Party Rentals!

When I first began thinking about my vision for Hill Country Event Planning, I envisioned a company that provided full service event coordinating, planning and rentals.  The rentals would include everything from chairs, tables, tents, chafing pans, silverware, glasses, and even decorations.  I find that a lot of people buy decorations for weddings and then don't know what to do with the stuff after the wedding.  

The good news for today - we now have a few items to rent: 

Chairs

Tables

Tents

Outdoor heaters

Votives

Luminary candles

The goal is to add several items each month to build up a large inventory.  But for now, check out rentals.hillcountryeventplanning.com to see what we do have.  And check back often...we really are adding more things all the time!

Lori & Matt's Wedding

My baby brother and his fiance got married this weekend at my parent's lake house in Tyler, TX. It was one of those weddings I knew would take a lot of work, but would be absolutely amazing. And I was right...about both!  

The weather could not have been more perfect, the food was delicious (some of the best brisket I have ever tasted - compliments of Sky Ranch) and the turnout was even more than expected!  After watching a few fire works and dashing through sparklers, the newlyweds left the lake house in my dad's vintage jet boat.  And when I say vintage, it is a 1970's white jet boat with green sparkly trim.  But it could not have been a more perfect getaway for them! 

I also was able to surprise them with a brand new stretch limo that was waiting for them at the marina. Neither of the two had been in a limo before so I think it was the perfect ending to a wonderful wedding day.

On Sunday my brother and fiance drove down to Austin with me to leave for their honeymoon One more surprise...my brother didn't tell his new wife where she was going until she read it on her boarding pass!  They took off to Las Vegas bright and early Monday morning and are staying at the Paris Hotel.  Flights from Austin are much cheaper than I expected...about half of what you would pay to fly out of Dallas right now.  And if you go during the week you can find some pretty good deals at all the major hotels on the strip.  Total cost for their honeymoon  (hotel, flight & transportation to and from the airport) - $800.  Not too bad since my brother decided he wanted to plan this trip LAST Wednesday (yes less than a week before they left).

I'll post pictures in the next few days :)

Congratulations Matt & Lori - I love you both!

Chaney Brooks Hill

So this has absolutely nothing to do with event planning, but I was in Tyler this past weekend attending the wedding of friends from high school and I got to hang out with my 1-month old niece, Chaney.  This picture was too adorable not to post!

Wedding this weekend

Abbey and Tony will be married this weekend...this is a wedding I took on about a month ago.  I received Abbey's portraits today and I wanted to post one of them here because Jason Speros Photography did such an amazing job! Thanks Jason - you have been fabulous to work with and I can't wait to see the pictures from the wedding!

How to get a marriage license

There is a new law concerning marriage licenses in Texas so I thought I would share "How to get a marriage license 101".  I've also included how HB 2685 (the new Texas Marriage License Law) will affect you, effective September 1, 2008 ("How to get a marriage license 201").  

1.  You must first go to your county clerk's office to file for a marriage license.  In Travis County (Austin area), you will need to go the the county clerk's office at 5100 Airport Blvd.  They are open Mon - Fri 8 AM - 5 PM.  You will need to bring the following:

****Remember there is a 72 hour waiting period for a marriage license to take effect**** 

• $71 in cash or $74 with a credit card (Checks are not accepted)
  
• Bride and Groom's state identification card (a driver's license will work)
• You will need to know both of your social security numbers
• If you have been divorced:
• • and your divorce was final within the last 30 days: you must bring a certified copy of your divorce decree which states the thirty day waiting period has been waived.
  • and you wish to use your maiden name on the license, you will need to provide a certified copy of her birth certificate or a certified copy of her divorce decree that states her name is to be changed to her maiden name.

2.  If the couple chooses to attend a 8-hour premarital class, there will be no waiting period on the marriage license (normally three days) and the fee will only be $12, as opposed to new, raised rate of $72. 

• Classes offered through the state will be provided free of charge
• You may take classes through your own minister, but he or she must be registered
• Contact Patricia Polega to locate regional intermediaries in Travis County and to find out if classes from your minister will allow you to qualify for the discounted marriage license fee

Lutheran Social Services

8305 Cross Park Drive

Austin, TX 78754

512-454-4611

patricia.polega@lsss.org

• Click here for a full list of intermediaries to contact throughout the state by region

**Note - please remember this is only a guideline.  Contact your local county clerk's office for the most up-to-date information.  Travis County Clerk's office phone number is: (512) 854-4996

Bridal Extravaganza!!

Check out the Bridal Extravaganza THIS SUNDAY in Austin at the Palmer Events Center from noon - 6:00 PM.

Admission tickets are only $14 and you will have the opportunity to shop and compare over 100 of Austin's finest wedding professionals. CLICK HERE to buy your tickets ahead of time! Just a heads up...parking is $7 at the event center

**Hurricane Ike will not affect the Bridal Extravaganza. The event will continue as scheduled**

First Blog!

Welcome to my blog!  I am an event planner (or eventor...I gotta give credit to my mom for this one.  I love coined words  and work mostly in a virtual world so I thought it was very fitting).

Anywho, I am working on the last few details for the wedding of a spunky yet very delightful bride right now.  The wedding will be at Chapel Dulcinea just south of Austin.  The chapel sits quietly but daringly on the edge of an ancient walking trail overlooking the Texas hill country. While I have yet to visit this venue, I expect this wedding to be simply breathtaking...