A little Greek goddess, a little Midsummer Night’s Dream, a dash of vintage elegance, a smidge of Cinderella and a LOT of detail, detail, detail. That’s the word on this season’s new crop of wedding frocks, Houston bride.
Whether you decide on a flouncy ballgown or an ethereal empire-waist column—both are big for 2010 weddings—the season’s best wedding dresses offer a bounty of truly extraordinary accents from handmade fabric flowers (Augusta Jones) to bodacious bows (Vera Wang) to zillions of organza pleats (Oscar de la Renta) to oceans of tulle (Jim Hjelm). And more.
These dresses are a lot of things…but slick and sleek they’re not. Neither is the new look in wedding-day hair.
Our favorite new wedding hairstyles are very feminine and very elegant but never ever fussy or stiff. Allow us to show you:
This year’s Golden Globes gals had the right idea about updos. Check out these sensational styles—formal and refined, but with a natural touch. Perfection.
Golden Globe Updos
Oh, Carrie, we’d love your hair even if you yanked it back and tied it with a sweat sock. Fortunately, you’ve got way more style than that. And this half-updo with side-combed straight bangs and rivers of soft curls is one we want to steal for our big day!
Carrie Underwood
Feast your eyes on this fabulous down-low updo with bangs. So graceful, so pretty, so perfect for showing off our lovely shoulders in our strapless ballgown… Gorgeous!
Black Hair Wedding Updo
Here’s another nape-level updo we love. Soft, pretty and special-occasion fancy when accented with seed-pearl, Swarovski crystal or other sparkly hair jewelry or accessories.
Nape Updo
As for braid styles, we can’t get enough of them. There’s an obvious wow-factor to these complicated-looking creations, but also an earthy, sensual sweetness that is a perfect complement to the season’s dreamy, fairytale gowns.
Braids
Like these looks? Got a lead on more examples? Let your sister brides-to-be know. Post your comments here!
We here at the Houston Wedding Blog love diamonds. Know what we love even more? FREE diamonds! That’s why we’re so excited about Whiteflash.com’s Valentine’s Day giveaway contest, which you can enter to win at celebrity style site Stylit.TV.
Here’s the scoop: Whiteflash is giving away two gorgeous diamond pendants, both created with “A Cut Above” conflict-free diamonds. These brilliant diamonds are cut so precisely that their facet reflections overlap, creating distinct heart-and-arrow patterns when seen through a special viewer. One lucky entrant will win the stunning “One Heart for Two” platinum-diamond pendant (worth $1,100!), and another will score the dazzling “Essence II” diamond pendant (worth $395!).
Check out this video for more details…and don’t forget to email a link to your fiancé!
Thomas Markle Jewelers may not be giving away bling, but your groom-to-be sure can pick up a little some’n some’n sparkly from TMJ—if you point the way. So drop a subtle hint that you wouldn’t mind, say, a Diamond Key Pendant from TMJ’s Thomas Markle Couture collection. Or casually mention that you’re a fan of the lovely Lagos Key Pendant (both come with a complimentary box of Godiva chocolates to sweeten an already yummy deal). He gets help figuring out what to give you on this all-important Valentine’s-Day-before-the-wedding, you get, you know, GORGEOUS JEWELRY, and we get to say we told you so! Smiles all around…
With Valentine’s Day coming up, we totally understand if you’ve got just one dessert on your mind right now, Houston bride—all that chocolate you’ll be eating on February 14, of course!
But we don’t blame you if you’re fantasizing about gorgeous towering cakes and debating fondant and buttercream. After all, what Houston bride (or wedding guest, for that matter) doesn’t love a great wedding cake?
We haven’t met any.
We have, however, met quite a few Houston brides—and wedding guests—who can’t get enough of the wedding cakes and other goodies at Three Brothers Bakery.
We can see why: For five generations, this family-run bakery has been whipping up some of Houston’s finest baked goods for bar and bat mitzvahs, family and corporate events, and oh yes, weddings. Though Three Brothers suffered some pretty serious damage during Hurricane Ike, they’ve rebuilt and are better than ever, giving brides a touch of personal attention you won’t find at many other places. Give them a picture of your wedding dress, your china pattern, or even the ballroom where you’re getting married, and Three Brothers will design your cake to match. Check out some of the cakes in the slideshow below:
Tell Three Brothers all about your fiancé’s most serious obsessions—oil, Houston Rockets basketball, Vegas—and they’ll create a groom’s cake so over-the-top that you might not want to eat it.
