Bridal Magazine

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F A Y E T T E

The Oaks AT HIGH HILL A OFFERING OVER-THE-TOP SERVICE COUPLED WITH NEXT-LEVEL AMENITIES

C O U N T Y

W E D D I N G

G U I D E

GLAMPING

LONE STAR GLAMP INN TAKES CAMPING TO A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL

TEXAS RED ENTERTAINMENT

THE MOST ENTERTAINING GAME SHOW COMPANY IN TEXAS

LOCAL WEDDINGS

BRIDES AND GROOMS CELEBRATING THEIR BIG DAY

Photos by Lydia

CAPTURING THE MAGIC OF MILESTONE MOMENTS

PHOTOGRAPHERS • VENUES • FLORISTS • COORDINATORS • & SO MUCH MORE

CONSIDER COLUMBUS Small Town Charm. Big City Amenities.

A short drive from Houston, Austin and San Antonio, Columbus is the perfect place to begin your happily ever after.

Columbus is home to more than ten outstanding venues.

Whether you’re looking for a rustic dance hall full of charm, a working ranch with modern amenities, a church hall with plenty of room to roam, or a winery with dramatic views of the Texas sunset, we have the perfect backdrop for your wedding, reception, or special event.

From caterers to centerpieces, registries to rehearsal dinner restaurants, and hotels to hairdos, you’ll find everything for your dream wedding right here in our charming small town.

columbustexas.org/weddings • 979-732-8385

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A Festival Hill Wedding THE PERFECT MARRIAGE of BEAUTY and ONE-STOP SIMPLICITY

Dining

Ceremony in Historic Chapel

Accommodations

Reception

Photography

The Festival Hill Campus of

Round Top FesTival InsTITUTe

Scenic Location

©2021 The Fayette County Record

248 Jaster Road, Round Top, TX 78954 • (979) 249-3129 • festivalhill.org

Weddings and Event Hall

Lutherhill Carby Chapel

Swiss Alp Hall & Chalet is painted with red, white, and blue, proudly showing off its heritage. Its interior is built from paneled wood and structured beams. This adds a charming rustic element to the hall and compliments the expertly crafted bar which is available to serve drinks to couples and their guests. Sliding barn doors create a grand entrance for any event, and also provide a gorgeous backdrop for photos. A path that leads from the hall is an ideal space for activities such as sparkler exits or coordinated entries. Capacity 250 guests.

6940 N. US Hwy. 77 www.swissalptexas.com

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Table of Contents

2022 FAYETTE COUNTY WEDDING GUIDE

in the issue Local Brides and Grooms...................................6 & 30 Country Ballroom…....................................................…..8 Hallie & Brady……...........................................................12 Photos by Lydia……........................................................14

8

Harley & Lawrence……..................................................18

p.

Das Meyer Haus and Weddings……........................20 Colorado County……....................................................22 The Most Entertaining Gameshow Company in Texas…..................................................…23 Ashleigh & Caleb……....................................................24 Bachelorette Glamping .............................................26 Hannah & Tyler………....................................................28

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Advertiser Index..............................................................5

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Special Sections Staff PUBLISHER Regina B. Keilers EDITOR Jeff Wick DIGITAL EDITOR Andy Behlen STAFF WRITER/OFFICE LouAnn Adcox Amanda Gifford

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T T E F A Y E

aks TAATheHIGO H HILL

-THE-TOP OFFERING OVER PLED WITH SERVICE COU L AMENITIES NEXT-LEVE

T Y C O U N

E G U I D

D I N G W E D

On the Cover

GLAMPING

TAKES GLAMP INN LONE STAR NG TO A WHOLE CAMPI OTHER LEVEL

TEXAS REDT AINMEN G ENTERT ENTERTAININ THE MOST TEXAS GAME SHOW

IN COMPANY

LOCAL WEDDINGS

GROOMS BRIDES AND BIG DAY THEIR CELEBRATING

ia

Photos by Lyd

Shelby and Aaron Rixse Married November 13th at The Oaks at High Hill Photographer: Lydia Ford - Photos by Lydia

ADVERTISING Becky Weise Jackie Daniels Jessica Montez

ACCOUNTING Theresia Karstedt Nonnie Barton PRODUCTION John Castaneda - Newspaper Lindsey Fojtik - Special Sections CIRCULATION George Kana Bobby Bedient Nicol Krenek LeighAnn Bedient Jesse Montez

127 S. Washington St. | P.O. Box 400 La Grange, Texas 78945 Ph: 979.968.3155 | Fx: 979.968.6767 Email: editor@fayettecountyrecord.com www.FayetteCountyRecord.com

OF THE MAGIC CAPTURING MOMENTS MILESTONE

PHOT

DINAT ISTS • COOR ES • FLOR S • VENU OGRA PHER

MORE SO MUCH ORS • &

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The Fayette County Record is published every Tuesday and Friday, except the publication immediately following Christmas by Fayette County Record, Inc. serving Fayette County since 1922. The Fayette County Record is locally owned and operated by the Barton family since 1976. (USPS 188-440)

