Curtain Call

Beaded curtains typically conjure ideas of hole-in-wall gas stations or 1960's orange shag rugs and wood panelling.  But certainly, with the reemergence of mid-century style, the beaded curtain has taken its curtain call - and the final act is a plethora of styles and shapes.

Recently, I introduced 4 massive, iridescent beaded columns as a major creative element in a wedding at The Pearl Stable in San Antonio, Texas.  Our goal was to develop a design that fused the bride and groom's Philippine heritage, with their love for color and all things tropical.  We chose a bright blue as our base color, adding floral accents of cymbidium orchids, golden yellow tulip and hot pink roses.  The bride wanted to add an element that glamorized the tropical feel - that's where we added the columns.  There are several large supports throughout the ballroom at The Pearl Stable - we purchased custom beaded columns the we attached at the ceiling and that hung around the columns to the floor.  The columns were lit with bright blue from the top.

Guests gasped as the entered the space and saw the massive glimmering curtains that looked like crystal rain as they poured down the columns to the floor - they conjured images of a tropical monsoon.  They were absolutely stunning as well as versatile and hope to use them in various designs in new and creative ways.

Botanical Gardens Wedding and Reception

I am just home from Jessica and Ryan’s wedding at the Auld House of the Botanical Gardens in San Antonio. If you want an outdoor style wedding – but yet be in the city – then the Botanical Gardens is the place. They have several sites to choose from.

Since Jessica and Ryan were having a small and intimate affair, they choose the Auld House – which fits about 50 guests. The were allowed to have a DJ and have outdoor amplification – which many places downtown San Antonio do not allow. They definitely had the garden feel as well as a country feel in the Auld House – which is a chinked log cabin. ( It has heat and air conditioning too – as well as a fireplace at one end!)

The RK Group of San Antonio catered the event – and they did a fabulous job! The staffing was tremendous and the food displays were awesome!

Jessica and Ryan were very pleased! As event planners and coordinators in San Antonio– that is all we really want to hear at the end of the night!

Congratulations to another happy couple!

Back Yard Soiree

As event planners and designers, we love to do events in our own backyard! Here in the Texas Hill Country, we have majestic oak trees and sunsets that are spectacular! We recently did a back yard dinner for a crowd of 65 guests. A “French country” theme was chosen – and we decided to serve a hearty country meal. We started with a mozzarella and heirloom tomato salad. For the entrée, we served lamb bucco, polenta and a vegetable. There was so much food there, we couldn’t eat it all! For dessert, we had an amazing Texas Trio of Luckenbach Pecan Cheese cake, Mexico flourless Chocolate cake and a caramelized Fredericksburg peach crème brulee.

To compliment this theme – we ate family style using the new 8’ x 40” tables that are now available in San Antonio. We are always looking for something different – and this new extra width – really made the guests comfortable! It was so cozy and romantic. We ate and watched the sunset over the hills. The flowers on the tables were long and low – as well, we had many candles on hand for great ambiance!

It was a great party – everyone loved the food from Azuca World Cuisine – and the party was a great success!

Black and White Themed Wedding

Kaitlin and Brady were married in June at Kairos in Fredericksburg Texas. Kaitlin and Brady both live in North Dakota, but wanted to come home for a fabulous Hill Country wedding. A small and intimate guest list was prepared – and all details were made for a black and white themed wedding. We kicked off the weekend by having a fun rehearsal dinner at Hondo’s in Fredericksburg.

Then, onto the actual wedding! The ceremony was held outside by the enchanted pond. The reception was kicked off by a cocktail hour on the patio, followed by an indoor reception. Pizzini Designs did a wonderful job with Kaitlin’s flowers, making her dream come true. We added BBJ linen to the table as well as specialty china from a local vendor – all aspects came together to make a dynamite table!

As for the cake ~we have one of the best cake bakers around! Here in the Hill Country you can get cake that tastes good as well as being a real work of art. Kaitlin provided the baker with sketches of her cake – and it was just stunning!

Everyone enjoyed the intimate setting. Kaitlin and Brady visited with everyone! Kaitlin was adopted, and her birth mother was in attendance ~ which made the day even that more special!

Hyatt Hill Country Elegance

BJ and Guy were married on Saturday, May 10th at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort in the Texas Hill Country. An outdoor ceremony was planned and decorated magnificently by Pizzini Designs of San Antonio. The entire theme for the ceremony was based on a photo from Grace Ormonde. The design team did a great job making the ceremony lush and attractive. We used the Hill Country live oak trees as a backdrop. The aisle was of red rose petals, and it was lined with florals. It was magnificent! If you are a flower person – roses, anemones, dahlias, orchids, and lilies – you name it – all were there in their blazing beauty.

