Parties, Events & Weddings

While many brides will spend hours searching for the perfect gown, many do not pay as strict attention to the details of their groom’s attire. However, when shopping for tuxedos there are plenty of options. Wedding attire ranges from casual to super-formal, giving the groom a wide variety of tuxedos to ensure that he looks his best for the special day.

The tuxedo is often the traditional men’s attire for Austin Texas weddings and other formal occasions. Besides the groom, the groomsmen, father of the bride, father of the groom, and other important male figures in the wedding may also choose to wear a tuxedo.  Depending on your wedding style, the groom’s tuxedo may match the attendants or stand out.  If wearing matching tuxedos, a detail often distinguishes the groom – such as a special handkerchief or boutonnière. Many couple also choose to coordinate the colors of the bridesmaids’ and bride’s dresses to the men’s tuxedos.

The Rainbow of Tuxedo Colors
While many couples still think that the traditional look for a tuxedo is to go with black, there are more and more couples choosing to spice up the attire and go with a white or a colored tuxedo.

Since the weather in Austin is often warmer many couples choose outdoor weddings. For this setting, a white tuxedo is completely appropriate. Spring, summer, informal, morning, and afternoon weddings are also socially acceptable occasions to wear a white tuxedo.

Some grooms like to take it a step further and go with a colored tuxedo. For instance, you could choose a color that compliments the bridesmaids’ dresses or the bride’s dress if she is going with something other than white or with a colored accent on her dress. If you are choosing a themed wedding, the groom and the bride may choose a colored tuxedo that goes along with the theme they have chosen.

For the most part, black tuxedos are still the norm for formal and evening weddings.

Sporting the Special Jacket Style
Beyond the color, there are other decisions that must be made on the tuxedo for your Austin Texas wedding.  First of all, you must choose the jacket style. There are three basic styles to choose from: the single breasted, the double breasted, and the full dress or tail coat. Unless you are having a highly formal wedding, the single or double breasted is usually appropriate.

Also to be considered in the jacket style is the lapel. Here the choice is up to you and the style that you prefer. The most common styles are notch lapels, which make a V shape, peak lapels, and shawl lapels, which are rounded.

The Perfect Shirt
Beneath the jacket is your tuxedo shirt. It is customary for the tuxedo shirt to match the bride’s gown; for instance, if she chooses a white dress, the shirt should be white, and if she goes with ivory, the shirt should be ivory. Most tuxedo shirts feature a wing or a lay down collar. Wing collars are most often worn with a bow tie, while a lay down collar can be worn with a standard necktie.

Cummerbunds and Vests
The other crucial piece to your tuxedo is the vest or cummerbund. Most often these will be chosen to coordinate with the bridesmaids’ dresses to give your wedding party a uniform look.

Other Attire Considerations
When choosing your tuxedo for your Austin Texas wedding you will need to decide whether to rent or to buy. If you normally attend formal functions where a tuxedo is appropriate, then buying may be the most affordable option. If your wedding is the one and only time that you will wear a tuxedo, then renting is usually preferred.

While you do not need to register for the tuxedo immediately, you should still do so at least three months prior to the wedding date. This allows the retailer to order your choices and make any alterations necessary.

If you hate shopping, consider checking out tuxedo styles before heading off to the store. That way, you and your bride can decide ahead of time the style you are looking for, minimizing the time needed to try on and consider different styles.

Some formal wear locations will offer special discounts if the entire bridal party orders their tuxedos at the same time. This will not only make the process more affordable for you, but allow you to ensure that the entire wedding party is coordinated and fitted properly.

Now that you have found the perfect girl, maybe it’s time to find the perfect ring. Believe it or not, this can actually be a daunting task for most men. Finding the perfect engagement ring isn’t an easy task for someone without the knowledge and expertise of a professional jeweler. In most cases, it’s more difficult to find the perfect ring than it is to find the perfect girl. However, do a good job and you’ll be planning your Austin wedding before you know it.

First: There are several things to consider when purchasing a ring such as color, clarity, cut, and most importantly…the carrot. Prior to ever visiting a store make sure that you educate yourself by conducting research, don’t become a victim of Bubba’s Fabulous Ring Depot. The internet is littered with invaluable information, take advantage of it, and take your time.

Second: You need to consider her overall style. Is your perfect girl a simple girl, or does she enjoy the finer things in life? Does she even wear jewelry or does she drip in it? Is she into name brand designers or is she content with shopping at Wal-Mart? Considering these details will help you tremendously when purchasing a ring. Remember, this is a one-time purchase, the last thing that you want to do is buy her something that she won’t like.

