If you are still considering a venue for your wedding then you are going to love today’s post. Here are some of my favorite venues in the area. They are all slightly unique. Some have things that others don’t and I’m pretty sure that if you take a look at each of these you’ll end up having a hard time deciding on just one. :) Anyway, here are a few photos with links to recent weddings as well as contact info for each of them. Happy Friday.
I’m so excited to introduce you guys to today’s wedding vendor. The Boxwood Barn has been a florist on my radar for just over a year now and I LOVE seeing their work. Elizabeth & her family are super sweet people. I know I say this over and over, but when booking your vendors not only should you like their work, but you really want to like them as people as well. The last thing you want is to “dread” having to call a vendor because they get on your nerves. Liz is just the opposite. You’ll actually be looking for reasons to call her and chat about your wedding. They do a great job putting all kinds of arrangements together and I stopped by their place in Palestine a few days ago to get some shots.
Here are a few from a wedding we worked together at Elmwood Gardens.
And finally, here is their interview. Enjoy.
How did you get started, how long have you been doing this? The Boxwood Barn was started in 2004. I majored in Horticulture at Texas A&M University with a specialization in floral design through the “Benz School of Floral Design“. We both got our certification in Wilton Cake Decoratingfor when we work with flowers on cakes. From there my mom and I joined forces to start The Boxwood Barn. And yes, we do work in a converted barn that has boxwoods around the outside.I am the artsy one, and she is the organizational one.
What is your favorite part about your job? I love experimenting with designs and working with my hands. This is a family business so that is a plus!
What are some things brides should look for when looking for a florist? Brides should notice if a florist seems knowledgeable of flowers. Also, a florist should take thorough notes during a consultation, and really listen to the bride’s desires for her wedding. Always ask to see photos! Also, does the florist have solutions and answers to a bride’s problems and questions?
What are some arrangements that you don’t get requested often but you think look great for a wedding? Topiaries!!! We love topiaries! They can be greens only or constructed of flowers in a bride’s color palette.
What is something unique to your service that you are extra proud of? We try to add extra touches to our designs and not be cookie-cutter. We love embellishments!
Anything else you wanna say? Flowers are happy! Our favorites are tulips and sweet peas, go figure. They are not the easiest to work with.
You can’t beat working with a hardy stem like carnations or hydrangeas.
Guess who made a fancy schmancy Austin wedding publication?
Give up?
Lots of people.
But, I was among one of those people. :)
You may remember Davi & Jonathan’s super fun Elmwood Gardens wedding from last July. Well, Elmwood Gardens is using it as the featured wedding in a brochure they are putting together and the brochure company asked if they could run it in the Austin magazine as well. Fun times right?
If you follow this blog, you know I am a HUGE advocate of getting your wedding filmed. I have often run clips and quotes from Vanessa McKellar, but have never actually run a full on interview. Before we get to the interview though, let me talk real quick about wedding films in general.
Every now and then when I meet with a bride, they mention that they are not getting a videographer because they don’t think it’s all that important. A quote I hear frequently is, “We are already getting photos, and we can always have someone set up camera a in the back.”
Now, the reason many people don’t understand the value of a great wedding film is because all they have seen is footage from a friends wedding where it was just that: a camera set up in the back. A good wedding videographer will take your day and turn it into a movie. Beautiful images, great camera work, a soundtrack, and most important of all, your voices. That’s right, you talking. This is one of the areas where wedding photos just don’t do your day justice. You will experience so many emotions and thoughts on your day and not having someone document you saying those feelings will be something you regret. Anyway, Vanessa actually did a little blog post contrasting the differences between wedding photography and videography a few weeks back and used some photos from Your’s Truly. (Take a look at it here.)
Before we get to the interview, here is a short little trailer she recently finished. Take a look at it, then scroll down to read more about her.
How did you get started & how long have you been doing this?
I think my story really starts in the 90’s, when my love for weddings blossomed. I designed wedding dresses, subscribed to Martha Stewart Weddings magazine, all that stuff. I wanted to be a wedding coordinator when I grew up. Then when I went to film school at UT Austin, I decided that I should combine my two passions and become a wedding filmmaker.
I’ve been in the industry since 2001, when I started shooting and editing for wedding videographers while I was in school. When I graduated in ’03, I used my savings to buy a camera and computer, and I haven’t looked back since!
Also, in the summer of ’08 my husband quit his day job in sales to come work with me full time, and it’s been fabulous. He brings a different eye to the table and I’m so excited with how he’s contributing with his filming and editing.
What is your favorite part about your job?
There’s no way I could pick one. First off, I love arriving the day of the wedding and seeing what the bride’s dress looks like, what color the flowers are, all those things the make a wedding a wedding. Every event is different and beautiful in its own way and I enjoy the aesthetics of it all.
My other favorite part is when I’m editing and it just “clicks” and I make myself cry. Might sound a little silly, but when the imagery and music combine to create something timeless, emotional, and touching, I know I’ve got the best job in the world.
What sets you apart from other wedding filmmakers?
For one thing, I’m female, and there aren’t a lot of female filmmakers out there. I’m a recently married bride, so I can completely empathize with everything a bride goes through on her wedding day and in the planning process. Plus, Vanessa McKellar Productions is a husband and wife team, so while I’m with the girls, there’s also someone the groomsmen can feel comfortable with too. And lastly, I have a blog that’s full of my videos and also wedding planning tips and ideas; it’s a great resource for brides.
What’s your favorite thing to film at wedding?
I love the few minutes right after the ceremony when all the bride and groom’s family and friends gather around and congratulate them. I think it’s one of the purest and most uncontrived moments of the whole day; everyone’s so excited about what has just taken place. Hugs and smiles and jokes and kisses all around. Brent likes to film crazy awesome moves on the dance floor.
When not filming weddings what are you doing?
Editing weddings! Beyond that I like to make jewelry, watch movies, read wedding blogs , eat out with my hubby, clean and/or decorate our new house, and chat with my amigas. Brent just tries to find something to do to counteract all the fufu female estrogen vibes everywhere.
OK, now that you totally love Vanessa and know you want her at your wedding, let me just show you one of my favorite things that she does. These are called Love Stories and they are AMAZING. It’s a perfect way for your friends and family to hear how you met. These are perfect for showing at your rehearsal dinner or even during your wedding. (Instead of that slideshow that has embarrassing baby photos of you growing up.) And, think of how cool it will be for your kids and grandkids to hear from your own mouth how you fell in love.
I have a few new bells and whistles on my site and one of them is fancy schmancy slideshows. I thought I would try one out with one of my favorite couples. That’s Leigh & Tong, I’m talking about you!
Enjoy the slideshow guys. (You can also click the little box on the lower right and make it super big. :) )
Come back tomorrow for and interview with one of my most-est favorite wedding vendors.
The Belgium House | (903) 660-0125 | (Click here for a recent wedding there.)
Elmwood Gardens | (903) 724-5619 | (Click here for a recent wedding there.)
Roseland Plantation | (903) 849-5553 | (Click here for a recent wedding there.)