ADVERTISER INDE

©2021 The Fayette County Record

Adamcik Insurance………............................…5 Columbus Chamber of Commerce..………..2 Das Meyer Haus……....................................21 Dujka Brothers…....................................……27 LG Spirits Beer and Wine….....................…21 Lone Star Glamp Inn……..........................…27 Lutherhill Ministries…..............................…..3 Photos by Lydia.....................................…….17 Round Top Festival Institute…….............……3 Schneider Hall…….........................................5 Swiss Alp Hall…….......................................…3 Texas Red Entertainment…….....................23 The Fayette County Record……................32 The Oak Motel…...........................................5 The Oaks at High Hill…….........................….11

Nestled between ancient Live Oak trees with sweeping prairie views, this lovingly restored, authentic 1900s Texas dance hall is the perfect venue for your wedding.

Call or visit our website for more information. www.schneiderhall.com schneiderdancehall@gmail.com • 210.422.4864

Your guests

will thank you!

Life insurance can be lifechanging

Free Wifi Microwave & Mini Fridge Remodeled Rooms Non-Smoking Rooms Pets Allowed Open Air Covered Pavilion

The

ak Motel

Book your group today to recieve a special rate!

979.968.3133

©2021 The Fayette County Record

Covered Pavilion Available for Events

227 S. Jefferson St. La Grange • www.theoakmotel.com

Phillip Adamcik, Agent 420 W Travis Street Suite 102 La Grange, TX 78945 Bus: 979-968-3600 phillip.adamcik.f26r@statefarm.com Mon-Fri 9:00AM-5:30PM After Hour Appointments Se habla Español

Life won’t always go as planned. That’s why there’s life insurance. It can help you protect your family’s future, no matter what happens.

Call me today.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

State Farm Life Insurance Company (Not licensed in MA, NY or WI) State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Licensed in NY and WI) Bloomington, IL 2001574

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Local Weddings

RIDES AND GROOMS EN OYING THEIR SPECIAL DAY c enna and Ru t n e er

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Country Ballroom

THE OA S AT HIGH HILL OFFERS OVER THE TOP SERVICE COUPLED WITH NE T LEVEL AMENITIES

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Y IRSTEN CORNELL

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Sprawled across 20 acres of Schulenburg hill country, the picturesque backdrop offers a myriad of amenities to wow guests and set your wedding apart.

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Did you know a well-placed oak tree can bring tears to a man’s eyes? Okay, perhaps it’s the bride in the white dress walking toward the majestic scene, but at The Oaks at High Hill, they are witnessing their fair share of watching dreams come true.

AC GROUND IN HOSPITALITY

“Working in the corporate world for so many years allowed me to become hyper-focused on the big picture of opening a venue but also the more important details of creating value, customer service, and hospitality as well as always striving to exceed expectations,” adds Rob.

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Simon Marshall also gained his professional experience in hotels where he spent 16 years working for Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Marriott Corporation. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management at the University of Houston and went on to work in various senior leadership roles in the front office, banquets, sales, and event management departments.

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“After transitioning out of hotels, I spent several years working in a variety of roles that took me to India, Singapore, Brazil, Germany, Scotland, etc. where I oversaw organizing global conferences visited by people from all over the world,” she says.

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Clarissa Marshall followed a similar path into hotels where she was responsible for planning and organizing events for The Westin Galleria & Westin Oaks in Houston. She worked her way up to Convention Services Manager overseeing a staff of 50 employees servicing nearly 120-150 events per year which could be anything from an eight-person business meeting to a 1,000-person, multi-day convention.

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Rob Marshall spent many years working for hotels in revenue management which gave him an incredible amount of experience in growing hotel room occupancy, pricing, and sales strategies.

After working for several large hotels in Houston, he transitioned to booking.com and spent nearly a decade in many senior management level positions working on global projects and partnerships where he worked with small diverse teams to scale initiatives in the U.S., Latin America, and Europe.

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Prior to opening their venue, the eventual owners of The Oaks brought with them a plethora of experience in the industry.

Collectively, their experience and determination would lead to an extremely successful venture.

THE PERFECT PROPERTY

Having grown up in Weimar, Clarissa attended several weddings throughout the years and noticed something was lacking—an upscale wedding venue featuring overnight accommodations.

“We always knew we wanted to open up a venue in the area, but we struggled at first to find the right piece of land to build on. We spent over three years visiting and looking at parcels of raw land in Weimar, Schulenburg, and La Grange,” she adds.

They had a long list of features that they were looking for in their search for the ideal property. “We knew we would need a

FEBRUARY 2022 | 9

property between 10- 0 acres, it had to be a corner property so that we could have a main parking area for guests and a service entrance for vendors, ADA, loading unloading, etc.,” says Rob.

narrow down the guest list, cutting down on the number of people you need to feed or provide alcohol for.

