Promises 2017 Wedding Guide

2017 Wedding Guide

3 couples

remember their special day  10

A bridal boutique that fits just right  6

Fredericksburg wedding facilities  23

A check list for bridesto-be  29

Fredericksburg S tandard Radio Post

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Contents

# Social Media ........................................................ 5 Que Bella Boutique helps dress brides .................. 6 Special day for three couples ............................ 10 Share the news ............................................ 16 Marriage licenses ................................... 18 Venues ................................................ 23 Wedding Checklist .............................. 29 Wedding day nerves............................ 34 Gift registeries .................................. 37 Engaged! Wedding/Event Showcase.. 38

The Cover Robert and Lydia Nida chose Hye Meadow Winery to say their vows on Feb. 29, 2016 (Leap Day). Photo by Miguel Lecuona - Hill Country Light Photography. Pages 20-22 feature some of the favorite pictures taken by local photographers.

A beautiful countryside venue offering a one - of - a - kind experience.

4

#GettingHitched A guide to using social media on the big day

By McKenzie Wedel

Social Media has become the fastest, easiest way to document the big day.

From hashtags to Snapchat filters, brides, grooms and their guests can celebrate their special day even after it has passed.

One of the biggest trends is creating a personalized wedding hashtag that can be used on Instagram and Facebook.

Before creating a special tag, there are a few things to consider: First, the hashtag needs to be unique.

Make it something that is going to help the bride and groom easily find photos.

NY Magazine suggests doing a test search. See if the tag is already being used.

If it’s too common, it will be hard to find photos from the special day.

Making a hashtag unique to the couple will make the wedding even more personal.

Second, get creative. Make it funny or bizarre. Catch the attention of guests.

Make it easy to remember. A hashtag that is too long or is hard to spell will make it harder for guests to use it. Simple is better.

Websites such as WeddingWire and Wed-

ding Hashtag Wall have generators. Simply enter names, date and other wedding details and they will come up with unique ideas.

Finally, let guests know what the hashtag is.

Start by including it on Save The Dates and invitations.

On the big day, post small signs at the entrance and at the bar to help guests remember to post.

A newer trend is to create a Snapchat Geofilter. This is a unique filter that can only be used within a certain radius.

For about $5, a bride and groom can create a filter for their special day.

After 24 hours, pictures and the filter will be deleted so be sure to capture those moments fast.

One social media no-no is using phones during the ceremony.

Put the phone way and let the bride and groom enjoy their moment.

To be safe, post photos during the reception so a photo of the bride doesn’t leak to the groom before he has seen her.

The wedding is a special day, so make it one that the couple can remember forever.

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Here comes the bride Que Bella helps customers say ‘yes to the dress’

By McKenzie Wedel

Saying “yes to the dress” can be one of the hardest, most expensive decisions a bride makes when preparing for her wedding.

But the local Que Bella Boutique works to make choosing a dress stress-free and fun.

The boutique has over 75 dresses in sizes 8 to 26, from designers Stella York, Kenneth Winston and Casablanca, with prices ranging from $300 to under $2,000.

“A wedding dress is the single most expensive piece of clothing a bride will ever buy, and I want to make sure she makes a decision that is informed and she is comfortable with,” Que Bella Boutique owner Sue Lang said.

Lang said she stays conscious of the bride’s financial resources.

“One of the most important things is the bride’s budget,” Lang said. “I will never show a bride a dress that she can’t afford.”

When a bride comes in to her store, Lang likes to do a few things to help find the perfect dress. Many of the brides she sees are from out of town.

“What I like to do with a new bride is to have her try on a dress in each silhouette — ball gown, A-Line, trumpet, mermaid and sheath,” Lang said. “We will pull a dress in each of those 6

Bride Amanda Austermann, shows off an ivory and light gold drop waistline A-Line gown at Que Bella Boutique in Fredericksburg. The gown, one of the boutique’s lower priced gowns, costs $300. — Standard-Radio Post/ McKenzie Wedel

styles so she can see which is the right one for her.”

Lang does this for a few reasons.

“Often times, a bride comes in with a picture of a dress that she really likes, but the silhouette of that

Que Bella offers brides the chance to accessorize with a variety of earrings and necklaces for every taste. — Standard-Radio Post/McKenzie Wedel

dress isn’t necessarily the best for her body type,” Lang said. “By trying on one of each, we can determine what silhouette looks best and which is the most complimentary to her.”

Coming into an appointment with an idea in mind, helps Lang find the dream dress.

Amanda Austermann tries on a head piece at Que Bella Boutique. The story also sells veils, jewelry and more.

“The bride should bring in pictures of what she likes,” Lang said. “Keep in mind that a bridal consultant has a lot of experience and has fitted many brides, so they know what will be the most flattering.”

Generally, appointments take about an See GOWNS ▶

BOUTIQUE Que Bella offers both bridesmaid dresses and tuxedo rentals.

If five bridesmaids come in, Lang offers a 10 percent discount. Brides can choose from a variety of styles and colors.

If a groom as five groomsmen, his tuxedo will be free.

To schedule an appointment with Lang, make a reservation online at http://quebellabridal.com/appointmentrequest, or by calling 998-7831.

