Guess who is coming to the wedding? Could it be beer packing Burros?

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Miniature Donkeys are such a big part of Old Glory Ranch as we have over 30 of them grazing peacefully in our pastures. The mini burros have been part of the landscape at OGR and an integral part of our events since we opened in 1997!

Many times, people come to Old Glory because they have seen the donkeys online or heard about them from friends. These little charmers are not always the first thought of a newly engaged couple as they begin compiling the guest list.  However, beer burros are a wonderful novelty to add to your special day!  As you are planning who to invite to your wedding at Old Glory Ranch, don’t forget the most sought after guests… miniature donkeys.

Frequently, couples think the children at the wedding will adore the donkeys, but your adult guests will love these beer packing burros just as much.

There is little else that is as unique as miniature donkeys serving bottled beer, juice boxes or bottled water during cocktail hour.  They create a bond with your guests to help them begin those initial conversations, as two families become one.  The donkeys are also an icebreaker at corporate events or private parties, creating a more relaxed atmosphere.

They are very skilled and versatile as they can serve numerous other items such as chips and queso.  The donkeys often have their pictures taken as much as the bride and groom.   The mini burros are never released from “duty” until all the “people guests” have had an opportunity to take that priceless selfie with our “donkey guests.”

For more information about our donkeys, how to incorporate them into your Old Glory event or to purchase purchase your very own, visit our Miniature Donkeys page.

Peace and Joy on the Blanco River

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Since the horrific Memorial Day Flood in 2015, we are proud to have been able to host numerous meaningful events at the Wedding Deck on our glorious stretch of the Blanco River.   The Wedding Deck at Old Glory Ranch has been a sacred place to so many people over the past 20 years.

Just days after the tragic flood we were only expecting to see a barren landscape pilled with rubble.  We got as close as possible to the river with a glimmer of hope for our splendid Wedding Deck Tree.

Although our peaceful paradise was unrecognizable, we spotted a hopeful site of some Cypress branches being pounded by the still raging river.  We just knew it was the top of our “Giving Tree.”   Feeling the emotional words of Frances Scott Keyes, “O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming…..”  The swaying branches were so gallantly streaming and ultimately gave proof that our tree was still there!

Making Peace With The River

Blanco River Memorial Day Flood

SARAH JAROSZ – DOWN TO THE RIVER TO PRAY

Old Glory Ranch Memorial Day Flood

The Epic Flood changed the landscape of this magical wedding site forever.  However, this magnificent cypress tree has endured an estimated 500 years of weather events to provide a symbol of strength and commitment for so many OGR couples.

We feel very blessed to have been spared this ancient beauty.

As we all learned that night, the river has a mind of its own.  When the Blanco River came ripping through our valley that frightening night, the forceful waters skipped right passed this tiny section of Old Glory Ranch which is so special to so many people.  This was another sign of the sanctification of this tree. What a wonderful foundation this tree provides, as couples exchange vows and begin their married life together.

Surrounded by the few remaining cypress trees, our little piece of heaven is the perfect backdrop for your wedding, baptism, photo shoot or anniversary picnic. Recently, a picturesque baptism began with a blessing in the sparkling waters of the Blanco River.  To the delight of everyone attending, it concluded with the release of doves.   The doves were truly a symbolic gesture of peace with the river.  Also, the sound of the lively flow of water in the background as it makes its way over the smooth rocks is a reminder that water is a symbol of life.

Exactly two years later, with bittersweet reflection, we celebrate and find peace, joy and inspiration on the Blanco River!

Celebration Doves

Photo Credit:

Anthology Photography & Darcie Westerlund Photography

 

 

Flower Girls and Ring Bearers – Attraction or Distraction?

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Should our nieces & nephews be in the wedding, or is this day just about us? 

wedding flowers
ring bearers
ring bearer flower girl
hill country wedding

 

Some couples think it is a family affair while others feel the distraction of children in the ceremony takes away from the bride’s “Queen for a Day Moment”.

 

Making children an attraction at a wedding:

1) Choose appropriate ages for the task. Three to Eight Years Old is usually the ideal age for Flower Girls and Ring Bearers. If you must have a very young child, a wagon pulled by an older participant is a good idea. Taking these young children out after making their appearance, avoids unrealistic expectations.

