You’ve read his books, seen his awesome talent on display at events for J. Lo, Elton John and Tommy Hilfiger. You’ve fawned over him on Oprah and Tyra, and nodded empathetically at his sage advice on “My Fair Wedding.” And now you can slip into WOW gowns from his brand new bridal couture line, David Tutera by Faviana, when it makes its Houston debut at Maison de Mode this Friday through Sunday.
Bearing the tag line “Inspired by the red carpet, worn on the white carpet,” Tutera’s high-drama gowns are named for classic and current stars like Gwyneth, Audrey, Cameron and Marilyn. A few styles, like the fabulous, figure-hugging, floral-accented Eva, convert into shorter dresses for post-ceremony partying. So convenient!
Make sure to make your appointment now. This show is gonna be hotter than Houston in July. See you there!
We recently buzzed about vintage jewelry, which we love for its one-of-a-kind glamour—so perfectly suited to the once-in-a-lifetime wedding. Well, here’s another great way to incorporate vintage jewels into your wedding: your bouquet. Yeah, it’s a little unconventional. But that’s the beauty of it. That, and the fact that unlike cut flowers, a custom bouquet made out of heirloom jewelry will last forever, and can become an heirloom in its own right, passing along from generation to generation, bride to bride, for years to come.
Vintage-jewelry genius Noaki combs antique shops, estate sales, flea markets and other sources to find unique and exquisite heirloom jewelry, than hand-selects pieces and hand-wraps them into unbelievably gorgeous bridal bouquets. She can also incorporate your own family heirlooms and wedding colors, or create a special arrangement to match the theme of your wedding.
Check out more of her stunning wedding work here and here. Wow!
Who needs happy hour when there’s a fabulous bridal open house at The Club at Falcon Point, today from 5-8 p.m.? Get your drinkie & nibbles, and get a chance to check out a great potential venue for your 2011 wedding, all in one shot! You’ll be delighted at the manicured lawns, all-inclusive services and elegant reception space at this Katy favorite, and your visiting-from-out-of-town, golf-loving guests will get a major kick out of the much-admired Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge course. Bonus!
We know that Houston has the best wedding and event experts in the entire country. And now lots of other people do, too. That’s because two of our finest hometown wedding talents just won big at the annual National Association of Catering Executives Awards, held in Austin this year. Just in case you were wondering, NACE awards are to catering professionals what Oscars are to film actors, and believe us, Lisa Hopkins and Monique Studak are stars!
Hopkins, director of catering at the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, was named NACE’s Caterer Member of the Year, while Studak, of E&J Gallo Winery, took home the award for Event Professional of the Year. Fortunately for us, another awesome hometown talent, David Jones of D. Jones Photography, was there to capture these exciting moments for us, and you, to enjoy.
If you’re planning your wedding, and your path happens to cross with either of these amazing women, please be sure to offer your congratulations. And let us offer ours: Great job, gals!!
Top left, right: Lisa Hopkins; Bottom: Monique Studak
Here’s what we love about trash-the-dress photo shoots: the chance to get out into nature, in your gown, with your new hubby, for a series of pix that capture the sexy, exhilarating rush of newlywed romance in all its wild glory. Yowza. Here’s what we don’t love about the trash-the-dress photo shoots: um, trashing the dress.
It sounds awfully destructive, but a trash-the-dress photo shoot doesn’t actually have to involve turning your wedding gown into garbage. Depending on your bridal gown’s material and embellishments, it can usually be cleaned and preserved post-shoot (though it probably won’t retain its pristine pre-wedding glory, you’re not likely to wear it again anyway). And even if it can’t, it just may be worth the wow of a set of gorgeously sensual trash-the-dress photos.
These unbelievably romantic TDD pix from around the globe—which, depending on where you work, are kinda NSFW—say, “Oh, yes.”
Nothing to do this weekend? Yeah, right. When you’re a bride planning her wedding, there’s ALWAYS something to do. And this weekend, there are three more exclusive bridal events to add to your calendar, so mark the dates, grab a bridesmaid or two, and get out there. PS: RSVPs are always appreciated. But then, you knew that. You’re a bride-to-be, after all!
This Friday and Saturday, check out high-glamour, high-fashion, figure-hugging gowns from Simone Carvalli at Brickhouse Bridal, and get 15% off when you nab your Carvalli creation during this event!
