Archive for the ‘Reception’ Category

St. Germain Wedding Cocktails

Friday, May 3rd, 2013

St. Germain Wedding Cocktails

Photo: St. Germain

OK, this one goes out to our esteemed publisher Radhika Day, who just happens to be a major St. Germain fan—and with good reason. The classic French elderflower liqueur, made from gently macerating hand-picked blossoms that bloom briefly each spring, is ineffably subtle and delicious. Trying to describe it, according to the famous French artisanal liqueur-maker, is like “asking a hummingbird to describe the flavor of its favorite nectar.” Which we would never do. We’ll simply say that St. Germain is more or less the flavor of romance—which makes it perfect for wedding-day cocktails.

Our favorite is La Rosette, a simple combination of 4 parts Brut Rosé Champagne to ¼ part St. Germain, served in a chilled flute and garnished with a pansy, rose petal or delicate orchid. Parfait! Non?

For more delicious and incredibly pretty St. Germain wedding cocktails, sip—er, clickhere!

HWB Hearts: Crystal Wedding EVERYTHING

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

Here’s the thing about crystals: No matter how simply they’re used in wedding décor, once you get them next to a light source—whether fixture or flame—they just can’t help but sparkle. And that little flash and glow is what makes an occasion feel…special. There’s no occasion more special than your wedding. And no better way to make it shine than with twinkling crystal elements. Like these.

Crystal Manzanita Tree
Crystal Silver Mist Chandelier and Crystal Wine Cork Place Card Holder
Swarovski Crystal Votive Holder
Crystal Mr. & Mrs. Place Cards and Snowflakes Wedding Cake
Hanging Crystal Curtain and Crystal Tree Wedding Centerpiece

Photos (top to bottom, left to right): Isha Foss Events via Weddify ~ Overstock.com ~ Gallery 360 ~ Panache Bride ~ Tange Design ~ Sue’s Sweets ~ Designs by Hemingway ~ Camlie Inc.

HWB Hearts: Watercolor Weddings

Wednesday, June 20th, 2012

We’re engaged in a major love affair with watercolor at the moment. The dreamy, soft-edged, ombré effect of this art form (think Paul Cezanne’s landscapes, Paul Klee’s abstracts, Georgia O’Keeffe’s magnificent flowers) is just so perfect for spring and summer weddings, we can’t get enough. Look for it in custom save the dates and wedding invitations, billowy chiffon destination-wedding dresses, table linens and plates—even shoes! And don’t forget to talk to your florist about creating a WOW watercolor effect with flowers like parrot tulips, peonies and hydrangeas. Lovely stuff!

Watercolor Weddings Inspiration Board ~ Houston Wedding Blog
Watercolor Weddings Inspiration Board ~ Houston Wedding Blog
Watercolor Weddings Inspiration Board ~ Houston Wedding Blog
Watercolor Weddings Inspiration Board ~ Houston Wedding Blog
Watercolor Weddings Inspiration Board ~ Houston Wedding Blog
Watercolor Weddings Inspiration Board ~ Houston Wedding Blog

Credits (Photos top to bottom, left to right): Ever After Papery, Anthropologie, Ovadia & Sons, Delia’s, ALDO, Printerette Press, Becky Hill Photography, Jen Aitchison, Misses Dressy, Linen’s ‘N Things

Houston Outdoor Wedding Essentials

Thursday, May 17th, 2012

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!

Houston Outdoor Wedding Essentials
Houston Outdoor Wedding Essentials
Houston Outdoor Wedding Essentials
Houston Outdoor Wedding Essentials
Houston Outdoor Wedding Essentials
Houston Outdoor Wedding Essentials

Credits (Photos from Top to Bottom): Sole Mates, Prestigious Event Rentals via Scott Kelly, Pamela’s Parasols, Thermacell, Jacqueline Chapelle’s French Tents & Decor via Julie Wilhite Photography

Place Cards and Favors for Wine Weddings

Monday, February 13th, 2012

Houston is a food- and wine-lovers’ paradise. Its fertile surrounding lands are also home to more than a few beautiful wineries—Messina Hof is one of our faves—where a wine-loving couple may wish to wed. If you’re planning to get hitched at a local vineyard, or to feature good wine, big time, at your wedding, make it personal with custom wine labels from the wonderful Nancy Nikko (whose also does lovely custom canning labels, bookplates and oodles more, btw). While wine stopper options abound, our current favorites are erasable ceramic Placetile’s, which do double duty as place cards and favors—and Daisy Mae Designs’ awesome “map” stoppers, which you can customize with a snippet of Texas territory. And for sheer prettiness, we absolutely adore flower-accent wine-cork place-card holders from Karas Vineyard Wedding, featured here in beloved Tiffany blue, but available in just about any color you can imagine. Check out these, and a couple more wine-theme cuties, below.