2) Preparation for the event should include rehearsing. Tell them what a special privilege it is to honor the bride & groom.

3) Emphasize good behavior such as acting like the big boys & girls.

4) Fashionable clothing like Mommy & Daddy can sometimes encourage “best behavior”. Little girls love to be the “Princess for the Day,” while little boys love to dress like Daddy on a special occasion.

5) Attitudes & expressions of children can sometimes ad humor & a sense of relaxation to the ceremony. Old Glory Ranch had a 3 ½ year old twin boy who announced when he exited the chapel after sitting down in the middle of the ceremony, ” ’Dis’ wedding is too ‘Wong’.”

6) When children are expected to stay at the reception, childcare is an excellent idea. Old Glory Ranch provides childcare & entertainment for these children so parents & grandparents can enjoy the celebration. Young children can get very tired & cranky when the evening gets late. Taking young children home after the ceremony is also an option.

Well behaved and adorable children can certainly add great joy to the pomp & circumstance of a wedding. If the bride & groom are set on children in their ceremony, cute kids can lighten the tension & provide wonderful photo opts for the memory book. This is a definite attraction. Some couples still view these precious children as a distraction. When choosing the “attraction” route, always be prepared for the unexpected!

flower girl wedding flowers
flower girl ring bearers

Still on the fence when deciding whether to invite children or not?

Check out these articles from Wedding Wire (The 12 Secrets to Well-Behaved Ring Bearers and Flower Girls) and CNN.com (13 rules for a kid-friendly wedding (or not).

Photos by Darcie Westerlund of Innovative Photography

Seasonal Touches in a Natural State –

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This year, the weatherman may not be forecasting a white Christmas in the hill country, but we just can’t seem to get enough of the beautiful colors popping all over the ranch from the late fall foliage! We love changing seasons, especially this time of year so we are not complaining one bit! Take a look at these “Seasonal Touches” in a natural state.
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Check out some of our favorite seasonal touches and accents that serve as beautiful backdrops at Old Glory Ranch page by following this Link

Lipinsky brings down the house for WAGala at Old Glory Ranch

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Oh, what a night! Lance Lipinsky’s rendition of Jerry Lee Lewis, with a little Elvis thrown in, was a smashing success for the Wimberley Adoption Group & Rescue’s [WAG] recent fundraiser WAGala held at the beautiful Old Glory Ranch. Lance and his band played their hearts out to a packed room with tunes that had everyone’s toes tapping! Energy bounced off the walls as those attending swelled with applause and cheers for the young performer. And to top it all off, lots of money was raised in their live and silent auctions for a very good cause.
A huge thank you is extended to the sponsors and those who attended and opened up their hearts and pocketbooks to help make this one of the most successful fundraisers for the WAG Adoption Group & Rescue to date! For those who were unable to attend, here’s a little teaser of what you missed [click photo below].

Lance hammers the keyboard!

Lance hammers the keyboard! [CLICK PHOTO ABOVE TO VIEW VIDEO]

Decor was the perfect blend with vibrant colors of magenta and black, centerpieces of old LP records & 45’s, soda glasses filled with tasty dog treats and straws. Route 66 signs were floating above the stage area as Lipinsky and his group hammered out some pretty spectacular tunes from an era gone by!

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WAG Adoption Group & Rescue organization is in its 6th year with the fulfillment of their dreams inching closer with fundraisers like this one. The WAG Rescue dream and ultimate goal is a noble one, a real brick and mortar no-kill facility that would serve as a temporary refuge for the ceaseless number of abandoned and unclaimed dogs and puppies in the Wimberley and western Hays County area. To date they have found forever homes for over 630 canines of various sizes and ages and also returned hundreds of ‘found dogs to their lost owners’. It’s a very worthwhile project and you can play a part, big or small! All this takes is people like you, who care about man’s best friend, reaching inside their wallets and tossing a little ‘green dough’ in the general direction of WAG Rescue, and they make it pretty easy! If you were unable to come to the event but still want to give, just click here, fill in a few lines and dollar amount and viola!, you’ve just helped save a dog! Or maybe you would like to consider being a foster parent for a dog while their forever human is located, that’s pretty easy, too! And if you have some spare time on your hands and would like to help in another way by volunteering, well, hot dog! they can help you solve that problem, too! See, WAG Rescue is here to help you as well as their canine friends. We’ll make it super simple for you, click here, find the area you want to help and you’re done, not to mention how great you’ll feel knowing you’ve just helped out.