Third: If you are absolutely clueless…DO NOT approach one of her friends unless you are absolutely positively convinced that they won’t tell her, or anyone else for that matter. The last thing that you want to do is ruin the surprise. If you need help, summons a family member or close friend who has already been through this process. If you need to, call an Austin wedding planner for advice.

Fourth: How much should you spend? The old rule of thumb has always been that you should spend what you make in three months of salary on the actual purchase of the ring. That being said, every situation is different. However, the best advice is to not get into debt by purchasing the ring. Keep in mind, you’re getting ready to propose which means, if she says yes, you will most likely be merging your finances. There is nothing more faux pas than having your new fiancé assist you in paying off her own ring…kind of takes the romance right out of it. Set a budget based on your overall finances and stick to it.

Follow these basic rules and you are sure to be successful in your quest. Remember, more importantly than anything, educate yourself. Learn as much as you can and set a budget before you start shopping. Again, you’ll be planning your San Antonio wedding before you know it.

Diamond Knowledge Designed to Assist You with Your Purchase

The Diamond Carat / Weight = Austin Wedding!
The carat is often confused with size though a carat is technically a measure of weight. The cut of a diamond can make it appear larger or smaller than its actual weight.

One (1) carat is the equivalent of two-hundred (200) milligrams. One carat can be divided into one-hundred (100) “points”. A .75 carat diamond is the same as 75 points or a 3/4 carat diamond. Since larger diamonds are rarer than smaller diamonds, the value rises exponentially with carat weight.

The Diamond Cut
The cut actually refers to two specific aspects of a diamond. The first is its shape (round, princess-cut, etc) the second is how well the actual cutting has been executed.

A diamond’s cut will definitely influence its fire (the lovely rainbow colors that flash from within) and brilliance (the liveliness and sparkle), as well as its perceived size and even, to some degree its apparent color. Different diamond cuts reflect light in different angles. A diamond must be cut in a geometrically precise manner to maximize its brilliance.

The Diamond Color
Many experts list color as the number one consideration when choosing a diamond. A diamond’s color is graded on an alphabetical scale from D-Z, with D being absolutely colorless and Z being light yellow. Beyond “Z”, a diamond is considered to be an exotic or “Fancy” color.

Since color differences can be so subtle, they are impossible to determine by the untrained eye. To grade a diamond, gemologists often place it on a white background next to another diamond that has been previously graded.

If all other factors are equal, the less color in a diamond or the higher color rating, the more valuable a diamond becomes. Likewise, as the amount of color increases, the price of a diamond decreases (though this does not necessarily reduce the beauty of a diamond.) The clearer the diamond is, they more likely she will say yes, which means you will be planning your Austin wedding.

The Diamond Clarity
All diamonds have identifying characteristics, but most are invisible to the naked eye. To view a diamond, experts use a 10x magnifying loupe which allows them to see the appearance of tiny crystals, feathers or clouds. These natural phenomena are called inclusions.
There are five categories in class that anyone interested in purchasing a diamond should be aware of when grading clarity.  If you’re not aware of them, and you purchase a yellow diamond that isn’t actually supposed to by yellow…you might not be having an Austin wedding after all.

VVS1 – VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included)
Very difficult to see inclusions under 10x magnification. These are excellent quality diamonds.

VS1 – VS2 (Very Slightly Included)
Only looking through a 10X loupe can pinpoint the inclusions in this category and are nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. These are less expensive than the VVS1 or VVS2 grades.

SI1 – SI3 (Slightly Included)
Diamonds with inclusions easily identified under 10x magnification. Finding flaws in this category with the naked eye is difficult. The gems in this category maintain their integrity, depending on the location of the inclusions.

I1 – I3 (Included)
Diamonds with inclusions which may or may not be easily seen by the naked eye. The flaws on the stones in this category will have some effect on the brilliance of your diamond.

FL (Flawless) – IF (Internally Flawless)
Flawless Diamonds reveal no flaws on the surface or internally are the rarest and most beautiful gems. Internally Flawless Diamonds reveal no inclusions and only insignificant blemishes on the surface under 10x magnifications.

The Diamond Anatomy

The Crown: The crown is the upper part of the diamond that lies above the girdle. The crown determines the scintillation, or sparkle of the diamond, as well as the fire, or dispersion.

