Issuu

Summer 2019

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY Hill Country Weddings & Events Magazine Publishers Brenda Sealy Crystal Wiedenfeld Editors Ron and Cheryl Lehman Graphic Design/Art Direction Brenda Sealy Advertising Sales Lisa Bourgeois Jessica Clark Brenda Sealy Contributing Writers Crystal Wiedenfeld Ron Lehman Contributing Photographers Allison Jeﬀers Photography Rebecca McCoy Photography Alexandra Grant Photography Straughn Photography Hill Country Weddings is published quarterly and promotes city, community, and business activities in and around the Texas Hill Country. Our mailing address and editorial oﬃce is located at: 512 N. Main St. Boerne, TX 78006 Ph # 830-816-5215 info@hillcountryweddingsmagazine.com sales@hillcountryweddingsmagazine.com submissions@hillcountryweddingsmagazine.com www.hillcountryweddingsmagazine.com © Hill Country Weddings Magazine

Send queries about articles or photographs to Hill Country Weddings Magazine at 512 North Main St, Boerne TX 78006. For advertising information call (830) 816-5215; email sales@hillcountryweddingsmagazine. com. NEWS POLICY Hill Country Weddings Magazine encourages submission of news and event announcement items. News and event announcements must include contact name and contact phone number. All news and event items must be for activities that occur inside the Texas hill country and are subject for review prior to submission. Publication cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to submit an item to Hill Country Weddings Magazine, email us at info@hillcountryweddingsmagazine.com or call us at (830) 816-5215. The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Hill Country Weddings Magazine. All products and services advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, political aﬃliation or other nonmerit factor of purchaser, user or patron. Any publication of Hill Country Weddings Magazine, whether draft or final is sole property of the Hill Country Weddings Magazine and cannot be reproduced or distributed in any way, whether in print or electronically, without the express permission and written consent of the Hill Country Weddings Magazine.

F�om th� Publishers We are excited to bring you the fifth Summer issue of the premier Hill Country Weddings & Events Magazine! We are pleasantly overwhelmed with the positive response from readers of our previous issues! We are excited that we have oﬃcially made it over the five year hump. Thank you so much for your support. We hope that you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed preparing it for you. Brenda Sealy, a Boerne native and owner of Hill Country Planning, the premier wedding and event planner in the Texas Hill Country, has over ten years experience and enjoys all aspects of the industry. Brenda has dreamed of planning special events since she was little. Now that she is doing what she loves, she has decided to expand her dreams into something larger. Crystal Wiedenfeld has always had a love for fashion and style, whether it is hair and makeup or clothes and design. After doing what she loved for over ten years she opened Simply Serene Salon and Spa in her hometown of Boerne, TX. She spent years telling anyone who would listen about her fashion tips and hair trends. As sisters they put their heads together

to create a magazine where they could both grow and continue their dreams. Hill Country Weddings & Events Magazine features everything from weddings to events, style, fashion and more. Nothing could be more exciting or anticipated than a bride’s walk down the aisle! If you’re planning on tying the knot, the Texas Hill Country has proven to be an ideal location to say your I Do’s! We have provided all the resources you will need to plan your special day. If there’s one piece of advice that continues to ring true, it’s this: take time to enjoy your engagement, plan a wedding that reflects you as a couple and get a wedding planner. This is just the beginning. Other unique ideas, columns and features will be added as we continue growing and expanding Hill Country Weddings & Events Magazine. We started our magazine with just thirty-six pages and have increased to fifty six already. Can you believe how much we have grown in just five years? We are beyond excited for the amazing things to come and thank everyone for being a part of our journey with us.

cheers, B�end� & C�ystal

Photo by: Alexandra Grant Photography

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REAL WEDDINGS See what others have done for their special day and the pros that helped to make it happen. Send photos and vendors information to us at submissions@hillcountryweddingsmagazine.com

We have done our homework, so you donâ€™t have to! Look for the Hill Country Weddings Button of Approval when booking vendors for your next wedding or special event. We want to make sure your event goes exactly as planned with some of the best, tried-andtrue professionals in the Hill Country.Â

Cover Photo by: Jaime Burrow Photography

Cover Photo Contest TOP FIVE COVER PHOTOS

Hill Country Weddings & Events Magazine holds a contest on our Facebook page inviting all fans to post their favorite Hill Country Wedding photos for a chance at the cover. Our 2018 issues were a success and we are excited to continue the 2019 issue contests! Hill Country Weddings staﬀ will select up to 100 photos to highlight in an album to be posted and will then invite our entire Facebook community to “vote” for their favorite photo by liking and/or sharing the photo. The Top 10 pictures will be chosen and then the committee will narrow down to the Top 5! The Top 5 will be published in the magazine and one lucky winner will be featured on the cover once chosen by the committee. So find your favorite photo and share it on our Facebook page for a chance at the cover! Here are the top 5 winners from top to bottom... Dallas Cody Photography, Jaime Burrow Photography, Lion Pride Photography, Laurie Adalle Photography and Lex Nelson Photography

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contents

SummerNews 8

7 10 14 38

Engagement Story Best of the Best Editorâ€™s Summer Photoshoot Fun Foods

The Texas Hill Country is one of the most sought after locations in the United States to host your happiest memories. Here is a map of all the local possibilities.

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Engagement Photo Contest TOP 10 ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS

For a chance to be in the magazine, send your engagement photos to submissions@hillcountryweddingsmagazine.com Photos from top to bottom: Heidi Rae Photography, Jen Kipp Photography, Wyatt Overley Photography, Mayra Eads Photography, Apema Photography, Sean Carranza Photography, Ashley Asbury Photography, Texas Rock N Rose Photography, Isabella Macias Photography and Steph Lea Photography

MEET THE COVER PHOTO COUPLE... Corey & Kasee

Photos by: Jaime Burrow Photography

Corey and I met 8 1/2 years ago at a gas station in Pennsylvania. After years of long-distance friendship over the phone, Skype, and letters (I swore up and down we would only ever be friends!), I graduated from Texas A&M and took a traveling position with my new employer. In January of 2017, I ended up in Ohio and Corey invited me out for a work party. That was the third time we’d seen each other in person and

things moved quickly from there. By May, I moved to Pennsylvania to be closer to him and we were engaged in November at Niagara Falls. Corey agreed to let me have the Texas wedding my heart was set on! Wedding planning across the country was slightly diﬀerent than I had imagined. Having known Jaime from college and seeing her work, I knew I wanted her as our photographer before anything else

was booked. We then chose Kendall Plantation oﬀ of just pictures and emailing with the owner, Kristin, who made me feel very confident that we made the correct decision right away. Another HUGE helper was Amanda from Blume Haus who not only provided the most beautiful flower arrangements, but also coordinated day of, making every little thing flow as smooth as possible!

Fortunately, I was able to fly home a few times during the process to dress shop with my mom and sister, attend wedding expos for the experience, and sample the cake and caterers we had already hired. There were tons of traveling the continued on page 15

ENGAGEMENT STORY

Jaime and I met our senior year at Plano East Senior High and eventually both ended up in Austin for college— me at St. Edward’s University and him at the University of Texas. So much of our relationship was formed by exploring this city together. Between the live music, football games and beautiful nature views, Austin quickly became our home. 8 years into our relationship, we found ourselves

back in Plano and attending a premarital course at our new church, Watermark. After everything we’d learned about how important and special the sacrament of Marriage is, we decided we were ready to become Mr. & Mrs. Jaime and my parents planned a very sweet surprise for me at the home I grew up in with a few of the most special people in our lives.

