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Weddings in Houston Magazine publishes twice a year with six covers, bringing you new content January 1 (February Spring/Summer Issue) and July 1 (August Fall/Winter Issue). Follow us online and register with our website to plan the perfect Houston wedding!

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| TO THE READER |

MAGAZINE

T O S AY TH AT 20 1 7 WAS A Y E A R O F U P S A N D DO WN S for Houston would be a significant understatement. From the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, to the elation of the Houston Astros’ historic World Series win, our city has weathered enormous shifts, and, through it all, demonstrated its resilience and pride. Among those affected by Harvey were many couples who found themselves, suddenly, without a venue—and, in some cases, without a home. The Houston wedding industry, too, suffered greatly as a result of the storm, with businesses damaged and staff displaced.

Yet, we have seen love and courage prevail throughout, as wedding venues and vendors have stepped forward to assist those in need. This includes the efforts of Houston wedding planner and stylist Kat Creech, who—inspired by a couple she met at the Weddings in Houston I Do! Wedding Soiree, who postponed their Labor-Day wedding to help with hurricane relief efforts—spearheaded the organization Recovery Houston, which continues to organize volunteer rebuilding and assistance teams to help families affected by Harvey.

With this issue, we celebrate the indomitable spirit of our city, and the Houston wedding couples whose love inspires us, touches us, and reminds us, every day, how proud we are to be #Houstonstrong.

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20 spring/summer 18 FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN JB Day PUBLISHER & CEO Radhika J. Day PRESIDENT Vik Day EDITOR Natasha Garber ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Lester Childres

R A DHIKA J . DAY Publisher & CEO

OPERATIONS MANAGER Sue Conner PRODUCTION MANAGER Carrie Skupinsky CONTENT COORDINATOR Rachel Montoya OFFICE MASCOT Bella the Husky @BellaBooHouston MAGAZINE DESIGNERS Rebecca Cashwell, Carrie Skupinsky John and Malia Gattas CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Larry Fagala, Civic Photos Kelly Hornberger Photography Taylor Golden Photography Kelli Durham Photography AMA Photography & Cinema STYLING Summar Salah

FEBURARY : Peter Langner Gown & Veil Joan Pillow Bridal Salon Necklace Neiman Marcus Bouquet KC Events & Florals MARCH : Adam Zohar Gown Krystal Nicole Bridal Couture Necklaces & Rings Eklektic Jewelry Studio Shoes & Earrings Neiman Marcus APRIL : Ines Di Santo Gown Joan Pillow Bridal Salon Bracelets & Earrings Tootsie's Diamond Ring Eklektic Jewelry Studio MAY : Adam Zohar Gown Krystal Nicole Bridal Couture Jewelry Zadok Jewelers JUNE: Hayley Paige Gown Now & Forever Bridal Boutique Earrings Tootsie's Cameo Ring Sloan/Hall Diamond Ring Eklektic Jewelry Studio JULY : Morliee By Madeline Gardner Gown Parvani Vida Bridal & Formal Earrings Neiman Marcus THE TALENTED TEAM : Location The Astorian / Photography Larry Fagala / Styling Summar Salah / Makeup VCI Artist Victoria Callaway Hair Dennis Clendennen / Assistants Amber Livingston, Brittany Leigh / Set Mascot Bella Boo Houston

12 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

WEDDINGS IN HOUSTON LP 525 Arlington Street Houston TX 77007 713.464.4321 info@weddingsinhouston.com WeddingsInHouston.com HoustonWeddingBlog.com HoustonWeddingShows.com Weddings in Houston is printed semi-annually and distributed with a different cover each month. Content changes in January and July. Copyright© 2018, Weddings in Houston LP All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of this publication without the express written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. All information contained in this magazine is believed to be correct but Weddings in Houston cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by the advertising companies.

CONTE NT S //WEDDING PLANNING// CEREMONY + RECEPTION

planning

28 : HOUSTON IN CINEMATIC STYLE Red Carpet Reception Venues

TIMELINE

50 : STYLED SHOOT: GO LUXE Friends Celebrate In Style

P G 162

56 : HAUTE HOTELS Houston Hotels For All Guest Lists 70 : WHAT A REMARKABLE SITE Out-Of-The-Box Wedding Locations 84 : IN THE CLUB 5 Perks To Country Club Weddings 96 : TO HAVE AND TO HOLD 3 Houston Brides Tell Their Venue Love Stories 102 : VERSATILE VENUES Adaptable Spaces For Any Style 108 : EASY ELEGANCE Laid-Back Luxe Locations 116 : WHAT TO WEAR WHERE 4 Local Venue And Gown Pairings

DESTINATION WEDDINGS

133

CHLOE &ZORIN

THE I DO! WEDDING SOIREE 120 : AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER Our 10.19 Show at The Astorian

A romantic destination wedding in Italy

WEDDING SERVICES 150 : LADIES WHO LUNCH Gather Your Gals For Food, Drinks And Pre-Wedding Fun 162 : I DO! WEDDING PLANNER Use Our Timeline To Keep Your Wedding Planning On Track 167 : LICENSE TO WED Everything You Need To Know To Make It Legal

276

BRIDAL BOUQUETS IN BLOOM

122 : ESCAPE UNDER 60 10 Destination Venues Close To Home 128 : WE'RE OUTTA HERE

SPRING/SUMMER

I S SUE

Hill Country, Wine Country And Beyond

143 : REHERASAL DINNER GUIDE Browse and Compare Local Venues

120 : HOUSTON WEDDING SHOWS Houston's Luxury Wedding Event

137 : SWEET SPOTS OF THE SOUTH

146 : RECEPTION LOCATION GUIDE

383 : WEDDING RESOURCE DIRECTORY

3 Picturesque Southern Destinations For Weekend Weddings

18 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

Our Guide To Local Venues With Pricing, Capacity and Amenities

Our Trusted Houston Wedding Vendors, Listed By Category

CONTE NT S / / W E D D I N G S T Y L E + F I N E R D E TA I L S / / JEWELRY

CAKES + CULINARY

170 : REAL ROCKS, REAL TALK Top Tips for Ring Shopping

280 : SWEET BY NATURE Q&A With Cake Artist Jasmine De Lung

176 : WHAT’S HOT: MAJOR RINGS

284 : FOOD FOR FUN Inspiration To Mix Up Your Menu

These Rock Stars Bring the Bling 180 : ANATOMY OF AN

294 : EPICUREAN DELIGHTS Top Houston Caterers Bring Big Flavor With Small Plates

ENGAGEMENT RING

From Crown to Band, Here's What's What In Ringspeak 184 : WHAT’S HOT: HAIR ACCESSORIES Dress Up Your Bridal 'Do

2388

HAIR & MAKEUP

185 : WHAT’S HOT: MIXED METALS Cool Jewelry Finds For Moms, B'Maids And Brides

298 : THIS TAKES THE CAKE From Tiny Treats To Five-Tiered Sweets 305 : THE GROOM'S CAKE Delectable Delights For Him

Beauty Inspiration For The Big Day

BEAUTY HEALTH + FITNESS WEDDING ATTIRE

224 : PROFESSIONALLY PRETTY Call On The Pros For Bigtime Beauty

186 : 6 TIPS FOR WEDDING DRESS SHOPING

232 : LOVE IN ACTION

Go Get That Gown, Girl!

Find Passion Through Dance 196 : WHAT’S HOT: CLUTCHES

238 : READY FOR YOUR CLOSEUP Hair And Makeup Inspiration

Tote Your Touchups In Style 198 : WHAT'S HAUTE ON THE RUNWAY From The Catwalk To The Aisle

243 : WHAT’S HOT: FRAGRANCE Signature Scents For Her

200 : WHAT’S HOT: BRIDAL SHOES Pretty Heels With Panache

FLOWERS, DECOR + RENTALS

201 : GLITZ & GLAM: PUTTING ON THE RITZ AT THE ASTORIAN

Our Favorite 2018 Gowns

246 : PERSONALIZED TO PERFECTION Brand Your Big Day In Style

214 : WHAT’S HOT: LINGERIE Sweetly Romantic Intimates 218 : STYLED SHOOT: A FITZGERALD FANTASY

Timeless Love with Speakeasy Style

20 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

268 : STYLED SHOOT: A TOAST TO LOVE Two Lives Become One, Al Fresco 276 : BRIDAL BOUQUETS IN BLOOM Flowers For All Color Palettes

2808

SWEET BY N AT U R E

INVITATIONS, REGISTRY + FAVORS 306 : INVITATION TIMELINE When To Order, When To Send 308 : ANATOMY OF A STATIONERY SUITE The Stationery Suite, Explained 310 : WHAT’S HOT: GIFTS FOR HIM Stylish Ways To Say I Love You

CONTE NT S / / D O C U M E N T I N G T H E D AY + J U S T M A R R I E D / /

311 : YOU'RE INVITED Invitation Inspiration

REAL WEDDINGS 40 : KHUSHBU & KEVIN

317 : WHAT’S HOT: THE BARMASTER Stir It Up In Style

46 : JACKIE & AARON 76: MARISSA & ZACH

318 : REGISTER BY ROOM A Curated Home Begins Here

80 : AMANDA & STUART 91 : SHAY & KIRKSEY 112 : JESSICA & TREY

MUSIC+ ENTERTAINMENT 326 : PARTY INTO THE NIGHT Tips To Keep Guests On Their Feet 334 : THE GALA EVENT OF THE YEAR Weddings In Houston Celebrates 30 Years Of Wedding WOW

133: CHLOE & ZORIN 140 : ASHLEY & RYAN

3468

MAKE IT CLICK

Expert Tips On Choosing Your Photographer

PHOTOGRAHY + VIDEOGRAPHY 346 : MAKE IT CLICK Experts On Choosing The Right Photographer For You 370 : STYLED SHOOT:

FROM DAYLIGHT TO TWILIGHT

Romantic Shades of Bridal Blue

159 : LYNN & RYAN 164 : SARAH & JESSE 177 : SAMANTHA & SAM 181 : TORIE & DANIEL 210 : VICKY & MATT 215 : ERIN & TAYLOR 229 : TAYLOR & BRIAN 235 : JESSICA & RICHARD 240 : MARY & RYAN 264 : LACY & DEREK 302 : LAUREN & JOSH 314 : JESSICA & DAVID 323 : ALEX & RICH 331 : KAROLINE & MATT

HONEYMOON + TRAVEL

408

KHUSHBU & KEVIN

376 : GOTTA GET AWAY Romantic Honeymoon Destinations

337 : KATHY & JERRY 340 : VIVIAN & MATT 355 : SUSIE & TYLER 358 : KADY & STEVE 362 : AMANDA & MARK 366 : SANDRA & BRIAN 379 : BROOKE & WILEY

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00 : GREEKING OT OG HERERNASD

24 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

P HOTO : AM A PH OTO GR AP HY & CINEMA

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28 CEREMONY & RECEPTION

122 D E S T I N AT I O N W E D D I N G S

150 WEDDING SERVICES

PLAN NI NG //

F I N D T H E P E R F E C T P L AC E

//

CASTLE OR COUNTRY CLUB? HOTEL BALLROOM OR HISTORIC MANSION? SEASIDE RESORT OR HILL COUNTRY RANCH? FIND HOUSTON'S MOST COVETED VENUES HERE, PLUS DESTINATION HOT SPOTS BOTH NEAR AND FAR.

27 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

20 18 / / H O U S T O N I N C I N E M AT I C //

STYLE. DREAMING OF A RED-CARPET WEDDING ENTRANCE?

YOUR NAME UP IN

LIGHTS? A HIGH-DRAMA CELEBRATION WITH CELEBRITY CACHE? THESE SEVEN HOUSTON WEDDING VENUES ARE MADE FOR THE SPOTLIGHT!

WRITER NATASHA GARBER

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P HOTO : J. COGLIA N D RO PHOTOG R APHY LOC ATI ON : HI LTON AM E R I C AS -HOU S TON D E COR : FLOR A & EV EN T I / P R A S H E EV EN TS

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THE ASTORIAN Dramatic Digs: The Astorian’s industrial-chic exterior reveals an opulent private loft space featuring floor-to-ceiling windows looking out upon downtown Houston and its lively surrounding neighborhoods— home to art studios, chic eateries and some of Houston’s most architecturally significant buildings.

Lights, Camera, Action: Pendant lamps and dazzling crystal chandeliers blend with the romantic glow of hundreds of Edison bulbs in this Art Deco-inspired space, which comes to life as darkness falls…and the party begins.

Room To Revel: Offering 14,000 square feet of flexible celebration space, along with 14-foot-high ceilings, a gourmet kitchen and bar, and two private suites, The Astorian accommodates grand events PH OTO : J. CO GL IANDRO P HOTOGRAP HY LOC ATION: THE AS TOR I AN D E COR : TOD D E VE N TS

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for up to 700 people.

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THE BELL TOWER ON 34th Dramatic Digs: Just minutes away from downtown Houston, you’ll find The Bell Tower on 34th—a one-of-a-kind indooroutdoor wedding space where photo ops abound and varied ballroom options offer

something

for

every

spotlight-

seeking couple.

Water WOW: The Bell Tower on 34th’s most eye-catching feature is its 30-foothigh water wall—a cinematic backdrop for

magnificent

wedding

ceremonies,

especially when illuminated in shades of romantic pink or purple.

Room to Revel: For a superstar-style reception with a few hundred of your closest opt

for

friends the

and

Bell

family

Tower’s

members, Campanile

Ballroom, featuring a dramatic curving

32 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

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staircase down which you can make your grand entrance in the role of a lifetime—newlyweds!

THE REVAIRE Dramatic

Digs:

porte-cochère,

to

From its expansive its

4,000-square-foot

industrial-elegant Gallery, to the naturalwood accents and gleaming wall sconces of its ultra-modern Great Room, to the intimacy and sophisticated comforts of its private lounges, The Revaire, a magnificently repurposed 1942 munitions factory, is positioned to become one of the city’s most red-carpet-ready wedding venues when it debuts this spring.

All In: Owned by renowned Houston catering

firm

A

Fare

Extraordinaire,

whose high-profile clients have included the likes of Taylor Swift, Drake and Anna Wintour, The Revaire can provide everything from upscale rentals and customprinted paper goods, and celebrity DJs to sommelier-curated wine packages, so you can focus on getting ready for your close-up.

Room To Revel: Enclosed within The Revaire’s sleek glass-and-steel exterior is space enough to hold 1,500 of your closest friends and family, for ceremony, cocktails, dining, dancing…and after-hours fun.

HOTEL ZAZA MUSEUM DISTRICT Dramatic Digs: Overlooking the Museum District’s

magnificent

Mecom

Fountain,

the city’s original Hotel ZaZa (a second location just opened in Memorial City) is where many a celebrity has stayed during Houston visits—and where many a celebrity-style wedding has taken place in the chic Phantom Ballroom.

Suite Treat: For pre- and post-wedding 34 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

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fun, or wedding-night romance, book one of the hotel’s Magnificent Seven suites; each has its own lavish thematic decor, from rock star decadence to gilded Italian opulence.

Room to Revel: While the aforementioned Phantom Ballroom is the go-to choice for larger wedding celebrations, the 11th-floor Grapevine Room, and Prohibition

Era-inspired

Conspiracy

Room and The Vault, can be configured for more intimate gatherings, including glamorous rehearsal dinners and engagement parties.

CORINTHIAN HOUSTON Dramatic Digs: Named for its majestic colonnade of Corinthian columns, the Corinthian Houston, one of the city’s most iconic and elegant historic venues, will make you feel like a classic screen idol on your wedding day.

P H OTO : KE L L I DURH AM LOC ATION: CORINTHIAN HOUS TON

Star Ceremony: Make your way down a grand, petal-strewn aisle to say your “I do’s” in the spotlight on the venue’s raised landing, as gathered guests look on with adoration.

Room to Revel: Go ahead, invite more than a thousand of your family, friends and admiring fans to your oncein-a-lifetime occasion—with its soaring ceilings and expansive grand hall, the Corinthian Houston can accommodate them all, along with exquisite furnishings, lavish floral arrangements, and catering by one of several top Houston caterers.

MAJESTIC METRO Dramatic Digs: Located right in the heart of downtown Houston, next to P H OTO : C. BA RO N PH OTOGRAP HY

LOC ATION: MAJES TIC METRO

36 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

PHOTO: SELECT STUDIOS

iconic Market Square, this fully restored historic movie house gives guests access

| WEDDING PLANNING

VENUE TIP : RO O M F O R A C ROW D

With its soaring ceilings and expansive

:

CEREMONY + RECEPTION |

to tons of local fun, including award-winning restaurants, popular watering holes and nearby Discovery Green—an expansive urban park space that plays host to concerts, festivals and plenty of activities for aspiring “child stars.”

grand hall, the Corinthian Houston can

Marquee Magic: Want to see your name up in lights? The Majestic

accommodate them all, along with exquisite

Metro’s illuminated cinema marquee can be customized with your names

furnishings, lavish floral arrangements,

and wedding message for all to see on your wedding date.

and catering by one of several top

Room to Revel: With its lavish downstairs theater space and upstairs

Houston caterers.

balcony area, the circa-1926 Majestic Metro can host up to 500 of your

38 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

nearest and dearest for a wedding celebration worthy of rave reviews.

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REAL WEDDINGS

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PHOTOS: J.COGLIANDRO PHOTOGRAPHY

05.05.17

MR.& MR S. //KHUSHBU & KEVIN //

COUPLE: Khushbu Agrawal & Kevin Tzan I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 600 I WEDDING COLORS: Blush, Pink, Ivory & Green VENUES: The Bride's Home, Hilton Americas - Houston I FLOWERS, DECOR & RENTALS: Flora & Eventi; Prashe Decor I HONEYMOON: South Africa

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: J. Cogliandro Photography / Electric Karma / The Grove / Who Made The Cake! / DJ Yogi-G / GTX Productions / Blush And Glow / A&A Video Productions

40 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

HER FAVORITE SIP:

vodka & sprite

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

chocolate-chip cookies

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

sleeping

WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

his dedication

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

boba tea

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

cheesecake

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

watching the ohio state buckeyes

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

her love for family

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REAL WEDDINGS

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Khushbu and Kevin’s is a sweet and simple love story: Met as 6thgrade classmates, got engaged at San Diego’s Mt. Wootson on New Year’s Eve, “at the tip of ‘Potato Chip Rock!’” as the bride notes. It’s when they started planning their multi-day nuptial bash—including a tea ceremony, mehndi gathering, sangeet and grand hotel reception— while both in med school, that things got a little…crazy. With both a Hindu and a Western ceremony and reception on the schedule, and 600-plus loved ones on the guest list, “planning the itinerary for the week with so many events,” was definitely the couple’s greatest challenge, Khushbu says. But with the help of an expert event crew, including the florist and design team of Flora & Eventi, and its sister company Prashe Decor, which specializes in South Asian wedding design, the couple managed to execute a spectacular multi-day celebration they now describe as, “the best week of our lives!”

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REAL WEDDINGS

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09.16.17

MR.& MR S. //JACKIE & AARON //

COUPLE: Jacqueline Soussan & Aaron Almquist I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 110 I WEDDING COLORS: White, Gray & Gold FLOWERS: Flora & Eventi I PHOTOGRAPHY: AMA Photography & Cinema I CAKE: Susie’s Cakes & Confections I HONEYMOON: Rosemary Beach, Fla.

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: The Dunlavy / Pomp & Circumstance Events / Jonny Black Productions / Brickhouse Bridal / Jonathan’s Fine Jewelers

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

vodka & soda

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

chocolate-chip cookies

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

spin class, go on a walk or to the park with my family, have dinner with friends or family, watch a movie and relax WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

his first priority is his family —he does everything he can to make sure we’re happy and taken care of

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

cold beer

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

cheesecake

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

work out, attend a cattle auction, go for a walk with my family, grab dinner with my wife and friends, watch a movie WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

it’s simple—she makes me a better person

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REAL WEDDINGS

|

A chance introduction in their apartment complex elevator. A “random” meeting in the building’s gym, where Aaron asked Jackie for her number under the premise of wanting to try out her spin class one day. A first date, during which they knew immediately they both had found something special. “Needless to say, he never went to that spin class,” newlywed Jackie now laughs. The couple, who have a young son together, got engaged the night before leaving for their Hawaii “babymoon,” and celebrated their nuptials with 110 friends and family members, including Jackie’s 93-year-old grandfather, and, of course, their adorable infant son. “At the end of the night, Aaron and I were the last ones inside, and had a ‘last dance’ song,” the bride recounts fondly. “It was so nice to have that special moment to slow down and take it all in.”

49 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

| WEDDING PLANNING

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GO

50 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

| WEDDING PLANNING

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LUXE.

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| WEDDING PLANNING

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PARTY TIME!

VENUE : THE BELL TOWER ON 34TH // PHOTOGRAPHER : TAYLOR GOLDEN PHOTOGRAPHY //FLOWERS, DECOR, RENTALS & CONCEPT : PLANTS N' PETALS WEDDING GOWNS : JOAN PILLOW BRIDAL SALON // BRIDESMAIDS ATTIRE : BELLA BRIDESMAIDS // LIGHTING : BRIGHT STAR PRODUCTIONS CAKE : CAKES BY GINA // JEWELRY : EKLECTIC JEWELRY STUDIO // STATIONERY : BERING'S // MAKEUP AND HAIR : 2BPURE BY LAUREN FALLS MAKEUP ARTISTRY

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CEREMONY + RECEPTION |

LOCATION: HOUSTONIAN HOTEL, CLUB & SPA

// H AU T E //

HOTE LS V E R S AT I L E C E R E M O N Y S PA C E ?

CHECK! EXPANSIVE BALLROOM? CHECK! GOURMET CATERING, GRACIOUS SERVICE

AND ULTRA-COMFORTABLE ON-SITE GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS? CHECK, CHECK AND…CHECK! THERE’S NOTHING LIKE A HOTEL WEDDING FOR MAXIMUM CONVENIENCE AND REFINED LUXURY ALL IN ONE PACKAGE. AND THESE EIGHT HOUSTON-AREA PROPERTIES ARE UP TO THE TASK.

WRITER NATASHA GARBER : PHOTO AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

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The Rising Star: The Hotel Zaza Memorial City Sister property to Hotel ZaZa in the hip Museum District, the brand-new Hotel ZaZa Memorial City brings the ZaZa brand of edgy elegance to another hot Houston zip code. The new ZaZa has all the luxe decadence of a destination resort—maybe it’s the Beach Club resort-style pool…or the chic Tipping Point restaurant and terrace— but with the added benefit of a city-view ballroom that's certain to become one of the city’s most coveted wedding celebration spaces.

The Artful Urbanite: JW Marriott Houston Downtown A circa-1910 structure that’s secured its spot as one of the city’s most modern wedding locations? It may seem like a contradiction, but in the case of P HOTO : KH A NH N GUYEN P HOTOGRAP HY LOC ATION: JW MARRIOTT HOUS TON D OWN TOWN

58 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

downtown Houston’s JW Marriott hotel, it’s a perfect marriage of old and new.

ADAM NYHOLT PHOTOGRAPHY

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CEREMONY + RECEPTION |

From the moment guests enter the hotel’s Main Street lobby, they’ll find themselves surrounded by fine art, sleek surfaces and contemporary furnishings. Then there are the JW’s wedding spaces themselves—each a private oasis of urban elegance, all located in a building that is an integral part of Houston history (ask the staff to reveal some of its secrets…you’ll be intrigued by what you hear!).

The Quintessential Classic: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa For true traditionalists, and those seeking the ultimate in uniquely Houstonian hospitality, no Texas property has more local cred than The Houstonian.

Beloved by visiting dignitaries and local society scions alike, The Houstonian is an 18-acre wooded haven right in the heart of the city. Say your “I do’s” outdoors beneath the hotel’s massive oak tree, then P H OTO : C H RIS T IAN OTH S TUDIO LOC ATION: THE HOUS TONIAN HOTE L, C LU B & S PA

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bring the festivities into the dazzling Grande Ballroom, for a classic Houston wedding

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celebration your guests will remember and revere.

The International Icon: The Hilton Houston Post Oak If an authentic cultural experience is what you seek for your Houston wedding, the Hilton Houston Post Oak is here to serve your needs. Not just a gorgeous place to say your vows, and celebrate your union with up to 750 of your nearest and dearest, the Hilton Houston Post Oak also specializes in South Asian weddings, Jewish weddings that require a dedicated Kosher kitchen, and all manner of global affairs where custom international menus and expertise in cultural ritual and tradition are a must.

The All-Nighter: Omni Houston Hotel From pre-wedding prep at on-site Mokara Spa, to pool-deck ceremonies, to lavish recepP H OTO : A DAM NYH O LT LOC ATION: THE OMNI HOUS TON HOTEL

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tions in the spacious Regency Ballroom, to

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late-night after-parties in the hotel’s swank Black Swan nightclub, the Omni Houston Hotel is a fine

VENUE TIP : C ULT URAL AF FA I RS

choice for couples who want it all, all day and night. Bonus: The Omni offers a complimentary

Hilton Houston Post Oak specializes in South Asian weddings,

honeymoon stay at one of Omni’s 14 resort desti-

Jewish weddings that require a dedicated Kosher kitchen, and

nations to couples who book their wedding at

all manner of global affairs where custom international menus and expertise in cultural ritual and tradition are a must.

this prime Houston property.

The Gulf Coast Grand Dame: Hotel Galvez For more than a century, Hotel Galvez & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Hotel, has been delighting visitors with Old World style and hospitality in

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a glorious Galveston setting on the Gulf of Mexico. Wedding ceremonies at the “Queen of the Gulf” often take place on Centennial Green, a vast lawn overlooking the gulf’s sparkling blue waters, while postI-do celebrations in the opulent Music Hall hearken back to another time and place, but with all the state-of-the-art technology and modern amenities modern couples expect.

The Jazz Gem: The Tremont House Sister property to Hotel Galvez, Galveston’s Tremont House, also a Wyndham Grand Hotel, offers a boutique-hotel wedding experience in a refined 19th-century building steps away from The Strand—Galveston’s beloved historic district, brimming with eclectic shopping, fine restaurants and a bustling nightlife scene. Wedding guests can enjoy cocktails among the palms of the P H OTO : ADAM NYH O LT LOC ATION: HOTEL GALVEZ & SPA

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Tremont’s lush atrium lobby, and live jazz on Friday evening, followed by your unfor-

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gettable wedding celebration in the brickwalled Sam Houston Room or the exquisite Tremont House Ballroom on Saturday.

The Big Deal: Hilton Americas-Houston With luxurious space for weddings expecting upwards of 2,000 guests, the Hotel Americas-Houston is a longstanding favorite for couples of South Asian and Middle Eastern descent, as large guest lists and multi-part wedding festivities are de rigueur for cultures of both regions.

Dazzling downtown Houston views, lavish ballrooms, in-house expertise in authentic international cuisines, and ample accommodations for visiting guests make this modern property a perfect choice for couples of any culture who want it all, PH OTO & LO C AT IO N: THE TREMONT HOUSE

all in once place, with space enough for everyone to enjoy.

PH OTO : J. CO GL IANDRO P HOTOGRAP HY LOC ATION: HILTON AM E R I C AS -HOU S TON D E COR :FLOR A& E VE N TI / PR AS HE E VE N TS

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LOCATION: JULIA IDESON LIBRARY

/ / W H AT A R E M A R K A B L E //

SITE SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING…DIFFERENT…FOR YOUR HOUSTON-AREA WEDDING? THESE NOTEWORTHY VENUES ARE UP TO THE TASK, WHETHER YOU CRAVE AN INTIMATE FOOD-FOCUSED FETE, AN AQUATIC WEDDING ADVENTURE, OR A ROYAL AFFAIR COMPLETE WITH HERALDING TRUMPETS!

PHOTO CIVIC PHOTOS

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FOODIE FESTIVITIES

A delicious

option for both pre- and post-wedding events (sublime rehearsal dinners, elegant engagement parties, relaxed Sunday brunches), Ouisie’s Table is also a great spot for romantic weddings, either on the picture-perfect patio, or in one of the esteemed restaurant’s many distinct indoor party spaces. For an intimate, easygoing affair, say your “I do’s” outdoors in Bear’s Garden amidst overhanging trees and elegant columns, then meander over to adjacent Lucy’s Porch, for elevated Southern favorites served with a warm Ouisie’s welcome.

Another enduring favorite with to-be-wed foodies, Brennan’s Houston welcomes wedding couples and their guests into a glittering ballroom that conjures visions of a classic New Orleans carriage house, with vaulted ceilings, skylights and crystal chandeliers. Prior to your reception feast— picture fried green tomato ravigote, gulf fish Pontchartrain and Brennan’s famed turtle soup—seal the deal with an al fresco ceremony in Brennan’s charming courtyard.

UNDERSEA ADVENTURE

An

underwater adventure awaits you and your wedding guests at Houston’s Downtown Aquarium, where the third-floor Nautilus Ballroom offers a private wraparound balcony, sweeping views of the Downtown skyline, and a cylindrical aquarium tank guests will marvel at as they enjoy cocktails in the ballroom’s foyer.

