What about Kevin?

There is always a lot of intrigue associated with the Ranch since it has Kevin's name on it.  Not the juicy kind of intrigue that you see in TV dramas, but at the end of the day some interest has been piqued.  So, I thought I would just clear the air and answer the burning question on everyone's lips: What does Kevin do out there?

Just in case there are some of you who need a refresher course in Texas Country, Kevin is a performer.  I can't even say he is just a singer, because he really does put on a fantastic show.  He's been a staple in the Austin area for about two decades after a brief time in California, and his presence in the Austin 90s scene was marked by heavy metal and hair.  Lots and lots of hair.

That's a lot of hair.  Kevin is second from left.

Anyway, at some point he decided to go back to his panhandle roots and ditched the long locks for a hat and started singing about what he knew.  Texas Country is a totally different animal from what I affectionately call "big box" country.  We love those guys, too, but Texas Country has roots in muddy waters and dinged-up beer cans.  It's straight-forward and home-grown and lacks the glitzy glamour associated with Nashville.

Kevin has enjoyed a lot of success in this music, and his fan base is dedicated and devoted.  We love Kevin's fans who call when they get engaged, because it means that they already know what we are about on the Ranch.  We love families, authenticity, uniqueness, and Texas charm.

Which brings us to the Ranch.  Kevin bought the property a few years back and decided to make use of it by moving his hobby out there.  In addition to singing and touring, Kevin loves history and antiques.  When you come out to the Ranch, Kevin's hand really has been in almost everything.  It's not just his name on the gate.  The buildings that have been moved out on to the Ranch were ones that Kevin took a liking to and decided that they needed to be preserved- work that he largely did himself.  You can find a video of Kevin moving the cabin to its current home and the barn being converted online when the Ranch was in its infancy.  Careful supervision was ensured to make sure Kevin didn't have too much fun with the power tools.

Kevin in the Dance Hall.  Laning Photography

Kevin is hard to keep up with, though.  He sets fence posts, lays pipes, hangs fixtures, and then packs up on his bus moments later to tour around the state. He plays contractor one moment and is playing a show Abilene the next.  He plants flowers and signs T-shirts in the same day.  All roads lead home, though.

Kevin isn't just a name on a neon sign in the dance hall.  His heart is at the Ranch, and it's impossible to miss when you come through our gates.  If you love Texas, history, great music and great friends, then you will love Rustic Ranch.  We have our roots set in the hill country and our minds set on sharing it with everyone!  We're a small "family" that loves to meet new people. Call us for information.  Enjoy the spring weather before summer gets underway!

Laning Photography

   

A little mood lighting...

You spend a lot of time planning a wedding.  For most couples, you probably can't count the hours that you spent selecting your cake, assembling centerpieces, talking to your florist, or working with a planner on a design plan.  Wouldn't it be a shame if no one really got to see it?

Lighting is something that many people overlook in their plans, but good lighting can change the whole perception of your event.  The Ranch has started offering upgrades to include some lighting, but the options are pretty limitless.  What we have started offering is string lighting, or festoon lighting.

Festoon lighting is a great way to add soft, ambient light to your outdoor spaces.  In addition to being pragmatic, it helps create a space that would otherwise lack explicit function and definition to it.  Since it is not heavily concentrated, but rather evenly distributed, it tends to be very flattering and romantic.  It can instantly turn a picnic setting into an al fresco bistro setting.  Very intimate and comfortable!


But the options don't stop there!  While the Ranch doesn't offer these items in-house, there are other elements in the lighting world that can create ambiance and serve a specific function to create a little drama (the good kind!) in your event.  Pinspots are a great example of this.

Pinspot lights are small, usually overhead, lights that are used to draw attention to a specific space.  In the wedding world this can mean highlighting the cake or the centerpieces on each table.  The lights themselves go unnoticed, but the effect they have is memorable.

Gobos are another popular option for people who want to bring in a personal touch to their lighting arsenal.  Typically displayed on a dance floor or wall, they help create a fun atmosphere and make for fantastic photo ops!

There are a lot more things out there to help you decide how you want to set up your event.  If lighting has never crossed your mind, it should!  It can create a lot of impact at a fairly reasonable price point!

Many thanks to Altared Weddings and Events for the information.

Why you need a wedding planner.

