We don’t mean to interrupt your well-deserved Labor Day lounging around, but you may want to take a sec to mark your calendar. This Thursday, Sept. 9, wedding-planning firm extraordinaire A Day To Remember –you know them for their glorious cakes, gorgeous flowers and impeccable event planning–celebrates its 10^th anniversary in high style…and you’re invited!

Festivities start at 6 p.m. at the truly spectacular Villa Rinata, and last until the last guest leaves (now that’s OUR kinda party!). Houston brides and their entourages fortunate enough to attend will find themselves surrounded by fine food and drink, awesome entertainment, great door prizes and swag, swag, swag.

As you can imagine, space is limited. So if you’re a bride-to-be who’s looking for amazing wedding ideas, while simultaneously taking a break from the hard work of wedding planning, make sure to RSVP, PDQ!

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!

Photos by Lindsey Joy and Claire D.

The best thing about a daytime wedding? Well, beyond the fact that it’s a perfect lead-in to a let-your-hair-down, informal evening gathering, and that it allows weary revelers to get their beauty rest, having a daytime wedding, especially a Sunday daytime wedding, can save you a bundle on venue rental fees. Which means you’ve got that much more budget to allocate to things like floral, linen and décor. And trust us, you’re going to be grateful that you do. Because as far as elegance, artistry and luxury are concerned, the bright blue sky’s the limit for today’s daytime wedding.

We’ve collected a few breathtakingly beautiful examples to inspire the daytime bride in you!

How sweet is this Texas-style Southern California backyard wedding featured on 100 Layer Cake? The hand-lettered signs and bright, funky floral arrangements add so much warmth and whimsy to this joyful fête.

Photo: Michelle King

Also from 100 Layer Cake, here’s a showcase wedding design that was featured at a recent bridal show at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. We particularly love the “vintage concept” tabletop, with those antique vases and mix-n-match china. And the Hostess Sno Balls? Lordy, too cute!

Photo by Scott Clark Photo & Robert Wagner

This South African wedding, featured over at Junebug Weddings, is so simple and elegant. The pristine white-and-silver color scheme is lovely, especially with those small touches of green in the succulent and wildflower centerpieces.

Photo by Christine Meintjes

And lastly, here’s a completely different take on the daytime white wedding, from the ever-stylish Style Me Pretty. We adore everything from the monochromatic box centerpieces (perfect for rectangular banquet tables), to the white chiavari chairs, to the sea-glass plates and personal apple pies. So homey, yet so chic.

Photo by Bello Photography

Events in Bloom - Photo: D. Jones

If you’re one of the more than 1,000 lucky brides and assorted family and friends who attended the Jan. 24 Before You Say … “I Do!” soiree, you’re probably still reeling from the thrill of the experience. We know we are.

This year’s show featured nearly 80 in-demand Houston wedding experts and purveyors of wedding beauty and bounty (thank goodness for that
Java Pura coffee bar…with so much to see and such divine cuisine and drink from the ever hospitable Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, we needed a caffeine kick or two!)

We want to thank the wonderful Lisa Hopkins, director of catering for The Houstonian, and her amazing staff, without whom the soiree would not have been possible. And this year’s show wasn’t just possible, it was “fabulous,” notes Weddings in Houston publisher Radhika Day. “Gorgeous weather, great turnout and incredible displays” were all on hand, she says. As for those designer tablescapes and cake displays? “They were show stopping! And the cocktail reception was a big hit with the brides.” Shocker, huh? But it was the Houston BoyChoir, which performed on stage just before the spectacular soiree fashion show, that really wowed the crowd. As Day says, “Their angelic faces and beautiful voices stole the show!”

Houston Boychoir - Photo: Nhan

We’ll have more Before You Say … “I Do!” wrap coverage coming up, but take a look at these photos for a little taste of our sweetest soiree yet!

Mia Bridal Couture - Photo: Nhan

Bring you mother, sister, maid of honor, fiancé…or the whole crew, and enjoy cocktails, gourmet nibbles, spectacular tablescapes, gorgeous cakes, a stunning bridal fashion show, door prizes and special treats. And while you’re at it, take advantage of the chance to chat one-on-one with some of the best wedding talents in the business.

Tickets for this once-a-year luxury showcase of the best in Houston weddings are only $20—that’s less than the price of a single manicure!—for a full FIVE HOURS of wedding ideas, inspiration and goodies galore. And guess what? They sell out. Every year.

We’ll definitely be there. Make sure you are, too!

If you’ve spent any time researching Houston wedding floral vendors, you’ve almost certainly heard Lisa Tran’s name. For years, she has been one of the most sought-after florists in town for weddings and special events.

Now Tran has opened a linen gallery, dubbed Linen Gallery, which boasts a large selection of tablecloths, chair covers, and just about every other linen you might need to accent your special day. She’s also changed the name of her company from Floral Impressions (previously Wedding Flowers by Lisa) to Blooming Gallery. Both the linen shop and floral studio are now located at 1510 Delano in Houston.

Don’t let the name change fool you: Lisa still offers the same great service and level of quality that’s led Houston brides to have her handle all of their floral needs for years, and we’re guessing that her full-service linen shop will quickly become one of the most popular places to call for luxurious linens.

At Linen Gallery, Houston brides can choose from a large selection of unique linens that includes just about every design and color imaginable. That includes some gorgeous sequin designs that are sure to make your reception sparkle.

And if you can’t find linens that are everything you imagined, don’t worry. Lisa can hook you up with some custom-made linens designed just for you. Pretty fabulous, right?

