When modern meets traditional, pretty things tend to happen, pretty things like this Veranda 17 at the Sam Houston Hotel wedding. Known to friends and family as “Geoff and Jess,” an ampersand became their theme, which they infused into stationery by 23and10 and throughout the event’s decor! Thanks to My Happy Lens Photography, we get to pour over every last detail in the full gallery.
From the Bride… Geoff and I are known as “Geoff and Jess.” So my graphic designer (Geoff’s talented cousin Lauren of 23and10) and I naturally agreed on the ampersand as the theme of the wedding, and thus the theme of our lives together. You’ll see a nod to it in many of the elements: decor, buttons, stationery, etc.
When it got down to the nitty-gritty, Geoff and I could agree on two things: 1) Good food and 2) Good fun. Which is why we chose The Alden. Their 17 Restaurant catered the reception, and the food was de-licious. (Especially the truffle mac-and-cheese.) Then we needed someone who could really make it a party. That’s where Jonny Black Productions came in. No one EVER left the dance floor.
Our wedding was a mix of modern and traditional elements. I chose very royal colors (eggplant and gold), but used them in a way that felt clean and luxurious. My dress (a Pronovias) was lace with cap-sleeves, but fit like a glove. Our ceremony music was a mix of traditional hymns and new ones, and our dinner music ranged from Ella and Louie to Weezer and John Mayer. Our cakes (provided by a friend, Yay Yay’s Cakes) were a traditional wedding cake (no filling), carrot cake with cream cheese icing and the most amazing yellow cake you’d ever eat with Nutella buttercream frosting. And don’t forget about our midnight-snack favors — native-to-Houston Shipley’s donuts.
In the end, the most important thing to Geoff and I was that our family and friends (some who had traveled from states away) were there to celebrate with us. My college friend played our ceremony music, my cousin sang my entrance song, Geoff’s uncle married us and his other uncle gave the blessings. And we were so happy. The whole event was perfect (except for when my sleeve broke…), and it’s all thanks to Teri of Pearl & Peony Event Design. She not only made sure everything went smoothly, she made sure Geoff and I were always having fun and free of anxiety.
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Wedding Photography: My Happy Lens Photography | Wedding Venue: Veranda 17 at the Sam Houston Hotel in Houston, Texas | Wedding Coordinating: Pearl & Peony Event Design | Floral Design: SCF Events | Wedding Cakes: Yay Yay’s Cakes | DJ: Jonny Black Productions | Uplighting: Intelligent Lighting Design | Wedding Invitations: Lauren Manning from 23and10 | Wedding Dress: Pronovias “Adela” | Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Jasmine “Belsoie L4070” | Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein