When it comes to planning your big day, it seems you really can’t go wrong with a reception at Ouisie’s Table. This fab (and oh-so-chic) Houston location really knows how to throw a sophisticated soiree – and I go all caps GAGA every time I see them pop up on my computer screen. Add to that some seriously stunning images by Ben Q. Photography, a downright gorgeous gown by Jim Hjelm Couture and a bride and groom that can.not.stop.smiling and we have ourselves one FABULOUS Tuesday treat. Care to join me for all of the pretty? See it all here.
From Ben of Ben Q. Photography… Chace and Greg were married in Houston, Texas on October 21st, 2011. Chace actually found us through Style Me Pretty through a real wedding submission. She is a regular Style Me Pretty blog reader and even drew inspiration for some of the personal touches of her day through the website. Our favorite details of her day were the Plum Pretty Sugar kimono she wore while getting ready, her Jim Hjelm couture wedding gown and her groom’s boutonniere wrapped in burlap. The bridesmaids each wore different sand-toned dresses and the groomsmen donned bow ties. The ceremony took place at St. Martha’s Catholic Church, and the chic reception was held afterward at Ouisie’s Table. As guests walked in, they could see the names of the newlyweds illustrated in chalk art and framed in lights. The couple had a a custom wooden art-piece with their monogram on the cake table.
We’re used to seeing backyard weddings with a little DIY flair which we LOVE don’t get us wrong but it’s so much fun and so refreshing to see an at-home wedding done in such a glamorously modern way. This insanely gorgeous Houston wedding boasts some of the most spectacular florals I’ve ever seen. I love the mix of silver and white centerpieces and the bold head table surrounded by ghost chairs. After drooling over the beautiful collection of images by Jennifer Lindberg Weddings check out the equally as heartwarming proposal story below! Then see it all in the full gallery!
From the Bride… Tripp proposed to me the way that every girl dreams of! We had a trip (planned six months in advance) to Bermuda because we knew that after Labor Day, we would not be able to escape the big city until Christmas time. The week before we left, of course, there was not one but two hurricanes headed straight for Bermuda. I could not figure out why Tripp was stressing out so much, but I would soon find out!
Despite the hurricane forecast we took off for Bermuda the Tuesday before Labor Day in 2010. We spent the next day on the beach, with a hurricane warning looming over our heads. The day was absolutely beautiful, and we didn’t see a single drop of rain. That night, Tripp wanted to venture off of our hotel property and check out the famous Coral Beach Club. A friend from home was a member, and we were able to visit as his guests. We planned to go for cocktails and a walk along the beach at sunset. Once we arrived, we were told that the main entrance to the beach was closed because there was a small British wedding just below the steps. Plan foiled … not! We found another entrance through a slightly rougher terrain, and we finally made it down to the beach. We walked the shore from end to end, trying to kill time while the wedding was wrapping up. We walked for what seemed like forever, and finally, the wedding was over. To Tripp’s disappointment, the reception began right in the spot that he’d planned to propose. We stood there for a few minutes, just watching in silence. Suddenly, in true Currie-oblivious fashion, I looked at Tripp and said “What are we doing just standing here? We should probably go get another drink and head back to the hotel for dinner.” He told me he wanted to keep walking to the other end of the beach, and so I acquiesced.
We walked past the little wedding to the very end of the beach. Tripp started making all of these really sweet comments … which was not too out of the ordinary, but I was a little surprised at the time. Then all of a sudden, he dropped down to one knee and asked me to marry him! I was in such shock — I asked him if he was serious. Of course I said YES, and then he put the most beautiful ring on my finger. When we turned around to head back to the beach club, the entire wedding had been watching our most special moment. The photographer was taking pictures! All of the British women in their little hats came running up to us for hugs and taking more pictures. We even posed with the bride and groom! One of the funniest moments of our lives and absolutely perfect! Of course after everything happened, I wanted to know how long he had been thinking about this and how he had planned everything. He admitted that he had pulled it all together in just three weeks … what a guy! Needless to say, we were the happiest people in the world and continue to be so happy as we begin our married life together!
For all you ocean-loving gals planning your nuptials with a touch of the nautical this seaside inspiration shoot by BellaFotografica is definitely for you. Whether you’re going for a little vintage, a bit modern or a more classic look there is so much inspiration to be found in this stunning sandy celebration. I LOVE that they combined a casual vibe with an elegant table setting and incorporated oodles of fun, DIY touches. I don’t think I can pick a favorite detail, can you? See them all in the full gallery!