Place Cards and Favors for Wine Weddings ~ Houston Wedding Blog

Place Cards and Favors for Wine Weddings ~ Houston Wedding Blog

Photos (clockwise, left to right): Nancy Nikko Design, Casiani via Amazon, Daisy Mae Designs, Home Wet Bar, Nancy Nikko Design, Nancy Nikko Design, Placetile, Nancy Nikko Design, Karas Vineyard Wedding, Placetile

August Giveaway: Dinner for 2 @ mmm… Masraff’s!

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

Masraff's Restaurant ~ Houston Wedding Blog
Masraff's Restaurant ~ Houston Wedding Blog

Didn’t win our last Masraff’s dinner giveaway, way back in January? Here’s your chance for a re-do! To enter this month’s gourmet giveaway—dinner for two at this internationally renowned Houston fine-dining landmark and favorite spot for elegant rehearsal dinners, engagement celebrations and intimate, food-focused weddings—just follow these simple instructions:

  1. Visit Masraff’s mouthwatering dinner menu online.
  2. Pick one yummy app, one divine entrée and one decadent dessert that pretty much sum up your idea of a perfect Masraff’s meal.
  3. E-mail us your menu picks, along with your name, your fiancé’s name and the location and date (exact or approximate) of your upcoming Houston wedding.

Entries MUST be received by midnight Wednesday, Aug. 24th. We’ll announce our winner on Friday, Aug. 26th on Facebook. Speaking of which, if you aren’t yet a Fan, go ahead, Like us now. We’ll love you right on back. And we’ll keep you posted on events, trunk shows, style discoveries—oh, and exclusive Weddings in Houston giveaways you won’t find anywhere else. C’mon, what’s not to Like?

 

HWB Inspiration Board: Pretty, Pretty Parasols

Monday, August 8th, 2011

Let that big ol’ Texas sun shine just as hard as it pleases. You’ve got your pretty wedding parasol to fend off those fierce rays. Cloudy day, you say? So what. A lovely lace, silk or paper umbrella or parasol is the perfect accessory for any outdoor nuptial celebration, blue sky or gray. Plus, they make great bridesmaid gifts and look SO amazing in photos. Get ready to twirl, girl.

Bridal Umbrellas and Parasols Inspiration Board ~ Houston Wedding Blog

Photos: Green parasol bride, Bella Umbrella~Mr. & Mrs., Cycling4ACure~Ecru lace parasol, Dragonfly Design~Peacock, Clockwork Couture~Scallopped Peacock, Oriental Decor~Red lace, Amazon~Chinese, Pink Frosting~Bumble beed, Great Lookz~White and pink, Great Lookz~Black lace, Ladies Emporium~Pink lace, Amazon~Monogram, Exclusive Elements

Win A Sugar Creek Country Club Wedding. Yours. Really.

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

Wedding Giveaway
Bridal Open House
Win Your Wedding

Yes, this is bridal open house season. And yes, lots of the season’s bridal open houses offer goodies aplenty–free food and drinks, door prizes, raffles, complimentary valet parking, the list goes on and on. But it stops at Sugar Creek Country Club. Because at its bridal open house this weekend, this lovely, intimate, gracious, gloriously green-lawned Sugar Land club is giving away AN ENTIRE WEDDING. That’s right, one lucky bride in attendance at this Sunday’s event will win a ceremony and reception package for up to 100 guests. And we’re not talking streamers and soda pop either. We’re talking stunning outdoor I Do’s, Champagne, butler-passed hors d’oeuvre, hosted bar, plated dinner, centerpieces, DJ, cake–the works.

