May 31st Wedding

Details! Details! Details! And they were fantastic! The turquoise linens with sheer overlays sparkled throughout the ballroom with accents of pink in everything from the floral arrangements to the fans that were placed on each guest’s chair.

The bride walked down the aisle in an exquisite gown with lace and beads from head to toe- stunning! And the girl’s hair and make up was just as fabulously done by William Edge Salon in New Braunfels.

The bride and groom were ready for their grand exit into the limo that would take them on a luxurious and relaxing getaway. We hope they had a fantastic time on their vacation and a safe return. Congratulations to the couple, their family, and their friends!!!

May 30th Wedding

One of my favorite parts about this job is we get to meet such wonderful and unique couples that introduce such amazing traditions. This couple celebrated their traditions by fusing them together and making them their own.

The ceremony was set under a magnificent chuppah that was centered between the two kissing oaks. The bride walked down in a perfectly timeless lace dress and the groom’s smiled was bigger than life. After they were announced husband and wife they broke the glass as well as reciting a beautiful and joyous Spanish quote.

The crowd enjoyed marvelous food and then it was on to the dance floor! The bride and groom set the example of what a party should be and were in the center of the dance floor the entire night! The guests could not have been happier and everybody helped the bride and groom celebrate until the last song was played. The couple made their way into their getaway car and rode away as husband and wife.

Thank you so much for including us in such a magical day and we could not be any happier for your two!

May 29th Wedding

A few words from the bride...

"Howdy! I just wanted to tell you what a fabulous time we had this weekend. Everyone agreed wholeheartedly that The Winfield was a beautiful place. The staff was amazingly gracious, attentive, and ready to help field any request, no matter what the request was. I could not have asked for a better wedding or start to our new life and we have you, in part, to thank. I would definitely recommend The Winfield to anyone who is looking for a romantic and classy place to get married."

Thank you for your kind words and we wish you nothing but the absolute best of luck! Congratulations!!!

May 24th Wedding

As I’m sure you are all aware by now, I love the small details that each couple brings to their wedding, whether it’s a favorite quote on coozies; seating arrangements organized by their date nights; or the groom’s favorite cookies as a cake alternative. This couple brought in a detail that I have yet to see in person; the dove release. The groom’s father raises and trains doves so it worked magnificently next to our gazebo at the end of the ceremony. The bride and groom each let go of a white dove and were followed by a dozen or so grey doves. It was one of those moments that actually took my breath away.

The guests moved into the ballroom for an evening of savory hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and dancing. It was an honor to be a part of your special day and we wish you a lifetime of happiness! Congratulations to the newlyweds!!!

May 23rd Wedding

Who says you can’t get married in the rain? While our Plan B is always an option, Saturday’s couple had their hearts set on an outdoor wedding. As I kept her up to speed on what was coming at us, she just said, “Let’s do it in the rain! Let’s just have fun!” The wedding party and guests loved it and said that it was perfect for them.

Entertainment for the night was provided by The Newzboys. This is a new band to The Winfield and we will now be adding them to our list of referrals because they were absolutely wonderful! They kept everyone on their feet throughout the night and were a pleasure to work with as well.

With bright spring colors in the Garden Ballroom, a wedding in the rain, and a fabulous band, the bride and groom could not have been any happier and that is what makes our job so special. Thank you both for being such an amazing couple and we wish you the best of luck in a joyful life together! Congrats!!!

May 17th Wedding

We love working with fabulous vendors and it is such a pleasure when all the vendors are the bride and groom’s closets family and friends! This wedding was truly a family affair with everybody pitching in and making the day perfect.

Our bride and groom arrived on Sunday afternoon and we enjoyed a quick rehearsal before everybody started getting ready for the big day. I could tell by how they looked at each other that they were truly best friends and so at peace in each other’s presence. They really set the mood for the entire wedding.

The guests delighted in our famous Fajitas and fabulous crab cakes with a dap of chili mojo! Everybody took their time and just enjoyed the wonderful evening and company. Once cake and toasts were complete, the bridal party entered the dance floor and did not leave until the last song of the evening! Huge props to Mat for being a marvelous MC for the night!

The bride and groom made their exit into the house as they waved goodbye to all their wonderful guests. We had a chance to say good-bye the next morning and they were still at such peace. We wish you the same kind of love and happiness that you felt on your wedding day for the rest of your life together. Thank you so much for including us!