The inspiration for this shoot came from the gorgeous Sea Glass Estate of Crystal Beach, Texas. The area was known for its beautiful vacation homes and was a weekend hangout for many Southeast Texas residents. In September 2008, Hurricane Ike hit the coast and caused catastrophic damage to the community. Many thought that Crystal Beach would never recover, but after three years of restoration, the area is booming again. It was the perfect setting for our beach-inspired wedding. Our color scheme of white with hints of yellow and blue blended seamlessly against the beach. During the design process (lead by Stephanie Do of La Belle Fleur Designs and Events and Glenda Little of Dressy Designs), we knew that we really wanted to be hands-on, and we created many of the pieces ourselves. After a trip to local merchants at the beach, we acquired a large collection of various seashells for our DIY projects. Taking cues from the name of the venue, sea glass was incorporated throughout the shoot — from the beautiful sea glass jewelry that Leigh Ann Smithy-Brittain of Ooh-La-Leigh’s hand-made to the unique wedding cake that Dawneen of Artistic Confections created. Allen Ayres and Marius Lardizabal of BellaFotografica captured the beautiful images of the day.
Wedding programs printed with a watercolor image of the Sea Glass Estate were displayed on the greeting table. Even with the strong winds that day, we were able to set up a chiffon-draped canopy that swayed gracefully with the wind. For our shoot, we chose two knee length diamond white dresses for our bridesmaids. They coordinated perfectly with the Maggie Sottero bridal gown that Suki’s Bridal of Orange, Texas provided. Erica Strazz of Salon Status provided the makeup for our ladies, and Katie Killebrew of Salon Elle was our hair stylist. The bride and bridesmaids held bouquets that were accented with seashells.
No wedding is complete without delicious food and wedding cake — we prepared bountiful dishes of local seafood from the area. The colors of the blue crab and shrimp against the sandy beach were mesmerizing. The table served as a foundation for Artistic Confections’ wedding cake that was decked with “sea glass.” Jars of white pearlized candies were displayed, in addition to seashell-shaped chocolate candies. We served banana pudding inside the cavity of some beautiful natural shells that we acquired and they were irresistible. Vanilla cupcakes topped off with white chocolate sand dollar were also displayed on our sweet bar. When dusk was approaching, our bride wore a gown that made a statement on its own with its contemporary ruffles and design. What bride wouldn’t enjoy playing dress-up on her wedding day? To end the evening, we created “donut shooters” as a late night snack for the guests. Served in shot glasses with cold milk, this snack is a fun and easy-to-prepare addition to any wedding. The donuts were held together by custom-made “Sweet Dreams” flags that invited the guests to grab one before they headed out for the night. The snack tray was created by using a framed mirror that was covered by the shells that we had collected from the local merchants. This wedding was so much fun to design and execute for all of the involved wedding artists. We hope that it will inspire any bride who is planning a seaside nuptial.
What’s my all-time favorite wedding detail? The big, beaming smiles on the faces of the bride and groom, of course! I love seeing the joy shine through the faces of the couple and their guests. It is the prettiest detail of them all. This delightful Houston wedding by Kelly Hornberger Photography is bursting with grins and the sweet decor and creamy, blush florals are the perfect match! Click here to see it all!
From Kelly of Kelly Hornberger Photography… Stephen bought Jennifer a pearl necklace three years ago in Hong Kong, knowing that he would be giving it to her on their wedding day. Talk about an awesome romantic. Stephen is an INCREDIBLE man — so devoted to his beautiful Jennifer. And Jennifer? Well, she just lights up a room. Her smile is contagious, and everyone around her is happy just being in her presence. The wedding day was no different for the two of them. Not one person wanted to be anywhere else than watching these two get married. Claire, Joe and I had an amazing evening hanging out and partying with these two and their awesome friends and families. Top notch. Every girl in the room was all smiles, just like Jennifer, as the sweet bride got ready. Stephen and his boys swam at his parent’s house, enjoying some fun in the sun before tux-ing it up like it was no big deal. It was a beautiful wedding party, a perfectly smooth night, and an amazing bride and groom who we could not be more excited to see now as husband and wife.
From the groom… Our favorite part of the wedding was having all of the people we love surrounding and celebrating the day with us! We loved the energy on the dance floor and the band was incredible at keeping the action alive. Everything was actually incredibly smooth day-of, and the details fell into place beautifully. Thank you, Charity! For me, the most special moment of the day was watching Jenn walk down the aisle.
Wedding Photography: Kelly Hornberger Photography / Wedding Venue + Cakes: Ouisie’s Table in Houston, Texas / Wedding Planning: Charity Lykens-Arguello / Flowers + Decor: Plants n’ Petals / Wedding Invitations: Becky Dickson, Mother of a Friend / Wedding Dress: Augusta Jones / Jewelry: Pearls from the Groom / Veil: Borrowed from Matron of Honor / Hair + Makeup: Your Beautiful Face / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse / Music: Ken Mondshine and Brotherhood / Vases: Various Secondhand Shops in Houston / Ceremony Programs: DIY by the Bride + Groom / Bridesmaids’ Apron Gifts + Earrings: Designed by the Bride
Two things I love more than anything – vintage furniture and bridal sessions. So, when the two combine for one day of crazy gorgeousness… well. I am in wedding heaven. And trust me, once you jump into these brilliant images by Kimberly Chau Photography, you’ll be right there with me… because this darling session is boasting the sweet antiques of Recollection Vintage Rentals, an amazing gown and one seriously adorable bride-to-be. Oh, happy, happy Friday. Click here for more.