The Marshalls have a front-row seat to many creative wedding trends. Some of their recent favorites include beer burros donkeys , alpacas, on-site pizza ovens for dinner, fireworks, a champagne waterfall followed by an exit in a modelord, and the all-too-popular greenery walls. “Recently, we had a couple bring in around 50 Christmas trees for a holiday wedding,” Clarissa describes. “It was beautiful and magical, the perfect kick-off to the holiday season.”

They knew the importance of being close to hotels for overnight guests and wanted the venue to face west for the sunsets. Simon says, “The grounds needed a water feature like a creek or lake for the views, and we wanted to build the bridal suite and the groom’s cottage on opposite sides of the venue with easy access to both locations.”

A tall order for a single property, but with the help of local realtor Carrie Rerich with ri-County Real Estate, they eventually found their unicorn.

With an amazing selection of wedding add-ons and an open vendor policy, The Oaks presents a blank canvas so wedding parties can be as creative as they wish.

The venue is in an incredible location just down the road from St. Mary’s Catholic Church which is termed “The ueen of the Painted Churches,” and only four miles from Schulenburg making it convenient to restaurants, hotels, gas stations, antique stores, and great shopping, and yet has impressive views of the countryside and neighboring hills including a spring-fed creek that runs through I the middle of the property.

“We’re located in the middle of Houston, Austin, San Antonio, ictoria, and College Station. We call it the Golden riangle,’” says Rob. “We’re simultaneously located in the gorgeous countryside and near most major cities in exas.

We feel privileged to be here.”

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CREATIVE WEDDING TRENDS In October 201 , The Oaks opened their barn doors to the first wedding and have been wowing brides and guests ever since.

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Though the majority of their business is weddings, they can also accommodate corporate events & picnics, private events for birthdays, reunions, Christmas parties, and local regional meetings and summits.

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Options for the ceremony include standing under the 1 5-year-old live oak tree. The limbs provide a beautiful natural arch that makes a perfect backdrop. Other options include indoor ceremonies in the main venue hall or on the patio.

In addition to a luxury bridal suite and groom’s salon complete with BB lunch , The Oaks offers on-site decorations which are included in any wedding package.

Selections include table runners, lanterns, backdrops, easels, numerous centerpiece items, signs, and more.

In 2020, the venue hosted around 50 weddings and nearly 60 the following year. Clarissa adds that with the weekends being booked up in advance, the trend is shifting to having a weekday wedding.

“In 2022, we’ll have the honor to do 10 midweek weddings, and we’ll likely pick up some more throughout the year.”

One benefit of doing a wedding during the week is it is more cost-effective as the venue rental itself is cheaper. The majority of the vendors—such as photographers, oral, D & bands, and decorators—are significantly cheaper as well.

Weddings tend to be on the smaller side as the timing can

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PICNICS & PARTIES

RANDI RECHTOROVIC

“We host an annual public market day event in ovember where we help promote local businesses and allow them to showcase their amazing products and services,” Rob says. “We have a large amount of talented people in our area that run small businesses just like us, and this event helps bring more visibility to them.” This past year, over 50 businesses were represented.

Throughout the day there was live music, food & drink available for purchase, games for kids, and Santa even made an appearance.

SLICE OF HEAVEN

Clarissa offers some sage advice to brides looking to book their venue, “Something that sets us apart is that we have tailored our entire venue to creating as much value for our couples as possible.” When touring other venues, Clarissa recommends that couples ask what extras are included, such as on-site accommodations, cleaning, staff, decorations, bartenders, etc. “They should ask what extra fees they will be responsible for, what is the earliest they can arrive for decorating, does the venue offer multiple days for decorating and rehearsal events, does the venue offer a separate entrance and parking for vendors, what special rules will they be responsible for abiding by, etc.,” she adds.

A highly sought-after venue in the area, The Oaks typically books events 12-1 months in advance however, they currently have weddings scheduled as far out as 202 . “March, April, May, October, ovember, and December tend to book up first and are the most highly sought-after months,” Simon says.

“However, we are fortunate enough to be booked year-round.”

Equipped with stunning sunsets and scenic views of the rolling hills, The Oaks is a little slice of heaven in the country—and the perfect setting for any wedding or event.

©The Fayette County Record

Whether it’s in the shadow of the 175 year old ceremony tree, or inside beneath our breathtaking chandeliers; there is sure to be a location that you'll fall in love with.

• All-inclusive Wedding Packages • Multi-day Packages for decorating and rehearsal event space • 10,000 sq. ft. Ballroom • 3,500 sq. ft. outdoor patio & beer garden • Accommodates groups from 50 to 750 people • Luxury two-story bridal suite with 6 make-up stations • Grooms saloon • Indoor and outdoor ceremony options • Covered outdoor bar & patio with seating for up to 250 people • 9 onsite cottages available for rent for friends and family • Honeymoon Suite

WE WOULD LOVE TO BE PART OF YOUR WEDDING CELEBRATION! Call Event Director Clarissa Marshall at Clarissa@highhillweddings.com or 512.228.1351 or visit highhillweddings.com to begin planning your dream wedding day!