With

its full-service packages and specialized expertise in authentic international cuisine, the Downtown Aquarium blends elegance, convenience and a whole lot of fun in a unique 500,000-gallon aquatic wonderland that’s unlike any other wedding venue in Houston.

RENAISSANCE AFFAIRE The Texas Renaissance Festival—the nation’s largest renaissance theme park— gives new mean72 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

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ing to the term “fairytale wedding.” Located in Todd Mission, a short hour’s drive from Houston, the Texas Renaissance Festival has multiple garden and pavilion wedding spaces, each with its own evocative 16th-century-English-village ambiance. Whether you opt for fully themed nuptials (period costumes, attending festival characters, bagpipes, sword arch…), or just a touch of Renaissance pomp and circumstance (horse-drawn carriage arrival, flower crowns, trumpets), your Texas Renaissance Festival wedding will treat guests to a

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ideal spot for your city-sophisticate celebration. The library’s spaces include the Tudor Gallery, ensconced in impressive marble pillars, and the Reading Room, with its original wood fixtures, gleaming surfaces and one-of-a-kind exhibit room showcasing the library’s esteemed archival collection. Plus, the building’s distinctive Spanish-influenced exterior offers beautiful backdrops for treasured photos, before and after your nuptials.

complete fantasy experience, and an escape to another world.

WAREHOUSE PARTY A stone’s throw from Minute Maid Park (home of the World Series champion Houston Astros), The Space HTX brings a unique brand of warehouse chic to Houston’s hot EADO district. White walls, polished concrete floors, and exposed ductwork and rafters lend a super-cool industrial vibe to this 200-guest-capacity urban enclave, while crystal chandeliers and catering by neighboring restaurant Tout Suite bring elegance and cosmopolitan refinement to modern Houston weddings.

LIBRARY LUXURY If “Roaring ’20s” romance is your idea of the perfect wedding vibe, and you’ve got a soft spot for Houston history and ornate surroundings, the circa-1926 Julia Ideson Library is an

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PHOTO & LOC ATI ON : THE D OWN TOWN AQUAR I U M

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PHOTOS: COTTON COLLECTIVE

06.04.16

MR.& MR S. //MARISSA & ZACH //

COUPLE: Marissa Roche & Zachary McDonald I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 400 I WEDDING COLORS: White, Gray & Green RECEPTION VENUE: The Tremont House I REGISTRY: Bering’s I PROPOSAL LOCATION: Hotel Galvez & Spa I HONEYMOON: St. Lucia

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Cotton Collective / Keely Thorne Events /Events In Bloom / Who Made The Cake! / Casa De Novia / Drywater Band / Magic Moments Events

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

mimosa

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

anything chocolate

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

on the water or anywhere sunny

WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

he puts his mind to something and doesn’t quit until it’s finished

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

cold beer

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

key-lime pie

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

hunting and fishing

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

her cooking and irresistible smile

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After meeting on a blind date set up by mutual friends, it didn’t take long for Marissa and Zach to become completely smitten with each other. “We have spent almost every day together since that day back in January 2014,” Marissa says. During the intervening years of their courtship, “We spent a lot of our time with his family at their bay house in Galveston, and much of our relationship and our favorite special memories have happened there.” It’s fitting, then, that the iconic Hotel Galvez was where Zach popped the question, “out on the balcony of the lobby which overlooked the seawall, as a storm was rolling in,” the bride recalls. Galveston, too, was the location of their “coastalformal” wedding, which started with a church ceremony, and continued with a magnificent 400-guest bash at the historic Tremont House. “We fell in love in Galveston and wanted everyone to share that experience with us on the historic island,” says Marissa, and that’s exactly what they did.

ALL PHOTOS: JERRY GHIONIS PHOTOGRAPHY

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PHOTOS: DANIEL COLVIN PHOTOGRAPHY

05.06.17

MR.& MR S. / / A M A N DA & S T UA RT / /

COUPLE: Amanda Morrill & Stuart Wilhite I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 250 I WEDDING COLORS: Champagne, Ivory, Blush & Rose Gold RECEPTION VENUE: Omni Houston Hotel I PLANNER & INVITATIONS: A Day To Remember I REHEARSAL DINNER: Ouisie’s Table CONFETTI CANNONS:

Bright Star Productions I HONEYMOON: Puerto Rico & British Virgin Islands

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Daniel Colvin Photography / Johanna Terry Events / AFR Event Furnishings / Ivory Bridal Atelier / Dakine Films / Jonny Black Productions / Blush & Co.

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

kir royale

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

tinys no. 5 chocolate-chip cookies HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

working out, then going to a mimosa brunch with stuart and friends, or having a fun date-night out WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

his goofy sense of humor and his loving demeanor

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

cabernet sauvignon

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

crème brûlée

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

fishing in aransas bay

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

her unconditional love for me, and support of everything i do…also, her baking

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While they were told about each other before actually meeting, Amanda and Stuart could not possibly have known they’d have an instant connection when they met at their friends’ nuptial celebration at The Bell Tower on 34th (she was a bridesmaid, he was friends with the groom). The bride’s attendance at Weddings in Houston’s I Do! Wedding Soiree, where she met planner Claudia De Velasco of A Day To Remember, actually preceded the groom’s surprise beachfront proposal…but only by a week. “My now-husband and I have been to so many weddings, we didn’t want ours to be similar to those we had attended,” Amanda notes. “Claudia made sure to design something different, unique and personalized to us. And the highlight was definitely the confetti-cannon explosion for our departure, since nobody was expecting that at all!”

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*Greeking ot go here and here and greekignot og here and here #alateniteparty PHOTO: J. COGLIANDRO PHOTOGRAPHY

// I N T H E //

C LUB F O R S H E E R E X C L U S I V I T Y, I T ’ S H A R D T O B E AT A C O U N T R Y C L U B O R C I T Y C L U B W E D D I N G . H E R E A R E F I V E MORE GREAT REASONS TO HAVE YOUR WEDDING AT ONE OF HOUSTON’S ESTEEMED PRIVATE CLUBS, WHETHER YOU OPT FOR A CENTRALIZED CITY LOCATION WITH THE HOUSTON SKYLINE ON DAZZLING DISPLAY, OR A VAST EXPANSE OF ROLLING GREEN LAWN AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE.

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1

PRIVACY At most Houston-area clubs, your wedding will be the

only event taking place on your big day. Which means you’ll enjoy the full focus of the club’s dedicated event staff, from the on-site coordinator to the servers who supply your guests with food and drink throughout the festivities. It also means neither you nor your guests will encounter other couples or groups during your wedding celebration—or the noise and commotion that might be associated with them.

2

ACCESSIBILITY The vast majority of Houston golf clubs,

tennis clubs, country clubs and city clubs allow non-members to hold events on site, either through a relationship with an active member, or

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as part of their general services. So whether you and your family are legacy members of a club, are connected to a club member, or are simply seeking a club environment for your special day, chances are you’ll be able to get in, and get everything you need for your event.

3

IN-HOUSE AMENITIES Country and city clubs are not just pretty places for

celebrating—they are, in fact, designed and staffed specifically for special events. Most clubs have dedicated wedding staff on site, including day-of coordinators, and they can provide tables, chairs, linens, tableware,

VENUE TIP : LEAVE I T TO THE PROS

Most clubs have dedicated wedding staff on site, including day-of coordinators.

Ask your club coordinator about rental upgrades, preferred outside vendors and options for specialty desserts.

centerpieces, ceremony decor, dance floors, lighting and valet parking. Want to kick it up a notch? Ask your club coordinator about rental upgrades, preferred outside vendors and options for specialty desserts—they’ll be happy to do everything they can to make sure your wedding is everything you expect (and more) so you can relax and enjoy the festivities with your loved ones.

4

FABULOUS FOOD

Gourmet

cuisine is part of the full-service package

at Houston-area clubs. Planning your club 88 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

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wedding will involve a tasting appointment, where you’ll try different items, chat with your on-site coordinator and in-house chef, and work with them to customize your ideal wedding menu. And, because clubs have state-of-the-art catering kitchens, a huge range of serving options and accoutrements, and experienced wait staff and bar staff, all at the ready, you’ll be ensured that the food and drinks you choose will be perfectly prepared and served.

5

VIEWS, VIEWS, VIEWS

Whether you

select the pastoral pleasures of Sweetwater

Country Club, Willow Fork Country Club, Walden on Lake Houston Golf & Country Club, Pecan Grove Plantation Country Club or Pine Forest Country Club, or the cosmopolitan sophistication of the Petroleum Club of Houston, you will find visual appeal aplenty. Get married on the green, say your vows lakeside, sip cocktails on the terrace at sunset or dance all night before a backdrop of PHOTO: J. COGLIANDRO PHOTOGRAPHY

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twinkling Houston skyline—it’s all possible when you’re “in the club!”

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PHOTOS: MEEKER PICTURES

09.09.17

MR.& M R. / / S H AY & K I R K S E Y / /

COUPLE: Kirksey Gregg & Shay Calhoun | NUMBER OF GUESTS: 500 I WEDDING COLORS: Violet, Lavender & Aubergine VENUE: The Ballroom at Bayou Place | CAKE: Susie’s Cakes & Confections | HONEYMOON: Italy & Paris CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Meeker Pictures / Kirksey Gregg Productions /Southern Floral Co. / A Finer Event / Giant Video Productions / TXE Productions / David Caceres Orchestra / Mike’s Dance Floors

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SHAY’S FAVORITE SIP:

coca-cola

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

tiramisu

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

sleeping in, cooking and eating brunch with my loving man, playing volleyball, then going out to eat at one of our favorite restaurants WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT KIRKSEY:

his unconditional love, his belief and faith in god, and his honest nature

KIRKSEY’S FAVORITE SIP:

peach tea

HIS FAVORITE SWEET: italian profiteroles HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

relaxing by the pool at home

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT SHAY:

his ability to calm me and get me refocused on the positive, his loving smile, and his caring nature for others around him

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“We both had to kiss a lot of frogs before we found our princes in each other,” says Shay of Kirksey. But, for both, love was worth the wait. Kirksey’s surprise proposal in front of 5,000 people at the preview party for Houston’s annual Nutcracker Market sealed the deal for Shay, who’d met his future husband on Match.com, and found himself smitten from their very first date. Professional event planner and decorator extraordinaire Kirksey executed the couple’s spectacular nuptials at The Ballroom at Bayou Place, where the pair’s shared love of Impressionist art inspired a lavish design scheme in varying shades of rich violet, enhanced by LED screens showcasing works by Degas, Monet and other famed painters, as well as real-time images of reveling guests.

All this, in spite of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey a mere week before the wedding: “We opted to continue as planned, and celebrate not only our wedding, but the perseverance and strength that Texans displayed during this time.”

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PHOTO:

ALLEE J PHOTOGRAPHY

/ / A L O V E S T O RY / /

TO HAVE

&

TO HOLD A M A T C H M A D E I N H E AV E N Three recent Houston brides explain what it felt like to find their perfect wedding

venue,

and

where

happened.

WRITER NATASHA GARBER

it

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1

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MORGAN HONEY LEPPER : TO DAVID LEPPER,

And then when we actually visited the venue, we just

12.4.16

knew that this was the perfect place for us to say, ‘I do.’

AT

ASHTON GARDENS NORTH

First

Glance: “My first discovery of Ashton Gardens North

No other venue could compare.”

was through a friend whose daughter got married there.

Once I got engaged, she just mentioned how well the venue

Groom Gratitude: “When my man and I toured the

worked. What really caught my ear was the fact that from

venue, we started in the ballroom. The openness of

what I heard, Ashton Gardens really took care of basically

the windows was what first struck us. We could truly

everything, from food to setup and cleanup…plus, they have

picture our classic-elegance theme here, dancing the

a truly stunning chapel. I just knew I had to look into it.”

night away. Then we headed to the chapel, where Laura

One And Only: “We looked at only one venue. Yes, one.

opened the doors for us, and I immediately lost my breath. I was skipping down the aisle just picturing our

Ashton Gardens was it for us. We knew from the second

day there, and then I turned around to look at David,

we called to schedule an appointment, when the sales

and his eyes were filled with tears. We both just knew

assistant, Laura, was beyond precious and thoughtful.

that this was it.”

2

SARAH E. SAXON : TO CHRIS SAXON 11.19.16 AT THE ASTORIAN First Glance: “To be honest, I had no clue where to start when

I said, ‘Yes.’ Everyone asked, ‘When's the date?

What venue will you use? Will it be a big or a small wedding?’…and I had a minor panic moment. So I went online dug around for hours, possibly days. After going through every venue to determine what style I liked, I started noticing I really enjoyed the idea of a more glamorous indoor wedding over an outdoor one. Now, keep in mind, I never dreamed of my wedding growing up. I rode horses my whole life and spent every waking moment thinking about that, so this was all overwhelming to me. When searching venues online, I looked at their photo quality, reviews, and most importantly, the ‘wow’ factor they had. None compared to The Astorian. The mosaic flooring, glamorous chandeliers, enormous antique clock and the view of the Houston skyline really blew me away.”

Compare & Contrast: I was scheduled to look at four venues all in one day.

I decided to pack them all in

so I could compare them all quickly and in the same frame of mind. Luckily, the fact that I wanted an indoor wedding in the fall really narrowed my list down in Houston. Saving the best for last, we eventually headed over to The Astorian. The moment the elevator doors opened, I actually gasped. The pictures online do not do justice to the full dramatic effect this place has. I was blown away…and I hadn't even stepped P H O T O : A M A P H O T O G RA P H Y & C I NEMA

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foot inside.”

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The Clincher: “The Astorian was simply a level above. If you take

find that was already a formal look, but still enough of a blank

away the fantastic staff and are left with just a space, it would

slate that we could make it our own. We could also have the big

still be breathtaking. The entrance is so grand that you almost

dance floor we were envisioning without worrying about the

forget you're in Houston. As you look around, you don't know if

number of tables we were going to have to set up for our guests.”

you should study the mosaic-tile flooring, brick ceilings, enormous chandeliers, modern-chic bar, multi-level areas or the enormous dining space surrounded by a 180-degree view of the Houston skyline. Then we were taken down to the bridal suite. Oh my goodness—it’s on a separate floor so you know you never have to worry about running into people on your wedding day. Hidden behind frosted glass doors was the picture-perfect retreat. Elegant furniture, an enormous TV, a bar that can be stocked with whatever you want, plenty of seating for the entire bridal party, a large changing room and then this grand vanity that is set up for the best photo shoot. Then there is the staff. They not only bent over backwards for us, but allowed my emotional support dog to be present on the day of my wedding to help me keep my cool.”

3

Mom Knows Best: “What captivated me most about Corinthian Houston was the amount of space, the lack of a predefined color scheme beyond white, the grandness and statement the venue makes, the work experience Corinthian Houston already had with all our other vendors…and the delicious food. The balcony upstairs serving as a cocktail area overlooking the venue was also one of my favorite things. I also loved that when you enter the building and walk up the stairs, you get to experience such a ‘wow’ moment when you get to the landing and get to take in the entire room while up on that platform. It just totally blows you away. My mom literally jumped up and down clapping when we left, she was so excited that we had found the perfect venue.”

Day-Of Dazzle: “On our wedding day, I was totally blown

PRESLEY TARYN LUMPKINS : TO PAUL LUMPKINS,

away by our reception at Corinthian Houston. The space was transformed into more than I could have imagined in my

1.12.17 AT CORINTHIAN HOUSTON First Glance:

wildest dreams. The staff, from venue manager to waiters to

“I have always seen Corinthian Houston in magazines.

champagne servers… everyone was wonderful. The 70-some-

At the time we were engaged I lived Downtown, so I had always

thing-foot-long ‘head table’ and the dance floor and stage

known where it was, but never seen it in person. It appealed to

setup were two of my favorites. I wish I could relive that day

me for our wedding because it was the largest space we could

again and again!”

PH OTO: K ELLI D UR H AM P H OTO GRA PHY

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*Greeking ot go here and here and greekignot og here and here #alateniteparty PHOTO : T OM AS R AM OS

/ / V E R S AT I L E //

VE NUE S B R I N G T H E O U T S I D E I N . O R T H E I N S I D E O U T. T R A N S F O R M Y O U R C E R E M O N Y S P A C E F O R P O S T “ I D O ” PARTYING. RALLY SOME FOOD TRUCKS. SET OFF SOME FIREWORKS. SERVE UP A TASTE OF HOME…OR FETE YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLOBAL FEAST. IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, CHANCES ARE YOU CAN DO IT, AT ONE OF THESE SIX SUPER-VERSATILE WEDDING SITES!

WRITER NATASHA GARBER

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1

LAS VELAS

Set amidst courtyards full of blooming bou-

gainvillea, hibiscus and lush greenery, Las Velas evokes a stately Tuscan villa, where you can live out your most elaborate wedding fantasy. Here, ornate architecture encloses a grand interior accented with wrought-iron fixtures and hand-carved stonework.

And because Las Velas provides in-house catering (with no food and beverage minimums) and allows couples to bring in the vendors of their choice for everything else, it’s not just a beautiful place to get married—it’s a very accommodating one.

2 THE BOUGAINVILLEAS From the moment guests arrive through the lush floral entranceway, they will find themselves enchanted by The Bougainvilleas—a full-service event venue featuring a range of celebration rooms, from the modern Grand Ballroom to the intimate Golden Ballroom, with its gilded Romanesque ambiance. And, because The Bougainvilleas understands the value of an all-in-one venue, where guests can venture seamlessly from ceremony to reception, it also offers a warm and gracious on-site chapel, where natural light pours in through large windows and illuminates the marriage ritual beautifully.

PHOT O & L OC AT I ON : L A S V EL A S

3

THE BALLROOM AT BAYOU PLACE

Known sim-

ply as “The Ballroom,” this expansive contemporary event space located in downtown Houston’s Theater District boasts 15,000 square feet of contiguous event space, making it an ideal option for large weddings with an air of urban sophistication. The venue’s covered balcony allows for outdoor cocktails and mingling, with the furnishings and amenities of a swank indoor lounge, while its floor-to-ceiling windows, offering sweeping views of the city, give indoor events an expansive, airy feel. Take advantage of the expertise of the venue’s experienced event management and service staff, who are on hand to assist with everything from full event management to day-of coordination.

4

HEATHER'S GLEN

Full service means exactly that

at Heather’s Glen, which provides everything from floral design to in-house wedding cake preparation, food and beverage, rentals—even DJ services—all in a fairytale garden setting in charming Conroe. Select your choice from the venue’s numerous packages, designed to fit a range of budgets and event aspirations, many offering the option of customization and additions such as extra hours, linen upgrades, beverage fountains and more. Heather’s Glen even PHOT O : AM M AR S EL O L O C AT IO N : T H E B O U G A IN V IL L EA S

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offers elopement packages, complete with ceremony officiating, music and romantic candlelight.

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P HOT O: M E E KE R P ICT U RES L O C AT IO N : T H E B A L L RO OM AT BAY OU P LAC E

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THE MEEKERMARK

Designed by Christine and Mark

Meeker, a team of award-winning wedding photographers with more than two decades of milestone-celebration experience, The Meekermark is tailor-made for weddings that require tons of flexibility and acres of natural splendor to enjoy. The venue’s main building is a masterfully restored barn, originally built in Canada nearly 200 years ago out of hand-carved ancient hemlock timbers, and re-erected on 12 picturesque acres in Magnolia. Eager to put your mark on the Houston-area wedding scene? Celebrate your nuptials at the brand-new Meekermark, slated to open this spring, and certain to fill fast with vintagemodern, rustic-elegant weddings when it does!

VENUE TIP : TO UR ONL I N E Visit weddingsinhouston.com as you plan, to search and compare venues by details such as outdoor space, capacity, price, and catering options. Register with us for access to planning tools, special offers and event information.

P H OTO: JESSI C A P LED G ER LOC ATI ON: H EATH ER ' S GLE N

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// EASY //

E LEGANCE LOUNGE AND LIVE IT UP IN LUXURY AT THESE FINE SITES FOR RELAXED WEDDING REVELRY.

WRITER NATASHA GARBER : PHOTO AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

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1

THE GRAND HALL AT DEER LAKE LODGE New to acclaimed

Montgomery-area health resort and holistic spa Deer Lake Lodge, the Grand Hall offers indoor and outdoor space for 200 celebrants, including an utterly charming patio and vintage-chic wood ballroom, plus cleansing and detox packages, massage and professional beauty services through the lodge’s award-winning spa—an oasis of tranquility .

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THE GARDENS AT MADELEY MANOR You’ll find impeccably man-

icured grounds, statuesque Corinthian columns, elegant French doors, and—new for 2018—a glass-walled conservatory, at The Gardens at Madeley Manor, a beautifully restored 1930s estate in verdant Conroe.

3

HUGHES MANOR

Tucked in a

sweet retreat in Houston’s historic Wash-

ington Heights neighborhood, Hughes Manor offers a lovely lawn that can be outfitted with string lights, ghost chairs and lounge furniture for ceremonies and cocktails, along with a hip industrial-chic indoor space for dining and dancing beneath impressive “Foucault’s Orb” chandeliers.

4

AGAVE REAL

Pass through a regal

gated entrance and make your way

up a gently curving stone pathway past its namesake agaves and fluttering palms, to find Agave Real, Katy’s hidden gem, featuring an Old Mexico-inspired outdoor ceremony space (complete with stonework fireplace), and inviting interior, accented with wrought-iron decor and intriguing aquatic features.

5

ASHTON GARDENS

With loca-

tions in North and West Houston, Ash-

ton Gardens beckons couples with its glassenclosed chapel, classic ballroom, courtyard fountains, lush greenery—and a variety of allinclusive packages that allow wedding couple and guests alike to relax completely before and during the big day.

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THE PARADOR

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This Texas histori-

cal landmark building’s eye-catching

Mediterranean architecture, with its aura of grandeur and mystery, gives way to a graceful interior—complete with a 35-foot-high dome ceiling that lets in a wash of natural light—and, outside, tranquil brick-path gardens, perfect for al-fresco “I do’s.”

7

THE VILLAGIO

Full-service pack-

ages (including in-house floral and de-

cor), catering flexibility and free parking are just three of the things that make The Villagio an ideal place to plan and enjoy a relaxed and fun-filled wedding—the enchanting Rose Garden, intimate indoor Chapel and state-of-the-art Ballroom are three more.

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WATERS EDGE VENUE

At the

shores of Clear Lake, Waters Edge

Venue sits on two and a half picturesque acres, which include a 2,500-square-foot patio where guests can sip cocktails beside the crackling fire pit, and a 5,000-square-foot ballroom where celebrants can dine and dance amidst contemporary surroundings with Art Deco flair.

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THE GALLERY

Mediterranean-in-

spired architecture and breezy terraces

make this Galleria-area enclave feel like it’s a million miles outside the city—while an expansive reception room, a cozy upstairs bar area, and plush, private suites for both the bride and groom make it a uniquely accommodating space for a stress-free and simply lovely wedding.

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KEMAH GARDENS

Equidis-

tant from Houston and Galveston,

and a stone’s throw from the delightful Kemah Boardwalk, Kemah Gardens is the perfect place for easygoing sunset “I do’s” beneath a vintage lakeside arbor, followed by relaxed celebrating in a comfortable, climate-controlled pavilion.

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04.30.17

MR.& MR S. //JESSICA & TREY //

COUPLE: Jessica Green & Sam George Harrison III (Trey) I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 70 I WEDDING COLORS: Pale Blue, Navy, Blush & Gold PRE-WEDDING BRIDAL BRUNCH & CEREMONY VENUE: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa | PHOTOGRAPHY: AMA Photography & Cinema ENTERTAINMENT: LG Entertainment Production I HONEYMOON: Australia, New Zealand & Bora Bora

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: The Dunlavy / Bella Luna Bridal & Occasions / The Secret Floral Garden / Aztec Tents & Events / Whisk Bakery / Southern & Adorn

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

iced decaf vanilla latte HER FAVORITE SWEET:

crème brûlée

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

listening to my hubby play piano while i write, then meeting up with friends WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

how he plays piano, writes code, holds my hand, and still opens my car door

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

wise ape tea

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

apple pie a la mode

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

driving with the top down with my lady, listening to sirius’s ‘90s on 9’ and the sound of the wind WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

i’d like to say how hot she is, but should probably say how sweet and caring

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“With no preamble or fanfare, sitting with our foreheads touching, and looking down into the space between us, I heard a soft, ‘Will you marry me?’” Jessica recalls. “I wasn’t sure if Trey had said it or if I had just imagined that he had asked what I had so wanted him to...without hesitation I heard my heart say, ‘Yes,’ and so I echoed my heart’s answer.” And just like that, this California girl married her third-generation-Houstonian boy, with an intimate ceremony beneath The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa’s iconic giant oak tree, followed by a food-focused celebration with a “French garden party via California and Texas” feel, notes the bride. Amidst garlands of roses and eucalyptus (a nod to California), and garlands of magnolia (in homage to Texas), guests sipped signature bride and groom cocktails (mojitos for her, old fashioneds for him), dined on steak au poivre and Caesar salad, and marveled at the artist on hand cutting custom silhouettes of each and every celebrant. Even with all the mingling, dining and conversation, the couple still found a moment just for themselves: “When ‘Love Is A Many Splendored Thing’ played during dinner, Trey turned and took my hand and asked me to dance with him as his wife,”

Jessica recounts. “We were the only ones on the floor, and, in my mind, the only ones in the room.”

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/ / W H AT T O W E A R //

WH E RE C A N ' T D E C I D E W H AT K I N D O F G O W N W I L L L O O K B E S T I N Y O U R C H O S E N V E N U E ? W E ' R E H E R E T O H E L P , W I T H THIS GLIMPSE AT FOUR DISTINCT HOUSTON WEDDING SITES AND PERFECTLY SUITED BRIDAL STYLES FOR EACH!

1

CHATEAU COCOMAR

THE VENUE:

From its debut on the Houston

wedding scene Chateau Cocomar has been enchanting brides with its European-castle opulence, and its gleaming marble surfaces, as far as the eye can see. Nestled in a lushly forested corner of northwest Houston, this fairytale venue, filled with gilded mirrors and imported antiques, appeals to princess brides with a taste for true grandeur.

THE VIBE:: Regal, opulent, French-inspired, grand THE STYLE: Ballgown PHOTO: J. C OG LI AND R O

LAZAR O

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THE BELL TOWER ON 34TH

THE VENUE: Gardens, fountains, dramatic staircases and a magnificent cascading water wall all can be found at The Bell Tower on 34th. Brides who seek elegance and glamour will delight in the drama of this Mediterranean-inspired venue, THE VIBE: Classic, stately, Italianate, cinematic THE STYLE: Trumpet or Drop-Waist

PHOT O: TAYL OR G O L D EN

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M O N IQ U E LH UI LLI ER

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WH E RE 3

WATERS EDGE

THE VENUE: Sunset backdrop, fluttering palms, cocktails on the patio, dancing ’til the wee hours—these are the hallmarks of Waters Edge, an elegant indoor-outdoor venue located on the shores of Clear Lake. Destination-minded brides who’d rather keep their festivities close to home will get the best of both worlds at this two-anda-half-acre waterfront property, which feels like its miles away from the city, but is actually under an hour’s drive.

THE VIBE: Beachy, breezy, resort-chic, fun G AL I A L AHAV

PH O T O : WAT ERS ED G E

THE STYLE: Off-The-Shoulders

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THE BALLROOM AT BAYOU PLACE

THE VENUE: Soaring windows, city-view balconies and 15,000 square feet of state-of-the-art event space allow The Ballroom at Bayou Place to accommodate large wedding affairs—and big wedding ideas. The modern bride, with an extensive guest list of friends, families, colleagues and collaborators, and a passion for fashion and entertaining, will love the versatility of this Downtown venue, and will love filling it with her unique vision and design.

THE VIBE: Modern, expansive, sleek, cool THE STYLE: A-line

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PH O TO: MEEK ER P I C TUR ES

BLUSH BY HAYLE Y PA IGE

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//WEDDING SOIREE//

"Simply put, the I Do! Wedding Soiree is an amazing experience.

The most valuable part of this event is the ability to communicate one-on-one with the people who could potentially handle your wedding.

Of course, there’s also great wine, delicious food, gorgeous displays and luxurious ambiance. Honestly, I wouldn't change a thing about the Soiree... it's PERFECT." STEPHANIE, I DO! WEDDING SOIREE BRIDE

DECOR: A DAY TO REMEMBER // GOWN: HOUSTON BRIDAL GALLERY LOCATION: THE ASTORIAN

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THE DESSERT GALLERY

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TNT FLOWERS, RENTALS & DECORATIONS

“

KAT CREECH EVENTS

/ / A N A F FA I R T O / /

”

REMEMBE R AT THE ASTORIAN 10.19.17

Our fall I Do! Soiree at The Astorian

& Cinema, and the staff of The Astorian.

was a night of beauty, luxury and highdrama dazzle. BIG thanks to our show partners for their fabulous contributions:

Thanks, too, to our awesome exhibitors,

JOIN US AT O U R N E X T

and most of all, to YOU, our amazing couples, for making it a Soiree to remem-

Cordúa Catering, LG Entertainment Pro-

ber! Visit us at HoustonWeddingShows.

duction, EB Inc. Event Rentals & Design, Scott Graham Piano, AMA Photography

//WEDDING SOIREE// HOUSTONWEDDINGSHOWS.COM

com for photos, videos, and tickets for the NEXT I Do!

2.8.2018

BELLA BRIDESMAIDS

BERING'S

LG ENTERTAINMENT

PHOTOS

THE ASTORIAN

SUSIE'S CAKES & CONFECTIONS

KRYSTAL NICOLE BRIDAL

: AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA 121 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

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// ESCAPE UNDER //

F O R G E T PA S S P O R T S , P L A N E FA R E S A N D C O M P L I C A T E D T R A V E L L O G I S T I C S … T H E S E SIX VENUES OFFER A FULL DESTINATION WEDDING EXPERIENCE, JUST A SHORT DRIVE AWAY FROM DOWNTOWN HOUSTON.

WRITER NATASHA GARBER

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LOC ATI ON & P H OTO: SAN DLE W O O D MA N O R

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BRISCOE MANOR SAY I DO: Nestled among pecan and oak trees on a se-

rene 50-acre estate whose history dates back to the early 19th century, Richmond’s Briscoe Manor welcomes couples to say their vows in a stately limestone chapel (the photo ops are out of this world!), and invites celebrants to take full advantage of the property’s magnificent modern ballroom, featuring soaring ceilings, exposed wood beams and glittering crystal chandeliers.

SIDE TRIP: Take your visiting guests on a day trip through Texas history at Richmond’s George Ranch Historical Park—a 20,000acre working ranch that traces its heritage back to the 1830s, and offers fun-for-all activities like traditional chuckwagon lunches, cattle demonstrations and campfires.

P HOT O: AG APE HOUS E S T U D IO

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THE LYCEUM SAY I DO: Galveston’s Lyceum is more than just

a beautiful venue for your Gulf Coast destination nuptials—it’s a bona-fide historic treasure, dating back to the 1850s, and featuring a dramatic steeple, soaring stained-glass windows and grand double doors, along with a charming courtyard for outdoor celebrating.

SIDE TRIP: Getting hitched in Galveston? Round out your Lyceum wedding with yet another trip back in time, by arranging an intimate guided tour to one or more of the island’s revered historic homes—a once-in-a-lifetime experience for visiting guests, which can be readily organized through the Galveston Historical Foundation.

P H OTO: SAR AH AI NSWORTH PH OTO: SAR AH AI NSWORTH

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THE MANOR HOUSE OF RICHMOND

SAY I DO: Built in 1938 by a prosperous Texas banker for his bride (aww), The Manor House of Richmond is more than a graceful antebellum mansion and sprawling estate—it’s a true destination wedding setting, complete with lush gardens, hundred-year-old oak trees, and a luxurious bridal suite with its own (gasp!) private pool. SIDE TRIP: Heading out to Richmond for your nuptials? Have your wedding party stay nearby, and have your rehearsal-dinner gathering at Richmond’s Braman Winery & Brewery, where y’all can sample local wines, craft brews and, weather permitting, live P HO T O: KAR I E M AR I E P H O T O G RA P H Y

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music on the outdoor stage…in between heartfelt toasts, of course!

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SANDLEWOOD MANOR SAY I DO: While those attending your wedding at Sandle-

wood Manor—a stunning antebellum mansion inspired by Louisiana’s famed Nottoway Plantation—will feel like they’ve been completely transported to another time and place, they’ll actually be in Tomball’s newest event venue, strolling endless balconies, sipping cocktails by the outdoor fire pit, and, if they’re especially honored guests, staying a night or two in one of the mansion’s three lavishly appointed suites. SIDE TRIP: While you’re up in the northern neck of the woods, book a girls’ visit to Radiance Advanced Skin & Beauty—one of The Woodlands’ most beloved day spas and luxury salons—and treat yourselves to a Japanese Stone Massage, a Pomegranate Pampering treatment, a Radiance Essential Pedicure, or the whole works!

P HO T O: KE L L LY HOR N B ERG ER

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MOFFITT OAKS SAY I DO: Set on 47 sprawling acres in Tomball,

Moffitt Oaks boasts a variety of outdoor and indoor ceremony and reception spaces, from the picturesque Lakeside Arbor, to the charming Cantina, with its traditional Texas architecture, to the rustic-chic Barn, which blends the gleam of hardwood with the sparkle of crystal chandeliers.

SIDE TRIP: On the evening before your wedding, take time to unwind at Main Street Crossing, a unique live-music venue and restaurant in downtown Tomball.

P H OTO: SAR AH AI NSWORTH

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15 ACRES SAY I DO: The brainchild of a mother-daughter team with a

combined 25 years of event-planning experience, Hockley’s brandnew 15 Acres brings the destination wedding experience conveniently close to Houston proper, with sprawling lawns, an expansive covered patio, a pastoral pond and a contemporary blank-slate ballroom that you can fill with just about any wedding fantasyscape imaginable.

SIDE TRIP: Thirsty for maximum R&R at your 15 Acres weekend wedding? Plan your nuptials for Sunday (you’ll have more date options and save a few dollars on facility rental), and save Saturday for a group visit to nearby Magnolia’s Lone Pint Brewery, for frosty mugs of famed Yellow Rose IPA, brewery tours and kick-back gour-

P HOT O: DR E AM PHOTO & V ID EO

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met eats from visiting food trucks.

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// W E ' R E O U T TA / /

HERE GOT A HANKERING TO HEAD OUT OF HOUSTON? THESE DESTINATION WEDDING PROPERTIES OFFER UP A RANGE OF ACCOMMODATING OPTIONS.

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PH OTO & LOC ATI ON: H AR D R OC K HO TE L PU E RTO VA LLA RTA

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1. TEXAS HILL COUNTRY THE TERRACE CLUB

Just 20 minutes from

downtown Austin, Dripping Springs’ The Terrace Club sits atop the highest ridge in the region, guaranteeing Hill Country destination wedding couples and their guests some of the most stunning ceremony views anywhere in Texas. Say your vows in front of a spectacular Hill Country sunset, then proceed to the 2,000-square-foot balcony, for pre-dinner cocktails with more of that magnificent landscape on brilliant display. When it’s time for dinner and dancing, make your way into the ballroom, where crystal chandeliers and romantic ceiling swagging surround your group in refined Texas elegance. And when you’re planning your Hill Country getaway,

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DESTINATION WEDDINGS |

On the banks

OLD GLORY RANCH Located in historic

of the Pedernales River, just outside of

Wimberley, in the gently rolling Hill Country

Fredericksburg, King River Ranch offers

between Austin and San Antonio, Old Glory

KING RIVER RANCH

3,000 square feet of custom-designed event space, including the open-air River Terrace, built directly into the river’s dramatic rocky bank, and the rustic-elegant King Barn, nestled between an idyllic fishing pond and expansive horse pasture. Because King

Ranch is a 2,200-acre property set on the leafy banks of the emerald-green Blanco River. Take full advantage of the venue’s setting with an outdoor riverside ceremony, or welcome your guests indoors for “I do,”

River Ranch understands the challenges

to Chapel Hall, where gleaming wood

of planning a destination wedding, they

surfaces give way to stained-glass windows

include everything you need in their venue

and hand-forged iron decor accents. When

rental fee—tables and chairs, on-site event

it’s time to party, treat guests to a couple

manager, engineering staff, free parking… even an on-site hair and makeup studio!

And because they understand the need for “wow” at your Hill Country wedding, they offer the floral and decor services of

of cold ones, offered up by basket-outfitted miniature donkeys bedecked in fresh flowers, followed by dining and dancing in the completely transformed Chapel Hall.

Weather permitting, your guests can gather

don’t forget: The Terrace Club allows you to

in-house design firm Willem-Aidan, an

bring in your own vendors, even your own

award-winning design studio whose former

on the picturesque stone patio, to enjoy

alcohol, and lets you party as you please,

clients include Audi, Cadillac and the

fireside cocktails amidst oak trees hung with

with no noise or time restrictions.

Screen Actors’ Guild Awards.

crystal chandeliers.

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| WEDDING PLANNING

2. WINE COUNTRY THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA AT GREYSTONE Known for its

world-class food and wine, California’s Napa Valley is one of the world’s—and Texas’—most in-demand destinations for once-in-a-lifetime wedding celebrations.

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DESTINATION WEDDINGS |

campus—a sleek downtown Napa culinary

and offers wedding packages in a range

complex with a fabulous amphitheater for

of themes, from Modern Glam to Tropical

outdoor ceremonies, and private dining

Chic.

spaces surrounded by soaring windows that allow that California sunshine to pour in.

3. COSTA RICA BOUND

TABACÓN THERMAL RESORT & SPA

A true Costa Rica rainforest escape awaits

wedding

couples

and

their

And nowhere is food and wine on more

EL MANGROOVE Natural beauty. Miles of

guests at Tabacón—located in the

coastline. World-class hotels and resorts.

glorious display than at the Culinary In-

country’s Arenal region, named for the

These are just a few of the reasons why Cos-

active volcano that gives the resort’s

stitute of America’s two distinctly different

ta Rica is fast becoming one of the world’s

steaming springs their soothing heat.

Napa-area venues.

hottest spots for destination weddings. If

Vows at Tabacón often are exchanged

this land of sweeping river valleys and cap-

inside a flower-filled tent, or in an open-

THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA

tivating cloud forests sounds like your idea

air bungalow surrounded by lush gar-

For those seeking a classic

of the perfect wedding locale—but you also

dens, while reception packages include

ceremony and superb culinary celebra-

crave a little good-old-fashioned city-style

everything from on-site coordinator to

tion in a grand, castle-like setting with

fun—El Mangroove is the spot you’ve been

cake cutting. To fully enjoy the Tabacón

sweeping Napa Valley views, the CIA’s

dreaming of. This Marriott Autograph Col-

experience, stay on after your wedding

Greystone location, in St. Helena, Calif.,

lection resort, located on northwest Costa

for a relaxing honeymoon, and enjoy

satisfies both the eye and the palate.

Rica’s Gulf of Papagayo, blends on-site spa

colorful

Modern wedding couples will find their

relaxation with on-the-water excitement,

luxurious thermal soak sessions and al-

wine-country Paradise at the CIA’s Copia

and plenty of in-house and local nightlife,

fresco spa treatments.

AT COPIA

rainforest

hikes,

zip-lining,

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4. MEXICO ALL-INCLUSIVE HARD ROCK HOTEL PUERTO VALLARTA Some-

times you just want to gather up your closest friends and family and embark on an easy flight to a fabulous beach, with great food and nightlife options, where someone else takes care of all the details. Hard Rock Hotel Puerto Vallarta is just such a place, and its all-inclusive wedding packages mean you and your guests will get to enjoy the hotel’s Riviera Nayarit beachfront location without worrying about a single thing. And if that’s not enough to convince you that a Hard Rock Hotel Puerto Vallarta wedding is the perfect, no-stress destination-wedding choice, well, maybe the fact that the hotel offers full-service P H O T O & L O C AT I O N : TA BA C O N T H E RM A L RE SO RT & SPA

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weddings by ultra-famous celebrity wedding planner Colin Cowie will!

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08.28.16

MR.& MR S. //CHLOE & ZORIN //

COUPLE: Chloe Simpson & Zorin Finkelsen I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 190 I WEDDING COLORS: White PHOTOGRAPHY: AMA Photography & Cinema I HONEYMOON: Ravello, Italy

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: The Italian Wedding Event / Villa Cimbrone / Armando Malafronte / Kathryn Green Illustration / D-Video Production /The Kin / Joseph King

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

rosé

HER FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING:

my oversized gray cashmere sweater that was my grandfather’s HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

with friends by our pool

WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

the way he cares for me and everyone he loves—he has the biggest heart

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

scotch

HIS FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING:

custom-made suits

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

with chloe

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

her strength—she’s also stunning, but her strength is unparalleled

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It’s a lovely happenstance to be introduced by mutual friends—even lovelier when those friends happen to be musicians who provide an a-cappella score to your marriage proposal when the time is right. And so it happened for Zorin, who asked his beloved Chloe for her hand in marriage in London, accompanied by the friends who’d introduced them, and would later serve as the entertainment at their Italian summer wedding. The couple’s nuptial celebration, planned by The Italian Wedding Event, at Ravello’s Villa Cimbrone, centered on food (natch), with guests treated to a feast of pasta stuffed with eggplant, beef filet in puff pastry, and sea bass with tomatoes and capers…yum! The only thing that might be better than Chloe and Zorin’s delightful destination wedding was the surprise birthday party Zorin threw for his fiancée two days before, where guests enjoyed a Capri sunset and brilliant fireworks display.

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*Greeking ot go here and here and greekignot og here and here #alateniteparty PH O T O & L O C AT I O N : T H E M A NSIO N O N F O RSY T H PA RK

/ / S W E E T S P O T S O F T H E //

SOUTH HOUSTON COUPLES AREN’T JUST TEXAS COUPLES, THEY’RE SOUTHERN COUPLES, AND EXPECT SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY TO BE A BIG PART OF THEIR BIG-DAY EXPERIENCE. THESE THREE GRACIOUS AND GORGEOUS DESTINATION VENUES WELCOME HOUSTON COUPLES AND THEIR LOVED ONES TO SIP, DINE, DANCE AND SAY, “I DO,” BENEATH BLUE SOUTHERN SKIES, SURROUNDED BY LUSH LANDSCAPES AND REGAL DECOR.

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No. 1

L OC AT I ON: T HE MA N S IO N O N F O RS Y T H PA RK

No. 2

BOHEMIAN

P H O T O: H EATH ER K LI NE P H OTOG R AP H Y

rious Mansion on Forsyth Park offers AAA Four-Diamond service in a distinctive Victorian-Romanesque boutique property located in the heart of historic Savannah, Ga. Part of the Kessler Collection of hotels, the Mansion on Forsyth Park overlooks the majestic moss-draped live oaks of its famed namesake park, and is surrounded by opulent Southern mansions. Weddings at this elegant Savannah hotel often include the couple’s arrival by horse-drawn carriage for a romantic ceremony in the sun-dappled marble courtyard, followed by a reception in the glittering ballroom, beneath Venetian crystal chandeliers, amidst treasured works by internationally renowned artists. Treat your destination wedding guests to the hotel’s famed French-inspired cuisine, followed by wedding cake accompanied by the Mansion’s signature “Ol’ Sweet Savannah” ice cream. Round out your weekendwedding plans with a trolley tour through the storied city of Savannah—where you’ll find jewel-box squares, cobblestone streets and beautiful historic homes. Getting hitched in Houston, but still in love with the idea of a laid-back, sultry Southern escape? Gather your gals at the Mansion on Forsyth Park for a weekend getaway before the big day, and take advantage of the Mansion’s glorious Poseidon Spa, or reserve this revered hotel for your luxurious Savannah honeymoon.

HOTEL

Sister property to The Mansion on Forsyth Park, Savannah Riverfront’s Bohemian Hotel is a picture-perfect spot for pre-wedding festivities, intimate festivities and destinationguest accommodations. Kick off your Savannah wedding weekend with cocktails at Rocks on The Roof, the Bohemian Hotel’s rooftop lounge, where you and your crew will enjoy live entertainment, tapas-style nibbles and craft cocktails beside a crackling fire pit, with elevated views of the beautiful Savannah River and the city’s historic district. For a luxe and lazy day-after brunch, dig into shrimp-and-grits-Benedict or cast-iron waffles at the scenic Rocks on The River restaurant, accompanied by a bubbly Bellini or Savannah-style Bloody Mary.

PHOTO & LOC ATI ON: TH E BOH EMI AN H OTEL

13 8 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

THE MANSION ON F O R S Y T H PA R K The luxu-

| WEDDING PLANNING

:

DESTINATION WEDDINGS |

SWEET SPOT S OF THE

SOUTH

P HO T O & L OC AT I ON: C A S A M O N IC A H O T EL

No. 3

The charming

Say your sunlit vows poolside in the grand Sultan’s Pavilion, then make

coastal town of St Augustine, Fla.—America’s old-

your way through lush tropical gardens to the gilded ballroom, hung with

est city, founded by Spain in 1565, a full 45 years

glorious Moroccan chandeliers, to feast on Mediterranean-inspired cuisine

before the British founded Jamestown, Va.—is, as

and dance ’til the wee hours. Think your guests might be coaxed to take

one would expect, full of history. From its cobblestone streets and ornate

leave of Casa Monica’s sparkling resort-style pool during their down time?

churches, to its masonry fort and picturesque lighthouse, this quaint and

Schedule girls’ time at the resort’s lavish Poseidon Spa, or arrange an af-

bustling town is perfect for destination weddings that are both luxurious

ternoon of leisure on your own little patch of pristine St. Augustine Beach

and relaxing. Paradise awaits wedding couples and their guests who

shoreline…along with 10, 20 or more, of your closest friends and family,

venture to St. Augustine Casa Monica Resort & Spa. Built in 1888, and

of course! For a slightly more adventurous outing, charter Captain Wilson’s

updated with every manner of modern amenity, Casa Monica offers

boat for a romantic sunset sail—you and your group may get lucky and spy

a Southern wedding experience with unique Moroccan-inspired flair.

a manatee or two!

CASA MONICA HOTEL

139 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

|

REAL WEDDINGS

|

PHOTOS: APOGEE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

02.20.16

MR.& MR S. / / A S H L E Y & RYA N / /

COUPLE: Ashley Gropp & Ryan Ackley I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 130 I WEDDING COLORS: Gray, Blush & Burgundy RECEPTION VENUE: The Terrace Club I HONEYMOON: Grenada

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Apogee Wedding Photography / Wild Bunches / Classic Cakes by Lori / Gourmet Gals / Brickhouse Bridal / Austin Classic DJ / Outskirt Films / Lola Beauty

14 0 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

HER FAVORITE SIP:

moscow mule

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

brownies

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

hiking

WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

his sense of humor

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

margarita

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

brownies

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

boating

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

we have fun together

|

REAL WEDDINGS

High-school

sweethearts

Ashley

|

and

Ryan—they

met

in

chemistry class, fittingly—didn’t want anything too fancy for their winter nuptials. What they did want was a beautiful venue with sweeping Hill Country views, and they got that, and more, at Dripping Springs’ The Terrace Club. Their wedding took full advantage of the stunning natural landscape, bringing in pops of romantic blush, gray and burgundy, along with special personal touches including signature cocktails and a delicious dessert table, as well as a rehearsal dinner at the nearby Deep Eddy Vodka distillery. “The reception was a big celebration with family and friends eating and dancing all night,” Ashley says. “In fact, the party carried on long after we left, since the hotel was right next door!” The couple’s favorite part of their Hill Country bash? “Having everyone gathered in one place to have a great time with each other.”

14 2 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

/ / R E H E A R S A L //

DINNERS AFTER THE WEDDING CEREMONY REHEARSAL, IT’S TIME TO UNWIND AND BOND WITH YOUR FAMILY AND CLOSEST FRIENDS, WHILE OFFERING VISITING GUESTS A TASTE OF FINE LOCAL FLAVORS. THESE LOCATIONS SERVE UP DELICIOUS EATS, ENTICING AMBIANCE AND TEXAS-STYLE HOSPITALITY.

PHOTO AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

| WEDDING PLANNING

:

REHEARSAL DINNERS |

15 Acres

Armandos

25566 Bradbury Rd • Hockley, TX 77447 281.703.9091 • 15-acres.com

2630 Westheimer • Houston, TX 77098 713.520.1738 • ArmandosCaters.com Centrally located in River Oaks, ARMANDOS offers a refined modern approach to Tex-Mex. Our intimate wine room is the premier location for exceptional service, upscale cuisine, and beautiful ambiance. We can comfortably accommodate up to 36 guests for a prix fixe, family style or plated dinner, with a variety of menu items to satisfy any appetite. Let us take care of the details and make your private dinner special.

15 Acres’ beautiful, new building and manicured grounds are perfect for anyone looking for country charm and modern elegance. Complete with a wide menu of dinner choices and flexible bar packages, 15 Acres will make your rehearsal dinner unforgettable. le zu photography

Events at a Time

1

Private Bar Service

Y

Private Rooms

Y

Entertainment

N

300

Outdoor Site

Y

Max. Guests

Min. Price Call

Events at a Time

2

Private Bar Service

Private Rooms

Y

Entertainment

Y

Max. Guests

36

Outdoor Site

N

3300 Smith St • Houston, TX 77006 713.522.9711 • BrennansHouston.com For over 40 years Brennan’s Houston has been the destination for brides who are searching for Southern hospitality. We have several different-size rooms to accommodate any size celebration and a dedicated culinary staff to make your taste buds sing. “The grandest restaurant in the city.” – Alison Cook, chron. com.

Américas is a progressive Latin dining experience highlighting the gifts of the new world. What would history’s kitchens be without the tomato, the potato, vanilla, corn or avocado? Cordúa’s Américas weaves contemporary cooking techniques with the excitement of Latin ingredients.

3

Private Bar Service

Y

Private Rooms

Y

Entertainment

Y

Max. Guests

75

Outdoor Site

Y

Min. Price Call

Events at a Time

3

Private Bar Service

Y

Private Rooms

Y

Entertainment

Y

200

Outdoor Site

Y

Max. Guests

The Barn - at Briscoe Manor

1

Private Bar Service

N

Private Rooms

N

Entertainment

N

200

Outdoor Site

Y

Max. Guests

Min. Price Call

1802 Shepherd Dr • Houston, TX 77007 713.862.2020 • CadillacBar.com Cadillac Bar is the perfect venue to celebrate your rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, wedding reception, quinceañera or bar/bat mitzvah. With two private rooms, accommodating 30 to 400 guests, the possibilities are endless. Our event planner is available to help coordinate all the details for your unforgettable day.

Events at a Time

2

Private Bar Service

Y

Private Rooms

Y

Entertainment

Y

400

Outdoor Site

Y

Max. Guests

1600 Lamar St • Houston, TX 77010 713.739.8000 • AmericasHouston.Hilton.com We are able to accommodate receptions, seated dinners or banquets, and our experienced staff and award-winning chefs provide superior service for your pre-wedding celebrations and beyond with flexible, creative menu options. We can customize your decor and menu to suit your taste and cultural traditions, and your out-of-town guests can effortlessly book accommodations through our website.

Established in 1988, Churrascos offers the bold flavors of the South American parilla with all its fire and passion.

Enjoy appetizers like empanadas and ceviches, or our signature chimichurri marinated center-cut tenderloin followed by our famous Tres Leches. Paired with distinct wines, Churrascos warmly transports you to an orchestra of flavor celebrating the grill, fresh ingredients, and your guests.

Private Rooms Max. Guests

4 Y 120

Private Bar Service Entertainment Outdoor Site

14 4 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

Y Y Y

Min. Price Call

Min. Price $12

Hilton Americas - Houston

Churrascos

3300 S. Gessner Rd, Ste 270 • Houston, TX 77063 844.346.4365 • Churrascos.com

Events at a Time

Min. Price $60

Cadillac Bar

5801 FM 723• Richmond, TX 77406 281.238.4700 • BriscoeManor.com Designed to appeal to rehearsal dinners/lunches, The Barn, located on Briscoe Manor's 50 acre estate, offers the same award winning and sought after elegant perfection that Briscoe Manor has had immense success with. After your rehearsal in the unparalleled Briscoe Chapel, walk on over to The Barn for your rehearsal lunch or dinner. Your convenient and stress-free wedding day starts here!

Events at a Time

Min. Price Call

Brennan’s Houston

Américas

2040 West Gray • Houston, TX 77019 844.346.4365 • AmericasRestaurant.com

Events at a Time

Y

Events at a Time

10

Private Bar Service

Y

Private Rooms

Y

Entertainment

N

130

Outdoor Site

N

Max. Guests

Min. Price $110

| WEDDING PLANNING

:

REHEARSAL DINNERS |

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

Last Concert Cafe

1403 Nance St • Houston, TX 77002 713.226.8563 • LastConcert.com

111 North Post Oak Ln • Houston, TX 77024 713.680.2626 • Houstonian.com The Houstonian Hotel offers brides unique venue spaces to create their dream destination wedding experience in the heart of Houston. Four ballrooms along with outdoor space offer a versatility and sophistication to accomadate weddings of any size. Create a breathtaking moment with a ceremony under the iconic Live Oak tree.

Events at a Time Private Rooms Max. Guests

6 Y 85+

Private Bar Service

Y

Entertainment Y Outdoor Site

Min. Price 85

Y

Eclectic indoor/outdoor historical cafe and live music venue located in the heart of the downtown warehouse district. Est. 1949. With an outdoor space to enjoy balmy Houston evenings and delicious Tex-Mex cuisine, our fun, laid-back space is the perfect gathering spot to treat your out-of-town guests to local color!

©2016 gina schild photography

Events at a Time

3

Private Bar Service

Private Rooms

Y

Entertainment Y

Max. Guests

350

Private Rooms Max. Guests

1 N 130

Lawless Spirits & Kitchen

McCormick & Schmicks 1151-01 Uptown Park Blvd • Houston, TX 77056 713.840.7900• MccormickAndSchmicks.com Whether you are Uptown, Downtown, or West of the Loop, our three unique locations are perfect for your special day. We focus on the finer points of service and offer creative menus, delicious food and beautiful private dining space. Whether you're looking to host an intimate reception, rehearsal dinner, bridal luncheon, or brunch, we are eager to create a personalized menu for you. Our extensive wine list and full bar will perfectly compliment every dish.

Private Bar Service

Y

Entertainment N Outdoor Site

Min. Price $20

Events at a Time

2

Private Bar Service

Private Rooms

Y

Entertainment N

Max. Guests

Y

112

1

Private Bar Service

Private Rooms

N

Entertainment Y

Max. Guests

75

Outdoor Site

Y

Min. Price $20

Y

No matter what occasion you’re celebrating, you will notice the difference the moment you enter the Red Oak Ballroom. You’ll find an elegant venue and a friendly staff committed to the success of your special day. With menu options from passed hor d’oeuvres to seated meals, your guests should come hungry and be ready to be impressed. We have several bar packages to choose from.

Events at a Time

2

Private Bar Service

Private Rooms

Y

Entertainment Y

Max. Guests

400

©2016 gina schild photography his and hers foto

©2016 gina schild photography

2

Private Bar Service

Entertainment Y

Max. Guests

400

Outdoor Site

Y

Y

Min. Price $52

N

3901 NASA Parkway • Seabrook, TX 77586 281.291.9900 • WatersEdge.events

Entertaining groups of any size is one of our specialties. Let our staff plan your wedding rehearsal dinner or reception, whether it’s cocktails and hors d’oeuvre for 10 or a seated dinner for 200. Each of your guests will feel like a VIP! Sambuca is where Houston comes for their parties and events.

Y

Outdoor Site

Y

Waters Edge

Sambuca

Private Rooms

Min. Price Call

713.590.0953 • RedOakBallroom.com

909 Texas Ave • Houston, TX 77002 713.227.7423 • SambucaCatering.com

Events at a Time

Y

816 Town and Country Blvd, Ste 210 Houston, TX 77024

Number 13 is able to accommodate large groups with advance reservations. We also offer outdoor space on the Terrace that can be easily made private for intimate pre-wedding celebrations, and features beautiful views of the Marina. We also offer wine locker memberships, cigar bar memberships, and a full bar. Contact us to learn more about our menu options and to arrange hosting your pre-wedding celebration with us.

Events at a Time

Outdoor Site

Y

Red Oak Ballroom - Houston/CityCentre

Number 13 7809 Broadway St • Galveston, TX 77554 409.572.2650 • Number13Steak.com

the rk group

Y

Min. Price Call

909 Texas Ave Suite 2A • Houston, TX 77002 281.823.8600 • LawlessSpirits.com Located in the historic Rice Hotel, Lawless is Houston’s newest en vogue establishment. The interior exudes glamour in every detail. Upon entry, guests will proceed up a grand staircase that sits beneath a glorious chandelier. The outside terrace is a beautiful backdrop as it overlooks downtown.

Events at a Time

Outdoor Site

Y

Min. Price Call

With a beautiful waterfront view, lush landscaping, and all inclusive packaging, there is nothing more you could want! Located just south of Houston on a generous two and a half acres facing the scenic Clear Lake shores, Waters Edge offers a truly exquisite waterfront view for your special celebration. We are able to comfortably seat 250 of your guests in our indoor facility where they are sure to enjoy the same Waters Edge view through the glass wall overlooking the ocean.

Events at a Time

1

Private Bar Service

Private Rooms

Y

Entertainment N

Max. Guests

300

Outdoor Site

Y

Y

Min. Price Call

All information is subject to change without notice. Some features may be available on a limited, seasonal or by-request-only basis.