For your chance to win your Sugar Creek Country Club wedding, attend this Sunday’s open house from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (which you were going to do anyway, right?), enjoy beverages, nibbles, chit-chat with the club’s very experienced event staff, follow their giveaway entry instructions…then just wait. Winner will be announced at the event, and must be present to win. For more info call 281.494.9131 or click here. And bring your lucky rabbit’s foot.

Inspiration Board: Retro Hollywood Glamour

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

It’s no mystery why style-minded brides turn again and again to Hollywood of the 40s, 50s and early 60s for wedding inspiration. Heyday Hollywood will forever be a time and place simply brimming with high-drama glamour and mystique. Hear the words “Old Hollywood” and your mind fills with iconic visions: va-voom mermaid gowns and Veronica Lake waves, twinkling chandeliers and tinkling grand piano keys, potted palms and tuxedo-clad waiters tipping Champagne into diminutive glasses, diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds. There’s no need to go into theme territory with your vintage Hollywood wedding design (unless, of course, that’s your kinda thing). Feel free to take cues from golden-era Hollywood rather than scouring thrift and prop shops for the actual thing. Instant glamour. Timeless allure. See credits below pix for details!

Old Hollywood Glamour Wedding Inspiration Board ~ Houston Wedding Blog
Old Hollywood Glamour Wedding Inspiration Board ~ Houston Wedding Blog
Old Hollywood Glamour Wedding Inspiration Board ~ Houston Wedding Blog
Old Hollywood Glamour Wedding Inspiration Board ~ Houston Wedding Blog

Photos: (Box 1 clockwise) “Fanal” gown, La Sposa~Slingback, Christian Louboutin~Earrings, Libby Sweets~(Box 2 clockwise) Vintage Fred Leighton choker, Portero Luxury~Sunglasses, Vince Camuto~Sofa, Hancock & Moore~(Box 3 clockwise) Birdcage veil, Lady K Bridal~Bracelet, Luxe Deluxe~Vintage Bentley, Classic Limo~Chandelier, Garden Lights Plus~(Box 4 clockwise) Lingerie, Electric Wedding~Vintage Champagne glasses, Gilded Age Affaires~Bouquet, Aileen Tran

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Brandis and Ronald’s 1940s-inspired wedding captivated us from the first moment we laid eyes on it. The bride, who planned this intimate 80-guest affair herself, put so much heart into every detail. Of course, she did get a lot of help from Etsy artisans, including FrenchKnotCouture, who created the custom bolero Brandis wore over her Maggie Sottero gown. Brandis, who told us, “I did not want real flowers that would perish and leave me with no memory,” instead had Etsy artist Croska create a bouquet of crystal brooches, pearls, satin and sheer fabric flowers in shades of white, off-white and cream, which she plans to preserve in a shadow box. While Brandis, who happened to be completing nursing school while planning her wedding (!!), created many of the wedding’s most alluring elements herself–including those magnificent table number cards and menu cards–she does caution other busy brides not go overboard on the DIY. “I recommend creating DIY items that you can keep as a keepsake.” Amen to that. Congratulations to Brandis and Ronald. And big thanks to Civic Photos, whose evocative images capture this wedding in all its swing-era splendor.

Bandis & Ronald Wedding
1940s Vintage Wedding by Civic Photos
1940s Vintage Wedding by Civic Photos
1940s Vintage Wedding by Civic Photos
1940s Vintage Wedding by Civic Photos
1940s Vintage Wedding by Civic Photos
1940s Vintage Wedding by Civic Photos
1940s Vintage Wedding by Civic Photos
1940s Vintage Wedding by Civic Photos
1940s Vintage Wedding by Civic Photos
1940s Vintage Wedding by Civic Photos
1940s Vintage Wedding by Civic Photos
1940s Vintage Wedding by Civic Photos

Photos: Civic Photos~Bride’s Dress: Maggie Sottero from Panache Bridal~Bride’s Shoes: Paris Hilton~Bridesmaids Dresses: Watters + Watters~Reception Flowers: Bride DIY~Decor: Hobby Lobby and Save-On-Crafts~Cake: Designer’s Cakes~Ceremony & Reception Venue: Trevisio Restaurant