The Grove | Houston Wedding Blog

Blush, Champagne & Gray Wedding by J. Cogliandro Photography

It was fate when Maggie and Cory met by chance at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck back in 2012. They saw each other from across the room and instantly connected. A few days later Cory took Maggie out on a date and just knew this was it. After going on many picnic dates at Hermann Park, she had no idea that one day he was going to propose there as well. “I was not surprised when he picked me up with a bottle of wine and asked if I wanted to go to the park. After sitting by the reflecting pool, we visited the tree that we had our first picnic under. Cory told me this was the very spot that he fell in love with me,” recounts Maggie. He got down on one knee and you can guess what happened next. The pair was so inspired after their trip to Paris during Christmas, that they decided to have a French-themed celebration with heavy influence from their family history. Maggie incorporated her grandmother’s rosary in her bouquet and wore her godmother’s diamond bracelet, which beautifully accessorized her fit-and-flare Rivini gown from Mia Bridal Couture. “The church pews were lined with fresh flowers in handmade cones that were made from my grandmother’s sheet music collection when she was a piano teacher,” adds Maggie. We couldn’t be happier for these lovebirds and can’t wait for you to swoon over the photos from J. Cogliandro Photography. Feeling inspired? Go ahead and pin some photos and start planning your fabulous Houston wedding!

Blush, Champagne & Gray Wedding by J. Cogliandro Photography

Champagne and Lime Green Wedding at the Crystal Ballroom by Sarah Ainsworth Photography

WEDDINGS IN HOUSTON FALL 2014 | REAL WEDDING FEATURE

Sara and Bret ~ October 26, 2013

Sara always had a crush on her best friend’s older brother. And Bret, for his part, felt the same way about his younger sib’s BFF. But it wasn’t until 10 years after they’d first met that the pair expressed the connection they’d felt all those years. “One night, Bret texted me and said he had always felt that there was something between us and he wanted to see if there was. I agreed, so he drove up to Austin that night,” the recent bride recounts. “We got engaged four months later!” The couple’s classic Crystal Ballroom at The Rice wedding was a perfect expression of that longtime love, finally realized, and forever embraced.

Champagne and Lime Green Wedding at the Crystal Ballroom by Sarah Ainsworth Photography

Names: Sara Preston & Bret Labadie ~ Number of Guests: 220 ~ Venue: Crystal Ballroom at The Rice ~ Invitations: Katie & Co. ~ Flowers & Decor: Plants n’ Petals ~ Catering: Sambuca Catering ~ Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero from Brickhouse Bridal ~ Rehearsal Dinner: The Grove ~ Photography: Sarah Ainsworth Photography ~ Registry: Williams-Sonoma ~ Honeymoon: Anguilla

Buy I Do Tickets by Thursday and WIN Dinner for 2 at The Grove!

“Gorgeous.” “Breathtaking.” “So much fun!!” These are just a handful of comments by real, live brides who have attended the I Do! Bridal Soiree at The Corinthian. And this year’s event is going to be our most spectacular ever. Last year, tickets for our one-of-a-kind spring cocktail party and bridal showcase sold out in record time—they’re certain to do the same for our Thursday, April 17 event. Make sure you reserve yours before they’re gone!! If you are planning your Houston wedding, this is the ONE bridal event you do NOT want to miss.

Need a little extra incentive? Purchase your $25 pre-sale I Do! @ The Corinthian tickets by NOON, THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 13, and you will be automatically entered to win a $100 dinner for 2 at The Grove, one of Houston’s hottest eateries (not to mention an absolutely beautiful spot for a chic, intimate, downtown wedding). Baby arugula with winter squash and white truffle vinaigrette? Wood-grilled fillet of salmon with shaved fennel and watercress? Grilled Berkshire pork chop with white-bean-and-tasso cassoulet? Yes, please! Oh—and how about a raspberry margarita, or a luscious glass of 2009 Napa Valley cabernet? All washed down with a stunning view of lovely Discovery Green? That’s The Grove. That’s the giveaway. Get your I Do! tickets by Thursday, and get in on it!

Good luck, brides…and we’ll see YOU at I Do!

Gold, Lavender and Rose Chateau Cocomar Wedding by Steve Lee

“Sean proposed to me on Christmas Eve 2011 at my parents’ house. We have a family tradition of each person opening one gift the night before Christmas. That year my mom decided the gift would be an ornament with an inspirational message inside. Everyone opened their ornaments and read their messages aloud, one at a time. I was last because my mom couldn’t seem to find my ornament on the tree. Sean found the ornament for her and he handed it to me. When I opened it my message read, ‘Will you marry me?’ I was so shocked and excited that I didn’t even notice that he was already down on one knee with the ring in his hand telling me how much he loves me. It was perfect! I loved finding out later that Sean had asked my dad for his permission before proposing.” We love it, too, Jessica. And, just like your mom, we love that you had her wedding gown altered to wear at your rehearsal dinner at The Grove. And that you made the invitations to your Chateau Cocomar wedding by hand. And that Sean’s favorite moment of the whole wedding was when he got his “first look” at you, privately, in the moments before the ceremony. And, most of all, that you and Sean found each other, and true love, in this big, wide world. Congratulations to you both, and big thanks to the exceptional Steve Lee for magnificent photos of this magnificent Houston wedding.

Gold, Lavender and Rose Chateau Cocomar Wedding by Steve Lee

Photos: Steve Lee Weddings ~ Bride’s Dress: Monique Lhuillier from Joan Pillow Bridal Salon ~ Bride’s Hair & Makeup: The Perfect Face ~ Engagement Ring & Wedding Band: Zadok Jewelers ~ Cake: For Heaven’s Cake ~ Flowers & Decor: Floral Events ~ Linens: Elegant Beginnings ~ Officiant: Weddings Performed (Minister Lynn Turner) ~ Venue: Chateau Cocomar ~ Rehearsal Dinner: The Grove

The Big To Do: Sundown @ The Grove, Wed. 7-18

Sundown at The Grove

Photo: Julie Soefer/Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

Live music, cocktails and tasty nibbles in a blissfully air-conditioned, exceptionally cool aerie with downtown views for miles? Oh, we are so THERE. Get in on the happy hour hipness—and while you’re at it check out one of Houston’s hottest wedding, rehearsal-dinner and pre-wed party spots—when The Grove, Discovery Green and Mix 96.5 join forces with Land Rover Houston Central to present Sundown at The Grove, from 6-8 p.m. this Wednesday. This chic weekly wind-down takes place at the upstairs Treehouse restaurant and features guest artists from the worlds of fashion, arts and entertainment. Ambiance is awesome. Admission is free. See you there!