145 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

/ / R E C E P T I O N //

LOCATIONS WHERE OH WHERE TO WED? FIND THE WEDDING VENUE THAT WILL ACCOMMODATE YOUR GUES T COUNT, PROVIDE THE SERVICES YOU NEED, F I T YO U R B U D G E T A N D F U L F I L L YO U R W E D D I N G FA N TA S Y. C O M PA R E HOUS TON WEDDING VENUE DETAILS AT A GL ANCE, HERE.

PHOTO AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

Kosher Menu Available

Outdoor Area Available

Handicap Accessible

Call

√

√

√

√

√ 75

1254 FM 1463 Rd • Katy, TX 77494

281.395.5070

300

1

$50

√

√

√

√ 25

Ashton Gardens - North & West 21919 Inverness Forest Blvd • Houston, TX 77073

281.362.0011

300

2

$50

√

√

√ 39

The Astorian 2500 Summer St • Houston, TX 77007

832.460.6695

750

1

$55

√

√

√

√

√

The Ballroom at Bayou Place 500 Texas Ave • Houston, TX 77002

713.400.1299

800

1

Call

√

√

√

√

The Bell Tower on 34th 901 W. 34th St • Houston, TX 77018

713.868.2355

300

2

$70

√

√

√

√ 13

Boardwalk FantaSea Yacht Charters #8 Kemah Boardwalk, Suite G • Kemah, TX 77565

281.538.9600

128

1

Call

√

√

√

√ 110

The Bougainvilleas 12126 Westheimer Rd • Houston, TX 77077

832.914.7844

350

1

$68

Brennan’s of Houston 3300 Smith St • Houston, TX 77006

713.522.9711

200

2

$60

√

√

√ 32

Briscoe Manor 5801 FM 723 • Richmond, TX 77406

281.238.4700

350

1

$100

√

√

√ 65

Cadillac Bar 1802 Shepherd Dr • Houston, TX 77007

713.862.2020

400

2

$12

√

√

√ 110

Chateau Cocomar 14525 Champions Dr • Houston, TX 77069

281.919.1161

999

1

Call

√

√

√

√ 33

Chateau Polonez 12612 Malcomson Rd • Houston, TX 77070

281.655.5656

352

1

$60

√

√

√ 58

Corinthian Houston 202 Fannin St at Franklin • Houston, TX 77002

713.523.5780

1900

1

$75

√ √ √

√ 2-3

Crystal Ballroom at The Rice 909 Texas Ave • Houston, TX 77002

713.227.7423

400

2

Call

√ √

√

√ 71

The Culinary Institue of America at Copia 500 First St • Napa, CA 94559

707.967.2307

500

2

$275

√

√

√

√ 125

The Culinary Institue of America at Greystone 2555 Main St • St. Helena, CA 94574

707.967.2307

300

1

$275

√

√

√

√ 125

DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Downtown 400 Dallas St • Houston, TX 77002

713.351.5766

400

2

$48

√

√ √

√

√ 88

DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Greenway Plaza 6 E. Greenway Plaza • Houston, TX 77046

713.850.2356

350

7

$30

√ √

√

√ 72

Downtown Aquarium 410 Bagby St • Houston, TX 77002

713.315.5168

400

5

$30

√

√

√ 74

The Gallery 6303 Beverly Hill St • Houston, TX 77057

713.255.2889

300

1

Call

√ √

√

√ 59

The Gardens at Madeley Manor 915 N. Frazier St • Conroe, TX 77301

936.524.3352

200

1

Call

√

√

√

√

√ 117

281.639.8077

200

1

Call

√

√

√

√

√ 101

Page Number

Ceremony Site Available

Outside Catering Permitted

1

Minimum Price Per Person

300

15 Acres 25566 Bradbury Rd • Hockley, TX 77447

Simultaneous Events

281.703.9091

Venue

Off-Site Catering Available

RECEPTION LOCATIONS |

Maximum Capacity

:

Phone

| WEDDING PLANNING

Agave Estates

√

√ √

√ √

√

10-11 14-15

√

√

73_

The Grand Hall at Deer Lake Lodge 10500 Deer Lake Lodge Rd • Montgomery, TX 77316

All information is subject to change without notice. Some features may be available on a limited, seasonal or by-request-only basis.

147 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

Page Number

Ceremony Site Available

Handicap Accessible

Outdoor Area Available

Kosher Menu Available

Outside Catering Permitted

Off-Site Catering Available

Minimum Price Per Person

Simultaneous Events

RECEPTION LOCATIONS |

Maximum Capacity

:

Phone

Venue

| WEDDING PLANNING

Heather’s Glen 200 E. Phillips St • Conroe, TX 77301

936.441.6611

180

1

Hilton Americas - Houston 1600 Lamar St • Houston, TX 77010

Call

713.739.8000

2200

7

Hilton Houston North 12400 Greenspoint Dr • Houston, TX 77060

281.875.2222

1000

5

$24

Hilton Houston Post Oak 2001 Post Oak Blvd • Houston, TX 77056

713.961.9300

1000

3

Call

$110

√

√

√

√

√ √

√ √ √

√

√

√

√ 34 √ 61_ √ 66 √ 35_

The Hines Center 500 Fannin Suite 100 • Houston, TX 77002 713. 590.3302 80 1 Call √ √ √ 34

The Historic Magnolia Ballroom 715 Franklin St • Houston, TX 77002 713.223.8508 225 1 Call √ √ √ √ √ 64

Hotel Galvez & Spa 2024 Seawall Blvd • Galveston, TX 77550

409.765.7721

350

3

Hotel ZaZa Memorial City 9787 Katy Freeway • Houston, TX 77024

713.465.9292

400

7

$125

Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District 5701 Main St • Houston, TX 77005

713.526.1991

400

12

$150

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa 111 North Post Oak Ln • Houston, TX 77024

713.680.2626

450

6

Hughes Manor 2811 Washington Ave • Houston, TX 77007

$60

√ √

√

√ 44

√

√

√ 19

√

√

√ 6-7

$125 √ √

√

√ 4-5

713.864.2797

250 1 Call √ √

√

√ 63

Julia Ideson Library 550 McKinney • Houston, TX 77002

832.393.1646

350

1

Call

√

√ 57

JW Marriott Houston Downtown 806 Main St • Houston, TX 77002

713.237.1111

400

2

$150

Kemah Gardens 1019 Lewis Dr • Kemah, TX 77565

281.334.0501

150

1

King River Ranch 2054 Ranch Rd 1320 • Johnson City, TX 78636

830.392.6484

250

Las Velas 5714 Fairdale Ln • Houston, TX 77057

713.977.5773

The Lyceum of Galveston Island 2401 Winnie St • Galveston, TX 77550 The Majestic Metro 911 Preston St • Houston, TX 77002 Magnolia Hotel 1100 Texas Ave • Houston, TX 77002

√

√

√

√ √

√ 31_

Call

√ √

√

√ 38_

1

Call

√

250

1

Call

409.789.4142

300

1

713.224.7226

500

713.221.0011

The Manor House of Richmond 907 Morton St • Richmond, TX 77469

√

√

√

√ 131

√ √

√

√

√ 67

Call

√ √

√

√ 60

1

Call

√

√ √

√

99

230

2

$35

√

√ √

√

103

281.725.3160

150

1

Call

Marriott Houston North 255 N. Sam Houston Pkwy East • Houston, TX 77060

281.875.4000

530

3

The Meekermark 21156 Karen-Switch Road • Magnolia, TX, 77354

281.565.4285

500

Moffitt Oaks 20125 Cedar Ln • Tomball, TX 77377

281.370.6616

300

√ √

√

√ 105

$35

√

√

√ 86

1

Call

√ √

√

2

$30

√

√ 47

√

√

√

√

√

√

69_

Northgate Country Club

17110 Northgate Forest Dr • Houston, TX 77068 281.444.5302 320 1 $32 √ √ √ √ 88 Old Glory Ranch 3633 River Rd • Wimberley, TX 78676

512.847.3646

600

1

Call

√

√

√

√ 132

Omni Houston Hotel 4 Riverway Dr • Houston, TX 77056

713.871.8181

750

5

$75

√ √

√

√ 37

14 8 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

√

√

Ousie's Table 3939 San Felipe Street • Houston, TX 77027

Page Number

Ceremony Site Available

Handicap Accessible

Outdoor Area Available

Kosher Menu Available

Outside Catering Permitted

Off-Site Catering Available

Minimum Price Per Person

300

3

$40

√ √

√

√

√ 83_

713.529.3050

550

1

Call

√

√

√ 30

Pecan Grove Plantation Country Club 3000 Plantation Dr • Richmond, TX 77406

281.342.9940

240

1

$30

√

√ 87_

Petroleum Club of Houston 1201 Louisiana St, 35th Floor • Houston, TX 77002

713.659.1431

250

2

$65

√

√ 32_

Pine Forest Country Club 18003 Clay Rd • Houston, TX 77084

281.463.0900

350

1

$50

√

√

√ 85_

Red Oak Ballroom - Houston / CityCentre 816 Town & Country Blvd #210 • Houston, TX 77024

713.590.0953

400

2

$102

√

√ √

√ 111

7122 Old Katy Rd • Houston, TX 77024

713.962.2248

800

1

$65

√

√

√

√

Sandlewood Manor 22402 Holly Creek Trail • Tomball, TX 77377

281.466.9487

400

1

Call

√

√ 23

Sheraton Suites Houston near the Galleria 2400 West Loop South • Houston, TX 77027

713.586.5129

250

6

$50

Southern Lace Estates 1110 Indian Shores Rd • Crosby, TX 77532

281.928.2455

900

1

$40

√

√ √

√ 127

The Space HTX 2005 Commerce St • Houston, TX 77002

832.961.8000

200

1

$15

√

√

√

√

√

√

Sweetwater Country Club 4400 Palm Royale Blvd • Sugar Land, TX 77479

281.980.4100

300

1

$39

√

√ √

√

√ 87

The Terrace Club 2600 E. Hwy 290 • Dripping Springs, TX 78620

512.894.4009

300

1

Call

√

√

√

√

√ 130

Texas Renaissance Festival 21778 FM 1774 • Todd Mission, TX 77363

800.458.3435

400

4

$22

√

√

√ 107

The Tremont House 2300 Ship Mechanic Row St • Galveston, TX 77550

409.763.0300

400

2

$60

√ √

√ 45_

The Villagio 10901 Braes Bend Dr • Houston, TX 77071

281.352.0903

500

1

$59

√

√ √

√

√ 95_

Walden on Lake Houston Golf & Country Club 18100 Walden Forest Dr • Humble, TX 77346

832.445.2104

240

1

$30

√ √

√

√ 87

Waterpoint Premier Lakeside Venue 15264 Hwy 105 West • Montgomery, TX 77356

936.597.7700

300

1

Call

√

√

√

√

√ 115_

Waters Edge Venue 3901 Nasa Pkwy • El Lago, TX 77586

281.291.9900

275

1

Call

√

√

√

√

√ 16-17

The Westin Galleria Houston 5060 W. Alabama St • Houston, TX 77056

713.770.6267

1000

3

Call

√

√

√

√

√ 119_

The Westin Houston, Memorial City 945 Gessner Rd • Houston, TX 77024

281.501.4395

700

3

$42

√ √

√ 62_

The Westin Oaks Houston at the Galleria 5011 Westheimer Rd • Houston, TX 77056

713.770.6267

600

2

Call

√

√

√

√

√ 119_

Willow Fork Country Club 21055 Westheimer Pkwy • Katy, TX 77450

281.579.6262

250

1

$25

√

√ √

√

√ 87_

The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center 2301 North Millbend Dr • The Woodlands, TX 77380

866.342.4039

800

8

$89

√

√ 90_

The Parador 2021 Binz St • Houston, TX 77004

713.528.2264

Simultaneous Events

RECEPTION LOCATIONS |

Maximum Capacity

:

Phone

Venue

| WEDDING PLANNING

√

√

The Revaire

√

√

√ √

√

√

√

√

79

√ 86_

89

NOTES:

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| WEDDING PLANNING

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:

WEDDING SERVICES |

LADIES WHO

//

LUNCH S U P O N A L O B S T E R B I S Q U E . S AV O R A M A C A R O N . S I P A M I M O S A . I T ’ S T I M E F O R A P R E - W E D D I N G L U N C H W I T H Y O U R F AV E L A D I E S ! T H E S E F O U R H O U S T O N S P O T S W I L L TA K E C A R E O F Y O U , A N D Y O U R C R E W, W I T H F I N E F O O D A N D D R I N K , A N D F L AW L E S S S E R V I C E .

PHOTO AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

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| WEDDING PLANNING

:

WEDDING SERVICES |

PHOTO: AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

PHOTO: COURTESY OF BRENNAN’S HOUSTON

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P H O T O : C O U R T E S Y O F C O R D U A R E S TA U R A N T S

CORDÚA RESTAURANTS: AMÉRICAS & CHURRASCOS The Cordúa name is synonymous with bold Latin American flavors and warm hospitality—both of which are on delicious display at Américas and Churrascos, father-and-son team Michael and David Cordúa’s esteemed Houston eateries. For South American “parilla” favorites (grilled chicken with palm hearts and coconut beurre blanc, grilled filet with black-bean sauce and avocado, grilled wild salmon with shrimp and tomatillo broth) along with bountiful margaritas and effervescent mojitos, Churrascos offers you and your girls tons of taste in a tastefully hip steakhouse setting. Pan-Latin cuisine with a focus on local ingredients is on the menu at Américas, where specialties include gourmet tacos, slow-cooked carnitas and fresh, Latin-influenced salads, any of which would pair beautifully with a tangy-sweet Brazilian caipirinha or tart, colorful Tangerine Passion cocktail. Make your Cordúa lunch complete with a round of tres-leches for the team—the owner-chefs’ signature dessert, and an enduring Houston favorite.

152 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

| WEDDING PLANNING

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WEDDING SERVICES |

BRENNAN’S OF HOUSTON Among the grandest of Houston’s dining establishments, Brennan’s is a longtime favorite for bridal showers, bridesmaids’ luncheons and intimate meals with dear friends and family members. If privacy is your priority, Brennan’s offers a selection of discreet dining spaces where you and your group can feast on Creole specialties, sip rosé all day and laugh to your heart’s content. Happy to hang out with the lunch crowd?

Reserve a Brennan’s table for a handful of your closest gals, and giggle over Champagne and caviar, cornmeal-crusted grouper, wild-shrimp remoulade, and a crème-de-violette sour, or a “midtown tea” cocktail with Satsuma-rum liqueur and orange curaçao. Don’t miss the decadent Bananas Foster for dessert!

THE HOUSTONIAN HOTEL, CLUB & SPA Stretch your ladies’ lunch into a full-day affair, at The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa. We recommend kicking things off with a few hours at Trellis—the hotel’s acclaimed 17,000-square-foot spa, where you and your girls can enjoy a soak and a spa treatment of your choice—say…a deep-tissue massage, a rejuvenating Citrus Drench or a detoxifying Tension Relief Cocoon? When it’s time to refuel, order up a couple bottles of sauvignon blanc and fresh gulf-shrimp crepes or grilled rosemary-lemon chicken from the exclusive Trellis

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WEDDING SERVICES |

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spa menu. Or, for a decidedly

more

luxurious

meal,

take your pre-reserved seats in

The

Houstonian’s

Manor

House, an exclusive and intimate dining destination set in a historic private home on the hotel’s manicured grounds.

M C CORMICK & SCHMICK’S With

three

distinct

Houston

Locations, steak and seafood mecca

McCormick

&

Schmick’s offers plenty of options for gathering your girls to enjoy a leisurely lunch in the weeks leading up to your wedding. Whether you choose

the

location’s and

Uptown

soaring

stained-glass

Park

ceilings windows,

the Town & Country Village location’s

cozy

fire

pit,

or

the Downtown Pavilion location’s and

palm-shaded contemporary

patio private-

dining space, McCormick & Schmick’s will indulge you and your entourage with fresh fish and shellfish specialties, succulent

steak,

gourmet

salads

and decadent desserts. Start off with an effervescent flute of Veuve Clicquot and freshshucked

oysters,

perhaps,

by

followed,

sesame-crusted

ahi tuna or signature lump156 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

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WEDDING SERVICES |

crab cakes, then finish things up with a monumental “chocolate bag” filled with whitechocolate mousse and fresh berries—the perfect opp for sharesies with your besties!

LAWLESS SPIRITS & KITCHEN While not technically a lunch spot—the

Rice

Hotel’s

swank

Lawless Spirits & Kitchen doesn’t open until 4 p.m.—this glitzy Downtown

destination

accom-

modates late-lunch appetites with a diverse cocktail list, and plush lounge areas provide a unique

W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M / 157

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:

WEDDING SERVICES |

atmosphere perfect for girl time.

The global-inspired menu featuring

nibbles

chicken

such

tacos

as

and

Korean fig-and-

prosciutto flatbread. It’s the perfect spot to gather your bridesmaids for a wedding-planning check-in while you fete them with food and drink to thank them for their dedication and unflagging support!

158 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

P H O T O : C O U R T E S Y O F L AW L E S S K I T C H E N & S P I R I T S

|

REAL WEDDINGS

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PHOTOS: CHRISTIAN OTH STUDIO

10.28.17

MR.& MR S. / / LY N N & R YA N / /

COUPLE: Lynn Johnson & Ryan Weber I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 250 I WEDDING COLORS: Black & Ivory VENUE: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa I PLANNER: Grayhouse Events Atelier I INVITATIONS: Isabella Invitations I BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Bella Bridesmaids LIGHTING & SOUND: Bright Star Productions I ENTERTAINMENT: LG Entertainment Production I HONEYMOON: Grand Cayman Island

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Christian Oth Studio / Casa de Novia / Blooming Gallery / Edible Designs By Jessie / Limelight Band

W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M / 159

HER FAVORITE SIP:

diet coke

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

strawberry cake

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

lunching and shopping

WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

his loyalty and love for his family and friends

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

crown royal & sprite HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

cheesecake

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

watching college football

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

her passion for perfection in everything she does

|

REAL WEDDINGS

|

Want to really surprise the love of your life? Propose to her in a Suitsupply store! That’s what Ryan did, with the help of Lynn’s mother, who got Lynn to the menswear showroom under the guise of surprising Ryan with a suit as a birthday gift. “Once he selected a suit, shirt, tie and shoes…he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! By the time he started the proposal, the entire store was quiet and watched in awe,” the bride says. Describing their ultra-glamorous Houstonian Hotel wedding, coordinated by Jim Gray, the principal designer at Grayhouse Events Atelier, as “Sinatra meets Drake,” Lynn adds: “Picture white carpet, white draperies with black accents, black-and-white satin linens with crystal candelabras under crystal chandeliers, and elegant, contemporary arrangements of white calla lilies, white tulips and white hydrangea.” Among her favorite moments of the celebration? “Our last dance, to Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believin,’ while silver confetti fell from above.”

W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M / 161

162 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

/ / WEDDING PLANNER / /

Reserve guest accommodation.

Create your gift registry.

florist, entertainer).

(photographer, videographer,

Choose and book your vendors-

bridesmaids.

Choose and invite your

narrow down your design.

Work with your planner to

Shop for and order your gown.

8 - 1 0 MO NT HS B E FO R E:

Book your venue.

Hire a wedding planner.

Draw up a budget.

Pick a wedding date.

wedding theme/design.

Start envisioning your

Get engaged!

1 2 + M O N T HS B EF O RE :

12

photographer.

Give must-have shot list to

Print place cards.

Salon visit or spa day.

Finalize your seating chart.

head count.

Give caterer final

do last follow-ups.

Review RSVP list and

1- 2 WE E K S BE FOR E :

Print your wedding program.

playlist to band or DJ.

Finalize your music and give

Meet with your photographer.

Confirm all of your vendors.

Do your final dress fittings.

Mail your invitations.

1- 2 M ONTHS BE FOR E :

DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY @ WEDDINGSINHOUSTON.COM

TO

YES

I SAID

L A R R Y FA G A L A

WEDDINGSINHOUSTON.COM

2018

WEDDING SOIREE

attend

Attend your shower.

Make your toast list.

Order wedding favors.

Rent or purchase formalwear.

Finalize your flowers.

Finalize your menu.

3 - 4 M ON T HS BEF O R E :

Start your gown fittings.

Book your rehearsal dinner venue.

your guest list.

Give your shower host

professionals.

Schedule hair and makeup

Taste cakes and hire a baker.

Purchase your wedding bands.

4 -6 M O N T H S BE FO R E :

get or renew passports if needed.

Start planning your honeymoon;

Meet with your officiant.

Send out save-the-dates.

Order your invitations.

Order your bridesmaid dresses.

6 -8 M O N T H S BE FO R E :

S Y LV I E G I L S Y LV I E G I L

W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M / 163

3

6

8

GET MAR R IED!

first newlywed adventure together!

Rest, relax and enjoy your

Check in for your flight.

Pack for your honeymoon.

Return any attire rentals.

Write thank-you notes.

P OS T- WE DDI NG :

V

bridal party.

members and members of

who are family

Make sure photographer knows

officiant after ceremony.

Give best man check to give

honor and best man.

Give wedding bands to maid of

and each other.

Present gifts to parents, bridal party

DAY OF:

Write checks to vendors.

Give marriage license to officiant.

from airport and brought to hotel.

Arrange for guests to be picked up

groomsmen have attire ready.

Make sure bridesmaids and

Pick up formalwear.

Press wedding gown.

1- 3 DAY S BE FOR E :

|

REAL WEDDINGS

|

PHOTOS: VELLORA PRODUCTIONS

03.25.17

MR.& MR S. //SARAH & JESSE //

COUPLE: Sarah Southmayd & Jesse Tannahill I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 190 I WEDDING COLORS: Ivory, Blue & Pewter I RECEPTION VENUE: The Parador PLANNER: Kat Creech Events I FLOWERS & DECOR: Dream Bouquet I LINENS: EB Inc. Event Rentals & Design I INVITATIONS: Bering’s ENTERTAINMENT: Danny Ray and the Acoustic Production I LIGHTING & SOUND: Bright Star Productions REHEARSAL DINNER: JW Marri-ott Houston Downtown I REGISTRY: Kuhl-Linscomb I HONEYMOON: Japan PHOTOGRAPHY: Vellora Productions CONTRIBUTING VENDORS:Brickhouse Bridal / Melange Catering & Special Events / Who Made The Cake! / Johanna Terry Events Divisi Strings / Signature EvenTx / Whittington Bridal

164 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

HER FAVORITE SIP:

prosecco

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

crème brûlée

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

doing something active

WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

he is caring, patient, and an independent thinker, with a great sense of humor

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

diet coke

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

blue bell homemade vanilla ice cream HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

working on the yard

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

she is loving, energetic, adventurous, funny, and she knows where she wants to go in life

|

REAL WEDDINGS

|

Sarah will never forget the day she met Jesse, at Ultimate Frisbee practice at Rice University. “After hearing that I was a chemical engineering student, he smiled, and asked me, ‘So, do you titrate?’ grinning at what he thought was a very clever joke.” And while, at the time, she shut him down with a flat, “No,” she tells us, “This obtuse sense of humor of his is one of the many reasons I’ve fallen in love with him over the years.” For their spring nuptials, the couple followed their beautiful church ceremony with a relaxed and refined celebration at historic Museum-District venue The Parador, where coordinator and stylist Kat Creech helped create “a surreal romantic garden in shades of slate blue, ivory and pewter.” Adds Sarah, “We brought the outside in, with oversized trees canopying over the bars, lush greenery arches, and terrarium floral accents. The candle glow on the inside complemented the Edison bulbs glowing outside.”

166 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

S

/ / TO WED / /

OF TE

L I CE N S E

XA

T

TE

S H E TA

While your wedding is a fabulous celebration, filled with flowers, food, friends and family, your marriage is a legal matter. Find out where, when and how to make your union official, with this essential information on licenses, certificates and officiating regulations for Houston weddings.

NO. 1 : WHERE CAN WE GO TO GET OUR MARRIAGE LICENSE IN HOUSTON? You can apply for a marriage license at any County Clerk’s office in the state of Texas. The Harris County Clerk’s office main branch is located in Houston in the Harris County Civil Courthouse at 201 Caroline, Suite 460.

The office phone number is 713.755.6411.

You must appear together in person at the County Clerk’s office when you apply for a marriage license.

Your marriage license will be valid in any county in the state of Texas.

NO. 4 : HOW MUCH WILL WE NEED TO PAY TO GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE AND WHAT IS THE WAITING PERIOD? The fee is $72.00 for a marriage license. There is a waiting period of 72 hours before you can be married. Your marriage license will only be valid after this waiting period has passed. You can contact the Harris County Clerk’s office for information on how to apply to have this waiting period waived.

If either of you is active military or currently works for the United States Department of Defense, the waiting period will be waived automatically.

NO. 2 : WHAT REQUIREMENTS DO WE NEED TO MEET AND WHAT FORMS OF ID ARE NEEDED TO GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE? Both of you need to be at least 18 years old and unmarried when you apply for your marriage license. You will need to present a valid form of identification at the County Clerk’s office and provide your social security numbers. Driver’s licenses, passports and other government-issued documents are acceptable forms of identification at the Harris County Clerk’s office.

NO. 3 : IS THERE A WAITING PERIOD BEFORE

NO. 5 : HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO USE OUR HOUSTON MARRIAGE LICENSE BEFORE IT EXPIRES? You will have 90 days to use your marriage license after it is issued by the Harris County Clerk’s office. After 90 days, your marriage license will expire.

NO. 6 : WHO CAN WE ASK TO PERFORM OUR WEDDING CEREMONY? You can ask anyone who is authorized to perform wedding ceremonies in Texas.

Rabbis, ministers, priests and judges are authorized to perform wedding ceremonies in the state of Texas, among others.

WE CAN GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE IF ONE OF US HAS BEEN DIVORCED RECENTLY? If one of you has ended a previous marriage in divorce, the divorce must be final for at least 30 days before you can apply for a marriage license.

You can apply to waive this waiting period by calling the Harris County Clerk’s office or visiting the office in person.

NO. 7 : WHERE CAN WE GO TO GET OUR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE IN HOUSTON? You will be able to order your marriage certificate through the Harris County Clerk’s office. For more information, you can call the Harris County Clerk’s office or visit the office in person.

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168 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

170 JEWELRY

186 W E D D I N G AT T I R E

224 B E A U T Y, H E A L T H + F I T N E S S

WE DDI NG STYLE //

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O U T E R B E A U T Y S TA R T S W I T H I N N E R W E L L N E S S . N O U R I S H Y O U R S P I R I T . P A M P E R

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169 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

| WEDDING STYLE

//

:

JEWELRY |

R E A L R O C K S, R E A L

//

TA L K YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU’LL EVER WEAR—PART TREASURED ADORNMENT, PART PROFOUND PROMISE, PART ENDURING SYMBOL OF LOVE. WHICH CAN MAKE BUYING YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING A PRETTY DAUNTING PROSPECT. GET ANSWERS TO YOUR HARD ROCK QUESTIONS HERE!

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170 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

P H O T O : L A R R Y FA G A L A GOWN: ADAM ZOHAR, K R Y S TA L N I C O L E B R I D A L C O U T U R E J E W E L R Y: Z A D O K J E W E L E R S S T Y L I S T: S U M M A R S A L A H M A K E U P : V I C T O R I A C A L L AWAY HAIR: DENNIS CLENDENNEN

| WEDDING STYLE

:

JEWELRY |

1

ROMANTIC SURPRISE OR ROMANTIC INVESTMENT? Decide how you’ll

decide on your ring. The element of surprise is part of most proposal fantasies. But so is the element of loving your ring. Before you set out on the path to engagement, talk with your future spouse about how involved you want to be in the engagementring-selection process. It’s perfectly acceptable, and, in fact, advisable, to participate in choosing the ring you’ll wear forever as a symbol of your enduring commitment. If choosing the exact ring you want is important to you, go with your partner to the jeweler, look at diamonds together, and try on rings that captivate you. If you truly want your partner to choose your ring himself, or herself, make sure he or she knows exactly what style you want, by sharing photos of rings you like, or having a close friend or family member convey this information and/or accompany your spouse-to-be to the jeweler, at least during the initial visit.

2

HANDS-ON

EXPERIENCE

Shop

in person, not online. Jewelry-designer and

jewelry-retailer websites, and online ring photos, are invaluable resources for researching ring styles and getting ideas. But once it’s time to actually shop for a ring, it’s time for a visit to a brick-and-mortar jewelry store. Fortunately, Houston is home to a variety of excellent jewelry retailers, including Lewis Jewelers (with two locations, in Uptown Park and Clear Lake), trusted Houston family-owned Zadok Jewelers, and boutique jeweler Eklektic Jewelry Studio in Montrose. Your jewelry store should have a certified gemologist on site, and should offer both ready-to-purchase styles and custom design options.