From Kimberly of Kimberly Chau Photography… Grace wanted her session in a unique and fun place! I recommended Recollection Vintage in Houston, Texas, and we were able to photograph her bridals there! Recollection Vintage let us use their space with plenty of vintage furniture, props and decoration for the shoot!
Well it’s Saturday, and you know what that means… time for a little cinema action. This Same Day Edit from 31FILMS is so good. I had goosebumps from the beginning to the end, because it is just one of those weddings that can put a smile on anyones face. I realized half way through the film that not only was I adamantly taking in every stunning detail of this affair, but I was thinking of how much love I have for my own husband. And that is the mark of a fantastic wedding. Van & Henry, I hope you watch this video every day and are filled with the love you’re sharing with us all today!
Every girl looks forward to her wedding day, but wedding planning is something entirely separate from the celebration. Without a great network of friends, family and an amazing team to plan the actual events of the day, the stress levels can become pretty nutso. Looking back, Henry and I were so fortunate to have the support of our loved ones from the beginning.
From the time Henry started planning the proposal, the involvement of our loved ones was crucial. He popped the question on the Brooklyn Bridge, after our closest friends (most of whom flew in for the occasion) surprised me with a rendition of the Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” against the skyline of the city that brought us together. Henry’s sister Kim offered to make our wedding cake and macarons that served as delicious favors. My sisters baked compost cookie favors with the help of the infamous Momofuku Milk Bar recipe. His mom created stunning bouquets and centerpieces for us, each one made with love. Friends also helped produce our Banksy-themed wedding invites and print the seating chart for the reception, which Henry designed to match the NYC Transit system. With these incredible acts of love, the wedding day was not only about us – it was about all of the people who cared about us, too.
Love and laughter filled our day, and with all of the craziness going on we would have been hopelessly lost without an unforgettable contribution from the crew at 31films. The SDE they edited captured not only the moments that we wanted (for me, Henry’s incredible vows); it also caught moments that I didn’t know we would cherish, along with images and expressions of the people dearest to us. Watching the film at our reception felt like receiving a gift from friends we’d known all of our lives, and we were so incredibly lucky to work with such a talented group of people. Andrew Chan Photography also hooked it up with some great shots of the day, allowing us a different and amazing vantage point of the wedding. Having worked with Andrew for our engagement shots, we knew that we were in great hands, and he definitely proved us right about that. We were amazed at the way he was able to step in and capture the joy and intimacy of each shot.
Weeks before the big day, Henry was offered a job opportunity in Houston, where we were having the wedding. This meant we had to pack up and move in the eleventh hour of wedding planning. All of the New York references in our wedding thus became our way of saying goodbye to the city where we met and fell in love, and it was unbelievable to us that we were going to be celebrating the day in the city that held our future. The best part about it was being able to look back, weeks after we were done with the wedding and the chaotic move, and cherish each moment of our big day, thanks to our brilliant photo and video studios.
Cinematography: 31FILMS / Photography: Andrew Chan Photography / Church: Annunciation Catholic Church / Venue: The Plaza Club
We’ll continue our day of inspiration from Justin & Mary with a romantic, rustic stop in Houston. They took inspiration from a favorite country tune – Cowboy Take Me Away by the Dixie Chicks – and infused a laid-back country fête with elegant, vintage details. I love the thread of blue – from the groom’s denim attire to the blueberry treats – that they wove throughout the decor. Click here to see all the fun details!
From Justin & Mary…For our Houston stop, we channeled the ethereal vibe evoked by the Dixie Chicks famous song, Cowboy Take Me Away. We wanted a soft simple vibe with tons of soft blues. We served three different types of blueberry desserts, had burlap bags of seeds as favors and had a station filled with quilts to keep you warm and hankies for your happy tears. We borrowed a fiddle from a friend to use for portraits and found a wooded area to take the bridal party that really captured the essence of the song. “I said I wanna touch the earth, I wanna break it in my hands. I wanna grow something wild and unruly. I wanna sleep on the hard ground, in the comfort of your arms on a pillow of blue bonnets and a blanket made of stars.”
We kept the design simple, buy using mismatched china on our head table, vintage keys and quilt patches for decoration on our welcome table, and filling mason jars with blueberries and wild flowers as decorations. Special thanks to Lacy Degarath and Christine Trimoulet for pitching in to make it all happen!
It’s official, SMPers… December is here! And what better way to welcome in the final month of 2011 than with this uber-stunning Houston affair by Adam Nyholt, Photographer? Mixing traditional elements with a more modern flair, this ballroom fête is overflowing with gorgeous details, including ah.mazing florals, lovely white and green hues and a beyond breathtaking Monique Lhuilliergown. Plus, ghost chairs! So, jump start this new month in style with a trip to the gallery and then stay tuned for even more fabulous from 3 1 F I L M S below!
As promised, one very amazing video by 3 1 F I L M S that is sure to leave you swooning for the rest of the day… Simply. Stunning. Enjoy!