Photos by: Jessica Chole Photography

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Engagement Story continued fron page 7 The ruse was that we were getting together for an early birthday dinner for my dad, but when we arrived, the candles, flowers, and balloons were all for me. With Leon Bridges’ “Beyond” playing in the background Jaime got down on one knee and asked me to spend my life with him. We were both so excited that I don’t think either of us could repeat what he actually said and we rushed into celebratory hugs and kisses with our loved ones so quickly that we didn’t even realize we hadn’t even gotten the engagement ring on! In preparation for our big day, so much of what comes

along with “wedding planning” hadn’t excited us until we made the promise to each other to make it fun and to make it us. So when it came to taking our engagement photos, we knew that the only place we could do that would be back in the city we first made our Home— Austin, Texas. Karissa took our vision of having photos taken in some of our favorite places, doing some of our favorite things and made it a beautiful reality. She truly captured how we see our love story and I can’t thank her enough for showing me what that looks like through her lens. God willing, we get married October 19th, 2019!

ENGAGEMENT STORY

We are actually high school sweethearts! We have been dating 11 years (12 years by our wedding on 11/30/19). We have always loved traveling and our ultimate place to visit is Ireland. We planned a 3-week trip to visit London and Paris, then planned to spend a week and a half road tripping around Ireland. He came up with the idea to hike the tallest peak in Ireland, Carrauntoohil. After the

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hardest hike of my life, he proposed at the top! I was so excited I emailed 5 random photographers in the next town we were headed to and met a perfect photographer couple who said yes to our very last-minute engagement session! I hope you enjoy the mountain top pictures as much as we did!!!

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Photographer: Katherine Kirtley Photography Location: Beckmann family Ranch in Harper, TX

Summer Flowers

Summer wedding flowers set the mood for sunshine and a carefree time of year. Lately, brides have been going for the just-picked-from-the-garden look and we think that this trend is going to stay around for the summer. We are seeing lots of wild flowers and vibrant colors. More flowers are in bloom in the summer months than any other time of the year and summer brides can capitalize on a large variety

of fragrant and aďŹ€ordable wedding flowers. Some of the all-time favorite flowers that are in season for the summer include hydrangeas, peonies, dahlias, tiger lilies, roses and more. Summer wedding bouquets are among the most filling and colorful of all. To help choose the flowers for your ceremony, look around and consider selecting bold versions of the hues that are in the area where your wedding will be held. More brides are also embracing

wearable flower crowns and hair wreaths this season, a great look for brides, bridesmaids and flower girls. Donâ€™t forget that the higher temperatures of summer will require that the wedding flowers receive additional upkeep and care. Make sure to have your flowers delivered on the day of the wedding and keep them refrigerated for as long as possible. Ask your planner to put the flowers out just before the

ceremony to keep them as fresh as possible. Donâ€™t forget about your bouquet when you are taking pictures before the ceremony - make sure someone is holding your bouquet in the shade and that it is placed in cool water as soon as the photos are done. Flowers add so much to a wedding. Selecting your favorites will help make your wedding day one to remember!

Photo By: Bend the Light Photography SUMMER 2019

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“Best of the Best Choice Awards!”

2019

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By popular vote we present the winner’s of the

Hill Country Wedding’s Best of the Best Choice Awards

Venue: Camp Lucy, Kendall Plantation and Firefly Farm Food & Catering: Cartewheels Catering, Smoke in the Hills BBQ and Heavenly Gourmet Photography: Pine and Blossom, Allison Jeffers Photography and Dawn Elizabeth Photography Music/Entertainment: 5150 Productions, Four Star DJ and High Fidelity Band Bridal Shop: Live & Love Bridal, Bella Bridesmaid and Beatitude Bridal Minister: Texas Wedding Ministers and Joseph Flores Florals: BlumeHaus, Couture Dezigns and HEB Blooms Rentals: Cru Vintage Rentals, Whim Hospitality and DPC Wedding Planner: All in the Details, Haute Weddings and Hill Country Planning Beauty: Blush, Cherish the Day and Simply Serene Salon and Spa Photobooth: MBP Photobooth and Remember the Time Photobooth Cake: Creations Cakes, Cakes by Cathy Young and Two Tarts Invitations/Calligraphy: Girl General and Lazy Creek Designs Bar Service: Bartenders 4 You and Bartenders and Dreams Video: Mark Thomas Photography and Film, Squinted Cinema and Dynamic Films

As always, thanks to our readers for submitting your votes, and to these vendors for creating the Texas Hill Country as one of the best places hillcountryweddingsmagazine.com 10 SUMMER 2019 to start a new life together.

Old World Charm, Modern Conveniences And A Breathtaking Hill Country Backdrop FROM INTIMATE PARTIES TO EXTRAVAGANT EVENTS, ALTSTADT BREWERY OFFERS THE BEST OF TEXAS.

More than just an award-winning brewery, Altstadt offers a wedding destination unlike any other with several indoor and outdoor venues available. Private parties up to 180 can dine from a custom menu curated by our classically trained chef and tailored to your taste buds. Our on-site event coordinator will ensure that all the details of your big day are taken care of so you can focus on what really matters. And, to top it all off, Altstadt is nestled on 120 sprawling Hill Country acres making it a wedding photographerâ€™s dream.

Learn more about what makes Altstadt an impressive yet approachable venue at AlstadtBeer.com

P R I VAT E D I N I N G R O O M

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6 1 2 0 U S H W Y 2 9 0 E A S T, F R E D E R I C K S B U R G , T E X A S 7 8 6 2 4 | 830-304-2337

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Vows TASH’S VOWS

When we first met almost 6 years ago, you came out of nowhere. I was definitely not expecting to meet anyone at a Gold Coast music festival, especially the man that would be my future husband, but here we are. From the start there was always something about you that I couldn’t put my finger on and I now know it was because my heart knew, way before my head, that we were meant to be together. You are the most thoughtful, sweet and caring man I will

ever meet and you continue to surprise me every day. I know you are going to be an amazing husband and one day an amazing father and that our lives together will be full and happy. I can’t tell you what the future will bring for us but I can tell you that I am excited to be taking the next step in our journey today. I promise to support you in everything that you do, be there for you during life’s tougher times and enjoy all the little moments. I will do my best – not to be cranky when I’m hungry and to

laugh at all your jokes, even when they aren’t always funny. I can’t promise I won’t keep confidently telling you directions even when I have no idea which way we are supposed to be going, but promise that when we get there it will be you and me and that’s all that matters. You are a truly good hearted caring man that I get to come home to every day for the rest of my life and even though I second guess everything in life, I never second guess you. Love Love Love

JASON’S VOWS Natasa, I remember the first time I saw you. It was when you were working at the coﬀee club and I was waiting for a coﬀee when I looked up and saw you. My first thought was how cute you looked but that quickly changed to why is this girl looking at me like I just stole something. Who would have thought that the funny way you looked at me back then, would lead to us dating let alone be getting married here today. You still look at me like that today so I guess it was a good look. continued on page 27

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EDITORâ€™S PICK

Gown: Olivia Grace Bridal Food:Tim the Girl Catering Planning & Floral: The Social Planner Events - Caroline Nelson Venue: Ivy Hall Photo Booth: Mugshot Photo Booth Photography: Anna Kay Photography

Meet the Cover Couple continued fron page 7

week of our wedding. Corey and I drove the 24 hours from Pennsylvania with our two boxer dogs, Corey’s parents flew in from Montana where they currently live, his brother flew in from Florida, many friends and family members came down from Pennsylvania, and still others came from California, Utah, Fort Worth, College Station, and Houston. Wedding day was Friday April 5, 2019 and everything came together perfectly! The only thing we didn’t have on hand was the garter that shipped late and was getting delivered to my parent’s house an hour away from the wedding venue that morning. My sister’s husband tracked down the mailman’s route so we would have it in time! The girls got ready on site and had so much fun being reunited while Corey was able to spend time with his family. Our turnout was slightly less than 100 guests and the day was everything we could have ever hoped for and then some. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and reading our own vows made it even more special. The reception was just as great from the dancing and singing to photo booth goofing to the shoe game, we all had a blast! As everyone promised it would, the day went incredibly too fast, but Corey stopped me a few times and told me “look around, take it all in” and I’m so glad he did. Vendors: Venue: Kendall Plantation Catering: Anne Marie’s Bartender: Bartenders 4 U