3

STONES FIRST, SETTINGS SECOND Buy a loose diamond, then choose

your setting. Purchasing a pre-set diamond engagement ring might seem like the most convenient, and least expensive, route to go when buying a ring. But that’s really not the case. By purchasing a loose diamond, you’ll be able to inspect the diamond fully, with a focus on the qualities that are most important P H O T O : L A R R Y FA G A L A GOWN: INES DI SANTO JOAN PILLOW BRIDAL SALON RING: EKLEKTIC JEWELRY STUDIO J E W E L R Y: T O O T S I E ’ S

172 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

to you (see tip #4), and it will be easier to stick to your ring budget, since you won’t have to raise your budget, or settle for less, as you might with a pre-set ring. You’ll also have the most flexibility with design,

| WEDDING STYLE

since you can create any kind of ring you want around your center stone.

4

CARAT, COLOR, CLARITY, CUT Navigate the 4 C’s with ease.

With a loose diamond, you can work with your qualified gemologist (there should be one on staff

6

:

JEWELRY |

DON’T WORRY - BE HAPPY!

your engagement ring or center stone is an excellent way to both protect the

value of your ring, and secure your peace of mind. And if you’re still inclined to fret over your ring, consider having a less-expensive copy made, with faux gems, to take with you when you travel—while your original remains ensconced in a locked safe, a bank safety-deposit box or private vault.

at your jeweler of choice) to assess the four essential diamond features—carat, color, clarity and cut—and decide which are most important to you. Carat refers to the diamond’s weight, while color and clarity refer to its hue, and any flaws or blemishes (most of which are microscopic in size) in the stone. Cut—not just the cut style (i.e. princess, cushion, square, etc.), but how the diamond is manipulated and shaped by a skilled gem expert—is arguably the most important feature of your diamond, because it, above all others, will determine the brilliance, or “fire,” your finished engagement stone will have.

.

5

MAKE A TIMELESS CHOICE Pick a ring style you’ll be able to wear

always. First and foremost, your engagement ring needs to fit you flawlessly. To ensure that it does, schedule fittings for when you are well rested (but not first thing in the morning, when you’re most likely to retain water) and when your body is at a comfortable temperature—not too hot, not too cold. Also, while you may want to go for the biggest, most spectacular diamond you can afford— this is your engagement ring, after all—an excessively expensive ring may end up being a source of anxiety rather than admiration. Will you constantly worry about losing it? Will you perpetually be afraid of having it stolen? Will you be frantically inspecting it throughout the day to ensure all the stones are in place? This should be one of the happiest occasions of your life, so choose a ring that won’t compromise that joy with the burden of worry. If you’re active—an avid swimmer or intrepid rock-climber, or even an aficionado of twice-weekly hot yoga—make sure your ring fits snugly enough to move with you.

174 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

Protect your investment. Insuring

PHOTO LARRY FAGALA GOWN: HAYLEY PAIGE, NOW & FOREVER BRIDAL BOUTIQUE JEWELRY: SLOAN/HALL ENGAGEMENT RING: ZADOK JEWELERS

|

TRENDY 20/18

|

> L’ A M O UR O LIV IA C O LL E C TI O N Y E L LO W DIA M O N D E N G A G E M E N T RI N G

Christopher Designs christopherdesigns.com

<

A RT DEC O E N G A G EMEN T RI N G

HOT!

L’AM OU R OL IV IA C OL L EC TION DIAM OND EN G A G EM EN T R IN G

<

WHAT’S

Christopher Designs christopherdesigns.com

MA JOR RINGS

Doyle & Doyle doyledoyle.com

<

GR EEN TOU R M A L IN E, DIAM ON D & 18K WHITE- G OL D R IN G

Christopher Designs christopherdesigns.com

<

H A RM O N I E EME RA L D, DIA M O N D , 1 8K Y E LL O W G O L D & P LAT IN U M RIN G H A RRY K O T LAR harrykotlar.com

176 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

<

Harry Kotlar

OLD-EURO-CUT ART DECO ENGAGEM ENT RING

Doyle & Doyle doyledoyle.com

|

REAL WEDDINGS

|

PHOTOS: NANCY AIDEE PHOTOGRAPHY

11.05.16

MR.& MR S. //SAMANTHA & SAM //

COUPLE: Samantha Wawe & Sam Mody I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 300 I WEDDING COLORS: Champagne, Gold, Ivory, Gray & Aubergine VENUE: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa I FLOWERS & DECOR: Plants N’ Petals I CAKE: Susie’s Cakes & Confections I JEWELRY: Zadok Jewelers INVITATIONS: Bering’s I ENTERTAINMENT & LIGHTING: LG Entertainment Production I FAVORS: Tiff’s Treats I HONEYMOON: Cayman Islands

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Nancy Aidee Photography / Belle of the Ball / Ivory Bridal Atelier / Saks Fifth Avenue / Luxe Films

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

champagne

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

chocolate-chip cookies

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

brunching, running around houston, spending time with family and friends, and catching up on our tv shows WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

10 years after we first met, he still tries just as hard to make me laugh and put a smile on my face

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

old fashioned

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

m&m cookies

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

with my wife, doing whatever she wants

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

the first impression she leaves with everyone she ever meets

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It’s not easy to dream up the perfect proposal when the person you’re proposing to has been your best friend for the better part of a decade. But Sam, who met Samantha when the two were both UT students, rose to the challenge, first with a surprise proposal while strolling in a neighborhood park…then with a surprise engagement bash later that night, where friends had traveled in from far and wide to share in the couple’s joy. While the pair’s Lebanese-Persian nuptial festivities had all the elegance and glamour one would expect from indemand event design firm Plants N’ Petals, and the esteemed Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, the celebration was, above all, FUN: sword dancers, drummers, confetti cannons, late-night breakfast tacos and chicken-and-waffles…”Every moment was a favorite moment!” the bride says.

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TRENDY 20/18

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O T M A N Y A

/ / O F A N E N G AG E M E N T R I N G / / C E N TE R STO N E

H EA D P AV É HALO S H OU L D ER

ME TAL AC C EN T S T ON E

BR ID GE SH AN K

SIDE NOTE : LOVE LETTERS An engagement ring engraving, no matter how small, has BIG meaning for the wearer. Our favorite engraving options are short phrases (“No One But You,” “All My Love,” “Never To Part”), single words (“Eternity,” “Forever,” “Always”), or your first initials joined by “&.”

H ALLMAR K E N G R AV IN G

L A V IE EN ROS E C O L L E C TI O N EV A P INK ENGAG E M E N T R I N G

jeandousset.com

S IZ IN G A R EA

H ALO T H ERE! Want to amp up the volume of your center stone? Opt for a halo setting, where pavé or invisible-set diamonds encircle the center stone, making it appear larger, and increasing the overall dazzle of your ring. Bonus: You’ll be in sync with celebs like Jessica Biel, Jessica Alba and Olivia Wilde—all of whom chose this ultra-sparkling style for their engagement rings!

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PHOTOS: EVOKE PHOTOGRAPHY

05.26.17

MR.& MR S. / / TO R I E & DA N I E L / /

COUPLE: Victoria Berkowitz & Daniel Cadis I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 150 I WEDDING COLORS: Blush, Gold, Ivory & Black RECEPTION VENUE: Ashton Gardens North I ENTERTAINMENT, PHOTO BOOTH, LIGHTING & SOUND: LG Entertainment Production CAKE: Cakes By Gina I BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Bella Bridesmaids I HONEYMOON: Paris CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Evoke Photography / Fabulous Beginnings By Delcina & Co./The Secret Floral Garden / Ivory Bridal Atelier / William Arthur / Divisi Strings / The Woodlands Country Club

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

cappuccino

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

warm chocolate-chip cookies HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

hiking or stand-up paddleboarding

WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

he is the most caring person iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever met

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

live oak hefeweizen

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

anything from frost gelato HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

going for a run with my wife or spending time with family WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

her resilience, dedication and passion

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While Daniel swears he doesn’t remember much from his first interaction with Torie at law-school orientation at the University of Houston (he blames it on nerves), there is one thing he’ll never forget: “Torie correctly answered a challenging question on the first day of class with a notoriously difficult professor,” he says. “I knew she was special from that moment.” Equals in education and career path—both are now attorneys—the couple approached wedding planning, too, with equanimity: “We were living in separate cities for the majority of our wedding planning, so we did a lot of it via Skype calls and division of labor,” Torie says. “It wasn’t easy, but it was totally worth it!” Their wedding, at Ashton Gardens North, was both ultra-elegant and a total blast, with its lush flowers and sea of candles, its late-night “glow-stick dance party,” and chickenand-waffle sliders. The bride adds: “The most important thing to us: Everyone had a great time!”

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TRENDY 20/18

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WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

HOT! HAIR ACCESSORIES

> C L AUD E TTE W E DDIN G H AI R PI N S

Noon on the Moon noononthemoon.com

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TRENDY 20/18

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> KO TL AR 1 9 4 8 1 8 K RO S E-GO L D & D I AMO N D N E C KL AC E H ARRY KO TL AR

< C RYSTA L - EN C R U STED SPIKED L ATTIC E C U F F B R A C EL ET

Harry Kotlar

Alexis Bittar

harrykotlar.com

saksfifthavenue.com

<

1 4K G O LD & DIA MO N D H UGGI E W IT H DE TA C HABL E A Q UA M A RIN E D RO PS

Mateo mateonewyork.com

<

LUMIN E S C E DIA M O N D E A RRIN G S

Harry Kotlar harrykotlar.com

WHAT’S

HOT! MI XE D M ETA L S

<

R OSE- G OL D, L A B R A DOR ITE & DIA M ON D C H A IN EA R R IN G S

Meira T meiratdesigns.com > C RIS S C RO SS 18 K RO S E - G O L D & DIA MO N D PAVÉ BAN GL E

Harry Kotlar harrykotlar.com 185 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

// T O S H O P T H E D R E S S // FOLLOW THIS ESSENTIAL ADVICE FOR SELECTING, BUYING AND CARING FOR YOUR “YES, YES, YES!” WEDDING DRESS AND ACCESSORIES.

P H O T O L A R R Y FA G A L A

G O W N K R Y S TA L N I C O L E B R I D A L C O U T U R E N E C K L A C E S + R I N G S E K L E K T I C J E W E L R Y S T U D I O

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W E D D I N G AT T I R E |

SH OP P I N G F O R A S I GNAT U R E L O O K ?

Lace, shimmer, color, trains, sleeves, capes, bows, feathers, statement-making veils— this season’s selections truly offer more variety than ever to brides on their quest for the perfect dress. But one trend dominates: individuality. Above all, brides are looking for ways to express themselves, and stand apart from the crowd. And designers are responding to their style demands…beautifully!

1

DON'T DROP IN Shopping for wedding attire is different from shopping for regular clothes in one critical way: Most salons advise, if not require, a pre-set appointment with an in-store consultant to help you choose and try on your selections. There are a few reasons for

this: One, the sheer number of gowns and attire at any given salon can be overwhelming; a consultant will take into account your budget, wedding theme and style preferences, and help you narrow down your choices to a manageable number. Two, wedding gowns are way

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more complicated, in many cases, than just plain fancy dresses; your dedicated gown consultant will help you work those laces, pearl buttons and illusion-netting bits (and snap on those industrial-chic spring clamps that get the dress to fit just so, prior to alterations). And three, salon consultants aren’t just salespeople, they’re experienced stylists; your consultant will help you choose appropriate accessories (belt, veil or headpiece, jewelry, footwear) to help show you how your gown might actually look when you’re big-day-done-up.

2

D O N ' T J U M P T H E G U N Starting your gown-shopping adventure too

early is just as risky as starting too late (see item 3). Since other elements of your wedding will determine the best gown not just for your figure and style, but for the GOWN: BLUSH BY HAYLEY PAIGE

grand occasion itself, it’s wise to have things like your wedding season, venue and general theme or “vibe” nailed down before you delve into dress shopping.

Designer suits pose a problem as well: You and/or your spouse-to-be may be in love with something one season, only to have it become unavailable when it comes time to buy.

Another risk: Shopping for a gown more than a year in advance of your wedding (or before you’re even officially engaged!) can lead to bad dress decisions. Lots can change in the 12 months before your wedding, including your wedding design scheme, your figure and the latest collections available at local salons.

3

PAD YOUR TIMELINE Leave time for ordering, receiving and altera-

tions. About nine to 10 months prior to your wedding is the general rule of thumb for when to begin your gown shopping. And that “begin” is an important distinction— after all, finding the right wedding dress can take time. You know what else can take time? Ordering your dress, waiting for your dress to be made and delivered 190 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

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to your salon, having your dress altered to fit your body perfectly, and selecting the accessories, footwear and jewelry with which you’ll build your complete bridal ensemble. Remember, that gorgeous soufflé of tulle and Chantilly lace you’re slinking around the salon in is a sample—your actual gown will be made to order by the design house. About eight to nine months out from your wedding day, expect to put a deposit down on your selected gown— you’ll pay the remainder once it’s delivered to your salon, about three to four months before your wedding. In the last couple of months prior to the big day, you’ll do your fittings, make minor alterations, add accessories, and pull the whole fabulous outfit together.

PHOTOS: LARRY FAGALA CUSTOM DRESSES: MLD LIMITED LOCATION: THE ASTORIAN

PH OTO: SY LVIE GI L, GOW N: SA R EH NO UR I

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4

NIX THE CROWD This is a toughie, but trust us: While it’s tempting to

bring your mom, his mom, your aunts, your

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sisters, his cousins, your brothers, your bridesmaids and all your assorted besties along to weigh in on your dress choices, one or two trusted escorts is a much better idea. Bringing lots and lots of folks to your appointment has an odd tendency to lead toward conflicts in taste, or, on the flip side, a “mob rules” mentality. At the very least, having too many opinion-givers can slow things down, and limit the number of pieces you’re actually able to try on during your appointment (typical bridal salon appointments are one to one-and-a-half hours long, max). We recommend bringing your mom, a select member of your wedding party or family, and maybe your wedding planner (who offers the advantage of a more objective opinion). More than three “guests” at your appointment is probably too many.

5

ARRIVE PREPARED Getting ready for your salon appointment involves

several steps. First, do your research; while you don’t want to arrive armed with a massive binder of designer collections and must-try “looks,” it does help to have at least an idea about silhouettes, cuts, styles

and designers you admire. Don’t show up GOWN: ANNE BARGE

to your salon appointment in sweats and a greasy bedhead. You’re trying on the outfit

(or two!) you’ll wear on the most important occasion of your life—start from a place of pretty. While you may not opt for professional makeup and hair, you’ll want to look put-together and well groomed at the very least. Wear shoes of roughly the height you’re planning to wear on your wedding day, and wear or bring a strapless bra and shapewear (though most salons have these available to try under your gown). Oh, and don’t forget to fuel up. Gown shopping can be emotionally and physically demanding. Don’t starve yourself before hitting the salon. Instead, have a good, solid, protein-packed meal or smoothie an hour or two before, and consider bringing a snack such as nuts, dried fruit or an energy bar, in case your energy flags.

6

FOCUS ON FIT RATHER THAN SIZE Wedding gown sizing and regular clothes sizing have almost nothing in common. You may be a size 2 in your normal, daily life, only to discover that the wedding gown of your dreams fits you best in size 6. It’s OK, really.

First off, nobody but you, the salon consultant and the designer will ever really know what size your dress is. Second, what good is there in buying a size 2 gown if it squeezes you in all the wrong places and cuts off your circulation, causing you to faint dead away at the altar and miss doing the cha cha slide at the reception with your sorority sisters?

The best wedding day attire are the clothes that fit you best. Which doesn’t just mean hugging your voluptuous curves, or showing off your strong back and shoulders, or making your tall frame look willowy instead of gangly. It means making you feel that feeling, all the feelings, when you look in the mirror. It makes you exalt in the anticipation of that moment when your betrothed first lays eyes upon you on that magical day. And it’s out there, waiting for you to fall in love with it.

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TRENDY 20/18

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>

E MB RO IDE RE D SAT IN G O A C LUT C H

Oscar de la Renta neimanmarcus.com

< R OSE C R OC ODIL E B OX C L U TC H B A G

Nancy Gonzalez bergdorfgoodman.com

< T HE K NOT WAT ERSNAK E-T RIM M ED INT RECCIAT O SAT IN CLUT CH

Bottega Veneta net-a--porter.com

W H AT â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S

HOT! CLUTCHES

>

M ARB L ED A C RYL IC WOLF BOX C L U TC H

Edie Parker saksfiftheavenue.com

< C L A SSIC B OW C L U TC H

Davie &Chiyo davieandchiyo.com >

P IN K C RY S TAL E M B E LL IS H E D F E AT H ER CLUTCH

Dolce & Gabbana modaoperandi.com

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WHAT’S HAUTE ON // FROM THE CATWALK TO THE AISLE, SET YOUR R I G H T T O L E F T : Pronovias • Monique Lhuilllier • Hayley Paige • Lazaro

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THE RUNWAY. SIGHTS ON THIS SEASON'S TOP STYLES //

FIND LOCAL SALONS weddingsinhouston.com

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TRENDY 20/18

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< B EADED ST RAPPY SANDAL

Alberta Ferretti farfetch.com

> VIN TA G E P IN K L E AT H E R E D E N P UMP

< A N TIQU E SILV ER PYTH ON EM PIR E PU M P

Ralph & Russo

ralphandrusso.com

Ralph & Russo

ralphandrusso.com

<

EMB RO IDE RE D SAT IN D RA G O N P U MP

Gianvito Rossi barneys.com

W H AT â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S

HOT! B R I DA L S H O E S

>

C H IA R A B U TTER F LY- WIN G SU EDE SA N DA L

Sophia Webster net-a-porter.com

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GLITZ&GLAM! / / PUTTING ON THE RITZ / /

L O C AT I O N : T H E A S T O R I A N

P H O T O S : L A R R Y FA G A L A

HAIR: DENNIS CLENDENNEN

STYLING: SUMMAR SALAH

M A K E U P : V I C T O R I A C A L L AWAY

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PREVIOUS PAGE: GOWN : HAYLEY PAIGE - NOW & FOREVER BRIDAL BOUTIQUE // NECKLACE + CAMEO RING : SLOAN/HALL RINGS : ZADOK JEWELERS THIS PAGE: GOWN : MORILEE BY MADELINE GARDNER - PARVANI VIDA // EARRINGS : NEIMAN MARCUS

GOWN : ADAM ZOHAR - KRYSTAL NICOLE BRIDAL COUTURE RINGS + NECKLACES : EKLEKTIC JEWELRY STUDIO

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GOWN : PRONOVIAS - HOUSTON BRIDAL GALLERY // JEWELRY : ZADOK JEWELERS // BOUQUET : HAUTE FLOWERS & EVENTS

GOWNS : ADAM ZOHAR - KRYSTAL NICOLE BRIDAL COUTURE SHOES : NEIMAN MARCUS // JEWELRY : ZADOK JEWELERS

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GOWN : MIRA ZWILLINGER - JOAN PILLOW BRIDAL SALON // EARRINGS : NEIMAN MARCUS // RING : EKLEKTIC JEWELRY STUDIO

GOWN : INES DI SANTO - JOAN PILLOW BRIDAL SALON DIAMOND RING : EKLEKTIC JEWELRY STUDIO BRACELETS & EARRINGS : TOOTSIE'S

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GOWN : HAYLEY PAIGE - NOW & FOREVER BRIDAL BOUTIQUE // EARRINGS : TOOTSIE'S // CAMEO RING: SLOAN/ HALL DIAMOND RING : EKLEKTIC JEWELRY STUDIO 208 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

GOWN + VEIL : PETER LANGER - JOAN PILLOW BRIDAL SALON NECKLACE : NEIMAN MARCUS BOUQUET : KC EVENTS & FLORALS

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05.28.17

MR.& MR S. / / V I C K Y & M AT T / /

COUPLE: Vicky Botwin & Matt Hochman I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 420 I WEDDING COLORS: White, Ivory & Celadon Green WEDDING GOWN: Joan Pillow Bridal Salon I PHOTOGRAPHY: Adam Nyholt, Photographer I REHEARSAL DINNER: Ouisie’s Table INVITATIONS: Bering’s I HONEYMOON: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos & The Maldives

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Royal Sonesta Hotel / Oulala! What An Event / Blooming Gallery / Royal Productions / Luxe Films

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

coffee

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

potato chips with chili

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

hiking with our dog, albus

WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

his patience, kindness and respect for everyone

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

coffee

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

anything chocolate

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

hiking with our dog, albus

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

her passion for everything she does, and always thinking of others first

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Introduced by mutual friends after college, Matt and Vicky soon found each other drawn to one another’s hearts and cultures— and to the vision of a future together: “Matt slowly became Mexican, and I learned Yiddish,” Vicky says. “From then, we went on to crisscross the country in order to see each other, on overnight planes, trains, and in cars, so we could continue to grow and create a life together.” She describes their wedding’s “French countryside” theme, detailing an indoor garden filled with white peonies, tulips, freesia and orchids, along with boxwood walls, ivory velvet chairs, mercury glass and crystal votives. “We danced all night long, until after 3 a.m.,” she says. “It was truly the most amazing first day of our lives as husband and wife.”

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| |

TRENDY 20/18 TRENDY 20/18

| |

> FLEUR OF ENGLAND GOLDEN HOUR ST RAP B ALCONY B RA

Journelle > A RT D E C O L A C E RO B E

journelle.com

Girl & A Serious Dream girlwithaseriousdream.com

< F L EU R OF EN G L A N D G OL DEN H OU R SU SPEDER B ELT

Journelle journelle.com

W H AT â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S

HOT! LINGERIE

> NAM I GUIPURE SOFT-CUP B RA

Journelle journelle.com

< N A M I G U IPU R E STR A P TH ON G

Journelle PHOTO : SARAH KATE

214 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

journelle.com

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01.30.16

MR.& MR S. / / E R I N & TAY L O R / /

COUPLE: Erin Condara & Taylor Lewis | NUMBER OF GUESTS: 450 I WEDDING COLORS: Gray, White & Navy Blue

I PHOTOGRAPHY: Kelly Hornberger Photography | REGISTRY: Beringâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s; Kuhl-Linscomb I HONEYMOON: St. Lucia

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Houston Country Club / Susie Miller / Marlene Romero / Lite Productionss / Brickhouse Bridal / Glam Studio By Misty Rockwell / Password Productions

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

topo chico with lime

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

ben & jerryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greek yogurt ice cream HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

drinking cocktails on a nice patio outside with my husband and friends WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

he listens to me no matter how much i talk or how crazy i might sound

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

martini

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

cookies

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

on the couch with my wife

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

her dimples

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REAL WEDDINGS

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A word to the wise: If you’re planning a surprise marriage proposal that involves plane travel, make sure you’ve packed plenty of patience and an extra set of go-with-the-flow for your trip! Just ask Taylor, whose planned Montana-ski-trip proposal to Erin almost didn’t happen. After lengthy weather delays, and 12 hours of travel, Taylor finally got his chance, on a pitchdark balcony in the snow. “It was the best surprise a girl could ask for,” Erin says. The couple’s winter wedding celebrated the season with birch trees, lush white centerpieces, accents of wintry gray and blue, and a wall of winter-white paper flowers hand-made by the bride’s sister. “The most important thing to us was for people to be dancing from start to finish, and that’s exactly what happened,” the bride adds. “I don’t think I left the dance floor all night!”

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“ LOVE

THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF

IN THIS WORLD BUT NEVER THE SAME LOVE TWICE. - f. scott fitzgerald

”

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VENUE & CATERING : SANDLEWOOD MANOR / PHOTOGRAPHY: KELLY HORNBERGER PHOTOGRAPHY / FLOWERS, LINENS & FURINTURE RENTALS : DARRYL & CO. COORDINATION, STATIONERY & CALLIGRAPHY : A DAY TO REMEMBER / WEDDING GOWNS & ACCESSORIES : HOUSTON BRIDAL GALLERY / TABLETOP RENTALS : KUHL-LINSCOMB HAIR & MAKEUP : NYOKA GREGORY BEAUTY / CAKE & DESSERTS : SUSIE'S CAKES & CONFECTIONS / CINEMATOGRAPHY : DREAM PHOTO & VIDEO

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SOMEWHERE IN TIME Southern romance gets a swank speakeasy vibe with vintage styling, beading and lace, white-on-white textures, artisan cocktails, and hand-crafted delicacies, in a gorgeous country setting.

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BEAUTY, HEALTH + FITNESS |

// P R O F E S S I O NA L LY //

PRET TY YOU’VE FOUND YOUR ONE-AND-ONLY. YOU’VE SNAGGED YOUR PERFECT WEDDING VENUE. YOU’VE CHOSEN YOUR MENU, YOUR MUSICIANS AND YOUR MAGNIFICENT WEDDING GOWN. YOU’VE LEFT NO DETAIL UNATTENDED—OR HAVE YOU? DON’T OVERLOOK EXPERT BEAUTY SERVICES FOR THIS VERY SPECIAL OCCASION. HERE’S EXACTLY WHY!

PHOTO LARRY FAGALA

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BEAUTY, HEALTH + FITNESS |

1

IT ALL STARTS WITH YOUR SKIN For a professional makeup artist, the

bride’s skin is the canvas. And like a painter’s canvas, that skin needs to be prepped, primed and ready for a masterpiece of makeup artistry that will look as beautiful in real life as it does on film. Preparing the canvas of your complexion begins with taking care of your skin. Long before your wedding day, a professional makeup artist will be able to examine your skin, identify any problems that need addressing— excessive dryness or oiliness, sensitive areas, blackheads or blemishes—and recommend a skincare regimen, and products, that will take care of these concerns.

2

LOOKING

NATURAL

TAKES

EXPERTISE No bride wants to greet

her spouse-to-be at the altar looking PHOTO: LARRY FAGALA

altogether different than herself. Similarly, no bride wants to gaze upon her wedding photos, years down the road, and wonder, “Why do I look so pale? Why am I so shiny?

What was I thinking with that lip color/ eyeshadow/blush?” A professional makeup artist is trained to create a look that enhances, rather than obliterates, a bride’s natural features, from her eyebrows, to her cheekbones, to the curve of her lips. The best makeup artists know that the wedding day camera requires more than everyday—even every evening—makeup, and they have the skills to create a look that balances cameraready with groom-approved, flawlessly.

3

PROFESSIONAL-QUALITY PRODUCTS

DO

MATTER

You

probably have your favorite cosmetic products—products you trust to come through for you every day, whether you’re at the office, on a date with your darling, or chilling with friends at a backyard barbecue. But just as your wedding is different from any other occasion in your life, your wedding makeup needs are

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different, too. Your daily go-to makeup products aren’t necessarily the ones that will work under the all-day demands, in-thespotlight moments and camera flashes of your wedding day. A professional makeup artist is well versed in the latest professional makeup products—those products used in

I F YO U H AI R S T Y L I S T L AC K S E X P E R IE NC E with the kind of elaborate updo you desire for your wedding look, it is perfectly OK to seek expertise elsewhere.

magazine editorials, television shows, and, yes, the YouTube makeup tutorials you love to watch in the wee hours, to make models look, well…how they look. Whether your artist uses name-brand products, signature products they have developed and created themselves, or a combination of both—as is the case with many top Houston makeup pros—you will benefit from their product knowledge (and save a lot of money that you might have squandered on a ton of untested products that looked nice in the package, or seemed “hot” from user reviews).

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NOT A HAIR OUT OF PLACE Come wind, rain, humidity or...

dancing, your wedding hairstyle needs to be ready to endure the elements, and the revelry, of your big day. A professional hairstylist will make sure that it does, and will work with you to create a hairstyle that fits your face, gown and personal style. If your regular stylist is great at color and blow-outs, but lacks experience with the kind of elaborate updo you desire for your wedding look, it is perfectly OK to seek

expertise elsewhere for this very special day.

Look for a stylist who has a portfolio of bride images, talk to former clients to find out about their experience, and ask if the freshly styled ’do you glimpsed in that album held up for the duration of her wedding day…and night. If you’re eager to convert your ceremony hairstyle into an entirely different style for the dinner and dancing that follows, let your stylist know—don’t assume that you can just pull out a few pins and let your hair down, literally or figuratively.

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PRETTY MAIDS ALL N A ROW When planning and budgeting for

professional wedding hair and makeup, don’t forget the girls who will be at your side when you are a bride. Springing for hairstyling, professional makeup and manipedis for your bridesmaids is one of the best investments you can make for your wedding day. Not only will it ensure that your gals look gorgeous in those wedding day photos, but it will also show your best friends and closest female family members how much you appreciate their love and devotion, by giving

them

the

gift

of

professional

pampering. To ensure that you and your maids are made up and styled in time for pre-wedding photos, allocate at least 45 minutes for each girl to get “done,” and give yourself up to two hours to allow your stylists to complete your look. And don’t forget to have your photographer on hand to capture at least some of the prep work—your candid “getting ready” photos will be among the images you’ll cherish most from your wedding day.

