Archive for the ‘Reception’ Category
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 »
Thursday, August 5th, 2010
Sure, it’s got that dazzling fountain and those 18-foot-tall, filigree doors. Yeah, it’s got custom-made crystal chandeliers, a 26-by-26-foot dance floor, and room to seat 600 or so of your nearest and dearest. But what we really love about the Enchanted Cypress Ballroom are those 15 awesome “picture walls” that surround the entire ballroom and can be programmed to screen big, beautiful photos of you and your hubby for all to see! Come check it out for yourself on Saturday, when Enchanted Cypress opens its really big doors to discerning brides…like you.
Enchanted Cypress Ballroom
Bridal Open House
Saturday, August 7, 2010
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
12603 Louetta Rd.
Cypress, TX 77429
For more information call 281.826.0505 or e-mail
We blogged about our love for picturesque La Toretta Lake Resort a couple of weeks ago. Well, don’t take our word for it. Head to Montgomery on Sunday for a few hours of waterfront relaxation, a bit of gourmet refreshment and a chance to view the gorgeous indoor/outdoor ceremony and reception space at this Lake Conroe gem.
La Torretta Lake Resort Bridal Open House
Sunday, August 8, 2010
1 to 4 p.m.
600 La Torretta Blvd.
Montgomery, TX 77356
For more information call 936.448.3061 or e-mail
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Tags: Open House
Posted in Centerpieces, Events, Reception, Venues | No Comments »
Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Now that the guests (and throngs of reporters and camera crews) have all gone home, and Chelsea Clinton and new hubby Marc Mezvinsky are settling into what will hopefully be a long and loving married life, we’ve had a chance to think about what Houston brides can learn from the presidential daughter’s wedding.
First off: Go big, if you will, but don’t go over the top. Chelsea didn’t have much choice when it came to the size of her invite list (about 400 guests reportedly attended the Rhinebeck, N.Y. nuptial celebration), but she did have many choices when it came to the scale of her wedding’s design. With help from Boston-based wedding planner Bryan Rafanelli, Chelsea kept things simple and elegant, relying heavily on the inherent beauty of the Beaux-Arts-style Astor Courts, her wedding venue.
Also: Make it about YOU. Yes, Chelsea had a LOT of folks to please, from her president dad to her secretary-of-state mom to her fiance’s family, heads of state, dignitaries and Hollywood types, not to mention her own dear friends and colleagues, and Marc’s, too. But she still managed to have her wedding align with her personality and tastes. Case in point: Chelsea, a vegan, might not have expected EVERYONE to eat an entirely animal-product-free menu (heck, the girl served shortribs!), but she did insist on a gorgeous, and, we hear, absolutely delicious, gluten-free, vegan wedding cake, from La Tulipe Desserts. After all, what good is a wedding cake if the bride herself can’t eat it?
And finally: Have fun! Even while a no-fly zone was in effect overhead and security swarmed the Astor Courts grounds, Chelsea still managed to have a great time at her wedding—AND make it fun for guests. The bride, groom and family members (yup, including President Clinton) got hoisted in chairs for a traditional hora just like at every Jewish wedding everywhere (Marc and his family are Jewish), the 18-piece big-band ensemble had folks kicking up their heels on the dance floor, and the after-party on the tennis courts, which featured ’80s classics and top-40 hits, apparently had revelers raging until after 4 a.m.!
So we say, thank you, Chelsea, for showing us how it’s done. And congratulations!
For a great rundown on why Chelsea Clinton is such an inspiring bride, and a bit on Chelsea’s wedding in the annals of presidential-children’s-weddings history, click here. Enjoy!
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http://houstonweddingblog.com/2010/04/flower-powered-wedding-cakes/
http://houstonweddingblog.com/2010/01/reception-decor-inspiration-taylor-creative-weddings/
http://houstonweddingblog.com/2010/04/daytime-wedding-wow/
Posted in Celebrity Wedding, Ceremony, Reception | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
Here’s what we love most about Heather’s Glen and Sweetwater Country Club: wedding packages without that dreaded “package feel.”