7

Gowns Cont. from page 7

hour and a half. By going through each silhouette, Lang is able to eliminate time spent trying on dresses that don’t look good on the bride.

The next step is to find the details that she likes best such as a sweetheart neckline, beading or lace.

If a dress doesn’t have the features a bride likes, they often times can be added to the existing design.

“If a bride finds a strapless dress but wishes to add straps, we can make that happen,” Lang said.

Alterations are also very common among brides.

Lang does not do alterations herself; she works with a local seamstress to make the dress fit perfectly.

“We like to get the bride on the calendar right away as we recommend they need to be done within three months of the date,” Lang said.

One of the biggest challenges Lang faces when fitting a bride is having the bride find the right dress, but friends and family don’t agree.

“Many times, a member of the bridal party is assertive and doesn’t let the bride make the choice,” Lang said. “I tell them that I know the bride appreci8

Bride Amanda Austermann gets a look at the back of an A-line gown with help from Que Bella Boutique owner Sue Lang during a fitting. — Standard-Radio Post/McKenzie Wedel In addition to wedding dresses, Que Bella also sells a variety of bridesmaid dresses. Grooms can also rent their tuxedo.

ates input, but they should keep in mind that this is about the bride and how she wants to look.”

There are many signs to look for when a bride has found “the dress.”

Lang said she notices the bride crying, laughing, starting to twirl around or a combination of the three.

One thing that makes Que

Bella Boutique different from most dress shops is that it is one-on-one, making for a more intimate setting.

“A bride is going to get my undivided attention for the time they are here,” Lang said. “I offer a lot of unique styles because not everyone is cookie-cutter. I am going to help her find the dress of her dreams.”

LaShea Itz and Bryan Munn exchanged marriage vows in St. Mary’s Catholic Church on April 30, 2016. — Photo by Shelly Beck Photography

A special day for three couples For some couples planning their wedding, the venue or the season is important while others want to keep the memory of a loved one with them on their special day.

Three couples who married in 2016 share their memories of what made their wedding special, their favorite memory, how they selected the date and venue and if they have any advice for couples planning a wedding.

They also share some of their favorite wedding day “bloopers.”

Answering questions were three couples: • Cristal Wilkinson and Jeremy Ristau were married on May 14, 2016, in Betha10

ny Lutheran Church.

• LaShea Itz and Bryan Munn were married on April 30, 2016, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

• Jennifer Weinheimer and Paul White were married on Nov. 4, 2016, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Q. As you were planning your wedding, was there one particular aspect of the ceremony or reception that was the most important to you and why?

Cristal: To a bride, everything is impor-

tant as you plan your wedding. But, some

of the big ticket items were the venue, the menu and the guests.

We wanted to accommodate our out-of-town guests and The Lodge, was perfect for this.

The menu was also an important part of our wedding. We didn’t go with the traditional barbecue. Instead, we went with an Italian-themed menu. Coach’s Country Store catered and it was a huge success.

We also made it a point to try and talk to all of our guests. We felt this was very important seeing as how some of them traveled long distances to spend our wedding day with us.

LaShea:

Besides decorations, having enough alcohol for everyone, and me fitting into my dress.

One of my main things was to have everyone there that we loved and cared about even if they couldn’t make it.

Jennifer Weinheimer and Paul White were married on Nov. 4, 2016, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church. — Photo by Joe Beckendorf

My Opa (Ewald Segner) passed away in 2006 from cancer, and I needed him to be there, so I chose my favorite picture of him, made a mini size, put it in a locket and tied it to my bouquet.

And my DEAR friends’ little brother (Quinn Kott) who was like family to me passed away in 2009, and who I also needed to be

there, so I had my charm of his initial tied on my bouquet right next to my Opa’s picture.

That meant the world to me.

Jennifer: Paul and I

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Cristal Wilkinson and Jeremy Ristau exchanged vows on May 14, 2016, in Bethany Lutheran Church. — Photo by Photography by Estefana

Couples

Cont. from page 11

emplify the love and respect we share for each other and to also glorify God for His great blessing of binding us together as one. This was most important because we feel it is the heart and soul of marriage.

Q. How did you go about selecting your wedding date and venue?

Cristal: We fell in love with The Lodge

immediately.

The date was selected because both of our parents were married in the month of May. May 14 was the day before Jeremy’s parents’ 40th wedding anniversary and the church and venue were available that day.

LaShea: 12

There were no questions about

where the ceremony was going to be — St. Mary’s Catholic Church. It was a done deal.

The Gillespie County Fair Grounds for the reception was the biggest place we could find. We have big families, and it turned out perfectly!

As for the date, it was the perfect inbetween of not too early summer, and not too late of summer.

Jennifer:

Paul and I chose November for our wedding because we love the coolness and beauty of colors that autumn brings to the Hill Country, and we wanted our outof-town guests to enjoy this, as well.

We choose St. Mary’s as our location for the ceremony and reception because it is where we have grown deeply in faith and community as parishioners.

Also, having all the events at one location was definitely a bonus for an evening

wedding in regard to time.

Q. What is your most treasured memory of your wedding?

Cristal: It was such a happy

day for us and our families.