Hair/Makeup: Beauty Concepts & Jennifer Hoelscher DJ: DJ Connection

Floral/Coordinator: Blume Haus Cake: The Cake Shop Oﬃciant: Judge Marvin Photography: Jaime Burrow Quinney Videography: Jessica Ashley Dress: Renaissance Bridals Photo booth: Rent Event (Pennsylvania) & bridesmaids Decor: DPC Event Services by David’s Bridal Tux: Mens Wearhouse Rings: Kay’s SUMMER 2019

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Top 3 Trending Wedding Themes of 2019

Selecting a wedding theme is more difficult than planning a wedding. It might be the most difficult decision but at the same time, you’ll have fun. Once you have settled on the wedding theme, then everything falls into place, relieving your stress and anxiety. The 2019 wedding season is off with a boom. We have seen amazing weddings since the beginning of the year with some interesting themes. In the upcoming months, we will be noting and reviewing some of the most beautiful and exciting themes. In this issue, we are covering the top 3 trending wedding themes we have seen in 2019. To learn more about them, keep reading.

1. Boho Chic Wedding Theme

stress-free environment. Due to which, many couples opt for the rustic wedding The first wedding theme is none other theme. There are many styling pop-ups than the Boho Chic. It is still in trend designed these days to give a rustic feel and quite a hit to give a surreal experience. Bohemian weddings can be fun to to the wedding interior. At an aﬀordable throw and entertaining as well. Free-spir- range, you can go for an old venue and lavish décor that will give you the rustic ited brides and grooms will be at their vibe. Want to have more fun? We sugbest in the hippy fashion or, of course, gest you throw the wedding with limited the traditional style beach settings with people and intimate setting. wild and heady scented flowers, bare feet, arbors decorated with the fresh blooms and more. It’s no wonder why 3. Contemporary and Glamorous more couples are opting for this theme Are you someone who wishes to add for their special day. a wow factor to the wedding? Then a contemporary and glamorous wedding theme is an impeccable option for 2. Rustic Wedding Theme you. It is also known as a luxe wedding For modern couples, the rustic theme has become the favorite option. It is the theme. For the couple who wishes to give an traditional theme for the lovely couple incredible experience to their guests who are fond of older buildings, rustic and make it ever lasting must go for the decors, cellar doors, and more. contemporary and glamorous wedding One of the many priorities in a rustic theme. With alluring aesthetics and wedding is to have a relaxed feel and

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glam elements, it is sure to appeal to everyone’s heart. Floral’s of beautiful colors and dimmed lights will stir up the romantic and cozy atmosphere surrounding the wedding. Getting married is one of the most beautiful days in one’s life. And you want to make sure it is a lovely, delightful, and lasting impression for the newlyweds and their guests. We have jotted down some of the highlights about the top three trending wedding themes of 2019 hope these themes can help oﬀer ideas for the theme of your own wedding. Trust us, these themes are bound to leave a lasting impression in everyone’s heart and make the wedding a memorable event for the couple.

Photo By: Bend the Light Photography

Dessert Bars Vs. Wedding Cake

As a guest at the wedding, which would you truly enjoy more? A beautifully decorated wedding cake with a choice of one or two flavors or a smorgasbord of diﬀerent bakery items? A lot of brides are opting for a dessert table or even just one or two of the bride and groom’s favorite desserts. Assorted desserts can show the couple’s unique style. There is no etiquette rule on serving wedding cake and many couples are choosing to serve dessert in

addition to wedding cake. This gives the guests more options to choose. This shift has not totally left the wedding cake behind, though. Wedding cake is a classic and can often be the centerpiece of the reception. The traditional wedding cake is both beautiful and practical and feeds many guests. A wedding cake alone, however, provides guests with limited choices. Dessert buﬀets can give guests more selection. SUMMER 2019

Buﬀets can range from an all- chocolate bar to a candy buﬀet to a full dessert assortment or an ice cream station. Cupcake displays, candy bars, donut cakes and even pie bars are becoming more mainstream in the wedding world and becoming the go-to choice when a couple plans a wedding! Even if you plan on having a cake, a dessert bar is a great way to give your guests some cake alternatives.

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hair

Hair accessories like ribbon, scarves and pins are here this summer to decorate your hair. Hats are everywhere as well, so cover up that pretty face not only with sunscreen, go ahead and grab yourself a sombrero and you are oďŹ€.

Style & Beauty Tips for Summer By: Crystal Wiedenfeld

makeup

Pops of color under the eye whether it be blue green or even a fun pink it makes a fun summer trend for all the colors and patterns you will see. A one dimension or one-color shadow all over your lid will be easy enough to accomplish this season, just pick your color. Other than that a fun summer glisten is all we are going to do.

clothing

Brighten the summer with a little Tie-dye lady, because it is back!!! Some of these trends can be hard for some of us older ones to bring ourselves back to, but the Youngsters love it!!

All my picks can be purchased at Simply Serene Salon and Spa. www.simplysereneboerne.com Â

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Photos by: Kaylee Hunter Photography

WWW.WISHANDWHIMSYFLORAL.COM 512-574-1441 WISHANDWHIMSYFLORAL

Looking to expand your business into the Texas Hill Country? We are the Hill Country’s premiere wedding magazine featuring the best of this region and spanning over 100 miles. Talk to us about advertising your business and let us bring the Hill Country to you!

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Photo by: Straughan Photography

Tip #1

Wedding Tip

Tip #2

Set aside special things you spent so much time deciding on for your wedding. Shoes, earrings, invitations, perfume and have your florist leave a few extra flowers for your photographer to style with them. Photo by: Allison Jeffers Photography

RELAX and Enjoy your big day! Everything will fall into place when you have your wedding planner.

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Photo By: Allison Jeffers Photography

Special

MOMENTS

Sophisticated. Modern. Elegant. Trendy. H-E-B BLOOMS® has everything you need to create a look and feel that reflects your personal style on your special day. For a location near you visit heb.com/blooms

BRIDAL SKIN CARE Every bride wants her skin to look picture perfect on her wedding day. To achieve that goal, a specific skin care regimen can be followed starting about six months prior to the wedding. Morning Routine: Step 1: Cleanse Step 2: Tone Step 3: Moisturize Step 4: Sunscreen Skin care products with moisture boosting, firming and antioxidant properties will bring a soft and supple look while minimizing pore size. Daily use of sunscreen will give protection from UV rays during the day. Serums at night will help in building and strengthening the skin. A gentle exfo-

Night Routine: Step 1: Remove make up Step 2: Cleanse Step 3: Tone

liation should be done twice a week to get rid of the dead cells and increase the cell renewal rate on the surface of skin. A licensed esthetician not only can give a custom facial once a month but also be able to determine skin type and

Step 4: Serum/Moisturize/ Spot treatment Step 5: Eye cream

recommend the right products for a proper home care routine. Life Style: Drinking plenty of water, eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep is as important as the proper skin care routine to get a clear and glowing skin.

The above measures can greatly help to make your face a smooth canvas for the make up on your wedding day.

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Summer Cocktails

ON WEDDING DAY!

What are three things every couple should know about oﬀering an open bar?

