It’s almost time for our Spring Open House and we’re so excited!  Come join us on April 2nd from 6:00-8:00pm to enjoy our Chef’s mouth-watering cuisine, sip a refreshing cocktail, and mix and mingle with some of Austin’s top vendors. Make sure to RSVP to sales@vintagevillas.com or give us a call at 512.220.0185.  You can also respond online by clicking this link: Open House Invite.

Also, since last week’s post we have added new vendors to our Open House:  Magpie Blossom Boutique, Details Austin, and Ceremonias Bridal Boutique.  Magpie Blossom Boutique will be providing beautiful florals for our Wedding Center, Details Austin will be creating our programs and Ceremonias Bridal Boutique will be showcasing beautiful mother of the bride gowns.

We look forward to seeing you next week at our Open House!

Written by:  Mary Gividen, Sales Assistant

Spring is here and we couldn’t be more ready to ring in the season with our Open House!

We’re all for taking full advantage of every season – especially when the coming months promise to be particularly gorgeous. Join us on Wednesday, April 2nd from 6pm-8pm to enjoy our Chef’s mouth-watering cuisine, sip a refreshing cocktail, and mix and mingle with some of Austin’s top vendors, including:

• Daniel C. Photography
• She-N-He Photography
• Whitney Lee Photography
• 2nd Generation Video Productions
• Bouquets of Austin
• Flora Fetish 
• Simon Lee Bakery
• Polkadots Cupcake Factory
• The Cupcake Bar
• John & Bonnie Connor (Wedding Officiants)
• Austin Weddings Unlimited (Wedding Officiant)
• Greenbelt DJ
• Texas Pro DJ
• Terra Vista Strings
• Premiere Party Central
• Furbish
• Pearl Events
• Life Styled Events
• Austin Wedding Planners by Rosa
• Alexia Gavela Bridal
• Max Photography
• Intelligent Lighting Design
• Amazing Ice Designs
• Belle’s Ball (Hair & Makeup)

We are looking forward to everything the warmer weather and new beginnings have to offer – and we hope you’ll join us in welcoming spring with open arms on April 2nd!

Please RSVP to sales@vintagevillas.com or 512-220-0185. We hope to see you there!

Written by: Erin Todd, Wedding Sales Manager

Carolina and Brian’s New Year’s Eve wedding was the perfect celebration to bring in 2014! This bride and groom live in California, but came in for an initial tour and tasting and the rest was planned with the help of their talented planner, Kevin, from Brass Tacks Events!

 This spectacular NYE wedding screamed fun and festive with sparkling linens from Marquee Rents and a collaboration of flowers and ice centerpieces (unlike any I’d ever seen) created by Stems Floral and Full Spectrum Ice.

 Having lived and traveled all over the states, their palates craved a menu that would wow their guests and our talented Chef did just that. The cocktail hour began with only five passed hors d’oeuvres, the plated menu included Butternut Squash Ravioli and Filet Mignon Entrées, and the night ended with a custom Breakfast Taco Bar to die for! Even with all that food, no wedding is complete without the sweets.  A gorgeous cake and dessert table provided by Sweet Treets Bakery satisfied even the worst sweet tooth.

There was non-stop fun with Shutter Qube’s Photo Booth and Greenbelt DJ kept guests dancing throughout the night. At midnight confetti flew over the dance floor and 12 grapes were to be had by all (a Spanish tradition of good luck and fortune for the new year). This countdown was one this couple (and their guests) will never forget.  And Jerry Hayes and inTandem Photography were there to capture it all.  Enjoy!