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PERFECTION

REQUIRES

A

PREVIEW There is no better way to

feel confident about your wedding look than by having a chance to look at it—and make adjustments if needed—in advance of the big day. Whether you preview your makeup and hair by having them done for bridal portraits in the weeks leading up to your PHOTO: DANIEL COLVIN PHOTOGRAPHY

wedding, or you visit your stylist for an in-salon consultation prior to your event and snap pix to review and discuss, a prewedding trial run is a must. Yes, you’ll pay for the opportunity to have your hair and makeup done once before go-time, and yes, you may find that you’re not 100-percent in love with the original look you may have envisioned for yourself. But better to have those mishaps before the big day, and have time to get the look you want. That investment, and that chance to tweak the details of your styling, will give you more peace of mind, and more gorgeousness to look forward to... which is worth every penny!

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PHOTOS: JERRY GHIONIS PHOTOGRAPHY

05.22.17

MR.& M RS. //

TAY L O R & B R I A N / /

COUPLE: Taylor Golden & Brian White I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 60 I WEDDING COLORS: Texas Wildflowers VENUE: The Coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home I JEWELRY: Eklektic Jewelry Studio I FLOWERS: Haute Flowers & Events I HONEYMOON: Grand Cayman Island CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Jerry Ghionis Photography / The Tasting Room / Great American Cookie Co.

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

wine

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

grilling in the backyard while watching the sunset over the lake WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

his heart of service

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

wine

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

ice cream

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

with taylor

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

how open, honest and genuine she is as a person

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Though they grew up five blocks from each other and attended the same elementary, middle and high schools, Taylor and Brian never crossed paths until Brian hired Taylor to work at a golf course when she was 17. But love would have to wait another 15 years, as Taylor moved to the Midwest, and the two moved on to other relationships and lives apart. It wasn’t until February 2016, when Taylor moved back to Houston, that the two reunited at a charity event, and the now famed wedding photographer realized, “Brian was the man God created for me.” Their intimate and deeply personal wedding ceremony took place at the home they share, followed by a lively dinner with close friends and family at the local restaurant where they’d had their first date. Adds Taylor, “We’re going to make so many memories in our forever home, and it’s such a blessing that one of those first memories is our wedding!”

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PHOTO: CHRISTIAN OTH STUDIO

// L O V E I N //

AFTER THE THRILL OF THE PROPOSAL, THE ROMANCE OF THE ENGAGEMENT, AND THE EXCITEMENT OF THE WEDDING, COMES THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR BOND WITH YOUR BELOVED: MARRIAGE. FOLLOW THESE STEPS ... AND NEVER LOSE THAT SPARK!

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AS GRATIFYING AND FILLED WITH DEEP DAILY LOVE AS MARRIAGE IS, it can also give way to a kind of complacency, and a flagging of the sense of passion and discovery you and your spouse felt in your newlywed moments. Love Dance Houston, a unique dance studio and date-night destination, is all about fostering the spark of romance, through, you guessed it: dancing. Here, studio owner Lisa Joubert explains why dance is such a powerful means of igniting passion, and offers her expert advice on “changing your emotion through…motion!”

// L O V E I N //

PHOTO: AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

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SEE, FEEL, PLAY ”Dancing is a great way to spark physical excitement and stimulation by introducing new experiences in the relationship,” Joubert says. When couples are on the dance floor at Love Dance Houston, they “embrace each other as they move in

sync.” Beyond the close contact of their bodies, “Eye contact is encouraged; we coach how to play and have fun on the dance floor.”

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SOCIALIZING, NOT SCHOOLING Let’s face it: Not everyone feels totally comfortable dancing, especially with a partner. To put couples at ease, and create a sense of fun and discovery, Love Dance Houston offers both personalized instruction and parties.

“Most couples start their date-night journey with us once or twice a week with their coach, and attend our group classes and parties to help the rhythm and patterns to progress faster. We offer a fun environment, to make it feel less like work and more like socializing.”

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YOU CAN TAKE IT WITH YOU! The great thing about dance, and the romance inspired by dance, is that it’s transferable to all kinds of situations outside the studio. “Dance is great for married couples as they rediscover each other’s sensual side again, and can

connect in a new way,” Joubert says. So, once you’ve got a few moves down, “Get off that comfy chair at home, get dressed up for each other and smile at each other while embracing to music,” she advises. “We coach how to hold and how to invite, we teach language that edifies your mate, and we remind you which negative cues are not allowed.” With these skills in place, you can take your dancing shoes just about anywhere. “One of our couples danced on a rooftop in Paris to romantic music playing below. Other couples of ours have taken cruises with great music and dancing on board, and some are the party starters on the dance floor at charity events, galas and parties.”

Plus, she adds, referencing the words of renowned relationship expert Esther Perel, “It takes two minutes a day of intimacy to change the energy in a relationship and protect against resentment.” Joubert notes: “That’s about the length of an average song you can twirl to in the kitchen each morning before you leave each other for the day! “

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0 7. 1 4 . 1 7

MR.& MR S. //JESSICA & RICHARD //

COUPLE: Jessica Mejia & Richard Paz I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 170 I WEDDING COLORS: Teal, Gold, White & Fuchsia BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Parvani Vida Bridal & Formal I PHOTOGRAPHY: Civic Photos I HONEYMOON: Greece

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Villa Antonia / Zuzuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Petals / Catering With A Twist / Simon Lee Bakery

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

arnold palmer

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

tiramisu

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

shopping

WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

his eyes and his smile

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

dr. pepper

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

cheesecake

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

poolside bbq

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

her smile and her eyes

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It’s always nice to get a good auto-mechanic recommendation from friends—even nicer when that mechanic ends up being the love of your life. Such is the beginning of the love story of Jessica and Richard, who got engaged in Savannah, Ga. At Forsyth Park, at the site of the filming of “Forrest Gump.”

The couple wed in the presence of 170 loved ones in a Hill Country affair with sprawling views of the countryside, and a splendid rustic-elegant celebration featuring elevated comfort food, tons of dancing, and, the bride’s favorite moment: “exiting the venue through a crowd of people holding up sparklers, to get into the vintage 1937 Cadillac!”

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HAIR & MAKEUP PHOTO: LARRY FAGALA STYLING: SUMMAR SALAH HAIR: DENNIS CLENDENNEN MAKEUP: VICTORIA CALLAWAY JEWELRY: ZADOK JEWELRS

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READY FOR YOUR CLOSEUP Updo, sideswept, long and loose, or braid: Pick a hairstyle that complements your

PHOTO: KELLI DURHAM MAKEUP & HAIR: 2BPURE

BY LAUREN FALLS MAKEUP ARTISTRY

gownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neckline, and complete your look with makeup that plays up your best features, both in photos and IRL!

PHOTO: CIVIC PHOTOS MAKEUP & HAIR: KAX SALON

PHOTO: LARRY PHOTO: KELLIFAGALA DURHAM HAIR: DENNIS CLENDENNEN MAKEUP:ARTISTRY VICTORIA CALLAWAY 2BPURE

BY LAUREN FALLS MAKEUP

PHOTO: KELLY HORNBERGER MAKEUP & HAIR: NYOKA GREGORY BEAUTY

PHOTO: LARRY FAGALA HAIR: DENNIS CLENDENNEN MAKEUP: VICTORIA CALLAWAY

PHOTO: TAYLOR GOLDEN PHOTOGRAPHY MAKEUP & HAIR: 2BPURE BY LAUREN FALLS MAKEUP ARTISTRY

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PHOTOS: MORGAN BROOKS PRODUCTIONS

11.04.17

MR.& MR S. / / M A RY & RYA N / /

COUPLE: Mary McCurry & Ryan Gimmler I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 165 I WEDDING COLORS: Green, Gray, Beige & White VENUE: The Grand Hall At Deer Lake Lodge I HONEYMOON: Barbados

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Morgan Brooks Productions / Notably Yours Events / Lambrie Floral Design /Goode Co. BBQ / Sunkissed & Made Up

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

water

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

cheesecake

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

cooking a big breakfast in the morning, doing anything active outside with our dog, and ending the evening with family and friends WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

how he can make me laugh at the drop of the hat

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

unsweet iced tea

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

key-lime pie

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

hip-deep in salt water, fishing

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

how forgiving and understanding she is

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Four years ago, with the help of Facebook—which can make a blind date…not so blind—Mary agreed to a date with Ryan set up by a mutual friend. And that one date was all it took for love to take hold. A nature-walk diversion at the Houston Arboretum turned into a surprise proposal in July 2016, when Ryan led Mary to a lakeside dock where he’d laid out his favorite photos of them together, and arranged for his brother and one of Mary’s best friends, to film the entire thing. Their wedding at The Grand Hall at Deer Lake Lodge had lush green forest as its picturesque backdrop. “I didn’t want to add too much and take away from the natural beauty,” Mary states. “My fiancé and I love herbs, so we used as much rosemary as we could everywhere.” She adds, “Once we hit the dance floor, we didn’t stop. I think I was out there for two and a half hours!

It really was the best day ever.”

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TRENDY 20/18

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PHOTO: SYLVIE GIL FLOWERS: DECOR & STYLING: TODD EVENTS

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246 F L O W E R S , D E C O R & R E N TA L S

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THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN! ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TIME TO FOCUS ON THE FINE DETAILS AND UNIQUE ELEMENTS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR CELEBRATION PERSONAL AND UNFORGETTABLE. FROM FOOD TO FLOWERS, LIGHTING TO ENTERTAINMENT, DECOR TRENDS TO EXCLUSIVE FINDS, DISCOVER YOUR DESIGN DETAILS HERE.

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//

P E R S O NA L I Z E D T O

//

PE RF E CT ION Y O U R W E D D I N G I S N O T J U S T A R I T U A L O F C O M M I T M E N T. I T I S N O T JUST A CELEBRATION OF LOVE. IT IS A STATEMENT YOU MAKE TO THOSE CLOSEST TO YOU, EXPRESSING GRATITUDE, APPRECIATIONâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; AND PROFOUND PERSONAL STYLE.

WRITER NATASHA GARBER

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PHOTO: J COGLIANDRO PHOTOGRAPHY

LOCATION: HILTON AMERICAS-HOUSTON DECOR: FLORA & EVENTI / PRASHE EVENTS

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S E N T I M E N TA L P E TA L S

For most

couples, flowers are the single biggest

decor element—and, for many, the single biggest budget line-item—in their wedding design scheme. But beyond the beauty of nature’s floral bounty, flowers can also add sentimental symbolism and profound meaning to your wedding. Did your beloved bring you stargazer lilies when he came to pick you up for your first date? Include these dazzling and divine-smelling flowers in your ceremony floral. Did he propose in a rose garden at peak blooming season? Bring roses in colors you recall from that moment into your bridal bouquet. Did your late grandmother (or his) tend a garden filled with ranunculus, or dahlias, or playful Gerbera daisies? Honor her memory with centerpieces that include the flower or flowers she loved so well.

Another way to pay homage to departed loved ones on the occasion of your wedding: Place a single rose or small bouquet, perhaps of their favorite flowers, on a seat at your ceremony, as a physical reminder of the person you are missing.

2

COLOR CODE Your wedding palette

is perhaps the most personal of all

design features, since it truly expresses who you are, what you like, where you’ve been, and the feeling you wish your guests to experience at your wedding. If you are most at home in nature, bring the feeling of the outdoors into your wedding, with earthy neutrals, soothing greens, 24 8 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

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celestial blues and gentle grays, along with crystal-clear ghost chairs, soft altar swagging and rough-hewn farm tables.

Captivated by island vibes or bright, bold, beachy tones? Create a palette filled with vibrant shades of orange, deep pinks and dazzling yellows, mellowed out by coral, shell-pink and frothy green.

For the traditional bride with a Patrician, preppy streak, the mix of navy and white with accents of gold—perhaps amped up by bold stripes or bow accents brought in with table linens, runners or chair ties— is a scheme that’s both super fresh and utterly classic.

Of course, if romance and ethereal PHOTO: J. COGLIANDRO PHOTOGRAPHY DECOR: FLORA & EVENTI

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elegance have always been what you’ve

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envisioned for your big day, a timeless palette of white, ivory and blush— accented by the shimmer of mercury-glass votive holders, mirrored tabletops or rosegold chargers and flatware—is a dreamy and delicate choice.

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INITIAL IMPRESSION Branding your

wedding with a custom monogram—

or for social junkies, a custom hashtag— is a super-fun way to put your personal mark on your big day. Have your invitation designer create a cool logo out of your initials or shared last name, then work your way forward from your initial save-the-dates and invitations by includ-

PHOTO: J. COGLIANDRO PHOTOGRAPHY

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FLOWERS: TODD EVENTS

ing your monogram on your dance floor,

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ceremony backdrop, aisle runner, wall gobos, table numbers, menu cards and/or favor packaging. By doing this, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have a coherent and consistent feature that draws together all of the elements of your wedding design, before, during and even after your wedding (on thankyou notes, for example).

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MEANINGFUL DETAILS

An expe-

rienced wedding coordinator,

designer and florist can suggest, and provide, all kinds of small, but certainly not insignificant, decor, drink, food and signage items to make your wedding a one-of-a-kind PHOTO: THE COTTON COLLECTIVE

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event experience. Some of our

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E X P E RT A DVI C E : UNI Q U E D ETA I LS TO PER S ONA LI Z E YOU R WED D I NG An experienced wedding coordinator, designer and florist can suggest, and provide, all kinds of small, but certainly not insignificant, decor, drink, food and signage items to make your wedding a one-of-a-kind event experience.

favorite subtle personal touches include place cards and place-card holders that pay homage to your courtship and love story (wine corks; names of cities you’ve traveled to together or street names where you’ve lived; or shells, airplanes or sailboats to signify favorite vacations or travel). For a reception bar with personality, work with your caterer to concoct a signature cocktail or two with corresponding signage that allows guests to sip and savor your favorite spirits; signature drinks can also echo your color palette (a “Blushing Bride” cocktail, for example, that features fine bubbly in a feminine shade of pink). Small floral arrangements on your reception bars, lounge tables, even restroom countertops, can further carry through your color palette and design scheme, while hand-painted or calligraphy signs will both direct your guests and offer a glimpse of your favorite love quotes, music lyrics or milestone memories.

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ARTFULLY WED : LIVE WEDDING PAINTING

A trend we’re seeing in 2018 weddings is the addition of a “live painter” on the roster of vendors. So, what, exactly is live wedding painting, and how can you make it a part of your event? Glad you asked!

Beyond the beauty of professional photography—a must for your big day—real-time wedding painting is a fabulous way to both intrigue guests and commission a one-of-a-kind work of art that captures the magic of the occasion and creates an instant heirloom that will be passed down for generations.

what kind of feeling you want your work of wedding art to convey. You’ll want to let your painter know about any special guests you want included in the scene, and what color palette or tone you’d like for your painting. Many painters also require access to electricity, to plug in a light that will allow for painting in a dimmed or candlelit room,

Live painting is entertainment. A professional event painter is not

so be sure to inform your wedding coordinator and venue

just an artist, he or she is an interactive part of your occasion,

about exactly what’s needed.

who creates a painting in real time as your guests wander by and gaze on in admiration. The wedding painter will arrive early and

A live wedding painting is a lifetime treasure. Once your

create a sketch of the wedding scene you wish to capture, then,

painting is completed, you’ll have a totally original, one-

as guests arrive, will fill in details of that special moment—your

of-a-kind heirloom piece you can frame and display in a

ceremony “I do’s,” first dance or a moving toast, for example—in

prominent place in your newlywed nest. Some couples

brilliant color and detail.

prefer to gift their painting to parents (and some parents choose to hire the wedding painter as a unique gift for the

Live painting requires special planning. Before your wedding day,

couple). Whatever you opt to do with your wedding paint-

you’ll need to consult with your wedding painter to make sure that

ing, you’ll have a cherished heirloom that can be passed

he or she knows exactly what moment you want to capture, and

down to children, grandchildren, and beyond.

ARTIST & PHOTO: AGNES CSISZAR RUSSO

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PHOTOS: J.COGLIANDRO PHOTOGRAPHY

04.29.17

MR.& MR S. //LACY & DEREK //

COUPLE: Lacy Ballis & Derek Morgan I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 200 I WEDDING COLORS: Blush, Pink, Ivory & Green FLOWERS, DECOR & RENTALS: Todd Events I CAKE: Susie’s Cakes & Confections I BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Bella Bridesmaids LIGHTING & SOUND: Bright Star Productions I REGISTRY: Bering’s I HONEYMOON: Alaska CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: J. Cogliandro Photography / Houston Oaks Country Club /Belle Of The Ball / Mia Bridal Couture / Atelier du Papier / Grace Filipowicz / 31 Films /Divisi Strings

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

margarita

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

cookie cake

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

on lake austin with all our dogs on our boat WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

he’s not fearful of anything, he’s willing to try new things, and he has great ambition

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

shiner bock

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

cookies

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

wakeboarding or wakesurfing

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

she is down-to-earth, genuine, kind and smart

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“Derek and I were living on Grand Cayman Island during my first year of veterinary school,” explains Lacy. “We took a walk with the dogs along Seven Mile Beach, and sat down for a picnic. He asked me to marry him while we were watching the sunset over the water.” Simple. Romantic. Perfect. These words, which describe Lacy and Derek’s engagement, are also tailor-made for describing their country-club wedding, which the couple plotted out to be “relaxed and comfortable at all times.” From the Salvation Army Harbor Light Choir’s preceremony accompaniment, to the “roadie bar setup” created for guests to enjoy en route from ceremony to reception, to the vintage VW-van “photo booth,” to the delicate floral arrangements by Todd Events, their wedding was both unimposing and unforgettable.

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S

S

S

A TOAST TO

Love

/ / C E L E B R AT I N G T W O L I V E S B E C O M I N G O N E / /

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ELEGANCE, AL FRESCO:

Exquisite floral artistry meets earthy charm at a

romantic vineyard-inspired wedding in a candlelit courtyard.

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VENUE : CHATEAU POLONEZ / PHOTOGRAPHY : CIVIC PHOTOS CONCEPT & COORDINATION, STATIONERY : A DAY TO REMEMBER / FLOWERS : TNT FLOWERS, EVENTS & DECORATIONS FURNITURE RENTALS & LINENS : EB INC. EVENT RENTALS & DESIGN TABLETOP : KUHL - LINSCOMB / DESSERTS : DESSERT GALLERY BAKERY & CAFÃ&#x2030; LIGHTING : BRIGHT STAR PRODUCTIONS MAKEUP & HAIR : KAX SALON GOWNS: IVORY BRIDAL ATELIER

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/ / B R I DA L B O U Q U E T S I N / /

BLO OM PHOTO: KELLI DURHAM PHOTOGRAPHY

BOUQUET: GLENWOOD WEBER DESIGN

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BOUQUET: RIVER OAKS PLANT HOUSE

BOUQUET: BLOOMS DESIGN STUDIO

PHOTO: ADAM NYHOLT

PHOTO: LARRY FAGALA

BOUQUET: TODD EVENTS PHOTO: SYLVIE GIL

BOUQUET: PLANTS Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; PETALS

PHOTO: KELLI DURHAM

BOUQUET: TNT EVENTS, FLOWERS AND DECORATIONS PHOTO: CIVIC PHOTOS

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LOVE IN

BOUQUET: DREAM BOUQUET PHOTO: AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

BOUQUET: E. JOHNSTON DESIGNS PHOTO: JAMES BARRETT

BLOOM Both glorious accessory and sentimental symbol, the bouquet you hold on your wedding day should express your style, and your joy, without stealing the spotlight or weighing you down.

BOUQUET: HAUTE FLOWERS & EVENTS PHOTO: LARRY FAGALA

BOUQUET: FLORA & EVENTI

BOUQUET: DARRYL & CO.

PHOTO: J. COGLIANDRO PHOTOGAPHY

PHOTO: KELLY HORNBEREGER

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BOUQUET: KC EVENTS & FLORALS

PHOTO: LARRY FAGALA

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Q &A SWEET

BY NATURE

//

JA S M I N E R A E C A K E S / /

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WENDY YALOM

THE ORGANIC INSPIRATION OF JASMINE RAE CAKES’ JASMINE DE LUNG

Weddings in Houston: How

does

your

formal

fine-arts training come into play in your cake artistry?

Jasmine de Lung: In every way. As I’ve trained culinary students to make cakes, it’s clear to me how much of what I do is informed by my prior art education: mixing color, composition, sculpting, etc. I use my art training at every moment I’m working on a cake.

WIH: What are your most complex or difficult cake design techniques?

JDL: Sculpting cakes, and my torn-paper technique.

Both require a strong sense of composition. Just teach-

With a background in fine arts and mural painting, a master’s degree in psychology, and a passion for nature in all its textured glory, San Franciscobased Jasmine de Lung, of Jasmine Rae Cakes, brings a wholly unique vision to wedding-cake design.

ing someone to replicate a technique, to the point that they can make something that looks just like my own work, I find that my final cakes “sing” of my own unique way of composing those elements on the cake. It is both the easiest and hardest part of artistry to make your work personal.

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Q &A

WIH: What role, in your opinion, does the wedding cake play in the wedding celebration?

JDL: It’s both the design anchor-point, and the first food a couple feeds each other. The florals are peppered throughout the ceremony and reception space; the escort-card display disseminates as soon as guests arrive; the table settings are repeated six, eight...or 14 times; but there’s only one wedding cake.

WIH: What trends are you seeing in cake requests for 2018 weddings?

JDL: I’m seeing a lot of cakes moving away from soft, rounded edges, venturing more into coarse textures and sharp lines. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I’m also seeing cakes that are more delicate than in the past, frills that are more ethereal and less clunky.

WIH: What do you love most about designing wedding cakes and working with wedding couples?

JDL: The relationships. Every time two different entities come together, be it two people getting married, or dark chocolate blending with Meyer-lemon curd, or a sensitive flower against an austere stone background, a special vibration occurs. That’s the best!

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*Greeking ot go here and here and greekignot og here and here #alateniteparty

/ / F O O D F O R //

FUN DON’T JUST NOURISH YOUR WEDDING GUESTS—DELIGHT THEIR SENSES, EXCITE THEIR TASTE BUDS, AND ENGAGE THEM IN A TRUE DINING EXPERIENCE, COMPLETE WITH INTRIGUING SIGHTS, SMELLS…AND MAYBE A HANDS-ON TASK OR TWO.

PHOTO AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

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1. TACO TIME Many of your guests likely

of scrambled eggs, potatoes, chorizo,

For heartier dinner fare, pay homage to

have traveled a long way to take part in

cheese and fresh pico de gallo or tangy

Houston’s Southern traditions, with shrimp-

your nuptial celebration. Whether they’ve

tomatillo salsa.

and-cheese grits, traditional barbecue, corn-

come from Dubai or Dallas, College

Tying the knot somewhere that can

and-crawfish fritters, chicken-fried steak, or

Station or Karachi, Moscow or Magnolia,

accommodate food trucks? Hire your

plated presentations of wild game choices

classic Texas specialties feature something

favorite taco truck to roll on up, put

such as venison, bison, quail or elk.

for everyone, and are among the best-

it in park, and fete your guests with

And don’t forget dessert! While a tradi-

loved menu items across the globe.

made-to-order tacos featuring authentic

tional wedding cake is de rigueur, you’ll

ingredients, from al pastor to lengua to

also want to indulge your guests with deca-

mouthwatering barbacoa!

dent Texas sweets. Our favorites? Mini tres

And everyone’s favorite Texas treat?

Why that’d be tacos, of course! Whether

leches cakes, pecan pie, warm Tiff’s Treats

tray-passed during cocktail hour, or served

cookies and legendary Shipley Do-Nuts.

at make-your-own stations stocked with

2. TEXAS TASTE Also wildly popular at

fresh salsas, cilantro, guacamole and other

Houston weddings are dishes that deliver on

toppings,

that most distinctive of South Texas flavors:

3. HOME COOKING While they may

Tex Mex and Southern comfort foods.

be whipped up by your expertly trained

these

Mexico-by-way-of-Texas

bites are beloved among wedding guests.

Yummy options include fresh fish, shrimp,

Pique your guests’ culinary interest with a

caterer rather than your Great Aunt Betty,

carnitas and grilled chicken, in crunchy

pre-dinner mini-plates spread that includes

childhood favorites have a place at just

miniature enchiladas, grilled shrimp bites,

about any wedding celebration where

ceviche shooters, tortilla-soup shooters and,

family gathers for fun.

shells or atop soft corn tortillas.

For a late-night surprise your danceweary guests will devour, unveil a breakfasttaco station, where guests can fill warm corn or flour tortillas with their choice

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perhaps, small servings of a light and color-

Pay homage to bygone days with a

ful grilled-corn-and-pepper salad topped

macaroni-and-cheese

with crunchy pepitas.

macaroni pasta accompanied by a variety

station

featuring

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of cheeses and gourmet toppings, such as bacon, caramelized onion, fried chicken and crab.

And don’t for a minute think mashedpotato stations are a thing of the past.

While the warm, hearty deliciousness of mashed potatoes may take you back to holiday feasts or family suppers you enjoyed as a child, today’s stations are likely to feature heirloom potato varieties, and sweet potatoes, along with artisanal cheeses, homemade gravy, fresh-chopped scallions, and locally sourced nuts.

Perfect for small plates or tray passing are

miniature

grilled-cheese

sandwiches

(though instead of Kraft singles, have them done with Gruyére, manchego or gouda, along with pesto or garlic aioli), served with homemade tomato-soup shooters. Yum! Don’t forget sliders, which make excellent late-night, booze-soaking treats. Go for bison or classic ground chuck, on diminutive

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homemade buns, or get your Texas on, big time, with fried chicken sliders served on crunchy mini waffles. Of course, if you’re serving burgers, you should include fries— which you can elevate from fast food to fine food with truffle salt and aged Parmesan cheese.

4. HIP SIPS Whether it’s high-quality steaks, traditional barbecue or regional favorites from around the state, taking those dishes and putting a contemporary spin on them is what raises the bar for wedding fare.

And don’t forget the libations. Every wedding needs a specialty cocktail, especially if the beverage selection is limited to beer and wine. Adding one good, icy vodka cocktail is a great idea, even with more modest budgets.

Bourbons,

rums,

vodkas

and

gins,

blended whiskeys, and tequilas, are being brewed all over the state of Texas. Mixing

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in these spirits to your full bar adds the

CAPITOL COCKTAILS

perfect finishing touch to a locally inspired menu.

Put your personal signature on one of these deliciously

With no less than 260 craft breweries

creative wedding cocktails from CAPITOL BEVERAGE!

currently turning out superb suds in the Lone Star State, you’ll want to have at least a few locally brewed beers on hand, whether at the bar, in ice-filled repurposed barrels complete with rustic signage, or served from floral-entwined baskets by miniature donkeys at your Hill Country bash.

For avid Scotch and bourbon connoisseurs, there’s much fun to be had by bringing in experts to host tasting stations for guests. The experience is not just interesting,

1

it is also educational, as the expert can talk to guests about how the spirits are made and what makes them so darn special!

And nothing puts your personal mark on

TRAY: BERING’S, PLANT: KUHL-LINSCOMB

EXPERT A DV ICE :

1. PALOMA WITH A TWIST

R EC I PE F OR PERFE CT IO N

START with silver tequila // MIX with blood orange soda (you can find this in most grocery and beverage stores) SERVE with a half-rim of salt // GARNISH with finely chopped thyme leaves, for an extra-special presentation!

When working with your caterer or beverage service to craft your ultimate wedding cocktail, think color, favorite spirit and booze concentration.

your celebration of a lifetime like his-andhers signature cocktails. When working with your caterer or beverage service to craft your ultimate wedding cocktail, think color, favorite spirit and booze concentration (do you want your signature to be light

TRAY: KUHL-LINSCOMB, SPOON: BERING’S

2

2. SIMPLE SUMMER COOLER START with honey vodka (almost every brand of vodka makes a honey version) // MIX with club soda* // ADD a good squeeze of lemon // STIR and serve chilled *Pre-mix the vodka with fresh lemon juice and then add the club soda when serving a crowd.

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and effervescent, or are you more of a straight-up sipper?). Choose your preferred glass style and garnishes, sign off on your signage (printed on cocktail napkins, or on small framed signs for trays or bar), and you and your guests will be sippin’ pretty at your wedding celebration!