From the Bride… What we wanted most was an intimate, personal wedding, regardless of how many people we’d be having. We spent a lot of time working with our event coordinator, florist and lighting company to create a mood that was both romantic and moving. We’d been together for almost six years by the time our wedding arrived, and in that time, we’d become close with each other’s friends and families, so it was important that they were all included in the best ways possible. Our friends and family love to get dressed up and have a good time, so the wedding was black tie to mark the occasion.
I envisioned a white wedding with a modern twist. I thought of each centerpiece as a work of art, a sculpture made of flowers. I knew I wanted to showcase lots of different materials in my centerpieces and chuppah, like steel, milk glass, and acrylic. Every centerpiece was different, which encouraged guests to walk around to other tables. We complimented that with lots of beautiful, cascading white flowers, grasses and moss. There were candles everywhere and amber lighting for the ceremony, which changed to a more festive blue lighting for the reception. Because our cockapoo, Winnie, couldn’t be at the wedding, I surprised my husband with a likeness of her, made of hydrangeas, which served as the centerpiece on the head table. We had an all-white stage built, and an all-white dance floor, which made everything pop. Our first dance was a surprise flash mob, and my father’s barber shop quartet – he’s been singing with them for almost 40 years! – performed for everyone. At the end of the night, we served everyone James Coney Island, a favorite local hot dog spot.
Thanks to our incredible team, we had a perfect night and our friends and family had a ball. Our wedding vendors made it possible for us to relax and have fun the entire day. It was everything we wanted it to be!
This Houston affair by Belle of the Ball and Nancy Aidee Photography is pure romance through and through. Oodles and oodles of red roses, tulips and orchids cascade from every corner of this stunning celebration. And that dress, oh that dress! Could there be a more glowing, gorgeous bride? The result is one of the most romantic ballroom weddings I have ever seen! There is so much more to enchant you in the full gallery!
From Belle of the Ball…Sweet as she was beautiful, Abby Tippit met her now-husband Matthew Spinn while both were working at Memorial Hermann Hospital. The couple exchanged vows at First Presbyterian Church in Houston’s Museum District, a church holding special meaning for Abby and her family. A festive reception followed at Houston’s La Colombe D’Or, one of Houston’s premier wedding venues.
Originally the Fondren mansion, the home of the founders of Humble Oil, La Colombe D’Or’s main ballroom, the Grand Salon, was constructed of original carved wood panels brought to Houston from an eighteenth century French chateau. Here, guests enjoyed a variety of food options prepared by La Colombe D’Or chefs, and kept the dance floor full to the sounds of local Houston band, Password.
Decor was a mix of traditional and modern. Beautiful red centerpieces and champagne linens, both provided by Wedding Flowers by Lisa, adorned the tabletops in the Grand Salon, while white, black, and mirrored sofas, ottomans, and cocktail tables in the Conservatory created a more casual yet hip lounge feel. Following the hours of cocktails, delicious food, and plenty of dancing, the couple waved goodbye to their guests as they departed in a vintage Princess Rolls Royce for Houston’s Four Seasons hotel.
This is such a sweet idea for an autumn engagement shoot especially one down in the heart of Texas. The classic red truck, the vintage dress and the basket of apples are the perfect touches for an all-american sweetheart session. And these sweethearts are just as adorable as can be, aren’t they? I can almost feel the crisp, fresh air and smell the sweet scent of apples in these beautiful photographs by Archetype Studio Inc.See the rest of this romantic, orchard rendezvous in the full gallery!
From Archetype Studio Inc.…From the vintage dress, to the classic truck and pretty orchard setting…not to mention the adorable couple! How cute are they?! Alicia loves classic cars and participates in the local Niftee 50ees. Trent is a middle school math teacher.
Welcome back to another fabulous week here at SMP Texas! We are kicking off your week with this beautiful, English countryside inspired Houston wedding by Keely Thorne Events. We’re talking pretty, delicate florals, gorgeous linens, an even more gorgeous bride, and a picture perfect poolside venue all wrapped into one beautiful day. Nancy Aidee Photography was on hand to capture all the feminine details and lucky for us, there’s so much more in the full gallery of images!
From Keely Thorne Events…Callie’s family has a long standing history with the super private Houston club, The Bayou Club. Therefore, it was a no-brainer when it came to selecting the venue to hold her outdoor English garden themed reception. The ceremony took place in St. John Chapel where the bride was baptized years before she knew she would marry Pat in that very same spot. Callie was a calm, laid back bride which was showcased perfectly with her southern backyard feel wedding. She even opted to wear bejeweled sandals down the aisle instead of towering heels. It was very true to Callie’s style. Founding members of the club’s portraits are prestigiously hanging around the club for decades, so in a joking nod to her grandparents relationship with the club and its members, we decided to temporarily replace the portrait hanging above the fireplace mantle with Callie’s bridal portrait. It got a good laugh from the family! Guests enjoyed cocktail hour upstairs with Frank Sinatra style music playing by a DJ. After bride and groom had some alone time to eat dinner, guests were moved outside by the pool for a formal dinner and dancing. Once the cake was cut, the bride changed into her second dress to help cool off from the Texas heat. When it was time to say goodbye, Emily moved all the guests to the valet to prepare for the formal exit with Eco-fetti in hand to toss. Once the couple was alone, they had their private last dance of the night to “Try a little tenderness.” The proclaimed thank you to Emily as it was their favorite part of the entire day. Chills. Happiness.