May16th Wedding

Cooler temperatures and a breathtaking sunset truly set the mood for the wedding weekend of our bride and groom. Guest flew in from all around and soaked in the entire weekend here with us. It all started with a fabulous rehearsal dinner that was catered by Carino’s grill. The night went off without a hitch and ended with a very sweet note- homemade tiramisu!

The wedding day started out a bit rainy but the clouds cleared up and temperatures cooled down just in time for the blushing bride to walk down the aisle. Guests enjoyed the fabulous meal that combined the meat lovers with the veggie diners and not a drop was left on the plates. One of my new favorite appetizers:
Bleu Cheese & Candied Pecan Crostini with Honey Drizzle
A refreshing intro to any menu! Following a course of appetizers, the main course was introduced.
A notable new menu item was selected by the bride in accompany to some of our many favorites:
Pork Medallions with Porcini Port Wine Sauce

The rest of the night flew by with marvelous music provided by Austin Juke Box. The bride was out on the dancing for almost every song with her new hubby smiling in the background. As always, it is such a pleasure being a part of such a wonderful occasion and thank you so much for everything!! We wish you the very very best!

May 9th Wedding

The month of May is quickly flying by and with each day the grounds become more and more colorful. This weekend’s couple had not visited the inn since the rain brought everything back to life, so they were pleasantly surprised to see the lush gardens!

When it was time to gather the wedding party and bring the bride down stairs everyone was still very relaxed from their day of pampering and ready to get the show on the road! The bride’s gown was stunning! Her bridesmaids wore turquoise dresses and carried pink bouquets; this color combo was a spectacular match for the spring day and made for a fun photo session!

Their playful yet elegant décor spread throughout the ballroom with sheer turquoise overlays and colorful floral arrangements. The menu that the bride and groom chose to serve was also playful and flavorful! This assortment of heavy appetizers is definitely a favorite of mine!

Southwestern Cajun Chicken Spears
Chilled Shrimp cocktail
Grilled Ham & Cheese Samis
Beef Crostini with Red Pepper Mayo
Hot Spinach, Artichoke, & 5 Cheese Spread

After the cake was served and the last song had been played the couple ran through their crowd and into the house for the remainder of the night. Thank you both for allowing us to be a part of your special day, it was truly a joy! Congratulations!!!

Relay for Life Surivors Dinner

"I wanted to send out a personal THANK YOU for providing such a gorgeous setting for our survivors reception for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. Last night was a wonderful event and although there were many committee members involved in the planning and all other areas that go into having a successful event, we couldn't have asked for a better location. As a committee member and 4 year breast cancer survivor myself, I have to say that this years survivor reception was the BEST that I have ever attended...without a doubt! I hope that we left the place just as we received it and that you will consider this for another year as everyone truly enjoyed themselves!!!! THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!!! You have made MANY survivors happy and given them another reason to smile!!!! I hope that we will see you at the Relay For Life on Friday."

--Relay for Life Coordinator

May 2nd Wedding

The bride and groom arrived Friday afternoon for rehearsal to get all unpacked and settled in to the Inn and shortly after, went to their rehearsal dinner at The Salt Lick. A protein filled breakfast was served to the very excited bride and her girlfriends before scattering to get primped and pampered the rest of the day, including enjoying massages in our Spa room!

As we prepared the gazebo and Garden Ballroom for the wedding we draped Pewter Satin Pin Tuck linens over each of the guest tables with sheer olive chair ties and runners. Moms, aunts, cousins, and grandmothers worked in one corner making sure each centerpiece turned out beautifully, and they did. White and light pink roses were embellished with greenery to bring all of the colors in and out of the ballroom all together.

A sweet surprise, the couple took dance lessons during their engagement. The bride and groom entered the ballroom and began their first dance showing off their new moves. After the dance everyone applauded and the serving line opened with this flavorful menu:
Mediterranean Chicken sautéed in Tomatoes, Olives, White wine,
Garlic, & Herbs
Beef Gyros with Yogurt sauce
Garlicky Green Beans Lemon Zest
Mixed Organic Greens tossed with Stuffed Olives, Grape Tomatoes, Marinated
Artichokes, Purple Onions, Baked Feta wedge, Pine Nuts & Balsamic Dressing

The rest of the night was filled with dancing to the festive beats from the band. As we approached the end of the night we realized that almost all of her guests were still there! Having 125 people at your exit not only makes for great pictures, but it reminds you of how much fun everyone is having celebrating your special day. The aroma of lavender seeds filled the air as everyone doused the couple while they ran through the lines and into the house.

