Houston Wedding Blog » Photography

1930s and ’40s Vintage Wedding by J. Cogliandro Photography

NGarber — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:15:46 +0000

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

I Do! @ The Corinthian: Highlights & PHOTOS!

NGarber — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:15:54 +0000

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!

Photos: D. Jones Photography

Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography

NGarber — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:00:54 +0000

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.”

Photography: Sarah Ainsworth Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Jim Hjelm from Now & Forever Bridal Boutique ~ Bridesmaid Dresses: Nordstrom ~ Decor & Floral: DIY and Etsy ~ Venue, Catering & Cake: Haak Winery

Resort-to-Ranch Bridal Shoot from Archetype Studio

NGarber — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:51:59 +0000

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.

Photos: Archetype Studio

Simply Sweet Pink and Cream Wedding by Joseph West Photography

NGarber — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:27:12 +0000

An adorable bride and groom, a lovely fall day, a picturesque forest setting…and some truly fabulous photos. We’re enchanted by the simplicity and sweetness of Dominique and Brian’s Northgate Country Club wedding, with its touches of elegance–a gorgeous Edible Designs by Jessie wedding cake among them–and palette of creams and pinks. Dominique’s fresh and pretty makeup and lovely, lace-edged mantilla veil look just so picture-perfect in her wedding setting. Joy just radiates from these two, and their celebrating guests, doesn’t it? Thanks to Joseph West Photography for great photos of this charming wedding fête, and congratulations to the newlyweds!

Photo: Joseph West Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Oleg Cassini from David’s Bridal ~ Cakes: Edible Designs by Jessie ~ Decor & Rentals: Party Cloths ~ Entertainment & Favors: Jonny Black Productions ~ Flowers: LZ Floral Design ~ Rings: Intercontinental Jewelers ~ Venue: Northgate Country Club

Delightfully Colorful Country Club Wedding by Jeff Loftin Photography

NGarber — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:00:50 +0000

It’s tricky to get a bright, multi-colored wedding palette right. And so spectacular when it’s successful. Kristin and Jason’s irrepressibly colorful wedding at the Houston Country Club makes magnificent use of just about every color in the rainbow, and manages to do so with effortless elegance and sophistication. How? By mixing tall, textured, riotously jewel-colored centerpieces with suspended monochromatic pomanders, hanging glass votive globes, unadorned gold chiavaris, a pale and pretty cake. We love how those cheerful pomanders are echoed beautifully by illuminated lanterns hanging from a fairy-lit tree on the venue’s grounds…a perfect spot for a Mr.-and-Mrs. smooch. Congratulations, Kristin and Jason, on your willingness to go wild with color…and, most importantly, on your blessed union!

Photography: Jeff Loftin Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Romona Keveza from Joan Pillow A Bridal Salon ~ Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Cutloose Salon & Kristin Daniell ~ Bridesmaids’ Attire: Amsale from Bella Bridesmaid ~ Cakes: Susie’s Cakes & Confections ~ Décor & Rentals: A Finer Event, Distinctive Details, Events in Bloom ~ Flowers: Susie Miller ~ Consultant: Keely Thorne of Keely Thorne Events ~ Venue: Houston Country Club

Outdoors-In Houstonian Hotel Wedding by Adam Nyholt

NGarber — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:01:13 +0000

Let’s face it: Houston’s not always the most hospitable city for an al fresco wedding celebration. Which is why we love when a couple brings the best of the outdoors in. Morgan and Carson, who we first featured back in June, when they shared their lovely engagement session with us—also shot by the exceptional Adam Nyholt—transformed The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa ballroom into a lush garden, with the masterful floral work of Events in Bloom. We adore the palette of white, cream and green, the beautiful roses and voluptuous hydrangeas, the wrought iron accents and flickering candles. And that ceiling treatment? Incredible. In her Monique Lhuillier gown from Joan Pillow, Morgan looks like a magnificent flower herself. We’re so happy to feature this stunning wedding. And so happy for Morgan and Carson!

Photos: Adam Nyholt ~ Bride’s Dress: Monique Lhuillier from Joan Pillow ~ Tuxedos: Al’s Formal Wear ~ Flowers, Decor & Rentals: Events in Bloom ~ Cakes & Favors: Susie’s Cakes & Confections ~ Reception Venue: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa ~ Wedding Consultant: Kristin McShane, Keely Thorne Events

Houston Wedding Photographer Wins Huge Award

admin — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:28:27 +0000

We always knew longtime Weddings in Houston vendor partner Joe Cogliandro was among the finest fine-art wedding photographers in the world. And now many, many more people across that world are gonna know it, too. At last week’s annual Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) trade show in Las Vegas, Cogliandro took home the prestigious Grand Award in the Wedding Division of WPPI’s Awards of Excellence 16×20 Print Competition.

