I’m so excited to be the FIRST to style and publish a shoot at this new amazing Hill Country wedding venue- Altstadt Brewery in Fredericksburg, Texas!
This place is just amazing. It’s a beautiful modern Bavarian space like no other in the Hill Country that fits so perfectly with the historic German tradition of the area. The owners spared no expense on the lavish details. The ornate wood carving on the fireplace, the beautiful windows and archways on the many patios, and all of the beautiful gold details. We actually did this shoot while the venue was still under construction, so we didn’t have the opportunity to get as many wide shots as we would have liked. However, I think these images will be enough of a teaser to entice you to visit in person and see the grandeur and taste the beer! Check out their contact info on my Hill Country wedding vendors page to set up a tour!
Viridian did these wonderfully textured centerpieces and that amazing greenery installation. Really, I honestly don’t think I’ll be able to picture this fireplace without the greenery now…
Check out the video of our shoot with James Headrick!Â
Venue: Altstadt Brewery
Planning: Hill Country Bride
Styling & Planning Team: Hill Country Bride & Mayhar Design
Photography: Michelle Boyd Photography
Videography: James Headrick Creative
Floral: Viridian Design Studio
Tabletop & Chair rentals: Whim Event Rentals
Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen Rental -oatmeal velvet & chelsea napkin
Frames & Candlesticks: Bee Lavish
Hair & Makeup: Celissa Rae
Dress: Jenny Yoo
Tux: The Black Tux
Accessories: Dillards
Paper Suite: Isidore & Augustine
Models: Ashley Trappe & Jose Lebaron
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.
4)Logistics. They provide tables and chairs and pretty furniture, you get the property mostly to yourself for the weekend, and the guests can leave the reception and walk back to their rooms or some close by hotels, or to a local dive bar for late night shenanigans.