Photographs taken by Jerry Hayes

Photographs taken by InTandem

“Our wedding was amazing thanks to Vintage Villas. From Kristi at the hotel front desk, to Lauren in the main office, everyone was super responsive and willing to work with us on pretty much everything. The Chef was super accommodating with menu tweaks we requested. All the food at the wedding was amazing… we are still getting rave reviews on apps and late night tacos. For our NYE wedding, the proximity from venue to hotel was amazing. No need to worry about over-intoxicated guests driving and the rooms are nice for the price point. Staff, food, and venue were beyond epic from beginning to end.” -Carolina & Brian

Written by:  Lauren Allen, Director of Sales and Marketing

At Vintage Villas we help a lot of couples with their special day, and we are often asked about marriage license requirements and procedures. To make the process a little easier, we have gathered the following marriage license information.

General Information:

• There is a required 3 day waiting period from the time you obtain your marriage license until the time the ceremony can take place. (Unless special requirements are met.)
• Your marriage license is valid for 90 days.
• You do not have to get married in the same county where you received your marriage license. Your marriage license will be good in any county within Texas.

Who can perform a wedding ceremony?

• A person who is an officer of a religious organization and who is authorized by the organization to conduct a marriage ceremony.
• A justice of the supreme court, judge of the court of criminal appeals, justice of the courts of appeals, judge of the district, county, and probate courts, judge of the county courts at law, judge of the courts of domestic relations, judge of the juvenile courts, retired justice or judge of those courts, justice of the peace, retired justice of the peace, or judge or magistrate of a federal court of this state.

How to Obtain your Marriage License:

1. Both the Bride & Groom must go to the County Clerk’s office, complete the marriage license application, and pay the license fee. You will need to bring the following:
   • Proper Identification (birth certificate, driver’s license or state-issued ID card, passport, visa, military ID, etc.).
   • The Social Security Number of each applicant.
2. Following the ceremony, the wedding officiant must date, sign, and note the county where the ceremony occurred on the certificate. The marriage license must then be returned to the County Clerk’s Office within 30 days from the ceremony      date. Once the office receives the license, it will be copied and filed and the original will be returned to you.

For more information, you can visit the Travis County Clerk’s website (http://www.traviscountyclerk.org/eclerk/Content.do?code=R.27) or call your local County Clerk.

Written by: Samantha Botello, Wedding Sales Manager

Here at Vintage Villas we take feedback from our guests seriously.  Whether it be feedback from an event or their night stay in one of our lovely rooms.  Since we love to hear what our guests have to say about Vintage Villas, we have a guest book at our hotel front desk where guests can write how their stay was.  Guests can write about our views, service, an event they attended, breakfast or whatever their mind can dream of.  We greatly enjoy reading these comments left in our guest book.  Here are some wonderful comments that guests have left for us:

5.16.09

We came to experience our wedding night and it was amazing.  We enjoyed the quite morning and balcony that over looked the lake was great!

5.20.09

Latino Leadership Council Internal Team had our retreat here and it was awesome!  Probably coming back in the fall.  Expect more of us!

5.22.09

Made my daughter’s wedding a fairytale come true.

6.6.09

The awe of it all. Beauty does not define it!  Majestic…..and beyond.  Cannot capture it.  Thank you!

6.29.09

Thank you for making our daughter’s wedding a beautiful, wonderful experience.  Great staff all the way around.

3.8.10

Beautiful!  I’m sure you read pages of compliments, which I will add to.  This hotel is truly unique and everybody is very nice!  Best wishes!

3.28.10

Very quiet and peaceful place.  Staff is super friendly.  I went on a run outside, very beautiful.  Lake looks great.  Theme of Vintage Villas is very unique.  Definitely recommend!

3.28.10

It was cow fur on the chairs.  That is why I like it.

4.10.10

Getting married today!  Thanks for everything.  Your hospitality is above and beyond.

8.9.10

C + C – Heaven!  We are in Heaven!

7.29.12

So wonderful to be back here!  We celebrated our wedding here almost 15 years ago!  Many wonderful traditions started then and many beautiful memories now.  Hope to be back in another 15!

June 2013

The Dumaneas family enjoyed everything here – the views, the food, etc.  Just became our top spot in Texas.

8.6.13

Awe inspiring with a breath-taking view.  So happy I stayed.