At Heather’s Glen, set on splendid grounds in Conroe, all-inclusive wedding packages range from casual cake-and-punch festivities to lavish affairs featuring ice bars, Champagne fountains and horse-drawn carriages. Sugar Land’s lakeside Sweetwater Country Club offers wedding packages that range in price based on selected menu, and all feature hosted valet parking, hosted bar and an expansive dance floor. While comprehensive wedding packages ensure that everything is in place on your wedding day, each venue allows wedding couples to customize their overall wedding environment to ensure that each wedding is completely unique, and each couple’s tastes and personalities shine through.
Of course, there’s plenty else to love about both wedding venues, including picturesque settings that beautifully blend natural ambiance with special-occasion elegance. We also love special features like Heather’s Glen’s lovely on-site country chapel with soaring ceilings, stained-glass windows and twinkling chandeliers—so sweet and perfect for storybook ceremonies. Sweetwater Country Club, meanwhile, wins major points for its awesome rehearsal dinners, which get guests in a celebratory mood with a choice of bountiful buffets (Texas BBQ, Mexican Fiesta, etc.) or the more formal, but still totally fun, sit-down dinner. Now that’s Houston-style hospitality!
But don’t take our word for it—check out these wedding venues for yourself!
 Heather's Glen This Friday, June 11, Heather’s Glen hosts a bridal open house from 6 to 9 p.m. Grab your sweetie, and maybe a bridesmaid or two, and make the short 20-minute drive north of the city to sample all this garden estate has to offer. Call 932.441.6611 or e-mail heathersbb@aol.com for info.
 Sweetwater Country Club On Sunday, June 13, Sweetwater Country Club invites brides, grooms (and select family members and friends) to drop in between 1 and 3 p.m. to tour, taste and enjoy gracious service—and a stunning ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows! Call
281.980.4100, ext. 305 or e-mail lcarruth@sweetwatercc.com for details.
Happy venue hunting, Houston bride!
Tags: Chapel Ceremonies, Country Clubs, Garden Ceremonies
Posted in Centerpieces, Events, Reception | 1 Comment »
Monday, May 17th, 2010
La Colombe d’Or has always been one of Houston’s most magnificent wedding venues. But now the historic site—with its circa 1923 mansion and 18th-century French ballroom, Le Grand Salon—has even more to admire.
Let’s start with the restaurant, which recently underwent a complete renovation, including all furniture, carpet, drapery—“the works,” says owner Dan Zimmerman. Credit for the redo goes to Vision Designs, the company behind the look of such swank spots as The Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas and the Ocean Echo restaurant The Reefs in Bermuda. We especially love this opulent space for rehearsal dinners and intimate pre-wedding gatherings of good friends.
It’s not just the look of the restaurant that’s changed, either. Zimmerman tells us that the new menu, designed with input from consulting chef Francesco Casetta (formerly of Tony’s) is “more Italian and internationally influenced” than the French-leaning fare of La Colombe d’Or of yore.
Of course, La Colombe D’Or’s suites have also gotten facelifts—really good ones. As for Le Grand Salon, the hotel’s crown jewel (and many a Houston bride’s dream wedding venue), it’s been spiffed up with a fresh coat of wax on the circa-1715 wood paneling, new carpeting and other subtle updates. But Zimmerman assures us that the ballroom and banquet menu—which can incorporate just about any special dietary need or culturally specific food items—are not slated for any major changes. And that’s because “brides love them” just the way they are, Zimmerman says.
The hotel and restaurant’s recent renos are part of the lead-up to the property’s 30th anniversary celebration, which takes place at the end of the year. So happy 30th, La Colombe D’Or! May you enjoy another 30 in style.
Photos: Julie Soefer
Posted in Reception | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 5th, 2010
 Photo: Serendipity Photography There’s a new name in Houston wedding rentals…that just happens to be a very familiar name in fabrics. You may know High Fashion Fabrics as Houston’s largest fabric store—the place to go if you’re in the market for a few yards of cool Calaveras skull-patterned cotton or a handful of sparkling crystal buttons.
