BUT TODAY IT GETS BETTER!   Not only is Royal Fig giving a tasteful discount, to the next bride and groom to book a wedding at La Paloma, but also Eric Hegwer Photography has generously added a 1-hour long engagement session in and around Austin, complete with online photos, and a CD, a value worth $250.00.     
Lucky Me! I’m honored to have these connections!   See for yourself!

Guest and friends, came out to experience this tranquil hill country getaway that is sure to provide inspiration, whether planning their own upcoming wedding, or looking for fresh ideas to bring to their friends and family, for the perfect setting to host a family reunion, company picnic, or corporate event.

La Paloma highlighted their expansive outdoor facility with mature trees and a newly designed bridal suite overlooking the landscape. The covered pavilion seats up to 200 guests with in-house tables, chairs, and linens. The venue also includes a luxurious 5-bedroom guest house that accommodates 11+ overnight guests, and a sparkling pool and fully equipped pool house.

The Open House had fabulous door prizes, access to coveted Austin wedding vendors, and a serene yet invigorating outdoor setting.

Royal Fig Catering www.royalfig.com was on site with cold, fresh squeezed lemonade and appetizer samplers including:
-Venison Sausage with Truffle Quail Eggs
-Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms
-Trio of Bruschetta
-Fingerling Potatoes with Saffron Aioli

Other vendors on site  included:

*Stardust Pastry www.stardustpastry.com
*Rojo Photography www.rojopictures.com
*Premiere Party Central www.premierepartycentral.com
*Dragonfly Design www.dragonflydesignstx.com
*Uptown Valet www.uptown-valet.com
*Larissa Ness www.larissaness.com
*Bellabysara.com  – Florist

* Anastazia Skin Care 751-7169

* The Chocolate Cup   www.austinchocolatefountain.com

* The Cigar Room  Thecigarroomshop.com

*So-juzzi.com (specialty drinks, yummmmmmm)

*Universal Sounds universalsoundsent@gmail.com (lights and music)

*Silpada Jewlery

* Nordstrom Fragrance

* XYNGULAR CORE4 DIET – Trish Muench  (skinny bride!)

I saw pain in the eyes of soon-to-be grooms as they walked the vendor isles, they either thought the food was good or their feet hurt, it was hard to tell.

Men, I think the Bridal Extravaganza is a test for you! If you agree to go 5 points, if you go and but don’t engage in all that there is to offer you loose the 5 points, and you get to hear about it for the next 5 years!

This event shouldn’t be limited to Brides, in fact I don’t know why this event isn’t called “Austin Party Planner Extravaganza.” I saw a Magician’s Booth, a Cigar Booth, along with a plethora of photographers, and photo booths, and beautiful girls, guys’ what are you thinking!

La Paloma Events had their booth next to Maria Bernal Photography.  Maria’s work is featured in many magazines as well as their covers, need I say more! My friend Edie Henry from my Bible Study is an amazing and gorgeous Fashion Designer and works with Maria Bernal!   At La Paloma Events, we welcome Natalie Osborne. Together Natalie and I handed out flyers for La Paloma Events, and invited soon-to-be brides to our open house on June 13, 2010 from 4-6 pm.  I’m grateful to have Natalie she did much of the footwork!  In addition, Rojo Pictures, creative photographer Thomas Meredith, photographed pictures of La Paloma Events for this event, and my flyers. I am very blessed to have all these people in my life, because in my wildest dreams owning my very own event venue never crossed my mind.

A key performer in this project, my husband Mike Barron of Southstar Homes and Southstar Framing, did all the planning, design, layout and construction for this project.  Mike impresses me with his eye for detail.    It was helpful for Mike to be at the Extravaganza in that he walked around and handed out our business cards to vendors.

So for future reference, if you are planning any kind of party or reunion, DO use the bridal extravaganza as a resource, it would be a great benefit for you!

Family reunions are never a threat, because as long as the lipstick is on, you can wear rollers in your hair, and get away with it by telling everybody, you have a big date with an executive from Lakeway, Texas, on your behalf, the family prays this is Mr. Right.   Everyone always leave a reunion with a great sense of satisfaction and looking forward to the next one.   For the most part, family is busy show and telling his or her accomplishments and everyone expresses delight in everyone’s undertakings.  It never fails that from the mouth of the oldest living first cousin who is 55 years old or older, you might hear,” we need to do this more often instead of waiting for someone to die.”  From the sassiest of the family, you might hear, “I would look that good too, if I had lipo.”  All the while, the kids are having a blast, and you don’t have to be a family of 100 to have fun, you can be a family of 10 and have a great time, sometimes less is better!

