Archive for the ‘Reception’ Category
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011
There was a time when a Houston gal would have to make her way to California wine country (fiancé, friends and family in tow) if she fancied a vineyard wedding. Not so anymore—not when she’s got 100 acres of wine country splendor right here in her own backyard.
We’re talking about Messina Hof—the toast of Bryan, Texas, and a wine- and food-loving couple’s dream location for the celebration of a lifetime. A little Italian, a little German, and very proudly Texan (the winery and its wines have won countless local and national honors, including “One of the USA’s Finest Winery Experiences” from “Bon Appetit” magazine), this combination working vineyard, restaurant, tasting bar and villa is a standout in a region of really amazing places to tie the knot.
Picture this: saying your vows at sunset on a verdant private estate, beneath a flower-bedecked gazebo beside a sparkling spring-fed lake—then celebrating with sumptuous food and, of course, divine wines, overlooking 42 acres of vineyards aglow in the moonlight, whilst dancing the night away, surrounded by the people you love most.
And Messina Hof’s awesome for bachelor/bachelorette bashes, engagement parties, bridal showers and rehearsal dinners, too. What, we ask, is NOT to love? And if you haven’t yet entered out Messina Hof Private Wine Tasting for 20, well, what, we ask, is stopping you??
Tags: Destination Weddings, Messina Hof Winery, Outdoor Ceremony, Venues We Love, Winery Wedding
Posted in Ceremony, Reception, Venues | 1 Comment »
Thursday, June 2nd, 2011
Back in the day (by which we mean the 1890s), folks used to gather to kick up their heels at the local dance hall. These legendary meeting places typically featured large wood plank floors, a stage and saloon. They were the place to go for a good time. And they still are.
Schulenberg’s Sengelmann Hall (above), which opened its swingin’ doors way back in 1894, used to play host to town locals who would come for games, drinks, dancing…and the occasional brawl (the hall’s carved marble pillars still bear 19th-century bullet scars!). Sengelmann still has all its dance-hall charms, like pressed tin ceilings, a bucolic biergarten and mahogany bar, but it’s also got lovely ceremony and reception space, plus tons of experience hosting true Texas weddings. Keep it simple—barefoot ceremony, buffet, beer—or add lush floral arrangements, linens, lighting and rentals for a country-chic celebration. Just make sure to set out an extra chiavari or two for the ghosts…
Over in Cypress, Tin Hall touts the fact that it’s been hosting special events for more than a century. We love this circa-1889 hall’s awesome 4,400-square-foot dance floor and ample party space (with two full floors, the site can accommodate 1,200 guests!). Of course, with 40 wooded acres surrounding it, Tin Hall also has plenty of fine outdoor ceremony space and photo ops. And even though it’s one of the oldest reception halls around, it offers newfangled wedding extras, like a computerized light show and high-tech sound system. Something old, something new…someplace wonderful! (Cheers to local Hazel West Photography for the Tin Hall kissing couple on the left, and to I Heart Photography of Austin for the Tin Hall smoochers on the right.)
Tags: Historical Venues, Sengelmann Hall, Tin Hall, True Texas
Posted in Ceremony, Reception, Venues | No Comments »
Monday, April 11th, 2011
  