This gorgeous, traditional wedding proves that you can still have a unique and personal wedding inside a large ballroom. It seems like the number one thing brides everywhere struggle with is how to infuse their taste and personality into their indoor wedding. Well, pay attention my friends, because this bride, along with the talented Marli Maloney Couch Events has done just that. There are so many unique and beautiful details, all captured to perfection by Lindsay Elizabeth Photography so join me in the gallery for even more!
From Marli Maloney Couch Events: Like many SMP readers, my Houston brides often struggle with how to make a large ballroom wedding look and feel like one of the weddings featured on SMP. Kayla was no exception. The Junior League is a beautiful, traditional building with a large ballroom. Like many ballrooms, however, the Junior League has some distinctive décor that Kayla didn’t want to emphasize. She also wanted to add a touch of modern elements as the building is very traditional. Don’t try to compete with the existing decoration in an ornate ballroom. Our ballroom, like many, had very distinctive blue and gold wallpaper and other ornate décor. Instead of trying to match or compete, the bride selected muted champagne and taupe tones, that felt like neutrals, for the linens. We added ivory, cream, and blush flowers. To make the decoration feel a bit more modern, we used all clear glass vases and streamlined glass candlesticks. We used as many candles as we could find and Blooming Gallery provided many floating candles in large glass containers. The candlelight reflecting in the water and glass was stunning and still worked in the very traditional space.
You can still get gorgeous outdoor photos when you have an indoor ceremony and reception. Be creative with where you take your photos. The church had very strict rules about taking most of the pre- ceremony photos inside. To capture some natural light, we had the photographer come to the hotel where Kayla was getting ready. We scouted out a little courtyard at the hotel restaurant and an unused driveway to get shots of the bride and bridemaids. If we had only taken those photos at the church, the indoor space would have been a completely different look. Also Lindsay (the photographer) took great advantage of the soft light against the stucco walls of the church right after the reception. Some of my favorite shots are the bride and groom outside right after the ceremony and the golden light against the blush stucco looks very much like the colors Kayla selected for décor at the reception.
Just because the wedding has a larger guest count, don’t forgo the small personal details. Everything we selected tied back to Kayla and Josh or something they love. Kayla and her mom are big champagne fans, so guests were greeted at the reception with trays of champagne, each garnished with a fresh raspberry. Hors d’oeuvres included mini grilled cheese sandwiches and shots of tomato soup because that was one of the first meals the couple cooked together. Kayla’s Louisiana heritage inspired the Cajun dishes on the buffet. For the photobooth we added mardi gras beads and the couple’s college pennant to the normal array of props. At the end of the night guests were treated to homemade chocolate chip cookies, one of Kayla and Josh’s favorites, and photos of them as kids.
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!
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!
Taylor Lord Photography sent this next wedding our way and it is a white wedding wonderland full of romance and sparkle (just like the gorgeous Louboutins on the bride’s pretty feet). And the classic details? These are the mainstays that never ever go out of style for good reason. They are completely stunning. Sparklers, Monique Lhuillier, peonies, french macarons – they’re all making an appearance and it’s a pretty one. Eat up every last lovely detail in the full wedding gallery!
From the Bride…Style Me Pretty become my one-stop-shop for any and all wedding inspiration after our engagement. With each lovely wedding posted, I had a new favorite. Every day I wanted different flowers, colors, favors, everything…the only thing that I was one hundred percent sure about was Johnny! And luckily he felt the same way. In his letter to me before the wedding, he told me, “everyone kept asking if I was nervous about today, and my answer always was NO. I’m not nervous because I’ve never been more sure of something in my entire life. I know you’re the one I want to spend the rest of my life with and I LOVE you more than anything in the world.” Yes, I was in tears by the end of the letter!
In the end, my vision became clear. And we put it all together in six short months. I wanted a sweet and charming yet simple all-white wedding with pretty pretty gardenias, peonies, and hydrangeas everywhere, twinkle lights in the trees, and some glittery gold shoes! Bill from Floral Events came in and sprinkled gardenias all over the Courtyard on St. James Place! It was down the aisle, in the centerpieces, in all the bouquets, on the cake table, and in my hair! The white flowers were lovely against the natural ivy covered balcony at the Courtyard. And the sweet smell of the gardenias was intoxicating!
My love for anything Tiffany’s was inspiration for my wedding dress. Simple, timeless, and oh-so-stunning. It was the only dress I tried on! Of course, we also wanted to incorporate Johnny’s love of the Cubs in our wedding. Cakes by Gina created such an adorable replica of the team’s mascot for his groom’s cake. And Gina also incorporated the gardenia into the bride’s cake.