Just because you oﬀer an open bar doesn’t mean it’s going to be a drunk fest. This is why you hire a reputable bar service that will follow all local and state alcohol laws and serve responsibly. Responsible service is the key, no matter if you are serving just beer and wine or beer, wine and liquor. Open bar is not an invitation to drink as much as you want. Open bar is not as expensive as you think, especially if you choose a venue that allows you to provide the alcohol for your guests and not have to purchase the alcohol through the venue or the venue’s in-house caterer. This will save you thousands. One of the biggest misconceptions is that beer and wine are more budget friendly to serve. This is proven to be wrong. A bottle of wine serves four glasses and an average couple will spend $10.00 a bottle, which equates to $2.50 a serving. You can purchase a name brand, mid shelf bottle of rum 1.75L for $22.98 and will get 39 mixed drinks from that bottle. That is only $.60 per drink. By adding the mixer, garnishes and cups, the total will still not even be close to $2.50 a serving. The math speaks for its self! Do your homework find a company that allows you to customize what you want to serve for your menu. A reputable company will help guide you on counts, trends and even cost saving tips. Alcohol calculators are not always accurate nor are the types of alcohol in certain regions. For instance, wine consumption for a wedding in California will be huge diﬀerence than Texas. You know your guests better than anyone and you should ultimately trust the professionals you hire. I always say you generally get married once but “Bartenders4you” gets married 500 times a year, so the professionals are here to help you. SUMMER 2019

“PINEAPPLE WHIP MARGARITA” 4 cups frozen pineapple 4 oz. white tequila 1/2 cup coconut milk 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 2 tbsp. granulated sugar Chili powder and lime wedge for rimming glass, pineapple for garnish Directions: Rim glass with lime wedge and dip into chili powder. Blend frozen pineapple, tequila, coconut milk, lime juice, and sugar in the blender with ice. Pour into glasses Garnish each with a pineapple and mint Serve immediately and Enjoy!

Cheers

and Happ� Planning! hillcountryweddingsmagazine.com

The Team Wedding feature thanks to: Giant Invitations Dress: Enzoani with alterations Veil: Rosa & Marys Bridal Makeup: Tanielle Jai MUA Hair: Evalyn Parsons Hair Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Accessories: Mimco Bridesmaids Dresses: Jadore from White Runway Groom’s Suit: Male Manor Groomsmen Suit: Male Manor Cake: Studio Cakes Food: Moda Events Flowers & Event Styling: Stylised Photographer: Pelizzari www.pelizzariphotography.com.au/ Ceremony Venue: Newstead Park & The Macedonian Orhodox Church, Newfarm Reception Venue: Moda Events Portside Entertainment: GM Events & Macedonian Band Celebrant: Michelle Anderson Transport: Mercedes C200 & Chrysler Limos Wedding Favours: Engraved stemless wine glasses

Vows

continued fron page 12 Natasa, You are my soulmate. You are the reason I smile each day. You make me feel loved. You make me laugh and sometimes cry when you make me go shopping. Natasa, I promise to make you laugh and smile as much as I can I promise to be there when you need someone to listen I promise to try and be more patient when you are taking a long time to get ready I promise to give you cuddles whenever you need one I promise to let you be right even though I know you’re wrong Most of all I promise to always be there and to love you. I can’t wait to start this next chapter with you as husband and wife. LOVE LOVE LOVE SUMMER 2019

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WEDDING TRADITIONS

Good Luck or Bad Luck?

Rain: The saying is that rain on your wedding day is good luck because it signifies that your marriage will last. As you know, a knot that becomes wet is extremely hard to unite – therefore, when you “tie the knot” on a rainy day, your marriage is just as hard to unravel or untie which will help keep you together. Rain on your wedding day is considered good luck, according to Hindu tradition Cake: The tradition of a wedding cake comes from ancient Rome where a loaf of bread was broken over the bride’s head for fertility sake. The tiered cake came from a game where the bride and groom attempted to kiss over the highest tier without knocking it over. Legend says that if a single woman sleeps with a slice of groom’s cake under her

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pillow, she will dream of her future husband and he will soon come into her life. The English believe a spider found in a wedding dress means good luck. Yikes!

In English tradition, Wednesday is considered the “best day” to marry, although Monday is for wealth and Tuesday is for health. Saturday is the unluckiest wedding day, according to English folklore. Funny—it’s the most popular day of the week to marry! Roman: The Roman goddess Juno rules over love, marriage, and childbirth, hence the popularity of June weddings. Ancient Greeks and Romans thought the veil protected the bride from evil spirits. Brides have worn veils ever since.

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Fun Facts: Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve are the two busiest “marriage” days in Las Vegas—elopement central! For good luck, Egyptian women pinch the bride on her wedding day.

Stag parties were first held by ancient Spartan soldiers, who kissed their bachelor days goodbye with a raucous party. Middle Eastern brides paint henna on their hands and feet to protect themselves from the evil eye. Peas are thrown at Czech newlyweds instead of rice. A Swedish bride puts a silver coin from her father and a gold coin from her mother in each shoe to ensure that she’ll never do without.

A Finnish bride traditionally went door-to-door collecting gifts in a pillowcase, accompanied by an older married man who represented long marriage. Moroccan women take a milk bath to purify themselves before their wedding ceremony. In Holland, a pine tree is planted outside the newlyweds’ home as a symbol of fertility and luck. Tuck a sugar cube into your glove—according to Greek culture, the sugar will sweeten your union. The groom carries the bride across the threshold to bravely protect her from evil spirits lurking below.

Do you havďż˝ your copďż˝?

Take a picture with the magazine and send it to us for your chance to be featured in Hill Country Weddings & Events Magazine! submissions@HillCountryWeddingsMagazine.com

San Antonio Botanical Gardens Margaritaville, Destin, FL

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WEDDING QUIZ

Dream Date A. Concert and the local bar B. Romantic walk or a picnic on the beach C. Art gallery or dinner in the city Favorite Pet A. Golden Lab B. Tropical fish C. Exotic bird State of Choice A. Texas B. Florida C. New York

SUMMER 2019

Mode of Transportation A. Truck/SUV B. Bike C. Uber/Lyft Hair Style Preference A. Big, bold curls B. Beachy waves C. Sleek What are you willing to spend the most money on for your wedding? A. The venue B. The reception (music, food and drinks) C. The honeymoon

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Mostly A’s: Boho Country You are looking for the traditional wedding with a little DIY twist for your special day. You will go over the top on your wedding gown and the guests won’t be able to take their eyes oﬀ of you. Your wedding will stand out from the crowd thanks to your free-spirited country décor and style. Mostly B’s: Relaxed and Beachy You will have a laid back and relaxed wedding. You may decide the beach would be perfect for your special day. Your groom will be in relaxed clothing while you will wear a simple gown. The bridal party will likely be in cool, neutral colors. Mostly C’s: Classic City Glam You are looking for a classic and timeless wedding in the city. It will be a glamorous soiree and you will be in a picture-perfect elegant gown. Your marriage will last the test of time and be classically beautiful.

RETHINK THE BRIDAL PARTY

When it comes to weddings, many old traditions and rules no longer apply. Your wedding party (also known as the bridal party) includes not only the people who you’ll count on to help you with planning, but also are the ones you want by your side when you walk down the aisle and say your vows. They’re your sisters, brothers, and closest friends. Why not have your favorite guy friends standing next to the bride?

Best guy friends are being honored more and more with Man of Honor title. Not only that but gal pals are also crossing over to the groomsmen territory. You can have all your best friends standing next to you at the altar now regardless of gender. A bride may want her brother by her side instead of across the aisle. The groom may want a female cousin that he grew up with

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standing with him at the altar. Mix-and-matching the bridal party is a new trend. It’s called a wedding party, so think of it that way. When you go to the party there are men and women and having all your best men and women friends standing beside you in your wedding pictures will be a fun party. Keep in mind that if you have a male on the maid’s side you still want him

wearing the same suit or tux as the men standing on the groom’s side. Same goes for any girls mixed among the groomsmen. Consult with your wedding planner about the best method to get everyone down the aisle and to the altar for your wedding day. And enjoy your (wedding) party!