Photos: D Jones Photography
You may remember when we blogged about the amazing National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) “Indian Weddings”-theme wedding trends luncheon awhile back. Well this year’s annual wedding trends event promises to be even more spectacular, if that’s possible. First of all, the Thurs., April 21 “Sky’s the Limit”-theme bash is not going to be a luncheon at all, but a seriously delish dinner, starting with cocktails and hors d’oeuvre at the wonderful 1940 Air Terminal Museum. Next, guests will jet over to the museum hangar, which will be totally transformed for the occasion by members of NACE Houston—the nation’s largest NACE chapter, which counts Houston’s top wedding experts among its members. It also counts our very own Radhika Day, publisher of Weddings in Houston as one of its longest-serving members. And proudly so.
Naturally, we’ll be there, checking out the latest, greatest trends in wedding design, décor, catering and production from Houston’s finest wedding pros. And we’d love for you to join us. While the NACE wedding trends event is typically geared toward wedding professionals, this year’s dinner is open to brides, too. Buy your tickets, register for this year’s giveaway and you may just win yourself a luxurious Dominican Republic honeymoon package (there’s a reason they call it Paradisus Resort).
For more details or to register for the April 21 “Sky’s the Limit” even, visit WT2011 or NACE Houston. We’re ready for takeoff. How ’bout you?
Tags: NACE
Posted in Events, Reception, Wedding Day Details | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 29th, 2011
Just the words “Foundation Room” are filled with hip, VIP mystique and a promise of exclusive, upscale, elegantly wicked fun. So of course the Foundation Room at House of Blues is a perfect spot for special wedding-related soirees. But there’s so much more to love about House of Blues than its Foundation.
For instance, did you know that HOB’s intimate Elwood Room is a great setting for an afternoon shower? “And guys don’t mind the couple’s shower when they can hang in The Jake Bar Lounge,” promises House of Blues special event sales manager Lauren MacQueen. How’d you like to “party like a rock star in our Big Mama Suite?” MacQueen wants to know. You can, you know, at your ultra-exclusive bachelor or bachelorette party, behind closed doors, with an overhead view of the legendary House of Blues stage. For an unforgettable engagement celebration, book the Bronze Peacock room, which features “playfully sophisticated decor and a dedicated stage for a band or DJ,” plus a cool outdoor terrace, perfect for setting up a cigar bar or hookah lounge. Or treat guests to a morning-after-the-wedding “Gospel Brunch”–there’s no more enjoyable penance for the previous evening’s celebratory hijinks. And that aforementioned Foundation Room? Inspired by the Near East and featuring Persian carpets, beautiful chandeliers and an eclectic display of art from HOB’s private collection, it’s a near perfect mixture of sophistication and peacefulness. Naturally, the food, drinks and service are fabulous, too. Rehearsal dinner, anyone?
Of course, for the ultimate rock ’n roll wedding, there’s no venue more fitting than HOB’s legendary Music Hall. “The bride and groom take center stage as guests view the ceremony from The Mezzanine,” then the entire entourage joins the stars of the show downstairs for a lavish reception on the main floor. For details on how you can hook up HOB for your wedding-related celebration, call 832.667.7757 or click.
Tags: Bachelor/Bachelorette, Engagement Parties, House of Blues, Rehearsal Dinners, Venues We Love
Posted in Bridal Showers, Ceremony, Reception, Wedding Related Parties | No Comments »
Friday, February 4th, 2011
 
The Lancaster Hotel isn’t just home to The Bistro—the upscale American cuisine hotspot where this month’s giveaway winner will be enjoying a romantic dinner with her hubby-to-be—it’s also Houston’s only member of the esteemed Historic Hotels of America. What that means for a discerning Houston bride like yourself who may decide to wed at this stately theater district property is magnificently preserved architecture and décor, inside and out.
How you choose to use the classically European-styled space for your wedding day is up to you, but catering manager Adrienne Dedeaux-Solomon often recommends the lobby’s sweeping staircase for bridal portraits, and a pairing of the lobby and the adjacent Bistro for a reception of up to 150. What’s more, the venue’s dedicated staff can “plan all of your festivities, from the rehearsal dinner to in-room massages for your bridal party,” Dedeaux-Solomon notes. Plus, your visiting guests can take advantage of any number of the 93 “tastefully appointed rooms and suites” at this gem of a property, which travel guide “Frommer’s” has designated one of its “Favorite Romantic Historic Hotels in the USA.” A little bit of Houston history, a whole lot of national prominence, and all the attentive, every-little-detail-counts service you’d expect from a boutique hotel experience—that’s what you’ll find at The Lancaster. For more info, call 713.228.9500.
Tags: The Lancaster Hotel, Venues We Love
Posted in Ceremony, Reception, Venues | No Comments »
Monday, January 31st, 2011
If you’ve ever dined at a modern American bistro or swooned over a supper-club scene from your favorite ‘40s flick, you’ve likely been seduced by the sophisticated glow of a table lamp. With their low-profile bases and light-diffusing shades, lamps invite a certain kind of conspiratorial intimacy to the table—perfect for a grown-up dinner reception with a high-end restaurant feel, whether you’re actually in a high-end restaurant, or you’re in a big hotel ballroom. Even a warehouse or other raw space can be both warmed up and dressed up with the right kind of table lamps.
We love the look of a single, standout lamp at the center of an all-white centerpiece on a round or small square dining table. For a long banquet table, try mixing a few different lamp styles in varying base heights with coordinating shades, repeating the mix at intervals along the length of the table, and filling the space with small, clustered floral arrangements, beautiful crystal stemware and candles. Also awesome: glass-base table lamps, orchids floating dreamily within.
  
