Vendor Spotlight {Laura Martinez}

Laura Martinez is a passionate and talented make up artist from Austin. After graduating from St. Edwards University, she worked for Clinique and assisted Clarissa Luna, a well known make up artist. Aside from assisting Clarissa at events such as Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, are her own growing list of accomplishments. Laura has worked at the Marie Claire, Loft and Rimmel London fashion shows, Neiman Marcus' David Yurman 2011 Presentation, and various editorial works in magazines including Teen Vogue and The Knot Magazine. Whether your wanting to achieve a natural, "barely-there" look or a more dramatic, high fashion look for your wedding, Laura is well experienced in both. Trials run $50 & Bridals run $90 + as a special gift the bride receives a full size MAC lipstick in her wedding day shade. Take a look at some of her work and let us set you up a make up consultation with her for your big day! http://blog.bylauramartinez.com/

Written By:

Alyssa

Vendor Spotlight {Churchill Composing}

Wedding Composer, John Churchill, was born and raised in Kansas. John has been playing music since childhood and has the skills to create a vast variety of composition genres.  He studied music composition at Kansas State University.   He plays anything from solo piano to string chamber orchestra.  As a professional,John is able to guide his clients in determining the instrumentation specifics that will make their event come to life.  Not only does John provide his clients with original music for the ceremony and can also create a unique experience for his clients by proving them with classical arrangements of their favorite songs.

To add Churchill Composing to your special day visit http://www.churchillcomposing.com. 

Written by:

Shelby 

Vendor Spotlight {Creations by Carlie Jean}

Carlie Cantrell has recently relocated to Austin and is returning from maternity leave.  She discovered her love for cosmetology back in middle when she first started doing hair and makeup.  Carlie took her passion and turned it into a career as owner of Creations by Carlie Jean.  She trained professionally at the IBS School of Cosmetology in Portland, OR.  While she attending, Carlie also took part in a vast number of cosmetology workshops including MAC.  

After graduation, her company became very successful in Oregon.  Carlie has created looks for for a number of professional photographers and their clients on a regular basis, creating beautiful brides all over Oregon, working with professional entertainers of the Portland night life as well as professional models.   

Carlie is aware of budgets and is extremely reasonable when it comes to prices.  In fact, she even provides discounts and works with clients to establish a customized budget.  To get a beautiful look on your wedding day that makes you shine from the inside out, contact Carlie at: creationsbycarliejean@gmail.com and visit her website: www.wix.com/carliejeancantrell/creationsbycjc. 


Written by: 


Shelby 

Welcome to the team Shelby

We are excited to welcome our new summer intern Shelby & even more happy that she is a fellow Aggie- WHOOP!

Vendor Spotlight {Austin Phonograph Company}

The Bee's Knees of Vintage Events, Austin Phonograph Company specializes in providing vintage hand cranked phonograph record players from the early 1900s at your event.  All music is played on non electric phonographs in 78RPM record format.  The music available ranges from 1920s hot jazz to Classical to Texas Swing. Two expert audio operators dressed in vintage elegance from the 1930's crank the records, and demonstrate the machines to curious patrons. Enjoy the tunes as the operators change the needles, flip the records, and crank the machines.

Austin Phonograph Company provides their services for all sorts of parities and events.  From private parties, weddings and corporate events to dances.  Thinking out the box, Austin Phonograph Company even does educational presentations, gallery openings and happy hours.  All of your guests will remember your keenest event ever with Austin Phonograph Company's vintage audio elegance. 

Written By: 

Shelby

Welcome Shelby

We are excited to welcome our new Assistant Coordinator Shelby Benolken to the Style & Grace Events team! With over 4 years experience in the wedding planning industry she brings a high level of expertise along with a friendly personality to match. We are very happy to have her on board & look forward to planning amazing events together for years to come!

To learn more about Shelby view her bio below...

Shelby graduated from Texas State University earning a BA in Communication Studies with a minor in Leadership Studies.  While in college, Shelby was a member of the International Event Planning Society and a member of the Student Event Planning Association.  She also was a member of a sports organization called Loud Crowd where she was on the events committee, the Public Relations Officer and Vice President.   Her favorite aspect of the college organizations was the true opportunity to bring students together through social events and fundraisers.  With a true passion for event planning, Shelby has been a part of the event industry since 2008.  She has worked at a wedding venue, with event planning companies, modeled in bridal magazines and at local bridal extravaganzas, and connected with many great vendors and venues a long the way.  In her spare time Shelby enjoys spending time with her husband, watching wedding shows, playing volleyball and going country dancing.  