WAGala organizers

WAGala organizers

Jazz Brunch Series at Old Glory Ranch with Austin Catering

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“Regretfully, we are having to postpone our first Jazz Brunch until a later date. We are not cancelling this “glorious” gourmet special event with Austin Catering, we are merely  rescheduling it for Valentine’s Day Sunday February 14th, 2016.  Mark your calendars now to treat your special someone to live jazz, and scrumptious pairings in a stunning ranch setting.  Check back in closer to the event  for another “lovely affair to cherish” at Old Glory Ranch!”

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Old Glory Ranch is pleased to announce their partnership with Austin Catering for their upcoming “Jazz Up Your Sunday-Funday Brunch” Series. Delight your taste buds with scrumptious offerings lovingly prepared by Austin Catering while your ears are soothed with the sounds of jazz from the Hot Texas Duo. All this while enjoying the glorious beauty of Old Glory Ranch, the premiere Texas Hill Country wedding and event venue. Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 18 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.

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What better way to spend a Sunday than gathering up your family and friends for an art filled day in Wimberley! Start with the Jazz Up Your Sunday-Funday Brunch at Old Glory Ranch, then hit the square for some amazing shopping, boutiques and art studios. Wrap up the evening by attending the Wimberley Players annual fundraiser, “Celebrate”, held at the Leaning Pear featuring jazz-fusion pianist Dylan Meek.

A cash bar will be available. Purchase tickets by 5:00pm on Tuesday, October 13th.

To purchase tickets go to www.oldgloryranch.com/checkout

For more information call Old Glory Ranch at 512-847-3646 or Email event@oldgloryranch.com

Making your wedding cake as unique as your love

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After you’ve selected your Groom, venue and that oh-so-perfect dress, one of the next steps is choosing your wedding cake!  The options are endless and your wedding cake is not just dessert after dinner, it is tradition.  But never fear, there is no rule that says you must have the same old traditional cake.  Think outside the box and create a cake that expresses who you are as a couple; one that tells a story…your unique love story.  It may be your favorite beer or sport; or where you are from.  Your cake could represent your career path or where you went to college; You may go for something that shows your love for music, cheese, hunting, fishing and the great outdoors.  Some are just looking for a different texture, shape or topper.

Start brainstorming by putting together a mood/inspiration board to have on hand when talking to your chosen baker.  Here at Old Glory Ranch, we have seen almost everything you could imagine, but here are some of our favorites to help get your juices flowing.

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Classic Cakes by Lori

  • Simon Lee

  • Simon Lee

  • Simon Lee

  • Simon Lee

  • Simon Lee

  • Sugar Shack

  • Sugar Shack

  • Sugar Shack

  • Sugar Shack

  • Cakes By Cathy Young

  • Cakes By Cathy Young

  • Cakes By Cathy Young

  • Cakes By Cathy Young

  • Cakes By Cathy Young

  • Envy Pastries

  • Miss Janette’s Wedding and Sculpted Cakes

  • Miss Janette’s Wedding and Sculpted Cakes

  • Better Batter Bakery

  • Better Batter Bakery

  • Better Batter Bakery

  • Better Batter Bakery

  • Coco Paloma Desserts

  • Coco Paloma Desserts

  • Michelle’s Patisserie

  • Michelle’s Patisserie

  • Michelle’s Patisserie

  • Sweet Treets

  • Sweet Stuff

  • Sophie’s Choice Bakery

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WAGala brings Lance Lipinsky to Old Glory Ranch

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Lots of buzz and anticipation is growing day-by-day around our little village as the annual Wimberley Adoption Group & Rescue, [WAG Rescue] fundraiser rapidly approaches. Mark your calendar and get your tickets now for the WAGala, scheduled for 6:00 pm on Thursday, October 8th at Wimberley’s premiere event venue, Old Glory Ranch, topped off with fabulous Hill Country cuisine by Word of Mouth Catering. So, what’s all the buzz? Home grown entertainment is what everyone is really talking about as Lance Lipinsky returns to his home town to take center stage at Old Glory Ranch and light a fire under your boogie shoes with his Jerry Lee Lewis persona performance!

