Escondido Golf and Lake Club

Pin It Maybe you're looking for a destination wedding that doesn't require a flight out of the country and passports for all of your guests?  Escondido Golf and Lake Club in Horseshoe Bay, Texas is a hidden gem.  Although it's technically a private club, they do rent out their space for private events to non-members with a member sponsorship!

Escondido has beautiful indoor and outdoor options that can accommodate weddings of any size. Tuscan-inspired clubhouse, rustic hacienda, terraces, and rolling countryside and golf greens only begin to describe this gorgeous venue.

• Clubhouse: Ceremony for up to 250 attendees, Indoor Reception for up to 150 
• Events Lawn: Ceremony for up to 350 attendees, Reception for up to 250 
• Lower Patio: Ceremony for up to 350, Reception for 300-350 
• Hacienda: Ceremony inside for up to 75, Indoor reception for up to 50 
• Hacienda: Ceremony on Tee Box or Driving Ranges for up to 300, Reception for 300-400. 
• Lake Club: We do not recommend Ceremonies for this site 
• Lake Club: 200 Reception 

*The following images were given to us by Escondido with permission to use for the purposes of this blog post and are not from events that we produced*

Escondido Clubhouse - Images by Chris Bailey Photography
Coordination by Emily Moise, Keely Thorne Events 

Images by Chris Bailey Photography

Lower Patio, Clubhouse, and tented Events Lawn - Images by Chris Bailey Photography

Images by Jennifer Lindberg Weddings
Coordination by Whitney Cotton, DFW Events

Lake Club Reception - Images by Jennifer Lindberg Weddings

Images by Jennifer Lindberg Weddings

The Fairy Godmothers would love to help plan, design, and/or produce your wedding or event!  Please contact us, and we would be thrilled to work with you and the Escondido Director of Private Events, Kelly, to make your event uniquely your own!

Kelly Aldridge

Director of Private Events
Email: kaldridge@escondidotexas.com
Phone: 830.598.7800

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Snowmass: The Crestwood - A Condominium Hotel

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Are you still on the fence about taking your guests to Snowmass, Colorado for a destination wedding?  Do you think it would just be too hard on the families with kids?  You need to know about The Crestwood! 

They have units from 672 square feet to 2,020 square feet and sleep from 4-10 people each.  Each unit has a gas fireplace in the living room, fully equipped kitchen, dining seating, cable TV and high speed wireless internet. You will enjoy a private balcony with a gas BBQ grill and outdoor seating furniture. All of the condos also provide you with a bathroom for every bedroom which means that even the bridal party shouldn't have trouble getting ready if they are staying here! 

I think one of my favorite amenities at this property is their shopping service.  You can give them a list of the items you want, and they'll go to the grocery store or liquor store for you and stock your condo with the items you request; you pay for the grocery bill, but the service is included.  Even families with food allergies can rest assured that they can prepare allergen-free meals in their condo if they wish without the difficulties that often come with eating out three times daily.

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Snowmass: The Westin

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After a long day, we retreated to The Westin for dinner and dessert in a suite with a grand balcony with views of the mountains and most of Snowmass.  It would be the perfect place for a hospitality suite for your family and friends.  
Adjacent to The Westin is a fun and funky sister hotel, Wildwood, with some unexpected retro decor and bar lounge areas.
All said and done, we enjoyed a glass of wine in the Westin bar along the incredibly long fireplace wall.  We didn't want to leave!

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Snowmass: Woody Creek Distillers

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Fabulous FG Friday...Snowmass style!

Woody Creek Distillers is still very new.  Their space is a beautiful state-of-the-art facility and would be a great place for a welcome cocktail party, a small rehearsal dinner, or just a fun wedding party outing during a guys or girls trip to the Snowmass area.

What would Woody Creek Distillers call their vodka martini?

A Woody. 