The only hitch on the wedding day? Our adorable two-year-old flower girl fell asleep right before the ceremony. But she woke up just in time to dance the night away at the reception! It was the perfect night and the perfect way to start our incredibly blessed marriage.
From the Bride…Keely Thorne Events guided us through the entire planning process. It was so much fun with her direction. She took us to several different venues, but our hearts were immediately set on the beautiful Corinthian. We wanted a very traditional, elegant wedding, but it had to be not stuffy and plenty of fun! Keely accomplished our goals and we were so thrilled with the results.
As a partner at Atheneum Creative (stationery boutique) it was without question that I would design the print materials for our wedding. The design was inspired by the texture and ornate details of the architecture inside the Corinthian. Each piece in the set was uniquely designed using only black ink and texture. The beauty of this design was all in the details, simple and elegant.
We married at the same church where Blake’s grandparents had married 50 years earlier. His mom had given us a picture of her parents just as they were leaving the ceremony through the beautiful doors of the church that are still there! We wanted the exact same picture, so our photographer, Joe Cogliandro, was able to accomplish just that! The reception was perfectly orchestrated to begin with a low-keyed cocktail hour, then slowly rise to the peak of the evening where everyone was on the dance floor. The night started to wind down with the presentation of bite-sized grilled cheese sandwiches and french fries, gourmet style! What a fabulous evening! The entire evening was so special, so magical, and very meaningful to us and our families. All of our closest friends and family members were there.
Inspired by the Ralph Lauren Home Collection (how fabulous is that!) this drop-dead gorgeous (and incredibly sweet) bride pictured a wedding where chandeliers and leather joined design forces together in perfect harmony. With the help of Darryl & Co., her vision became a reality, and to top it all off – she got to marry the man on her dreams. It all seems pretty perfect to me, and when you add all the images from Brittany Dawson Photography, well folks – you get a full gallery of lovely.
From the Bride…I would say that I decided and then changed my mind on wedding inspiration and color at least 10 times in the first few months. My problem was not finding a style I liked, as much as choosing JUST one style. I felt like a different bride everyday, wanting Hollywood Regency one day, preppy/traditional the next, and rustic/shabby chic after that! How could I possibly settle on just one when all three make up my style and personality? I found my solution in the Ralph Lauren Home collections. It was here that I saw how beautiful satin, crystal, and chandeliers could sit perfectly next to rustic plaids and leather, while being accented with just the right amount of leopard print.
I knew that I wanted to incorporate a great deal of lounge seating and furniture rentals, so choosing Darryl & Co. to handle my decor was an easy choice. Not only did they have an outstanding selection of furniture, (including those amazing dome chairs, rugs, and fireplace) their company also handles linen rentals and floral design as well. (It’s basically wedding decor one-stop shopping.) I met with Scott from Darryl & Co. and knew instantly that I was in good hands. I explained my inspiration and told him I wanted the reception to look more like a furniture showroom or comfortable living room than a typical reception and Scott not only understood what I was going for, he also got excited about doing something a little different. I told Scott I didn’t want assigned seating, or a room full of identical round tables because I wanted our guests to be relaxed and comfortable, but I did not specify colors, or flowers, but instead decided to give Scott creative freedom and see what he could come up with. This ended up being the best wedding decision I made! (Besides the groom that is…) The Courtyard on St. James was the perfect venue for the “living room feel” and I really loved that they offered both indoor and outdoor space.
Picking just one theme was hard enough, but trying to settle on just one dress was impossible. I have experience buying and selling gowns at both the retail and wholesale level and felt like I had seen just about everything which was making it hard to find something that stood out. Rather than going with the latest trend, I decided to look to the past for classic and timeless inspiration and Grace Kelly seemed the obvious choice. (I just have to add that this was before a certain princess chose a similar inspiration.) My Novia d’Art gown was everything I wanted in a ceremony gown, but I was having a hard time picturing myself boogieing on the dance floor in my classy, Grace Kelly dress so I ended up purchasing a Sottero and Midgley at the last minute to serve as my reception dress.
When it comes to wedding cinematography, we know it’s a must. Talk to any bride who did not hire a cinematographer on her big day (me included) and she will tell you it was her biggest and only regret. So, naturally, our love for a great highlight film is easily understood by the fabulous talent that is 31FILMS. Artwork – they create pure magic. Like this Houston Highlight. They captured the handsome groom, the beautiful bride, and the infinite amount of fun that was had at their wedding brilliantly. We love them. And we’re sure you will too after watching Nate and Nancy’s Wedding Highlights via 31FILMS. But first, a sneak peak from Table4 Weddings. More of this awesome affair here!
I’ve got goosebumps already! So without further ado, here is Nate & Nancy – The Highlight.