Thank you all for a magical weekend! Congratulations!!!

April 26th Wedding

Sunday’s wedding was a truly unique and incredible celebration! Décor reflected this Middle Eastern vibe with rich orange and red overlays on the guest tables and a beautiful brown and gold silk overlay on the head tables.

Bouquets of Austin arrived early that morning to deliver and decorate with gorgeous centerpieces, shepherd’s hooks, candlelight, and other large floor arrangements. As you can see in the pictures, the ballroom was bursting with color!

Later in the afternoon the delivery from Simon Lee Bakery arrived and it was just as vibrant as the flowers. This three-tiered cake was flavored with coconut, orange dreamsicle, and strawberry fillings. The groom’s cake was just as decadent with its chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate gnash filling. All I can say is WOW!

Before the guests filled up on cake, they were served an assortment of appetizers:
Summer Sausage Balls with Fresh Apples
Goat Cheese & Garlic Toasts with Caramelized Onions
Parmesan Cheese Straws, and Pesto Toasts

Later followed by the main course:
Filet Medallions with Béarnaise Sauce
Balsamic & Sage Chicken Cordon Bleu with Fontina & Prosciutto
Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin with a Splash of Curry
Garlicky Green Beans Lemon Zest
Traditional Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese, Candied Pecans, Pear Slices, Dried Bing
Cherries & warm Bacon Vinaigrette

While dinner was being served there was one last surprise from the mother of the bride. Belly dancers entertained the guests throughout dinner and weaved their way in and out of the tables. Finally the bride was brought up to dance with them before they ended their show!

Thank you all for such a wonderful day! We wish the happy couple nothing but the best!!!

April 25th Wedding

Her gown was unique and elegant which is exactly the general theme of her wedding. She selected the red linens with black and white centerpiece fabrics to accent gorgeous arrangements. It was modern and yet timeless.

Having a moment between tasks to stop and listen to the toasts is rare and it may be better that I don’t considering what happened that night. I actually cried! Everyone that spoke was thrilled to be a part of the wedding even more so to be celebrating the joining of the couple.

After we shed a few tears (of joy of course) as well as many laughs, it was time for the cake cutting! The Sweet Stuff delivered a fantastic 3 tiered cake, each a different flavor. The jade and red icing matched perfectly with her décor and everyone loved the letters spelling “I DO” on the table! A fun twist that they added to the cake table was homemade cookies rather than a groom’s cake. The candy bar matched their personalities- vibrant and fun. And all of their guests were just as sweet as the cake.
Do it yourself projects or simple baked goodies are great ways to add a personal touch and the guests are always impressed!

Because many of the guests were from other states, particularly northern states, they thought it would be fun to share some traditional southern BBQ with their guests!
Ancho Chili & Honey BBQ Chicken Breasts
Grilled Kielbasa with Apricot Glaze
Garlicky Green Beans with Lemon Zest
Bacon, Lettuce, & Tomato Salad with Spicy Chipotle Ranch & Zesty Croutons

When it was time to announce the exit, the guests gathered in front of the house and formed two lines as the bride and groom ran through a sea of bubbles, jumped in their car, and away they went. We are honored to have been a part of this special affair as always.

So congratulations and we wish you a lifetime of happiness!

April 24th Wedding

Elegance is the perfect word to describe this wedding.

The bride and groom arrived on Thursday for their rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, which was hosted in our Garden Ballroom. The BBQ dinner was a perfect companion for the evening along with our spectacular Mixed Berry cobbler while they relaxed and visited with all of their friends.

Friday started thoughtfully with a bouquet of roses that were sent to the bride from her hubby-to-be! As everyone prepared for the day and vendors came and left, the ballroom was steadily filled with gorgeous centerpieces by Prive Floral. The arrangements accented the Celadon colored linens perfectly with the sheer goddess overlay.

