Outdoor weddings have so much going for them: natural light, open space, gorgeous views, a clean slate for decorating… Need we go on? Of course, this being Houston, outdoor weddings also have a few additional challenges, the biggest of which is the potential for weather—as in really bad weather. But with careful planning and a few key wedding essentials, an al fresco Houston wedding is not just possible, it can be pretty darn close to perfect. Don’t plan your outdoor celebration without first perusing our must-have wedding essentials, from Prestigious Event Rentals’ weather-resistant tents and rentals, to Jacqueline Chapelle’s truly unique designer canopies to pretty-and-practical twirlers from the wonderful Pamela’s Parasols. We also love SoleMates, whose heel protectors and be-prepared kit are the perfect pairing for the outdoor Houston bride (and her grateful ’maids). Throw in a few Thermacell lanterns—which give off a golden glow, and get rid of pesky mosquitoes—and you’ll be able to face the elements fearlessly!
Yes, wedding planners do get married, too! And when they do, you can expect greatness. The November wedding of the lovely and talented Aurora Perez, owner of event planning firm Occasio Productions (a Weddings in Houston vendor partner), is a perfect example. Warm, intimate, and—let’s face it—totally exquisite, Aurora and now-hubby Derek Smith’s nuptials pay homage to the couple’s shared passion for 1930s and 1940s glamour and romance. Following a music-filled hotel pool-deck ceremony, the wedding reception, at the ’30s-era Backstreet Café, featured lace tablecloths, antique candlesticks, crystal chandeliers, lavender cocktails and plenty of peacock and ostrich accents—all enticingly complemented by the patio setting’s curling vines and bubbling fountains. When not dining at tables named for ’30s and ’40s Spanish ballads (which live performers sang tableside to the delight of guests), celebrants luxuriated on lounge furnishings from Darryl & Co., and nibbled slices from an insanely gorgeous “peacock” cake from Edible Designs by Jessie. We invite you enjoy this truly lovely wedding—and to tap into the talents of Occasio Productions for your own wedding celebration! Oh, and here’s a suggestion: Vintage-loving brides who are looking for bouquet inspiration might want to pin a pic of Aurora’s ribbon-wrapped purple-calla-and-feather creation…simply stunning. We’re so thankful to Aurora and Derek for sharing their most joyful occasion with us, and to J. Cogliandro Photography for evocative photos of this vintage-chic wedding. Congratulations, and happiest wishes to the newlyweds!
Photography: J. Cogliandro Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Sue Wong from Saks Fifth Avenue ~ Bride’s Hair: Meghan Lee at Ceron Spa ~ Bride’s Makeup: Amber Livingston ~ Cake: Edible Designs by Jessie ~ Invitations, Menu Cards & Favors: Katie & Co. ~ Flowers: Special Arrangements ~ Lace Linens: Custom from Elegant Beginnings ~ Lounge Seating: Darryl & Co. ~ Jewelry: Dickinson by Design ~ Videography: 31Films ~ Ceremony Venue: Hotel Granduca
~ Reception Venue: Backstreet Cafe
You came, you saw, you sipped, you swooned. And we could not have been more delighted to watch your happy faces as you indulged in the beauty of the April 26 I Do! Bridal Soiree at The Corinthian: The Manzanita-tree entrance by Plants ’n Petals? The ga-ga-gorgeous displays by Events in Bloom,Darryl & Co. and Village Flowery? The mingling models showing off gowns from Houston’s top salons? The splendid culinary stations by Jackson and Company (with nary a chafing dish in sight!)? Very special thanks to Boyd Bryan, director of The Corinthian, along with Jackson Hicks and the entire staff of Jackson and Company. Big thanks, too, to David Jones and Laura Burlton of D. Jones Photography, and to Farhan, Chris and Ty of A&A Video Productions, for capturing this spectacular show in all its magic. Additional thanks go to The Perfect Touch Linens, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Charming Charlie, and to Jonny Black Productions for providing music and serving as emcee of this unforgettable evening.
Look to our upcoming July print issue for more highlights from our first-ever I Do! Bridal Soiree at The Corinthian. And in the meanwhile, have a look at just-released D. Jones Photography images of our April cocktails-and-couture event—complete gallery on Facebook. We welcome you to pin, tweet, post and share!
Is it dessert? Is it decor? Is it…ART? Wherever you come down on the wedding cake debate, we can all agree that a cool cake topper adds a delightful personal touch to your wedding cake—and your entire wedding day. Love your pooch? There’s a topper for that. Wanna show a little Lone Star love? You’ve got your pick of Texas-theme toppers. Vintage porcelain, twisted twigs, Swarovski crystals—your topper options are endless. So please don’t leave that cake naked on its big night. Top it! Perhaps with one of these darling cake topper picks? Links @ photo credits!
It’s no secret how much we here at HWB love Hill Country weddings—like Jana & Buddy’s, Lauren & Zach’s, Juli & Kyle’s…and on and on. But did you know what a great resource Hill Country is for other wonderful wedding stuff, besides scenic venues?
