San Antonio Event Inspiration | The Event Center at Plaza Lecea » weddings

New Bar Service: Cowgirls Unlimited!

Stephanie — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 21:40:19 +0000

You asked and we listened! We have had a couple clients and vendors recommend adding Cowgirls Unlimited to our list of approved bar services because of their stellar customer service and great prices. Cowgirls Unlimited has been servicing San Antonio’s events for over 10 years. With what started as a small idea to provide bartenders for events serving alcohol has blossomed into a full-fledged operation that serves between 100-125 events per year.

We sat down to talk to Jen Tyson, owner of Cowgirls Unlimited and asked her a few questions:

(PL) What sets Cowgirls Unlimited apart from other bar services in San Antonio?

(JT) We are absolutely 100% professional in everything we do from answering the 1^st phone call to the very end of the special event. 10 years ago, we were the only company in San Antonio who operated in this sort of fashion. We are an all-female group who can adjust to any and all, casual or formal, special events. We firmly believe our staff personalities are extremely friendly, kind and catering to all of our client’s needs. There is also no limit to our services as we can customize any order to fit each client’s needs and budget.

(PL) Do you provide clients with guidelines for the amount of alcohol they should provide for their guests?

(JT) Yes.

(PL) What other services do you offer besides bar service?

(JT) We focus 100% on the bar area. We want to ensure our clients have the best experience when it comes to their special events. Alcohol is such a popular but dangerous category so we want to make sure that everyone has a great time but remains safe while doing so. We also want to make sure that our clients get the most value for their budgets. Whether they choose an open/hosted bar, cash bar or just want to hire our bartending staff only for what they choose to provide, we always was to make sure everyone is happy in the process.

(PL) What do you hope to get out of a relationship with Plaza Lecea?

As with all our vendor relationships, we want to make sure that everyone involved in the event has a great experience with our services. We always strive to make processes quick, easy and clean. Upon gaining 100% trust from our vendors and facilities, we believe the entire process from beginning to end always goes much quicker and smoother. Then in turn, we hope the healthy facility relationship with us is transferred over to each and every client and their served guests.

(PL) Is there anything else you would like to include?

We never want to disappoint anyone! We not only cater to our clients but we are also very friendly and kind to other vendors that may be working the event as well. Positive relationships with everyone is very important to us!

If you’d like to get in touch with Jen Tyson and Cowgirls Unlimited for your next event, check her out on the web at http://www.cowgirlsunlimited.com/index.aspx or at 210.872.8746. We’ll cheer to that!

December Holiday Party/Wedding Special

Stephanie — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 22:13:36 +0000

December is only 33 days away! Why haven’t you booked your event location yet for that office holiday party?! Lucky for you, we have a few dates and some great specials still available. In keeping with the spirit of giving, we have partnered with An Event to Remember to give all clients that book a holiday party in December will receive a free upgraded linen package for their event. You can make it look like it took a lot of time and effort to make your event spectacular when we’ll do all the work! You can choose from a ton of different fabrics including pintucks, iridescent crush, embroidered overlays and more. An Event to Remember offers over 60 colors to choose from in a variety of linen selections to choose from to make your special event a little extra special this year!

We are also extending this offer for weddings as well! Always wanted a winter wonderland-themed reception? Or just in love with the idea of a Christmas wedding? Let us help you create the memories that will last forever!

We currently have a few dates available, including a Saturday! Contact Stephanie for more information at 210.615.0009. As an added incentive, An Event to Remember is also offering a special on catering for the month of December as well-5% off your catering. Tis the season for savings!

Featured Photographer: Once Upon a Time Photography

Stephanie — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:44:52 +0000

Special thanks to Once Upon a Time Photography who shared some of their work for our office. We have a large bridal portrait taken on our grand staircase and a great shot of the front of our building.

They have a wonderful special going on right now: Book your reception at Plaza Lecea and your photography from Once Upon a Time, and you will receive a complimentary engagement session! Check them out online: www.onceuponatimephoto.com or give them a call at 210.495.3686!

San Antonio Weddings Debut Party

Stephanie — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:50:09 +0000

Last night I ventured out to the annual San Antonio Weddings Magazine debut party with a couple of my coordinators (Adriana & Kelley). We had such a blast checking out the amazing decor provided by Botanika (Melissa is seriously talented!) and tasting the yummy bites from the Holiday Inn (the crab cakes were perfect). I think my favorite part of the whole event had to be the juice bar by The Lemonade Co. Their peach-banana frozen concoction was heavenly.

Lighting and music by Alusstra Events was wonderful as usual and we loved seeing the familiar faces of Limelight photographing all the beautiful event people. The lil San Antonio Weddings cookies by Elaines Custom Cakes & Cookies were awesome! We absolutely love the lounge furniture by The Lounge Concept–btw, they are super affordable!