Calendars July

Sunset Times JULY 1ST JULY 15TH

8:39 PM 8:37 PM

8:27 PM AUGUST 1ST AUGUST 15TH 8:15 PM 17th: Wedding Open House at McNay Art Museum 18th: Come and Taste It at Messina Hof

SEPTEMBER 1ST 7:56 PM SEPTEMBER 15TH 7:39 PM

20th: July Gruene Market Days 56th Annual Night in Old Fredericksburg 25th: Evenings on the Edge at La Cantera Resort

r e b m e t p Se

August

7th: Annual Wild Game Dinner in Floresville 13th: Fall Open House at Messina Inn 1st: Summer Open House at Orchard Event Venue 3rd: 2019 Grape Stomp in New Braunfels 4th: Stoney Ridge Villa Opening 8th: Oak Tree Open Housealloons over Horseshoe Bay

20th: Kevin Fowler at John T. Floores Country Store 21st: Comfort Art Festival 26th: Wine & Food Festival at La Cantera 28th: Medina Lake Cajun Fest

21st: Lobster Fest in Fredericksburg SUMMER 2019

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Real Weddings Doug & Abb�Wilson

VENUE: IAN’S CHAPEL AT CAMP LUCY WHIM HOSPITALITY CATERING: WHIM CATERING FLORALS: WHIM FLORALS HAIR & MAKEUP: JESSICA ROOP BEAUTY & BOUDOIR

SUMMER 2019

PHOTOGRAPHY: AROL HORKAVY AT AJH PHOTOGRAPHY WEDDING COORDINATOR: CASSIE CRUDO AT BRIDE’S BEST FRIEND CAKE: SWEET TREETS BAKERY STRING QUARTET: TERRA VISTA STRINGS

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PHOTOGRAPHER: CHARLEE TABOR PHOTOGRAPHY

CAKES: THE DIENGER TRAIDING COMPANY

CATERING: JIMMY LYN’S

HAIR & MAKEUP: ON LOCATION HAIR & MAKEUP

FLORAL: THE ORGANIC DESIGN BAND: ALMOST PATSY CLINE BAND

VENUE: ROCKIN’ B RANCH

Chris & Morgan Metzger

Congratulations to our Hill Countr� Couples

SUMMER 2019

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Destination Wedding F�ancesco & Morgan Vorster

THE DETAILS

How did you and your partner meet? Francesco and I met online. We soon realised we had a lot of mutual friends and Francesco had attended school with my sister. We also lived less than 2 kilometres from each other, and he still thinks we had met before as he remember my eyes.

How did he propose: Francesco had planned a helicopter ride to an island where a beautiful draped arbour was set up with champagne, chocolates and lights. We walked over to the arbour and Francesco started shaking. I was caught by surprise and he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife.

WEDDING FEATURE THANKS TO: BWEDDING WEDDING INVITATIONS: POSTABLE DRESS: GALIA LAHAV MAKEUP: TONIC AGENCY HAIR: TONIC AGENCY

GROOM’S SUIT: TOM FORD

What do you love most about your partner? I love Francesco’s family values and the way he adores me. He is very driven in life and will do anything to provide for his family. What’s your most important piece of advice for creating and maintaining a strong relationship? Communicate with each other and know at the end of the day, you both want to be treated with love and respect.

CAKE: MRS G’S CUSTOM CAKES FOOD: CAMPBELL POINT HOUSE FLOWERS: WANDERLUST CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY: PELIZZARI PHOTOGRAPHY

SHOES: JIMMY CHOO

CEREMONY/RECEPTION VENUE: CAMPBELL POINT HOUSE

ACCESSORIES: BHLDN

WEDDING STYLIST: WANDERLUST CREATIVE

BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: ADRIANNA PAPELL H

WEDDING MENUS/SIGNAGE: SPARKLERS AND CONFETTI

Tell us about your wedding gown and how you chose it? I had previously seen an image of a dress I loved on the internet. A year later an advertisement came up for a trunk show and low and behold, my image was one of their dresses. I booked in for the show at the Versace and saw my dream dress immediately. I didn’t want to try the dress on straight away and be the only dress I tried. I decided to put the

n p

dress on second and did not try any more on. I loved the lace detail and the traditional feel of the veil. What sort of style did you envision for your wedding day? I envisioned a romantic and whimsical feel. I wanted to use dreamy colours of gold and blush and be surrounded by flowers. What was your favourite moment from the day? The moment Francesco looked at me walking down the aisle and was overwhelmed with emotion. How did you come to choose the location and venue? I was originally looking for an Italian style villa in Australia and couldn’t find a venue. I searched luxury homes in Australia and Campbell Point House came up. I knew immediately this was my dream venue with its elegant design features and sheer grandeur.

Can you describe what type of ceremony you had and how you were able to personalise it? We had a very intimate ceremony with a celebrant to oﬃciate. We were surrounded by a towering hedge and we filled the space with overflowing blooms – it was very romantic. I surprised my husband by learning my vowels in Italian. Describe the cake (including the flavours) and cake topper: I opted for a three-tier cake covered in ganache and blush fondant. The filling was buttercream and flavours were double barrel white chocolate mud and dark chocolate mud. I had peony flowers created in gold and blush for decoration. What flowers did you use in the bouquet and at the venue? We used an abundance of full-bodied blooms including posies, roses, hydrangeas, anthuriums and phalaenopsis orchids. SUMMER 2019

Name your wedding soundtrack (aisle entrance & exit, reception entry, first dance songs): First Dance: Maybe I’m Amazed by Keke Palmer, Aisle Song: Pachelbel Canon (Instrumental), Aisle Exit: Instrumental Music, Reception entry: September by Earth, Wind and Fire Any sentimental personal touches? I made a board with wedding pictures of relatives on their special day. I also used my great grandmothers desert forks for our cake. Where did you go on honeymoon? We are planning our honeymoon in October – Germany, France and Morocco. Any tips that you can give to future brides? Surround yourself by a great team and follow your intuition. Don’t stress the little things, try and enjoy every moment.

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F F

FUN F

For some guests, the most memorable part of the wedding can be the food! You no longer have to limit the menu options to chicken, steak or fish. Try incorporating some comfort foods for all to enjoy. Spice up the option for guests and think outside the box for your wedding. Are you having a hot summer wedding? Why not greet your guests with an ice cream cone after the ceremony to enjoy and refresh? Or how about a frozen cocktail?

SUMMER 2019

Are you getting married on the Fourth of July Holiday? Why not oďŹ€er up mini hot dogs as an appetizer option to get everyone in the mode. Donuts. You can never go wrong with donuts. Consider a donut table for dessert or a midnight snack for guests. This could even replace your cake if you wanted and will add that personalized touch.

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Are you having a Fall Wedding? There is nothing better than grilled cheese and tomato soup as comfort food and would be perfect for a cool fall wedding. These appetizers will look just adorable atop a small drinking glass with the small wedge of sandwich on top. The glass can also be used for dipping the sandwich into. Doesnâ€™t this remind you of your childhood? Is your favorite food French fries? Why not take a glass filled with ketchup on the bottom and French fries inside so guest can carry the glass and have ketchup! This will also prevent your guests from getting sticky ketchup fingers.

Y c W a l i f c

H e Th y f o e f

FOODS You can never go wrong with a mac and cheese bar! Why not let your guests be a kid again and oďŹ€er that special treat with sides to let them mix and match their favorite items! If you want to serve it as finger food, consider frying it up and put in a cup or on a stick for guests to enjoy. Have you seen the milk and cookie escort cards? This is such a cute idea depending on your theme for the wedding. Another fun idea is bringing them out at the end of the night for that special snack before everyone heads home. PB&Js are another fun midnight snack as well. SUMMER 2019

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PLANNING TIPS

Planning anyone’s wedding, especially your own is no small task. It is not simple and usually takes much more time than expected or that you have to devote. The excitement from the moment of the proposal to the moment you say “I DO” could not be greater. By hiring a wedding planner who will follow your directions and knows the common pitfalls will alleviate much of the stress and allow you to enjoy your wedding.