Jeremy and I treasured having everyone we love spend our special day with us.

LaShea:

Of course the “I Do’s”, and being married in the church I grew up in, and have always dreamt of getting married in were in the top three, but my number ONE would have been our FIRST as a family Munn dance.

See, exactly four months prior, on the date, I gave birth to our son, and I wanted to be a “Munn” right there with my two favorite boys, but I had to wait until April to become a “legal” Munn.

Of course, we were a family at that time. But the day of our wedding, and the moment we did our “Father, Mother and Son Dance,” made it perfect. It made “waiting” worth it.

Just, oh you know, messing up the most important thing… THE VOWS.

Jennifer:

Jennifer:

Walking down the aisle with my father was my most treasured moment.

It was unbelievable to step through the church doors and be surrounded by friends and family who supported, loved and guided us throughout the course of our lives.

Cristal Wilkinson and Jeremy Ristau. — Photo by Photography by Estefana

Paul looked so handsome standing by the altar. It was impossible not to smile knowing the day we had planned and dreamt about was finally here.

Q. Did you have a wedding day “blooper?”

Cristal: We cut the wedding cakes after we ate dinner.

We were ready to serve cake to our guests and realized there were no cake forks! Someone ran to HEB to purchase cake forks and we were back in business with a delay.

LaShea:

Yes, no wedding day would be complete without a blooper or two!

My seamstress did a perfect job of hemming my dress; however, when I walked around before the ceremony I couldn’t take more than a few steps without tripping on the front due to the volume of the dress.

Luckily, I had an extra pair of shoes with a higher heel on hand, and that solved the problem. Ladies, See COUPLES ▶

13

LaShea and Bryan Munn enjoy their reception at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds. — Photo by Shelly Beck Photography

Couples

Cont. from page 13

vows of love and fidelity that will bind your hearts forever.

learn from my mistake of not figuring this out sooner.

It’s the groom’s turn. Here is what they had to say.

Q. Knowing what you know now, do you have any advice to give to brides as they plan their wedding?

Q. As the groom, was there a particular aspect of the ceremony or reception that was important to you and why?

Cristal: Everything adds up money- and

Music was a big deal. We were lucky enough to have ‘The Wagon Aces’ perform.

stress-wise.

I tried to keep it as simple as possible and am so glad I did. This cuts back on having extra worries.

LaShea:

Soak up EVERY single moment, and to not stress.

What happens, happens and there is no stress over it.

Jennifer:

Have fun and cherish planning your special day, but remember not to sweat the small stuff or expect perfection.

The only thing that ultimately matters is both of you showing up and the spoken people how appreciative we were of their

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Jeremy:

Bryan: Without a doubt, the moment

that really stands out to me is the first dance with our son, Noah, in the middle of us. During that moment, I realized that this was now my family and nothing would ever get in the way of us. And then, Noah started crying so we had to stop. LOL.

Paul:

Besides highlighting the significance of the wedding ceremony, I think an important aspect for us was to show people how appreciative we were of their

love and support for us throughout our lives.

Q. Did you have a wedding day “blooper?”

Jeremy:

Weather is always a worry. It sprinkled in the morning, but the sun came out.

We really lucked out.

Bryan: Not sure if this would

be a blooper, but a friend, Sean, had a bit too much to drink that night and was determined to sing on the DJs microphone. Long story short, in the struggle, he ended up spilling his beer all over the DJ and his equipment, prompting my friends to rush him out before security could get to him.

Paul:

It seemed like all of the things that were problematic happened in the days before the wedding. The actual day of the ceremony went smoothly.

The only blooper I can think of was that when we drove away from the reception in a 1931 Model A Ford, I at first couldn’t find the correct key, and then it wouldn’t start right away. But thankfully, after a little cajoling, the car started right up.

To me it seemed like everything else went great.

Q. Knowing what you know

Jennifer and Paul White cut their wedding cake at their reception at the St. Mary’s Holy Family Center.

— Photo by Joe Beckendorf

now, do you have any advice to give to grooms as they get ready for their wedding?

Jeremy:

I really tried to take everything in as much as possible. Do your best to ‘stop and smell the roses’ any chance you get.

Bryan: RELAX. Enjoy the time with your buddies,

and just take the day in.

Don’t let photographers and people running the ceremony rush you and ruin the day.

Have fun and everything will work out perfectly.

Paul: Take a shower and show up on time!

Seriously though, I would say that this is one day where people are incredibly willing to help you. So don’t try to do everything yourself.

Ask the people around you to help you with things that will alleviate your stress.

And have fun! It’s a wonderful day, and it will fly by, so try to soak as much of it in as you can.

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Spread the news It seems like there are a million things to take care of when planning a wedding and here is just one more detail to keep in mind — sharing the news with readers of the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post.

The Standard-Radio Post will run wedding and engagement announcements and photographs as well as follow-ups on pre-nuptial parties and showers.

To help couples share their news in the paper, the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post has several options available for submitting the information.

There is no charge for having engagement and wedding announcements and shower stories published in the newspaper.

And while there is no deadline prior to or after the wedding, couples are still urged to submit the information and photographs in a timely manner.

