Fabulous FG Friday Cocktail: Prickly Pear Margarita

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If you're a native Texan, then it's likely that you've seen Prickly Pear Margaritas, but have you ever attempted to make them yourself?  They're actually very easy (and oh-so-yummy!)

 The Fairy Godmother Prickly Pear Margarita

6 parts Tequila blanco
1 part Paula's Texas Orange
2 1/2 parts lime juice
3 parts prickly pear syrup (found it in the syrup section at Spec's Liquor)

Pour over ice and serve!

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Fabulous FG Friday Cocktail: Blue Raspberry Lemonade-Tini

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The truth of the matter is, this doesn't have to be a martini at all.  It could easily be a cocktail in a Collins glass with a lemon garnish, or in a hurricane glass with a lemon twist skewered around a raspberry.  If using the Sprite/7-Up, they could even be served in champagne flutes.  Serve it however it best suits you or your guests.  You could serve it in frilly girl glasses AND manly glasses with different garnishes if you're trying to match a color scheme.  They are smooth but strong if you use the vanilla or regular vodka instead of the Sprite/7-Up, so don't say we didn't warn you. 

Blue Raspberry Lemonade-tini

2 parts blue raspberry vodka

1 part raspberry lemonade

1 part vanilla vodka, regular vodka, or Sprite/7-Up for a spritzer

*If using the lemon-lime soda, do not shake it with the other ingredients and ice.  Shake the other ingredients first with ice, and top with the soda.

Enjoy!  (Responsibly!)

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Fabulous FG Friday Cocktail: Raspberry Lemonade Cocktail

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We had the honor of throwing the Bliss Bridal Magazine Launch party at Posh Bridal Lounge one year ago today.  Happy birthday Bliss!  Deep Eddy Vodka provided this fabulous cocktail for the party, and we had all-but-forgotten about it until recently.  We decided it would be the perfect fit for the relaunch party for Posh Coworking yesterday!  It is only appropriate that we feature this Blissfully Posh Cocktail today.

If you choose to serve it in a Collins glass, you can pour the ingredients over ice and garnish with a lime wedge and fresh raspberry.  If you choose to serve it as a martini, shake the vodka and lemonade with ice, pour into the martini glass, add only a splash of club soda and squeeze of lime, and garnish with frozen raspberries.

Here we are at the Bliss Launch Party (with the very first issue of Bliss) last year at Posh Coworking Lounge with Connie, the Dessert Diva!  

Raspberry Lemonade Cocktail

1 part Deep Eddy Vodka

1.5 parts Raspberry Lemonade 

1 part Club Soda (only a splash or 1/4 part if making a martini)

Squeeze of lime 

The Kentucky Derby is also this weekend, so if you were expecting a Mint Julep recipe, here it is (from last year.)

Enjoy!

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

BEST Wedding Planning Service, Event Designers, and Wedding Blog in TEXAS!

Pin It Last year, The Fairy Godmothers were recognized as some of the best planners and designers in the world.  We are continuing that status in 2013!  We were voted the BEST In TEXAS and Top 50 Worldwide in several categories.  See details below.

Wedding Industry Experts 2013 Awards Winner

Your Very Own Fairy Godmother | Weddings & Events

BEST Wedding Planning Service in Texas

Top 10 Wedding Planning Service in US

Top 20 Wedding Planning Service Worldwide

Your Very Own Fairy Godmother | Weddings & Events 

BEST Event Designers in Texas

Top 3 Event Designers in US

Top 10 Event Designers Worldwide

Your Very Own Fairy Godmother | Weddings & Events 

BEST Wedding Blog in Texas

Top 3 Wedding Blog in US

Top 5 Wedding Blog Worldwide

Dawn Earley -

BEST Event Designer in Texas

Top 3 Event Designer in US

Top 15 Event Designer Worldwide

Dawn Earley -  

Top 3 Wedding Planner Texas

Top 20 Wedding Planner in US

Top 30 Wedding Planner Worldwide

Angel Carter - 

Top 5 Wedding Planner in Texas

Top 25 Wedding Planner in US

Top 50 Wedding Planner Worldwide

Skylar Norris - 

BEST Wedding Planner in Round Rock

Top 10 Wedding Planner in Texas
Top 30 Wedding Planner in US
Top 50 Wedding Planner Worldwide

Thank you all for supporting us and allowing us to be part of the monumental moments in your lives!

