Photo by AJH Photography

Photo by AJH Photography

The food was a focal point throughout the event, and Carmel and Todd selected a diverse blend of entrees for their dinner guests.  On the family-style menu:

Poached Turbot with Olive Tapenade
Roasted Tomatoes with Artichoke, Gruyere, and Breadcrumbs
Broccolini with Almonds and Brown Butter
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Peaches
Creole Mustard Mashed Potatoes
Sirloin Burgers with Truffle Butter and Duck Fat Fries with Herbed Mayonnaise and Ketchup

Photo by AJH Photography

Photo by AJH Photography

Photo by AJH Photography

Photo by AJH Photography

Photo by AJH Photography

After dinner, the guests were served a cool Prosecco Gelee with Fresh Berries and Mixed Berry Puree while the couple took a break to dance the Foxtrot to Frank Sinatra.

Photo by AJH Photography

Photo by AJH Photography

The entire early-afternoon reception captured the heart of carefree summer fun.   It was a memorable day at Mercury Hall for Royal Fig, and most certainly a perfect day for Carmel and Todd.  Congratulations to them as they approach their 5 month anniversary, and may we all look back and remember the warmth and love radiated on this day!

Photo by AJH Photography

Thank you so much to Carmel and Todd for leaving us this wonderful review on Wedding Wire:

“Royal Fig catered our wedding on July 10 at Mercury Hall. They were amazing! From start to finish, we received great care and professionalism in planning and carrying out the menu and event details.

Kristen Stacy helped us choose a gourmet, family-style feast. Our menu included watermelon gazpacho with mixed green salad and feta, pork tenderloin and peaches, poached turbo with olive tapenade, sirloin burgers with truffle butter and duck fat fries, sage brown butter broccolini, creole mustard mashed potatoes, roasted tomatoes with artichokes and gruyere, corn bread, popovers, and champagne gelee with berries for dessert. The prickly pear margaritas were extremely popular. Some guests told me it was the best margarita they have ever had, and I definitely agree. We also had a kids menu of macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders and fruit.

Really, the options for a great menu are endless with Royal Fig. They have an extensive menu and will create or customize any dishes to your liking. The champagne gelee was an item Dan Stacy customized for us based on some of the ideas we stated during our first consult with Kristen. Every single item on the wedding day tasted incredible and looked beautiful. Dan is an extremely talented chef. Weeks after the wedding, people were telling me the food was not only the best “wedding food” they ever had, but maybe one of the best meals they ever tasted.

I’ve never planned a wedding before, so I didn’t see the need in hiring a wedding coordinator. If you use Royal Fig, you won’t need to! Their intern, Natalie Osborne, helped me with everything from linens, room arrangements and the ever-important wedding timeline. All of the little details I never thought of doing were under control. They took care of the rentals as well.

When we walked into the reception, Kristen greeted us with glasses of champagne in our toasting glasses we wanted to use for the reception. She kept things rolling right on time, and consulted us as needed if anything needed to be adjusted.

I would be remiss if I did not state what a great value Royal Fig was for us. I shopped around and got quotes from other caterers before visiting Royal Fig. I was shocked at the prices being charged for “appetizer only” meals or cheap buffet chicken dinners. Their cost compared to the gourmet dinner Royal Fig offered was insulting. Royal Fig has a great al a carte system, so we could choose what we wanted, such as appetizers, entrees, side dishes, beverages, linens, china, cake cutting service, set up, waitstaff, bartenders, etc. Everything was itemized and flexible. They even have very casual menu options, too, if you are looking for a more low key affair.

If you want people to talk about how great your wedding was for a long time to come, then Royal Fig is the answer. Thank you, Royal Fig, for a stress free, memorable wedding. You really made the day!”

Carmel and Todd’s Vendors:
Catering and Coordination: Royal Fig Catering
Venue: Mercury Hall
Linens: BBJ Linen
Rentals: Premiere Party Central
Cake: Sweetish Hill Bakery
Dinner Music Musician: Thomas Hughes
DJ: Dylan Jones
Photography: AJH Photography
Florist: Westbank Floral Market

The first wedding here was on August 14, 2010 between Robin Bagley and Andrew Logan.  Due to the Texas summer heat, the couple opted for an early morning ceremony under the trees.  The lawn was lush and green, and was converted to a croquet field following the ceremony.

photo by Jenny DeMarco

photo by Jenny DeMarco

After the ceremony, the reception was held in the main pavilion with an incredible brunch feast including:

Eggs Benedict on Homemade Biscuits
Artichoke, Bacon, and Brie Quiche
Crème Brulee French Toast
Tomato Caprese Salad

We also created several unique touches to display foods, like an elaborate Cheese and Antipasti display, and a tower of Handmade Cinnamon Buns on sticks.  At the bar the couple had custom fresh Mimosas and Bloody Marys with our housemade pickled vegetables.

photo by Jenny DeMarco

photo by Jenny DeMarco

photo by Jenny DeMarco

photo by Jenny DeMarco

photo by Jenny DeMarco

photo by Jenny DeMarco

photo by Jenny DeMarco

photo by Jenny DeMarco

For more information on Camp Lucy visit their website at www.camplucy.com. Thanks to Jenny DeMarco for all of the gorgeous pictures!

Vendors:
Catering – Royal Fig Catering
Coordination – Alicia Anderson, Love Punk Events
Floral – Love Punk Events
Rentals – Dripping Springs Party Rental
Photography - Jenny DeMarco Photography
Cake – Nothing Bundt Cakes
Music - Continental Graffiti

The meal for this wedding of almost 200 guests was served FAMILY STYLE with a first course plated salad.  This is another example of why family style service is such a great way to go for any size event.  We served the guests in less than 30 minutes, where it would have taken that many guests at least 45 minutes to go through a buffet.  The menu consisted of:

Cocktail Hour Appetizers
Dip Bar with Salsa Roja, Spinach Dip, Pumpkin Hummus, Port Wine Cheese Spread and Wasabi Guacamole
Mini Mac and Cheese Bites
Crab Cakes with Ancho Paint and Microgreens

Family Style Dinner
Plated Green Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Orecchiette Pasta with Butternut Squash and Roasted Root Veg in White Wine Cream Sauce
NY Strip Steak with Bacon Horseradish Puree
Cider Brined Pork Tenderloin with Sunchoke Creamed Spinach
Roasted Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Homemade Sourdough Bread

Late Night Snack
Fresh Fried Doughnut Holes with Lemon Curd and Chocolate Ganache
Milk Shots

Orecchiette Pasta with Butternut Squash and White Wine Cream Sauce

Family Style Dinner Service

Not only is Family Style dinner service convenient for the guests, it promotes conversation at the table.

Fresh Fried Doughnut Holes with Milk Shot

The Signature Cocktail - Grape Margarita

Here are some more of our favorite shots from Shannon Cunningham Photography and her second shooter, Tali Wildman:

Cake by Michelle's Patisserie

Floral by Bouquets of Austin, Linen by BBJ Linen

Menu table tents

More of the Fried Doughnut Holes! These made the perfect late night snack!

You can't have doughnuts without milk!

The bride put together a purple themed candy bar and it was beautifully executed by Barbara Hearne's team.

A beautiful ballroom shot with lighting by FILO

We just loved getting to know this sweet couple! Congrats Kristin and Nik!

The Texas Federation Mansion is a gorgeous setting for a wedding at anytime of year!

To top it all off, we received this wonderful 5 star review on Wedding Wire from the Mother of the Groom:

“Our heartfelt gratitude for a job well done at our son’s recent wedding reception. The food you prepared was delicious beyond compare, from the cocktail hour and dinner meal to the “special treat” doughnut holes with their oh-so-good sauces toward the end of the evening. You and your staff are to be commended on your fine service and attention to detail.”

Thanks to all involved with this special wedding and congratulations to Kristin and Nik!

Vendors:
Catering: Royal Fig Catering of course!
Reception: Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs Mansion
Dress: Blush Bridal Lounge
Photography: Shannon Cunningham Photography
Second Shooter: Tali Wildman
Coordinator: Barbara’s Brides
Floral: Bouquets of Austin
Cake: Michelle’s Patisserie
Lighting: FILO
DJ: Stafford from Complete Music
Linen: BBJ Linens
Rentals: Premiere Party Central

Photo by Azini Photography

The menu for this cocktail reception reflected their Cajun roots and included some veggie friendly options.  We started with a bountiful cheese display featuring cheese from Antonelli’s Cheese Shop, house made breads, marmalade, and pickled vegetables.  Passed appetizers included Boudin Balls, Crab Cakes with Spicy Remoulade, Edamame Falafel with Tahini Dipping Sauce, and Bourbon Sweet Potato Tarts.

Photo by Azini Photography

Our officemate, Stardust Pastry made an assortment of mini cupcakes including two of our favorites, carrot and boston cream!