Along with the allure of Austin, the area’s international influences and the recent boom in winemaking have made it a mecca for gourmands, gastronomes and folks who just plain crave true Texas flavor. Fortunately for us, this renowned region is right in our backyard. We highly recommend scouting Hill Country for welcome-basket goodies, dessert-table treats and take-home favors that will give your wedding guests a taste of Texas that is as sweet to look upon as it is delicious to devour. Our faves include Austin’s ridiculously adorablicious (yeah, we made it up) Tiny Pies and favor-sensation Gracious Bridal (they do edibles as well as non–with packaging to die for). ‘Course for down-home delish, nothing beats Fredericksburg’s Rustlin’ Robs–who, after all, can resist zippy Black-Eyed Pea Relish or perfect Pecan Pie Filling-in-a-Jar? Take to the hills, Houston bride!
Everything about Houston couple Jessica and Richard’s autumn winery wedding is so sumptuously seasonal, so elegantly festive, yet so full of handmade warmth and simple sweetness…we are utterly smitten. It doesn’t surprise us one bit that Jessica used Pinterest for much of her inspiration, from her spray-painted wine bottle table numbers to those pretty pumpkin centerpieces. “My sister-in-law and I worked several weekends creating decor,” Jessica told us. “And my bridesmaids helped with all the final touches. I will say though, not everything is how you plan it, so a few mishaps happened that I am thankful I only noticed after the fact!” That adorable banner gracing the head table, for instance? It was supposed to read “mr & mrs” rather than the other way around. But bride Jessica is so easygoing about the oops: “Maybe we’ll start a new feminist movement at wedding receptions!” We love it. The same way we love everything about this absolutely gorgeous fall wedding, with its echoes of Halloween, its whimsical sense of romance—and most of all, the wonderful couple at its heart, Jessica and Richard. As for these stunning photos, big thanks goes to the wildly talented Sarah Ainsworth of Sarah Ainsworth Photography, an HWB fave photographer, and, in the words of bride Jessica, “simply put, our best investment.”
They’re slated to be featured in the May 5 Houston Chronicle as the “Business of the Week.” And today they’re our bridal couture pick of the day! Check out The Princess Bridal’s runway run at the I Do! Bridal Soiree @ InterContinental, featuring ruffles aplenty, prettiness in pink, and lovely long veils. Designers on display include Blue by Enzoani, Allure Couture and Essence of Australia. Beautiful, aren’t they?
Photos (left, The Bird and the Bear Bistro; right, Ouisie’s Table) Courtesy Ouisie’s Table
What’s more delicious than fantasy wedding tablescapes, Italian delicacies, fine wine and bubbly, live entertainment, and more than 35 of Houston’s finest wedding experts and vendors gathered under one gloriously regal roof? All that and a $100 dinner for two at one of Houston’s hottest dining spots—The Bird and the Bear Bistro, from the fine folks at Ouisie’s Table.
A word about Ouisie’s Table—this beautiful Highland Village restaurant, composed of numerous indoor and outdoor dining and celebration spaces, is one of our favorite spots for rehearsal dinners, bridal lunches, day-after brunches, and yes, intimate, elegant, cuisine-focused weddings. While each room has its own unique personality and ambiance, Ouisie’s service and upscale Southern-with-a-twist food are uniformly flawless.
Which is why we were so excited when Ouisie’s debuted its exciting new Westheimer bistro, The Bird and the Bear, last fall. Never been? Think chic black-white-and-red room, bistro fare (escargot, foie gras, roasted salmon), and plenty of Ouisie’s Southern influence. Want to win? We’re giving away dinner for two (a $100 value), to one lucky bride who 1.) snaps up her I Do! Bridal Soiree @ The Corinthian tickets by midnight tonight and 2.) *likes* us on Facebook.
All brides who have purchased I Do! tickets between start of presale and midnight tonight are entered to win. Winner announced Wednesday on Facebook. Good luck, brides.
And we look forward with great pleasure to meeting you on Thursday!
Archetype Studio’s Terilyn Brown describes bride Lacey as “vibrant, beautiful, and so easy to get a long with—she has a great sense of humor and a wonderful laugh!” And we can see that spark in every single frame from Lacey’s bridal shoot, which kicked off at the San Antonio resort where her fiancé Brian works. Eventually, the shoot made its way to Terilyn and husband/photographer Koby Brown’s Kendalia ranch property, where the plaster walls and wavy glass windows of a 100+-year-old German rock house offered a perfect backdrop for the radiant bride. We asked Brown to tell us one wonderful thing about this shoot, and she smiled: “Lacey’s shoes. I love them. They have hearts on the bottom.” ’Nuff said.
The Thursday, April 26, I Do! Bridal Soiree at The Corinthian is less than a week away, and we are so excited about our newest I Do! event, we can hardly stand it. The drama and grandeur of The Corinthian, the magnificent tablescapes, the incredible Jackson and Company cuisine and cocktails, the live entertainment and luxurious lounge ambiance…seriously, we are all aflutter.
So…to share our excitement, we’re giving away a BLISSFUL WEEKEND ONE-NIGHT STAY FOR 2 at Austin’s serene, scenic and spa-tacular Lakeway Resort to one lucky I Do! @ The Corinthian attendee. Our prize includes luxurious king-room accommodations plus breakfast at tranquil Lakeway Resort, home of the superb San Saba Spa.
Simply purchase your I Do! @ The Corinthian tickets by midnight tonight, Friday, April 20, and *Like* us on Facebook (if you haven’t yet), and you are automatically entered to win. All brides who have purchased presale tickets and have become a FB fan by tonight’s deadline are entered. Our randomly selected winner will be announced Monday on Facebook.
Good luck…and we look forward, with great anticipation, to meeting you @ I Do!
