OGR’s New “Antique Truck”
An Antique Truck as Something Old?
Old Glory Ranch’s latest “Antique Truck” addition allows us to continue the bridal tradition of something old and something new. Our 1954 International Harvester R112 purchased originally by a farmer living outside St Louis was once a farm truck. I am quite sure it did not have an inkling of what the future might bring. It has now become a treasured vehicle at our Texas Hill Country venue, Old Glory Ranch, in Wimberley
Interesting facts about our Antique Truck:
- Bryce Engelhart purchased the truck in December 1985 for $3600.
- In the first four years, Bryce drove the truck 100,000 miles around the United States.
- It visited Steamboat Springs, Las Vegas, California, and all over Texas as well as the Midwest.
- The truck has attracted a lot of attention and has been well photographed and has even received a few movie offers.
- Bryce purchased tires for the truck in 1990 for $95 each and they lasted for 27 years. They had to finally be replaced in 2017 for $265 each.
- The truck was once maroon and at one time lay in pieces before becoming transformed into today’s version.
- Many adventures and memories made before Bryce finally made Wimberley his home in 1994.
The truck then became a popular departure vehicle for our newlyweds at Old Glory Ranch and as even helped a bride reach her ceremony at the Wedding Deck.
One of our most beautiful and popular departures involve the Antique Truck and gerbs.
Bryce recently retired to begin a new chapter in his life. He deemed Old Glory Ranch as a worthy place to leave his antique truck. We are so glad that he did so it can continue send our Old Glory Ranch couples off to their own unique adventures. We warmly welcome our new addition and look forward to all the new memories we will make together.
Outstanding Texas Hill Country Venues
“Outstanding Texas Hill Country Venue”
We’re taking a walk down memory lane with Lisa on Location, a Hill Country Wedding Photographer, who posted an awesome article on her blog about Old Glory Ranch. We love that she started her Outstanding Texas Hill Country venues with Old Glory Ranch! We’ll call it our TBT “Throw Back Thursday” blog!
3/11/11 – Lisa had this to say about Old Glory Ranch:
“When you get right down to it, Central Texas is fortunate to have some of the best wedding venues anywhere. It’s an embarrassment of riches, to be honest. As a Central Texas wedding photographer based in New Braunfels, Lisa has been blessed to photograph weddings all over. From historic Fredericksburg in the Hill Country, to San Antonio’s famed River Walk to the sunny shores of Lake Travis–and she loves every minute of it!
Brides and grooms ask her about potential wedding venues more often these days. So she decided to begin spotlighting some of the outstanding Texas Hill Country wedding venue locations and what each venue offers. We are starting with the indoor and outdoor options at Old Glory Ranch in Wimberley. Old Glory Ranch is located just south of Dripping Springs, as the Wedding Capital of Texas.
The Chapel
The first thing that hits you when you emerge from the wooded drive onto this hill country ranch is the gorgeous, honey-golden chapel, which may be used for ceremonies and receptions. The exterior is smooth-cut cedar planking, and the result is a magical combination of rustic charm and elegant dignity. I’m serious folks, when the sun shines down, the chapel literally glows.
It is exceptionally roomy inside, too. The wood surfaces are all polished smooth, and rows of windows on either side of the chapel fill the space with a warm glow. Any wedding photographer will tell you this is some of the absolute best light to shoot in–it gives everyone healthy, attractive skin tones and adds a rich warmth to all the photos.
The Patio
There’s a lovely covered back patio area for receptions surrounded by magnificent oak trees. For a more formal dinner. the chapel hall can be converted to that in short order as well (a neat trick if the weather doesn’t cooperate!) Stained glass and detailed painting on the interior beams complete the picture, with old-world, Germanic charm.
Owner Suzanne McCord (who just became a grandmother this week–Congratulations, Suzanne!) contains more than 2,000 acres on the grounds which she’d developed impressively. The Gatehouse Pavilion is an outdoor venue suitable for smaller gatherings.
Outdoor Sites
What’s most impressive, however, is the two miles of riverfront access along the Blanco. Here McCord has built two fantastic outdoor wedding venues. The wooden Wedding Deck is bordered by a large grassy lawn suitable for up to 500 guests. The smaller Stone Landing is the second, which can accommodate smaller gatherings of 75 or less.
Both outdoor venues are literally right on top of the Blanco River, surrounded by spectacular old-growth Montezuma Cypress. For lovers of outdoor weddings, it doesn’t get any better than this for your big day.
Staff
Suzanne works with Liz Danna, general manager, and Gina McClure, the marketing and artistic director. Any one of them will do you right.
So if you’re looking for a genuine Texas Hill Country wedding venue or event center, give the fine folks at Old Glory Ranch a call. Inquire about their wedding packages and request a tour. Better yet, give Lisa a call first, so you’re guaranteed great wedding photography.”