But you should! Every cake at Three Brothers is made-from-scratch and, oh, are they tasty! And if you or your guests keep kosher or need a dairy cake, this is the place to go.
The cakes aren’t the only reason we love Three Brothers, though. We also love this hometown bakery’s charitable ways. After Hurricane Katrina, Three Brothers’ owner Janice Jucker worked to get telecommunications equipment donated so that evacuees could track down their friends and family. And Jucker—herself a breast cancer survivor—is a big supporter of the Susan G Komen Foundation’s Houston affiliate. The bakery even sells pink ribbon cakes, cupcakes, and cookies.
So when Jucker—who runs the bakery with her husband Robert and his Aunt Estelle—was named Woman Business Owner of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners in October, we weren’t the slightest bit surprised. But we were very happy to see someone who’s helped give so much to Houston brides get a little something in return. You go, girl!
If you’re one of those lucky gals who just got a cool new iPhone this holiday season, take note: Your phone can do more than call, text, e-mail, shoot, guide, play, look up, add up, alert, inform and entertain. Why, that ingenious little handful of technology can help you plan your wedding, too!
Wedding-related iPhone apps abound—some made specifically for wedding planning, some just natural fits for the planning-mode bride—and, as with all apps, some are simply better than others. To help you decide which app is best for you, we’ve noted a few of our favorites:
iWedding Deluxe
This turnkey planning app (it replaces the earlier iWedding app) includes such handy features as a fully customizable to-do list, scheduler, auto or manual budget tracker, guest detail section, invitation status tracker, gift tracker and inspiration/ideas section. We’re big fans of the home screen Quickview Binder, which provides fast access to to-dos, notes, budget and photos.
iBridalGown
So many gowns, such a useful app! When you shop at a local bridal salon, enter detailed info on the gowns you’re considering—style, silhouette, fabric, price, etc.—along with notes on any special features or thoughts you might have about each gown (“very Audrey Hepburn a la ‘My Fair Lady,’” “better w/no straps?” “Brad’s gonna LOVE it,” etc.). Also lets you take and organize gown pix (first make sure the salon allows pre-purchase photos—many don’t).
Etsy Addict
The vintage craze is in full swing for 2010 weddings, and there’s no better place to find unique, handmade, vintage-inspired wedding fashion, accessories and décor than at that haven of all things handmade, Etsy. A mere buck buys you this awesome app, which lets you browse Etsy listings by category, view listing details including materials and price, and instantly grab limited-edition listings before another buyer beats you to it. A recent visit to Etsy turned up such fantastic finds as handmade wedding bands, gorgeous Art Deco jewelry and—so cool—wedding gowns from Project Runway Season 6 finalist Carol Hannah. If these sorts of handmade treasures appeal to you, get your hands on this app, pronto!
(A post from guest blogger Tom Jackobs, CPT, RFS, renowned Houston fitness expert, Wedding Workout creator and owner of Body3 Fitness Center)
There’s a running joke in the fitness industry (and many bets) as to how long trainers will be busy in January before all the “resolutioners” fizzle out.
I think I figured out what the problem is. In my observation, when new brides-to-be come to the gym with the resolution of “getting into shape,” they don’t have a clear goal or action plan.
If you are determined to get fit, but don’t know quite how to go about it, let me help you refine that goal and create an action plan to get you there so you don’t quit after three weeks (which is the average time it takes to give up on a resolution).
1. Establish a clear goal: For example, “I want to lose 10 pounds of fat in 5 weeks.” Be specific, have a time frame AND make it realistic (1-2 pounds per week is a realistic and sustainable weight loss expectation.)
2. Create an action plan:
Day 1: Cardio 25 minutes at moderate intensity, or group fitness class.
Day 2: Resistance training, such as a machine circuit, a boot camp or a full-body dumbbell workout.
Day 3: Cardio 25 minutes of interval work (30 seconds fast run followed by 1 minute of recovery walk).
Day 4: Hit the weights again.
Day 5: Light cardio 30 minutes.
Day 6: Cardio or weights…your choice.
3. Implement the plan and reward yourself for weekly milestones.
4. Celebrate success with a massage!
Go questions, comments or a pre-wedding weight-loss success story that will inspire other brides in the same boat? Post as comments here. All questions will be answered!