All in all it was a fab time. Mingling with some of San Antonio’s finest wedding professionals is always a ton of fun.

From left to right: Specialty linens by Yarlen; Shimaliers by Theme Travelers; Centerpieces by Botanika

Wedding Flowers for Each Season

Stephanie — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:50:03 +0000

If you can spring for fresh flowers for your upcoming reception, we highly recommend it! There is no better way to add that extra flair to your wedding than with fresh flowers. Plus your reception space will be filled with the fresh aroma of these gorgeous additions.

A way to keep down costs for your fresh flowers is to purchase ones that are in season. You can even combine in-season flowers with flowers that are available year-round to make it more cost-effective. Here is a list of flowers that you can get all year round and by the season. Happy searching!

Year-round florals:

Alstromeria

Aster (if from Africa)

Gerbera (Gerber Daisy)

Winter (December-January)

Aster (US grown)

Filler foliage: Ivy, Holly, Baby’s Breath, Wax Flower, Hypericum Berries

Spring: March – May

Filler foliage: Banana leafs, Heather, Wax Flower, Baby’s Breath

Summer: June – August

Love in a Mist (Nigella)

Filler Foliage: Mint, Baby’s Breath

Fall: September – November

Filler foliage: Ornamental Cabbage, Hypericum Berries, Euonymus, Heather, Baby’s Breath & Wax Flower

Vendor Spotlight: True Flavors Culinary Concepts

Stephanie — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:09:51 +0000

One of the first caterers to be on our approved vendors list was True Flavors Culinary Concepts. We knew from the start that San Antonio’s brides and corporate clients would love their food and services, so to have them on our list was a must!

True Flavors really had a truly unique start. Chef and owner Johnny Hernandez had a passion for cooking that eventually lead him to New York City at the mere age of 16 to study at the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America. After graduating, he spent time sharpening his skills as a chef in four-star hotels and resorts across the country.

Just five years later, in 1994, True Flavors began their catering services here in San Antonio. They have notably grown to be one of San Antonio’s most regarded caterers in the past 16 years, collecting covenant awards along the way. When you hire True Flavors as your caterer, you will be choosing the 2006 Restaurateur of the Year and NACE’s (National Association of Catering Executives) Caterer of the Year (twice mind you!).

What we love about True Flavors is their outside-the-box thinking when it comes to décor and their fabulously fresh food, not to mention impeccable service. They have the ability to serve intimate groups of 5 people to lavish parties of up to 5000 guests. Their experienced team is dedicated to making sure that all guests will have a great culinary experience. True Flavors is always committed to providing the highest quality of artistic and sustainable cuisine, excellent service, and stylish décor.

With all that said, on average, True Flavors executes approximately 1000 events every year, so you most likely have had their food at one of the many events they have done in San Antonio. In addition to all of those stellar events, True Flavors has found time to diversify their business to include a traditional Latin-inspired restaurant, La Gloria that will open next month on the banks of the San Antonio River Expansion at the Pearl Brewery.

Back to their catering side, True Flavors has a distinction of creating culturally inspired dishes. Chef Johnny has travelled the world to learn about different types of cuisines so that their food has the right preparation and ingredients to make authentic versions of the originals. Some of their more popular dishes include their fresh fish ceviche, tequila shrimp shooter, mole verde and Mantachie grapes (we had to look it up–goat cheese coated with fresh herbs and pistachios, doesn’t that sound wonderful?). Breakfast pricing starts out at $7.95 per person, lunch from $11.95 per person and dinner at $14.95 per person. They customize their menus as well to suit your budget and taste.

Our partnership with True Flavors has really worked out for the betterment of our facility as well as for True Flavors. Knowing that a professional and helpful staff will be onsite for your next event is crucial for a good working relationship.

Here are the essentials: Website: www.trueflavors.com; Phone: 210.226.3670; Email: areyes@trueflavors.com or dlopez@trueflavors.com. Call or email them today!

Vendor Spotlight: Cocktail’s Bar Service

Stephanie — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:20:32 +0000

Cocktail’s Bar Services (Cocktails) has been serving San Antonio’s event industry for almost seven years. The idea for such services stemmed from owner, Lisa Scherrer’s own experience in the bar and restaurant industry. After working for years for different companies, Lisa decided to venture out on her own and launched Cocktails in 2003. First starting with staffing for caterers, venues and events, then in 2007 they were granted licensure by TABC to provide full bar and catering services.