When you order a "dirty martini", they will ask you, "Do you want a Little Woody or a Big Woody?"  If your face isn't flushed immediately as your friends all stare with anticipation, then you probably actually read the menu and know that a Big Woody is a double.

 

The Fairy Godmother Dirty Martini

 

• 6 parts vodka
• generous 1 part olive juice
• scant 1 part dry vermouth
• Shake vigorously with ice
• Garnish with a large olive stuffed with whatever makes you happy!  (I've been enjoying fresh herbed goat cheese in mine recently, but jalapeno and blue cheese have long been a favorite.)

 

Happy Friday!

Images by Your Very Own Fairy Godmother and Katherine Stinnett Photography

Image from Woody Creek Distillers website

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Snowmass: Rock Bottom Ranch and ACES

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Is being green or charitable at the top of your priority list?  We have a fabulous destination wedding venue for you that has multiple options for ceremony and reception locations for up to 150 guests.  Rock Bottom Ranch, a part of Aspen Center for Environmental Studies between Basalt and Carbondale, CO, is a one of a kind place with some very unique (and adventurous) options. 

ACES (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies) focuses on sustainable agriculture, teach environmental education, and demonstrate that grazing pastures and wildlands can coexist harmoniously. They are pleased to open the ranch to special events that support their mission of sustainability and stewardship of the land.

You will encounter a multitude of animals throughout the Ranch - goats, chickens, ducks, turkeys, and rabbits to name a few.

What are your venue options?  There's a gorgeous meadow with weeping willows and views of the mountains, a pavilion that is magnificent dressed in twinkle lights (and still maintains a mountain-view), and my personal favorite is a small island with a couple of trees (pictured at the top) for a ceremony still within the view of the mountains.

Possibly one of the most fun elements of this particular venue is the ability to raft in to the river at the back of the property or to use a hay ride to transport your guests in (potentially from rafting.)  Blazing Adventures was truly the best adventure and transportation company that we could have imagined for the many activities we experienced.  Their service and expertise were unparalleled. (Wait until we share our Jeeping experience with them for the Designers Challenge!)

The summer menu that was deliciously satisfying was provided by Conundrum Catering.  (Among the items not pictured were an entree of tantalizing Grand Marnier glazed salmon and a batch of fresh chocolate chip cookies that were passed as we were leaving!) 

To top it all off, they have an amazing children's program, so if you are having a kid-friendly event, they can entertain and educate your little ones in a fun hands-on environment.

Images by Your Very Own Fairy Godmother and Katherine Stinnett Photography

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Snowmass: Maroon Bells

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There are so many amazing places in the Aspen/Snowmass area to have breathtaking views for a ceremony, but how do you beat THIS?  The Maroon Bells.  There is a 65 person maximum for ceremonies with a 4 hour time-block for only $200, because it's managed by the US Forest Service.  You (we) can arrange for transportation for your guests, and it is handicapped accessible. There are endless nearby options for the reception, too. 

Images by Your Very Own Fairy Godmother and Katherine Stinnett Photography

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Snowmass: T Lazy 7 Lodge, Chuckwagon Grounds, and Meadow

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You love all of the rustic options we have in Austin, but cannot fathom an outdoor summer wedding?  T Lazy 7 near Snowmass and 3 miles from Aspen may be your answer!  It's a family owned and operated working ranch.  They do provide alcohol, bartenders, tables, and chairs.  You get to bring in your own planner, caterer, florist, linens, band, etc.

LODGE:

They have a rustic lodge complete with wagon wheel chandeliers, a suspended wagon, a bridal ready room with a balcony, and lush grounds with a stream, small bridge, pond, and a fire pit.  There is a concrete patio and large lush lawn surrounded by trees.  You can seat up to 200 guests, and tables and chivari chairs are included.  You still need a wedding planner, linens, florist, dj/band, and caterer, but that's what Your Very Own Fairy Godmother is for!

The tasty breakfast spread and omelet stations that you see catered below is by Conundrum Catering.

