corresponded by email with ideas, plans, charts and layouts. They were living in Toronto and getting married in Austin, so we did our best to keep them updated and informed of everything going on here in town. The wedding was held at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, with the reception at The Caswell House. Leigh was a collector of silver trays, coffee and tea pots, which were used as centerpieces to hold the dozens of garden roses on the guest tables. We also used silver julep glasses full of roses on the many mantles throughout the house. The Wedding Belles took some pre-wedding bridal photos and, framed in silver frames, these were also used strategically throughout the house. The Wedding Belles brought along a few items (lace, candles, cylinders, etc.) from our collection to put finishing touches on the Victorian themed reception.

            

WEDDINGWIRE SILVER LEVEL RATED

The Wedding Belles has 19 reviews on WeddingWire. Reviews by our newlywed clients include detailed ratings and insightful descriptions about their experiences working with our business and staff. Our reviews provide transparency for potential clients, assisting them in making informed decisions for their big day.

For more information, please visit The Wedding Belles on WeddingWire.

LAURA AND MASON WEDDING

When Laura came to us, everything was planned for her wedding, which was held at The Winfield Inn in Kyle, and that venue had its own day-of coordinator. What Laura needed was help with her budget to make sure she stayed within it. As a young couple paying for their own wedding, they were on a strict budget and determined not go to over the allotted amount. We went over the budget with her and found that they were omitting flowers because of the other costs incurred for a wedding and reception for 150. The Wedding Belles stepped in and, using silks, created centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages for the wedding and reception. The Bride was thrilled with the fact that she actually had flowers after all! For all of our efforts, they graciously invited us to the late afternoon spring wedding and we enjoyed the evening with their family and friends as they shared in Laura and Mason’s special day.

       

RECIPIENT OF THE WEDDINGWIRE BRIDE’S CHOICE AWARDS 2011

The Wedding Belles has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Wedding Planning!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

The Wedding Bells stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud The Wedding Belles for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that The Wedding Belles is among the very best wedding planners within the WeddingWire Network. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit us at WeddingWire.

ISIDRA AND JASON K. WEDDING

This young couple came to The Wedding Belles just 7 weeks prior to their scheduled wedding, looking for day-of coordination. They told us that they had their venue (Camp Lucy) and 125 guests, but had no other plans in place. After talking with them for a short while, they decided to hire us to plan the entire wedding. We quickly got to work, finding the necessary vendors and getting everyone on board for the short time crunch. During the 7 weeks of planning and preparing, the guest list swelled to 300. Changes were made accordingly, and the wedding was moved from the small chapel to the outdoor pavilion. On a beautiful and breezy July afternoon, 300 friends and family joined Isidra and Jason for their beautiful outdoor ceremony and reception, where everyone partied into the late evening. The hit of the reception was the Big Mac groom’s cake—it was photographed as much as the bride!

      

BRANDY AND JAMES C. WEDDING

This summer wedding and reception was held at beautiful and stately Austin Club. Brandy and James came to The Wedding Belles a couple of months prior to their wedding in need of day-of coordination. As it turned out, they also needed help finding a couple of their vendors, so we helped them get the needed ones booked. Lots of candles and pink flowers were the decor of choice. Candles in tall cylinders on top of a tiered riser were used for the ceremony in front of a large mirrored wall. The same cylinders were moved to the guests tables during the cocktail hour, and we added smaller votives around the cylinders. A big hit, for grown ups and children alike at the reception, was the candy bar. Following the cocktail hour, guests were served a sit-down dinner and then danced and visited until midnight.

          

HEATHER AND REAGAN WEDDING

Heather and Reagan hired The Wedding Belles for day-of coordination of their wedding and reception, which was held at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary Chapel on Saturday, January 16, 2010.

Families came from all over the United States to attend this wedding, and it was very important to Heather and Reagan that they spend as much time as possible with their families. The Wedding Belles did the entire set up of the reception, as well as worked with the vendors to be sure that everything for the wedding and reception were handled in a timely manner.

Many family touches were used for the wedding and reception—a grandfather’s Bible was used alongside the unity candle; a grandmother’s cross was attached to the Bride’s bouquet; a late mother’s special tins were used to hold the centerpieces for the reception tables; a grandmother’s life-long collection of napkins, each one different, was used at the place settings; and quilt squares were signed by the guests, and given to a grandmother to quilt into a wonderful wedding keepsake.