Photos by Snap Chic Photography

FEBRUARY 2022 | 11

Hallie & Brady

HALLIE GARLICK AND BRADY BURKS, JUNE 12, 2021 SVETLIK FARM, SCHULENBURG, TEXAS – MOMENTS OF GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY Hallie and Brady Burks were married on June 12, 2021, at Svetlik Farm in Schulenburg, Texas. Hallie is the daughter of Becky and Levi Garlick of La Grange. Brady is the son of Bobby and Cathy Burks of Henderson and Laressia and Lee Weatherford of Bryan. Lindsey Joost with Love and Memories Events of La Grange handled the month of coordination.

The florals were provided by Flower Box of Schulenburg. Grace-Anne Matocha with Moments of Grace Photography was in charge of the photography. Catering was provided by Koopmanns and Coy Heinrich of La Grange did the cake.

Hair was done by Brenna Davis with makeup done by Courtney Janish of La Grange.

The Details

CEREMONY: SVETLIK FARM RECEPTION: SVETLIK FARM PHOTOGRAPHY: MOMENTS OF GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY MONTH OF COORDINATION: LOVE AND MEMORIES EVENTS (LINDSEY JOOST) FLORALS: FLOWER BOX HAIR: BRENNA DAVIS MAKEUP: COURTNEY JANISH CATERING: KOOPMANNS CAKE: COY HEINRICH

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Stories Through Pictures LYDIA FORD HAS A PASSION FOR SHOWCASING THE MAGIC BEHIND MILESTONE MOMENTS

BY KIRSTEN CORNELL

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There’s something about the click of a shutter that freezes time. Capturing moments in life, etching them in film for us to look back on—remember. or Lydia ord, the transformative moment came during her high school years when she participated in earbook and was handed a camera. “I fell in love with that feeling.

Capturing the fun of the moment,” she recalls.

IG DREAMS

A self-proclaimed Anne Geddes fan throughout her teen years, ord held on to that creative drive. “I’ve always wanted people to realize how special they are photography allows me to be creative while focusing on what is unique and lovely about each person I encounter.”

While shooting a wedding as a favor to a friend, it struck ord just how different the world was through her lens—and she wanted to live there. “I was only making around 150 a week at my job at the time,” she remembers. “I had little to lose.”

With a leap of faith and the encouraging support of her husband, she purchased a Mamiya 6 5 medium format film camera and turned a hobby into big dreams, launching Photos by Lydia in uly 2002.

P S AND PODCASTS

Choosing to open her business gave ord an outlet for creativity as well as the freedom to expect something different every day, an aspect she loves. “I absolutely love my work, whether it’s shooting, marketing, corresponding with clients, or designing sets,” she says. “It’s quite the juggling act for one person, but I love the exibility and excitement of being my own boss.”

Like most business owners, she recognizes that at the end of the day, the integrity of the business rests on her. She continually strives for her job to be a blessing to her family and to those who trust her with their special events.

However, owning a business is not without its challenges.

“Weekends, holidays, and evenings are not my own. I put in an insane number of hours shooting and editing during certain seasons,” she explains. “I have to make a very conscious effort to stop working and take time off for myself and my family.”

But the days of editing in P s while listening to a podcast makes up for it. “Mostly it’s about the people I encounter and the relationships I have the privilege of making,” she grins. “Each time I meet someone new and tell their story through pictures, I find what I adore about them, about a couple’s love for each other, about a family’s dynamic and it just inspires me. I also have this amazing experience of getting to know families as they grow, witness the different stages in life, and it never gets old.”

CAPTURING LOVE

What fuels ord’s love for photography is people celebrating what’s special in their lives—babies and brides being some of her favorite subjects. or her, capturing people’s most exciting moments is a gift. “I always feel so honored when someone wants to work with me,” she says. “It’s my goal to capture the love and details of the day that they’ll relive the rest of their lives. I find myself smiling a lot and sometimes even shedding

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a few tears. Weddings are just beautiful, exciting, hopeful, and full of love. How can you not get caught up in all of that?” ord travels anywhere the love takes her but some of her favorite locations include the missions in San Antonio, beaches in lorida, old barns that have been restored for wedding venues in the Schulenburg and Columbus areas, and of course, The Oaks at High Hill.

When it comes to choosing a location for engagements or bridals, it’s about 50 50. Some know exactly what they’re looking for while others are open to a little inspiration, and ord has plenty of that. “When I first meet a couple, I want to find what makes them special and put them at ease. I want the shoot to re ect their relationship in the most beautiful way,” she adds.

She points out that for many couples, engagement portraits are typically the first professional photos that show them as a couple and announce the wedding to their loved ones. Some couples are silly, some romantic, others more serious but for ord, it’s all about their chemistry and showcasing that magic.

