Introducing: iDJ by Marquee Rents

Trying to cut down the costs of having a fabulous wedding can be a daunting task. We have seen a trend with some of our budget conscious brides at The Allan House, to opt out of hiring a DJ and instead, use an iPod along with a rented speaker system.

Although we highly recommend hiring a professional DJ or band for your special event, our friends at Marquee Rents have created quite an enticing alternative... iDJ!

 

Marquee simplifies the music situation at your event by doing all of the work for you! iDJ is their new service that will provide all of the equipment you need (including the iPod!) and even create custom playlists for your big day. They will drop it off, set it up, make sure it works, and come back to pick it up. DIY can be stressful, but Marquee's solution is budget friendly AND stress-free!

Receptions at The Allan House by Shannon Cunningham Photography

Paul and Stephanie held their reception at The Allan House in March of 2010. Special thanks to
    Shannon Cunningham for sharing these photos!


Shannon also photographed the reception of Sarah and Eric. Their cake was our favorite detail!

Award Winning Photo of The Allan House

We were thrilled to learn that Bill Mccullough, an award winning photojournalist out of central Texas, won an  award for his "scene setting" photograph which captured the ambiance of this fairy tale evening wedding in the The Allan House's courtyard. 

We love that Bill's style is different from your average wedding photographer. He immediately captivates his viewers by drawing attention to the slightest of details. From the bride and groom dancing, to the baby being thrown into the air, down to the details of the brightened century old oak trees above, we cannot get over his ability to provide a different and artistic viewpoint of spontaneous, real life moments.

A photojournalistic approach to wedding photography is a popular style to choose from today. Photographers that specialize in this approach are able to capture mood and emotion, rather than staged shots of more traditional wedding photography. 

When choosing your wedding photographer make sure your photographer is experienced, as well as, (if desired of course) up to date on the new technology available. Most importantly though, we recommend meeting your prospective photographers ahead of time to get an idea of their personality! Ask to view recent wedding albums in their entirety to make sure their style is right for you. 

Your wedding pictures will provide you with the memories of a night you will never want to forget, so choose your photographer with love and remember to smile!

Vendor Spotlight: Verbena Floral Design

Two weeks ago, at our Spring Open House and Bridal Showcase, The Allan House had the opportunity to work with an incredible florist: Verbena Floral Design. LuAnn and her team came in and transformed the event into a true garden party. Verbena not only showcased their beautiful bridal bouquets and floral talents at their booth, but around the rest of the house and grounds as well.

As guests walked in, the greeting table had simple pots of green moss to set up a "garden" feel. Throughout the house and into the courtyard, Verbena created gorgeous arrangements on the cocktail and dinner tables that demonstrated the variety of their work. Not only did they provide large arrangements in vases filled with springtime blooms, but several tables also had trios of tall cylinder vases in which long-stemmed flowers intertwined and floated in the water. Palm leaves, instead of traditional flower petals, lined the ceremony aisle for a unique touch. Another arrangement topped the altar's arch and a few small bouquets lined the aisle tied to the white garden chairs.

Verbena would be a fabulous addition to any event. The team is prompt and eager to please. Their creativity and love for what they do overflows into the designs they provide. Verbena focuses on the small details that many times go unnoticed by most other vendors. This florist would be the perfect choice for your special day. Visit the link above to learn more about Verbena!

Vendor Spotlight: The Cupcake Bar

Looking for a dessert option that matches your unique wedding? We've got an innovative vendor option for you: The Cupcake Bar!

The Cupcake Bar is a full service dessert bar that is perfect for a wedding reception, bridal shower, or engagement party. With tons of customized options, your guests' dessert experience will be not only delicious but fun. Choose your cake flavor, filling, icing flavor and topping, and watch as they create it right in front of you! We recommend red velvet with white icing and M&Ms.

To try our favorite or to experiment with your own, call The Cupcake Bar at 512.903.0187 or visit http://www.thecupcakebaraustin.com/.

THE ALLAN HOUSE TEAM

Vendor Spotlight: Marquee Event Group

With 22 years in the business, Marquee Events Group has created a trustworthy and dependable name as a full-service event rental company in Austin. They cover all areas of service, such as rentals (tables, chairs, catering needs), tents (big and small, simple and elaborate) and linens (economy to satins to damasks and brocades).

Marquee Tents offers beautiful tents that fit perfectly within our courtyard, even fitting our signature lit oak tree inside! Marquee can work with you to make the tent and lighting highlight all the fabulous features of your event. They are super flexible in planning ahead for rain or bad weather so there is never a need to worry!

We love working with Marquee and know that our brides are always in good hands. For more details or to book them for your event, visit http://www.marqueetents.com/. Ask for Laura Page at 512.491.7441.

