The Holiday's are around the Corner

Ok so August is almost over….thank Goodness…so you know what that means. It’s almost time for the Holiday’s!!!

I have to tell you if you are waiting to book that holiday party don’t wait to long….Berry Creek is filling up. I have to say that we are rocking in December, and we only have so many dates we can fill. So if you are thinking about having a party, give us a call. I personally love the Holiday’s, as much as Wedding Season and I would love to help you plan your holiday party. So to get you in the mood…I added two “Holiday at the Gill House” photos to get you in the mood. Don’t be jealous that I was so cute as a kid!

Rook Baby Shower

Culver/ Hanlon Wedding Reception

Hise Memorial

Updates are coming!

We have had a fun filled weekend! Coming soon! MGA Glowball pictures, Hise Party, Dog Days of August, and Hanlon/Culver Ceremony and Wedding reception. It has been a crazy weekend!

I might be on my Soap Box, but Listen up!

You know there are some wedding that you go to and you think to yourself, now that was a great wedding. Jennifer and Rocky have been friends of mine for what seems like years. Rocky and I went to grade school together and Jennifer and I worked at Chili’s together back when I was in college.

The great thing about this couple was they looked forward to being married, not just the wedding. To them it wasn’t about the party, the food or the gifts, it was about the joining together of two people for the rest of there life. I won’t go into to much of this story, but Jenn and Rocky found one another when they were young, around the 16-17 age, and found one another again almost 5 years later.

The moral is, I talk a lot about throwing a good party and making your guests feel welcome, but in the end, make it all about the marriage. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Wedding Day planning as you can see, but make sure you are still making time for one another. A marriage is all about working together and being the best couple you can be. So take a break every once in a while and put away all the Wedding planning. Take time to make sure you are ready for marriage and not just a wedding; I promise you it will be worth it in the end.

Jenn and Rocky….I love you guys! Thanks for letting me be a part of your wedding! I have to also thank Stephanie from Studio 220 in Lufkin, www.studio220photo.blogspot.com She takes some amazing pictures.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.......

it's always a good time for a good party!

(above you have my mom and my Maw Maw)

So I am really excited because my Grandmother, who I lovingly call Maw Maw, is coming to visit my parents over the Holiday Weekend. Since they live a mere 4 hours from Austin, I will be going home to visit for the weekend. When I told my mom I was coming home she said, “Well I hope you know you are going to have to sleep on the couch.” I thought to myself, does she think I am going to make my 80 some odd year old Grandmother sleep on the couch? Ha now that is funny. Sorry mom but it was pretty funny.

So with that being said, Today’s lovely blog entry is about sharing those special family moments with one another. You don’t have to have a reason to all get together, but you should never let Really important dates go by without notice. Always celebrate big anniversaries and birthdays. I say once I get to around 90, a big birthday once a year is a must. So don’t forget that Berry Creek can help you with those last minute details that help make those special celebrations so wonderful. We can do it all, from the serving of the meal to the presentation of the cake, I’ll even give a toast if you want me to. (Although given my last speech at the Chamber of Commerce meeting you may not want me to) While we can do most anything, there are a few things we can’t do. We cant get your family there and we can’t put together those must have slide shows, which in my opinion help make the entire party.

You have seen her before on my page, but this is why......

I love Stacy Cross at http://www.cross-blog.blogspot.com/ She just takes the most amazing pictures. If you are not looking at this girls website everyday like I am, then you are truly missing out. Her and her husband Stan take the best pictures ever. Stacy you are one of the best!

Karaoke Fun for Everyone!

On of the best parties for kiddo's to date has been our Luau at the Pool back in June. We thought it was going to be ruined by the onset of rain, but as usual, everything worked out for the best. I must say that the Social Committee once again turned out another Hit. If you weren't in attendence, then you missed it.

These ladies put a hole in every coconut we had!


Chef Glen. Super casual in his shirt definatly had something to be proud of with his pig!