OYFUL MOMENTS

On the wedding day, ord is simply a part of the team. “We’re all in it together making sure the bride and groom have an awesome day,” she says with a wide smile. While she works from a mental shot list of special moments honed from 20 years of experience, she welcomes special requests from her brides and grooms. “The people are the most important piece,” she adds. “Pictures are simply there to capture them.” ord is just as happy for her wedding I parties as any of the guests. rom L the final zip up of the bride’s dress to the couple’s first dance, she I can’t get enough. “The moment the groom lays eyes on his bride, the moment after the kiss at the I altar the bride and groom are just so pumped , the bride’s dance P L with her father, first looks prayer before the ceremony, the speeches when the best man maid of honor make themselves vulnerable and share how much they love the couple, the excitement of the going away and saying goodbyes I have too many favorites to list ” she says excitedly.

She encourages brides to choose a photographer whose energy matches their own and someone they feel comfortable with. “Many of my brides have become friends through the years because it’s such an intimate time and you share in so much joy with these ladies,” she adds.

Recent bride Chelsi Besch says, “I cannot say enough about what a wonderful photographer Lydia is. She is so professional, has an incredible eye, and manages to make you feel comfortable and at ease while she’s working away. She is creative and kind and is an absolute joy to work with every step of the way. Her pictures are stunning and her attention to quality and detail is apparent in every piece she creates. She is a true artist ”

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FAMILY & COMMUNITY

When ord does carve out time, she loves to travel and has been to several parts of the world including Mexico, rance, Iceland, Europe, and all over the U.S. While her husband surprised her with a trip to Paris one year for an anniversary, Colorado summers with her family top the list.

“Recently, our family spent 10 days in Ireland, exploring old castles, soaking up epic landscapes, and long sunsets of the most gorgeous countryside my eyes have ever seen,” she says. “I’d love to go back there someday and experience more of the culture.”

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Giving back to the community that has supported her is a priority. or 1 years, her STACY HOLI family utilized their property to host a community Christmas event including hayrides, a petting zoo, arts & crafts, live music, and even visits from Santa. Being a business owner also gives her the opportunity to donate her services and resources to local schools, churches, A, and the community hospital throughout the year.

“This community is supportive. They are so amazing at showing appreciation and just loving on people,” she says. “We’re blessed to be in a community that loves God, country, and each other.”

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Photos by Lydia Let me capture those swept away moments

937-728-0695 | PhotosByLydia.com

Harley & Lawrence

HARLEY LATHAM AND LAWRENCE PADILLA - OCTOBER 9, 2021 FRITZ & FRIEDA’S FARMHOUSE (JERSEY BARNYARD), LA GRANGE, TEXAS MOMENTS OF GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY Harley and Lawrence Padilla were married on October 9, 2021, at Fritz & Frieda’s Farmhouse (Jersey Barnyard) in La Grange, Texas, with a reception following at The Roundup Pavilion Hall in La Grange. Harley is the daughter of Tracy Richter of May, Texas, and Buddy Latham of Milburn, Oklahoma. Lawrence is the son of Michelle Crisler of La Grange and Michael Crisler of La Grange. Samantha Pietsch of Brenham provided the wedding planning. Grace-Anne Matocha with Moments of Grace Photography was in charge of the photography. Catering was provided by Mike and Tara Pietsch. The cake was baked by Shannon Hemmit of Inspired Treats by Naes. The hair was done by Catherine Hill and the makeup was done by Natalie Hernandez. DJing was provided by Lathan Staal of La Gange.

The Details

CEREMONY: FRITZ & FRIEDA’S FARMHOUSE (JERSEY BARNYARD) RECEPTION: ROUNDUP PAVILION HALL PHOTOGRAPHY: MOMENTS OF GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY PLANNING: SAMANTHA PIETSCH HAIR: CATHERINE HILL MAKEUP: NATALIE HERNANDEZ CATERING: MIKE AND TARA PIETSCH CAKE: INSPIRED TREATS BY NAES

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DAS MEYER HAUS AND WEDDINGS

A Good Match

Y DAS MEYER HAUS

When guests first enter the front door of this 1 05 ictorian time capsule, they gasp In a good way It’s the loveliness of the furnishings, the calmness of the house, the striking architectural details and the curated and eclectic artwork that graces the walls in every room. One happy bride had this to say, “I’d definitely recommend staying here with your bridesmaids or family for a wedding. Our photographer got some great shots of all of us, and the home in the background made the pictures extra special. It was the perfect location, and near everything you’d need, and the house was clean and well kept. I would recommend this house to anyone needing a place to stay in Schulenburg ” Brides find this a perfect lodging choice for their wedding party and then as a newly married couple. The beds are comfortable, and the sheets, linens and towels are nice and soft. Plush bathrobes are provided for guests’ use and there is a dressing room off the main bedroom where brides enjoy getting ready for their big event.

Guests also enjoy cozy and chic living, dining, and study areas along with a full laundry. Prenuptial gatherings at the house are easy as the kitchen is fully outfitted to accommodate a wine and cheese celebration or a luncheon or dinner.

Das Meyer Haus’ location is one block from Main Street in Schulenburg and near the Painted Churches and the various reception and wedding venues located in the area. ancy a coffee or bite to eat, want to shop, enjoy cocktails, or take in live entertainment? ust take a short walk or drive around the corner or head towards Main Street.