Organizing Planning a wedding is serious business! If you know what you want, it is best to book it - it’s never too early. The more organized you are from the start will mean less you have to do before the big day. A wedding planner will help guide you through the steps and see that advance bookings and reservations are made in a timely manner. A good wedding planner will also help provide you with alternatives when something is simply not available on your wedding day. Obligations When it comes to your wedding, you can hire a professional who will help relieve much of the craziness that surrounds the planning, organizing and scheduling. They are the wedding planners. With their help, you will have time to enjoy the

journey to your wedding day and not become stressed over it. Your wedding planner will help see that details from the grand to the mundane are handled in an appropriate and timely manner. Save your energy, you will need it. Decorating Tip Although you would like the invitations, chairs, door wreath, flowers and other details you’ve made or choose for yourself, it requires a lot of time, energy and effort to carry those details to fruition. You don`t have to do it yourself, despite your knowledge that you are the best. You can achieve it by hiring a professional to drop off, set up and take down for you. Don’t spend your wedding day delegating and putting family and friends to work when it’s so much easier and efficient to let the professionals handle it.

Wedding Day On the day of your wedding you need to relax and enjoy the moment, enjoy your family, close friends, bridal party and certainly, the groom. Assign someone to take care of the scheduling and seeing that guests are properly greeted and pampered because your job for the day is to smile, be radiant, and enjoy the day.

Use professional vendors!! When you hire professionals you not only get someone who knows what to do but you also get quality. Just because a friend or family member had a wedding doesn’t mean they can conduct it for you on yours. Get everything in writing. Make sure you have everything listed on your timeline and follow up

Photographer The wedding lasts just one day, but the photos remain forever. Hire a photographer whose photographs will make you feel those same emotions and trigger memories years later when you view the pictures as when those events happened on your wedding day. This is not the area to cut from the budget as these photos will last a life time.

When ordering invitations or thank you get extra in case you make a mistake. Make a budget and stick to it.

SUMMER 2019

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MUSIC Picking the right entertainment is very important to your big day. Just like the wedding dress, venue, flowers and even the cake, the DJ or band is an integral part to the total success of your wedding. A good entertainer will emcee the event and help to keep everything on track. They will also see that the right music is played at the right time and keep all the guests informed. When picking a DJ or band, make sure you feel comfortable with them. They should be interested in you and your wedding and not be talking all about themselves. They

should listen to you and your ideas for your wedding. Make sure to set up an appointment with them so you can sit down and get to know them firsthand. Always check their reviews! Reviews are key to learning what others think of them and how they performed at other weddings and events. The entertainer should be excited about working for you and eager to help make your day the very best it can be. Pricing is important, but not all high dollar entertainers are good wedding entertainers and not all cheap ones are bad. As a good rule of

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thumb, cheap is not a good thing, (they are cheap for a reason) but if you want a good entertainer, most of the time they are not cheap. Look for and hire a professional, someone who has been in the wedding industry for several years. Not all bands or DJ’s can do a wedding. Weddings are very different than a dance hall or nightclub. (An entertainer must emcee the event and work using a timeline of events that you wish to be followed during your wedding.) Most of all, as in most things, something that good quality is not cheap. Ask venue or even your wedding planner if they have worked with the entertainer you are interested in. If so see what they have to say about them and see if they may be a good fit for your event. Many times, the entertainment is left as one of the last things to get booked. As soon as you set the date and book a venue, you should be looking into your entertainment. At my company, Four Star Entertainment, I have five different DJ’s that will fit different brides taste for DJ’s. Many times, we are booked nearly a year out and that is why you need to look into your entertainment as soon as possible. I can’t tell you how many brides call looking for a DJ two to three months from their event date and discover that we are all booked up and the bride is disappointed at not getting her first choice to provide the entertainment for her wedding. Recap, 1. Do your research, look around, and read reviews. 2. Find someone that is interested in you and not all about themselves. 3. Pricing, real quality is not cheap! 4. Don’t waste time. Book all your venders as soon as possible. SUMMER 2019

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GENERAL

210.495.6200 girlgeneral.com @thegirlgeneral SUMMER 2019

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P�enuptial Agreement It’s often been said millennials are a very diﬀerent generation from Gen Xers and baby boomers. As a whole, millennials—those born between 1982 and 2000, according to the Census Bureau—are better educated and command more earning power than previous generations at the same age. It seems they also take protecting their assets seriously. According to a survey from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), 51% of attorneys cited an increase in the number of millennials request-

SUMMER 2019

ing prenuptial agreements. “The world of relationships has entered a new age,” said Peter M. Walzer, president of AAML and founding partner of Walzer Melcher family law firm. “The modern couple is more at ease discussing finances and legal agreements than couples 10 or 20 years ago.” Perhaps that’s why 62% of respondents in the same survey said they have seen an increase in the total number of clients seeking prenups during the past three years as well. So while the notion persists that prenuptial agreements

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only serve the 1%, there are many factors motivating today’s engaged couples and those in committed relationships to look at how a prenup may benefit them before getting married. What is a prenup? A prenup is a legal agreement two people make before marriage that spells out conditions of how they will hold, gather and distribute assets, both during marriage and if the marriage were to end, said Elizabeth Dipp-Metzger, a certified financial planner and founder of Crown Wealth Strategies in El Paso,

Texas. Depending on the wishes of both parties, a prenuptial agreement can be simple or very complex. In modern society, we often associate prenups with celebrities or public figures, but they have existed in some form for thousands of years. In fact, one of the oldest prenuptial agreements dates back to a 2,000-year-old Hebrew marriage contract, according to PrenuptialAgreements.org. Scholars have even found legal agreements similar to modern-day prenups in ancient Egypt. In the U.S., prenups gained favor as a legal way to ensure

women weren’t left penniless if they were widowed or their husbands could no longer provide for them. With the 1848 Married Women’s Property Act, however, prenups began to grow in popularity as a way for women to keep their own property and money safe should their marriages dissolve. These days, prenups also allow spouses to sidestep restrictive stateimposed property division divorce laws, said Steven Fernandez, a certified family law specialist with Fernandez & Karney in Los Angeles. Do you need a prenup? Deciding whether a prenup is right for you is a personal decision, but from a legal standpoint, it’s not a bad idea. Prenups protect both partners in a marriage in the event of a divorce, especially in light of shifting gender roles (for example, the rise of stay-at-home dads and women earning more in the workplace). “Prenuptial agreements can oﬀer benefits to anyone getting married, not just couples with tremendous wealth,” said Fernandez. If you’re on the fence about getting a prenup, consider how you could: • Address your financial rights. A prenup allows both parties to identify and retain assets. “Although, in most states, the law protects assets owned before a marriage, there are many ways assets can get commingled,” said Dipp-Metzger. Getting a prenup can set some boundaries on those combined assets. • Protect yourself from debts.