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/ / EPICURIAN / /

DE LIGHT S CORDÚA CATERING

1

2

3 PHOTOS: CORDÚA CATERING

L E F T PA G E : C O R D Ú A C AT E R I N G 1. Tilapia-and-shrimp ceviche with jalapeño, red onion and cilantro 2. Jumbo-lump-crab salad with roma tomato and jalapeño vinaigrette 3. Fried-oyster-and-beef-tenderloin crostini with truffle-horseradish cream R I G H T PA G E : A R M A N D O S C AT E R S 1. Beet salad with oranges, pomegranate and balsamic reduction 2. Vanilla-bean cheesecake with graham-cracker crust and chocolate-caramel sauce 3. Pan-seared Chilean sea bass served over sautéed spinach with pineapple salsa // J A C K S O N A N D C O M PA N Y 1. Mascarpone, fig and prosciutto croustade 2. Savory beef taco “Pop Tarts” 3. Dry-pot Sichuan-style red snapper

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1

ARMANDOS CATERS LE ZU PHOTOGRAPHY

2

3

LE ZU PHOTOGRAPHY

LE ZU PHOTOGRAPHY

1

2

TAYLOR GOLDEN

3

JACKSON AND COMPANY

SHAWN CHIPPENDALE

TAYLOR GOLDEN

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1

CAFE‘ NATALIE CATERING

2

3

PHOTOS: CAFÉ NATALIE

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4

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2

3

THE HOMETOWN CHEF CATERING CO. 1 PHOTOS: THE HOMETOWN CHEF CATERING CO.

L E F T PA G E : C A F E‘ N ATA L I E C AT E R I N G 1. Mediterranean family-style spread, including hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and marinated feta with sun-dried tomatoes 2. Inside-out fried deviled egg 3. Tuna on potato latke with crème fraîche 4. Garlicand-chili-buter oysters R I G H T PA G E : T H E H O M E T O W N C H E F C AT E R I N G C O . 1. Caprese salad with brie and prosciutto 2. Grilled ribeye bites over hatch-pepper polenta with chimichurri sauce 3. Crawfish cakes with Cajun remoulade

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/ / T H I S TA K E S T H E / /

CAKE.

HAND-PAINTED MACARONS: WINK BY ERICA PHOTO: COURTESY OF WINK BY ERICA

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CAKE: SUSIES CAKES & CONFECTIONS PHOTO: KELLI DURHAM

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CAKE: WINK BY ERICA

PHOTO: KELLI DURHAM PHOTOGRAPHY

CAKE: SUSIEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CAKES & CONFECTIONS PHOTO: AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

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CAKE: CAKES BY GINA

PHOTO: AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

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CAKE: DESSERT GALLERY BAKERY & CAFE PHOTO: AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

E DIB LE / / A RT I S T RY / /

COOKIES & ICE CREAM SANDWICHES: TIFFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TREATS

CAKE: CAKES BY GINA PHOTO: KELLI DURHAM

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REAL WEDDINGS

|

10.29.16

MR.& MR S. //LAUREN & JOSH //

COUPLE: Lauren Rothbart & Joshua Troper I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 185 I WEDDING COLORS: White, Black & Green WEDDING & WELCOME PARTY VENUE: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa I CAKE: Susieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cakes & Confections I PHOTOGRAPHY: AMA Photography & Cinema ENTERTAINMENT, LIGHTING & SOUND: LG Entertainment Production I HONEYMOON: Kenya

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Harper Events / Blooming Gallery / Amsale / Crane Paper / Mark Morarie Films

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

spicy margarita

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

brownie sundae

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

a workout, then exploring new york city

WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

he will do anything to make me laugh

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

stella artois

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

brownie sundae

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

picnic in central park with beers, a football and my wife WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

she is the most selfless person i know

|

REAL WEDDINGS

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Lauren and Josh met as counselors at the same day camp during the summer after high school, and got engaged in New York’s Bryant Park ice rink in December 2015. And while their meet-cute and love story may have seemed simple enough, convincing their New York-based families that “a fourday destination wedding to Texas would be incredible,” was anything but. They did manage to persuade their loved ones to head to Houston, and 185 of them gathered for a celebration with multiple themed events that included an all-white Mexican taco fiesta at at The Houstonian, beside the pool, a Fridaynight evening of cowboy-chic at Jackson Street Barbecue, and a Saturday-night black-tie wedding ceremony and reception at The Houstonian. “After 10 years of dating, we couldn’t just do a five-hour event,” Lauren says. “The four days were perfect.”

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/ / THE GROOM’S / /

CA K E CAKE: SUSIE’S CAKES & CONFECTIONS PHOTO: KELLI DURHAM PHOTOGRAPHY

CAKE: CAKES BY GINA

PHOTO: AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

SUSIE’S CAKES & CONFECTIONS PHOTO: CIVIC PHOTOS

CAKE: CAKES BY GINA PHOTO: TOMAS RAMOS

“ HA V E YO U R CAK E & EAT IT , T O O !”

Got a passion for golf? Is fishing your favorite pastime? Are you a UT alum? A Notre Dame fan?

A poker wiz? An amateur trumpeter? A lover of vintage timepieces? Share your love for whatever it is that floats your boat, with a custom groom’s cake.

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/ / I N V I TAT I O N //

TI M E LI NE SETTING THE TONE AND STYLE OF YOUR NUPTIALS STARTS WITH YOUR WEDDING STATIONERY— AFTER ALL, THESE PAPER PARCELS ARE THE FIRST WEDDING-RELATED ITEMS YOUR GUESTS WILL EVER SEE. FIND OUT WHAT STATIONERY ITEMS YOU’LL NEED, WHEN TO ORDER, AND WHEN TO SEND, WITH THIS SUPER-HANDY SCHEDULING GUIDE.

INVITATION CHEREE BERRY

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P R E PA R E TO TE LL TH E W O R L D

12

•Order engagement announcements

MONTHS OUT

•Order engagement-party invitations •Order save-the-dates (especially if you’re planning a destination celebration!)

OR D E R YOU R INV IT ES

4-6

•Order wedding invitations

MONTHS OUT

•Order rehearsal-dinner invitations •Order stationery with your couple’s monogram

Make sure you have everyone’s address

TOP TIP: Doing an engagement shoot? Use a fave photo from

TOP TIP: Rehearsal-dinner invitations should always be sent

it for your save-the-date, especially if it shows you and your boo

separately from your wedding invitation; never include it in the

participating in an activity you love to do together, or snuggled up

wedding invitations.

together with your beloved fur baby.

A NN O U N C E Y O U R BIG N E W S

8-11

•Send engagement announcements

MONTHS OUT

•Send engagement-party invitation…and host a fabulous bash to celebrate your big news

SE N D T H E M O U T

6

•Send your wedding invitations

WEEKS OUT

•Order programs, menu cards and table cards

•Send save-the-dates

TOP TIP: While your wedding invitations are likely to be on the more

TOP TIP: When mailing invitations, take them inside the post of-

formal side, it’s perfectly OK to have fun with your engagement an-

fice, and ask the person helping you to hand-cancel your stamps; this

nouncements—with a goofy couple-selfie (showing your ring, of course),

process uses a special ink stamp to mark your envelopes rather than

a pic of you holding an “I Said Yes” mug, or a heart formed with your

the usual machine-operated sorting system (which can leave thick lines

overlapping fingerprints…aww.

on the envelope, and may even damage it).

SAY T H A N K YO U

S TA RT S H O P P ING •Start shopping for wedding

6-8

invitations, and order samples •Order bridal-shower invitations (this one’s

MONTHS OUT

actually for your shower hostess, but you’ll need to provide the guest list) •Send thank-you cards for bridal-shower gifts

•Order personalized thank-you

up to

3

cards •Send heartfelt thank-you notes

MONTHS AFTER

- 2-3 weeks after shower

TOP TIP:While you or your shower host may be tempted to have

TOP TIP: If the gift you’re giving thanks for is from your

shower guests pre-address thank-you-card envelopes upon arrival,

registry, make sure to mention it and how much you love it in

for convenience, please don’t; proper etiquette and graciousness

your thank-you message; if it’s a monetary gift, don’t mention

trumps convenience, in this case, especially since we’re talking about

the specific amount, but do hint at how you’ll use it to bring joy

your closest friends and family.

to your newlywed life!

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CUSTOM DESIGN VERSUS CHOOSING A DESIGN A wedding stationer, rather than an online ordering service, can create a

FILIGREE INVITATION WRAP

INVITATION ENVELOPE LINER

Include a decorative liner and/or lasercut inner sleeve to surprise your guests and elevate the occasion.

personalized look for not just the wedding, but for your family’s holiday cards and thank-you notes, for years to come. Begin with a classic design, and add details like laser-cut, inserts, hand-painted motifs or foil accents to kick it up a notch; then bring in your color story to brand your wedding, and tie your design scheme together.

INVITATION Let guests know who’s hosting, who’s getting married, where it’s happening and when. It’s also a “first look” into your wedding theme and gets your guests excited!

RESPONSE CARD ENVELOPE Use the same calligraphy you’ve used elsewhere in your suite to self-address the envelope, and include postage.

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RESPONSE CARD Give guests an RSVP-by date, and special-diet options if you’re offering them.

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O T M A N Y A / / O F A S TAT I O N E RY S U I T E / /

MONOGRAMMED INVITATION ENVELOPE Emboss your envelope with your custom couple’s monogram This can be created by your stationer and carried through your wedding theme, with gobos , linens and favors.

MENU Carry through your invitation design with the menu cards you’ll place at guests’ table settings at your reception. Create a more formal look by choosing special materials like metal, wood or mirrored glass, for instant WOW factor.

CUSTOM SUITE: ISABELLA INVITATIONS

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|

TRENDY 20/18

|

<M H40 ON-EAR HEADPHONES

STER L IN G SILV ER & E N A M EL V IN TA G E ST E ER IN G WH EEL CUFF L IN KS

Master And Dynamic

Scully & Scully

bloomingdales.com

scullyandscully.com

WHAT’S

HOT! GIFT S FOR HIM

>HORSE B OOK END

L’Objet l-objet.com

C RO C O DILE BO X W IT H P LAY IN G C ARD S

L’Objet l-objet.com

<SHAVING SOAP B AR

Brooklyn Grooming bespokepost.com

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/ / YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE / /

I NVI T E D ARCHER AND OLIVE ARCHERANDOLIVE.COM

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> AQUARELA STATIONERY ETSY.COM/SHOP/AQUARELASTATIONERY

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> UNDERWOOD LETTERPRESS UNDERWOODLETTERPRESS.COM PHOTO: NATALIE WHEARLEY

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REAL WEDDINGS

|

PHOTOS: TOAST ENTERTAINMENT

09.30.17

MR.& MR S. / / J E S S I CA & DAV I D / /

COUPLE: Jessica Hill & David Schmidt I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 80 WEDDING COLORS: Purple, Blue & Blush I VENUE: King River Ranch I HONEYMOON: RV Road Trip

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Toast Entertainment / Willem-Aidan / Feast And Merriment / Lovin’ Sugar Cakes / Altared Weddings / Ventura’s Bridal Fashions

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

veuve clicquot

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

any dessert

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

relaxing with david and our two dogs after a morning exercise session WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

he is always going out of his way to ensure that our little family is looked after

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

red wine

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

red-velvet cake

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

morning run, coffee with my girl, and taking the dogs for a walk WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

that we go on adventures together and see new things

|

REAL WEDDINGS

|

Introduced by a mutual friend in 2010, it wasn’t until a year later that Jessica and David—who worked for the same company but in different departments—bumped into each other in front of the office elevators. Five years later, on a Colorado ski trip, during their first ever “white Christmas” (they had just moved to the United States from Perth, Western Australia), David proposed “in front of the town-square Christmas tree, under the lights, with snow gently falling,” Jessica says. The couple tied the knot at King River Ranch in the Texas Hill Country, with a “’20s-vintage-meets-’60s-retro-with-a-splash-ofcountry-glam” wedding. Venue owner and in-house designer David Hahn “drew inspiration from my dress, which was vintage and lacy, and from David’s tux, which was blue with black lapels, straight out of the David Bowie film ‘Absolute Beginners,’” she adds.

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|

> GO TH I C S TYL E BI TTERS BO TTL E

Finewell

TRENDY 20/18

|

ELECT RIC CORK SCREW

Rabbit bespokepost.com WIN E POU R ER

cocktailkingdom.com

LeCrueset berings.com

H A N DC RA F T E D BO H E M IA N C RY S TAL W H IS K E Y G L A S S

Stellis ahalife.com

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

HOT! T H E BA R MA S T E R

COPPER M O SC OW M U L E BOX

BespokePost www.website.com

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INVITATIONS, REGISTRY + FAVORS |

/ / R E G I S T E R B Y //

RO OM A PA R T M E N T, T O W N H O U S E , C O N D O , C O T TA G E O R M A N S E — N O M A T T E R I T S S I Z E O R S C O P E , T H E P L A C E YOU’LL LIVE TOGETHER AS A MARRIED COUPLE IS, ABOVE ALL ELSE, A HOME. KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN YOU REGISTER FOR YOUR WEDDING, BY SELECTING ITEMS YOU’LL LOVE, FOR ALL THE SPACES YOU’LL OCCUPY IN THE HOME YOU SHARE. YOU CAN START WITH THESE TOP ESSENTIALS FOR EACH HAPPY PLACE!

PHOTO KELLY HORNBERGER

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//KITCHEN//

Cookware High-quality pots and pans

For many couples, this space is the focus of the gift registry—

Dutch oven

and with good reason…actually lots of reasons.

Fine kitchen knives

First off, the kitchen is where couples, and often their friends,

Baking

family and guests, spend a whole bunch of time, especially

Stand mixer

in those first months and years of entertaining as a married

Baking pans

couple. Sure, there’s the dining room and living room, but when

Measuring tools

there’s a party, and there’s cooking going on, everyone tends

Pastry mat

to gather in the kitchen. So it’s nice to have a well-stocked, good-looking one.

Small Appliances Food processor

Plus, there are just so many kitchen items to choose from,

Blender

whether you’re a gourmet chef, an avid baker, or an “I-can-

Toaster oven

barely-boil-an-egg” amateur with a willingness to learn.

Slow-cooker Coffee- or espresso- maker

/ / B E D R O O M / B AT H R O O M / / The most intimate spaces in the newlywed home often are the most overlooked on to-be-wed registries. Don’t stumble into this common registry pitfall! While you may need to replace textile items more frequently than, say, cast-iron cookware or fine bone china, you can still register for your bedroom and bathroom with an eye toward luxury and durability.

Instead of gadgets and trendy pieces, focus your registry scanner on high-quality bedroom and bathroom staples (with, perhaps, a techie treat just for fun!), and make private time— each individually, or together—your favorite time of the day.

Bedroom High-quality sheet set Designer duvet cover Down comforter Luxury pillows Decorative frames Matching end tables or ottoman Wall art Bathroom Plush cotton towels Fluffy bath mat Soap or lotion dispenser Scale Bluetooth shower speaker

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/ / L AW N & GARDEN// Whether you’ve got acres of land, a small but well-tended garden, or simply a sweet townhome patio, you’re likely to spend Houston’s fine-weather months (brief as they may be) enjoying the fresh air, and entertaining friends outdoors. Don’t forget to make al-fresco elements a part of your registry list! Get your guy on board, and turn your attention to grilling, chilling and savoring the sunshine, with gifts designed for outdoor fun.

Outdoor Entertaining Tiki torches Outdoor seating Decorative pillows Pool or hot tub towels Hammock Fire pit Pet toys Lawn games Big Green Egg grill Yeti cooler Smoker Grill tools / apron Gardening tools Outdoor lighting Leaf blower

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//LIVING/DINING ROOM// Whether they’re connected in an open-floor-plan layout, or separate from one another, these two spaces generally constitute the heart of your home—the place where you relax, unwind, receive guests, entertain, eat, drink and celebrate. How you design and furnish your home’s living and dining spaces will depend on your taste and style preferences: Do you want to sink back and put your feet up without worrying about delicate doo-dads? Do you love the look of a formal dinner table, laid out with perfect place settings and flickering tapers all aglow? Do you crave a cool lounge space where people can flow from table to sofa to bar, nibbling and sipping while the hum of conversation never stops?

Think about the atmosphere you want to create, then dress it up with these livingand dining-room essentials, which make down-time a good time, no matter your personal style.

Living Room Wireless speaker Digital streaming system Throw blankets Vases, decor or art Dining Room Set of dishes Set of flatware Set of glassware Table linens Bar Barware (highball glasses, martini glasses & Champagne flutes) Shaker Ice bucket and tongs Corkscrew

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REAL WEDDINGS

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PHOTOS: NANCY AIDEE PHOTOGRAPHY

01.14.17

MR.& MR S. //ALEX & RICK //

COUPLE: Alexandra Carreno & Richard Haines, Jr. I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 165 I WEDDING COLORS: Cream, Ivory, Blue & Silver WEDDING GOWN & BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Houston Bridal Gallery | INVITATIONS & REGISTRY: Bering’s CAKE: Susie’s Cakes & Confections I WELCOME DRINKS: Omni Hotel Houston | HONEYMOON: British Virgin Islands CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Nancy Aidee Photography / Houston Racquet Club / Events By Sarah / Bramble & Bee / Swift & Co. / Ashley Cakes / Hey Lovely Makeup

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

la croix coconut

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

bananas foster from brennanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of houston HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

a workout or a walk with my husband and our pup, lucy, then brunch and a walk around montrose before heading home to a movie or the pool WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

his kind heart and his silly personality

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

arnold palmer

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

ice cream

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

sleeping in and watching baylor football WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

her sweet personality and giving nature

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REAL WEDDINGS

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Paired by Match.com based on their mutual love of Mexican restaurant Escalante’s in Houston, real-estate broker Rick and digital influencer Alex (she’s Alex of the popular Adored By Alex fashion blog and Instagram feed) emailed and phone-chatted for a couple of weeks before he drove from Houston to Austin to take her out on their first date. Must have been a good one, because the following Monday, she drove down to Houston for their second date—this time a Coldplay concert. Nearly five years later, the couple joined 165 guests to celebrate their union with a church ceremony followed by a private-club reception featuring plush seating, mixed-height centerpieces and tons of ethereal candlelight. “Our wedding was exactly what I hoped for: chic, elegant and timeless,” says Alex. But that doesn’t mean it was without its moments of let-your-hair-down fun: “Towards the end of the evening, Rick requested the Marvin Gaye song ‘Sexual Healing,’ and he and I ended up with a microphone, serenading the wedding guests while they danced, sang along, and clapped at our musical debut.”

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/ / PA RT Y I N T O T H E //

T H E R E ’ S N O B E T T E R WAY T O M A K E A N U N F O R G E T T A B L E P A R T Y H A P P E N T H A N W I T H AW E S O M E E N T E R TA I N M E N T. C H E C K O U T T H E S E F I V E T I P S F O R A M P I N G U P T H E F U N F A C T O R AT Y O U R F A B U L O U S W E D D I N G … A N D G E T T H AT PA R T Y S TA R T E D , S TAT !

PHOTO AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

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HIRE A PROFESSIONAL Hire a true wedding pro, not just an entertainer.

There are plenty of bands, DJs and music providers out there who may be able to play their instruments or mix tracks, but may be woefully inexperienced with managing wedding flow and working the wedding crowd. A great wedding DJ or bandleader will not just deliver on the music you want to hear on your special day, they will also be able to move guests where you need them to go, introduce the wedding couple and special guests as needed, modify volume during dinner and speeches, and read the crowd for cues when it’s time to dance. An experienced wedding entertainer also will provide state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment (or work directly with your lighting company or venue to ensure they have what’s needed) and, in some cases, can bring special lighting and effects, to transform your reception

PHOTO: ADAM NYHOLT

space into a high-energy dance party.

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CREATE THE MOOD AT COCKTAIL HOUR The cocktail hour is a chance

for your guests to sip the signature cocktails you and your spouse have created, taste those delicious hors d’oeuvre, and mingle with old friends, before you and your new spouse once again become the center of attention. It’s also the perfect opportunity to set the mood for celebration, with a live pianist or small jazz combo. Not only does live cocktail-reception music provide ambiance and elegance at this first taste of the party to come, but an experienced live musician who is well-versed in event entertainment will interact unobtrusively with the crowd, welcoming requests for example, or playing mellow instrumental renditions of chart-topping pop hits, to the surprise and delight of gathering guests.

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POSE AND SMILE No matter how grand or fancy your formal cere-

mony and black-tie reception, a photo booth will fit somewhere into the festivities. Trust us on this one: Whether you place it in the

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foyer or pre-function space, for guests to enjoy as a break from dinner

amped-up version of your favorite love song, perhaps), as guests progress

proceedings; or stage it outside, in your al-fresco lounge area, for folks

from cocktails to reception, or in the middle of your party, with a surprise

to have fun with as the party winds down; a photo booth or video booth

performance.

complete with props, costume pieces and take-home pix, will be one of the

5

most appreciated parts of your party—and will help ensure that memories of your magical day live on with many of your nearest and dearest.

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LIVEN UP YOUR LOUNGE As the party winds down—or possibly as the after-party winds up—a luxe lounge area, where revelers can

enjoy a single-malt Scotch or gourmet espresso drink, and quiet conversaREJOICE WITH MOVING MUSIC Yes, you definitely want to have

tion, provides relaxation and a respite from the high-energy hijinks, and

a professional wedding DJ or band on hand to handle the main

shows that you care about your guests’ comfort. But just because your

entertainment for your milestone event. But that doesn’t mean you can’t

lounge may be mellower than what’s going on inside the main event

round out the revelry with an extra musical treat or two. Take a cue from

doesn’t mean you have to leave your guests entirely to their own devices.

celebrity weddings, and consider having a gospel choir bring guests to

If you’re a cigar aficionado, or know that a number of your guests might

their feet (and uplift their spirits) with a performance of favorite hymns,

enjoy a fine stogie, hire a professional cigar roller to make cigars to order,

or even a popular love song, at your wedding ceremony. Of course, this

and provide a comfortable space (taking into account the comfort of smok-

being Texas, college football is a shared passion of many a wedding

ers and non-smokers alike) for guests to enjoy their handcrafted cigars.

couple. Honor your alma mater and/or your favorite team by having

Not fond of cigars? Consider hiring a wandering sleight-of-hand magician

a professional marching band play your fight song (and a horn-heavy,

to offer table tricks to lounging guests as they relax and enjoy the show!

PHOTO: AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

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PHOTO: JERRY GHIONIS PHOTGRAPHY

09.09.17

MR.& M RS. / / K A R O L I N E & M AT T / /

COUPLE: Karoline Bowen & Matthew Jones I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 325 I WEDDING COLORS: Ivory, Burgundy, Peach & Green VENUE: Corinthian Houston I CATERING: Jackson and Company I PHOTOGRAPHY: Kelli Durham Photography

BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Bella Bridesmaids I CAKES: Cakes By Gina I HONEYMOON: Aruba CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Farron Silverman / Blooming Gallery / Empire 6 / GTX Productions / Ivory Bridal Atelier / Sunkissed and Made Up / T. Carolyn Fashions / Luxe Weddings

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REAL WEDDINGS

HER FAVORITE SIP:

vodka with topo chico and lime HER FAVORITE SWEET:

tiff’s treats

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

watching the fighting texas aggies win

WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

his kind ways—he is incredibly thoughtful and always does little things to help me or make me smile

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

tea—half sweet, half unsweet HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

before my mom passed away she would make tres leches cake, my favorite dessert of all time HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

grilling and watching football

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

she reminds me a lot of my mom—she has never met a stranger who hasn’t become a friend

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REAL WEDDINGS

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On their first date—an Astros home game—Matt graciously asked Karoline if she’d perhaps like a hot dog or some nachos to snack on. “She replied, ‘Nah, I just want to drink some beers,’” he recounts. “It was at that moment that I knew Karoline was something special.” Special, too, was Matt’s surprise proposal on a Hawaiian family vacation…though perhaps not as special as the couple’s September wedding at The Corinthian. Radiant in a lace, drop-waist Lazaro gown, Karoline wed the love of her life before 325 family members and friends, then the newlyweds joined the crowd for refined Southern fare, fine wine (the bride is a serious aficionado), and some very lively dancing. “One of my friends had to go to the doctor because she had whiplash from dancing so hard,” Karoline notes. “Now that is dedication!”

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M U S I C + E N T E R TA I N M E N T |

30 YEAR S

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Gala OUR

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EVENT / / AT T H E C O R I N T H I A N / /

Just weeks after Hurricane Harvey, Weddings in Houston celebrated three decades in print. With complications from the storm necessitating a last - minute venue change, graciously accommodated by the Corinthian Houston, with bar services provided by The Ballroom at Bayou Place, and fabulous decor by Darryl & Co., our partnering wedding vendors came together to throw an amazing celebration, and showed what true professionals are made of. With gratitude for our partners, donations were made on their behalf to various local charities, including a relief fund for wedding vendors affected by Harvey. The evening turned into a spontaneous rock concert with our president, Vik Day, performing with the fantastic Danny Ray and the Acoustic Production. Weddings in Houston is proud to partner with the best in the Houston wedding industry, connecting them with engaged couples through print, online and social media.

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IN

IN

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PHOTO: AMA PHOTOGRAPHY

HEARTFELT THANKS AND APPRECIATION TO: CORINTHIAN HOUSTON // THE BALLROOM AT BAYOU PLACE // DARRYL & CO. // JACKSON AND COMPANY BAILEY CONNOR CATERING // THE HOMETOWN CHEF CATERING CO. // LOLA CATERING // A LA CARTE CATERING SUSIE'S CAKES & CONFECTIONS // CAKES BY GINA // WINK BY ERICA // LG ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION // CIVIC PHOTOS BRIGHT STAR PRODUCTIONS // GTX PRODUCTIONS // DANNY RAY AND THE ACOUSTIC PRODUCTION

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30 YEAR S

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VENUE : CORINTHIAN HOUSTON // PHOTOS : CIVIC PHOTOS

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REAL WEDDINGS

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PHOTOS: BLUE ROSE STUDIO

10.15.16

MR.& MR S. / / K AT H Y & J E R RY / /

COUPLE: Kathryn Barajas & Jerry Acosta I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 175 I WEDDING COLORS: Blush, Ivory, Gold & Copper PLANNER & INVITATIONS: A Day To Remember I REGISTRY: Bering’s I HONEYMOON: Mexico City

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Blue Rose Studio / Eldorado Hotel & Spa /Marisa’s Millefiori /Lavish Linens / Mia Bridal Couture / A Cake Odyssey

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

champagne

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

anything chocolate

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

relaxing and shopping

WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

his heart and his loyalty

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

jameson

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

diner cake

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

a little work, a little play, and lots of kathy WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

her sense of humor and her ability to forgive

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REAL WEDDINGS

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Though their parents had been friends since they were born, neither Kathy nor Jerry, who first met at a casual Happy Hour with friends, figured out that fact until a few dates in to what would turn out to be the courtship of a lifetime. And whether it was fate or a spontaneous connection that brought these two Houstonians together, their Santa Fe, N.M., destination wedding solidified their union in grand style. Following a traditional Catholic ceremony at the opulent Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, the pair joined 175 guests for a glittering celebration “filled with family and friends—you could just feel the love,” the bride notes. The revelers even got to enjoy a “starstruck moment,” she adds: “Actress Michelle Dockery [‘Downton Abbey,’ ‘Good Behavior’] crashed our wedding and hung out and danced along with us!”

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REAL WEDDINGS

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PHOTOS: BRITT LATZ PHOTOGRAPHY

03.18.17

MR.& MR S. / / V I V I A N & M AT T / /

COUPLE: Vivian Hu & Matthew Barron I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 175 I WEDDING COLORS: Ivory, Green, Blue & Gold VENUE: The Gallery I CAKE: Cakes By Gina I REHEARSAL DINNER: Ouisieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Table I HONEYMOON: Pangalusian Island, Philippines

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Britt Latz Photography / Soireebliss! Events / Poison Ivy Floral Events / Ivory Bridal Atelier / Jonny Black Productions

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

bloody mary

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

funfetti cupcakes

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

snuggling with our pup

WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

he always knows how to make me smile

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

ipa

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apple pie

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

reading and running

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

she thinks about me before anyone else

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REAL WEDDINGS

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“I told Vivian that I got us annual passes to the Dallas Arboretum for Christmas, which I did,” says Matt. “I also told her that with the passes, we got an hour of photos around the gardens for free…which we didn’t.” It was that little fib, though, that enabled a surprise proposal in a gorgeous garden setting, caught on film for posterity by the professional photographer Matt had hired for the momentous occasion. The Dallas-based pair, who met in Boston where she was a student at Wellesley College and he was attending MIT, chose The Gallery for their Houston marriage celebration, where they blended their Chinese and Jewish cultures against the venue’s picturesque backdrop, for a uniquely personal wedding, where guests enjoyed spring rolls and a Chinese lion dance, along with the groom’s Jewish “smashing the glass” ritual and a lively horah, with the newlyweds held aloft in chairs. Notes Vivian, “It could not have been more perfect for us.”

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PHOTO: AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

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346 PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY

D O CUME NTI NG //

T H E DAY

//

Y O U ’ V E W O R K E D S O H A R D T O C R E AT E M E M O R I E S T H AT W I L L L A S T F O R E V E R :

WHETHER YOUR WEDDING IS A

SHORT AND SWEET CEREMONY AT THE COURTHOUSE OR A WEEK-LONG AFFAIR SPANNING MULTIPLE CITIES, DOCUMENT THIS SPECIAL EVENT – AND YOUR LOVED ONES – WITH THE RIGHT IMAGES AND FILM.