Spring Promotion

Our Annual Spring Promotion Is Back---but hurry this offer won't last long & 2012 dates are filling up fast!

Inspiration {DIY Invitations}

More than ever we are seeing our brides tackle DIY wedding projects with great success but none with such creativity & ease as Kristin. We loved her handmade wedding invitations so much we asked if we could feature them on our blog. Not only are they simple & affordable but they are absolutely charming & capture her rustic vintage style perfectly. We hope you love these just as much as we do & don't miss Kristin's instructions below....

How did she do it?

I ordered a custom stamp for the invitation and RSVP card from Antiquaria's website. Then I stamped onto the "paper bag" colored paper with white ink, covered with embossing powder and embossed. The map was hand drawn by me, scanned in and colored in PhotoShop, then printed onto the soft white colored card stock. I tied all of them together with a piece of soft flat stretch lace. The envelope liner was printed on 24lb white 8 1/2 x 11 printer paper and then trimmed down using an A7 envelope liner template from Paper Source. It was then glued in with a glue stick. The liner says JOHN & KRISTIN repeatedly and the wedding date in between each line, April 28, 2012 *. The liner design was created in Microsoft Word. The embossing took the longest, I made 100 invitations, but it's also quite easy to do while watching TV.

Supplies:

Paper, envelopes and embossing supplies: All from Paper Source

  Invitation: A7, Paper Bag

  Map: A6, Soft White

  RSVP: A2, Paper Bag

  Envelopes: A7, Paper Bag

Stamps: From Antiquaria in Austin

Lace: sold at Michael's but I bought directly from the supplier at www.simplicity.com for less

Real Wedding {Danielle & Henry}

As a wedding planner I'm always asked which wedding has been my favorite & after 7 years in the industry I certainly have many to choose from! Each wedding is special & unique in it's own way, which is why I love what I do, it allows me to be creative on a daily basis. But every once in a while I work with a couple that I really click with & for me that couple was Danielle & Henry. They weren't concerned about having the "perfect" wedding for them it was about the marriage & in my line of work that is a refreshing point of view.They were the sweetest couple & an absolute joy to work with but what made them so special was witnessing their love for one another. Not the infatuation kind of love but the deep, respectful, soul filled love that is a rare find. They were the real deal & it showed with every glance, touch, & smile they flashed at each other. Due to their busy schedules they only had a 6 week long engagement but if any couple could pull that off it was them. They wanted their wedding to be simple, natural, & carefree. Well they got 2 out of 3, shortly after the ceremony Danielle became nauseous & missed most of the reception. What would have ruined any other brides wedding became laughable as she just shrugged it off & didn't let it ruin her day. It warmed my heart to watch her groom hold her hand & comfort her in a way that only he could. Thankful she comes from a family of doctors & after some medication she was able to return to the reception. But being the low fuss bride she is, she returned in a tank top & capri pant to have her first dance as husband & wife. No wedding is ever perfect (believe me I'm behind the scenes) just like no marriage is perfect but it's what you do with those imperfections that will make or break your relationship. I have no doubt that when life throws Danielle & Henry a curve ball they'll just laugh it off & hold hands as they weather the storm because I've already seen that first hand & that's what makes them my favorite couple & my favorite wedding!

"Crystal - Couldn't have done it without you!! No, really. I think my Dad summed it up best (keep in mind that he's cheap - he's a 69 year old retired surgeon who still shops at Big Lots) when he said, "I couldn't figure out what she was going to do before the wedding, but then after the wedding I realized that she was absolutely essential!!" You were the best investment we made (and I kick myself for not handing the whole thing over to you from the beginning - I will advise what single friends I have left) - and you handled a truly unexpected, potentially disastrous situation beautifully. With style and grace. Thank you. I know there are a gazillion things that you did for us that we will never know - and I appreciate that as well. I really can't express our gratitude enough." -Danielle

 *All photos courtesy of Eric Hegwer Photography-- visit our facebook page to view the complete album

Special Thanks To:
Venue: Umlauf Sculture Garden
Florist: LisaLyn Designs
Photographer: Eric Hegwer Photography
Cakes: Bakermans Bakery
Classical Guitar: Stephen Bright with Cathedral Guitars
DJ: Complete Music
Caterer: Austin Catering
Lighting: ILIOS Lighting


Written By:

Crystal