The Diameter: The diameter is the width of the diamond as measured through the girdle.

The Culet: The culet is the final facet to be polished on the diamond. It is a tiny final facet that diamond cutters often add at the bottom of the diamond’s pavilion. The purpose of the culet is (an Austin wedding) to protect the tip of the pavilion from being damaged. After the diamond is set in jewelry, the actual setting provides the pavilion with enough protection. However, modern shapes rarely have a culet at all, or a very small one.

The Girdle: The girdle is the outer edge and the widest part around the diamond. The girdle forms a band around the stone and protects it from chipping. At times, the girdle could be too thick and add unnecessary weight to the stone.

The Pavilion: The pavilion lies at the bottom part of the diamond, below the girdle. It plays the most important role in determining the brilliance.

The Table: The table is the flat facet on the top of the diamond. It is usually the largest facet on a cut diamond. The table also plays a role in determining sparkle and fire.

The Table Percentage: The table percentage is the value which corresponds to how the diameter of the table facet compares to the diameter of the entire diamond. For example, a stone that has 50% table has a table which is a 50% as wide as the diameter of the diamond. In terms of finding the table percentage of a round stone, gemologists usually calculate the table percentage by dividing the diameter of the table by the average girdle diameter, Austin wedding.

The Depth: The depth refers to the height of the stone from the culet to the table. It is usually measured in millimeters.

The Polish: Polish affects how light is able to pass through a diamond and is very important to a diamond’s brilliance. You should only select a diamond that is laboratory certified with good, very good or excellent polish.

The Spread: Spread is how large the diamond appears to the naked eye. You can figure out the diamond’s spread by dividing the ‘depth’ by the ‘diameter’ and multiply by 100, this gives you the depth parentage. A good depth parentage is between 56% and 65%. Girdle thickness and crown and pavilion angles affect the spread as well.

The Symmetry: Symmetry is an important element of a diamond’s finish. Symmetry refers to the size, alignment, and matching of the individual facets. You should only select a diamond that is laboratory certified with good, very good or excellent symmetry.

The Fluorescence: When stones are exposed to long periods of ultra-violet light, fluorescence is a quality that some diamonds acquire. This fluorescent light is not detectable to the naked eye, however if a diamonds attains natural fluorescence it will emit a soft glow when it is held under an ultraviolet lamp. It is not dangerous for a stone to be fluorescent; in fact, it is a unique quality that occurs naturally.

The Facet: The facets are the flat, smooth faces on the surface of the diamond. A facet allows light to enter the diamond as well as reflect off its surfaces from the different angles. They aid in creating the different colors and light that diamonds are known for.

SEG offers Austin wedding planning services for clients in need of professional assistance. We can assist you in the overall planning of your party or simply refine the details the day of. Feel free to contact us today by e-mailing us at contact@sunseteventsgroup.com.

Visiting a bridal boutique can be quite the experience. Have you ever stood in front of hundreds of satin and lace dresses before? Just the idea of shopping for a wedding dress can be very overwhelming. Here are some things to consider prior to shopping for a dress for your Austin wedding.

The Shopping: Finding a wedding dress is usually time consuming, therefore it is important that you allow yourself plenty of time to find the perfect dress. Many soon-to-be-brides begin shopping for their wedding dress almost immediately after becoming engaged and typically before making any wedding plans. Keep in mind that if you’re looking for something really unique, you will want to allow additional time for ordering and alterations. This will ensure that you get your dress on time.

The Dress: You can significantly decrease the amount of time you spend shopping for a Austin wedding dress if you conduct some initial research. Do you want to wear a white dress? Do you prefer a long elegant train? Do you prefer something with lace? You should browse through a few wedding related magazines to educate yourself on the latest Austin wedding dress trends. This will assist your bridal consultant in locating the perfect wedding dress.

The Color: For years white has been the traditional color of wedding dresses, however not everyone presents well in white. Today’s Austin wedding trends reflect shades of champagne, gold, and even ivory. These colors can lend themselves well to your overall wedding design or theme. You can also color coordinate your wedding dress with your bridal party.

The Veil: As an accessory to your wedding dress you may want to consider a veil. There are many styles and lengths to choose from. However you want to find one that subtly compliments your dress. Make sure that you purchase them together to ensure the fabric and color match. As an alternative to veils, some brides prefer a more modern head piece such as a tiara or fresh flowers for their Austin weddings.

