Our favorites from the Killeen Bridal Extravaganza...

Today we attended our first Bridal show in Killeen, sponsored by the Killeen Daily Herald.  We had a wonderful time and met some very nice folks.  Several brides from Lampasas and Copperas Cove were there, and it was great to meet them and their entourages.  As usual, we tasted some yummy food and cake and saw some beautiful work in the booths, so here are some recommendations based on what we tasted and observed.

Cakes:

Sweet Eats Bakery in Killeen
We tasted the orange, lemon, strawberry, and red velvet.  They were all delicious and the frosting was light and creamy, not heavy.  Yum!

Works of Art Cakes in Killeen
They take their cakes pretty seriously, and they are definitely artsy.  We tasted a white cake, very light and fluffy, with a nice buttercream frosting.  Fortunately, we shared, so we did not go into a sugar coma after trying so much cake.  :)

Wedding Planners and Designers:

R&M Smith Designs--Her decorations were tasteful and on trend.  Very well done.  You can see more of her work on her Facebook page.  She also handles rentals and catering.  Score!

Geri M. Schwartzman at Milestone Memories and Events.  Take a look at her website for some of her designs.

Hair:

Crave Hair Lounge--they will come out to the Manor to make sure you and all your bridesmaids look great!

Catering:

Sticky Bones BBQ & Catering--delicious.  Everything we tried, brisket, chicken, beans, even the broccoli salad was wonderful.

CJ's Catering in Georgetown--Wonderful food and the people are fantastic.  With over 30 years in the business, you won't be disappointed.

New photos...

Saturday, we were the played host to some local teens on their way to a dance.  They were a charming bunch, for sure!

A Beautiful Winter Wedding with Fairy Lights...

Just before Christmas, we celebrated our first wedding at the Manor.  The bride was beautiful, the groom was handsome, and everyone was wearing a smile.  The weather cooperated, too, by remaining temperate and comfortable well after sundown.  The reception on the patio under the fairy lights was just right and guests enjoyed dinner al fresco.  A grand time was had by all;  we were so happy to be a part of the joining of two families in joy!

Can't make it to Paris? No problem...

The Lampasas Love Locks corner is finished!
Maybe you can't leave your love locks in Paris any more, but here at the Manor, we have just the place for couples to leave a sign of their enduring love.  Sit a spell on our bench and add your lock to the old fence under the shade of a grand-daddy oak tree.  You can even take the perfect selfie with your lock and your loved one.  Lee and I have added the first lock and we hope that many happy couples will join us in this fun tradition, whether they celebrate their wedding here, or come back to the B&B for an anniversary sometime.

Rain and Wedding Dress Trends...

Lately it's been raining...a lot.  It has rained so much our pond is full!

Work continues on the barn floor.  The parking lot is looking good.  We have two parking areas for event guests.  
Engagement season is upon us and I saw an article in the New York Times about wedding gown trends for those of you who might be in the market for a gown.   According to them, these are the top wedding gown trends for 2016:

1. Transparency--sheer sections of wedding gowns. Personally, I thought a few of the designers took this a little too far, but I have always liked a sheer yoke or back. This idea was popular in the 1950s and it can be done well. It can also be very flattering when done well. :)
2. Sparkle--faux gems and other additions to wedding gowns that add a special glint. This can be a lot of fun--and in the right light, it can be mesmerizing.
3. Short Wedding Gowns--back in the 1980s, ahem when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was buying a wedding gown, there was a trend for short gowns. Think how much less trouble it would be. They aren't for everyone, but it is an idea worth considering.
4. Plunging V necks--again, this can be taken too far, but some of the gowns are very eye-catching.
5. Lingerie look gowns--with the boning and other lingerie detailing on the outside of the gown. I have to confess that I am not a fan of this trend. I think some things should be private. And I also think some things are in poor taste, like wearing your underwear on the outside, It's called underwear for a reason.
6. High Concept--most of us would probably skip this one, but if you could come up with something special to you, it might work.  Included in this category were colors besides white, such as crimson or even black for bridal wear One designer used a print.  Why not?  It’s your day and if your favorite color is red or purple, I say, go for it.

Here is a link to the slide show if you want to see for yourself.