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Arbor Pointe Event Centre • Round Rock

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By Kelsey Wilkinson Friday, 03 July 2009

For 12 years, Pat Ott performed weddings in Williamson County as Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace. When it came time to retire, she knew she wanted to continue to serve brides and other members of the community.

“I wanted to continue to be able to do the fun part of the job, which was the wedding part,” she said.

Owner Pat Ott, right, with her daughter, Kristin • photo by Kelsey Wilkinson

Ott wanted to create a business with the primary goal of offering a stress-free service to anyone planning a major event. She buried herself in research and even visited a Las Vegas wedding chapel to help her decide on the right product. Ultimately she decided to create the center. Since opening in January 2007, Arbor Pointe has hosted more than 150 events.

Arbor Pointe is a full-service indoor and outdoor event venue that can oversee every element of an event including the coordination, entertainment, food and centerpieces. It also provides limited interference for people who want a more hands-on event planning experience.

“The packages aren’t a stopping place for brides,” she said. “They are a starting point for brides to begin the dialogue of what they want.”

Ott’s years of experience working with people knee-deep in major event planning has given her a unique perspective, uncharacteristic of typical business owners, when it comes to organizing an event.

“There is no right or wrong way to do it, just different,” she said.

The venue on Hwy. 79/Palm Valley Boulevard is not visible from the road. A winding path leads visitors across a bridge and through a hilly meadow to the stone entrance. The seclusion from nearby traffic combined with lush landscaping creates a backdrop that is both natural and peaceful.

Ott says there are unexpected challenges to maintaining the tranquility of an outdoor event venue, primarily intrusive armadillos and the high cost of landscaping. However, substantial rewards come with the challenges, like the myriad butterflies and native birds that make the gardens of Arbor Pointe their home.

Even with her experience in the wedding field, Ott admits she could not manage the business alone. She employs a part-time coordinator and five part-time event staff. Her daughter, Kristin, is the full-time event coordinator at Arbor Point.

“Working with my daughter is fun because I have someone I can trust,” Ott said. “She keeps up with trends and uses her talents in and outside the business.”

Ott said she values honesty with her clients above high-dollar business transactions.

“I want brides to remember this is an industry that knows a wedding day is emotional and poises you to make decisions based on that sentiment,” she said. “This is an important day, but so is the birth of a child and celebrating your 25th wedding anniversary. It’s important to set a budget and keep perspective.”