This Houston soiree is just what the doctor ordered for those mid-week blues and, oh my goodness, is it ever fabulous. Keely Thorne Events created a literal wonderland of wedding perfection, complete with amazing chandeliers, upholstered chairs (love) and some gorgeous candelabras. Seriously. Swoon. Worthy. And with crazy beautiful florals by Events in Bloom, a breathtaking ceremony space and uber-stunning images by Chris Bailey Photography, it all adds up to a traditional soiree at its absolute finest. Yes, your Wednesday is about to get a whole lot lovelier, so join us in the gallery for even more!
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From Keely Thorne Events… The inspiration for the wedding started with a tree. The meaning behind the tree started on July 7, 2010 when J.J. proposed to Kate under a very meaningful tree at the Fenway Golf Club in Scardsale, New York. As a child, J.J., had spent many days playing golf with his dad at Fenway. When his father passed away unexpectedly when J.J was 8 years old, in memory of his father, the Fenway Golf Club planted a tree on their 8th hole, his father’s favorite hole. Kate and J.J. decided to have their ceremony outside at the Bayou Club in Houston, Texas, where trees could provide the perfect backdrop for their wedding.
Both the ceremony and reception took place at the Bayou Club. The couple worked with Kate’s minister and J.J.’s rabbi to blend a traditional Christian ceremony with a traditional Jewish ceremony. They wed under a chuppa and beneath a canopy of trees as the sun was setting. As guests arrived at the Bayou Club, they received their own individual ceremony programs with their names done in hand calligraphy from custom-made lattice screens that also served as their escort cards.
Following the ceremony, guests entered the backyard of the Bayou Club where a tent had been constructed over the club’s pool. Wooden tables, upholstered dining chairs, sofas, settees, coffee tables and side tables were all brought in to make the space comfortable for guests and to also create an “at home” but elegant feel. Large scale mirrors placed around the tent not only helped disguise the tent legs, but made the space feel grand and the candlelight that reflected made the entire reception glow!
For the groom’s cake, with J.J. growing up in New York, it was natural to have Yankee Stadium as his groom’s cake! To add a personal touch, an iPad was incorporated as the scoreboard and a slide show played throughout the evening with pictures of the couple. After a seated dinner, guests danced the entire night, but the unexpected addition of the groom on the drums and his brother on the guitar for a few songs really got the crowd going! At the end of the night, the bride and groom exited to her grandfather’s Model T Ford. Her grandfather loved cranking the car to get it going and then sped away with the couple! Prior to leaving, the bride’s cousins definitely had a hand in adding a few “decorations” to the car!
Event Planning: Kristin McShane of Keely Thorne Events / Wedding Photography: Chris Bailey Photography / Wedding Cinematography: 3 1 F I L M S / Floral Design, Linens + Tent Draping: Events in Bloom / Invitations: Sicily Eason / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Band: Sauce / Ceremony Musicians: Divisi Strings / Tent Rentals: SPF Event Resources / Lighting: Pro/Sound / Wedding Cake: Susie’s Cakes + Confections / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale via Bella Bridesmaids / Rentals: A Finer Event + Swift and Co.