To do List...

I have to say, the To Do list is looking pretty good right now, which is crucial, considering ummm...a little holiday involving Santa is right around the corner. Right now we are working on:

1. Booking the honeymoon- we have narrowed it down to Hawaii or Portugal
2. J still needs to book the cake lady or not, I don't eat cake so this is his deal.
3. J needs to pick out tux, order it, get measured and let the guys know.
4. Order our wedding bands (this one is getting close, eek!)
5. I need to print out maps for the invitations, they are all here so I just need to assemble the invitations as well
6. Finish throw cones for ceremony, I am hoping Jason's mom might be able to help when we go to Lubbock for Christmas.

That is it!! Not so bad, we will see how much progress is made over the holidays. In theory, I think, sure I will have tons of time and work on all these projects. The reality, not so much.

Happy Holidays!

Photo time...

We had our engagement session a few weeks ago with our wonderful photographer, Nessa Kessinger. We chose Mandola’s Estate Vineyard for our location, mainly because this is a special place to us and we had wanted to originally get married here. The buildings are in Tuscan style with pretty gardens.


Nessa also found a barn on the property with lots of live oaks and open fields around it. This was a great location because with the sun setting, it made for some really beautiful, golden light. Here is a sneak peak of a few of the photos.



We were both kind of on the fence about getting engagement pictures taken. I am glad we did it though. We were both totally awkward in the beginning but were able to get used to being photographed. Also, I think I will be able to make a really beautiful guestbook with the photos.

Coming soon...

My mom was just in town for a quick trip. I really appreciate her visits here because I need to take the time to focus on the wedding planning. We get so much done in just a few days and of course, she is super organized, which I need.
This trip included a Michael's run. I have all the supplies for the Lavendar Cones for the ceremony, as well as some fun fake mustaches that I need to make for the photo booth. I have started the cones and they are turning out well. I will post pictures and my progress soon.

On bended knee...

The Hotel San Jose is a historic hotel in the South Congress area and will always be special to Jason and I, as this is where he proposed. He booked us a room here for our 4 year anniversary, which was an absolute delight for me since I have been to the bar plenty of times but never as an actually guest.

After a day at the pool, some sangria in bar and a romantic dinner at Enoteca, we came back to the San Jose to enjoy some champagne. This is when Jason surprised me with glass of the bubbly and the ring. His proposal was so sweet and heartfelt, it was a special moment that neither of us will ever forget.

Family Tree...

My Tree and Me designs and customized modern genealogy charts. I love this idea! I have already contacted them to see if they could build one starting with Jason and I and growing from there to include the rest of our families. If so, I will need to collect all the family information but I think it would be a great piece to remind us of where we started and where we came from.

Primizie engagement...

I am really late in this post, as the engagement party was about a month and a half ago, but I just got the pictures in and thought I should put up a few. My mom was so gracious in putting this party together for Jason and I. We had a very lovely brunch with family and some close friends. This was a really great get together to kick off the wedding festivities.


While my Mom’s last trip was filled with dress shopping, flower vendor and venue visits with this wonderful brunch, her visit next week will be much less glamorous with DIY projects, Michaels’ trips and addressing invitation envelopes. Maybe we will still be able to sneak in a few mimosa's.

Smile...

Jason and I are both very excited about working with our photographer, Nessa Kessinger. She is a transplant to Austin and was a recommendation from one of Jason’s moms clients. I love her romantic style and bold colors. We are trying now to schedule and brainstorm on our engagement pictures, which we will hopefully do this month. Here is some additional eye candy.

Driskill Hotel

The Driskill Hotel was built in 1886 and one of the oldest hotels in Austin. The location right down on 6th street gives it a prime spot. The bar is also pretty great and will make a great place to grab some post-wedding celebratory drinks.

Le Papier Studio has this great line of handmade paper expressions, Smitten Sticks. We are planing on having a photo booth at the wedding for guests to take candid portraits, I love the idea of making similar props.

Smell the fresh flowers...

So we had a meeting with the florist last month. The idea is to have lots of different colors and sizes of flowers, that are more homespun looking that all identical. Here are the selection of what will be used:

Hydrangeas


With more Hydrangeas


Some Bells of Ireland


And finally some pretty purple ones.

Sustainable boutonnieres...who knew?

From SuccyStuff, her bouronnieres are transplantable after the ceremony, how is that for being green?



She also has this great wall hanging for your entryway, I love the way the succulents look with the moss.

Angelica...

So pretty and definitely something you could wear over and over...
From Honeycomb

Save the Dates...

are ordered, shipped and here! We just need to address them and get them in the mail. Be on the look out.

*Special thanks to Gary for all his hard design work, they look great!

A little of the Bubbly...

So what is a wedding without a little of the bubbly for a celebratory toast. But you know, it is hard to pass out all the glasses in time. I love the idea of this champagne in a can. From the Francis Coppola vineyards, this little mini cans are named for Sophia.


I like the pop of color as well as easy service they provide. Traditional? No, but fashionable and functional, yes!