Watch Lipinsky hammer the piano!

Watch Lipinsky hammer the piano!

This young gifted artist has a large following and is beloved by Wimberley residents who watched him grow up. This means you should get your tickets now in order to assure you have the unique opportunity to step back to a simpler time and hear some Rockabilly piano pounding from one of our very own, Lance Lipinsky.

Headshot 1 PRINT copyWe also want to let you know a little about this equally amazing six-year-old WAG Adoption Group & Rescue organization and all it does for our four legged furry canine friends to help find their perfect human. The WAG Rescue dream and ultimate goal is a noble one, a real brick and mortar no-kill facility that would serve as a temporary refuge for the ceaseless number of abandoned and unclaimed dogs and puppies in the Wimberley and western Hays County area. To date they have found forever homes for over 630 canines of various sizes and ages and also returned hundreds of ‘found dogs to their lost owners’. It’s a very worthwhile project and you can play a part, big or small! All this takes is people like you, who care about man’s best friend, reaching inside their wallets and tossing a little cash-ola in the general direction of WAG Rescue, and they make it pretty easy! Just click here, fill in a few lines and dollar amount and viola!, you’ve just helped save a dog! Or maybe you would like to consider being a foster parent for a dog while their forever human is located, that’s pretty easy, too! And if you have some spare time on your hands and would like to help in another way by volunteering, well, hot dog! They can help you solve that problem, too! See, WAG Rescue is here to help you as well as their canine friends. We’ll make it super simple for you, click here, find the area you want to help and you’re done, not to mention how great you’ll feel knowing you’ve just helped out. But most of all, you need to GET YOUR TICKETS HERE, and NOW! This is going to be an event you won’t want to miss!

Even the WAG Rescue mascot has the date on his calendar!

Even the WAG Rescue mascot has the date on his calendar!

“Rockin’ the Recovery” benefit for Wimberley flood victims at Old Glory Ranch

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Old Glory Ranch, in conjunction with My Neighbors Keepers (MYNK), will be hosting a benefit concert, “Rockin’ the Recovery,” on Saturday, June 20th where all proceeds will go to benefit Wimberley flood victims. It will be a full afternoon and evening of live music, great food with area musicians and food vendors donating their talents for everyone’s enjoyment and to aid those affected by the Memorial Weekend flood. Headlining the event is Wimberley’s own Sarah Jarosz.

Sarah Sarah Jarosz

“I remember Sarah performing on the Old Glory Ranch stage when she was 10 years old,” said Suzanne McCord, owner of Old Glory Ranch. “She is an amazing young woman and a very gifted musician. We couldn’t be more thrilled that she is coming back to Old Glory to perform for this benefit. We know Wimberley has been on her heart during this very difficult time and it will be wonderful to welcome her home to contribute in such a beautiful way to help the people of this community. Who knows, maybe she will be inspired to write a song about the strength and resilience of her hometown friends and neighbors.”

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A young Sarah and her mother Mary perform at an Old Glory Ranch concert

Jarosz earned her credibility in the world where contemporary folk, Americana and roots music intersect. She has appeared twice on Austin City Limits and also on the BBC’s Transatlantic Sessions as well as A Prairie Home Companion, eTown, Acoustic Cafe and Mountain Stage. In 2014, she made her late night television debut on Conan, followed a day later by an appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. These two appearances happened while she was in Los Angeles to attend the Grammy awards for her two nominations for Best Folk Album (2013’s Build Me Up From Bones) and Best American Roots Song (for the title track). Her first album, Song Up In Her Head, yielded a Grammy nomination for her instrumental Mansinneedof. Jarosz has also been nominated for Americana Music Associations Honors and Awards for New/Emerging Artist of the Year (2010), Instrumentalist of the Year (2011), Song of the Year (2012 for Come Around from Follow Me Down) and Album of the Year (2014).