8.6.13

We love this place and have stayed here twice within 8 months.  Best place ever!  Stayed today for our 5 year anniversary.

8.7.13

This is a great spot for serenity and sharing with that special someone!  The views were spectacular!

8.15.13

Just what we wanted – a most relaxing time – loved the jacuzzi tub – breakfast was not only delicious but beautifully presented.

8.19.13

We are from Houston and this place is just phenomenally unique.   We enjoy our stay, thanks to everyone.  Stay the same for our next visit.

September 2013

Proposed to my girlfriend now fiancé.  Thank you Vintage Villas for making this a day I will remember forever.

10.17.13

Thank you guys for keeping the place so clean and well-kept!   We enjoyed our stay at your place and will definitely be back!  The breakfast is amazing!!!  Keep up the great work.

10.19.13

We had a fabulous stay!  Our first time here and we will come back…so beautiful, peaceful and relaxing!  Great food for breakfast too!  Thank you!

10.24.13

A beautiful place with gorgeous surroundings.  Like a world way and only 30 minutes from home.  The “Brownsville” room was perfect!

1.3.14

Thank you so much for the amazing vacation!  We loved your venue and would love to stay again.  Keep up the amazing work!

Come stay here with us at Vintage Villas so you can leave a fun comment for us to read!

Written by:  Mary Gividen, Sales Assistant

Vintage Villas was recently named the 2013 Business of the Year by the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce at the Annual Outstanding Achievement Award Luncheon. The Mission of the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce is to promote sound economic growth, assist members with business development and create awareness related to the outstanding characteristics of the unique South Lake Travis community.

Business of the Year is awarded to a company that shows a strong involvement with the Chamber, contributes to the community and has been in operation for 5 years or more. Lakeway Chief of Police, Todd Radford read the following aloud to the attendees, “A pillar of the community for almost 20 years dedicated to local activities and causes by supporting many local school activities, including, but not limited to, various band, drama, choir and soccer teams in addition to boy scout activities, FFA events, and local church silent auctions and fundraisers. Vintage Villas has graciously hosted Chamber meetings and luncheons at significantly discounted rates for over 10 years.” More 10 areas business’ were nominated for the title.

Thomas Porter, Owner & General Manager of Vintage Villas Hotel & Events was at the event and was elated to be the recipient of the prestigious award. “We are honored and proud to be named the 2013 Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year! It is a true pleasure to be a business owner in the Lake Travis community, we are thankful for the work the Chamber does on a daily basis to promote and support its’ business community. As a longtime member and supporter of the Lake Travis Chamber it is so incredible to be recognized with this great title.”

By: Mallory Voorheis, IOM :: Corporate Sales Manager :: Vintage Villas Hotel & Events

Although do-it-yourself weddings have occurred for decades, Pinterest, the economy and the “trend” of DIY has taken weddings to a new level; sometimes to a level I personally do not understand. Don’t get me wrong, literally putting your own personal touch on some aspects of your wedding can be charming and add sentimental or unique value. However, when you are considering “doing the wedding yourself” instead of hiring professionals, think twice.

I understand if you are thinking, “I’m on a budget and I’m not sure if I can afford professional vendors.” But know that there are more wedding professionals than ever willing and ready to assist you. Also, if you think that doing things yourself will save you money, the end results might cost you more (both financially and emotionally).

Take a look into the following vendors and see why hiring a wedding professional may be money well spent:

Food/Cake: People love to rave about a good meal, and love to complain about a bad one. Either way, your guests will remember the food. So while asking your mom to cook your favorite dishes or your aunt to make your cake may seem like a way to make things personal and save some money, the food and the cake are best left to the professionals. A caterer will know what foods are best served in which season, how to accommodate guests with dietary needs or restrictions, and how to cook on a large scale for an event with many guests. A baker will ensure the cake not only tastes great but looks great too!