Honestly, we’re not surprised: Lisa is known for taking her each of her brides to the flower market to make sure she gets exactly the flowers they want—in exactly the hue they want, and she’s committed to ensuring that Houston brides get exactly the linens they want. “Quality is all that matters,” Lisa tells us. “Most brides only have one wedding, so I want to give them service they remember when they talk about their wedding.” We’ll toast to that!

Clay Flowers by DK Designs

There’s nothing quite as beautiful, quite as fresh, quite as romantic as wedding-day flowers. Until the end of the night when they droop and discolor and have to be tossed unceremoniously in the trash bin, that is.

If you’ve dreamt about wedding flowers that would look gorgeous and last practically forever, your dreams have now come true. Diane Phillips of DK Designs creates clay flower arrangements that are every bit as vibrant as the real thing, but will stay totally fresh looking throughout your event, and endure for ages beyond (with proper care—don’t get them wet or expose them to extended direct sunlight—and storage).

DK Designs’ custom creations include centerpieces, bridal bouquets, hair accessories, boutonnieres and wedding favors—all made from CLAYCRAFT by DECO Soft Clay. The designer also sells standard designs through her Etsy shop. These flowers are incredibly lifelike and richly colored—guests will think they’re real, unless you tell them otherwise.

We love, love, love this concept, and we love DK Designs. So does Martha Stewart. The queen of crafts featured DK Designs on her “Martha Stewart Show” April Fool’s Day episode, where Diane taught Martha how to make clay hydrangeas.

Check out these stunning examples for inspiration!

So remember, when the going gets rough, breathe deep and think BOUQUET. And, just for now, don’t fret about whither pomander or posy, tussy-mussy or teardrop—just let yourself sink into pure petal heaven. Get a feel for colors and blossoms. Imagine the lovely weight of your bouquet in your hands. Picture yourself gliding down the aisle, your magnificent bouquet held in front of your gorgeous gown, guests sighing with emotion, cameras clicking away, groom awaiting with baited breath.

You’ll likely handle thousands of flowers in your lifetime, but your bridal bouquet is one bunch you’ll only hold on your wedding day. Stretch out the joy of the occasion with a little pre-wedding bouquet daydreaming.

To put you in the proper frame of mind, behold this handful of beautiful bouquet ideas, courtesy Houston floral designers. Sweet dreams, Houston bride:

Photo Courtesy of Lavisly Luxe	Photo Courtesy of LC Floral Designs
Photo Courtesy of Blooming Gallery	Photo Courtesy of The Petal Bucket
Photo Courtesy of River Oaks Flower House	Photo Courtesy of Blooming Gallery

Photo Courtesy of Classic Bride

Something about the long, warm, lazy days of summer always gets us thinking about vacation. And when we think about vacation, naturally we think about EUROPE. And when we think about Europe, we tend to get more than a little inspired about weddings with effortlessly chic continental flair (you see where this is going, right?). And when we get inspired—we just have to share our inspiration with you, dear Houston bride.

Our transatlantic daydreaming recently led us to a fabulous blogosphere find. Classic Bride, according to its own self-description, “strives to celebrate a balance between the traditions of yesterday and the modern trends of today.” Amen to that.

In striking this balance, Classic Bride has put together some simply delightful ideas for weddings with a sophisticated, yet completely down-to-Earth, European (mostly French) “je ne sais quoi.” From Paris to Provence (to England, a little bit), from fashion to favors, it’s all here. Peruse, muse, fantasize—then share your thoughts (and a link to this lovely blog) with your Houston coordinator, floral designer, stationer, caterer and/or bridal boutique. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t have the European wedding of your dreams right here at home.

Photo courtesy Blooming Gallery

Doesn’t matter what the calendar says—summer is officially here. With today’s temperature looking to top 90 degrees, and the rest of the week, month and entire season likely to bring more of the same, it’s time to think about wedding flowers that can endure Houston’s notorious heat without a petal out of place.

If you’re planning a Houston wedding in the next few months, you’ll want to make sure you choose heat- and humidity-resistant blooms, particularly if any part of your wedding is scheduled to take place outdoors.

Among the heartiest, and loveliest, hot-weather floral picks, the intricate orchid is an enduring favorite. Despite their delicate, exotic appearance, orchids are extraordinarily well suited to maintaining their dewy appearance in even the steamiest weather conditions. Whether you choose clusters of six-petal dendrobiums or showy, dewy cymbidiums, you can’t go wrong with these sturdy plants in your bouquet or centerpieces. And for grooms and groomsmen, a single cymbidium makes a dashing boutonniere!

Photo by D. Jones Photography, courtesy Events in Bloom

The elegant, attenuated calla lily is another great summer wedding bloom. Choose mini callas in intense, vibrant shades—choices typically include gold, hot pink, scarlet and purplish-black—and have your floral provider create a simple, unadorned, hand-tied nosegay, or an ornate, jewel-accented bouquet.

Photo courtesy alovelymorning.blogspot.com

For centerpieces, you might try forgoing cut floral altogether. Succulent arrangements can be a stunning modern alternative to traditional tabletop floral. Succulents come in almost as many shapes and colors as cut flowers, but unlike conventional wedding flowers, they retain moisture in their leaves and stems, and can stand up to intense summer heat. Your floral vendor can create arrangements using floral foam and/or colored stones, bits of glass or other textured pieces for anchoring and additional color. Or use potted succulents that can double as guest favors when your celebration comes to a close.