Photo by Azini Photography

To see more pictures from this wedding, check out the post on weddingchicks.com.  Azini Photography did a wonderful job capturing the spirit of this fun couple.

When Megan contacted us exactly one month before her wedding day to discuss catering options, we were a little nervous.   Could an entire wedding be planned and executed in such a short time?  As it turned out, we had nothing to worry about.  Megan was a breeze to work with, and happily followed our recommendations for the perfect southern meal to complement the couple and the venue.

Photography by The Nichols

Photography by The Nichols

We were thrilled to be a part of this wedding, and the couple, the family, and the guests had a great time.  Thanks to all who helped make this a fun night for us, too!  And congratulations to the happy couple!

The "couch" picture at the Driskill. This is still my favorite picture that Eric has ever taken!

Dan and I getting married at Memory Lane Event Center. Eric really caught the beauty in all of the live oaks that surround the ceremony site.

The big joke that day was that Eric kept trying to get people to make me cry so that he could get it on film! Dan did a good job of doing that anyways as he had someone deliver this card to me in the bridal suite...

Here is a great picture of the Couch Game at our wedding!

The day of our wedding was INCREDIBLY windy, so we went to Laguna Gloria to have some portraits taken a couple of months later.

After we opened Royal Fig, Eric was nothing but supportive.  He has always been around to shoot our food and even took some great shots of our office opening in January.

Royal Fig Catering Westlake Office Grand Opening

Seared Duck Breast with Braised Greens and Pomegranate Sauce

Seared Scallops with Pine Nut Puree and Microgreens

We are thrilled to have Eric as a part of our Royal Fig family!  Be sure to visit his blog and check out his brilliant work.  If you’re in the area, stop by and say hi and see his work all over our office walls too!

Cilantro Masa Cakes with Black Bean Salsa, Photo by Rojo Pictures

Several months ago, Cortney Zieky, the “Z” of BZ Events, called me to ask if their team could hold their monthly staff meeting at our office.  So they called in an etiquette coach to do a seminar for their staff as we cooked up some tasty treats!  On the menu was:

Grilled Flank Steak with Shiner Onions
Tabasco Poached Shrimp Shooters
Cilantro Masa Cakes with Black Bean Salsa
Yucatan Pulled Pork on Arepas
and a selection of Artisan Cheeses from Antonelli’s Cheese Shop

Here are two blog posts about this fun evening that feature photography by Rojo Pictures:

BZ Events Blog CLM Etiquette Blog

Thanks BZ!  We’d love to have you back!

Royal Fig has been fortunate to serve and coordinate many outdoors weddings in the past year, and we’ve learned a few rules.  But I did a little research to see if what we learned were sort of universal truths in the wedding industry.  Turns out they are!  I came across this incredible article by Nina Callaway at About.com that really sums it up well.  I cannot think of a better list of Top-10 Outdoor Wedding Tips than this!  Enjoy!

1)    Make your guests comfortable. Think about what the weather will likely be at the time of day and month of the year of your outdoor wedding. Sunny and hot? Don’t leave your guests uncomfortably melting – have your ushers give guests ice-cold bottles of water as they are seated. Consider printing your wedding program on a fan so that guests may cool themselves. Don’t forget to have plenty of sunscreen on hand as well. For a very warm location, look into renting large electric fans (don’t forget a generator) and/or a tent to shade the sun’s rays. If it will be cold and damp, make sure you tell guests that so they can wear extra layers. A simple xeroxed insert will do. You might want to have lap blankets on hand, or rent portable heaters.

2)    Have a backup plan. What will you do if it rains? The ideal outdoor wedding location has an indoor location waiting just in case. Many brides and grooms opt to have their ceremony outside and reception inside. In a pinch, the tables can be scooted to the back of the room during the ceremony. A tent is another option, but only for light to moderate rain storms. A heavy rain will soak the ground underneath, leaving guests with soggy and muddy shoes. Make sure any tent you rent is sturdy so it won’t flip over, and that it has thick and weighted sides.  We love to recommend Premiere Tents and Events for all of your tenting needs!

Chance of rain? Opt for a tent!

Same goes for our mobile kitchen

3)    Plan for Wind.  Many outdoor weddings suffer from windy conditions. Avoid light fabrics like chiffons and china silks in your dress and the bridesmaid dresses. Tell your hairstylist that you’ll be having an outdoor wedding so she/he can plan a style that won’t leave you looking like Cousin It!  Men in the wedding party should use pomade or other styling product.  Again, tell your guests in a printed insert so that they can plan accordingly. And of course, make sure your tent will stand up to gusting winds or find an indoor backup plan.