Das Meyer Haus was purchased in 201 by the present owners, Rochelle and ess Hewitt. “We knew we wanted a vintage home and were delighted when we found this sweet gem”.

They spent a year preparing the property which included everything from the city putting in sidewalks and gutters to installing house skirting and selecting furnishings. Rochelle says when you pay a lot of attention to detail, it just takes time D

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©2021 The Fayette County Record

Your full service provider of distilled spirits, beer, wine and mixers. ©The Fayette County Record

OPEN

MONDAYSATURDAY 10AM  9PM

Your Favorite Drive-Thru Liquor, Beer and Wine Store!

FEBRUARY 2022 | 21

Colorado County

SMALL TOWN CHARM

IG CITY AMENITIES

Y COLUM US CHAM ER OF COMMERCE & VISITORS UREAU

Did you know there’s an abundance of wedding venues available just down the road in Colorado County in locations convenient to just about all of the major cities in exas. As easy drive from Houston, Austin and San Antonio, there are nearly a dozen venues, offering a wide variety of styles and atmospheres for couples to choose from, whether they’re seeking an elegant affair or an outdoor rustic gathering. The venues are all different sizes for a grand wedding with several hundred guests, or a small and intimate gathering of the couple’s closest family and friends. There are also venues perfect for rehearsal dinners, bride’s parties, or bachelor’s parties.

The four biggest and most popular venues in Colorado County are the Stafford Opera House, the Live Oak Art Center, Schneider Hall, and the St. Roch Parish Hall. Other venues include the Historic Brandon House, Riverview Ranch, Columbus Hall, the Colorado County airgrounds, and the Columbus Golf Course Clubhouse.

The Stafford Opera House is the pinnacle of old-time elegance and is very spacious. The iconic facade immediately sets the stage for special events. Guests enter a space that’s alive with historic charm and bygone grandeur where, in its heyday, guests once arrived by horse and carriage to attend performances. oday, visitors can still feel that original elegance through the well-preserved architecture and period interiors of the historic building. The neutral color palette provides the perfect backdrop to design each event. The Grand Hall upstairs accommodates up to 250 people with a space for a dance oor, or 00 people without, depending on table layout. It is also a perfect ceremony location, accommodating as many as 50 guests in theaterstyle seating. Downstairs, the Buddy Rau Room can hold 0 to 125 guests in its open-concept space, depending on seating arrangements. It is perfect to make an impact on guests while also helping the Columbus Historical Preservation rust continue to restore and preserve this beautiful piece of exas history.

If a couple is looking for their wedding to be a vibrant and cultural experience, they could have their wedding at the Live Oak Art Center, located in the 1 1 Brunson Building in Columbus’ Historic District. It was incorporated in 1 6, and is an independent nonprofit organization that showcases innovative contemporary art. There is 00 square feet available in the downstairs gallery and 1200 square feet in the upstairs gallery. There is also a beautiful, brick outdoor courtyard with a serving area that can accommodate close to 100 people that is the perfect extension for a gathering, whether indoors or out. The Live Oak Art Center can also provide all of the amenities needed for any event, including event planning, tables and chairs, linens, table settings, and catering.

Whereas the Opera House represents “old-time elegance,” Schneider Hall epitomizes “old-time funky,” according to anet

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Hollman, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Events Director.

It is an original exas Dance Hall, nestled in a grove of ancient oaks and surrounded by rolling grasslands. It has been restored and is located on a 1 5-acre farm that offers the rustic charm and comfortable setting that only a dance hall can bring you. The dance hall operated throughout the 1 0s before closing in 1 2 but continued to host events through the 1 50s. It was then used for hay storage until 200 , when renovations began so that it could host a wedding reception. Every effort was taken to ensure the original integrity of the dance hall. Old wood from other structures was used, standalone bathrooms were built, a large deck was added to the rear of the hall, and water and electricity were included once the renovations were completed in May of 2010. While there is no air conditioning, the many large windows that open up allow a comfortable breeze to ow through the building. Acres and acres of beautiful, 100-year-old live oak trees adorn the property.

Couples can experience their own fairy tale as they walk amidst the oaks and dance under twinkling lights with those they love most. Schneider Hall offers a wide array of packages and services customized to fit each couple’s version of happily ever after. or the couple looking for a casual, country setting, St. Roch Parish Hall Mentz Hall is the location for you. Located off relsburg Road in the unincorporated community of Mentz, the hall is just eight miles from downtown Columbus and a short 5 miles from La Grange. Mentz Hall is waiting for your dream wedding under a stand of beautiful oak trees at the end of a long driveway that passes the charming St. Roch Catholic Church on the property that has been a continuous operating parish since the early 1 50s.

Mentz Hall offers a large hall, a smaller hall, and an exceptionally large pavilion that may be used separately or combined to fit your needs. The hall has both round and rectangle tables plus all the chairs you will need to seat 00- 50 and the covered pavilion offers seating for just as many with picnic tables on-site. The modern, large food-prep kitchen is also available for your use. The beautiful thing about St. Roch Parish Hall is that it can be “dressed up or dressed down” depending on your preferences. There is even a wonderful playground for your littlest guests to keep busy.