A prenup can help shield you from potential financial misgivings that take place before or during a marriage, such as those associated with bankruptcy filings, tax liens or credit problems. A prenup can also set strict rules on how to use child support for children from a previous relationship. • Keep things civil. “Perhaps the most attractive aspect of a prenup is to try to avoid (or at least minimize) financial arguments upon divorce,” said Dipp-Metzger. “Having a well-thought-out prenup and separation of assets can save a lot of heartache and stress later on.” • Financially provide for kids from a prior relationship. If you have children from a previous relationship, a prenup can help set aside assets that you want to direct to them. Prenup pros and cons As with any big decision, one that involves the delicate business of human emotions and financial assets, understanding the benefits and downsides of having a prenup can often help bring clarity and direction to your decision-making. Pros: • Important topics are worked out beforehand. Hot-button issues, such as whether you’ll have children, who will stay at home to care for the kids and what happens to assets acquired during marriage, can be worked out with a prenup. • It forces couples to talk about money. Both parties can determine what is fair and start discussing the all-

important, hard-to-broach topic of money. • It can save you money in the long run. In the event of divorce, there’s a legally binding document that addresses or at least outlines the division of assets and other important issues for the couple. Cons: • Prenups are still considered taboo. The person initiating the prenup conversation may come across as taking a cynical view of marriage (as in, he or she is hedging it won’t last). • Prenups require time and money. “Expect to spend, at a minimum, several hundred dollars so both parties can have representation, plus another several hundred to have an attorney draft the prenup,” said Dipp-Metzger. Because prenup fees can range so widely, there is no universal answer to how much does a prenup cost. But Dipp-Metzger recommends spelling out lawyer fees, preferably with a fixed price from both attorneys, before engaging their services. Some mediators can prepare a prenup at a lesser cost, if the parties can agree on how they wish to allocate assets. • Assets need to be kept separate. Once premarital assets are defined in a prenuptial agreement, it’s important to administer them separately during the marriage; otherwise, they will likely be considered community property assets, said Dipp-Metzger. • Tracking separate assets is a must. Having a joint bank SUMMER 2019

account likely won’t cut it. For example, if one person owns a piece of property and sells it, then the proceeds should be clearly recorded and put into a separate account to maintain the separation of assets. What your prenup might look like If you’re wondering how does a prenup work, a very simple one can state that all assets will be split 50⁄50, while a complicated prenup can have many caveats and conditions. In that way, “no twode prenups look alike,” said DippMetzger, “but at their best, they specify all the wishes of both parties.” To draft your prenup, you’ll need basic information, including an inventory of all assets that both parties own or expect to inherit. You’ll likely need to produce all documents related to sources of income, such as: • Bank and other financial accounts • Retirement and health benefits • Business holdings and interest • Real estate • Intellectual property (for example, if you’re a tech startup founder) • Liabilities (including credit card or student loan debt) • Personal property You’ll also need information for the family members or any people who will be party to the arrangement, such as additional children from a previous marriage, said continued on page 48

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A a a th h F w

Th W R A H A F G H A

Prenuptial Agreement continued fron page 47

Fernandez. “Every prenup must be tailored to the individual concerns and goals of the parties,” said Donna L. Maul, a family law attorney and partner at Ansell Grimm & Aaron’s Family Law Practice. There is also a body of language that makes up the agreement itself, organized by topic, along with an individual detailed summary schedule of financial disclosure for each party, which should be supported by a complete document package. When is a prenup invalid? While anyone can claim that a prenup won’t hold up in a court of law, it’s important to understand some of the common complaints that are used to try and invalidate a prenup: • Lack of proper counsel • Lack of knowledge or understanding in what was inside the document

• No notary or witness • No original copy Ensuring your prenup is drafted in fairness to both parties and with separate counsel should help alleviate any of these instances. “Agreements generally require something of value to be exchanged between parties to be properly binding,” said Maul. Say, for instance, one person is wealthier and requests the other spouse give up rights that he or she would otherwise have under existing law without a prenup in place. The spouse giving up rights should receive something of value—like cash or a piece of real estate—if the marriage ends. You’ll also need to make sure your prenup complies with state law. If the terms of the prenup violate the law, those terms can be invalidated. For example, in recent years, infidelity clauses have become popular in prenups across the country. If a spouse cheats during the course of the marriage, the infidelity clause awards the other spouse property or a certain sum of money. “In many states, including California, infidelity clauses violate state law,” said Fernandez. “As a result, infidelity clauses included in California prenups can be struck down by a judge.” When you don’t have a prenup and divorce Couples without a prenup will be subject to the laws of the state in which they file for divorce. “Without a prenup, individuals may be vulnerable to the fallout from their spouse’s debt and financial issues,” said Fernandez. This is particularly true in states where both spouses have ownership interests in joint property. At the end of the day, said Fernandez, “a prenup is a way to hash out the finer financial-driven details of divorce at a point in your relationship when communication is at its best.” Credit: BeenVerified.com is the leading source of online background checks and contact information. BeenVerified helps people discover, understand, and use public data in their everyday lives and can provide peace of mind by oﬀering a fast, easy, and aﬀordable way to do background checks on others. BeenVerified allows individuals to find more information about people, phone numbers, email addresses, and property records. For more information, visit https://www.beenverified.com.

SUMMER 2019

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honeymoon

Publisher’s Pick for a Summer Honeymoon

Bula! Thinking about looking for a unique, fun place for your wedding or honeymoon? Do you like blue skies, azure waters and beautiful beaches? Have you thought about Fiji? It’s a tropical island nation in the South Pacific with plenty to see and places to explore as well as luxurious places to stay. Fiji is a mere 3 hour flight from New Zealand or 11 hours from LAX. Flying from LAX you get to cross the international dateline on your flight to the islands. Denarau Island is located on the northwest corner of the main island of Fiji, and has a dozen 4- and 5-star resorts. Any one of them will be able to satisfy your every wish. From the spas, to the restaurants, to the beaches and the nightlife, there is plenty to see and do. Grab a guide through toursbylocalsfiji.com and have fun!! Another great Fijian destination is the Mamanuca Islands, a short boat, plane or helicop-

ter ride from the city of Nadi and the international airport. They oﬀer many water sports like diving, snorkeling, fishing, surfing as well as swimming and relaxing on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. If you want to be a little more adventurous and enjoy surfing or even just learn to surf, head down to the Coral Coast where some of the best surfing in the world is right oﬀshore. Not far from the Coral Coast is the Biausevu Waterfall but to see it you have to be invited by the local tribe (which includes a short ceremony and a sip of kava). The 2.5k walk to the falls is along a paved path through the jungle and you will be escorted by a tribesman and probably a local dog.

If you want to experience a true change in lifestyle, try a Fijian wedding or honeymoon where they do live life on Island time. Say Bula!! to the native Fijians and have a great time!!

SUMMER 2019

Enjo�! hillcountryweddingsmagazine.com

famil� dinner Summer Corn Salad Ingredients:

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: There is nothing more important than time with your family. That is why we have decided to do a recipe page. Pick a favorite recipe you would like to make and get your family together. Use this time cooking to bond and create memories. Don’t forget to have fun and take pictures or even include a short story on how much fun you had together. Submit your recipes and photos to submissions@ hillcountryweddingsmagazine. com for a chance to share with your Hill Country Weddings friends.

SUMMER 2019

2 ears roasted corn, kernels removed 1 C red quinoa, uncooked measure 6 radishes, halved and thinly sliced 1 pint cherub tomatoes, halved 1 small package of French beans, blanched 1 small container of arugula

1 C walnut pieces, toasted 1 C blue cheese crumbles 1 small red onion, thinly sliced and rinsed 1/2 C fresh basil, thinly sliced

Directions:

Rub corn with olive oil and evenly sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Place on a foil lined cookie sheet and roast in a 425 degree oven for 25 minutes or so. Using tongs, rotate corn for even roasting. Remove, cool and cut kernels oﬀ the cob. For red quinoa: Place red quinoa, 2 C of filtered water and 1/2 t of salt in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and cover. Cook until water evaporates and quinoa “sprouts.” Spread cooked quinoa on a cookie sheet for cooling.