The Wedding Belles added small touches to the reception decor—bunches of lavender tied with purple satin ribbon were used on the buffet table and the guest sign-in table, along with ecru and purple tulle and votive and tea light candles. When the rod and draperies provided by the Bride were determined not to be the right size, The Wedding Belles provided trees with white lights sitting on various sized boxes, wrapped in white paper and tulle, to help disguise and hide a very large portrait at one end of the reception room. As the Bride and Groom were leaving for their honeymoon, and all of the family were in from out of town and staying in hotels, when the reception was over The Wedding Belles took charge of the Bride’s wedding/reception decor and supplies. We washed, folded and stored all of the used napkins, as well as washed and packed the silverware, and held everything until the Bride and Groom returned and could pick up their things. (Just another small service provided by The Wedding Belles!)

         

KATIE AND JAMES H. WEDDING

For Katie and James’ wedding, The Wedding Belles handled day-of details. This couple held their wedding and reception at home, which sat on acreage in the Hill Country. The guests sat under a white tent on a beautiful October afternoon, looking towards an arch covered in roses and lilies, which served as the altar area. Beyond this were rolling hills and trees which provided a wonderful backdrop for the late afternoon ceremony.

After the ceremony, the chairs were removed from the tent while tables were set up and decorated for the reception. As the DJ played and guests helped themselves to drinks and the buffet, the bride and groom posed for photographs and mingled with guests. When it was realized that there were no planned centerpieces for the tables, The Wedding Belles pulled together a quick, simple decor—floating candles in tall vases, votive candles and rose petals.

    

JOANNA H. WEDDING

This wedding was truly a family affair. Small and intimate, it was held at The Mansion at Judges’ Hill in Austin.

The wedding ceremony was limited to family members and held in the parlor. The bride wanted the decor to be very simple and understated, but elegant. As The Mansion is quite ornate on the interior, less was more in this situation. Large to small pillar candles lined the columned antique mantle, with silver votive holders mixed in. Silver candle jewelry was interspersed around the candles to add a bit of shimmer. Guest chairs were covered with white satin chair covers and tied with silver satin sashes. A simple tall cylinder vase on each guest table held a single stemmed iris bloom and a floating candle, and was surrounded by a stem of pussywillow and small votive candles.

Following the ceremony, the guests retreated to the veranda for drinks and visiting, while the staff set up the luncheon buffet. A cellist provided the wedding music, as well as music during the transition. When the buffet opened, a Mariachi band took over and entertained guests while they dined, and continued playing for the remainder of the reception.

   

JODE R. WEDDING

This wedding was done for a young couple who were on an extremely tight budget, as they were paying for the wedding themselves. They wanted to spend more of their money on the reception than on the ceremony.

Getting married the week before Halloween, the only thing they knew they wanted was a fall theme with fall colors. For this wedding, The Wedding Belles did everything—from making all the floral arrangements and bouquets to taking the wedding photographs and decorating the wedding cake.

      

ANGELIA C. WEDDING

This couple was also paying for their own wedding and, again, were on a very tight budget. The wedding and reception were held in the same room. While guests were helping themselves to drinks following the wedding, the staff at the country club changed the venue from wedding to reception within 15 minutes and the party started.

             

DIANA AND BRADLEY A. WEDDING

The beautiful stained glass windows in this church really took center stage. Minimal decorations were used in the sanctuary. Candles and bows down the aisle and an arrangement on the altar was all that was needed.

The bride and groom wanted to spend their budget on the food and drinks for the reception, where they partied with all of their family and friends. Outdoors at the entry to the reception venue, we decorated the bushes with roses and tiny white lights. Rose petals and candles were used on the tables, along with small floral arrangements. The bride found some red heart shaped marbles which we used among the rose petals on the tables.

Around the dance floor was a mix of cocktail tables, as well as dinner tables for seating.

  

G. WEDDING

The couple wanted an outdoor reception at the groom’s family home. The entry courtyard was decorated with a tall “gift” wrapped in ribbon. We had a table indoors to handle all of the gifts brought to the reception. Pew bows from the wedding were used as decorations at the reception. We used a family antique crocheted table cloth for the cake table with a red underlay. A chocolate fountain added to the fun as guests arrived. Outside, a metal gazebo was used and decorated with grapevine and lights, and a teardrop candle chandelier was used for illumination. Dinner was served from the outdoor living space. The house eves, the flower beds, the trees were lined or filled with white lights which gave the entire backyard a romantic glow as guests dined, danced and visited.

             

FLORENCE AND ELTON S. WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

For a 50th Wedding Anniversary party, we decorated the cake with yellow roses and greenery. The 50-year old wedding gown was put on a mannequin on display. There was a table of pictures from the couple’s 50 years together. While guests waited in the receiving line, a copy of the couple’s wedding film, which had been converted to disc, was shown and made for some great conversation.