The award—WPPI’s top honor in a competition featuring entries from thousands of photographers from across the globe—went to the photographer’s portrait of Houston bride Lori Hillman Knop (shown above), in which Cogliandro used the bride’s veil to create a dramatic couture look. In the words of world-renowned Beverly Hills-based photographer and WPPI judge Roberto Valenzuela, “This is just the most ultimate and the most exquisite bridal portrait I have ever seen. This should be at the Louvre for a photography exhibition.” Amen to that. The stunning pic also took top honors in the competition’s Bride and Groom category.

As for Cogliandro (shown above), who has won 70 international awards and set himself the goal of winning WPPI’s Grand Award while attending his first WPPI convention in 2007, he told us, “I am humbled and thrilled to be honored by such an elite group of internationally recognized photographers. I’m still wondering if I’m dreaming.” You’re not, Joe. Trust us.

Oh, and if you’re thinking that gorgeous bridal portrait looks familiar, you’re right. Cogliandro’s award-winning image just happens to have been featured in the full-page J. Cogliandro Photography ad in Weddings in Houston magazine for many months running. We are thrilled to have brought this magnificent photo to our readers, thrilled for Joe Cogliandro and his spectacular win, and—we’ll go ahead and say it—just really darn proud of Houston today.

We have no doubt Cogliandro will be deluged by Houston brides hoping to have their own wedding immortalized by one of the world’s top wedding photographers. So if you’re one of ’em, we suggest getting in touch with J. Cogliandro Photography right about NOW.

Congratulations, Joe, and keep up the amazing work!

Photos: J. Cogliandro Photography

Hip, Happy, Vintage Inspired Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography

NGarber — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:00:23 +0000

Adorable. Simply adorable. That’s how we feel about Natalie and Trey, AND their wedding, which included a ceremony officiated by Reverend Lynn Turner of Weddings Performed at the Sycamore Heights Bed & Breakfast followed by a reception at Gallery M Squared at the Heights Theater. From the groom’s natty pinstripes to the bride’s bow-fronted Oleg Cassini dress to the bridesmaids’ black tights and bright bouquets to the heart-topped wedding cake and charming sweets table, there’s nothing about this lovely, low-key Houston wedding we don’t dig. Lots of DIY loveliness here, including some very sweet centerpieces, which Natalie notes “turned out better than I expected, not having all that much faith in my crafty side.” Really? They sure look good to us! And pro photographer Sarah Ainsworth’s pitch-perfect pictures make the whole scene look just that much more beautiful. Happiest wishes to the newlyweds!

Photos: Sarah Ainsworth Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Oleg Cassini ~ Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Mod Cloth ~ Flowers: Killion’s Milam Florist ~ Cakes: Gluten Free Houston ~ Officiant: Weddings Performed ~ Ceremony Venue: Sycamore Heights Bed & Breakfast ~ Reception Venue: M Squared Gallery/Heights Theater

Orchid-Filled Hilton Americas Wedding By Kelly Hornberger Photography

NGarber — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:30:41 +0000

“I chose Hilton Americas-Houston because I loved the elegant setting that the hotel provided,” bride Natalie told us about her magnificent 280-guest wedding celebration. “As soon as you walk into the lobby you immediately notice the beautiful chandeliers and enormous marble columns situated around the lobby. The ambiance of the hotel really set the mood that I had envisioned for my wedding.” Enhancing that mood, and bringing freshness and warmth to the opulence, were simple, monochromatic, bloom-and-branch centerpieces from Darryl & Co. set against earth-toned linens and flickering votives, in a room washed in shades of pink of purple. Orchids abounded, at the request of the bride, who told us, “I knew the night Shane proposed that orchids would be a part of my wedding. During dinner on New Year’s Eve of 2010, the waiter presented me with a covered plate that I assumed would be the entree that I had ordered. When he removed the lid, I was so surprised to find the most gorgeous engagement ring situated in the middle of a beautiful orchid arrangement. I fell in love with the flower not only because of the beautiful colors, but because of the beautiful memory that it reminded me of.” For memories of her perfect day, Natalie will forever have photos from top Houston wedding photographer Kelly Hornberger, who was kind enough to share a selection with us in this here post. Thank you, Kelly—and happiest wishes to the lovely couple!

Photos: Kelly Hornberger Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Maggie Sottero ~ Bride’s Shoes & Jewelry: Badgley Mischka (wedding bands) ~ Tuxedos: Al’s Formal Wear ~ Cake: Who Made The Cake ~ Flowers, Decor & Rentals: Darryl & Co. ~ Venue & Catering: Hilton Americas-Houston