The deadline for submitting articles and photographs for the “Gillespie Life” section of each week’s paper is noon on Monday.

Black and white photographs or color photographs can be used, providing the pic-

Submit engagement, wedding and shower announcements

ture is in good focus and is of good quality.

Photographs that do not meet reproduction standards will not be used. Also, fulllength wedding pictures will not be used.

Photographs can be submitted in a variety of formats. Some couples may choose to submit an original photo with their information while others may choose to submit the photograph on a CD or flash drive.

Also, e-mailed photographs will be accepted, provided that they are submitted in a jpg format at a minimum of 300 dpi resolution.

Couples are discouraged from submitting photographs that are reproduced on a home printer or copy machine.

In an effort to aid couples in submitting information to the Fredericksburg StandardRadio Post, engagement and wedding forms are available at the newspaper office at 712 West Main Street.

Forms are also available by telephone at 997-2155, by writing to P.O. Box 1639, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 or by e-mailed requests to yvonne@fredericksburgstandard. com.

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A license to wed Before the bride dons white and the groom dresses up, before the trip to the altar and the exchange of rings and “I do’s”, couples planning their weddings must remember to take care of one of the most important matters — getting a marriage license.

The following are important reminders about applying for and using a marriage license: Where to go?

• Gillespie County Clerk’s Office is in Room 109 of the Gillespie County Courthouse. Mary Lynn Rusche is the county clerk, and personnel there are ready to as-

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sist applicants with the paperwork.

• Office hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• To contact the county clerk’s office, call 830-997-6515. Rusche asks that if anyone has any questions about types of identifications needed for obtaining a marriage license, they should call first to confirm the type of identification they have is proper to purchase the license. This saves them a trip to Fredericksburg and not having the right identification.

What to bring?

• Couples applying for a marriage license must both be present at the time the li-

cense is issued.

• Each should bring at least one form of photo identification (such as a driver’s license or passport) or two other forms of non-photo identification (such as certified birth certificate, Social Security card, current utility bill or school report card, etc.).

A Mexican Matricula Consular card will not be recognized as appropriate identification but a Mexican voter card can be used as a non-photo identification.

• Be prepared to pay the $71 cost of the marriage license. Payment can be made only by check or cash.

• A reduced marriage license fee of $11 is available to couples who complete the free eight-hour “Together in Texas” course and bring in a certificate of completion at the time of applying for their marriage license.

In Fredericksburg, the course is not religion-based and is offered through Victory Fellowship Church (414 East College Street). Their telephone number is 830997-9717.

The course is also available through St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where it’s collated with counseling. A couple will receive two separate certificates. One, recognized by the Catholic Church, says they’ve completed the program. The other certificate for the county clerk shows that they’ve completed the “Together in Texas” program.

St. Mary’s is at 307 West San Antonio Street, and the telephone number is 830997-9523.

• Applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age must bring with them their legal guardian at the time of applying for the license and the guardian is also required to show photo identification.

• The minimum age required to apply for a marriage license is 16 years.

Anyone who is younger than 16 should bring with them a court order so they may

obtain a license.

Common law marriages • Couples claiming to be married by common law should know that if they have a baby, the father must undergo an affidavit process to claim paternity unless the couple comes to the county clerk’s office before the baby is born and declares that they have been married and living together since a certain date. That “informal marriage” fee is $36. Someone claiming an informal marriage cannot claim a date that places them at less than 18 years of age.

Other things to know …

• Divorced persons applying for a license to wed again must be divorced for 30 days or longer, unless there is a waiver of that wait in their divorce decree.

• Same-sex marriage is accepted and has the same process as opposite-sex marriage.

• After a marriage license is issued, the couple is given the document to take to the person who will be officiating at the marriage ceremony. After the wedding, that officiant will fill out the remainder of the license and return it to the county clerk’s office, where it will be recorded and the original license will be mailed back to the newlyweds.

• Couples are reminded that a marriage license must be used within 90 days of its issuance, or it will become void.

• Couples obtaining a license must keep in mind that there is a waiting period of 72 hours after the license has been issued before the wedding can take place.

• The waiting period to use a license may be waived by a district judge or if one of the applicants is on active duty with the United States military and can show proper military identification. Completing the “Together in Texas” course will also waive the 72-hour waiting period.

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Picture Perfect

Kara and Adam Wright (above) dance at their wedding reception in a photo taken by Shelia White of Shelia White Photography. Robert and Lydia Nida (below) show off their marriage license after their wedding at Hye Meadow Winery on Feb. 29. Miguel Lecuona of Hill Country Light Photography took the photo.

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Laura Casteel holds a bouqet of flowers in her bridal photo.

Shelia White of Shelia White Photography captured the photo.

Brittney and Ryan Castaneda celebrate their Nov. 12 marriage at Das Peach Haus in Fredericksburg. Sandra Jacoby of SRJ Photography took the photo of the couple.

Miguel Lecuona of Hill Country Light Photography took this photo of Matthew and Jessica Thomas dancing at their wedding reception.

21

A day to remember

Cari Behrends, who was married April 3, sits in front of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church’s altar in Fredericksburg.