Mardi Gras Party

You know I heard someone once say that you are only as strong as your weakest link. I absolutely believe this to be true and because of that I am so blessed to work with a strong team. Meet the Social Committee. They are a great group of men and women who help me plan some great parties for the club. Without them I don’t know if I could pull of some of these parties. Below is our February Mardi Gras Party. Oh gosh it was super fun. Keep posted for what we do next!

Sharon and I getting ready for the festivities!

You can't be in New Orleans with out a bar!


King's cake.......soooooo Good. And I found one of the babies!

Throw me something Mister!

The Social Committee

Oh Sharron what a nut! She always comes to the party in the best costumes!

I know April Showers Bring May Flowers....

but what if a girl needs flowers in November?

Well then I know just the place to go! You must must must go and see the girls at Just'in Roses. http://www.justinroses.com/ they are great! I have to warn you of a few things before you go...

1. The website does not give these girls justice. These ladies can show you Plenty of pictures of beautiful centerpieces and bridal bouquets, all you have to do is ask. I am pretty sure if you dream it they can create it.

2. Make sure you schedule plenty of time to talk. Wohow ladies I was there about a 1 1/2 hours just gabbing about wedding stuff. I must say the time got away from me, but I can tell from our conversations that no one is just another wedding party at this place......everyone is special.

3. You don't have to worry about doing all your homework, these girls will tell you everything you need to know up front. No kidding. Sometimes I have found it hard to get information about prices and quality out of vendors, but these girls tell you like it is....and I must say I like that. So check them out....tell them I sent you and be nice to them. I promise they will take care of you!

Party Party Party

There are only three things you need at every party: interesting people, good food and a great attitude. If you have those three, everything else will either fall into place or not seem like such a big deal if it goes all wrong.

That said, there are certain decoration guidelines to keep in mind. If you're serving food that requires a fork and knife, be sure you have enough tables and chairs so guests don't have to juggle their glass, silverware, napkin and plate. If you want guests to mill around, push tables against the wall or remove extraneous furniture to encourage mingling and spontaneous dancing.

As for the specific decorations, that all depends on your budget, taste and the type of party you're throwing (see party themes below for inspiration). Also key: clean towels in the bathroom, piles of napkins near the food and drink areas, and lots of candles for flirt-friendly lighting and ambience. Oh and you can never have to much Ice. Don’t bring your party guests back to college with the, “here’s your plastic cup, write your name on it, and oh if you want Ice we are out….Sorry.”

The key to being a great party planner is to know your audience. You know not to invite non-drinkers to a beer bash or vegans to an all-meat BBQ, but you’ll also want to find out if your guests have other dietary restrictions, food allergies and preferences for a smoking or non-smoking atmosphere.

The same goes for the style of party you throw. Some people may not initially be comfortable at a formal dinner, while others may feel out of their element at an informal get-together. Also, if you plan a party with a dish or theme that people might not be familiar with (an oyster-shucking party or murder mystery dinner, for example), some guests may need some guidance. If you sense that a guest is ill at ease, find out what’s wrong or steer them to a group of outgoing guests who can show them the ropes.

So Here’s are some Idea’s for a what I feel is a great theme for a party

Karaoke Fun (Ummm enough said, who doesn’t like to watch there friends make fools of themselves)
Casino Night
60’s, 70’s, 80’s or 90,s themed party
Martini Night
Movie or TV Re-run night
Game Night
Breakfast Food and PJ party
Pool, Pizza and a Movie
Luau
4th of July
Mardi Gras
Homecoming
Halloween

Gosh there are so many to choose from!

Hmmm......

So my mom told me to write about something other than Weddings.....but I am stumped. What do you guys out there want me to write about? Now is your chance to decide.

I am obsessed.....yeah I said it. I am obsessed with everything wedding. I know what you guys are thinking, especially my mother, jeez this girl has lost her mind. It's true but I can't help it.

So I went to the Library yesterday in town to check it out. I mean I was downtown, just wanted to see what it was all about. Well let me tell you I found some great stuff.


1. They have all kinds of wedding planning books. It was amazing. I checked out a Martha Stewart guide to weddings book and it is Fabulous, much like most of what Martha does.

2. There are some great flower arrangement books and other specialty books that can help make your wedding Perfect. Don't break the bank, like I do, purchasing all those books for yourself.