Depending on your venue’s specific regulations, the style of lamp you select, and the kind of ambience you desire, you can choose votive candles, fuel cells or LED flicker cells as your light source. Most will last between six and 10 hours.
Plan to party for longer than that? First of all—wow, rock on! Also: Plan to have staff discreetly change out light sources, perhaps during dancing or late-night nibbles.
 
Tags: Lighting, Tablescapes
Posted in Reception | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
 
Susie’s Cakes & Confections (left); iCatching Events (right)
More than 1,000 attendees. Over 80 vendors. Five full hours of FAB-U-LOUS. We’ll be doing complete show coverage a little further down the road, with photos, video, the whole shebang. But for now, we wanted to take a sec to shine the spotlight on some of your (and our) favorite highlights of this past Sunday’s absolutely spectacular I Do! Bridal Soiree @ The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa.
First off, how about those tablescapes? Sparkle, shimmer & bling are the thing for 2011 wedding reception tables, as radiantly evidenced by our vendors’ magnificent wedding table displays, which featured tons of crystals, blow-glass orbs and jewel accents. And how about that high overhead? We’re talking beautiful suspended floral displays and centerpieces (which, incidentally, are great for letting guests talk to each other across the table without sight obstructions). We saw you practically swooning at the masses of roses (the one bloom that never goes out style), and the brilliant palettes of red, pink and oh-so-popular purple.
 
Mia Bridal Couture (left); Kuhl-Linscomb (right)
When you weren’t chatting with vendors, we spotted you sipping refreshing Pimms cocktails and nibbling sinfully delicious (and simply adorable) French macaroons. And how about those awesome sliders and savory-sweet chicken biscuits? So yummy! It’s no wonder The Houstonian’s fabulously talented catering department recommends serving diminutive comfort snacks like these as a late-night treat at your reception.
As for that fashion show…gorgeous, right? We’ll soon have a rundown of the runway’s most coveted looks, but for now, two words: convertible gown. As in, one amazing dress that goes from ceremony-elegant to celebration-sexy. As in, pretty much perfect.
Whether these highlights remind you of Sunday’s splendor…or make you wish you’d attended, we hope they’ll make you smile. Be sure to subscribe to the Houston Wedding Blog and the Weddings in Houston Wedding Buzz for complete I Do! coverage along with advice on how to incorporate the divine design ideas featured at the soiree into your own very, very special day.
Tags: Before You Say…I Do!, I Do! Bridal Soiree, The Houstonian Hotel Club & Spa
Posted in Bridal Show, Ceremony, Events, Fashion, Planning, Reception | No Comments »
Thursday, January 20th, 2011
  
