Caroline and Cole’s wedding at Villa Antonia on February 18, 2024, was the perfect blend of romance, elegance, and heartfelt moments. Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, Villa Antonia set the stage for a truly unforgettable celebration, bringing together breathtaking views and intimate details that reflected the couple’s unique love story.
A Sweetheart Dinner in the Wine Cellar
When asked about their favorite moment from the day, Caroline and Cole agreed it was their private dinner in the wine cellar. “We had a sweetheart table, which allowed us to share special, sweet moments together while still feeling connected to our friends and family in an intimate setting,” they shared. The cozy ambiance of the wine cellar provided a magical backdrop for a quiet, romantic dinner before they rejoined the celebration upstairs.
Personal Touches that Made the Day Special
Caroline and Cole’s wedding was filled with meaningful details, but one that stood out was a thoughtful gift from Caroline’s mom. “She gave us each a handkerchief embroidered with our wedding logo,” Caroline recalled. “She also had a pin made for each of us with photos of our late grandparents. Cole’s pin was attached to his handkerchief, while mine was pinned to my bouquet.” These sentimental touches added a layer of love and nostalgia, reminding the couple of the loved ones who were there in spirit.
Why Villa Antonia Was the Perfect Venue
Choosing Villa Antonia was an easy decision for Caroline and Cole. They were drawn to its romantic grandeur and how well it reflected their personalities. “The sweeping views of the Hill Country captured Cole’s rugged, outdoorsy side, while the Villa’s classic elegance matched my love for old Hollywood charm,” Caroline explained. The venue’s stunning architecture and panoramic views created the perfect atmosphere for their special day, making every moment feel magical.
Planning Your Dream Wedding at Villa Antonia
Are you dreaming of a romantic Texas Hill Country wedding like Caroline and Cole’s? At Villa Antonia, we specialize in creating memorable experiences with personalized touches and breathtaking settings. Contact us today to schedule a tour and start planning your unforgettable day!
Wedding Vendors:
Catering: Sterling Events
Floral: Wild Bunches Floral
DJ: Josh Klaus Music
Photography: John Winters Photography
Coordination: Eclipse Events Co
Pet Sitter: The Pet Gal
Coffee Cart: Creature Coffee Co.
String Quartet: Terra Vista Strings
Hair and Makeup: Adore Makeup Boutique and Salon
A wedding is an event that should be cherished. There are a lot of festivities, the people you love the most get to celebrate with you, and the excitement of starting a new life together is overwhelming. That said, weddings can be very pricey. In fact, couples spent an average of $33,900 on their weddings in 2019, which is a huge expense for most people.
That’s why preparing for it financially should be a priority. It’s a milestone for sure, but couples should also be mindful of how much they spend on it if they don’t have unlimited funds to begin with.
So, what is the first step in the financial planning of your wedding? Know where the money is coming from, of course! Lots of couples dip into their shared savings, while others get generous help from their relatives and, at times, even friends. The couple’s families might offer to split the cost of the entire affair, and if that’s something that is agreeable to the both of you, there is no shame in accepting it.
Another option is to put the expenses on plastic. That is, to use your credit card to cover some of the costs of the event. You can earn a lot of points for spending several thousand on the wedding and, not to mention, borrow the exact amount you need. Many credit card options now come with 0% interest rate, so it won’t be a headache to pay off later on. The downside is that you might end up paying high fees and end up spending more than you intended. Some couples also don’t want to start their married life with debt and, understandably, would rather use their savings.
An alternative option is to apply for a personal loan. As with credit, this gives you the option not to shell out a huge sum of money up front. Before sending in an application, it might help to use a personal loan calculator to determine how much you can afford to borrow based on how much you can pay back in installments. Again, it’s better to start off your marriage on a good note, so planning for your finances together is crucial. You’ll need to have a sense of how much your wedding is going to cost, which brings us to the next point: setting your wedding budget.
To set your budget, you need to know what you’re actually spending on. Another survey by The Knot, this time from 2017, created a breakdown of a wedding’s typical expenses. These are some of those costs:
Of course, that list is a lot longer and it helps to inquire from several vendors before committing to any of them. That way, you can choose the best option that fits your budget. For example, you can look at the rates in Villa Antonia to see when it’s best to schedule your big day. Weekends are more expensive, of course, while weekdays are very reasonably priced. You might want to hire the photographers in-house too, and save a ton on your wedding. The point is that you have to know your options so you can more accurately stick to a realistic wedding budget.
The short answer is: yes! There are many ways to save money while still having the wedding of your dreams. For one, you can have a smaller ceremony altogether. Villa Antonia even has a micro wedding package that might suit your needs. By making this more intimate, you can also celebrate with the people you’re closest with.
A lot of food also gets wasted during weddings, so according to some planners, you can ask the caterer to provide smaller plates. That doesn’t mean guests can’t come back for second helpings — it just means they can control their portions more and avoid food wastage.