 Photography: These days everyone knows someone with a quality camera and a good eye. But before you agree to let your mom’s friend or your neighbor take photos on your big day, remember that there are advantages to hiring a photographer. A professional won’t know anyone at the event, so they won’t be socializing and potentially miss important moments. A photographer will also understand where the lighting is best, what time of day is the best for different kinds of shots, and will think to get different shots that a family friend might not consider. Your wedding photos will be treasured forever, so consider hiring a pro to capture your special day.

Music: It’s certainly inexpensive and easy to make a playlist on your iPod. But a band or a DJ has a presence, and is there for the opportunity to add another layer of warmth, personality, and vibe to your wedding. Asking a friend to manage the music and make the announcements is asking them to work and not enjoy your wedding. A DJ or Band MC can take requests, set the pace of the event, and change the types of music they’re playing based on the mood of the crowd—your iPod can’t.

Flowers: Deciding to have flowers or not or choosing to have real ones or fake ones is a no-brainer. Even if you want to limit the amount of flowers at your wedding, definitely go with real ones. Fake flowers are just that…fake. They are not as pretty, do not have that sweet fragrance and do not represent such an honest and pure day. Also, if you are having an outdoor wedding, real flower petals are biodegradable, where wind blows “silk” petals everywhere leaving the grounds littered. Hiring a professional florist will save you precious time on the day of your wedding too. Picking up flowers, cutting them and arranging them might seem like a good idea, until your big day comes and you find yourself rushing to get dressed, wanting to spend time with your bridal party and starting to stress.

Planning/Coordinating: Sure, you’re organized, you know exactly what you want, you like being in control, and you enjoy the planning. But whether you choose to have a planner for the entire duration of the wedding, or a day-of coordinator, professional help can mean the difference between an event that feels handmade and inviting, and an event that feels rushed and disorganized. A coordinator dedicates themselves to making sure you and your fiancé are happy, that the event will look as good in real life as it does in your head, and ensures that the end of your wedding is perfectly wrapped up nice and neat. Having a planner will allow you to be worry-free and truly experience your wedding day.

Your wedding is possibly the one and only opportunity that you will host the largest celebration of your life with the people that mean the most to you. So why not treat yourself and your loved ones to a stress-free time with great food, amazing service and quality products provided by professionals? After all, it is your wedding day!

Written by:  Lauren Allen, Director of Sales and Marketing

At Vintage Villas we host events for every occasion from weddings to corporate meetings to birthday parties. Our sales team is here to help you plan and execute the perfect event. That being said, I thought I would take some time to introduce you to the ladies who help make it all happen.

Lauren Allen, Director of Sales & Marketing

Lauren has been at Vintage Villas for 8 years. She started as a Wedding Sales Manager and was later promoted to Director of Sales & Marketing. However, she still assists brides with their weddings, rehearsal dinners, and brunches.

On a personal note, here are some Fun Facts about Lauren:

Favorite Color: Coral

Pet: Peanut (Shih Tzu)

Favorite Sport: Watching- Basketball / Participating- Yoga

Hobbies: Riding Bikes with my husband and two year old, Watching Movies, Spa Treatments

Samantha Botello, Wedding Sales Manager

Samantha joined Vintage Villas four years ago as a Wedding Sales Manager. She helps couples choose their wedding location, select food and beverage options, and plan other wedding events like dinners and brunches.

Fun Facts about Samantha:

Favorite Color: Green

Pet: Lola (Pomeranian)

Favorite Sport: Longhorn Football

Hobbies: Billiards, Knitting, Travel, Movies

Erin Todd, Wedding Sales Manager

Erin started as a Sales Assistant at Vintage Villas almost 3 years ago and worked her way up to Wedding Sales Manager. Along with Lauren & Samantha, she helps couples with their weddings, rehearsal dinners, and brunches.