The bride and groom cakes arrived shortly after and were absolutely stunning! Simon Lee Bakery never ceases to amaze us! However, Simon Lee wasn’t the only scrumptious item on the menu. Passed appetizers served throughout the cocktail hour consisted of:
Shrimp Corndogs with a Mustard Dill Sauce
Pesto Toasts with Sundried Tomatoes and Parmigiano Reggiano
And Summer Sage Sausage Balls with Red Delicious Apples

For dinner we served a gorgeous spread of flavors and color:
Slow Cooked Filet Medallions with a Rosemary Bing Cherry
Reduction
Pan Seared Mahi Mahi with Hazelnut Vinaigrette
3 Cheese Creamy Pesto Penne
Oven Grilled Asparagus with Sea Salt
Roasted New Potatoes with Rosemary & Garlic
Traditional Greek Salad

There was a special surprise after dinner… the groomsmen danced to “ The Village People” wearing sunglasses and hats and the girls to “Greece” wearing boas and sunglasses
The remainder of the evening flowed from one event to another with an ever so lovely exit in front of the main house. We are so thankful to be a part of their special day.
Congrats to the newly weds!!!

April 19th Wedding

As family and friends filled each chair, the bride and her wedding party had a rush of excitement! The ceremony was held beneath our two “Kissing Trees” and involved an intimate sand ceremony to unite the couple.

While the food was wonderful, cake was delicious, and décor was oh-so-elegant, nothing could beat what happened later that night. The bride called it “Crazy Hour” during which she passed out an assortment of colorful hats, glow sticks, blinking sunglasses, and boas to each table for all of the guests to dance with and literally, go crazy! It was truly entertaining for all the guests and will make for awesome pictures!

The day was exactly how the bride had imagined and we were thrilled to be a part of it!
Congrats again!!!

April 18th Wedding

Saturday’s wedding was a truly a fairy tale story. The two met in elementary school, grew up in the same town and then went on to the same collage. In college is where they fell in love and on April 18th they became husband and wife. I know many of us dream about when we will meet that special someone, and for this couple, it turned out that special someone was always there.

The wedding started with a beautiful bridal brunch hosted in The Winfield Dining room. The Bride made sweet little place cards and bought drink charms for all her guests. The Eggs Béarnaise with fresh fruit and bacon was a perfect fit for the occasion.

Throughout the remainder of the evening, the magic continued. They enjoyed a fabulous meal accompanied by specialty drinks selected by the Bride and Groom. Cherry vodka sours were a perfect pair for the ladies and the gentleman sipped on their Crown and Coke while the kiddos were even treated to Shirley Temples! Cakes by Kathy was marvelous as always and Johnny from Complete Music was the perfect MC for the night. The guests were out on the dance floor for almost every song creating an incredibly festive occasion.

The Bride and Groom exited the ballroom in a tunnel of bubbles and enjoyed their first night as husband and wife here at The Winfield. We thank you Bride, Groom, their family and guests for bringing life and love to the property; we wish you all the best!

April 11th Wedding

Last weekend brought more than just candy and eggs… it brought friends and family together to witness two people sharing the most memorable day of their lives.

The couple decided to hold off on seeing each other until it was time for pictures later that afternoon. I couldn’t wait for him to see her because she looked absolutely stunning in her silk A-line gown. They took most of their pictures before the ceremony to ensure that they had enough time to socialize during the reception. One request from the bride and groom was to get a group shot with all 120 guests in front of the house before they made their way into the Garden Ballroom.

After the ceremony guests enjoyed cocktails and passed appetizers in the Ballroom then later a fantastic dinner. The passed appetizers were the perfect addition to this menu. They were colorful, flavorful, and playful! Cocktail tables allowed for a smooth flow of socializing for all the guests throughout the Ballroom.

Passed Apps: Beef Crostini with Red Pepper Mayonnaise
Pesto Toasts with Sun-Dried Tomato & Parmigiano Reggiano
Lime & Cilantro Shrimp Shooters
Main Course: Seared Chicken with Wild Porcini Cognac Crème Sauce
Garlic Mashers
Green Beans Almandine
Bacon, Lettuce, & Tomato Salad with Spicy Chipotle Ranch & Zesty Ciabatta Croutons

As previously stated, the guests were social butterflies and the DJ embraced every moment of it! Johnny, with Music 4 Life DJ’s, played everything from hip-hop to country and the guests were thrilled! The night was perfect and the couple was happy… what more could we ask for?!

Thank you both for such an enjoyable weekend! Congratulations!!!

April 5th Wedding

Personal, intimate, and elegant- three words to sum up this wonderful Sunday wedding. The couple invited their closest friends and family to be a part of their special day and enjoyed the sweet sounds of a harp throughout the evening.

Earth tones, candlelight, and a soothing Celadon colored linen were the main ingredients to this elegant evening. Large dogwood branches stood as centerpieces on the guest tables with crystals draped from the limbs and wonderful white blooms.