 Photo: Serendipity Photography Well, now High Fashion is also the place to go if you’re looking for a totally unique table linen or, say, a few hundred sleek acrylic dining chairs. You see, about a year ago, a friend of High Fashion manager Dolley Levan’s was getting married and couldn’t seem to find the perfect cloths for her wedding tables. Levan and team came to her rescue, and shortly thereafter decided to start offering linen rental to customers. The service has been “very well received,” Levan tells the Houston Wedding Blog—so much so that High Fashion is now offering chic lounge furniture and unique table seating, along with the kind of fashion-forward table linen you just won’t find anywhere else in town.
 Photo: Serendipity Photography  Photo: Serendipity Photography Like Confetti a textured taffeta style that looks like it might have just walked off a Paris runway, and gives the impression of shimmering coins or rippled water. So chic! Or how about Eden Floral—a fabulous sheer overlay with appliquéd flowers and leaves, which “acts as floral itself,” Levan says. She recommends pairing it with contemporary centerpieces featuring branches and crystals, rather than an abundance of cut blooms. Then there’s the super-hip Ivory & Black Paris Flocked Damask Shantung. As linen names go, it’s a bit of a mouthful. As linen styles go, it’s utterly gorgeous.
 Photo: Serendipity Photography Of course, this being Houston and all, High Fashion feeds the needs of traditional Southern brides, too. They’ve got regal ivory damask, luxurious bisque peau-de-soie satin and solid taffetas in a rainbow of shades, plus many other elegant styles.
 Photo: Serendipity Photography It’s official: Whether you’re looking for aluminum chairs and LED-lit coffee tables, or custom-made table linen, High Fashion’s got you, and your tables, covered.
 Photo: Serendipity Photography
Posted in Ceremony, Decor, Reception | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
If you’re of the mind that a daytime wedding is to an evening wedding what a flip-flop is to a Louboutin, get ready to have your thinking seriously altered, Houston bride.
The best thing about a daytime wedding? Well, beyond the fact that it’s a perfect lead-in to a let-your-hair-down, informal evening gathering, and that it allows weary revelers to get their beauty rest, having a daytime wedding, especially a Sunday daytime wedding, can save you a bundle on venue rental fees. Which means you’ve got that much more budget to allocate to things like floral, linen and décor. And trust us, you’re going to be grateful that you do. Because as far as elegance, artistry and luxury are concerned, the bright blue sky’s the limit for today’s daytime wedding.
We’ve collected a few breathtakingly beautiful examples to inspire the daytime bride in you!
How sweet is this Texas-style Southern California backyard wedding featured on 100 Layer Cake? The hand-lettered signs and bright, funky floral arrangements add so much warmth and whimsy to this joyful fête.
 Photo: Michelle King Also from 100 Layer Cake, here’s a showcase wedding design that was featured at a recent bridal show at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. We particularly love the “vintage concept” tabletop, with those antique vases and mix-n-match china. And the Hostess Sno Balls? Lordy, too cute!
 Photo by Scott Clark Photo & Robert Wagner This South African wedding, featured over at Junebug Weddings, is so simple and elegant. The pristine white-and-silver color scheme is lovely, especially with those small touches of green in the succulent and wildflower centerpieces.
 Photo by Christine Meintjes And lastly, here’s a completely different take on the daytime white wedding, from the ever-stylish Style Me Pretty. We adore everything from the monochromatic box centerpieces (perfect for rectangular banquet tables), to the white chiavari chairs, to the sea-glass plates and personal apple pies. So homey, yet so chic.
 Photo by Bello Photography
Posted in Decor, Floral, Reception | No Comments »
Friday, March 26th, 2010
So you’re getting married. Congratulations! Now it’s time to make one of your first big wedding planning decisions: Where will you and your groom hold your reception?
Just like a perfect setting is essential to every great story, your reception venue will set the mood for the party. It’s one of the first things your guests will notice when they arrive to fete you and your guy. It’ll also provide the backdrop for your wedding photos, your first dance, and the cutting of the cake. Your reception venue may also dictate what kind of food and drinks you can serve. So you want to select a venue that embodies the sort of ambiance you want for the biggest party of your life.
If you like the idea of a venue that’s both grand and intimate, check out The Majestic Metro. This one-of-a-kind wedding venue makes its home downtown in the old Ritz movie theater, which opened in 1926. With much of its original Art Deco architecture still intact, The Majestic Metro will make your wedding celebration one for the ages.