3. I almost tore a page out of a magazine. *Gasp* I know I couldn't believe it either, but it was such a great Wedding Magazine that I didn't own. Although I have picked it up on several occasions, but I thought I had already purchased it so I put it back.


Anyways here are a few of my oh so Favorite Sights from the magazine. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!


The picture above is from http://www.favorwarehouse.com/ What a cool sight. These were only $1.95. What a steal!

Also loved http://www.papermart.com/ You can order any type of packing product you might ever need. That includes tape and boxes for the move once you are married!

Finally, my favorite find is a place called http://www.growersbox.com/ The flowers look Beautiful and I hope to order some for our upcoming Bridal Show.

If only I knew how to arrange flowers........I guess if I learned how to do that I could put that on my resume right next to professional cake cutter, on the spot DJ, and therapist. Oh the life of a Wedding Planner!

It’s like breaking up with your Boyfriend…

That’s what it feels like when a Wedding or Party is over. It’s hard to explain if you aren’t in this industry…

I am sure my fellow members of the Hospitality industry feel the same way. You meet a couple, fresh off the high of an amazing engagement and immediately you make a connection.

They come to you unsure of what the next few months of planning will hold. They ask your advice, they invite you into there family and for what….One of the most memorable days of there life.

I once heard someone say that there are only 3 days in your life when you can have a day all about you. When you’re Born, when you Die, and when you get Married. That’s a lot of pressure for Doctor’s, Funeral Directors, and Wedding Planners!

I still remember the first wedding I did by myself at Berry Creek. I spent weeks and weeks going over every detail to the T. The best part was that even if I had burned the building down, the families still would have smiled and said, “Rachel, This is awesome!”
They were so amazing to work with and I thank the Meredith and Hey families for being so amazing. It was at this very moment that I vowed not to let my couples become just another file folder.

So what can I say, I get attached to you guys. I look at theknot.com to see if you have registered, I look at the paper to see if the announcement is out, and I talk about you to my own family and friends.

So the moral is, if you talk to me and I get excited about your wedding, it means I truly am and I can’t wait to see it all come together. Although once the night is over, all I have left is a pile of dirty tablecloths and the memory of the happy couple.

How super cute is this picture from theknot.com

I LOVE THIS!


Amy & Doug: A Raspberry, Orange, and Kiwi Wedding in Squaw Valley, CA
Guests found their seats on flags pinned to brightly colored miniature silk and satin elephants. "I discovered the elephants at a hotel called The Sukhothai in Bangkok," Amy explains. "I had often traveled there for work and loved the elephants they left on your pillow each night." She emailed the hotel and was able to have 200 custom-made for the wedding.


Geoff White Photography, San Francisco and
theknot.com

So I had to pick up my cousin from the airport the other night at 11:30 PM. I can tell you it wasn't my finest moment.



If you have ever been to the Austin airport you know it isn't that big...they only have 6 baggage claim areas. I freaked out twice that night in a span of 30 minutes.

1) I couldn’t find the baggage claim area and since his luggage just happened to be the last out of the shoot, I kept doubting I was in the right place although the monitor said I was.
2) I tried to exit the parking lot and the automated teller wouldn’t let me out of the gate. Needless to say after one HUGE freak-out we figured out I had just paid incorrectly. I am sure my cousin could have survived the night without me having a small meltdown.

So you are probably saying, “Rachel what does this have to do with me?” Well it’s easy. If you have guests traveling from out of town, remember one thing. You want to make there travel as easy as possible.

I don’t mean you have to fly them in on a private jet, but be aware that they might not know anything about Austin or the surrounding areas. Send them a map or hotel information before the wedding. I strongly suggest having your guests stay in the same hotel. This will help both you and them when it comes time to getting everyone to the same place at the same time.

Don’t be scared to give them small packets of information when they check into hotels. You don’t have to give them giant gift baskets of goodies, although you can, but you should give them recommendations on happening night life and restaurants, especially if you know they will be coming into town early.

So the moral of the story is this, make it simple for people like me. Sometimes we can’t help the way we are.