For more detailed and personalized help including personal training and boot camps, email tom@body3fit.com or call 281.667.3648. And while you’re at it, sign up for a free Wedding Dress Workout at www.weddingworkouthouston.com.
For years, the formula for Houston brides to look (and feel) picture-perfect on their wedding day has included a great dress, killer shoes, sparkly jewels, a mani-pedi, a great makeup artist and hairstylist, and the removal of unwanted hairs. We’ll gladly take the first six things on that list, but honestly, we’d prefer to skip the last one. Really, what Houston bride really wants to endure the sting of waxing, tweezing, or shaving—much less the scent of some depilatory?
None we know.
That’s why we’re such big fans of Cleopatra’s Secret, a spa that removes unwanted hair using a technique called body sugaring. To develop this sweet alternative to waxing, owner Ati Shafik borrowed from ancient hair-removal techniques used in her native Egypt. Her all-natural, patent-pending formula consists of sugar, lemon, and water. So you can mark harmful chemicals and preservatives off your list of pre-wedding worries. Ditto for red bumps, which disappear within an hour of sugaring.
And because the formula is warm rather than hot, clients here let out sighs of “Ahhh…” rather than the inevitable “OUCH!” produced by waxing. Yes, Houston brides, that’s what happens when you’ve got no chance of getting burned. Just ask the hundreds of Cleopatra’s regulars—and the Houston brides and grooms who have come here to get picture-perfect.
Consider yourself warned, though: A visit to Cleopatra’s Secret will leave your skin feeling awfully soft and smelling sweet. Even better: you don’t have to wait until those last frantic days before your big day to reap the benefits of sugaring. That’s because Cleopatra’s Secret removes hair from the roots for 5 to 7 weeks.
So where do you have hair that you’d rather not show up in your wedding pictures? You name it, and Cleopatra’s Secret has you covered—brows, nose, ears, sideburns, lips, chin, neckline, underarms, arms, hands, shoulders, legs, knees, and feet. And if you’re thinking beyond the wedding photos, rest assured: The spa can remove hair from parts of your body that your wedding photographer won’t capture.
Don’t know why, but we’re in a musical mood today. Maybe it’s because we were just grooving to this sweetly hilarious song (scroll down to Bulletin Board) from KRBE’s Special K and Phoenix created specially for Roula Christie and hubby Tasos Kostas in honor of their recent wedding (how cool is THAT)?
Well, whatever the reason, we’re all excited to talk tunes—specifically, slightly offbeat, but truly sensational alternatives to the standard Ceremony Strings, Cocktail Combo, Party DJ triumvirate.
OK, so everyone loves a good string section at a wedding ceremony. But instead of lulling guests with the sonorous sounds of acoustic music, why not go electric? We’re not talking Hendrix here, but instead the marvelously deep, rich sound of an electric harp. Or how about an electric violin, assisted by a loop station, which lets the performer play multiple parts in real time—along the lines of this violinist, playing Pachelbel’s Canon in D , an enduring ceremony favorite. Imagine how beautiful this would sound in your ceremony site…
As for the cocktail interlude before the big bash, we love the idea of music with a theme. You might not want to have bluegrass fiddlers or a tabla-sitar combination or soundtrack music from your favorite science fiction flicks for the ENTIRE night, but the cocktail reception is a great place to personalize your wedding with music that means something special to you and your new spouse. Coordinate hors d’oeuvre and/or specialty cocktails with your themed music for a true guest treat!
At dinner, it’s all about dancing. But that doesn’t mean you have to stick strictly to pop classics, beloved oldies and wedding standards, Houston bride. Have your DJ mix it up a little with music that might be unfamiliar or unexpected—but is irresistible to dancers. We’re fans of Egyptian belly-dancing music, Bhangra remixes, Turkish Darbuka drumming, Cuban hip-hop, South African choir music, Southern gospel—we could go on and on, but our feet are tired!
Just promise us one thing: No Chicken Dance. Really.
We know about you, Houston bride: You’ve got a flair for style, and you’re making sure every little detail on your wedding day has your name written all over it. Shoes, dress, and jewels? Check, check, check. First dance song? Check. Place cards? Obvi.
But what about your invitations? Have you found some that show off your unique style and really set the tone for the wedding you’re planning?