See the blog here: Lisa on Location
Old Glory Ranch highly recommends Lisa as one of our preferred photographers for your special day.
Weddings in Houston features Old Glory Ranch event
Weddings in Houston features Old Glory Ranch Real Wedding
First and foremost, it is always a honor to host a wedding at Old Glory Ranch. To have a Real Wedding featured in the Weddings in Houston Magazine is the icing on the cake. Therefore, the Texas Hill Country wedding of Sarah Fabian & Logan Prewett in the July/August issue of Weddings in Houston Magazine made us feel doubly blessed.
“We are very pleased with the publishing of Sarah & Logan’s wedding. It is an excellent representation of an Old Glory Ranch wedding,” said Suzanne McCord, OGR owner.
All love stories have a beginning, and Sarah and Logan are no exception. They met at a Houston middle school as classmates. After that, they attended separate high schools. Not to worry though, they reconnected in college and the rest is history.
Sarah & Logan have many family and friends. In fact, over 300 guests attended the wedding.
The couple looked for a venue where they could celebrate with all of their guests in a private setting surrounded by natural splendor. Old Glory Ranch was a perfect decision. We loved hosting their special day.
“The theme for our wedding was ‘shabby chic’ and rustic,” explains Sarah. It was a picture perfect fall wedding. Beautiful flowers” , “delicious food” and “mismatched vintage china” added to its charm. Best of all, Sarah adds, was enjoying the evening with our family and friends.”
Vendors for the memorable evening included:
Venue, Floral, Decor & Wedding Coordinator: Old Glory Ranch
Photographer: Anthology Photography
Videographer: X Horn Productions
Bridal Carriage: Decotah’s Dream Team Carriage Co.
Buses: Transportation Consultants
Reception Band: Blind Date
Guest Gifts: Tiny Pies
Bridal & Groom Cakes: Simon Lee
Catering: Gourmet Gals
China Rental: JenMarie Vintage Rentals
Special Effects: Starlight Fireworks & FX
Invitations: Bering’s
Wedding Dress: Matthew Christopher from Weddings by Debbie
Registry: Bering’s
Honeymoon: Bahamas
Please join us in wishing this very special couple years of joy of happiness. To learn more, go to Weddings in Houston magazine , on pages 170 thru 172.
Top 10 reasons to choose Old Glory Ranch
The Texas Hill Country is a very popular destination choice for weddings hailing from the Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and the Permian Basin areas. Here are top 10 reasons brides choose Old Glory Ranch as the ideal location:
1) Service
Our number one priority is YOU and making sure your event happens exactly as you envision! The main comment we hear from clients are rave reviews of the service they receive before and during their event. Our goal is for the couple, their families and guests to completely enjoy celebrating with their guests. Let us take care of all the details which include set-up, room transition, break-down and everything in between. We offer assistance in many areas during the planning stages of each event and meet with clients for one-on-one consultations. Unlike many other venues, we provide unlimited phone calls and emails. We are here for you.
2) Experience
Old Glory Ranch has been providing the ‘ultimate’ Texas Hill Country wedding experience for hundreds of couples – for decades! Over 400 newlyweds have crossed the Old Glory Ranch threshold since their opening in 1997. Many of the staff members have been on board since the very beginning. Clients and guests are treated with professionalism, courtesy, and welcomed with warm smiles and accommodating spirits.
3) Wedding Coordinator
We welcome Outside Wedding Coordinators, but for all of our Chapel Hall weddings and receptions we include an experienced Day-of Wedding Coordinator in our facility fee. She is in charge of the execution of the timeline and taking care of all the needs of the couple the evening of their event. She offers extended services for clients which could include tuxedo rental, finding invitations, booking lodging, etc.,
Our Day-of Coordinator has many ‘behind the scenes’ duties throughout the night. She prepares plates for the bride and groom and guides them through the timeline. Towards the end of the night she will load up a designated vehicle, and departure vehicle, with all the couples belongings. She will also pack up a ‘to-go’ package for the couple in case they were having too much fun meeting, greeting, and dancing, and didn’t get an opportunity to dine!
4) Preferred Vendor lists
Clients rave about our preferred vendor lists which help them tremendously in the planning stages of their event. Whether you are looking for officiates, accommodations, caterers, bakers, photographers, videographers, ceremony musicians, bands, photo booths, transportation needs, beverage providers, or something unique, Old Glory Ranch has a list of what we refer to as our Texas Hill Country “tried and true.” Rest assured that each vendor has ‘made’ the list by providing quality service to previous clients. We assist in scheduling appointments for tastings, checking their availability, or researching to find someone or something new that might not be on our list, etc.