Cocktails offers clients the option of doing an open bar, cash bar or partial cash bar for their next event. For an open bar, the client would bring in the alcohol and Cocktails would serve it to their guests. Or, for a nominal fee per person, you can have Cocktails do all the work and provide all of the alcohol and mixers so that you don’t have to worry about a thing on your special day. For brides on a budget, a cash bar is a wonderful option. You simply pay for the set up and your guests pay for the drinks. If you would like to offer your guest some beverages, but do not want to break the bank, a partial cash bar would do the trick. You could do a cocktail hour, where you pick up the tab during a 1-2 hour timeframe and then a cash bar the rest of the evening. Another option is providing beer and wine free of charge for your guests, but if they would like hard liquor, they can pay for that themselves.

Making their mark in the event world of San Antonio, Cocktails works approximately 75-100 events per year and provides services for events exceeding 3000 guests. They are also very comfortable working at Plaza Lecea because they have the same priorities as we do: Keep the client happy (the night time view is a plus too)! They continuously work with their clients to provide the best service and customize packages to fit their budget. They also take that extra step to ensuring client satisfaction on the day of their event as well by assisting caterers when needed, arriving early for set up and staying late to help with the clean up, or providing a special drink recipe for an individual’s wedding party.

A bar service tends to be an after-thought, but in reality it is an integral part of a successful event! Don’t leave it to last minute to book or hand it off to your groom. Here is some insight from Lisa about the importance of a professional bar service,

“Brides should remember that as well as the venue, caterer and decorations, the bar service is a vital part of an enjoyable wedding. A professional, responsible and courteous service will always leave a lasting impression on your guests. We spend most of the event providing service to your party, (so) don’t let your bar service be an after-thought in your planning. Cocktails will help you decide on a service to fit your budget and can also provide you great contacts and suggestions, for all your needs on your special day.”

The Essentials: Website: www.cocktailservices.com Phone: 210.363.8025; Email: info@cocktailservices.com. Click here to see all of their happy client’s testimonials: www.cocktailservices.com/testimonials.htm

We heart Philip Thomas Photography

Stephanie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:20:00 +0000

Philip Thomas Photography has to be one of the top photography companies in San Antonio (in our humble opinion!). We have worked with Philip Thomas for a few years now as he has done several weddings at our facility and we are consistently impressed by his ability to capture the most intimate moments (whether they be super sweet or slightly awkward–see his photos below) with out interrupting a thing.

Philip’s love of photography began early as a teen and developed into a career some years later. Gathering inspiration from turn-of-the-century photojournalist and newspaper broadsheets, Philip honed his techniques as a press photographer for a few years. In 2006, Philip moved to San Antonio and expanded his professional photography scope to include weddings, while still doing the occasional corporate event, head-shots and fashion models.

His experience gained as a photojournalist truly prepared Philip for wedding photography by making sure he captured the moments all the while anticipating and reacting as they unfold. His unobtrusive manner and documentary style of photography totally work for the modern bride.

Our coordinator Adriana Valdez, who has worked with Philip on previous events had this to say, “Working with Philip was just fantastic. He was around for every shot, there was not one instance where we had to go looking for him. He was on top of every moment, every picture. It made for a pleasurable experience for the guests, bride and myself as the coordinator for the event. Too many times the photographers are not on top of things and its up to the coordinator or family to look for them and the couple lose out on that special moment. Philip also scopes our building out and even though he’s been here before, he takes extra time to find the best location for shots.”

When it comes to shooting at Plaza Lecea, Philip loves the ambient lighting, especially at dusk when the natural light outside mixes with the tungsten indoor lighting creating a beautiful blue hue. We have to agree…it’s really beautiful here!

Some quick facts about his work:

Shoots approx. 25-30 weddings a year, so book him now ladies!
Member of the Professional Photographers of America and Wedding Photojournalist Association…he’s legit and an International Award Winner!
Typically shoots between 500-1000 shots per event
Proofs take approx. 4-6 weeks along w/draft of album design (yes! he does a FABULOUS job with photo books–a must! You can check out a sample book at our facility)
Only shoots one event per day AND depending on the client, will bring on an assistant if needed
Wedding coverage starts at a mere $2500 (a bargain for his work if you ask us!)
The Essentials: Website: www.philipphotography.com; Blog: www.philipthomasblog.com; Twitter: http://twitter.com/Philipphoto; Phone: 210. 833.1168

We highly recommend Philip Thomas Photography for your wedding or special event. He’ll capture more than just the traditional photos and you will be more than pleased with the results.

A Budding Romance: Spotlight on SA’s Finest Florists

Stephanie — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:10:25 +0000

San Antonians are known for their culture as well as their diversity, and the flower industry in the city is no different. It’s easy to find a fantastic florist at a reasonable price; you just have to know where to look!