What’s that, Houston bride? You’re still looking? Well, then we insist: Stop flipping through those big books of invitations and head directly to Tad + Faboo’s Web site. Run by husband and wife duo, Tad and Heather Griffin, this Houston paperie and stationery studio works with brides to design elegant save-the-dates, wedding invitations, menus, cocktail napkins, escort cards, thank you notes, shower invites, programs, and more.
Looking for an invitation with pockets? They can design one for you. Looking for an eco-friendly save-the-date? They can take care of that, too.
Have we mentioned that Tad + Faboo specializes in Letterpress Printing? Oh, yes, Houston bride, this boutique invitation studio knows how to put on the charm.
Letterpress might not be your thing, of course, and the Griffins know this. That’s why they also offer traditional offset printing.
Brides who use Tad + Faboo have two options for selecting invitations: If you’re on a budget, try Tad + Faboo’s stock collection. You can get any of the invitations, and other stationery from their collection, customized to match your wedding color palette. Or, if you’re looking for something truly one-of-a-kind and have a little dough to spare, consider opting for Tad + Faboo’s custom design option. This way, you’ll get exactly the invitation you’ve dreamed of in the colors you want, with the flair you want. And no other Houston bride will have an invitation quite like yours.
What matters most at Tad + Faboo is that your wedding stationery radiates your unique wedding style or theme. Your big day is about you, after all.
That’s why Tad and Heather spend one to three hours getting to know their brides and grooms before they ever begin the design process. And they make two complimentary rounds of revisions before they print your invitations. With that sort of commitment to their brides, we practically want to marry Tab + Faboo!
Best known as the suave and style-savvy director of bridal and special events for crystal/china leader Waterford Wedgwood, Jorge Perez has gotten into gowns. That’s right, the wedding-gifts guru—you may remember when we sat down with him to talk registry trends–has debuted his wedding gown line, Jorge Perez de la Habana, which will be available to brides in early January.
Cuban-born Perez draws inspiration from his grandmother, who sketched and created intricate gowns for family members for quinceañeras, weddings and other special events. Marked by a “1950s Havana” feel, and embellished with brilliant Swarovski crystals and other luxurious details, Perez’s gowns have vintage appeal, along with a good dose of va-va-voom. We even spotted one “wow” gown with a bejeweled, transparent midriff! While a see-through wedding dress might not be every girl’s cup of tea (served in Wegwood china, of course), more than a few fashionable Houston brides are sure to be enticed by Perez’s ruffled trains, sparkling bodices and lavish Latin flair.
For now, Jorge Perez de la Habana is available from Kleinfeld Manhattan…but we have no doubt these spectacular gowns will be coming to a boutique near us soon.
These days, taffeta, floral arrangements, and seating charts are probably just about the only things on your mind. But what about all the days and years after the big day—you know, married life? If you haven’t prepared for that, take note, Houston bride: Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church offers a four-week Married Life Prep class to help you and your soon-to-be-hubby navigate your so-called happily ever after.
And get this: the class is free. Think of it as the gift of marriage insurance: According to some statistics, taking a premarital class increases your marriage’s chances of lasting by a whopping 50 percent!
For two hours each Sunday morning, you and about 25 other couples will learn how to manage conflicts, nurture admiration for and closeness to your honey, and enjoy sex for many years to come. If you need some guidance in managing money—and who doesn’t?—you can also sign up for a three-session Married Life Money course.
Both classes are taught by Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church’s Minister of Families and Relationships, Brett Hurst, and his wife Kellie. With more than 22 years of marriage under their belt (and two teenagers to boot), the Hursts have plenty of funny anecdotes about married life to share. Throughout the class, they also show movie clips and draw on Scripture as well as leading scholars’ research on marriage. Don’t think of this as school though: You and your guy will get plenty of one-on-one time during Married Life Prep sessions; you’ll also get to know other newlyweds and soon-to-be-weds who face similar challenges.
So when should you take Married Life Prep? Some couples take the class after their wedding. “They may get more out of it because they have the stress of planning the perfect wedding behind them,” says Brett. But it’s generally a good idea to take the class before you tie the knot. You don’t even have to be engaged yet. “Once you’re married, you’re often off and running,” says Brett. “But we spend a lot of time encouraging our students to continue to be students of relationships and marriage because we don’t think couples grow closer unless they’re doing so very intentionally.”
So what are you waiting for? Grab your man and call Patty Leonard at 713.490.0931 to sign up for the next Married Life Prep class.