For more information and to RSVP call 281.681.3430
Looking for the perfect indoor-outdoor wedding venue? Lakefront lawns and opulent ballroom space for up to 350 of your nearest and dearest await you at the conveniently located WestLake Club. Come see it (and taste it!) for yourself this Saturday.
WestLake Club Bridal Open House
Saturday, August 21, 2010
11AM to 1PM
570 Westlake Park Blvd.
Houston, TX 77079
For more information or to RSVP call 281.556.5100 or e-mail
It may be located on 80 spectacular rural acres in Cypress, but Northwest Forest has all the modern amenities to make your wedding the event of a lifetime. Check out its unique ceremony and reception spaces—we especially love the Old West-style Settlement House with its big ol’ Texas-size ballroom and delightful wraparound porch—this Sunday afternoon.
Northwest Forest Bridal Open House
Sunday, August 22, 2010
2PM to 4PM
12715 Telge Road
Cypress, TX 77429
For more information or to RSVP call 281.256.4249 or e-mail
We always say the best wedding ideas are born and bred in Texas! Like Three Designing Women, for instance. The Dallas-based boutique stamp-and-stationery company—already a favorite of ours for its monogram embossers and gorgeous custom stamps—just introduced a fabulous Wedding Design Kit that makes personalizing your wedding stationery a snap. Included in the kit are a self-inking stamper, ink cartridge, six stylish interchangeable stamp designs and a variety of stationery that’s just waiting for your imprint—or use your own stationery if you prefer. Pair the kit with an elegant embosser, and you’re all set to personalize save-the-dates, bridesmaids’ gifts, thank-you notes, favors and more.
We know it’s hard to think about cold weather when the heat index is hitting 105 and the air is more liquid than gas…in other words, Houston in August. But all you winter brides (you know who you are) have less planning time left than you might think. Which means you better start thinking about how you’re going to stylishly cover up those bare bridal shoulders and arms when our temps FINALLY take a dip, as they tend to do, November through February.
Here’s a suggestion: Crank up the A/C, pour yourself a frosty beverage—heck, plunk yourself down into an ice-water bath (not just refreshing, but GREAT for the pores). Whatever you do, just cool off before you check out these lovely winter wedding outerwear ideas. Brrr…. in a good way!
We love the Old-Hollywood glamour of this marabou wedding stole, which gets an added bit of pretty from a chiffon-scarf front tie.
This snug, sophisticated faux-fur shoulder wrap has a handy hook-and-eye closure for easy on and off. And it’s a steal at under 60 bucks!
A longer faux-mink style from another one of our Etsy faves, Vldana. Be sure to check out her other items—she makes lovely wedding capelets and wedding shawls, too!
There’s a dreamy, lavish, Dr. Zhivago-esque romance to this faux-fur-trimmed wedding cloak, don’t you think? Matching muff included!
For lighter coverage, we’re wild about this gorgeous ruffle-edged double silk taffeta stole. Wrap it up, we’ll take it!
We’re big fans of bridal designer Judd Waddell’s “Notice the woman first, the dress second” philosophy of wedding gown design. After all, what bride wants to be upstaged by her own dress??
If you like the idea of crisp, chic, refined elegance and impeccable, understated detailing, designed by one of the best in the biz (not to mention the former head of bridal for Carolina Herrera), you might want to make an appointment to visit Mia Bridal Couture this Friday or Saturday, when Judd Waddell gowns are in town for an exclusive trunk show.
And lest we need remind you: Get 15% off when you purchase your Judd Waddell gown during this special event. Cha-ching!
The best way to look like one of those gorgeous brides you see in magazines is to take advantage of the same kind of professional talent they do. A skilled makeup artist will make sure that you look fresh, polished and vivacious on film…while still looking beautiful, and not overly made-up, in person. A pro will also take the pressure off of YOU on your wedding day, and allow you an hour or two to just sit still, relax and be pampered and attended to. And trust us, you’re gonna need it!
But what about all those other occasions that make up your wedding celebration? Because we KNOW you want to look drop-dead beautiful for those engagement parties, showers, bachelorette bashes, cocktail soirees and other pre-wedding events, we’ve gathered up a few of our favorite video makeup tutorials to help you DIY your way to WOW.
For a quick, easy flawless foundation look:
For a killer smoky eye in shades of metallic gray and black:
Another smoldering smoky eye, beautiful for Asian eyes:
Actually a bridal makeup tutorial, but we love it for a flawless daytime or evening event look…so pretty!
