Sunday, we had a great turnout at the Bridal Association of Brazos Valley Spring Bridal Show. There were our usual favorite vendors and lots of brides to come by and say hello! While we were there, we learned a lot about what our brides are looking for, and how we can improve your bridal show experience.

Many brides are at square one. But make no mistake. You’ve done your homework. Chances are you already know about us from our website or facebook page. You have questions to ask your potential venue, and you want to know about details you may not have thought of.  One bride simply stated, “We’re just here to see if we’ve forgotten anything, which brings us to our first point.

You want to know what you do not know. The vendors’ job at shows is to give you valuable information that you might not have thought about. They are there to answer any question you might have, whether it’s about what their business offers or even general wedding questions. We know for most brides, this is your first wedding and you are looking for people you can trust to make your day happen.

Keep a notebook handy. By the time the show ends, your brain is on overload, and you won’t be able to keep everyone straight. If you write down your favorites you’ll be able to sort through your materials later and set aside what you’ll need.

Follow up within a week or so after the show, while the information you gathered is still fresh. Make an appointment to talk with wedding planners or visit potential venues. Try to bring as many of the people who will be helping you make the decision with you as you can. Otherwise, you’ll be making multiple trips.

Ask the vendors who they recommend.  Most have the inside scoop in dealing with other vendors in the wedding business and can give you some valuable leads. If they do offer suggestions, be sure and ask them why. You’ll get some more insight into what is important.

Set goals as to what you want to take home from the bridal show. Do you want to walk away with the names of three florists you’d like to obtain quotes from? Are you ready to book a site visit for the ceremony or reception venue? Try to take care of some aspect of the decision making process while you are there. Many vendors are ready to book you an appointment when you visit their booth!

Bridal Shows are a great place to get ideas for your wedding as it progresses from dream to reality. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a digital camera, take plenty of pictures, and you’ll make the most of your day!

Wedding Coordinator: Susan Keough, A Moment in Time

Floral: Bobbi Padgett, Unforgettable Floral

Photography: Stancy Higley, Katie Pinson, Half Orange Photography for more gorgeous photos, click here.

Catering: Cafe Eccel.

Cake: AllyCakes

Entertainment: Shawn Jennings and the Southern Roots Band

Lighting: Travis Rollins, Texas Entertainment

Other: Prestigious Event Rentals

Venue: Rock Lake Ranch

(Photography Michael Kellett)

Wedding Coordinator: Susan Keough, A Moment in Time

Photography: Michael Kellett, Michael Kellett Professional Photography

Floral: Bobbi Padgett, Unforgettable Floral

Ceremony Music: BCS String Quartet

Catering: Global Event Group

Wedding Cake: Cakes By Blondie

Entertainment:  Attic Productions

Carriage: Hidden Oasis Carriage Company

Other: Party Time Rentals

Prestigious Event Rentals

Venue: Rock Lake Ranch

Congratulations on your Ribbon Cutting! Rock Lake Ranch is a beautiful facility! Welcome to the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce!

Wedding Coordinator: Susan Keough, A Moment in Time

Photography: Kristen and Tim Fidelis, Fidelis Photography

Floral: Bobbi Padgett, Unforgettable Floral

Wedding Cake: Cakes By Blondie

Catering: Buppy’s Catering

Entertainment:  Attic Productions

Venue: Rock Lake Ranch

More about Sarah and Nic’s wedding here from My BCS Wedding

(Thanksgiving 2008) As of this moment, my oven is out and the dishwasher is not bolted in. The washer dances across the room, and the dryer tosses the clothes but blows cold air. That’s just the list of things I know aren’t quite right yet as we prepare to have Thanksgiving dinner at our ranch home for the first time since it’s been “finished.”

We are preparing madly to make sure we have all kinds of food, dishes, tables, chairs, but if the bird won’t cook, we’re in a little hot water!

Our Thanksgivings are never dull. Once I almost set the kitchen on fire just minutes before the guests arrived. My mother had requested a corn casserole at the last minute and I accommodated. I threw it all together and as soon as it was ready, I pulled it out of the oven and put it on the back of the stove (which was left on high) and ran to get my shower. Minutes later, Mike was yelling “Come here. The pyrex is imploding on itself.” Sure enough, the glass dish was not only cracking and dropping melted glass on my linoleum, but Mike had pulled it off directly onto the formica counter, and left a burn ring on it. The vision of a wonderful smelling home vanished as burnt plastic permeated the air. That was the year insurance paid for us to remodel the kitchen. On another occasion, I cooked the turkey to perfection, only to find a plastic bag right in the middle of a very inappropriate cavity. Who knew there were two bags of that goop? I won’t bore you with all the Jello failures I have had–no kidding–Jello! Truth be known, I can put a meal together when I want, but there is nothing like a crazy morning when lots of company are on their way. There simply are no guarantees.

What’s on your menu this year? Will you be home or away? Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving. Wherever you are, remember with me our Gracious Provider.

I also find it handy to keep my garden work gloves and clippers with me in the door pocket of my car.  I am always ready to discover a beautiful branch or pyrocantha that I want to bring home to a glass vase on the table.  In the spring, I am looking forward to finding plenty of  “roadsidia”  (the tongue in-cheek,  scientific term) to share with you, especially the Texas wildflowers in splendor and bounty. You can be certain that I’ll be ready with camera and clippers in hand.

My pruning clippers and gloves

Pyracantha in full bloom near the entrance to the ranch.

]]> http://www.rocklakeranch.com/2010/11/lessons-from-the-ranch/feed/ 0 http://www.rocklakeranch.com/2010/10/october-birds/ http://www.rocklakeranch.com/2010/10/october-birds/#comments Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:35:08 +0000 TMG http://www.rocklakeranch.com/?p=226