Its the one! (maybe)

You know they say there is that one dress, that you love, and you know it once you see it. I have been carrying around a picture of this dress for a month. It has been my inspiration at all shops of what I am looking for. It is by Priscilla of Boston, Vineyard collection, the Drew dress.

Isn't she lovely...

I love, love, love this dress from Amsale Bridal, the Taylor model, although I don't love the price tag. I still looking for online discounts so we will see. It is a beauty though, sigh.

Very Vintage...

So I came across Stephanie James' dresses at Unbridaled this weekend, her dresses are very vintage and stylish. I tried on the Nadine dress and loved it, although I couldn't find it online to show everyone.

Travel Information for your trip to Austin!

Hi Friends and Family,

Below are some of resources in making your travel arrangements to Austin, including some of the places Jason and I both love. Austin is where we met, fell in love and are getting married, so I hope you all can enjoy the city as much as we do. Please call Jason or myself with any questions and I look forward to seeing you April 10th.
Much love-
Cassie + Jason
512-557-5195/512-293-5695

Where to Stay

The Driskill Hotel
604 Brazos Street
Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: 800-252-9367
Special Rate Code: 20A0DS
*limited number of rooms available

Radisson Hotel
111 E Cesar Chavez St
Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: 800-333-3333 (Stratton/Grissom Room Block)
Online reservations: Promotion Code STRAT

How to Get Here

Southwest Airlines
(www.southwest.com)

Jet Blue
(www.jetblue.com)

American
(www.aa.com)

Getting Around Town

Supper Shuttle
1-800-258-3826
(www.supershuttle.com)

Alamo Car Rental
1-800-327-9633
(www.alamo.com)

Budget Car Rental
1-800-527-0700
(www.budget.com)

Austin Cab
512-478-2222

Eat, Drink and be Merry

Moonshine Grill
(American/Southern)
303 Red River St
Austin, TX 78701
512-236-9599

Maudies Tex-Mex
1212 S Lamar Blvd

PF Changs
201 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701-4027
(512) 457-8300

Elephant Room
(Jazz Bar)
315 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701

Cedar Door
(Restaurant and Bar)
201 Brazos Street
Austin, TX 78701

Iron Works BBQ
100 Red River St
Austin, TX 78701
512-478-4855

Place to See and Be Seen

Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail/Barton Creek Green Belt
(http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/trails.htm)

Zilker Park/Barton Springs
2201 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 512-476-9044 (www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/bartonsprings.htm)

6th Street
Histroic Street and entertainment district
(www.6street.com)

Texas State Capitol
1100 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
(http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/SPB/Capitol/TexCap.htm)

Simple and Sweet

I really want to keep the wedding flowers simple and easy. I don't have a huge opinion on the type of flowers, except some fresh lavender would be great. These are really pretty in simple, easy Mason Jars.

Low Down Dirty Blues...

I have often been a lover of the blues, something about the heavy guitar and sultry voices just make me happy. I had my days in Arizona when I would drag anyone willing with me to the Rhythm Room to now living in Austin, with great blues venues like Antone’s playing music every night. I have also been vying to bring a blues band to the wedding. J was lukewarm at first but it warming up quickly, which gives us the chance to discover local blues bands together. So tonight, we are going to see the Blues Specialists at Continental Club. I often drag my tourists here after an afternoon at Barton Springs to cool off with some beers and dance with the Happy Hour winos. No Springs today for us, but winos and beers all around!

For the Throw...

So my plan is..and those always work out just as I expect..is to make cones similar to these to hang from the chairs with ribbon during the ceremony. They will also double duty for the throw at the end since they will be filled with dried lavender. Again, its just the plan, stay posted for the action.

Cassie + Jason

This idea comes from Oncewed.com and I love the idea. There are a lot of live oak tress on the property where we are getting married and I really think something like this could add to the decor, which is non existant right now. Even better, it is a Do-it-yourself project.

Sugarfoot...

So I have started flirting with the idea of bringing a blues band to play at the wedding. Who better than our resident favorites, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, hey a girl can dream?! I don't think it is going to happen, but in the meantime, enjoy a little of thier tunes...

Lack of posting due to beach...

I will resume again shortly. The ocean and sunshine just has a way of distracting me.

It might be a winner...

So Hamilton's 12 has kind of an interesting set up. It’s a house that has been converted into an event space by Georgia Coleman, the previous owner of Mars in Austin.



There are two separate areas for pre-wedding festivities: a bride’s room and then the groom’s guest house for the guys. The space is surrounded by tons of live oak trees and you really feel that you are in the hill country, which even in hot August with a drought is still a pretty sight. What I like it how easy the staff, more particularly Annie, can make the whole process. They have all the chairs and tables, including linens, china and glassware, set up and break down included. The kitchen on staff can prepare the meal, with servers and also a bartender, which allows us to bring our own alcohol.



Because we will be the only wedding of the day, it gives us the flexibility to choose when we want to get married. The bridal party can get there early to get ready and take picutes. It also I think creates more intimacy as the only people at Hamilton’s 12 will be our guests and family.