While serenaded in the Ballroom, guests enjoyed a carefully chosen dinner that perfectly complimented the touch of earthy, natural flavors of the décor.
Pesto Toasts
Balsamic and Sage Chicken
Summer Sage Sausage Balls with Fresh Apples
Garlic & Rosemary New Potatoes
Green Beans with Lemon Zest
Caesar Salad with Sourdough Croutons

After a champagne toast and delicious wedding cake, guests formed two lines towards the main entrance of the Ballroom to see the new couple off for a grand exit.

We wish you nothing but the best!!!

April 4th Wedding

The wedding morning started on the right foot by getting pampered and relaxed with a wonderful gourmet breakfast, manicures, pedicures, hair, and make up. As the day went on and family and friends steadily arrived the bride grew more and more excited about her big day!

The ceremony was held under our two romantic “Kissing Trees” (my favorite) with a string quartet in the gazebo to add an intimate feel. The tables in the ballroom blended a rich spread of crèmes and whites with various arrangements of white roses and hydrangeas on top of an ivory linen with a White Satin Stripe overlay. Touches of sage ribbon were also used to tie the folded napkins further complimenting the flower arrangements. It was a perfect amount for the gorgeous spring day!

Austin Juke Box provided entertainment for the night and they were fantastic! They provide a combo package of DJ services as well as a live band. Having a mix of both kept the guests dancing while also having many opportunities for mingling throughout the evening. They were wonderful to work and we appreciate everything they did throughout the night to facilitate a successful wedding atmosphere.

Since the couple decided to leave for the night, they both changed into their get-away attire and had a gorgeous Rolls Royce waiting to take them to their hotel. Rose petals were tossed and they were on their way!
Congratulations, best wishes, and thank you for a wonderful night!!!

April and Robyn's Adventure!

As we are all aware of by now, April is pregnant!!! So when she randomly asked me if I would like to walk a half marathon with her, needless to say, I was a little shocked. The plan was to walk that morning and attend her first baby shower that afternoon with all of her friends (yea!).

We had lots of energy throughout the marathon and it was awesome! At almost every water station the volunteers were yelling, “Hey, way to go! You’re 1 ½ people today!” This kept us both motivated, especially since I didn’t have an excuse to bail. I have to admit that our feet started hurting around mile 4, but we blame that on being on our feet for 15 hours the day before. We were walking along Clear Lake and it was the PERFECT day, which made it easy to forget that we were walking for 4 straight hours. April and I had one mile to go so we decided to jog across the finish line and man, that felt good! April’s husband, mom, and step-dad met us at the finish line with their cameras ready with everyone around applauding. It felt so good to finish!

After all of that we still had her baby shower to attend. Well that was even more fun because her friends had prepared fun games, finger foods, and a special sherbert punch at April’s request. She opened all of her teeny tiny presents and before we knew it pink was everywhere! She also received some very special gifts from her mom and mother-in-law that made us all cry. April is truly blessed to have such wonderful people in her life!

The whole day was a blast and worth every minute of it! Although we were very tired, I would do it again in a heart beat!!!

March 28th Wedding

Spring is here and blooms are everywhere! With our gardens budding daily (thank you rain!) and the bride’s wonderful spring arrangements, fresh spring colors filled the ballroom. The groom's brother and family scattered petals on anything that they could find as well as adding arrangements on each table. The final product was truly stunning. The bride’s mom also stitched the bride’s and bridesmaid’s initials on a handkerchief that was wrapped around a vase for their bouquets. What a fun idea?!

To add to her detail filled event, she and her new hubby asked a close friend, Lonnie Key with Texas Connection, to be their entertainment for the night. They did an outstanding job entertaining the guests and playing great music! The groom even pulled out his harmonica at one point… talk about talent!

The menu that night is one of my personal favorites because it’s extremely satisfying and looks incredibly decadent on the plate:
Pesto Toasts
Chicken with Dijon Brandy Cream with Mushrooms
Summer Sage Sausage Balls with Fresh Apples
Garlic & Parmesan Mashers
Organic Mixed Greens tossed with Strawberry Wedges, Granny Smith Slices,
Candied Walnuts, Feta Cheese & Lemon-Tarragon Citronette

We hope that everyone enjoyed the night as much as we did and to the newlyweds, we wish nothing but the best! Congrats!!!