Photos By Nhan Nguyen Photography
We know how busy you get, being a bride-to-be. The meetings, the tastings, the fittings, the hours of research and contemplation and tough decision-making.
So we know you’re gonna love this. Not only have we got the absolute crème de la crème of Houston wedding vendors and experts all gathered in one convenient location, where you can meet with them, one on one, while sipping fine wine and nibbling gourmet treats.
Not only do we have Houston’s ONLY couture bridal runway show (Amsale, Kenneth Pool, Christos, Badgley Mischka, etc., etc…I mean, come ON).
But we’re also giving away an amazing weekend-night getaway for two at the legendary Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa—which just happens to also be the home of this Sunday’s I Do! Bridal Soiree.
Convenient, top-of-the-line, one-stop shopping AND a chance to escape from it all with your hubby-to-be and just be in love, luxuriously, for a full 24 hours, on the weekend of your choice? Oh, yeah.
Just pre-order your I Do! tickets NO LATER THAN END OF DAY TODAY and you’re automatically entered in our giveaway contest. That’s a win (you’ve locked in your ticket so you won’t be left out when they inevitably sell out by Sunday), win (you’re attending Houston’s finest, most inspiring, and ONLY luxury bridal show), and quite possible WIN (our Houstonian getaway giveaway…we’ll announce the winner tomorrow!). #IDoHoustonian
Tags: I Do! Bridal Soiree, The Houstonian Hotel Club & Spa
Posted in Bridal Show, Ceremony, Fashion, Giveaways, Planning, Reception | No Comments »
Monday, December 20th, 2010
 
Used to be a time when a freshly wed bride and groom could shuffle sheepishly ’round the floor, flash a smile at the cameras and call it a first dance. Not so anymore. Thanks to the massive popularity of TV shows like ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars” and FOX Broadcasting’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” even the average Joe knows his rumba from his cha-cha, and probably is a fan of both. Which means that your reception guests are going to come with expectations, if not score cards.
When you head out on that dance floor for your first foray as husband and wife, make it a moment for the memory books. In a good way. Here in Houston we are so lucky to have not one, not two, but three locations of the famed Arthur Murray Dance Studios—at nearly 100 years old, the nation’s most venerable dance-instruction organization. Arthur Murray instructors have taught Broadway dancers and Hollywood stars alike. And they can teach anyone–even your average Joe (or typical Tom or ordinary Ed or whatever dance-averse-but-otherwise-perfect dude you’re planning to marry).
Maria Johnson, who owns Arthur Murray Dance Studio Cypress–The Woodlands and Memorial are Houston’s other locations–reminds brides that the first dance is your first public moment as husband and wife. “Don’t overlook the importance of how a beautiful first dance can be a wonderful lifetime memory,” she advises. Uh, no pressure, right?
Right. Because you, smart bride, are going to sign up for dance lessons. You’re going to get some professional first-dance choreography for yourself and your hubby. Heck, you might even corral your bridesmaids and groomsmen for a group lesson or two—a great idea for a couple’s shower, particularly when followed by drinks, food and maybe even…dancing?? Good thing Arthur Murray Dance Studios of Houston offer all these instruction options and more. And not a single score card in sight.
Posted in Entertainment, Reception | No Comments »
Friday, September 24th, 2010
 
Planning a wedding can be a stressful experience. Your wedding weekend shouldn’t be one. We love that The Phoenix Special Events Facility lets you buy out the entire site, including rustic-elegant event space, plus three charming bed-and-breakfast guest rooms, for an entire four days, at a very pretty price.
That means that you get from Thursday to Sunday to put the final touches on, fully enjoy, and even recover a little bit from your special day. And if you want to have all your wedding-weekend events in one place, you can do that, too. And what a place it is: 75 acres of picturesque countryside in Weimar, a mere 80 miles from Houston. You can enjoy a private pre-wedding celebration with your nearest and dearest, and the next day exchange your vows beneath a canopy of leafy oak boughs beside a sparkling lake, then dine and dance the night away, even treat your guests to a spectacular fireworks show, before retreating with your new hubby to the comfort of your private guest room. Without ever getting in a car.
The Phoenix is very accommodating to vendors, too—bring all your own, or use theirs. Owner and event coordinator Bruce Koehn is on hand to help you plan everything from start to finish, or simply help ensure that all runs smoothly on your big day. If you’re looking for comfort, relaxation and oodles of Southern hospitality for your Houston-area wedding, you really oughtta check out The Phoenix. Call Bruce at 979.733.0304 to schedule your visit—and tell him you found The Phoenix on the Houston Wedding Blog!
Tags: Bed-and-Breakfast, Fireworks, The Phoenix
Posted in Ceremony, Reception, Venues | 10 Comments »
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