We know a thing or two about windy wedding conditions! Always have back up linen clips and shims to level your tables.

4)    Can everybody hear? When you picture your dream wedding at the beach, you’re probably not hearing the roaring of the waves, the rushing wind, or the local kids running and screaming around you. Look into renting a sound system with clip mikes for the couple and officiant. Your DJ or band may be able to easily arrange this for you.

Memory Lane Event Center has a great set up for ceremony musicians!

5)    Decorations. One of the bonuses of an outdoor wedding is the natural beauty around you, lessening your need to decorate. But you still need to do some work. Visit the site a week before your wedding to make sure the grass is mowed, the ground raked, and the flowers have bloomed. If your wedding is at a public park, you may want to ask the bridal party or friends to do this the morning of your ceremony. If it’s been an especially cold season, you may need to supplement the flowers with some potted bulbs from a florist. Other decorations you may want to consider include an arch or trellis to focus the ceremony and frame the couple as they say their vows; strings of lights or lanterns in the trees; luminarias; torches; or farolitas.

These Chinese lanterns added a nice punch to the natural landscape

Vista West Ranch provides a perfect backdrop for an outdoor ceremony. Floral by Petal Pushers and coordination by Lizze Belle Events

Another great shot from a wedding we catered at Vista West Ranch. Photography by the Nichols. Click the picture for more pictures from this beautiful rustic wedding.

6)    Make things tasty outside.  Does your caterer have experience planning an outdoor wedding menu? Make sure they’re planning things that will keep well outdoors in the heat. Avoid things like mayonnaise salads or dishes which must be served cold.

7)    Don’t leave your guests parched.  Since alcohol is dehydrating, consider serving a variety of lemonades, teas and punches. Be sure to have plenty of ice and water around as well. For a fancy cocktail, why not serve a classic mint julep or a mojito? The mint will refresh and cool your guests.  Check out our beverage menu for a list of options!

Ice-Cold, refreshing margaritas to greet guests as they arrive! We prepared 350 of these cocktails for guests at a corporate party we catered at the Mexican American Cultural Center.

We made a prickly pear margarita to match the bride's dress!

Guests helped themselves to this outdoor drink station before the ceremony started. It kept everyone cool! Our fresh squeezed lemonades even come in a variety of seasonal flavors.

8)    Those pesky flying things.  Be sure to put out citronella candles or a bug zapper so that your guests won’t spend the whole ceremony swatting at the air.

9)    Here comes the sun.  Consider timing your outdoor wedding for sunset where your guests will see you take your vows surrounded by the warm glow of the sun. Those having a daytime outdoor wedding should orient the ceremony so that the sun will be on guests’ backs rather than in their eyes.

The sun was really shining on this day at Zilker Clubhouse! The ceremony was held inside while the sun went down.

10)    Permits.  Don’t forget to contact your city parks department or other local government to get a permit for an outdoor wedding. Be sure to ask about rules concerning trash removal, candle or torch lighting, and pre-wedding photography.

This short list of do’s and don’ts can really save your outdoor wedding and make it picture-perfect, just like you imagined.

“I just wanted to thank you guys so much for the amazing job you did at our wedding. Everyone raved about not only the food but also the decor. The tables and linens and everything worked out great. The food was awesome. I was especially happy about those shiner squash blossoms and the bread, not having been able to taste either of them, they were way better than I could of imagined.  I was really happy that we got so many people to eat foods that were new to them (everyone apparently loves bison now) and half the people didn’t believe me that they one of the appetizers was a edible flower. Both of our parents keep reporting that all the family loved the food and said it was the most interesting wedding they had been to (I’ll take that as a compliment).”

Here is a peek at their decor: (we can’t wait to see the professional pictures soon!)

White Lamour and Loden Shantung Linens by BBJ Linens, Rentals from Premiere Party Central, Floral by Pollen Floral Art

And some of their menu (photographed at their tasting by Rojo Pictures):

THE FIRST COURSE: Orange and Fennel Caprese Salad

Game Spiced Bison with Creole Mustard Mashed Potatoes and Edamame Succotash

Poached Turbot with Olive Tapenade, Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes, and Edamame Succotash

So thank you to all of the couples that touch OUR lives over the months we work with you!  And thank you to the other vendors that make our jobs easier!