Sandra Jacoby of SRJ Photography took the photo.

Ryan Buell’s groomsmen , in the photo below, left, taken by Sandra Jacoby of SRJ Photography, help their friend celebrate his marriage June 22 at Pioneer Museum. Venessa and Brandon Walker, below right, stand in the fields Messina Hof Winery. Sheila White of Sheila White Photography took the photo.

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A place for wedding bells

The scenery around Gillespie County serves as a memorable background for a wedding at Kairos: The Celebration Barn. — Submitted photo

County offers numerous outdoor wedding locations In addition to the large number of churches available for weddings and/or wedding receptions in Gillespie County, there are numerous other locations available.

These other venues, many of them steeped in the history and beauty of the Texas Hill Country, may provide the perfect answer to the question of where an engaged couple should tie the knot.

Mentioned below are these other properties as well as contact information. All phone numbers found in this story use the Area Code 830 unless otherwise indicated.

• Pioneer Museum, located in the 300 block of West Main Street, has been the scene of a number of weddings over the years. In addition, ceremonies have been held in the on-grounds sanctuary.

Facility just was recently remodeled.

For more information, contact Nanette Mock at 990-8441, or visit the museum’s website at: www.pioneermuseum.net.

• Located around town are wedding site possibilities that are found at some of the inns and other similar facilities.

For example, the Fredericksburg Inn & Suites (201 South Washington Street; 997-0202) can help with the planning.

Also included in this list is the Hangar Hotel and Conference Center, 155 Airport Road (next to the Gillespie County Airport), carrying with it the theme of an old World War II military hangar.

Pricing and details are available at 9979990 or by contacting Lauren at lauren@ hangarhotel.com.

• Likewise, several of the vineyards and See A SEASON ▶

23

A season Cont. from page 23

wineries in Gillespie County offer engage couples venues that will provide a lifetime of memories.

Wineries that regularly serve as wedding venues include: •4.0 Cellars, 10354 U.S. 290 East, 9977470, www.fourpointwine.com; •Becker Vineyards, 464 Becker Farm Road, Stonewall, 644-2681 ext. 303, www.beckervineyards.com; they don’t do weddings but they do bridal luncheons and rehearsal dinners.

•Messina Hof Winery and Resort, 9996 U.S. 290 East, 990-4653, www.messinahof.com; •Woodrose Winery, 662 Woodrose Lane, Stonewall; 644-2539, woodrosewinery.com.

• A more stately wedding and reception

Shweiki

might be accomplished with the facilities at the Admiral Nimitz Museum grounds.

To learn more about what the museum has to offer with regard to weddings, contact Erick Roy, event coordinator at 997-8600 (ext. 211) or email eroy@nimitzfoundation.org.

• For those interested in a smaller wedding or rehearsal dinner, Fredericksburg Herb Farm is available.

Situated at 405 Whitney Street, the herb farm can be reached by calling Kelly or Hailey at 997-8615or visit www.fredericksburgherbfarm.com.

• Featuring a 6,000-square-foot event hall, the Gillespie County Farm Bureau Events Center, located at 237 Equestrian Drive, is available for weddings and receptions.

More information is available at 9974396.

• Located 16 miles north of Fredericksburg, just off Ranch Road 965 (and about a half-mile from the entrance to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area), is Trois Estate.

To learn more about the wedding possibilities there, log onto the web at www. troisestate.net/weddings. The phone number is 830-685-3415.

• Opened in recent years, The Lodge at Country Inn Cottages is one of the newest wedding/reception venues in the Historic

St. Joseph’s Halle

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county.

It’s located at 3319 Lower Crabapple Road in Fredericksburg.

More information is available by contacting Jeff or Amy Mazurek at 992-6800 or going online to www.thelodgeeventcenter.com or emailing info@thelodgeeventcenter.com.

• For a simpler backdrop, there’s always Luckenbach, Texas and its world-famous dancehall.

It’s a place where everybody’s somebody, according to the old saying.

To get more information on what awaits an engaged couple’s possibilities, call 9973224 or go online at www.luckenbachtexas.com/weddings-and-parties/.

• Located on Kott Road, a few miles from Fredericksburg off of State Highway 16

South, Kairos: The Celebration Barn offers outdoor and indoor venues for both the wedding and ensuing reception.

More information can be found online at www.kairos-celebrationbarn.com or by calling 990-9515.

• A different kind of trip back into the historic scenes of Gillespie County can be found by holding a wedding at one of the schools that make up the Gillespie County Country Schools Trail.

The dozen old schools, many of them now converted into community club headquarters, include Cave Creek, Cherry Spring, Crabapple, Lower South Grape Creek, Luckenbach, Meusebach Creek, Nebgen, Pecan Creek, Rheingold, Williams Creek (Albert), Willow City and Wrede.

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710 East Main • Fredericksburg, Tx 78624 • 979.421.3629

25

One of the newer wedding and wedding reception venues in the area is The Lodge at Country Inn Cottages, located on Lower Crabapple Road in Fredericksburg. — Submitted photo

A season Cont. from page 25

More information about rates and scheduling can be found by contacting each school’s representative listed on the website: www.historicschools.org.