There are dozens of articles out there about this subject, so there isn't much I could possibly say on the matter that hasn't been said already.  Instead, I turned to our tried-and-true vendors to offer insights.  Vendors have a unique perspective in the wedding world, because they have seen it all!  So, here is what they had to say on the subject of wedding planners:

"Wedding planners are instrumental for a smooth wedding experience.  There are so many details that need to be communicated to each wedding vendor to make sure the day goes off without a hitch.  Also, it's nice to not be the person in charge the day of the wedding.  Let the coordinator make sure all the votives are lit on the tables!"  -Kim Hanks, Whim Hospitality

"A lot of couples, don't realize that a wedding planner actually saves them money because of their experience with reviewing contracts and quotes. We are able to suggest vendors that are perfect for their budget without compromising their vision."  -Alisha Anderson, Texas Hill Country Events

"As a vendor we feel that a planner for an event is an essential part of having the event run smoothly.  The planner is the liasion between the couple and the vendors, by helping choose vendors that work well together and helping with contracts.  Vendors know that if a planner is working with the couple that the wedding timeline will be followed, and the bride will feel more comfortable and is able to enjoy her day." -Denise Stone, Bee Lavish Vintage Rentals

"I have been photographing weddings for 8 years now. When we have a consultation with a potential bride and groom, we ask "so..who is your planner, coordinator or "day of" person?" Half of our clients don't have one. In the past, we would write the timeline, pin on boutonnieres, line up the wedding party and act as a planner up until the DJ took over. It just became too much for us. Now, we strongly suggest that the couple secures a professional planner (and not the "Aunt that planned a wedding 15 years ago") because it is money well invested. A resourceful, problem solving, fast moving and organized planner makes the whole day better for everyone. No one ever regrets having a planner like this. At the end of the night, when the photographer and planner stuff you both into the limo, you will look at us and say "Thanks for making our day!"  -Bill Peary, Peary Photography

“As a photographer, I love my brides to have a planner.  This allows me to focus on my job 100 percent.  When I’m trying to keep everyone on schedule and organized, I can’t think as creatively as I'd like.  When I’m free to focus on creating timeless photos, my clients are happier in the end." -Jennifer Weems, Weems Photography

We are so lucky to have working relationships with several planners that are local and knowledgeable about the Hill Country.  If you need a recommendation for your wedding, let us know! 

Our reception hall is under construction!

One of the many things people love about the ranch is the authenticity of the historic buildings!  When people step onto the Ranch, they usually make their way into the Dance Hall first.  This is the only building that was originally on the ranch, and it was converted into it's current state with lots of TLC.

Inside you will find custom bar stools, neon signs, an antique cash register, and other gems of Texas culture.  This space is great for cocktail hours, when you really want your guests to start to unwind and have fun!  For weddings, this is also a great space to have your guest books, gift station, photo booth, and buffet line.  Everyone will be talking about all the fascinating memorabilia on display.




While everyone loves that space and of course the gorgeous trees and wildlife we have around the Ranch, we decided that it was time to expand on to our Dance Hall.  Immediately adjacent to it, we are building a reception hall that will be able to facilitate more guests inside.  You can expect to see high ceilings, exposed beam work, and repurposed barn wood.  We have Corey working on pulling the materials now!  It will have the same rustic charm that the rest of the Ranch has, but will give all of our guests more flexibility when it comes to rain plans and weddings that happen in the middle of summer or winter.  Look for photos on our Facebook page to see how everything is coming together.

For those of you who have already booked your event with us, look for an invitation after construction is complete to come out and see the finished product.  We are really excited about 2015, so keep checking in with us about everything that is going on!

New Year, new things to look forward to!

As if 2014 wasn't crazy enough on the Ranch, 2015 doesn't show any signs of slowing down.

We were enormously blessed last year as we opened our gates and the local community and wedding professionals welcomed our coming.  We officially launched on September 28th with an open house designed by Christina Lewis and were immediately met with a great response.  We were featured in newspapers, on radio stations, and in magazines.

We are looking forward to 2015 and some new developments on the Ranch.  Kathy is still buzzing around the property keeping us all in line.  Corey, who is a new addition to the staff, works tirelessly keeping everything in perfect working order.  And Kevin, well, he's Kevin.

Our calendar is filling up and we are so excited to be working with some great couples and talented planners this year.  I have seen some fantastic and fun ideas come in; it makes me want to get married all over again.  We will keep you posted on some of the new things coming our way this year.  It's going to be a great one!