Floral Elegance, Ltd (210.494.2024): Floral Elegance, Ltd is a small family owned business, complete with innovative design, over 15 years of accredited experience and award winning floral masterpieces. Owners, Adrianna and Mike Pedraza have worked with San Antonio’s Elite List of Wedding Vendors and Venues. Floral Elegance, Ltd was the Official Florist for: Mrs. Texas International 1999, Miss San Antonio USA 1999-2009, Miss Teen San Antonio USA 1999-2009, Miss Fiesta San Antonio 1999-2009, Miss Texas USA 2007, and USA Local Pageant 2009. Floral Elegance Ltd’s wide range of services includes: daily personal orders, modern floral designs, full scale decorating, table lighting and up-lighting, drapery, and custom table linens.
Oak Hills Florist (210.349.6549): Located at 1729 Babcock Road, Oak Hills Florist has been serving San Antonio and the surrounding areas for over 30 years and boasts everything from fruit and gourmet baskets to tropical and European designs. A certified Texas Master Florist, Oak Hills Florist is able to provide the customer with an array of unique floral pieces for any event, including wedding ceremony and reception décor. Oak Hills Florist offers same day delivery to all of Metro San Antonio and twice daily to the Medical Center.
Blooming Creations Florist (210.520.1005): Located at 8035 Culebra Road, Suite 102, Blooming Creations is family owned and operated. They commit themselves to the finest floral arrangements backed by friendly and prompt service. Blooming Creations specializes in the following services: large inventory of fresh flowers, tropicals, plants, European/dish gardens, contemporary and traditional arrangements, high-style floral arrangements, silk arrangements, dried floral arrangements, weddings, gourmet and fruit baskets, and candles. With such a vast spread, you are bound to find a center piece that captures your heart!
Riverwalk Floral Designs (210.227.1775): Riverwalk Floral Design Studio is located in the heart of downtown San Antonio, on the ever-popular San Antonio Riverwalk. They specialize in high style, European, traditional and tropical designs, and South America roses. The owners, Tom Moore and Bob Fancher, are frequenters of the market and go almost daily to hand pick the flowers they sell in order to ensure quality, freshness and variety. Riverwalk Floral Designs is open from 8:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday and from 9:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday.
Botanika (210.733.8120): Located at 2615 Broadway, owner Melissa White has to be one of San Antonio’s most talented floral designers. Consistently providing clients with modern, elegant and super chic floral arrangements, bouquets and more! We heart her artistic and creative elements that she brings to each arrangement. Melissa is available by appointment only.

These are only a few florist options that San Antonio has to offer. The best way to find the florist that’s right for you is to research! Ask local friends and family, your wedding planner can also be a big help when it comes to narrowing the search.

Vendor Spotlight: Columbia Culinary Team

Stephanie — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:45:40 +0000

A rising star in the catering community here in San Antonio is Columbia Culinary Team (CCT), one of our latest additions to our approved caterers list. Their incredibly creative menu is what sets them apart from any other cater that we’ve worked with yet! They are definetely not serving the bland and dry “catered chicken” at your event. This caterer’s menu is flooded with gourmet renditions of classic and contemporary foods. With items such as the Tandoori Style Quail, Veal Osso Buco or Scampi Modo Mio, your guests will be amazed at restaurant-quality style of food served at your next event.

Prior to opening their doors over 2 1/2 years ago, the CCT catered private events and gained a rather large following here in the Alamo City. Handling crowds of up to 1000 guests (w/events for up to 2000 guests in 2010) is the same as catering a small dinner party for their team, as they strive to pay attention to the customers needs completely. CCT prides themselves on provided a dining experience that is at least equal to, if not better than that of the city’s best restaurants and we have to agree! Plaza Lecea has had CCT cater numerous in-house events and we have all experienced the first class service and savory dishes. They always have plenty of staff on-site for the events to ensure that every guest has a pleasurable experience.

Some of CCT’s most popular dishes include: Seared pepper crusted tuna on a chipolte cream cheese crisp with chili escabeche, smoked marinated pork loin with a peach jalapeno glaze, and bleu cheese stuffed bacon wrapped dates in a maple sabayon (is your mouth watering yet?!). Executive Chef, Jeff White, has a great ability to create tantilizing dishes for the masses, which is not an easy feat when you have cook the meals in their kitchen and then transport it to an event.

One of our favorite things about CCT is their affordability. Brides on a budget can still serve an amazing meal with quality service to their guests with CCT. Prices start out at $12.50 a person and go to around $50 for the works (majority of the dishes are under $25), but this pricing is also inclusive of porcelain plates and glassware. They also have a unique spin on service style. While most caterers only offer seated or buffet meals, CCT also has an option for family style service in addition to a seated or buffet meal. This is their most requested option, where they deliver large platters of food to each table–kind of like a buffet at your table. Your guests can choose the amount of food and the specific items that they want, fostering a family dinner-like atmosphere.

In addition to catering, CCT also provides bar services, linen, decor and event management services for your event. We are very proud to have such an innovative catering service on our list of approved vendors and we hope that you will check them out as well: www.thecct.net