Houston Wedding Blog » Reception

Houston Outdoor Wedding Essentials

NGarber — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:55:20 +0000

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!

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

NGarber — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:30:53 +0000

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.

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!

NGarber — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:00:08 +0000

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:

Visit Masraff’s mouthwatering dinner menu online.
Pick one yummy app, one divine entrée and one decadent dessert that pretty much sum up your idea of a perfect Masraff’s meal.
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. 24^th. We’ll announce our winner on Friday, Aug. 26^th 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

NGarber — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:59:09 +0000

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.

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.

NGarber — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:00:32 +0000

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

NGarber — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:38:38 +0000

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!

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

1940s Vintage Wedding by Civic Photos

NGarber — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:03:46 +0000

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.

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

Minute Maid Park Wedding by Rachel Robinson Photography

NGarber — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:01:17 +0000

Yesterday’s Independence Day holiday has got us in a patriotic mood. So we’re especially excited about today’s wedding—a fabulous spring celebration set at Minute Maid Park, home to the Houston Astros, and one of our favorite wedding locations of all time! And seriously, what’s more American than the great sport of baseball? But, mind you, this was no caps-and-cleats affair. Kristin and Michael’s splendid wedding, shot by Rachel Robinson (a major Houston talent who’s new to HWB, but, we suspect, destined to be a beloved regular) was a first-class fête, from the bride’s stunning Winnie Couture gown to the elegantly outfitted, regal columns of Minute Maid Park’s historic Union Station to the…pink pompoms? OK, so Kristin and Michael weren’t above bringing a few fun, sporty touches to their special day. And we love them for it. If you think a baseball-park wedding can’t be utterly romantic and feminine, Kristin begs to differ. Enjoy, and happy July 5^th!

Photography: Rachel Robinson Photography~Bride’s Dress: Winnie Couture~Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka~Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Michael Saldana Salon and The Perfect Face~Flowers: Mary’s Little Shop of Flowers~Cakes: Virginia’s Cakes~Ceremony Location: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church~Reception Location: Union Station at Minute Maid Park

Vintage Wedding Tips from a Retro Pro

NGarber — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:16:37 +0000

You know it, we know it, every bride worth her 1930s peacock-feather fascinator knows it: Vintage-inspired weddings are all the rage. And we’re as mad about them as anyone else. Those nostalgic touches and historic throwbacks aren’t just romantic and evocative—they also make a wedding feel as if it’s part of the tradition of weddings, rather than simply a traditional wedding. Know what we mean?

Here’s someone who definitely does: Mai Dang. The owner of Houston’s Honeydew Events is an expert in vintage allure (along with cutting-edge contemporary style weddings…but that’s for another post). We picked Dang’s brain for her advice on incorporating vintage-style details into your big day in a truly personal way. So before you start tossing antique doilies and sepia-toned photos into your wedding all willy-nilly, make sure you check out her top tips:

Take inspiration from family heirlooms. “Honeydew Events makes sure to design according to a particular couple’s inspirational pieces and traditions,” Dang says. “If the bride is inspired by a vintage brooch from her great grandmother, we would decorate with faded jewel tones. If inspiration stems from the grandmother’s dress, we would design around cool tones with larger print laces and flowers that share the same patterns.” And, of course, actual heirlooms can be incorporated in countless ways, “such as on the bouquet stems, in the bride’s hair, or on her shoes.”

Appeal to all senses. “For vintage table design and décor, we recommend accenting warm colors with soft candlelight or lanterns. It’s best to stay away from any colored up-lighting in the room, such as blues, plum, and pinks,” Dang says. For floral, “We suggest using warm vases and less color-dyed hybrids of flowers.” And when it comes to furniture, “Look for rich-colored soft leather sofas or armchairs with high backs for the lounge area. Also include antique coffee tables with a lot of hand-carved design. An old, traditional leather-bound scrapbook or vintage novel with ivory pages would work well as a guestbook.”

Don’t forget the little things. “Keep it rich in texture. We suggest using small pieces of material, such as worn thread spools, that have the names of your guests embroidered on them, as place cards. Even personalized smoking pipes or cigars can add a little something extra. As for wedding favors, consider giving your guests dried flowers in a small picture frame or antique hair accessories.”

Do your research. “The Internet is a world of infinite knowledge,” says Dang, noting that brides can find tons of websites that provide details on the specific furnishings, fads and fashions of just about any historic era. She also recommends visiting museums that feature historic photos, paintings and jewelry, as well as “the good, old-fashioned library.” Well, what a vintage notion!

Photos (clockwise, left to right): Wedding Dresses Info (vintage gown)~Daisy Pink Cupcake (vintage brooch bouquet)~Honeydew Events (vintage Rolls-Royce, Mai Dang)

Inspiration Board: In Love With Lilac

NGarber — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:00:06 +0000

Not quite purple, a little blue, touched with pale gray. Lilac is like demure lavender’s chic, cosmopolitan cousin. Which is probably why we love this shade so much for 2011 & 2012 weddings. Paired with white or cream, it’s a dream for springtime bridal palettes. Add a stripe of black here and there, and you’ve got a winter wedding color scheme to die for. We also love how lilac lends itself both to contemporary and vintage-style weddings with equal elegance. Plus just the word lilac makes us think of the spring bloom’s infinitely alluring scent. Subtle and sophisticated, and never, ever dull–what’s not to love about lilac?

Photos (clockwise, left to right): Iced (cake)~She Hearts Art (invitation)~From the Waist Up (tie)~Girl Dress Line (flower girl dress)~Urban Decay (eye shadow)~The Wedding Bouquets (rose bouquet)~JennyRose25 (tea cup candle)~Pour La Victoire (“Estee” sandal)~Amsale (“Nicca” gown)