From the groom … For us, it was all about the fun. With the wedding, we wanted the day to represent who we are, or more importantly, who we have become, as a couple. And, we may be biased, but we like to think we are pretty fun people, and we wanted our friends and family to feel that “fun” every second of the day. So, we didn’t have much criteria other than that, but in the end it turned out to be a pretty great guiding principle. It was what I was thinking when I decided to propose with my one ski on near the top of a Breckenridge Mountain. Thinking back, it is how we make most decisions as a couple. “Will this be fun, or an adventure, or some kind of awesome? Yes, ok, let’s do it then….”
We love Colorado dearly, but with Nancy’s large family in her hometown of Houston we wanted to have the wedding there. I was just starting graduate school in the Boston area, so we decided over champagne the night of our engagement that we would marry over the school’s winter break. Nancy had her eye on the beautiful Catholic Co-Cathedral in downtown Houston, and we found out soon after that they had an open date the beginning of January, so things started falling into place fast. The reception site was a bit tougher, and we didn’t fall in love with anything right away. But Nancy had heard about a new development on the west side of town that included the swanky and modern Hotel Sorella. CityCentre Houston is an urban chic complex, and very convenient for our many out of town guests with several upscale restaurants, bars and unique boutiques nearby.
But the real all-stars of the the day were our photographer, Jason Huang of Table4 Weddings, and our filmmaker, Aaron Tharpe of 31Films. Jason came first, and nobody else really had a chance. My wife knew what she wanted here, and the man is a pro and a visionary. Very talented at his craft, and Jason can manage a wedding day.
Aaron came later, and even though it took some convincing from Nancy to hire a cinematographer, we are most happy we decided to partner with Aaron and his wife Rachel. The video is maybe the coolest thing we have been a part of. And Aaron and I hit it off, especially from a music standpoint. What I was most impressed with was how he took very detailed information that we provided in his questionnaire about who we were as a couple, and somehow translated that message via the medium of cinematic film. We wanted to show that we like to have our fun, that music is a big part of our relationship, and that we have some very special people in our life that play an important role in who we are as a couple.
For Nancy, the details in the flowers, the styling, and the overall look of the day was important. She fell in love with the wedding gown immediately upon seeing it, and then, she carefully selected the flowers in the bridal bouquet and accessories that could hold up against the beautiful backdrop of her dress. I surprised Nancy with her wedding gift shortly before the wedding, so that she could plan a “costume change” around the one-of-a-kind vintage bib necklace we had seen several months prior at the J. Crew Bridal Boutique on Madison Avenue in New York City. Once the dancing started, Nancy changed into a shorter reception dress and wore the special necklace as we celebrated love and life well into the early hours of the next morning.
At the end of the day, it was a very beautiful wedding, and a very FUN time. All the guests walked out laughing out loud and singing at the top of their lungs. And Nancy and I? We headed off to the next adventure. We always do….
Oh wow. This wedding is spectacular. I have been in a constant state of awe since the moment I laid my eyes on these glorious, seriously tear-inducing images by Alyse French Photography. I don’t know what I am more in love with… the breathtaking 120-year-old church in downtown Houston, that gorgeous, gorgeous gown or the whoopie pie and champagne reception. Oh, and then there’s all of the fabulous DIY details, including the flowers. All together it’s one part vintage chic and one part awesome. Prepare to be amazed and join me for even more in the gallery.
From the Bride…Curtis and I met while working in the same research lab. We were also both students, so when we decided to get married, budget was our first priority. We wanted a practical wedding that would reflect our love as well as who we are without breaking the bank.
We planned an intimate vintage-inspired wedding with 35 guests. I was able to create our invitations, RSVP cards, reception cards, thank you cards, etc. all from just two templates! I made paper and ribbon cones that were filled with flowers and lined the aisles of the church. They provided the perfect simple elegance to accent the historic feel of our location. I also combed Etsy looking for other perfect details including hand made feather boutonnieres, jewelry made from mismatched vintage pendants, and matching vintage compasses to symbolize our love, forever guiding us toward one another. We made sure to add in plenty of other personal and unique details too, like an engraving on my engagement ring that inspired subtle fleur de lis decorations throughout our day including our use of lilies and irises in the flowers.
The ceremony was held in the historic St. John Church in downtown Houston. The cute antique country church is set against the Houston skyline and provided the perfect backdrop – a blend of the modern world with the historic, hometown feel. We had a short “cake and champagne” reception but instead of cake we served whoopie pies, a New England favorite straight from my family’s Maine heritage. Instead of a traditional guest book, we selected individual postcards with vintage love-related images and a vintage birdcage to hold the cards. It was such a treat to read the comments, advice and fun answers that our family and friends left for us! I definitely feel like it was the personal touches that made our day so special, from my little sister’s ring pouch, to the inspiration from my engagement ring and the whoopie pies from my childhood summers in Maine and so many other small details that made our wedding day truly unique.