These venues in Colorado County are the perfect destination in part due to the county’s location. or example, there are many situations where a bride’s family lives in aty and the groom’s family lives in Austin, and Colorado County has proven to be the perfect midway point between both cities. There are also hotels, bed and breakfasts, caterers, photographers, stylists, orists everything a bride would need for a wedding of her dreams, right there in the county. Even if a couple from La Grange is just looking to get out of ayette County, they can have their wedding in Columbus, and then be home in 25 minutes afterwards. Lots of variety can be found without having to travel so far away.

THE MOST ENTERTAINING

Gameshow Company in Texas Y TE AS RED ENTERTAINMENT exas Red Entertainment specializes in delivering a variety of different type of gameshows that will challenge and entertain you at your special event.

seasonal and local. We can even create specific trivia about the bride or groom to be. We provide all the equipment we can connect to your or bring a projector. We provide a trophy or party favors to the winners.

They will work with you to find just the right gameshow for your bachelorette party as well as a host that will be a good match for your group.

EVENT CONSULTATION If you have questions about what we can do for your event or venue, we are happy to speak with you? We will be happy to get back with you as quickly as possible to help you pick just the right show for you. Schedule an event consultation with exas Red Entertainment. ogether, you can figure out what your entertainment needs are. There is no contracts. o upfront payment. Cancel anytime. We can host our games at your one-time event or set up weekly or monthly shows depending upon your needs.

“We are a mom and pop business our games are really personalized,” said Gail “Red” Gee, Proprietor of exas Red Entertainment. exas Red Entertainment, owned by Gail “Red” and Billy Gee, is based out of Leander. exas Red has expanded to the ayette County area with trivia at local bars, breweries and wineries. But what exas Red has to offer doesn’t stop there. “We will go out of our way to make sure your guests have a smile on their face,” said Gail.

Texas Red Entertainment’s team of highly professional and entertaining hosts, including Texas Red herself, deliver game shows such as: TRIVIA A slide presentation is displayed on your televisions or exas Red can use one of their projectors throwing up a big display on your wall. This gives your customers something to visualize as well as listen to.

NAME THAT TUNE INGO Bingo cards, daubers and musical song clips make this one of our most entertaining games that in some cases attracts hundreds of customers a night.

GAME SHOW NIGHT This game features a slideshow with four of your favorite daytime gameshow themes.

DIRTY WORDY This is an adult themed show which will always has people hootin’ & hollerin’. Perfect for bachelorette and bachelor parties.

CUSTOMI ED SHOWS We can also provide custom themed games depending upon your needs. These are always great for birthday parties, wedding events and special events.

MUCH MORE We also offer more traditional entertainment such as poker and karaoke.

AN ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE Besides producing weekly or monthly shows for restaurants and bars, we also produce shows for the following types of events.

P C W A or venue events, exas Red’s speciality is attracting and entertaining your customers and more importantly, keeping them there.

Dirty Wordy is a set of adult themed games that is perfect for bachelorette parties. The Dirty Wordy games contain three to four rounds and lasts about two hours.

Games included with Dirty Wordy are Red’s Rhymes, Rude eud, Urban Dictionary and Wheel of Misfortune. Red’s Rhymes is a rhyme game with slightly naughty answers. Rude eud or amily eud After Dark is like the television game show amily eud but with inappropriate answers. Urban Dictionary is a game where you guess the answer based on two definitions. The first clue with the Urban Dictionary game is the normal dictionary definition and the second clue is the Urban Dictionary definition. Wheel of Misfortune is a lot like the television game show Wheel of ortune but the solution to the puzzle is geared to the adult crowd. Red even has a big wheel to spin. “The Dirty Wordy game is a great ice breaker,” said Gail. “It introduces people. It’s a great way to bring people together.”

Currently exas Red Entertainment hosts over 120 gameshows a month in the central exas area. exas Red continues to recruit new hosts and acquire new venues every week. They provide live interactive audio and visual games, with original content and an entertaining host. All of the material is written by the folks at exas Red Entertainment. It is

FEBRUARY 2022 | 23

Ashleigh & Caleb

ASHLEIGH REID AND CALEB PARKS - OCTOBER 23, 2021 LUTHERHILL MINISTRIES, LA GRANGE, TEXAS - MOMENTS OF GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY Ashleigh and Caleb Parks were married on October 23, 2021, at Lutherhill Ministries in La Grange, Texas. Ashleigh is the daughter of Julie and Chris Reid of Beaumont, Texas. Caleb is the son of Julie and Tommy Holmes of Trinity and Jason Parks engaged to Laurie Stork of La Grange. Kimberlee Denham with Oh Happy Day Events of La Grange was the Day of Coordinator. Grace-Anne Matocha with Moments of Grace Photography was in charge of the photography.