• The City of Fredericksburg has facilities that would compliment any wedding, including Pioneer Pavilion, the several open-air pavilions, and the Tatsch House, all at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park (located about two miles south of Main

Street, just off State Highway 16 South), as well as Marktplatz in downtown Fredericksburg.

Rental costs, scheduling and other information are available online at www.fbgtx. org/index.aspx?nid=161, or by calling the Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park office at 997-4202.

• Also available for weddings and receptions is the Gillespie County Fair Grounds, operated by the Gillespie County Fair and Festivals Association.

The facilities are located a couple of miles south of Fredericksburg’s Main

Weddings | Special Events | Full Service Event Planning

GIRLFRIDAY 830.377.5943 adrienne@girlfridaycompany.com &CO.EVENTS www.girlfridaycompany.com 26

Private • Spa/Pool • Sport Court • Chef’s Kitchen www.vrbo.com/825743 1108 North Llano Street

• 830-456-6229

Street on State Highway 16 South.

To learn more, call 997-2359 or visit website: www.gillespiefair.com.

• The Gilbriar Gazebo is another new wedding venue. The gazebo, is located three miles south of Main Street, at 208 Danos Drive. For more information, contact Paula Stone at 210-393-7351.

• St. Joseph’s Halle is another historic wedding venue. The hall is located in town, at 212 W. San Antonio Street and holds up to 185 people. For more information, call 456-1999.

• The Golden Hub is another venue in town. The Hub is located at 1009 North Lincoln Street. For more information, call Denise at 997-7131.

• Soaking up the Hill Country views 14

miles north of town is Contigo Ranch, located at 13454 Lower Crabapple Road.

For more information, contact Diane Harlan at 685-3464, or visit http://contigoranch.com/.

• The Barn at Rock House Hideaway, which includes a 1940’s-era renovated barn, is located just west of downtown, at 197 Rock House Drive. For information, call 866-957-3529 or visit www.rockhousehideaway.com.

• American Legion Hall, 726 South Washington Street. Contact 830-6853321 or visit www.legion.org/ • The Moss Ranch at Enchanted Rock is located at 7502 Ranch Road 965, close to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.

Contact Marla Rechenthin at 992-0425 See A SEASON ▶

830-990-9515 • www.kairos-celebrationbarn.com Let KAIROS host your special event - wedding, reception, anniversary, dinner meeting, or luncheon.

Our unique venue and helpful staff will make your event EXTRAORDINARY!

27

A season Cont. from page 27

or visit info@themossranch.com.

• The Texas Rangers Heritage Center, located on the east side of town at 1618 East Main Street, offers an open-air pavilion with seating up to 350.

For more information, contact Erin

Hall at 830-990-1192 or visit www.trhc. org.

• Featherstone Ranch, located about 20 minutes east of Fredericksburg next to LBJ State Park and Historic Site in Stonewall, is located next to the Pedernales River.

For more information, call 830-4563990, visit www.featherstoneranch.com/ or email events@featherstoneranch.com.

Custom Bar-B-Q & Catering Available Party Room upstairs for Rehearsal & Birthdays from 40-50 people

Open 7 Days at 11 a.m.

Open late on Fridays and Saturdays Thursday - Sunday 7-11am Breakfast Tacos & Cinnamon Rolls Daily Lunch Specials Dine In & Take Out

342 West Main H Fredericksburg, TX H 830-997-7753 H pitbbq@beecreek.net

STEHLING BROS. TUXEDO RENTAL

With 40 years experience!

830-997-9659

911 E. Main Fredericksburg, TX

Free

No Charge for Groom’s Tux with 6 or more tux rentals

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What to do before ‘I Do’

After all of the exciting “she said yes” announcements and proudly showing off the engagement ring, the reality of planning a wedding starts to set in.

The following checklist may be helpful to couples planning for their “big day.”

At 6 to 12 months • Set a date.

• Who will stand with you? — Choose, ask and confirm the bridal party and groomsmen.

• Announce the big news!

— Engagement party.

— Local newspaper announcement.

• Crunch the numbers. — This helps to stay on budget and avoid confusion or

hurt feelings.

• Reserve venues. — Book locations for both ceremony and reception, and account for potential weather and size of attendance.

Popular venues sell out quickly.

• Determine time and type. — Formal affairs are in late afternoon or evening, while more casual ones are usually in the See CHECKLIST ▶

Our unique gazebo and elegant barn set on an historic 1882 farmstead 3 miles from Main Street awaits your festivities.

2017 Dates Available 208 Danos Dr. Fredericksburg, TX 78624

201-393-7351 www.Gilbriar.com Gilbriar@me.com 29

Checklist Cont. from page 29 morning or early afternoon.

The type of wedding decides if the reception should feature a formal meal or just cake and punch.

• Color it fantastic. — Choose wedding colors early and stick to them. Avoid trends and pick what feels right.

• Say ‘yes’ to a dress. — Order the bridal gown, bridesmaids’ dresses and their accessories. Mind the budget!

• A celebratory trip of love. — Visit a travel agency or online sites and reviewing options (and prices) for the honeymoon.

Both bride and groom should agree whether it’ll be a simple relaxing outing or an itinerary-filled adventure.

