Venue – Weddings by Wendy Rose

A Thrifty Wedding

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0000

A Thrifty Wedding

Coco Dietz

As of a 2023 statistic the American Wedding industry makes around 2.24 million dollars annually. While the average cost of a wedding depends on the state that you live in, here in Texas the average cost of a wedding is $30,200 whereas the most costly state to be married in is New Jersey with $53,400.

Although a wedding is a, typically, once in a lifetime event that most brides hold very dear in the planning because they have dreamed of what this momentous event would look like. Planning a wedding on a budget can be stressful with the overwhelming costs piling up higher and higher. Here are some ideas to help cut some costs for your big day.

Fake Flowers:

Having artificial flowers for your wedding day has had a negative connotation associated with it for many years now, but flax flowers have come a long way in the last decade. Flowers are used everywhere in a wedding. Not only do all of the bridal party members need either bouquets or boutonnieres, but they are also used in the decoration all around the reception and the ceremony space as well. Having artificial flowers can cut down on the cost significantly. In 2023 the average number that was spent on flowers for a wedding was $2,300. Whereas the cost of artificial flowers is between $500-$1,000, which is a significant decrease in cost.

No Reception Dinner:

One of the higher costs for a wedding is the cost of catering. Depending on the catering company as well as the number of attendants to the reception dinner will alter the end cost of a reception dinner. However, some brides choose to forego the reception dinner in a way to cut some of the costs of the wedding as a whole. Setting the wedding in the early afternoon and then serving snacks and refreshments at the reception instead of the big dinner.

Venue:

It is generally suggested when making a wedding budget that you should set aside around 30% of your allotted money just for the venue. Your venue will most likely be the most costly expense that you will encounter during your wedding planning. Consider wedding planning having your venue in a local outdoor venue such as a park or in nature, generally the costs are lower than having your wedding in a major venue. Having weddings in churches or other religious organizations buildings has lessened in popularity in the last few years; however, having your wedding in a religious building is much less expensive than choosing a wedding venue.

Cutting costs in the wedding can be stressful and as well as be embarrassing for some brides who might not have their dream wedding budget and having to face those dreaded cuts. But the important thing to remember when planning and cutting as you count down the days till your “I do” is to enjoy this time and find whatever works for you and your fiance and know that at the end of that very planned out day, you will be getting to marry your fiance, and that’s all that really matters.

4 West Texas Venues with Personality

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

4 West Texas Venues with Personality

Kristin Rodin

Perhaps one of the most important decisions to make when planning a wedding is the venue. With so many considerations to keep in mind, choosing the right venue can be time consuming. For couples looking for flexibility, a unique atmosphere, and something close to home, here are four locally owned venues for weddings of any size:

Tin Top Gin

Located just down the road in Slaton, Texas, Tin Top Gin is a unique small-town gem. Featuring two venues on the property, The Pearl stands out as the favored wedding venue, accommodating up to 650 people with its indoor and outdoor spaces. While it underwent an elegant makeover, this historic building still has its original character and is perfect for a West Texas wedding.

Sophia’s Place

There’s no place like Sophia’s Place for an intimate celebration. This historic downtown building features exposed brick walls, large windows and rustic chandeliers for a modern yet rustic venue. It accommodates up to 250 people, is an open vendor location, and offers a full kitchen, bride and groom suites, and a small patio to enjoy West Texas evenings.

Historic Baker Building

For a refined and timeless celebration, look no further than the Historic Baker Building in downtown Lubbock. The building’s old-world architecture makes for a stunning backdrop and the venue features a bridal suite on the second floor, a full bar, and seats around 200 guests. Plus, with over 23 years of event planning experience, you can rest assured your wedding will go off without a hitch!

Prima Vista Venue and Event Center

Go big or go home, right? No party is too big for Prima Vista Event Center, and that includes weddings! This veteran-owned event space has a capacity for 1,000 seated guests, parking for 300 cars, and offers a full bar and lounge, private dressing rooms, and professional light and sound systems. The property welcomes outside catering, and with equipment provided to help with decorating this massive space, there’s no limit to your imagination.