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Real Wedding: How Much Does it Cost? Statement Mantel vs. Rustic Centerpiece

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Images by Kathie Tam Photography

Yesterday we posted a challenge on our Facebook Page.  Which one cost more?  The answer might surprise you!  Read on. 

The Statement Mantel

Do you have a mantle or alcove you need to decorate?  The team at Bliss Blooms was tasked with decorating this impressive eight-foot limestone mantel at the University of Texas Golf Club with candles and all white blooms to create a stunning grand entrance to a fabulous event.  White pillar candles of varying heights were staggered along the length of the mantel.  Roses and hydrangea, placed in clear water tubes, were nestled around the candles with the fig leaves and dripping amaranthus.

30 stems of white hydrangea at $4 each, $120

3 bunches of hanging amaranthus, $45

3 dozen Polar Star roses at $3 each, $108

Fig Leaves $12

16 glass cylinders in varying heights, $75

16 white pillar candles, $48

Water tubes and supplies $10

Portion of Consultation Time devoted to Mantel Decor: ½ hour

Design and Sourcing Time: ½ hour

Prep Time (receiving, unpacking, hydrating florals):  ½ hour

Stem Prep Time (removing leaves and tubing florals):  1 ½ hours

Installation time: 1 ½ hours (with 2 designers)

Total time investment: 6  hours

Total Materials: $418

Labor, 25%: $104.50

Tax: $43.11
Grand total: $565.61

Images by Kathie Tam Photography

…and the Rustic Centerpiece

To achieve an impressive statement piece that soared to the chandeliers in the clubhouse dining room, we started with a 3 foot tall barnwood vessel, lush fig leaf branches, luxurious jumbo hydrangea, sprouting 5 ft willow branches and hanging amaranthus.  Long stemmed roses brought the arrangement to life and rose heads were wired to the willow tips for the finishing touch.

9 stems of jumbo hydrangea, $9 each, $81

3 dozen premium long stemmed Polar Star roses, $3 each, $108

Fig tree branches, $80

Curly Willow Branches, $25

1 bunch green hanging amaranthus, $15

Oasis, chicken wire, zip ties, water tubes, $15

Barnwood Pedestal/ planter, rental, $50

Portion of Consultation Time devoted to Main Centerpiece: ½ hour

Design and Sourcing Time: 1 hour

Prep Time (receiving, unpacking, hydrating florals and preparing the mechanics of the planter): 1 hour

Stem Prep Time (polishing leaves and preparing stems): 1 hour

Build time: 2 hours

Installation: ½ hour

Total time investment: 6 hours

Total materials: $374

Labor (25%): $93.50

Tax: $38.57
Total: $506.07

So how did you do?  

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Wedding Industry Experts Awards

Pin It Last year, we were thrilled and humbled to be recognized internationally and for all of the support of our clients and vendors. (Check out the video at 51 seconds in.) Let's do it again!



Now go vote for us again this year by clicking on the name links below!  Each name link is a vote for a different category, but voting only requires one click on each page.

Best Event Designers - Your Very Own Fairy Godmother

Best Wedding Planning Service - Your Very Own Fairy Godmother

Best Wedding Planner - Dawn

Best Event Designer - Dawn

Best Wedding Planner - Angel

Best Wedding Planner - Skylar

Best Wedding Blog - The Fairy Godmothers

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Fabulous FG Friday Cocktail: Fairy Godmother's Secret Martini

Pin It This is a fun signature drink for a bachelorette party or a wedding reception!

Fairy Godmother's Secret Martini

In a shaker filled with ice, shake together:
1 1/2 parts Strawberry Vodka
3/4 part Cranberry Juice
Top off with:
1/2 part chilled Champagne  **Do NOT shake the Champagne**
Garnish with a frozen strawberry or raspberry.
Enjoy!

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

"ICE" thee Wed

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April is here along with the beginning of wedding season! It is a wonderful time when people come together to celebrate a new chapter of their lives! The memories from the reception last a lifetime and everyone is looking to create a unique experience at the best cost. Discover below why ice sculptures are a great solution to make your client's day special.

1. The average cost of a wedding in Central Texas (Austin and San Antonio) is about $26,329. 

The average cost of a single block ice sculpture (best seller) is $425: only 1.6% of total wedding cost!.
 