• Register gift wishes. — The bride and groom should visit their favorite stores and register for items that’ll be needed in their

new life together.

• Decide the details! — Choose musicians, a florist, a photographer and a caterer. Sample their wares and check their references. Keep their contact info handy for discussing details as they are decided.

• ‘With this ring, I thee wed …’

— Shop and design/purchase wedding rings.

— Begin pre-marital counseling (required by some churches.)

At 3 months • Who’s coming? — Complete the guest list, count up the names and then select and order invitations.

• Moms’ day out — Mothers of the bride and groom should both get their dresses to compliment the rest of the wedding party in style, color, etc.

• Introducing Mr. and Mrs. … — In the groom and bride’s first appearance together

WEDDING & PARTY PLANNING | DECORATIONS | PARTY RENTALS | TUXEDO RENTALS

Special Appointments are Always Welcome

Donna Solbrig, PBC

The Party Affair

Association of Bridal Consultants 830-997-1921 • 733 Brehmer Ln., Ste. #4 • Store Hours: Tue - Fri 9:30 - 5:00, Sat 9:30 - 12 Noon • www.partyaffair.com

Bridal Registry • Free Gift Wrap and Free Delivery • On-line access to Gift List Begins with

Der Küchen Laden

• Telephone and on-line Support • Receive a $20.00 Gift card for Registering

258 East Main Street • 10% Discount on all Unpurchased Fredericksburg, Texas Items for Six Months 830.997.4937 info@littlechef.com

30

as husband and wife, keep a running list of any needed items (i.e. chairs, tables, linens, etc.) and be sure to reserve them early.

• Bite the bullet — Go ahead and sign on the dotted line for the honeymoon.

Mention to all providers that the guests planning to travel are newlyweds because many will provide free surprise perks along the way!

• Double-check and recheck — Call and confirm dates and information with the photographer, musicians, florists, caterer and the church to ensure there’s been no double-booking or other potential disasters.

• ‘Your chariot awaits …’ — Decide on transportation to and from the wedding and reception sites. Limousine? Horsedrawn buggy? Drive yourself?

• Finalize this and that — Pick a final wedding cake design and groom’s cake design and any other pastries for the reception and get them ordered.

— Get the groom and his groomsmen to get fitted and order their tuxedos.

— Spend a girls’ day with bridesmaids, getting dresses fitted and scheduling any future fittings. Choose shoes and get them dyed, if necessary.

At 2 months and closing ...

• No turning back!

— Mail out invitations to the pre-determined guest list.

— Visit the courthouse together, with photo identifications and fees in hand, to procure the official marriage license.

— Pay for honeymoon and finalize any side trips or relevant details to the trip.

— Help guests with reservations for flights or at local overnight accommodations.

At 1 month • Make final lists — Start a list of gifts being received. Begin writing and mailing “Thank You” notes as soon as gifts arrive.

— Plan the rehearsal and dinner. The groom’s family traditionally arranges and pays for this, but the entire family can contribute to the set-up, planning and pulling it off.

• Giving credit where it’s due — Buy gifts for the wedding party.

— Take care of final dress and suit fittings, as well as appointments for beauty treatments, pedicures/manicures and hair salon visits.

— Host a bridesmaids’ luncheon to show them support and appreciation.

— Buy a guest book, choose where to station it at the reception, and designate a “keeper” of the book who can encourage guests to sign.

See CHECKLIST ▶

x is Groom’s Tu

Fruerenet 5 tuxedos! when yo

s dresses bridesmaid es moms dress ories ss ce ac ry jewel

Que Bella Botique & Bridal • quebellabridal.com 215B W. Main St. • 830.998.7831 • Fredericksburg

31

Checklist

Cont. from page 31

At 2 weeks • It’s getting close, so …

— Finalize transportation to the church, to the reception and off to the honeymoon.

— If planning to take the groom’s last name, brides should visit the proper offices to officially change their driver’s licenses, Social Security cards, passports and other official documents.

Also put in calls to credit card companies, utilities, doctors and dentist offices.

At one week • Full speed ahead!

— Pick up wedding rings and make sure they fit.

— Start packing for the honeymoon.

— Give the caterer a final estimate on

number of guests. Plan seating arrangements.

— Practice hair styles and/or makeup for the big day.

• But don’t forget…

— Brides should find time in the rushing about of final arrangements to take care of themselves. Drink lots of water, eat healthy foods, get plenty of rest each day and smile, knowing they’ll soon be united with the one they love.

The wedding day • Hearts joined at last!

— Best advice for brides: NO amount of planning will guarantee a “perfect” ceremony or reception.

Remember: It’s the mishaps that make things unique and memorable.

So, roll with the flow, smile and enjoy the spotlight (and the happily ever after, of course).

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Air Conditioned Event Center • 400 maximum capacity • Tables & Chairs Provided • Use of Kitchen & additional 500 Sq. Ft. room included for catering/storage • Use of Large Covered BBQ pit area included • Ample Paved Parking!

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Tame those wedding day NERVES

De-stress on the big day. And it’s OK to ask for help.

When couples tie the knot, many changes are in store, many compromises will be made and many lasting memories will be created.