While Lubbock has much to offer, these locally owned venues stand out for their unique character and accommodations. There’s no doubt you’ll have an unforgettable celebration at any of these locations!

What the Area has to Offer

Courtney Dietz — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0000

What the Area has to Offer

Coco Dietz

Woodrow House

Wanting the feel of going far away without actually getting too far away from home? The Woodrow House would be a perfect Honeymoon Spot for you! Whether it’s just your first night as a married couple or a comfortable week in this local spot, you will have the comfort of home while not being thousands of dollars away. This cute B&B offers downtown charm with the comfort and charm of being with family.

2629 19th St., Lubbock TX 79410 806-793-3330

The Ranch at Reese

Dreaming of that Perfect Venue? The Ranch at Reese offers the charm of West Texas with the rustic fun that will make memories to last. They offer both inside as well as outside venue options with the guest list ranging from 50 – 500. Perfect for the large wedding of your dreams down to the intimate wedding with just your closest friends and family.

1910 Research Blvd, Lubbock TX 79407 806-778-0551

Tin Top Gin

You will feel right at home in this true West Texas wedding venue, this converted cotton gin is the perfect place for a rustic and country wedding close to home. Not only will you have a beautiful setting for the wedding of your dreams but you will also be a part of a slice of history along with your big day. You will have the option of two venues, The Pearl and The Willow. This space offers both inside and outside options housing 600+ people!

100 W Dawson St., Slaton TX 79364 806-828-9774

Prima Vista

This versatile space offers a great backdrop to whatever wedding theme and ideas you may have! Wanting to have live music? This space will be perfect for you! This space hosts many different types of events including live musical performances.

402 N. FM 179, Lubbock TX 79416 806-392-5729

Hillcrest Country Club

This beautiful local venue has the elegance and poise of a place beyond its time. This location will create a sophisticated ambiance and memories that will last for years to come. Worried about not being a member? Not a problem! This venue offers deals for both members and non members! With a selection of indoors or out of doors in their luscious greenery any wedding could work here!

4011 North Boston Ave. Box 5116, Lubbock TX 79408 806-765-6601

100 W Dawson St., Slaton TX 79364 806-828-9774

Grand Central Venue

This beautiful space offers incredible indoor venue options that would be a perfect spot for any wedding! Their large ballrooms offer a space that would be perfect to house dancing to start off your wedding celebration with fun!

1219 Avenue J, Lubbock TX 79401 806-790-5454

The Grandeur and Stress of a Large Wedding

Courtney Dietz — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0000

The Grandeur and Stress of a Large Wedding

Alice Briggs

What You Need to Know

Big weddings are a traditional and grand way to celebrate a couple’s union, but they also come with several pros and cons.

One major pro of having a big wedding is the opportunity to celebrate with many friends and family members. This can be especially meaningful for couples with large extended families or those who have a lot of close friends. A big wedding also allows couples to host a grand and lavish event, complete with a large reception and many special touches.

There are also several cons to having a big wedding. One major con is the cost. Big weddings can be very expensive, and many couples may go into debt in order to pay for the event. They can be quite stressful to plan, especially for couples who are not used to organizing large events. Finally, the wedding day itself can be overwhelming for the bride and groom, who may feel like they are on display the entire time.

A big wedding can be impersonal. With so many guests, it can be difficult for the couple to have meaningful conversations with everyone and can feel like they are just going through the motions. They may also feel like they are missing out on the more intimate moments that a smaller wedding would allow.

Big weddings have their pros and cons. They offer the opportunity for a grand celebration with many friends and family members, but they can also be very expensive and stressful to plan. Couples should weigh the pros and cons carefully and decide what is most important to them before deciding on the size of their wedding. Ultimately, the most important thing is that the couple is happy, and the wedding reflects their personal style and personalities.

Considerations for Weekend Weddings

Alice Briggs — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 05:02:00 +0000

Considerations for Weekend Weddings

Alice Briggs

If you have close friends and family who live far away or you just want to minimize the stress on your big day, a weekend wedding may be perfect for you. We found a statistic that up to 80% of couples are choosing 2-3 day wedding festivities. More than rehearsal dinner the night before with the wedding the next day, these weekend events are a slower pace yet full of quality time with attendees.