THE ALLAN HOUSE TEAM

Vendor Spotlight: 2 Dine 4 Fine Catering

This week we would like to highlight the fabulous services of our friends at 2Dine4 Catering. They have provided catering for many of our events in the past, as well as our most recent January Open House (photograph by Eric Hegwer at www.EricHegwer.com).

2Dine4 is a catering company located just ten minutes from downtown with quick and easy access to locations all over Austin. What's great about 2Dine4 is their attention to detail, as well as hospitable service. They work exceptionally with brides and grooms to create the perfect menu to fit the couple's personality and tastes, as well as their budget. 2Dine4 is perfect for your large event or intimate reception.

The unique thing about this company is their commitment to conserving our environment. They are constantly expanding the business's green practices from composting food to recycling paper and glass products.

And speaking from personal experience, their food really is to die for! Check them out for your wedding at http://www.2dine4.com/.

THE ALLAN HOUSE TEAM

Vendor Spotlight: Eric Hegwer Photography

This past January, The Allan House hosted an Open House Bridal Showcase. Each season, the Allan House creates a mock wedding for brides like you to come see the house and grounds as it would look for an event. We bring in several vendors from all different types of services for you to meet.

One of our preferred vendors and friends, Eric Hegwer, brought his fantastic photography skills to remember the evening. Eric lives here in Austin, but travels all over the world photographing weddings. His passion for photography is obvious in the memories he makes with his camera. He graciously captured our Red Velvet theme and we would love to share examples of his work as well as few snapshots of the beautiful event.
http://pa.photoshelter.com/c/wedding/gallery-show/G0000pSmg.OXhsEE

Please visit Eric's website to learn more about his photography and how he can participate in your wedding.
http://www.erichegwer.com/

THE ALLAN HOUSE TEAM
512.478.8653

Austin Cornucopia - Great gift ideas!

Austin Cornucopia is a clever and colorful business that we are now big fans of! Freshly popped popcorn in a variety of mouth-watering flavors and colors are sure to be a hit for your wedding. Adorable sampler tins make great gifts for groomsmen, bridesmaids, house party or as an in-room gift for your out-of-town guests. Or here's a deliciously different idea! How about a Popcorn Bar at your wedding? You've got to check them out at Austin Cornucopia at 1914 Guadalupe St. www.austincornucopia.com.

Hit flavors like Dill Pickle and Cinnamon Roll are sure to make your tastebuds thankful, especially around the Holidays!

THE ALLAN HOUSE TEAM
512.478.8653

Vendor Spotlight: Ilios Lighting

Our event would not have been the same without the amazing lighting design provided by ILIOS.



ILIOS is an Austin, TX based Lighting company participating in several areas of the Lighting Industry. Their primary form of business is Event Design and Operations. Whether you are planning a large CORPORATE EVENT, intimate BACKYARD WEDDING, artistic DANCE PERFORMANCE, or dynamic STAGE-TOP CONCERT, they will strive to provide the best gear, the most creative design, and ultimatley create for you the most dramatic, exciting, or beautiful atmosphere imaginable.




ILIOS can also serve your lighting needs by providing rentals and sales of lighting products from the top manufacturers in the Industry. So, whether you need to buy a dance floor light, rent a Fog machine, or need design and labor to complete your dream wedding, ILIOS is ready and capable.

THE ALLAN HOUSE TEAM

Vendor Spotlight: Event-FX

In over 100 degree heat, Steve Wolf from Event-FX made our Christmas in July event a winter wonderland!

Event-FX covered the house and grounds with bright-white snow and made our event picture perfect. The unique snow is 100% biodegradable, and can be applied to everything from flowers to buildings. The snow was even able to reach the top of our house and our tall trees, at a maximum height of 60 feet.

The snow is a very tiny-bubbled foam, with a consistency of shaving cream, which clings extremely well to plants and structures. And the best part is, after our event was over there was no cleaning up. The snow melted away just like real snow in a matter of hours and the formula actually improves the soil where it was applied.

I cannot imagine our Christmas in July event without the snow from Event-FX. Because, what is Christmas without a little snow?






Thanks for everything Steve!

THE ALLAN HOUSE TEAM

Christmas in July Vendor Spotlight: Say Cheese Photo Booth

A few weeks ago, we had our annual Christmas in July Party. For the next couple of weeks, we will be spotlighting our wonderful vendors who contributed to our event.


Our first vendor to spotlight is Say Cheese Photo Booth Rentals:


Thrill your clients and make guests smile with a photo booth from Say Cheese Photo Booth Rentals! Whether you are planning a wedding, party or corporate event, adding a photo booth takes the fun to a new level and creates lasting memories. Our top-of-the-line booths make crisp, clear digital photos on archival paper. You choose color or black and white, and even get digital copies of all the pics from your event. Reserve your date today! http://www.saycheeseforfun.com/

Here are a few samples of how much fun Say Cheese can make your event.


THE ALLAN HOUSE TEAM