5) Ceremony & Reception Options
Old Glory Ranch offers a variety of options when planning your event. And since we only hold one event at a time, you receive our utmost attention to assure that yours is executed beautifully. Your ceremony can be held inside our historic Chapel Hall, on the Wedding Deck on beautiful banks of the Blanco River, in our ancient Oak Grove, or the open air Gatehouse Pavilion.
With 2,200 acres, finding the ideal Texas Hill Country spot for your ceremony is a breeze! Take advantage of our full service venue, or if you are on a smaller budget with 100 or fewer guests, you may prefer a more ‘do-it-yourself’ approach. Either way, you have choices for consideration.
Receptions may also be held inside Chapel Hall or around our covered Patio and under the giant Oaks. Many clients like an “in-out” experience offering their guests the best of both worlds. We can accommodate larger groups than many venues in the area, yet intimate events are just as easily handled. Naturally, air conditioning and heating options will be welcomed during some months, we have the ideal solution for that as well.
6) Inclement Weather Plan!
If you are planning an outdoor event, perhaps at one of our riverside ceremony sites, along with a patio reception and Mother Nature has a different idea, we have you covered, so to speak! We are always ready with a Plan B. We watch the weather very carefully and will work with you if we think one of our indoor options might be more suitable for you and your guests comfort.
7) Location & Views
Lots of ‘Ooooos’ and ‘Ahhhhs’ take place as soon as guests enter the Old Glory Ranch gate. The lovely Texas Hill Country comes to life serving as a backdrop for the rustic appearance of Chapel Hall. With nearly 2 miles of the emerald green Blanco river cutting through the property, and unobstructed views of the hills, along with no ‘city lights’ to water down the scenery, Old Glory Ranch is truly a gem in the Wimberley valley. It is also conveniently located between the Austin, San Antonio, Houston, San Marcos, Dallas and Permian Basin areas.
8) Flowers
“Gorgeous”, “Stunning”, “Amazing”, “Beautiful”, are all comments we hear from our clients, and their guests. The OGR Floral Team executes each bride’s vision into fruition for their events. Whether personal flowers, centerpieces, or indoor-outdoor decor. the team is top notch. With a huge inventory of varied styles of containers to coincide with any bride’s vision, it is easy for her to pick and choose the perfect look she is trying to achieve. We provide clients with a private online link to the OGR floral gallery before having a one-on-one meeting with our designer.
9) Donkeys
Need we say more?! These little guys and girls are very popular among our clients and adored by their guests. Tons of ‘selfies’ are taken at each event when our miniature donkeys are present. It is easy for guests to grab a beverage from their charming floral lined saddle packs. Want to take a unique photo to share on social media? Our donkeys are happy to oblige.
10) Child Care
Not many venues offer the option of child care for wee ones attending a wedding. Here at Old Glory Ranch we offer experienced adult childcare attendants and an ideal location adjacent to the venue. This area includes restrooms, changing station, baby bed, and pack-n-play. Children can watch a variety of movies or participate in age-appropriate activities, while their parents enjoy a ‘worry-free’ fun evening of celebration.
Hill Country Wedding – Lacy & Matthew
A Real Texas Hill Country Wedding
for Lacy & Matthew
The Newlyweds
There is nothing more amazing than a Texas Hill Country Spring Wedding! Lacy & Matthew’s wedding was no exception as it captured the natural beauty of the hill country and more! The couple danced the night away having the ‘time of their lives’ in our great hall at Old Glory Ranch, a Texas Hill Country wedding venue! While we hear this often, it never grows old to know that we played a part in making someone’s dream wedding a reality.
The breathtaking beauty of Old Glory Ranch created a picturesque setting for the perfect evening. Mike Reed Weddings captured the memorable photos of the couple and their precious memories under the Oak Tree and throughout the indoor and outdoor options.
As the guests arrived on the big day, a magnificent field of bluebonnets in front of the Chapel greeted them. The gorgeous bride entered the chapel in her stunning wedding dress and was joined in marriage to Matthew by Robert Bexar.
All of the guests enjoyed delicious nom-nom from PoKeJo’s BBQ and then an awesome bridal cake by Sugar Shack Bakery. To end the reception, everyone rocked out on the dance floor to the Jumpstart Band. The evening was coordinated minute-by-minute with Kellye Grady of Design by Sage and the OGR floral team provided the fabulous floral design.
Nearly 250 family and friends gathered for this very special day from near and far.
The bride and groom were delightful to work with throughout the planning process, both being equally involved with decisions along the way. We loved being among those to enjoy the moment with Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Turman. Congratulations to the happy couple! We wish them a lifetime of joy and happiness.