The average cost of an 8 foot fully functional custom ice bar (big ticket item) is $2750 at 10% of total wedding cost.
 

The average cost of one custom ice table centerpiece is $85 (minimum order of 10 for $850): only 3.23% of total wedding cost!

2. Even though it is really, really HOT in Texas, a majority of events are held indoors where the temperature is very comfortable for guests as well as ice. Because all sculptures are created and packaged in the freezer, no melt time is lost in transport before it is displayed. Sculptures are presentable for 5-6 hours before the details wash out.

2a. Yes, the ice melts, but everything at a wedding expires, except the photos and video. The food is eaten, the drinks are had, the music stops, the lights turn off, the flowers die, and the wedding planner goes home! Brides and grooms want to create a memorable celebration and get the most out of their money. Ice sculptures add a unique touch while not breaking the budget.

3. Ask and you shall receive! Most anything can be made into an ice sculpture. If you haven't seen what you want on the website, just ask, and we will be happy to create a custom design. Functional pieces (food or drink displays, luges, photos opportunities, etc) are a great way to create a memorable interaction for the guests. You can't lose with function AND style!

If the above reasons weren't enough, when you or your client book a new order with us for their Spring Wedding (before June 23, 2013) and mention this newsletter, you’ll receive 15% off your purchase. Contact Sean Leahy, owner and sculptor of Full Spectrum Ice, to discuss how to add a unique element to your client's wedding today at stl.ice@gmail.com or 512.560.2340.

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Real Wedding: Kristi + Jon

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We are in love with the elegant jeweled tones Kristi and Jon brought into their wedding day! The peacock inspiration was tastefully brought out in everything from the floral design, the linens, the place settings and the lighting to really accessorize the sleek and modern space inside the beautiful W Austin Hotel.

Kristi was an absolute joy to be around from start to finish of her Big Day!  Photographer Lisa Woods did an amazing job capturing her bubbly personality throughout the day and we are excited to share her images with you here!  Thank you to all the wonderful vendors who helped to pull off a beautiful wedding!

Venue: W Austin Hotel

Wedding Coordinator: Your Very Own Fairy Godmother

Photographer: Lisa Woods Photography

Florist: Flora Fetish

Lighting: Intelligent Lighting Design

Rentals: Premiere Party Central

Makeup / Hair: Rae Cosmetics Studio

Ceremony Music: Arundel Ensemble

Reception DJ: Penguin Entertainment

Cakes: Amazing Cakes of Austin

Photo Booth: Booth 66

Officiant: Judge Jon Wisser

Transportation: Cynthia's Manhattan Limousines

Send Off: Austin Carriage

Kristi was always smiling!  Especially when her dad came to visit her in the Bridal Suite as she was preparing to head to the ceremony. He acted shocked that he was expected to be showered and dressed already.  Loved how "Real" that moment was!

Cynthia's Manhattan Limousines kept the guys entertained as the girls literally stopped traffic in the 2nd Street District of Downtown Austin just outside the W Austin Hotel.

A sunset rooftop ceremony

ILD brought the room to life  as they did an amazing job incorporating the couple's theme into their lighting design!

Penguin Entertainment kept the crowd moving all night long!

Treating their guests to a sweet late night snack of homemade donuts was just one of the personal touches! 

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295

Fabulous FG Friday Cocktail: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Cocktail

Pin It Earlier this week, we participated in the "by invitation only" Premiere Settings event with STEMS Floral Design at Palmer Event Center in Austin, Texas.  There was a great deal of talent in the building, and fabulous "Chocolat" designs were all encompassing.

In true Fairy Godmother style, we created a cocktail to accompany our design.

Image courtesy of AzulOx Photography

The FG Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Cocktail

2 parts White Chocolate Irish Cream

1 part Goldschlager

1 part Butterscotch schnapps

1 part Hazelnut liquer

Chocolate to garnish (We had the special treat of having Delysia Chocolatier's custom chocolate bars created for the event as our cocktail garnish.)

Shake with ice, garnish, and enjoy!

For those amazing cookies, we used this recipe and added chocolate chips.  (We sometimes add minced apple and cinnamon instead.)

ownfairygodmother.com

Austin 512.644.6886

Houston 972.804.3295