Fun Facts about Erin:

Favorite Color: Benjamin Moore Shaker Gray

Pet: Ozzie aka Nugget aka Ozzman (Long Haired Dachsund)

Favorite Sport: Well I’m forced to “enjoy” football, but I’ll go with yoga.

Hobby: Traveling to far, far away beaches.

Mallory Voorheis, Corporate & Social Sales Manager

Mallory has been at Vintage Villas a little over a year. As the Corporate & Social Sales Manager, Mallory handles any and all non-wedding related events. Whether it’s a business retreat, bar/bat mitzvah, or family reunion, she can help you plan the perfect event.

Fun Facts about Mallory:

Favorite Color: Pink!

Pets: Tember (Border Collie, 15yrs), Abby (Jack Russell, 7yrs), Carrera (Pomeranian, 5 months)

Favorite Sport: To Do – Dance, To Watch – College Football

Hobbies: Wine & Hot Tub, ATV’ing, RV’ing / Camping, Laying on the Beach!, Spa Treatments

Mary Gividen, Sales Assistant

Mary has been with Vintage Villas for almost a year. If you call or visit the sales office, Mary will be happy to greet and assist you. In addition to working in the sales office, Mary acts as a timeline coordinator to ensure that wedding receptions flow smoothly throughout the evening.

Fun Facts about Mary:

Favorite Color: All autumn colors

Pet: Bear (Catahoula Leopard Mix)

Favorite Sport: I don’t like sports.  But I do love taking long walks with my dog and husband, hiking and kayaking.

Hobbies: Watching TV and being outdoors

Written by: Samantha Botello, Wedding Sales Manager

Photos by: Daniel C Photography

Welcome gifts for your guests are a great idea.  A little bag full of goodies will make your guests wowed when they check in to the hotel.  Welcome bags are definitely not a must for your wedding, but if you have the time they are a lot of fun.

Some ideas of what to put in a welcome bag could be bottles of water, candy, cookies, snack food, a list of restaurants and local things to do or even an itinerary for the weekend (if you have one).  To personalize the bag a little more you could add a logo on the front with your new last name and wedding date or give your guests a reusable cup that is personalized to your wedding.  You could also incorporate things into the bag that reflect the area in which you are getting married.  For instance, when getting married in Texas, a bottle of specialty barbeque sauce would be great.  If you’re getting married in Austin then something to do with the bats on South Congress bridge, music or “Keep Austin Weird” would be great.  If you did choose to have welcome bags for your guests, we would be glad to hand them out upon arrival here at Vintage Villas.

There are many fun gifts you can put in your welcome bags to your guests.  Just be creative and have fun!

Written by:  Mary Gividen, Sales Assistant

What to Expect:

Bridal Shows are crowded and loud, but don’t let any of that deter you! Use this time to gather information and enjoy any of the special offers extended to you. I always tell brides to enjoy themselves and take it all in!

How to Prepare:

If possible, find out which vendors will be participating in the show before you attend. This way you are able to map out the vendors you really want to talk to.

WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES!

Bring someone with you, but not an entire entourage. You will definitely need help collecting information (and carrying it!). If you take too many people you will probably spend most of your time keeping everyone together.

Print labels with some or all of the following information:

• Name
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• Wedding Date
• Guest Count

You will be spending a lot of time writing this information down if not! If you are writing it down, please write clearly. Vendors want to send you the information just as much as you want to receive it.

At the Bridal Show:

If you are provided with a “Bride” sticker, don’t be shy to wear it! It becomes very confusing for vendors to identify everyone that attends.

Don’t feel obligated to take everything that is handed to you!

If you have a wedding dress I would recommend skipping the Fashion Show portion of the day. Use that time wisely and visit with the vendors. Since the majority of brides will be watching the show, you will have a better chance to actually talk to a vendor and it will be a much quieter atmosphere.

Come visit us at the Bridal Expo on Sunday, January 26, 2014 from 1-5PM! It is being held at the Cedar Park Center. Click here to register!

Written by:  Erin Todd, Wedding Sales Manager