The Hair: It is so important that your hair compliments the overall style of your dress. If you envision wearing your hair up you should look for a dress that has an incredible neckline and bodice. If you envision wearing your hair down you may want to select a dress that has accentuated detail along the hem and train instead of the bust line.

The Details: Your undergarments are imperative to the overall look and feel of your wedding dress. There are a variety of shape-enhancing bras and slips which can be utilized to enhance your shape while improving the look of the gown. Again, you should try to purchase your undergarments with your Austin wedding dress to ensure they work well together. Always make sure to check the intimate details of your wedding ensemble, nothing is more distracting than out-of-place bulges or visible loose straps.

The Bustle: If you are considering having a long train you may want to consider a bustle. Like most receptions, a full night of celebrating and dancing may not lend itself well to a long train. Having a bustle allows you the ability to shorten your train after the ceremony providing you with more freedom to float around your Austin wedding reception.

The Summary: Your wedding dress should compliment your overall style and personality. Stay true to what you love, wear something that looks great on you, and wear it with confidence.

Hiring an Austin wedding planner is one of the best ways to personally allow yourself the opportunity to enjoy your own wedding. There are a multitude of details to consider when planning a wedding. Where do you start? Who do you call? The planning of your wedding should be fun and memorable, not stressful. Austin wedding planners provide invaluable information and guidance. They can assist you in the overall planning of your wedding or simply lend you their knowledge and expertise.

Austin wedding planners can also assist you in meeting and choosing the right wedding vendors. Seasoned Wedding planners will have a roster of reputable industry vendors that you can choose from. This allows you the opportunity to focus on the actual details of your wedding rather than worrying about the vendors your working with.

When choosing an Austin wedding planner you should hire someone who you feel has the professionalism and experience to plan the most important event of your life. Knowing a wedding planners background is crucial. You want a wedding planner that’s personable, someone who is polished and knowledgeable…after all, this Austin wedding planner will be representing you.

SEG offers Austin wedding planning services for Brides and Grooms in need of professional assistance. We can assist you in the overall planning of your wedding or simply refine the details the day of. Feel free to contact us today by e-mailing us at contact@sunseteventsgroup.com.

When planning an Austin wedding one of the most important details you should consider is your wedding location. There are a number of Austin wedding locations to choose from. So, how do you decide which one is perfect for you?

First, how many guests are you planning to invite to your wedding? This is probably the most important detail to start with. Though there are a multitude of venues to choose from, every location is different. Austin wedding venues differ in size therefore accommodating different sized events. Some venues can accommodate anywhere from 250 -500 guests and others only 50 – 100. Picking the right location is crucial to the success of any event. You should have a very good idea as to the size of your guest list prior to searching for a location.

Second, has the location that you’re considering ever hosted a wedding before? In these difficult economic times there are many people that are offering their properties as ‘wedding locations’. However, not every property is conducive to hosting a wedding.

There are many details to consider such as your vendors, more specifically your caterer. Does the location you’re considering have a kitchen or an area in which a caterer can setup a makeshift kitchen? This is very important when planning a reception dinner. Austin wedding caterers need an area in which they can successfully prepare food without the concern of outside elements such as bugs and weather conditions. You will want to determine whether you will need to provide a tent for your wedding caterer, and the actual cost associated with the tent and any other equipment your caterer might need.

Third, does the Austin wedding location that you’re considering have sufficient restroom facilities? Not every outdoor location is equipped to accommodate a large group of people. It’s without being said that restroom facilities are a major requirement. Depending on the total number of guests you are having determines how much money you will need to spend on adequate facilities.

Forth, Austin weddings are a time of celebration and reflection and with celebration typically comes alcohol consumption. Choosing an Austin wedding site that is centrally located is a very good idea. Unless you are planning on providing formal transportation for all of your guests to and from your wedding, it’s probably a sure bet that guests will be driving. Know how far a wedding location is prior to conducting a site visit.

Fifth, is the location that you’re considering flexible? Do they charge by the day or by the hour? If by the hour you may want to be slightly cautious. Some Austin wedding locations are known from booking two to three weddings in a day, morning, afternoon, and evening. Obviously you do not want to be rushed on your wedding day. Pick a wedding site that is yours for the day. Once again, you need to consider your Austin wedding vendors. Will they have enough time to get everything setup for you without being rushed. Details are time consuming, it is crucial that your wedding vendors have the ability to take their time.