Other groups in the lineup include Shake Russell, Kim Miller, Jill Jones & 3 Hands High, Broken Glass, Heather Wiley, Michael Shane Borden, The Rust Tones, and T-Bone & the Blues Tones. Performances on multiple stages and food trucks will be on site with delicious offerings as well as beverages (no outside food or beverages please).

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All proceeds will go directly to My Neighbors Keepers, a 501(c)3 non profit offering immediate, short-term financial assistance to residents of the Wimberley Valley affected by natural disasters, such as flooding or fire.

Tickets are available online at three different levels, $75 per person for VIP Reserved Main Stage [limited number available], $25 per person for Main Stage Open Seating [limited number available but guaranteed a seat], and $15 per person General Admission [outdoor seating]. To order your tickets click My Neighbors Keepers to be directed to their website.

#rockintherecovery  #wimberleystrong  #wimberleyflood2015  #oldgloryranch  #myneighborskeepers

See Jarosz Build Me Up From Bones video here.

Miniature donkeys at Old Glory Ranch

Mini-miniature donkey Christopher Columbus

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We’d like to share our own version of a St. Christopher Columbus story with you!

While Old Glory Ranch’s main focus is hosting amazing weddings and corporate events here in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, Suzanne McCord, owner of the ranch, also raises and sells miniature donkeys. These adorable creatures have become quite popular and are often seen at events wearing brightly decorated wicker baskets and serving as “beer burros”!

A new addition arrived on Old Glory Ranch in the form of a miniature donkey who has been named St. Christopher Columbus [born the day after Columbus Day 2014]. His mother had a stillbirth in May of 2014 leaving us to believe she was no longer pregnant as a twin birth is uncommon with miniature donkeys. So we were a bit surprised when she gave birth in October to little Christopher. He was a pretty tiny little guy and was rejected by his mother right away. More than likely because of ‘animal instinct’ feeling that he wasn’t the healthiest of babies. In order to keep him safe, we stepped in.

Baby Christopher taking a bottle.

Baby Christopher taking a bottle.

We tried surrogate mother miniature donkey’s who also rejected him leaving only one option to give the little guy the fighting chance he deserved. Thus, Christopher became a ‘bottle baby’ and had lots of surrogate ‘Mothers’ in the form of Old Glory Ranch family and staff members who fed him around the clock for many weeks. He has delighted us with warm nuzzle greetings as we entered his pen to feed and stolen a bit of each of our hearts. If he could crawl in your lap, he would [he even tries!]! While his beginning proved to be a tough struggle that included a couple bouts of pneumonia, and other infections which required antibiotic injections several times a day, we felt he was pretty much out of the woods as he neared his 2 month birthday. We had been told by our vet that he will probably be very small even as an adult. For the first few visits to the vet he rode in the Old Glory Ranch manager’s pickup, not the trailer, but in the back seat of the truck like the ranch dog!

Surrogate Mothers came in all sizes!

Surrogate Mothers came in all sizes!

Katie takes a turn feeding Christopher.

Katie takes a turn feeding Christopher.

Suzanne often refers to him as the ‘million dollar donkey’, saying he will more than likely be a permanent fixture here. One day he will earn his keep by becoming one of our working donkey’s where clients and guests of weddings and events can get to know him as well. He continues to follow us around more like a puppy than a donkey. He likes to frolic and play with the other baby donkey who is younger than him, yet nearly twice his size!

When this piece was initially started, Christopher gave us an additional scare with yet another infection, so rather than having a sad ending to his story, we wanted to give him plenty of time to become what is ‘normal’ for him before finishing the first chapter of his story. He has proven to be quite a fighter and bounced back from that infection and celebrated his 4 month birthday earlier this week!

Today [2/13/14] he will be completely weaned from the bottle and will continue to frolic and play with his donkey, canine, and human friends. He’s really quite the celebrity even greeted one of the UPS drivers this week who was a bit surprised at the sight! We think he could be the first of his kind, a ‘dogkey’!

See more photos of our adorable miniature donkeys.

Baby Christopher then...

Baby Christopher then…

Baby Christopher now!

Baby Christopher now!