It also makes more sense to send out digital RSVPs instead of paper invitations, especially at a time like this. And, renting your bridal party dresses (and entourage tuxedos) can also help you in a pinch. Let’s face it: these dresses may never be taken out of the closet again, so there’s really nothing wrong with renting them! Some brides are even opting to rent their own wedding gowns these days.
Weddings are very important, but so is starting your married life on the right foot and without a huge bill to worry about. The important thing really is that you get to celebrate your union — all the rest are just details. And if you’re ready to get started on the planning, set an appointment for a tour around the villa now.
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By Angela Taylor solely for villaantonia.com
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If you’re in wedding-planning mode, then you may be feeling a bit stressed. There’s actually a lot of validation for your state of mind. According to Zola, the online wedding registry, finding a venue to hold your nuptials is one of the most anxiety-inducing parts of the wedding planning process. Not only does the venue set the tone for the day your union is officiated, but your memory of the chapel, reception hall, and even the bridal suite, will reside in your wedding-day memories for the rest of your life. That’s why you want to find a special, picture-perfect venue — like Villa Antonia, located inTexas Hill Country. After that, everything else will fall into place.
For multiple years running, Villa Antonia was named “the Knot Best of Weddings” and was also included in “the Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame.” Additional noted accolades are consecutive “Couple’s Choice Award” winners for Wedding Wire, Associated Wedding Planners of Austin Vendor Pick, many outstanding google reviews, and lots of publications that professionals have submitted for local and national wedding magazines, websites and social media sites.
Located about 35 minutes from downtown Austin, the elegant, old-world style estate stands on acres of rolling brushy hills. But these are not the only reasons you will want to wed your best friend at this sprawling, Mediterranean-inspired venue. Here are the top five reasons why Villa Antonia is the best place to celebrate your special day.
Villa Antonia is located a short drive from Austin, but sweeping views of the surrounding green, lush hills will make you feel like you’re in a faraway place and time. The Texas Hill Country with views of Lake Travis make our venue the perfect space to highlight our beautiful area.
The Mediterranean-style villa and courtyard was designed using natural stone and trimmed with handcrafted iron rails and accents. Outdoor courtyard weddings at Villa Antonia are accented by a butterfly garden, trickling fountain and waterfall, tasteful art and stately statues, phenomenal lake views, and multiple bell towers.
Villa Antonia has an on-site team that newlyweds have said saved the day on more than a few occasions. “Our inhouse coordination is by far the best gift we can give our couples to make sure they are well cared for on their day and that everything runs smoothly,” says Villa Antonia staff. “Our coordinator helps with couples’ desired layout, timeline, run of show, rehearsal and overall logistics.”
Villa Antonia has on-site parking but they still operate a shuttle so all guests can move easily between the car park and the venue entrance. There’s also a gorgeous bridal suite with a beauty bar, private sitting area and outside terrace. The groom’s suite has a balcony overlooking the courtyard. It’s a unique way for guests to get their first glimpse of the husband-to-be.
Villa Antonia has a dreamy chapel that is ideal for indoor ceremonies. For an indoor reception, the space can transform into an attractive dance hall (it’s also available as a plan-B when unwelcome weather conditions roll in). The chapel’s stately drapes are easily customizable to blend with almost any wedding-party theme. And when guests spill outside of the chapel, they’re bathed in a romantic glow of festoon lights strung about the courtyards and terraces. It’s absolutely stunning.
The entire venue has outstanding acoustics, especially in locations that couples declare their vows and “I do’s.”
At Villa Antonia, all couples can have their dream wedding, whether it’s large or small, or an indoor or outdoor affair. The underground wine cellar can seat about TK guests, making it the perfect nook for brides and grooms who prefer having an intimate wedding party with just a few friends and loved ones. Couples are also welcome to dine on the terrace where they’re surrounded by spectacular views of the lake and canyons. At night, everyone will be awed by the Hill Country’s starry sky. Guests also love exploring Villa Antonia and experience all its beauty firsthand.
Villa Antonia has a comprehensive preferred vendor list comprised of top event professionals, including nine caterers and party planners who are fluent in wedding traditions. “Our vendors are ‘frienders,’ says Villa Antonia. They are beautiful people who have integrity and their companies are always on trend. They also take excellent care of our clients and guests.”
If you’re interested in making Villa Antonia one of the main highlights of your special day, you can tour the property or attend one of the three open-house events hosted at the venue each year. It gives future brides and grooms the opportunity to tour the grounds, meet staff and vendors. Fill out our contact form below to request an appointment with our coordinator.
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The stars aligned for this lovely Longhorn couple! After meeting in college, then reconnecting years later, Nazli and Even decided to hold their wedding at Villa Antonia. The rose gold accents went beautifully with the September skies. Their ceremony was on the Lakeview Terrace. Dining and toasts on the Chapel Terrace. Friends and family danced the night away inside the Chapel before the sparkler send-off!
See more photos of this beautiful wedding, by the fabulous and experienced Svetlana Photography, at Nazli + Evan at Svetlana Photography