There is something oh-so-sweet about this Houston wedding. I can’t quite put my finger on it. It could be the adorable, little flower girl, peeking at the bride. Or maybe the bride herself, stunning in her Melissa Sweet gown. Perhaps it is the warm and romantic ambiance, courtesy of all the candles. Or the green palette, so fresh and floral. You know what? The more I think about it, the more I realize it is ALL of these things – and so much more. It’s the whole wedding, seen through the lens of cameron + kelly studios. You can just see the love and the affection, and that makes the whole affair glow. It’s a little magical. Cameron and Kelly have even more of the magic on their blog, so click here to jump over there!
Ben and I met March of 2009. I will never forget that day; we were at a crawfish boil in Houston.He proposed a year and half later. We were going out to dinner for date night so I thought nothing about it. I went over to his house before because Ben, as usual, wanted to have a cocktail. We were sitting in his “man” chairs sipping on mint julips (our favorite), when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. We went to Ouisie’s Table that night, which is where we had our rehearsal dinner later – so special. After dinner, we went over to my parent’s house and surprised them with the great news. The rest of the night was spent drinking champagne and looking forward to marrying my Ben.
Planning my wedding was such a fun experience. I have always known I would get married at my church, Second Baptist and have the reception at the Houston Country Club. Being from Houston, many other brides have done the same thing. With that said, I wanted the feel of mine to be different! And that is where my awesome and very talented wedding coordinator, Mary Beth Events, came in. She helped turn my wedding into something so unique and beautiful and what I would call a magical night!
There is so much to love about this Houston wedding by Stefano Choi Photography. Personally I just want to walk around in that amazing dress. Even just around my house – a dress like that will make any mundane chore seem glamorous. But I digress, this wedding was a family affair in all respects – that amazing dress was a gift, the bride hand letter pressed (true story) her save the dates, the groom’s grandfather was the officiant and the list goes on and on. So on top of it being perfectly pretty, it’s perfectly personal too. Click here for even more!
From the Bride… For our wedding, I wanted to make the day personal, something of myself that I could recreate and share with my guests. From pain-staking hours spent trying to letterpress our own save-the-date bookmarks (with many a reject) to designing and creating pocket-fold invitations from scratch to my very first experience with creating floral centerpieces – it was all worth it for the end product. All of these so-called do it yourself touches made me feel the satisfaction something akin to baking the perfect cake.
We were extremely lucky to have great family and friends who helped make our visions a reality. For instance, the wedding gown was a gift from my extended family’s very own business. My mother coordinated the rehearsal dinner and the day-after brunch so well that all went without a hitch and we all left with our stomachs full and grins on our faces. The bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages were beautifully created by a good-hearted friend from work (Thank you, Robyn!) I could not have pulled off the other floral decorations – ceremony centerpieces, arch decorations, and pomanders without the help of Nidhi (bridesmaid) and Linda (good friend), all of which were made the day before and the day of the wedding. Flower pins on the bridesmaid dresses and the belt on the maid of honor dress were all hand made by my wonderfully talented maid of honor, Christine.
We had discussed a first-look with our photographers, Stefano and Jen Choi, and after some convincing Andrew was game! It provided us an opportunity for a moment alone to soak in all that was to occur. The tears started here and continued sporadically through the night. (Yeah for tears of joy!) We were so happy with the decision to go ahead with the first-look as the pictures are more than we could have hoped for.
We wanted a venue for our ceremony and reception that combined comfort with elegance. Formal, yet inviting, Ouisie’s Table provided the perfect backdrop for this, not to mention we loved their food. We joined this understated elegance with our own contemporary tastes.
We wanted to tie in family traditions and two very different cultural backgrounds to make it a more personal and intimate experience for all involved. From the ceremony being officiated by Andrew’s 83-year-old grandfather from Ohio, carrying on the family tradition, to the Chinese tea ceremony, led by my family hailing from Taiwan and Vietnam. This served as a means to connect the two families on our wedding day. Whilst the tea ceremony was occurring, other guests enjoyed a contemporary mix of music played by Amp’d String quartet of Divisi Strings, feasted on hors d’oeuvres and sipped on cocktails.
The night’s festivities continued with music, laughter, a newlywed game, and plenty of dancing and culminated with a sparkler exit. The actual day of the wedding was hectic and really just flew by so much so that at the end of the night I was left asking Andrew, “It’s over already?” Our wedding day was a whole lot of fun, mixed with sincere emotions and family and friends that made it all the more special to us.
Wedding Photography: Stefano Choi Photography / Hair & Makeup: Katelyn & Anna Lisa of Adorne Artistry / Wedding Gown: Impression Bridal / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaid Dress Floral Pins: Christine Fung, Maid of Honor / Groom’s Attire: Milano Exchange / Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Wedding Ceremony & Reception Venue: Ouisie’s Table / Catering & Wedding Cake: Ouisie’s Table / Floral Design: The Bride + Robyn Horton, Friend of the Bride + Linda Kong, Friend of the Bride + Nidhi Puri, Bridesmaid / Wedding Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music: AMP’D Quartet of Divisi Strings / DJ: Marc Dufour of MJDJ / Wedding Invitations & Paper Goods: The Bride
