Venue: CasaBlanca on Brushy Creek- A - I am not a bride that needs constant contact, so Lee Ann was perfect for me. I contacted her about a month before the event to give her all of our vendor details and work out the day of timeline and tie up loose ends, and she took care of the rest. I got the impression from her that she is more involved in the planning with most of her brides, but our wedding wasn’t complicated at all, so I didn’t need her help. She did a beautiful job of decorating and herding people the day of and I couldn’t be happier with her. Catering: Exquisite Cuisine- A+- We contacted Liz with our budget and a request for pot roast and heavy vegetable sides, with a Mediterranean appetizer. She came up with the menu (in my bio) and all of our guests absolutely loved it. We served family style, and everything came out on platters with more than enough food for the people at the table. It was slightly cool when we got it but that had to do with the fact that Casa Blanca’s catering kitchen is across the yard from the dining room and it was 45 outside. We received so many compliments on the food, and my aunt even caught up with Liz to try to get a couple recipes out of her. Cake: Simon Lee- B - Simon Lee has the best tasting cake in town, hands down. They are pricy, however. H was convinced that this is the cake we should get so we adjusted our budget to be able to afford it. The wedding cake was exactly as ordered, delicious and beautiful. 
However, FI’s cake, which should have been a simple edible image and icing, was cracked and sloppy looking, not worth the nearly $400 it cost. See pic below
. I wish I would have been around when they delivered it. I’ve seen better fondant jobs at grocery stores. His cake, and another saga regarding it, were the only downers to the day. BUT, both cakes were delicious and we got lots of good comments from our guests
Alcohol: We served beer (Real Ale) and wine only, so we bought it all at Spec’s Round Rock. They get a big A+++. They were easy to work with, had great prices, and delivered it all, along with champagne and 130 lbs of ice for only a $35 fee. We got the 10% discount for paying with cash, so we really saved big here. We have plenty left over, though. I wish I hadn’t bought as much, but that was my fault. I bought a few cases of soda at HEB and everyone was taken care of.
Officiant: Rev. Joe Calovic- A - Rev. Joe is very nice and easy going. I am not marking off for him butchering H’s name, because its foreign, and at least we could tell who he was talking about. We got to pick from an extensive selection of vows and ceremony pieces and he was open to incorporating as much or as little Jesus as we wanted. My dad made a joke while giving me away and Rev. Joe just rolled with it. Well worth the $235 fee.
Hair- Vicky Ackermann/ Bliss at SalonsRepublic- A+ - I know Vicky outside of her hair business, but just started going to her a couple months before the wedding. I was so impressed that I booked her at my first hair cut. Her prices are very reasonable, she did all 5 of us in less than 2 hours, and we all got compliments on her hair. My nephew thought my mom was wearing a wig, it looked so good!
Makeup- Jenny Wible/ Creative Edge Bridal- A+- Jenny is amazing with makeup and is both friendly and professional at the same time. She put my MIL at ease, made my mom glamourous, and even gave a small lesson to my little sister, all while keeping us on a tight schedule. She actually cold called me after the bridal show, and I’m so glad I didn’t hang up on her. She is well worth her fee!
Flowers- Donna Foster at Central Market- A+++- Donna doesn’t do email, but don’t let that deter you. She is easy to get a hold of by phone, and her work is amazing. I gave her my colors, fave flower (callas) and a budget and this is what she came up with:
I almost cried when I saw them. My godmother, who paid for the flowers as my wedding present, was amazed at how much I got for the money, and very impressed with how they looked. I didn’t want to put my bouquet down all night, it was so pretty. DJ- Blake Hunter- A - Blake is a great DJ. He was recommended by CasaBlanca and he did not disappoint. He played everything like he was supposed to and was really good at improvising. Photographer- Daniel Grove- A- Daniel was late, but called to let us know the status. That was fine with us because H’s father was lost, so we couldn’t take family pictures early like we planned anyway. Daniel is a super sweet person and got along well with everyone. I think he had a great time, as well. Search for him on Facebook to see his portfolio, and then book him soon before his fees go up. I swear by next year he’ll be so popular that you won’t be able to get a great deal like we did. Transportation- Austin Clean Air Limo- A+- We booked them to show up at 10:30, but our guests were all gone by 9:30 (kids, older people, etc) so we asked them to come earlier, and they sent someone right away. We were staying at the airport Hilton, so they charged us the regular airport transfer rate of r$108, which was cheaper than Austin Black Car Service, AND they use fuel efficient vehicles, which is a plus for me.Dress and Alterations: Alexia Gavela- A+++++- I could not be happier with the service I received from Geri at AG. Their seamstress is a miracle worker, and I’ll definitely be taking other dresses to her in the future for alteration. Everyone should visit AG at least once to shop with them and see what you find. Geri is amazing at matching people to dream dresses, and so sweet overall. Etsy Seller: 9:14 Studios- Big Fat F- I commissioned a custom polymer clay sculpture for H’s grooms cake, in May. It was promised at the beginning of September. The last communication I received, last Wednesday, said it was finally finished but they couldn’t get it to me before Saturday morning so they didn’t ship it at all and wanted to give me a refund. This was after months of “You’ll have it in the next couple weeks”. I don’t want a refund. I want the sculpture, especially if it is finished like they say it is. I emailed them that much, but haven’t heard anything else. If I don’t have a package from them when I get back from Kauai next week, I’m going to have to call them...again. The could have told me months ago that it wouldn’t be done so I could get someone else to do it, but they didn’t, and that’s why they get an F. Etsy Seller: OWD Jewelry- A- Fast shipping and item was just as described. It was gorgeous and matched my dress perfectly: 
Money saving tip: I bought all of our dishes, glassware and silverware at Target after New Years. It was on clearance for less than I could rent it. I also bought all of our table linens and centerpiece glassware at the Marquee Rentals garage sale this summer. I intended on selling them here afterwards, but CasaBlanca ended up buying the whole lot from me. So we bought for less than we could rent and then recovered about half by selling it to the venue. Great deal if you can get it. If you have any questions about these reviews or want contact info, please email me at richardloghinwedding at gmail dot com for page me on the Snarky Brides board. Happy Planning!