Houston Wedding Blog » Reception

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)

Lavish La Colombe d’Or Wedding by J. Cogliandro Photography

NGarber — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:00:01 +0000

Yes, it is possible to have a grand, formal wedding in one of Houston’s most revered venues—the Grand Ballroom of La Colombe d’Or, with its circa-1715 carved oak panels and spectacular chandeliers—AND kick your heels up in true celebration style. Sonila and Matthew’s lovely, lavish spring wedding is a perfect example. Yes, it was utterly elegant, from the Monique Lhuillier invitations to the magnificent rose-and-hydrangea centerpieces. But just look at the newlyweds and their guests—those smiles, that laughter, the FUN of it all. We’re grateful to famed Houston photographer Joe Cogliandro, and the bride and groom, for sharing this beautiful wedding with us. And we’re so happy to share it with you.

Photography: J. Cogliandro Photography~Bride’s Dress: Jim Hjelm from Weddings by Debbie~Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Brittany of The Perfect Face~Rings: Blue Nile~Flowers: Floral Events~Decor & Rentals: Linens by Lisa~Cakes: World Cakes & Catering~Ceremony Venue: St. Michael Catholic Church~Reception Venue: La Colombe d’Or

Sweet Red, White & Blue Wedding by DC Stanley Photography

NGarber — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:00:24 +0000

We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: We love a bride who isn’t afraid of a little color. Take Lisa, for instance, who walked down the aisle carrying a bouquet of intense red roses to wed her beloved Ben. Beautiful, right? Even more beautiful is the combination of snow white, rich red and bright aqua blue—the palette of choice at this adorable couple’s ranch reception. We especially love those cylinder centerpieces by Clear Lake Flowers, so simple, so elegant, so WOW. Kudos to fine Houston photographer David Stanley of DC Stanley Photography, whose awesome shots are featured here.

Photography: DC Stanley Photography~Bride’s Dress: Alfred Angelo~Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Alfred Angelo~Mother of the Bride’s Dress: T Carolyn Fashions~Cake: Cakes & Culinary Creations~Flowers: Clear Lake Flowers~Reception Venue: White House Ranch~Wedding Consultant: Lisa Hendricks