Professional Images by Katherine Stinnett Photography

CHUCKWAGON GROUNDS:

If you're looking for something even more unique in regards to rustic charm, the Chuckwagon Grounds may catch your eye.  It can seat 100+ guests and has a "Chuckwagon Saloon" for the bar with wagon wheel chandeliers, and several adorable wagons around the perimeter of the space, a river, natural beaver ponds, and even horseshoe pits.  This would be a great relaxed rehearsal dinner space or casual wedding reception site.

Images by Your Very Own Fairy Godmother and Katherine Stinnett Photography

THE MEADOW:  The above picture does NOT do this site justice.  It's absolutely stunning.  (Even Style Me Pretty thought so.) The Meadow is lined with Aspen trees and in the foreground of the magnificent 14,018 foot Pyramid Peak which punctuates the end of Maroon Creek Valley.  The meadow has enough space to accommodate almost ANY guest list.  You can easily have a ceremony, cocktail, and reception space without shuttling guests from one location to another.  It offers close parking for easy access and simple setup.  When you rent the meadow, it is yours for the entire day, so let your imagination run wild (or bring in a team to help create a vision unique to you) for your picture-perfect day.

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Snowmass: Snowmass Club & Sage Restaurant and Patio

Pin It Even with all of the water and great scenic views in Austin, we cannot offer views of snow-capped mountains in "wedding white" like you can find in June in Snowmass.

The Snowmass Club has a gorgeous "Alpine Meadow" with views of Mt. Daly and the Elk Mountain Range and can seat up to 350 people.  It's separated from a smaller lawn by a babbling brook and still only steps away from the Sage Restaurant.  We had the opportunity to dine al fresco for dinner on the 4,000 square foot Sage Patio overlooking the pools, waterfall, and Mt. Daly.  We enjoyed chicken tortilla soup or watermelon gazpacho, our choice of Alaskan halibut, buffalo cowboy steak, or butternut squash ravioli, and miniature desserts.  (Their plated dinner entrees for groups start at only $24/person.)  Even though it was July, the weather was fabulous, the food was wonderful, and the scenery was truly majestic.  They do require that you have a wedding coordinator, so call or e-mail Your Very Own Fairy Godmother!  

Snowmass Club, Sage Restaurant & Patio
Images by Your Very Own Fairy Godmother and
Katherine Stinnett Photography

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Snowmass: Venga Venga

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Immediately upon arriving in Snowmass, we attended a welcome reception at Venga Venga.  Prickly Pear Margaritas were on the menu, so we knew we were in the right place.  Have you seen our recent Fabulous FG Friday Cocktails?  Yes, please.

Venga Venga would be a great venue for a patio welcome reception (up to 150 cocktail style) or a casual patio rehearsal dinner (up to 100 for a seated dinner.)  If you are looking for indoor space, restaurant buyouts are an option and can accommodate 100 (seated dinner) to 250 (cocktail style.)  They have over 100 tequilas available and offer some very affordable group dining options.

The top left image is of Venga Venga from the Westin (Suite 409.)  The bottom 2 images are of me (in green) with the fabulous ladies of Simply Mox Events in Dallas, TX.  

Venga Venga, Snowmass, CO

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Snowmass, CO: Summer Destination Wedding Dream!