And no, The Majestic Metro’s age won’t spoil your wedding day fun. The venue has been updated to include a top-of-the-line 21st century sound and lighting system, so you can dance the night away on the Texas-sized dance floor. The Majestic Metro even has its own first-rate DJ to get your guests moving to more than 5,000 tunes by everyone from Beyonce to Alicia Keys to George Strait to the Righteous Brothers to Snoop Dogg.
Having a huge wedding? The Majestic Metro can accommodate up to 400 guests with banquet-style seating. And you can serve whatever kind of food you want from any caterer you choose. That’s right, Houston bride, it’s your wedding, and you can eat what you want to. Your fave barbeque? Check. The dish you were eating when your guy proposed? Ditto.
Don’t stress if you don’t have an opinion on what kind of food to serve or which caterer to use, though. The Majestic Metro is happy to recommend caterers that it has worked with previously.
That’s because The Majestic Metro’s staff knows you and your groom are the stars of the show. They’ll even feature your name and personalized message on its outdoor marquee. Now there’s some A-list treatment every Houston bride deserves!
Posted in Ceremony, Reception | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
 January cover of Weddings in Houston magazine If you’ve seen Weddings in Houston’s March issue (and if you haven’t—what are you waiting for??), you’ve no doubt been seduced by the swank, sophisticated Hotel Sorella CITYCENTRE, featured on our cover (as backdrop to a beautiful bride holding a custom floral handbag by Darryl & Co.) and in our knockout “Urban Elegance” fashion spread. Recounts Weddings in Houston publisher Radhika Day, “The hip and chic hotel was the perfect setting for our fashion shoot, especially when the city was being pounded with rain.” And the “sexy bar and the cabanas by the pool actually inspired us to add to the story—it was a lot of fun!”
So here’s the scoop: Before you get too excited about having your wedding at the spectacular Sorella, we want to let you know: The property’s on-site meeting and event space will open in fall, 2010, and be able to accommodate wedding receptions for up to 300 guests. So all you super-stylish city brides who plan to wed in 2011 and beyond, make sure you check it out when it does. Word is, it’s going to be gorgeous. The rest of you glamour gals, take note:
Even if you can’t have your whole shebang at CITYCENTRE’s crown jewel (for now Hotel Sorella can accommodate very small ceremonies in its lobby lounge followed by festivities in its open-to-the-public bar and restaurant), you sure can take advantage of its European-influenced opulence in other ways.
For instance, how about getting your bridesmaids or BFFs together for a pre-wedding overnight escape? Sorella director of sales Jodi Doughty says that with its sleek “Italian designed-furnishings, hardwoods that transition to carpet in all right places [and] two- or three-seater sectional sofas,” the hotel is the perfect place to gather “a few girlfriends in your room for a great glass of wine,” followed by a divine dinner at culinary hotspot Bistro Alex, and perhaps a chick flick, with cocktails, natch, at CITYCENTRE’s Studio Movie Grill.
Speaking of escapes…there’s nothing like a little pre-wedding getaway with your future hubby to reconnect you two, and relieve the stress of constant planning. Hotel Sorella’s 520-square-foot are just the ticket, with their insanely luxurious beds, decadent walk-in showers and awesome views.
Of course, with its CITYCENTRE location, stylish design and gracious service, Hotel Sorella is also a great place for visiting guests to stay. Doughty says visitors love being able to “look down at the CITYCENTRE development from their windows, people-watch and get in on the action.” And CITYCENTRE offers much-needed “balance for the groom’s side,” she adds, in the form of dude-friendly gathering spots like the Yard House, with its burgers, big screens and 80-plus beers.
If you haven’t yet seen Hotel Sorella, we highly recommend a visit. You’ll be able to get a great sense of the space by checking out (or checking into) a room, sipping a cocktail beside the sleek fireplace at the seductive Monnalisa bar and gazing at stars, and into your fiance’s eyes, in the open-air courtyard. And if you want to star in your own on-property bridal fashion shoot? Hey, for a fee, and with a fabulous photographer on your side, you can do that, too.
Posted in Ceremony, Reception, Venues | 1 Comment »
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