Catering was provided by Werners Steakhouse in Shiner. The cake was made by Sweets by Southeast. Hair was done

by Brenna Davis of La Grange with makeup done by Shelby Beseda of La Grange. DJing was provided by Alright Boyz Entertainment of Victoria.

The Details

CEREMONY: LUTHERHILL MINISTRIES RECEPTION: LUTHERHILL MINISTRIES PHOTOGRAPHY: MOMENTS OF GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY DAY OF COORDINATOR: OH HAPPY DAY EVENTS (KIMBERLEE DENHAM) FLORALS: MISTY KYLE HAIR: BRENNA DAVIS MAKEUP: SHELBY BESEDA CATERING: WERNERS STEAKHOUSE IN SHINER CAKE: SWEETS BY SOUTHEAST DJ: ALRIGHT BOYZ ENTERTAINMENT

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FEBRUARY 2022 | 25

Bachelorette Glamping LONE STAR GLAMP INN IS CAMPING IN STYLE Y LONE STAR GLAMP INN

Glamp Inn, America’s only indoor glampground, features ten vintage campers and eighteen large teepees each designed with bright and bold themes in climate-controlled comfort. Each unit has something unique and unexpected. We specialize in bachelorette parties, family reunions, wedding receptions, retreats, birthday parties, ANY reason to celebrate! Our guests love that they can gather in the big, open areas, and have their privacy inside their little camper or teepee. We know it’s not “real” camping, but it’s our way to repurpose the buildings and preserve the vintage campers for guests to enjoy for years to come. And who doesn’t love the Great Indoors, especially in Texas!

Our road to Round Top started way back in the 70’s. My husband, Sterling, spent many weekends during his childhood running through the woods at his uncle’s area ranch. In 2004, we renewed our vows in the “World’s Smallest Catholic Church” on Hwy 237 and in 2013 we purchased the Old Car Museum from his uncle.

Years of experimenting with the space led to this unique lodging idea and we haven’t looked back! We had no idea how much joy would come from hosting happy glampers! Our guests love staying up late, sharing memories, and waking up to continue the

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conversation with a hot cup of coffee in one of our cozy seating areas. Most of the time when you travel, you’re excited about what you are going to do, not necessarily where you’re staying. A hotel is a hotel. At the Glamp Inn, the lodging IS the main event and our guests would agree! We’ve hosted many bachelorette parties, wedding receptions, and we’ve even had wedding parties that wanted to get to know each other better before the big day stay with us. And since you have the whole space to yourself, you can dance and karaoke the night away!

During Antiques Week and other big events in Round Top, the units are rented individually, but the rest of the year it is rented to groups. The buildings sleep up to 56 and are available to reserve in sections of 16 to 20 guests. Each unit is equipped with two twin beds with restrooms centrally located, think bathhouse with private stalls, just steps away from your glamper. Other amenities include big screen tvs, microwaves, coffee bars, refrigerators, a ping pong table, a pool table, a piano and a foosball table. We’re excited about our future plans that include adding an outdoor kitchen area, firepit and rooftop bar! For an unforgettable experience check out www. lonestarglampinn.com or call Kaci at 512-797-9815.

©The Fayette County Record

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Have your next family reunion, bachelorette party, girl's weekend or birthday party at Glamp Inn! We house 10 vintage glampers and 18 yurts in the great indoors in the heart of Warrenton!

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LoneStarGlampInn.com | 512-797-9815

The Dujka Brothers

John & Mark

Ready to make your wedding reception a hit!

Playing a wide variety of music; from classic country & rock, to Czech polka. ©2021 The Fayette County Record

John Dujka-pianist/vocalist.

Exquisite music for your wedding!

Call or text John Dujka 979-277-5374 or email johndujka@mac.com FEBRUARY 2022 | 27

Hannah & Tyler

HANNAH ZUHN AND TYLER CHAMBLESS - DECEMBER 31, 2021 PEACH CREEK RANCH, COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - MOMENTS OF GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY Hannah and Tyler Chambless were married on December 31, 2021, at Peach Creek Ranch in College Station, Texas.

Hannah is the daughter of Lori and Michael Zuhn of La Grange. Tyler is the son of Rebecca and Daniel Chambless.

Uniquely Set Event Management took care of the wedding planning. Grace-Anne Matocha with Moments of Grace Photography was in charge of the photography. Videography was done by Texan Bride. Florals were provided by H-E-B. Catering was provided by Smitty K. Entertainment was provided by Southern Style Entertainment. Hair and makeup were provided by Blushed + Beauty. The cake was made by PJ Wynne.

The Details

CEREMONY: PEACH CREEK RANCH RECEPTION: PEACH CREEK RANCH PHOTOGRAPHY: MOMENTS OF GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY VIDEOGRAPHER: TEXAN BRIDE PLANNING: UNIQUELY SET EVENT MANAGEMENT FLORALS: H-E-B HAIR + MAKEUP: BLUSHED + BEAUTY CATERING: SMITTY K CAKE: PJ WYNNE ENTERTAINMENT: SOUTHERN STYLE ENTERTAINMENT

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