A common Schedule:

Day 1 – the welcome party. A time for your friends and family to gather with you and celebrate the upcoming nuptials.

Day 2 – the main event. Breakfast or brunch in the morning. Getting ready early afternoon with the ceremony and reception late afternoon or evening.

Day 3 – the farewell brunch. A relaxed time with those you love before you take off for your honeymoon.

Some things to consider if this extended celebration sounds perfect for you:

Feel free to scale down the catering. Instead of one meal, you may be providing 4-5 over the weekend. Consider party platters from your favorite restaurant or simple cold cut sandwiches and veggie trays. Maybe a baked potato bar. Depending on your or your guests’ dietary preferences and needs, as well as the number of people included, you can be as creative as you need.

While you’re getting ready, offer your guests other activities on site or off. If you’re also planning a destination wedding, the venue will likely have options provided for you and your guests.
Feel free to extend the weekend out earlier, rather than after the ceremony if that works better for you and your honeymoon plans. Day 2 could be fun events for all with Day 3 the main event.

This is your day, choose the plan that suits you!

Gone West for the Wedding

Alice Briggs — Sun, 05 Jun 2022 01:20:49 +0000

Gone West for the Wedding

By Heather Jones

Oh West, Texas; where there’s lots of dirt, wind, and the smell of cow manure after a peaceful rainfall. Where the people are kind, the community bleeds red and black, and you can always count on a “guns up” wherever you go. Where the food is good, the roads aren’t full of traffic, and the town feels like home – no matter where you come from. If you are planning on getting married in good ole West Texas, well, you have a plethora of options available.

The Ranch at Reese Event Center, Lubbock

Sophia’s Place, Lubbock

Prima Vista, Lubbock

Tin Top Gin, Lubbock

Hillcrest Country Club, Lubbock

Each of these venues have different aspects to admire and various features that make them unique. Whether you’re wanting a more rustic vibe, a classy feel, a fancy evening, or a casual celebration – you are bound to find your perfect venue right here in Lubbock, TX!

Now, who said that West Texas only had dirt? If they just drove around, experienced the city, and embraced all that Lubbock has to offer… they would understand why people that come to West, Texas normally find a reason to stick around. Lubbock is so very special, so allow this town to make your wedding day the most special too.

Avoiding Outdoor Ceremony Accidents

Alice Briggs — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 02:26:00 +0000

By Madison Rodriguez

In the height of the pandemic, many people are considering outdoor ceremonies for their wedding! An outdoor wedding ceremony is a perfect way to socially distance while keeping your loved ones close. Here is a list of reminders for an outdoor wedding so your wedding goes off without a hitch!

Don’t Forget a Microphone

We have all been to a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony. The floral arrangements are dressed to the nines, beautiful white chairs as far as the eye can see, and a happy couple at the end of an aisle ready to make the commitment of a lifetime. Oh no! As soon as they start to say their vows, there is a loud gust of wind and no one can hear the soon-to-be-married pair. How do you avoid this mishap during your wedding? Do not fear! Adding a simple microphone to your outdoor ceremony will ensure that you and your fiancé will be heard by the back row of your audience.

Sun Day

Everyone says sun day- fun day, but the sun is not so fun when it is in the eyes of your guests at your wedding ceremony! To avoid people squinting at your outdoor ceremony, plan to place your outdoor ceremony on the opposite side of where the sun is shining. Placing your ceremony in the right place will ensure that your wedding ceremony will be sunny, visible, and picture perfect for your guests!

Critter Catastrophe

Mosquito bites are the worst, and no one wants to obtain one while supporting their kin at a wedding. Getting a company to spray your outdoor venue with bug spray before the ceremony will minimalize the bothersome critters that will inevitably attend your ceremony.

There you have it! These three tips will ensure that everyone at your gorgeous outdoor wedding ceremony will have a great time!