Finally, here are some new pictures of Miranda and Blake’s wedding! There are 2 venues on the Don Strange Ranch property, Don Strange Ranch and Kendall Creek. Typically brides choose one location, but Miranda chose to do the wedding at Kendall Creek and the reception at the Don Strange Ranch. 

These are some of my favorite pictures from the wedding at Kendall Creek, and I will add comments to each picture to point out creative ideas!

                                     

Guests were greeted with lemonade and sangria, served in mason jars. We found the cutest pink and white striped straws at www.candochefs.com. I painted beverage signs from old wood planks. 

The wedding planner (Kathy Best) painted pink hearts on bales of hay and embellished the gift wagon with handmade pennants using assorted soft pink fabric. SO cute! 

Bluebonnets are not in season in May, so Caprice (Enchanted Florist) grew blue and PINK bluebonnets for the wedding! VERY special and cool!! She created magic and romance by hanging crystal, lanterns, and candles from the beams. Kathy mixed in church pews (brought in from Tennessee) and vintage wooden chairs from Kendall Creek. The look was eclectic and AMAZING! 

This was what Don Strange of Texas, Inc., Front Porch Productions, and Enchanted Florist worked so hard to create! I think it is perfection! 

Next week I will have photos from the reception! Feel free to add comments or ask me questions.

Lorissa Coiner

Sales Associate

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Kathy Best (Wedding Coordinator and Designer)

Front Porch Production

www.frontporchfarmstn.com 

Caprice (Florist and Decorator) 

Enchanted Florist

www.enchantedfloristtn.com

A Uniquely, Strange Story

We are known for our creative ways of cooking and presenting food at events.  

One item in particular is our whole side of beef.  We cook an entire side of beef by hanging it up over an open fire. Our staff slices servings of meat, right off of the bone for guest at parties. Usually, this is accompanied by our home made pan de campo.  We have been doing this for years and have perfected our technique.

Years ago, we were asked to do a party in White Plains, NY.  The client wanted us to prepare a side of beef at his party.  Now, you can’t purchase an intact, entire side of beef in that part of the country.  So, we packed an entire side of beef in a wooden crate, which we loaded with dry ice!  We put the crate and our crew on a flight and sent them to New York!  The crew arrived to pick up the box at  LaGuardia airport. The airport crew seemed to be amused at the size and weight of our container.  When asked what we had in the box, the crew told them, "Oh, it’s just half of a cow that we are cooking tomorrow in our client’s driveway."

 With perfect New York skepticism, they thought these crazy Texans were messing with them.   We will go the extra mile to make the event perfect for our customer.

Family, Friends and PETS at Weddings? YES!

Tip #5: Pets at a WEDDING???

I have been planning events for Don Strange since 1998! It takes a lot to shock me or to do something I have never seen before, but Haley shocked me at our walk through for her wedding at the Don Strange Ranch! 

Miranda Lambert had her dogs as ring bearers!

But Hayley has Martin Lou Hargesheimer the Bunny! Martin is 15 pounds of LOVE and fur!!! He is going to be the ring bearer!!!! LOVE IT!!!! The wedding is in March and I will update this with his picture after the wedding! The florist is creating something special for him to hop down the aisle in!!!  

Tip #5 – Pets are a part of our family! It can be risky having them in the wedding, but it adds such a personal touch! Make sure that the venue you select is pet friendly and that you have someone dedicated to looking after the pet after the wedding. Martin is going to have his own golden cage! 

Have a GREAT week!
Lori Coiner
Sales Associate

Funerals, Food and Family

Tip #4 - Funerals, Food and Family


My family is from a small town in West Texas – Cross Plains, but I have spent most of my life is San Antonio! In the last few years I have attended many funerals in both cities. Last week, I drove to Cross Plains for another funeral and I started thinking about the huge difference in funerals between a small town and big city.

In San Antonio, everyone ascends upon the closest family members home and everyone brings a mixed matched casserole. 

While in Cross Plains, the ladies of the First Methodist Church came together and make a homemade meal for the family in the churches banquet facility. 

The menu was wonderful – slow smoked brisket from a local smoke house, lasagna, salad bar, and bread. But the best, was the made from scratch desserts! Peach cobbler, cookies, cakes, pies, and who knew cherry enchiladas (see similar recipe below)! It was so nice to have the local church put everything together for the family. We were able to sit around eat, talk about the old times, and  actually laugh with each other. I am not saying I look forward to funerals, but it is nice to see everyone and catch up.

Tip #4

Food can sometimes make you feel better! 

Try Cherry Enchiladas – they are fast and easy and so so so good!!!

1 can fruit pie filling (you can use any flavor)
1 c. (2 sticks) butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. (approx.) vanilla (to taste)
1/2 tsp. (approx.) cinnamon (to taste)
1 1/4 c. water
1 pkg. (10-12) flour tortillas

Melt butter. Add sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and water. 

Heat until sugar is dissolved (don't boil). 

Fill each tortilla with about 1 tablespoon filling (can be any kind of pie filling). 

Roll and place in pan, seam side down. 

Pour the glaze over the rolled tortillas. 

Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees, covered. 

Baste the top of the enchiladas after removing from oven.

Have a great week!

Lorissa Coiner (Sales Associate)