Pin It You may have seen posts on our Facebook page from a recent destination scouting trip we made to Snowmass, Colorado.  
It's no secret that we love Austin, but it's also well-known that outdoor summer weddings in Austin are HOT.  Several years ago, we did a summer wedding (indoors) in early July in some antique buildings, and it was 107 degrees outside.  I remember the wedding fondly, but I also ditched my suit jacket as soon as possible! H.O.T.  I grew up in Central Texas, and I do love the area, but I have a NEW favorite place for summer weddings: Snowmass, CO.
Yes, you've heard of Aspen, and you know that much of it is very pricey and a little hoytie-toytie in comparison to Austin.  Just outside of Aspen is a hidden gem, Snowmass.  Snowmass is like Austin's sister city in Colorado: Gorgeous views, plenty of outdoor activities, casual attire, great food, and hospitality that makes you feel as if you belong.  The best partS?  Summer weather AND summer rates are incredible. 
As Snowmass wedding specialists, we are going to introduce you to several venues, caterers, lodging, and adventure options for your Snowmass trip.  We would be delighted to help you plan all of the details and ensure that your wedding weekend is truly spectacular - unforgettable because of the experience, not because of the heat. 
Here are just a few images from the trip.  There are so many options whether you're a "green" couple, luxury client wanting to pamper your guests, or casual and ready for a weekly town rodeo.  We will break down individual places for you soon; stay tuned!

Snowmass Club

Sage Restaurant & Patio

Sunrise from my room at The Westin

Maroon Bells - possibly one of my favorite options. Details to follow.

T Lazy 7 Meadow

Viceroy Snowmass Lawn - They have an incredible honeymoon program for wedding packages, too.

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

From Mazatlan with Love!

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I had the wonderful opportunity to plan a fabulous wedding in my hometown, Mazatlan, Mexico for Alisa and Dan from San Diego, CA.

Sixty family members and friends joined them from different parts of the US to celebrate the love that this couple have for each other. Royal Villas Hotel was the place to exchange their wedding vows, and the celebration was a memorable experience for everyone.

Being from Mazatlan definitely made everything easier for me as the planner. I was able to get the bride and groom the best services for the best prices. I wish all my brides were getting these incredible deals here in Austin! Austin has some wonderful vendors, but prices in Austin don't compare to what is available in Mexico for destination brides.

Fresh flowers, fish bowls and lots of candles made this wedding a cozy place to enjoy the ocean view and perfect weather.

Thank you so much to Larry from Larry Scott Photography for the beautiful photos. He did a wonderful job and his pictures are gorgeous!

I don't think anyone wanted the party to be over. In fact, once the reception ended, everyone went to Gus Gus, a popular bar across the street from the hotel to continue the fiesta, and everyone continued to have a blast.

Mazatlan has so much to offer, it has the charm of traditional Mexico with all the amenities you hope to find anywhere to make your stay more comfortable. New hotels and other venues are opening this year giving brides
more options for weddings. If you are looking to rent a boutique hotel or a bigger place with all inclusive options, Mazatlan won't let you down. Just be prepared to leave your guests speechless.

For more information about Mazatlan, here are a few helpful links:
http://www.mail2web.com/cgi-bin/redir.asp?lid=0&newsite=http://www.mazatlancentrohistorico.com
http://www.mail2web.com/cgi-bin/redir.asp?lid=0&newsite=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazatl%C3%A1n
http://www.mail2web.com/cgi-bin/redir.asp?lid=0&newsite=http://www.mazatlan.gob.mx/index.php
http://www.mail2web.com/cgi-bin/redir.asp?lid=0&newsite=http://www.carnavalmazatlan.net/

If you or someone you know is thinking about having a destination wedding or event, make sure you hire someone with local knowledge. It's also important that you bring someone from the states who is bound by US laws when it comes to fulfilling their contracts. Also, in Mexico always prepare for some of your vendors to be late. Make sure you plan at least 45 minutes ahead. This will save you a lot of headaches!

What can I say? I think the pictures speak for themselves. Anytime you have love, the sunset, margaritas, incredible food and people willing to have fun you know you will have the time of your life.

Congratulations again to the new couple!

Vendors:
Transportation: Ole Tours
Photography: Larry Scott Photography
Cake: Pastelerias Panama
Music: Music Factory
Flowers: Floreria Charlie
Venue: Royal Villas
Rentals: Ileana Eventos
Rehearsal Dinner: Playa Mazatlan
Coordinator: Your Very Own Fairy Godmother

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295