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| DOCUMENTING THE DAY

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PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY |

MAKE IT

C LICK. / / E X P E RT A DV I C E F O R F I N D I N G A P H O T O G R A P H E R // W H I L E T H E P L A N N I N G M I G H T TA K E A Y E A R O R M O R E , T H E W E D D I N G I T S E L F I S O N E D A Y I N Y O U R L I F E .

BUT, OH, WHAT A DAY! CAPTURE IT IN ALL ITS JOY AND BEAUTY, AND YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL BE ABLE TO RELIVE IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN, LONG AFTER THE LAST DANCE IS DONE.

PHOTO TAYLOR GOLDEN PHOTOGRAPHY

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GET A REFERENCE Once you’ve settled into the bliss of engagement, it’s time to plan. And that planning includes selecting the photographer who will

document your wedding and the moments surrounding it. You want someone who is reliable and trustworthy, with a positive attitude (even in the most stressful situations), and you want someone who truly “gets” you. Photographer Adam Nyholt says the best way to start is by getting referrals: “This could be from a friend who was recently married or from your wedding planner,” or a trusted resource such as Weddings in Houston.

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COMPARE

PORTFOLIOS

Most professional photographers have a

website or Instagram profile, which makes it easy for curious couples to

peruse photos, read testimonials, and get a feel for a photographer’s artistic style.

Aisha Khan of AMA Photography & Cinema recommends asking a prospec-

tive photographer for more than one sample wedding to view: “If you ask for one, they might send only their favorite one—it’s important to see what varies from wedding to wedding.”

Kelli Durham of Kelli Durham Photography agrees: “As photographers, we tend to put our best foot forward on our websites, in our albums and on social media. While this is great for couples to see a snapshot of our style and creative capabilities, I always encourage couples to make sure they also ask to see several complete galleries of weddings the photographers has shot, from

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PHOTO: KELLI DURHAM PHOTOGRAPHY

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PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY |

EXPERT ADVICE:

“It’s so important to meet face to face with your photographer at some point during your initial consultation…because you’ll be spending so much time with them, you definitely want to make sure they’re a good fit.” - Kelli Durham

start to finish, to get a sense of their capabilities in all lighting situations and scenarios.” She explains that, “The actual wedding day is a lot different from a portrait session or styled shoot.

Couples really need to look at several past weddings a photographer has shot to get a sense of the photographer’s experience. If there is consistency in all of their complete galleries, then you are

quick lunch or outing with them.”

Photographer Kelly Hornberger advises couples to really think about the feeling they want to have with “the person who will document this important time of their lives.” Ask yourself: “Do you want someone who feels like a friend and becomes a part of your family? Or would you prefer someone who shows up on the day

in good hands.”

and doesn’t bother you any other time?” Either option is fine—it

3

what kind of personality you feel most comfortable with, because

depends on what’s right for you. Just remember to “think about

SPEND SOME FACE TIME When you’re ready to reach out,

then and only then will the day flow how you always dreamed that

it can be tempting to simply rely on email. This is fine for

it would.”

introductory inquiries, but, as Durham notes, “It’s so important to

Oh—and one more thing: “Ask your photographer how they

meet face to face with your photographer at some point during

would react to family and friends who may want to take pictures

your initial consultation!” She adds, “Because you’ll be spending

on your wedding day,” advises Barett Henry, of Civic Photos. “We

so much time with them, you definitely want to make sure they’re

are very easygoing, and I don’t mind if people who have known

a good fit. If you’ve opted out of any extra pre-wedding portrait

you your entire life want to take photos—as long as they don’t get

sessions with your photographer, at least grab a coffee or do a

in the way of our professional shots!”

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PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY |

HAVE A PREGAME SESSION If time (and budget) allows, consider scheduling an engagement session or a save-the-date session. This is an opportunity to really get to know your photographer and see them at work, and for them to get to know you. “I recommend that

the bride gets her hair and makeup done professionally, and that both spouses-to-be bring two to three outfits that show off their personality and their relationship,” says photographer Shiva Saadi of Dream Photo & Video. She adds, “Maybe also have a couple of drinks before.

Trust me, it helps.”

“The engagement session is a great time to get to know your photographer better, and to get used to their style of shooting, so that the wedding day flows more smoothly, and you are comfortable throughout the day,” adds photographer Taylor Golden. “Something I like to do for my couples is shoot their session in another city, such as where they got engaged, or where they like to vacation.”

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MAKE TIME FOR PORTRAITS Golden reminds couples to ensure their photographer is committed to shooting the wedding day in its entirety, including, perhaps most importantly, those classic family portraits that will become heirlooms. “Remember, your wedding is

likely to be an activity-filled day, and you may not be around your family members all that much,” she says.

And Hornberger adds: “A good photographer should be able to roll through family photos like the back of their hand, and will capture all of your details beautifully.” You can help by being prepared: “Just have all of your details together at the beginning of the day, including your dress or tux, and give your photographer a list of anything extra at the reception or ceremony you worry we might overlook. Then sit back, relax and allow us to capture your beautiful day.”

FILM CLIPS: YOUR LOVE STORY While still photography is a must for capturing your wedding portraits and details, and building an album to cherish for generations, there’s nothing like moving pictures to tell your wedding story in all its sound, action and emotion.

1. Videography is a sound investment. “We always tell

3. Videography isn’t just for the main event. “I have a lot of

our clients that the vows and the sound of voices on video

clients who ask for a photographer at their rehearsal, and I

are the most important reason to have videography as

have been so lucky to have clients that understand me when

part of your day,” says Aisha Khan of AMA Photography

I tell them that photography isn’t as important as video during

& Cinema. “Couples tend to take pauses, or someone’s

the rehearsal event,” Khan says. “If I had to choose one or

voice cracks, and it adds so much to the emotion, and to

the other, I would choose video for the rehearsal. Most of the

the memory of that emotion.” For this reason, “We focus

rehearsal is people eating and saying their speeches. There is

a lot on sound, and on recording the best sound possible,

only so much of a speech we can capture with a still photo.”

knowing that it is something that will never make it into the photos. As the couple watches the video again, it takes

4. Videography tracks the evolution of emotion. It is one thing

their memories to another level.”

to see an image or a powerful moment caught on film, but it is a richer experience to see and hear a hilarious best-

2. Videography captures the big picture. “We offer many

man or maid-of-honor speech, a song performed at a cere-

different styles, and we use many different kinds of equip-

mony, a couple’s “first look,” or those don’t-miss dances:

ment to achieve the effect of a true wedding film,” says

the first twirl as a couple, a lively hora, or bride and groom

Shiva Saadi of Dream Photo & Video. She cites “drones,

dances with Mom or Dad. “I think the father-daughter and

steadicams and glidecams” as just a few of the advanced

mother-son dances are always wonderful to see in video,”

technologies her team employs, and explains: “The drone

Khan says. “It is nice to have a photo of these moments. But

can show the entire space where the couple got married.

a lot of times you just capture one moment. When you are

At the same time, the movement of the steadicam and glide-

watching it on video, you see that moment developing, and

cam make it really look like cinema.”

that’s beautiful.”

35 4 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

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REAL WEDDINGS

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PHOTO: JERRY GHIONIS PHOTOGRAPHY

04.22.17

MR.& M RS. //SUSIE & TYLER //

COUPLE: Susie Condara & Tyler Maddox I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 450 I WEDDING COLORS: Gray, Green & Rose PHOTOGRAPHY: Kelly Hornberger Photography I REGISTRY: Beringâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s & Kuhl-Linscomb I HONEYMOON: Moorea & Bora Bora

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Houston Country Club / Marlene Romero / Susie Miller / Brickhouse Bridal / Glam Studio by Misty Rockwell / Lite Productions

355 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

HER FAVORITE SIP:

topo chico with lime

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

key-lime pie

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

at the pool with my husband and a group of friends drinking margaritas WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

his generosity and contagious laugh

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

yellow gatorade

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

anything chocolate

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

outdoors with my wife, watching football WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

her fun outgoing personality and willingness to always say yes to an adventure

|

REAL WEDDINGS

|

When she borrowed that Alabama jersey from former highschool classmate and on-and-off-again romantic interest Tyler to wear on a ski trip with her family during an Alabama National Championship game, Susie couldn’t have known that she was setting the gears in motion for something much bigger: “I had no idea he wasn’t lending me a cheap fan jersey you can buy just anywhere. Instead, Tyler had taken an authentic jersey that he wore on the field, with a National Championship patch sewn onto it, out of its shadowbox case at his parents’ house, and let me borrow it.” It wasn’t until several years later that Tyler messaged Susie, gently asking if he could have his prized keepsake back. Within a month of what they now refer to as “the jersey exchange,” the pair were inseparable. And their spring country club wedding, with its Earth Day palette, loose greenery and relaxed elegance? An absolute delight.

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REAL WEDDINGS

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03.24.17

MR.& MR S. / / K A DY & S T E V E / /

COUPLE: Kathryn Dent & Steven McCreight I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 75 I WEDDING COLORS: Pink & White I CATERER: Café Natalie Catering PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEOGRAPHY & PHOTO BOOTH: Dream Photo & Video I DRESS ALTERATIONS: MLD Limited I HONEYMOON: Rome, Venice, Abu Dhabi & Dubai CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Madera Estates / College Park Flowers / Brickhouse Bridal / Sweets To Dream On / DJU

35 8 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

Productions

HER FAVORITE SIP:

extra-dirty martini

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

tiramisu

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

hiking or golfing with steve

WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

how goofy and hilarious he is

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

jameson on the rocks HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

bread pudding

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

golfing and watching sports with kady

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

she is so much fun to be around no matter what we are doing, and she can always make me laugh

|

REAL WEDDINGS

|

From the moment he laid eyes on her when she walked into the golf club where he works to interview for a job, Steve knew there was something special about Kady. And she felt exactly the same about him.“There was such an instant connection, we felt like we had known each other forever,” she recounts. Wasting no time to start on “happily ever after” with his one-and-only, Steve popped the question five months after their first kiss (Kady thought he was bending down to tie his shoe, lol). The couple’s spring-theme nuptials were sweet, romantic...and not without a good dose of the humor that has endeared the groom so deeply to his beloved: “When Steve went to take off my garter, he somehow came out with a shot of Jameson instead,” she says. “That absolutely cracked me up!”

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|

REAL WEDDINGS

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11.12.16

MR.& MR S. / / A M A N DA & M A R K / /

COUPLE: Amanda Hassler & Mark Stadnyk I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 165 I WEDDING COLORS: Blush, Bordeaux, Gold & Gray VENUE: The Astorian I FLOWERS & DECOR: Todd Events I PHOTOGRAPHY: Kelli Durham Photography BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Bella Bridesmaids I REHEARSAL DINNER: Brennanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of Houston I REGISTRY: Kuhl-Linscomb I HONEYMOON: Paris & South Africa CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Keely Thorne Events / A Fare Extraordinaire / World Catering Bakery / Papellerie / Memphis Train Revue / Saks Fifth Avenue / DM Diamond Corp.

36 2 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

|

REAL WEDDINGS

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

classic daiquiri

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

brownie a la mode

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

a long jog around brooklyn and manhattan, ending up at the farmer’s market WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

his wit

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

bourbon neat

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

birthday cake

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

exploring new york’s green spaces and finishing with brunch

WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

her sense of humor and groundedness

36 4 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

|

REAL WEDDINGS

|

Amanda’s first good decision about Mark? Taking note of his scientific prowess, and making sure to be his lab partner in their high-school organic chemistry class (she went on to become a dermatologist). Her second? Saying, “Yes,” to his emailed invitation to dinner after they bumped into each other by chance seven years later. She said, “Yes,” once again, when Mark surprised her by proposing as they relaxed beside the fireplace at a Savannah bedand-breakfast—“I thought he’d brought me there as a birthday gift!” she recounts. The couple’s utterly elegant wedding—“We love to have an excuse to dress up in black tie,” the bride explains—was, nevertheless, anything but overly formal or stuffy. “We wanted to make sure everyone had a great time by bringing in a fun band, and delicious food.” And while, she says, “We both wished the party could go on forever,” she adds, “the most special part of the evening was when we slow-danced alone after everyone had gone downstairs for the exit.”

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|

REAL WEDDINGS

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04.28.17

MR.& MR S. //SANDRA & BRIAN //

COUPLE: Sandra Maria de la Camara & Brian Langen I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 180 I WEDDING COLORS: Champagne, Black &Gold RECEPTION VENUE: The Astorian I CATERING: Cordúa Catering I CAKE: Cakes by Gina I REHEARSAL DINNER: Brennan’s of Houston PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY: AMA Photography & Cinema I HONEYMOON: Italy

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Piper & Muse / Johanna Terry Events / Mia Bridal Couture / Katie & Co. / Diamond World

36 6 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

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REAL WEDDINGS

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

rosé

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

crave cupcakes

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

date night with my husband in a new city, because we love to travel WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

his kind heart

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

moscow mule

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

doughnuts or blackberry pie HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

dinner and drinks with my wife in a new city WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

her ambition and beauty, and family is very important to her

36 8 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

Introduced by a mutual client in 2013, Sandra and Brian had shared a similar circle of friends for ages, “but for some reason we never crossed paths until we were meant to meet,” she says. Once they did, though, their shared love of travel and lust for life kept them bound—for good. Sandra recounts Brian’s poignant December 2015 proposal: “I lost my father when I was 18, and it shaped my life dramatically. Brian always knew I was going to be disappointed that my father wasn’t there to walk his youngest girl down the aisle.” So, on Christmas Eve, Brian suggested that they visit Sandra’s father’s grave before going to church, and it was there that he asked for her hand in marriage, telling her, “Your father would be so proud of the woman you have become.” For their spring wedding at The Astorian, “We wanted to give our guests the best, as we celebrated starting our new life together,” Sandra says. “It was a beautiful evening and we wish we could relive it all over again. We wouldn’t change one thing.”

| DOCUMENTING THE DAY

:

PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY |

/ / F R O M DAY L I G H T T O / /

TWILIGHT 37 0 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

|

DOCUMENTING THE DAY

:

PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY |

WEDDING CAKE : ERICA WITH WINK

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| DOCUMENTING THE DAY

:

PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY |

|

DOCUMENTING THE DAY

:

PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY |

VENUE : HUGHES MANOR // PHOTOGRAPHY : KELLI DURHAM PHOTOGRAPHY // FLORALS & CONCEPT : GLENWOOD WEBER DESIGN CAKE : WINK BY ERICA // GOWN : HAYLEY PAIGE - NOW & FOREVER BRIDAL BOUTIQUE // LINENS, FURNITURE & RENTALS : EB INC. EVENT RENTALS & DESIGN // TABLETOP RENTALS, MEN’S ACCESSORIES : BERING’S // LIGHTING : BRIGHT STAR PRODUCTIONS MAKEUP & HAIR : 2BPURE BY LAUREN FALLS MAKEUP ARTISTRY

373 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

PHOTO:AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

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376 H O N E Y M O O N & T R AV E L

H A P P I LY //

EVER AFTER

//

N O W T H AT Y O U ’ V E P L A N N E D F O R M O N T H S , S A I D Y O U R V O W S , A N D PA R T I E D T H E N I G H T ( O R W E E K E N D ) THROUGH, IT’S TIME TO ENJOY BEING MARRIED! SOME COUPLES WAIT AWHILE BEFORE JAUNTING OFF TO LANDS AFAR, OTHERS HEAD STRAIGHT FROM RECEPTION TO AIRPORT. WHETHER YOU CHOOSE A WHIRLWIND, SIX-CITY TOUR ABROAD OR A DOMESTIC ROAD TRIP, WE’VE GOT YOUR TRAVEL PLANS COVERED.

375 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

| JUST MARRIED

:

HONEYMOON |

/ / G O T TA G E T //

AWA Y B E F O R E Y O U R “ B O N V O YA G E , ” F O L L O W T H E S E F O U R S T E P S F O R D R E A M I N G O F , B O O K I N G A N D S E T T I N G O F F FOR THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME... THEN PACK THOSE BAGS AND GO! WRITER NATASHA GARBER : PHOTO AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

376 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

| JUST MARRIED

2

:

HONEYMOON |

HAVE FUN AS YOU PLAN

to honeymoon travel dates. And with good

As

planning,

reason: Most Houston wedding couples are

honeymoon planning should be enjoyable,

working folks, who have just spent tons of

exciting, full of anticipation and laughter—

time planning, then celebrating, their nuptial

it should not be a chore. Start your planning

event. Taking off immediately after the

by sitting down together and plotting out

wedding, often isn’t an option.

with

wedding

places you think you’d like to go. Make it a date night, or a series of them, and take the time as a couple to search locations,

the wedding—perhaps a jaunt to the Hill

potential honeymoon destinations.

Country, or a Gulf Coast getaway just a

you’ve

narrowed

down

two

or three locations, start to think about what kind of honeymoon vacation you would

1

MAKE

YO U R

prefer.

Determine

if

you

both

fantasized about for ages. You’ll have way

championship golf, downtime by the pool,

more fun on your Caribbean cruise, French

luxurious spa treatments—or, if you each

Polynesian island-hop or Tuscan wine

have things you’d like to enjoy individually

adventure, if you’re not worrying about

(it’s OK, you’re married, not joined at the

work deadlines or credit card bills.

sunset cocktails.

of planning your wedding, honeymoon

Also discuss the type of accommoda-

arrangements can sometimes take a back seat

tions you’d like. An all-inclusive property,

to big-day prep. But if you wait too long to plan

for example, can be more budget-friendly,

your honeymoon, or you neglect budgeting for

and is great if you prefer not to have to

your big trip, you may find yourself having to

arrange transportation or dining reserva-

compromise on location, dates and amenities.

tions every day, but can be limiting for

vendors, a professional travel agent can guide you to the best hotels and resorts in your dream honeymoon locale, snag you honeymoon amenities you don’t have access to yourselves (special suites, spa vouchers, a welcome bottle of bubbly, perhaps?), and direct you toward deals.

For optimal honeymoon planning, enlist a travel pro at the same time you start your wedding planning in earnest—typically about one year out. Doing so will ensure that when you’re ready to make your escape, you’ll be

has rebounded a bit), indulge in the

adventures,

outdoor

nities for romantic strolls, snuggles and

and save you time and money on booking

(and, perhaps, when your bank account

honeymoon—i.e.

PL ANNING A PRIORIT Y During

help you navigate your wedding decisions,

year, or whenever you have more time

dream vacation you and your boo have

hip), while still having plenty of opportu-

Just as a professional wedding planner will

short drive from town. Then, later in the

truly want the same experience on your

HONEYMOON

those heady, hectic months—sometimes years—

two- or three-day “mini-moon” right after

compare travel wish lists, and read up on Once

PHOTO:AMA PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

A great alternative: Take time for a

true adventurers. Boutique hotels, meanwhile, can offer lots of unique design,

4

TRAVEL IN STYLE Don’t take off

for

the

islands

with

that

threadbare bikini you’ve been wearing for three summers, your cozy “T-shirt bra”, or the backpack you lugged around Australia as a hostel-hopping college kid. While you don’t have to replace your entire wardrobe, your honeymoon is a great time to step it up a notch.

fun,

A good way to upgrade your travel gear

restaurants

is with your wedding gift registry. Houston’s

and other amenities common to larger

top registry retailers carry superb luggage

properties.

selections. Likewise, your bridal shower is

edgy but

elegance may

lack

and

sophisticated

on-property

When you have a few options in mind, share these with your travel agent, and collect information from her or him, then make another date (or two) to reconnect as a couple, review the details, and start to envision yourselves in…Paradise.

3

great for upgrading some of your lingerie with special pieces.

Fun additions include monogrammed “wet bags” for swimsuits and water gear, designer passport holders, travel tech holders, and elegant kits of your favorite prod-

FIGURE OUT WHEN TO TA K E O F F While honeymoons

ucts. And you might go ahead and pick up

traditionally have followed right on the tail of

you can dab on from time to time in years

a new fragrance—something different, that

booked, packed and ready to board, for the

the big celebration itself, today’s wedding

to come, to remind you both of your amaz-

most romantic getaway of your life.

couples are all over the map when it comes

ing honeymoon.

378 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

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REAL WEDDINGS

|

09.28.17

MR.& MR S. //BROOKE & WILEY //

COUPLE: Brooke Bessard & Wiley Graham I NUMBER OF GUESTS: 35 I WEDDING COLORS: Blush, Ivory & Gold PHOTOGRAPHY: Taylor Golden Photography I HONEYMOON: Venice & Paris

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS: Villa Eva / Ravello Events / Armando Malafronte / Brickhouse Bridal

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REAL WEDDINGS

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HER FAVORITE SIP:

coffee

HER FAVORITE SWEET:

bread pudding

HER FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

watching lsu football

WHAT SHE LOVES MOST ABOUT HIM:

his generosity and care for others

HIS FAVORITE SIP:

tawny port

HIS FAVORITE SWEET:

crème brûlée

HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY:

watching ncaa football on the couch with my wife WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT HER:

her exciting personality

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REAL WEDDINGS

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REAL WEDDINGS

|

Scrolling through photos of a friend’s wedding online, Wiley lingered over a photo he couldn’t get out of his mind: Brooke’s. “I was blown away,” he recounts. “I reached out with an extremely lame line, and after she noted that fact, we began talking every day.” Wiley’s surprise proposal at a Houston restaurant—“I had them print our hashtag, #adventuresofbrookeandwiley, on the bottom of the menu, and when she saw that, she was so excited it took her a minute to notice the ring in the cake,” the groom explains— eventually led the pair, and 35 of their closest friends and family members, to Italy’s Amalfi coast, for a “simple yet elegant” destination celebration that reflected their passion for adventure. Before the big day, Wiley’s proposal also led the couple to Weddings in Houston’s signature I Do! Wedding Soiree, where they met photographer Taylor Golden White, who became not only their photographer, but also their dear friend!

382 / W E D D I N G S I N H O U S T O N . C O M

// W E D D I N G R E S O U R C E //

DI RE CTORY ALTERATION S

Downtown Aquarium 74

The Villagio 95

MW Couture 213

The Gallery 59

Walden on Lake Houston

Kristin Johnston Bridal Tailoring 190

The Gardens at Madeley Manor 117

BEAUTY, HE A LTH & FITNE S S 2BPure - Hair & Makeup Artistry

By Lauren Falls 227 Bella Smiles Cosmetic and Family Dentistry 226 Donyale Traveling Makeup Artist 228 Forestwood Dental 227 Love, Dance Houston 234 KAX Salon OBC Nyoka Gregory Beauty 226 Radiance Advanced Skin & Beauty 225 BA R SERV ICE S Armandos Caters 293 Capitol Beverage Service 289

Waterpoint Premier Lakeside Venue 115

Heather’s Glen 34

Waters Edge 16-17

Hilton Americas-Houston 61

The Westin Galleria Houston 119

Hilton Houston North 66

The Westin Houston Memorial City 62

Hilton Houston Post Oak 35

The Westin Oaks Houston at the Galleria 119

The Hines Center 34

Willow Fork Country Club 87

The Historic Magnolia Ballroom 64

The Woodlands Resort &

Hotel Galvez & Spa 44 Hotel ZaZa Museum District 6-7 Hotel ZaZa Memorial City 19 The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa 4-5 Hughes Manor 63 Julia Ideson Library 57 JW Marriott Houston Downtown 31 Kemah Gardens 38 King River Ranch 131

B RIDAL & W E DDIN G S H O WS

Las Velas 67

The I Do! Wedding Soiree - IFC

The Lyceum 60

CEREM ONY & R E C E P TIO N 15 Acres 75 Agave Estates 25 Ashton Gardens 39 The Astorian 10-11 The Ballroom at Bayou Place 14-15 The Bell Tower on 34th 13 Boardwalk FantaSea Yacht Charters 110 The Bougainvilleas 73 Brennan’s of Houston 82 Briscoe Manor 65 Cadillac Bar 110 Chateau Cocomar 33 Chateau Polonez 58 Corinthian Houston 2-3 Crystal Ballroom at The Rice 71 The Culinary Institute of America at Copia 125 The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone 125 DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Downtown 88 DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Greenway Plaza 72

Golf & Country Club 87

The Grand Hall at Deer Lake Lodge 101

The Majestic Metro 99 Magnolia Hotel 103 The Manor House of Richmond 105 Marriott Houston North 86 The Meekermark 69 Moffitt Oaks 47 Northgate Country Club 88 Old Glory Ranch 132 Omni Houston Hotel 37 Ouisie’s Table 83 The Parador 30 Pecan Grove Plantation Country Club 87 Petroleum Club of Houston 32 Pine Forest Country Club 85

Conference Center 90 C A K E S & DE SSE RT S Cakes by Gina 291 Dessert Gallery Bakery & Cafe 289 Susie’s Cakes & Confections 285 Tiff’s Treats 290 Wink by Erica 290 C U L I N A R Y SE R VI CES Armandos Caters 293 Café Natalie Catering 287 Capitol Beverage Service 288 Cordua Catering 289 The Hometown Chef Catering Co. 286 Jackson and Company 283 Radio Milano IBC Sambuca/Sambuca Catering 145 D E S T I N A T I O N W EDDING & HO N EY M OO N The Culinary Institute of America at Copia 125 The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone 125 Hotel Galvez & Spa 44

The Revaire 79

The Grand Hall at Deer Lake Lodge 101 King

Red Oak Ballroom Houston/CityCentre 111

River Ranch 131

Sandlewood Manor 23

The Lyceum 60

Sheraton North Houston 86

Old Glory Ranch 132

Southern Lace Estates 127

Pompano Beach Club 377

The Space HTX 89

Southern Lace Estates 127

Sweetwater Country Club 87

The Terrace Club 130

The Terrace Club 130

The Tremont House 45

Texas Renaissance Festival 107 The Tremont House 45

// W E D D I N G R E S O U R C E //

DI RE CTORY FAV ORS & GIFTS

M U SI C & E N T E R T A I N M E N T

R E L AT I O N SH I P C OU NS ELING

Bering’s 319

Danny Ray and the Acoustic Production 341

The Relationship Firm 157

Kuhl-Linscomb 321

Dino John 328

My Soapgrams 322

Emerald City Band 329

VI D E OG R A P H Y

FL OWERS, DECO R & R E N TA LS

LG Event Entertainment & Production 327 Scott Graham Piano 328

Ama Photography & Cinema 348

Any Occasion Tents & Events 248

Dream Photo & Video 352

Blooms Design Studio 259

P HO T OG R A P H Y

Darryl & Co. 260-261

Adam Nyholt, Photographer 349

Dream Bouquet 255

Ama Photography & Cinema 348

W E D D I N G G OW NS & AT T IRE

E Johnston Designs 256

Civic Photos 353

Bella Bridesmaids 188

EB Inc. Event Rentals & Design 253

Dream Photo & Video 352

Flora & Eventi 249

Kelli Durham Photography 363

Glenwood Weber Design 257

Kelly Hornberger Photography 359

Haute Flowers & Events 263

Ryan R Jones Photogrpahy 367

Kristin Johnston Bridal Tailoring 190

KC Events & Florals 254

Taylor Golden Photography 350-351

Krystal Nicole Bridal Couture 191

LBL Events & Design 258 Plants N’ Petals 250-251 River Oaks Plant House 273 TnT Events, Flowers and Decorations 252 Todd Events 8-9

P HO T O BO O T H LG Event Entertainment & Production 327 R E H E AR SA L D I N N E R S & P R E - W E D D I N G C E LE B R A T I ON S

GIF T REGISTRY

15 Acres 144

Bering’s 319

Americas 144

Kuhl-Linscomb 321

Armandos 144

I N V ITATIONS Bering’s 319 Isabella Invitations 322

Briscoe Manor - The Barn 144 Brennan’s of Houston 144 Cadillac Bar 144 Churrascos 144

Ryan R Jones Photogrpahy 367

Houston Bridal Gallery 195 Joan Pillow Bridal Salon 189

MLD Limited 192 MW Couture 213 Now & Forever Bridal Boutique 193 Parvani Vida Bridal & Formal 197 W E D D I N G M I N I ST ERS Weddings Performed 157 W E D D I N G SE R VI CES A Day To Remember 154 Bourbon & Lace Event Services 158 Events de Luxe 156

J EWEL RY

Hilton Americas - Houston 144

Donoho’s Jewellers 24

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa 145

Gray & Associates Events 156

Eklektic Jewelry Studio 175

Last Concert Cafe 145

Grayhouse Events Atelier 155

Lewis Jewelers 21

Lawless Spirits & Kitchen 145

Kat Creech Events 153

Zadok Jewelers 173

McCormick & Schmick’s 145

W E B SI T E S

L IGH TING & SOU ND

Number 13 145

Bright Star Productions 274-275

Red Oak Ballroom - Houston/CityCentre 145

HoustonWeddingShows.com

LG Event Entertainment & Production 327

Sambuca 145

WeddingsInHouston.com

Waters Edge 145

your

LUXURY

source for planning the perfect wedding.

WEDDINGSINHOUSTON.COM

20 18

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