Hill Country Wedding VENDORS:
Old Glory Ranch – venue, flowers & decor
Design by Sage [Kellye Grady] – Wedding Coordinator
Sugar Shack Bakery – bridal cake
Jumpstart Band – reception music
Mike Reed Weddings – photography
PoKeJo’s – catering
Robert Bexar – officiate
Spring weddings in the Hill Country are magnificent and we have some open dates. Call us today to book your spring wedding today!
Who Pays For The Wedding?
The bride and/or her family members have traditionally assumed the majority of the wedding costs, but weddings have changed considerably over time. Consequently, the modern wedding planning approach allows for more of a division between the couple and/or both sets of parents. The final decision of who pays for what usually depends on family preference, as well as the wedding budget for the big day.
Guidelines
The following check list includes some of the more traditional guidelines which you can adopt or modify to suit your unique wedding ceremony and reception. Although the list is flexible, it may assist in your planning and preparations for your wedding day. In addition, there are other items which are more non-traditional you might want to add to your wedding experience. For instance, an engagement party or photo booth may fun additions but are not a hard and fast rule.
BRIDE/BRIDE’S FAMILY PAYS FOR:
Invitations, personal notes and mailing expense.
Reception costs.
Ceremony costs.
Photographic and videographic expense.
The groom’s wedding ring.
Favors.
Attendants’ bouquets.
Transportation for the bridal party.
Wedding dress, headpiece and accessories.
Lingerie.
Wedding planner’s fee.
Groom’s gift.
Guest Book.
Accommodations for out-of-town bride’s attendants and guests.
GROOM/GROOM’S FAMILY PAYS FOR:
Groom’s wedding attire.
Rehearsal dinner.
Marriage license.
Bride’s rings.
Honeymoon.
Wedding gifts for the bride, best man, groomsmen and ushers.
Flowers for the bride’s bouquet, corsages for the mothers and grandmothers.
Alcohol at reception.
Accommodations for out-of-town groomsmen, ushers and guests.
WEDDING PARTY/USHERS
Wedding gift for the bride and groom.
Bachelor party and/or bachelorette party.
Travel costs.
[Note: The wedding party usually pays for their attire. If not, the bride will assume the expense of her attendants and the groom pays for his.]
Although these guidelines can help you decide who pays for what at the wedding, the real answer involves a discussion between the couple and their families. As they say, traditions are made to be broken. Above all, the celebration should reflect the happiness of two becoming one and the love they share.
Posted from www.WeddingTips.com
For more ideas, you can find tips on Wedding Wire
Do I really need a Wedding Coordinator?
Can I just plan my own wedding from beginning to end? Of course you can! But the real question is do you want to?
It takes a vast amount of time to truly plan a wedding, especially since it’s the one day of your life you’ve been dreaming about it since you were a child! There are logistics which you probably haven’t even thought about at this time. However, these details are everyday tasks for someone with experience.
Many wedding venues now include a Day-of-Wedding Coordinator with their facility fee. Some venues also provide a Site Manager to manage staffing and vendor arrivals. Both work as a team trouble shooting any complications which may come up. This team helps everything run smoothly to reduce the stress of the wedding planning process.
Wedding Coordinator Responsibilities
Your Wedding Coordinator will provide a detailed timeline for your ceremony and reception. She will use this timeline to keep everyone on track from start to finish. If a day-of-coordinator is not included with your venue, many brides consider hiring a wedding planner. An experienced planner is well worth the investment just to help assure the couple’s day is as stress free as possible. The Wedding Coordinator will be your ‘best friend’ at the end of the day, and your go-to person for nearly everything!
Questions you have to ask yourself are:
- Do I want to be responsible for thinking about the time to make a toast, cut the cake or have special dances?
- Do you have the time to make arrangements for lodging, a departure vehicle, catering – tastings and arranging a menu?
- Or, do you want to relax and enjoy this special time in your life?
Wedding Coordinators are a MUST!
Most brides, even those who still want control of their day, opt for the coordinator when their budget allows. This is especially true if you are planning a destination wedding and need recommendations and assistance with florists and caterers. Wedding Coordinators are often experts on all types of weddings to help you turn your dream into a reality.
This is your day to shine. A Wedding Coordinator should be your right hand person to handle all details to pull it all together from start to finish. She can even help plan your rehearsal dinner. This allows you to take the time to just simply be the bride, not the planner.
Clients recognize Old Glory Ranch as a full service venue from the time they tour until they leave for their honeymoon. The Old Glory Site Manager often assists in event planning from the beginning. She works with your day of coordinator to form a tag team to assist you with your big day.
Old Glory Ranch has received accolades from previous clients and been awarded by their peers in the industry. Old Glory prides themselves in quality service and treating their clients with utmost respect. The couples are Old Glory Ranch’s top priority. OGR shows this by helping as “much” or “as little” as the client desires.
