I know we are wusses down here in Texas when it comes to the cold, but it has been freezing here lately! As much as i hate loading in groceries in the cold wind and rain, I am totally fine with it when I’m sitting by the fireplace indoors with a cup of hot cocoa. It really makes it feel like it is the winter season! I’m ready to put out Christmas decor and we are still two weeks from Thanksgiving! Anybody with me?
I guess in the meantime, I’ll just swoon over winter weddings and cozy color palettes…The palette for this shoot was all neutrals with just a hint of warmth in the red tones. I styled this shoot for the Cedar & Stone Workshop with Sarah Goss & Amy Gawlik photography at Pecan Springs Ranch. When I put this shoot together I was really nervous about this patterned jacket, but I absolutely adore how it photographed! Also, fun fact, our model’s hair is actually really long, but our HAMU (short for hair & makeup) gal, Celissa Rae, gave her a faux bob! Didn’t even know that was a thing! All the amazing vendors who helped pull this shoot together credited at the bottom of the post and a super fun behind the scenes “mannequin challenge” video by SLF weddings!
The more serious beautiful video of this sweet couple here !
Venue: Pecan Springs Ranch
Event Styling: Emily Burgess with Hill Country Bride
Florals: Paige Morgan Smith
Hair and Makeup: Weddings by Celissa Rae
Dress: Lazaro
Bridal Salon: Serendipity Bridal
Ribbons: Silk and Willow
Cake: Chef Ryan Ross
Candles: IKEA
Table Linen: La Tavola
Stationary: Paper and Posies
Groom Attire: The Black Tux
Jewelry: Kendra Scott
Cinematographers: SLF
Rentals: Bee Lavish
Flatware: West Elm
Invatation Styling: Kayla Barker
Jewelry Box: Mrs. Box
Styling Board: Heirloom Bindery
Hosts: Sarah Goss & Al Gawlik
1. Cute coffee man… Ha ha, just kidding! But really… It was so fun to walk in on the first day and have a lovely British man serving me a great cup of fancy pour over coffee. In general all of the goodies (food, gifts, setups) were impressive and the environment (
2. Confidence in handling flowers. Initially I wasn’t that excited about the floral arranging class, but I feel like getting my hands a little dirty and practicing myself, I was able to get a more intimate relationship and appreciation for the floral designers I work with. An added bonus was that I learned some great tips for making my personal arrangements look more intentional! Thanks to 
3. Practice with flat lay styling. This was a big one for me! ALL THE PRETTY THINGS! Its so rare that I have several ring boxes, several back grounds, multiple sets of invitations, stamps, ribbon etc. in a range of colors and styles to play with. It was nice to have some guidance and all of the supplies handy to just play! On a wedding day, I sometimes have a hard time switching from my left brained duties (details and logistics) to right brained creative tasks. Flat lay styling is one of those things I’m learning to 1) do the night before the wedding 2) understand that practice makes it come more naturally. 
4. Challenge to Set Goals. I’m a person who really likes to keep my promises. Like really. I have a hard time setting goals because I fear if I don’t execute it perfectly, I’ll let someone, or myself down. Being in a space with other girls, who aren’t perfect (like it looks on Instagram) but just trying their best, helped me get a more realistic picture of how I can set goals without the burden of not meeting expectations. Michaela actually said that her most read blog posts are consistently her goal posts. After reading a couple, I really appreciated that she shared honestly, how sometimes she didn’t meet them! And that’s ok! Here’s the thing, if I never set goals, I’ll never have the satisfaction of achieving them!
5. Relationships with other REAL entrepreneurial girls who are struggling and succeeding, just like me. Anyone ever feel like they are always losing in the competition of Instagram perfection? My sweet friend calls this comparing my insides to other’s outsides. It’s unfair, unrealistic and will always leave me feeling not good enough. If I would have looked up any of these gals (teachers and students) on instagram, I would have sized them up, and sized up myself against them. But meeting them in person FIRST and just seeing that they were REAL people made me INSTAntly feel (see what I did there) safer. I wanted to get to know them, to get know about their business and gleam inspiration from them. The struggle of working with ME, MYSELF, and I ALL DAY is REAL. I have to try to build a network, it’s not just there for me when I show up to work every day. It’s so empowering to be with other women learning together, instead of in competition with them. I also really liked that it was not just my narrow subset of vendors (planners), it was nice to gleam ideas off of photographers, calligraphers, florists, bloggers, cake ladies, etc. I suppose a lot of workshops might give you this, but I really feel Michaela and the other teachers were really great about never putting themselves above us, just sharing with us their successful experience and suggestions in lots of things.
(2)Its white. Need I say more folks. A perfect blank slate with ship lap details, beautiful chandeliers, bistro lights over a patio, and a built in bar. Can I get an “AMEN†from the wedding photographers out there that have been shooting in dark venues for years and years? Brides, your pictures of your reception are going to be awesome.
(3)The chairs. It’s a small detail, I know. But as a wedding planner, I pay attention to these things. You don’t have to pay a rental company to deliver stylish chairs for your wedding- they are included! No more mahogany chivari or folding fruitwood, folks. I know you have seen styled shoots on Pinterest with these chairs and thought “ha! As If. Who can afford chairs like that at their wedding?†You my dear. You. Their price point is competitive with other venues in the area, but their stylistic value is much higher.
(4)Lodging on site featuring the same great stylish details. Just a short walk away from the reception site, down the beautifully terraced path next to the rippling waterfall. You never thought landscaping could be so impressive, did you?
(5) Just a few miles from Fredericksburg. Close to shopping, restaurants, Enchanted Rock and wineries for your guests to enjoy, but far enough out that they can experience the peace and serenity of the Hill Country.