Dressing 1 C vegetable oil 1/2 C olive oil 1 T mayonnaise 1 t Dijon mustard

2 large garlic cloves, minced 1 t salt Fresh cracked black pepper 2 t honey

1/4 C white balsamic vinegar 1/4 C fresh lemon juice Zest of one lemon

Combine olive oil and vegetable oil in a pourable container. Place remaining ingredients in a container and use an immersion blender to combine. Slowly drizzle in oil mixture while blender is running. Continue to process until a smooth emulsion forms. hillcountryweddingsmagazine.com

Nin�Ways to Sav� on your Wedding

1. Skip the Saturday wedding or chose an off-season date. Choosing a non-Saturday or offseason date can really save you. Most guests make reservations over a year out, (when the save-the-date arrives) so guests have plenty of time to make arrangements if it doesn’t happen to fall on a Saturday. In our experience, it doesn’t matter which day of the week you choose… they’ll be there! Off-season is subjective by location, but in general, these are January, February and August wedding dates. 2. Choose a venue with a day rental. It’s a treat to have the venue to yourself for the day. Take advantage of the bridal suites and groom’s dressing room and get ready on site. Take pictures throughout the day and anticipate your guest arrival. No

rushing around on the wedding day or go- cut the travel time and you don’t have to ing from one place to the other. Relax and worry about forgetting or moving things from one place to the other. take it all in! 6. Short Date and Sales Discount – If you are open to a quickly planned wedding, you can sometimes take advantage of a discounted rate for a date at a venue that may have become available due to a 3. Choose a venue that’s already beautiful cancelation. even when it’s completely empty. 7. Choose a venue that includes breakHow does it look even without decor? down, cleanup and tables and chairs, this Check out the landscaping, lighting, will save you lots of worry and money. surroundings, and furniture. You’ll save 8. Hire vendors that have a strong relaa bundle if you don’t have to bring the tionship with the venue. These vendors “pretty” to the party. know the venue and since they have 4. The guest count – The lower the guest worked together numerous times, it will count the fewer dollars you must include make your day run much smoother. in your catering and alcohol budget. Not to mention fewer tables and centerpieces. 9. Hire a band or DJ that can do both ceremony and reception music. 5. Have your ceremony and reception at the same place. By doing this you will It’s common for venues to oﬀer a “base” price for a block of time, generally 4 or 6 hours, after that you’ll need to pay for each additional hour.

SUMMER 2019

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New Hom�

PURCHASE TIPS

After marriage comes the joy of buying a first time home or selling two homes and picking one for your new family to set up house in. It can be nerve-wracking and thrilling all at the same time. These three tips may help to make that process a little easier. #1 Check your credit You need to know if there are any accounts that may not belong to you and look for any mistakes, unpaid accounts or collection accounts. Just because you pay everything on time each month doesn’t mean your credit score is high. Make sure you pay down those credit cards and all medical bills and that any collections are paid in full.

#2 See what you qualify for You need to find out what you can aﬀord and what size mortgage you can obtain. You can calculate your debt-to-income ratio and do a preapproval with a bank so you know what might fit in your budget, so you are shopping for the right size house or mortgage. Don’t forget to factor in property taxes and homeowner’s insurance into your budget.

Wedding MONEY TIPS

Whether your friends and relatives were generous with their cash money or you intentionally set up a cash registry, there’s no right or wrong way to spend your wedding gift money. All that matters is the two of you are in agreement and what you want to do with it. So sit down and start talking to ensure you’re both on the same page, then

#3 How much can you put down You need money in savings not only for your down payment but for your connection fees for water, electric, phone and more. Don’t forget to budget for moving expenses or new furniture or small items to help make your new house a home. This is a brief overview that can help put you on the path to finding your new home but always remember to educate

check out some of our favorite ideas for spending (and saving) your money wisely. Sometimes it pays to be a responsible adult, even if it seems boring. Before that cash starts burning a hole in your pocket, it’s a good idea to pay down debt (especially if you racked up any for the wedding itself ), starting a rainy day savings fund, or even contributing to your retirement accounts. It might feel like a lifetime away, but one day you’ll both be glad you made such a sound investment. A wedding windfall oﬀers the perfect opportunity to get the two of you closer to a future

yourself beforehand so that it’s less stressful and pick a good realtor to make the process easier for you. Also try to avoid trying to go through this process while still planning the wedding. Weddings are stressful enough you don’t need to be worrying about buying a house, fixing credit errors and moving on top of it all. Give yourself and your partner time to enjoy the wedding and honeymoon before taking on your next adventure and challenge together.

goal you’ve been dreaming of. It can be investing in much-needed new bedroom set or living room furniture or as far down the road as saving up for a home. Maybe you want to buy a new car especially if that sporty twoseater you’re currently driving doesn’t exactly match up with your plans to have kids in the future. Whatever the goal, working toward something together will only serve to strengthen your relationship. Allocating a bit of the funds for something exciting maintains a healthy balance in your spending habits, making long-term financial wellness more achievable and satisfying.

Happily EverAfter THE BEAN FAMILY

Matt and Amanda Bean Married May 21, 2016 at Happy H Ranch Waelynn June Bean January 29th, 2019 Photos by Chrissi M Photography

hotos by Chrissi M Photography

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SUMMER 2019

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Everlasting Lov�

I love interviewing couples about how they met, fell in love and raised their family. This issue’s couple is very special to me as they are my parents and mean the world to me.

I have the pleasure of introducing Robert Royal Sealy and Catherine (Katy) Ann Sealy (Duﬀ). They were married June 5, 1973, which has now been 46 years!

By:Crystal Wiedenfeld

herself with a cowboy. She was kind of a hippie, but oddly enough they really enjoyed the same things. He was sweet and nurturing. “He was very loving and kind on one hand however if you tell him to go left, he will go right,” she laughed. (We are all known for being a little stubborn.) “He was a good kisser.” she chuckled, and the best friend I have ever had for sure.”

They met in San Antonio when Robert was around 19 years old. After he graduated high school, he met and fell for Katy. Shortly thereafter, Robert got his draft notice from the Army (1972) which was still during the Vietnam War. He went to basic and AIT training and then came home and married his bride. After the wedding, he and Katy moved to Kentucky where he served as a cook at Ft. Knox.

In 1974, after completing his stint in the military, the two moved to the family ranch in south Texas where they farmed and ranched, growing watermelon, maize, cantaloupe and oats.

When I asked him what he loved about Katy he said, “She was cute and had long pretty curly hair.” They were diﬀerent but discovered that they had lots of things in common, such as they both liked horses, farming, ranching and cattle. They both also love to fish and spend time outdoors together. That is one of their favorite things to do. Katy was surprised to find

After coming to Boerne, Katy stayed home and cared for their four daughters. As we all got older Katy went to work at the Boerne Post Oﬃce where she has been for over 30 years. We say she is a local celebrity, lol, known as the nice postal Lady.

They started having kids in 1976 so they moved to Boerne where Robert opened Robert R. Sealy Construction Co. which they owned and operated for over 30 years before retiring.

Robert and Katy have 4 girls (Carol, Brenda, Crystal and Catherine), 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

The Sealy’s married June 5th, 1973 They love spending time with the kids, grandkids and great grand kids and speaking from experience, we couldn’t have asked for better parents or babysitters, hehe. Katy is now hoping to retire in a few years so she can enjoy working in the garden with Robert and traveling more and spending even more time playing with all their grand babies and great grandbabies. When I asked Robert what the secret to a long marriage was, he said, “Ignore all the little stuﬀ” and joked to do what you’re told. Then he got serious and shared that life isn’t easy so expect to have hard times and learn to work through them. Find someone you have things in common with and enjoy spending time with.

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Katy’s love lasting tips are to love one another, have fun, and build a good foundation. Don’t expect everything to always be perfect. She quoted, Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. My parents love story. No, things weren’t easy nor perfect and they won’t be for anyone so don’t go into marriage expecting that it will always be a bed of roses. Just find your best friend and it will make life so much easier. Thanks, Mom and Dad being amazing.

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Photo by: Jaime Burrow Photography