But in the weeks and months before their big days, couples can easily get caught up in the whirlwind of wedding planning, never taking inventory of their feelings until their wedding days have arrived.

When the date nears, couples

should not be surprised if some nerves set in. A survey from the anxiety self-help resource The Fear Source indicated 71 percent of brides-to-be suffered from some type of nerves during the lead-up to their weddings.

Ninety-two percent of brides experienced nerves on the day of the wedding or the evening before, while 66 percent reported that it affected their daily

92% of brides suffer wedding-day or nightbefore nerves

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34

Wedding & Event Venue with Beautiful Views of Enchanted Rock and surrounding Hill Country.

830.992.0425 info@themossranch.com themossranch.com facebook.com/themossranch 7502 RR 965 • Llano, TX 78643

lives prior to their weddings or hampered their performance and enjoyment during the day itself.

According to Psych Central, a modern online voice for mental health information, emotional support and advocacy, pre-wedding jitters are common and can be the subconscious telling a person that something needs to be remedied. Wedding nerves do not mean a wedding is doomed; it just means certain issues may need to be worked through.

The following are some ways to tame wedding day nerves:  Keep an open dialogue. Speak with your future spouse about the things that may be causing your anxiety. Maybe you have doubts on financial choices or where you will be living after the wedding. Communicating openly and honestly is one of the foundations of a strong relationship.  Slow down and breathe. Wedding planning involves making many decisions, and See TAME NERVES 

Chill, slow down and keep an open mind. Maybe recruit some more help.

www.segnersjewelers.com 236 West Main Street Fredericksburg, TX (830) 997-2559

12400 Hwy 71 W. Ste 708 Bee Cave, TX (512) 288-5457

35

TAME NERVES Cont. from page 35 sometimes couples move at breakneck speeds. Make slowing down a priority. Try to enjoy a quiet dinner with just the two of you. When enjoying peaceful moments, take deep breaths, which can be calming and revitalizing. If need be, consider signing up for a yoga class to force you to slow down.  Address performance anxiety. It’s easy to build up the big day in your mind and hope that everything goes according to plan. But it’s impossible to plan for each and every outcome on your wedding day.

Focus on everything that can go right, rather than worrying about what might go wrong. Also, realize that your guests are your friends and family members who will be forgiving of any hiccups along the way.

You’re bound to recover gracefully from any mishaps.  Work on confidence. Wedding fears may stem from inadequate self-confi-

Party Space For Rent Are you looking for the perfect place to hold your next family reunion, bridal shower, baby shower or birthday party?

Well, look no further.

The Golden Hub Community Center is the place to go.

We have a great space at a great price.

Call Denise at 997-7131 for prices and availability.

We also have space available during business hours for meetings and luncheons.

dence. Give yourself a pep talk and surround yourself with positive people. Keep the worry-warts at arms’ length for the time being.  Recruit more help. Weddings are huge undertakings, so it’s no surprise that couples sometimes feel overwhelmed. Ask reliable relatives or friends to double-check all of the last-minute details. This way you don’t feel it is all on your shoulders.

Wedding days nerves are to be expected and often have little to do with the decision to get married. Planning such a big event can be nerve-wracking, but there are ways to combat any anxiety that builds up as the big day draws near.

Fredericksburg

studio

Harpist - Emily Jumes www.fbgharpist.com 830.998.9265 fbgharpist@gmail.com

Photography by Vanessa

36

Wedding gift registries Wedding planners say opening a gift registry as soon as there is an engagement is acceptable etiquette.

Choosing multiple stores and interviewing sales representatives can help a couple ensure they receive all they need to start their lives together.

The following is a list of places around the Fredericksburg area that will help with a gift registry.

Der Kßchen Laden 830-997-4937 258 E. Main St. Dooley’s 830-997-3458 131 E. Main St.

Linens-N-More 830-990-1212 302 E. Main St. Segner’s Jewelers 997-2559 236 W. Main St. Walmart 830-997-2633 1435 E. Main St.

In addition to traditional registeries, some couples choose to register out of town, ask for monetary gifts to help pay for the honeymoon or decide they have everything they need and register for donations to their favorite charity.

37

Engaged! Wedding, Event showcase set Engaged! Wedding and Event showcase will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, in the Baron’s Creek Conference Center at the Fredericksburg Inn and Suites.

There is no charge to attend.

The event is geared toward brides, their families and anyone planning a wedding or

event in Fredericksburg.

During the showcase, swag bags will be given away and drawings will be held for door prizes, including a two-night stay at a local bed and breakfast and a wine tour.

For more information, contact Adrienne Lopez at adrienne@girlfridaycompany.com or visit www.engagedfbg.com

Wedding Bells Are Ringing!

We have a huge gift selection for the Wedding Couple.

Can’t decide what to get?

Give them a Gift Certificate from

Conveniently located in downtown Fredericksburg

830-997-3458 dooley5-10@austin.rr.com

help you with your floral needs.

From asking “Will you?’ to saying “I do!” or for that special getaway weekend!

Call (830) 997-7373 for an appointment.

Website: www.blumenhandlerflorist.com

209 East San Antonio Street

38

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