High School Reunions

In all honesty, ten years can either have people talking about you or jealous of you for the next ten years.  (I usually start working on my extreme makeover 2 years ahead of the decade’s anniversary, because frankly it’s going to take more than lipstick to do the trick)   The anticipation of seeing old friends and old crushes can make every 10 years worth the while. (At least you’ll be within your BMI)  It never fails I leave these reunions, singing to the lyrics to “Some of God’s Greatest Gifts are Unanswered Prayers,” Thank you Jesus!  I recently talked with a woman who went on her 60^th High School Reunion, she said, “we no longer compete with looks, or material wealth, rather we share our ailments, and medical records. (Wow, I’m not far behind) Then again, you do find the occasional fairy tale where two come together at their 40th and live happily ever after! Awe!!!

Birthday Parties

Ooooo!  The best one so far, birthday girl had three dresses, they were:  play dress, cake dress, and present dress!  Mom wore more than lipstick for this party!  They had pottery for the children to paint, blow-ups in the yard and the décor was a princess theme which meant that everything was in pepto pink and outlined with pink boa feathers everywhere!  This was a little girl, “First Birthday Extravaganza,” and now everyone has to compete!

All three parties have one thing in common:  They all had an Event Coordinator!  Yes, even the little girl that turned 1 year old.  An event coordinator knows everything, but more important they know everyone who is someone in the party world.  It’s not hard to see the dollar sign, but the reality is that Event Coordinators offer discounts and creative ideas that would normally cost you money that you hadn’t planned on spending!  They network with a plethora of individuals connected to the party world and are creative right down to the menu, not just décor and planning for your entertainment! From the start, the most important information you have to divulge to your coordinator is the “Party Budget.”  Good luck, and invite me to your next party!

I had already done my homework, and checked out all of the alternatives for caterers’ and decided they work too hard, but love what they do.  Some of these chefs are trained professionals out of New York, who can accomplish a 5-course meal out in the middle of a cow pasture, I’m amazed!

After speaking to a couple of excellent caters, they both said the same thing, “water and electricity is all we really need to cater an event!” You’ve got to be kidding me, I can’t comprehend not having just the basics, (stove, fridge, micro) especially when your cooking for 200!

They did say however, “if you want to go the extra mile, a stove with a convection oven is the one appliance on the top of their list.  Royal Fig, (one of my new favs) is all about saving her client money, and recommends a dishwasher for glasses, wine glasses, etc…Great Idea,  I’m all about saving a buck!

Well, Mike and I decided that a catering kitchen was not out of the question, as he works through the logistics he has 60 days as of last week to build this out and  I’m going to put on some lipstick and head out to Ace to price a dishwasher and convection oven for us!   No “middle of a pasture” cooking at La Paloma!

Though it was a wet, chilly, cloudy, fall day, there was little but warmth felt upon arriving to this event. Some bundled up, while others daringly wore fancy dinner dresses. Mossy green candles adorned the edges of both ponds bubbling throughout the venue. Seventy-five simple white chairs lined in rows made the newly constructed pavilion quite a site

Pine trees on either side of the pavilion’s entrance were laced with white holiday lights. Groomsmen walked down a white-carpeted gravel path in handsome black suits with moss green ties; bridesmaids paraded down the aisle in gorgeous personalized black dresses; and the flower girl and ring bearer adorably preceded the bride in all her elegance.

A softly spoken minister completed the sweet warm feeling that cascaded through the wedding party and into the audience. After the ceremony, bridal pictures were taken under the mature oak trees which were decorated with mossy green garden elements.

The reception was held in the new pavilion, where black tablecloths, elegant flowers and various centerpieces adorned the tables. Plenty of food and drinks were served to each guest, while there was ample room left for a DJ, a dance floor and, of course, the three-tiered wedding cake, complete with fancy edible pearls. Guests enjoyed classic tunes as they chatted, danced and had a wonderful time at La Paloma!