The wedding reception was at the Hyatt Hill Country’s Luckenbach Pavilion. Our design team eloquently decorated it with curtain walls, and flowers everywhere. The Hyatt Hill Country provided a spread of food fit for a king and queen.

BJ and Guy left to a rose petal departure, and then they drove off in their golf cart – waving farewell to family and friends.

Every bride has aspects of her wedding that are very important to her. I can certainly say that the florals and linens gave this wedding added texture and style, making this Hill Country wedding totally exquisite! Please do call Elegant Events – if you need help designing or coordinating your wedding day!

Club at Sonterra

Club at Sonterra

Are you searching for a venue that is on the north side of San Antonio? Maybe one that has a lovely ballroom – holding a capacity of 300 guests? The Club at Sonterra will fit your desires nicely! The room is large, and has great architecture. This past Saturday night we had a wedding for a lovely couple – Sara and Jonathan. The guests had complimentary parking. Then, when each guest entered the club, they were directed to a large and spacious ballroom. The ballroom has a pre-function area – which the couple used for appetizers and drinks. The main part of the ballroom was curtained off and had the bride’s cake on display. When it was time for dinner, the curtain wall was drawn, and the guests flowed into the ballroom. The pork entrée was great with a side of roasted vegetables and potatoes. The evening flowed seamlessly with the very attentive staff headed up by Randy – the captain for the evening.

The bride had red and gold as her accent colors. There were many antique gold pieces provided by her family to add to her theme. Sarah and Jonathan had a coffee bar – along with a hot chocolate station. Everyone loves candy, so the couple had a surprise favor of a red candy buffet for all to fix a bag to take home. It is so nice to see all the lovely accents that each bride chooses – to make the event special and unique!

Sonterra is a great site! Sara decided to embellish the room with gold up lighting. You can see that it added a warm glow to the room. The lighting also tied in with her colors.

I highly recommend Sonterra to any bride – especially those that are having a large wedding, and needing a place where all the guests can fit comfortably!

Wedding Decor and Design

Design and Wedding Decor

We have just planned and coordinated two weddings – one in San Antonio at the Southwest School of Art and Craft and one in Bastrop at the Hyatt Lost Pines. Both were fabulous weddings. Both were small weddings. When a wedding is small, that allows the bride to have freedom with her budget and do exciting things in the way of theme and décor.

At the Southwest School of Art and Craft – a bride is at a historic venue that speaks so well of San Antonio. Outside, the site has two manicured garden areas plus a courtyard. Inside the chapel is wonderful. It has dark hardwood  floors and high limestone walls. Since it was a chapel – it has beautiful stained glass windows and wrought iron chandeliers. When a site has all this architecture, not much is needed. This couple – Melissa and Lance – decided to add the contemporary colors of red and blue – to make an absolutely stunning statement. Ilios Lighting of Austin up-washed the walls with blue lights. Natural Journey Florist of San Antonio had stunning deep red flowers – orchids, roses, dahlias, callas – atop clear glass cylinders that were pin spotted. It was absolutely gorgeous.

The chapel is in “l” shape form. The guests dined in the upper area, and the lower area was transformed into a lounge area with a floating bar, and the bride’s cake display area. All that I can say is “wow”!! The guests danced all night under the massive chandelier – and made memories that will last a lifetime!!

The Bastrop wedding of Emmie and Aaron at the Hyatt Lost Pines had an aqua and white theme that was trendy and refreshing. We set the guest tables up long wise – ad we got away from the traditional round tables. Emmie had her long tables draped to the floor with white linen with a Nile blue runner down the center of each table. All linen was from BBJ linen. Emmie purchased silver candlesticks from Pottery Barn in two varying heights. She also purchased aqua glass Christmas ornaments from Restoration Hardware. We placed an aqua candle in each candlestick. To top off the décor – we potted white cyclamen in white ceramic planters and placed them in between the candlesticks. Each guest family took a cyclamen plant home with them as a favor from the bride and groom. I felt that the tables were stunning. I love the long clean lines look!! Emmie and Aaron had wanted to have their wedding outside. At first the weather was not cooperating, but at the last moment (2 hours before the ceremony) the sun broke out and the hotel was able to set up the ceremony chairs outside on the lawn. Emmie and Aaron had a lovely gathering with immediate friends and family – at a place that speaks of Texas and it’s history.

Our desire is that your wedding wishes- do come true. Every bride has different taste – which is a reflection of who she is!! It is our pleasure to work with each of you, making your day spectacular! Please do call upon Elegant Events so that we can help make your wedding – a dream come true!!