Houston Wedding Blog

Lovely Texas Summer Seaside Wedding at Hotel Galvez

OK, major proposal cuteness: “Matt made me breakfast in bed to celebrate my job promotion. As we were toasting with Champagne, he picked up our puppy and placed him in my lap. When I looked down my ring was on the puppy’s bandana. I said, ‘Yes,’ cried and then we called everyone we knew to tell them we were moving to Dallas for my new job AND we were getting married!” Allison and her California cutie tied the knot at the Hotel Galvez in front of 100 beloved guests. A vibrant, summery wedding color palette of pink, orange and green played perfectly off the historic Galveston hotel’s backdrop of breezy whites and neutrals, and set the stage for a lively and lovely beach wedding. Our thanks to MiaBella Photography for sharing photos, and to Allison and Matthew for sharing their very special day.

Lovely Texas Summer Seaside Wedding at Hotel Galvez

Photos: MiaBella Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Jason Alexander ~ Bride’s Shoes: Valentino ~ Cake: La Victoria Bakery ~ Flowers: Downtown Blooms ~ Venue: Hotel Galvez

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Madera Estates Bride and Groom Shoot by Ama by Aisha Photography & Cinema

Picture this: You’ve found the perfect wedding venue and the perfect photographer…only to discover later—ack!—that you and your honey have to move out of state and won’t be able to wed where you’d planned, after all. Now enjoy these gorgeous pictures of Kristin and Scott, shot at Madera Estates by Aisha Khan of Ama by Aisha Photography & Cinema. When the pair realized they wouldn’t be celebrating their union at their selected venue, they decided to do a “Day Before the Wedding” shoot with their selected photographer. Notes Khan, “The session was scheduled so we’d have perfect outdoor lighting. Kristin chose a second location out in a field, perfect for her photos, though it wouldn’t have been so perfect had we been rushing between the ceremony and reception.” Sweet, right? “Kristin is planning on having a fun and stress-free wedding while spending precious time with her guests. In her words, ‘If it rains or things go wrong on my wedding day, or taking photos with guests and family takes too long, it won’t matter because I’ll already have great wedding photos of the two of us.’” Plus, Khan adds, “She’ll also be showcasing the photos and her album during her wedding.” Wins all around. Thanks so much, Aisha, Kristin and Scott. And happiest wishes to the bride and groom!

Madera Estates Bride and Groom Shoot by Ama by Aisha Photography & Cinema

Photos: Ama by Aisha Photography & Cinema ~ Bride’s Dress: Pronovias from Brickhouse Bridal ~ Makeup: Live Love Beauty by Lily ~ Flowers: DIY ~ Venue: Madera Estates

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Get Your I Do! @ ZaZa Tix and You Could Win a $500 Steve Lee Weddings Bridal Boudoir Shoot to Boot

You KNOW you want to attend the sure-to-be-mind-blowing I Do! Bridal Soiree at Hotel ZaZa (for which tix, darlin’, are going like hotcakes). But perhaps you’re a wee bit on the fence about baring a little bridal skin for a boudoir photography shoot. Here’s the deal: When you snag your I Do! @ ZaZa tickets by midnight Sunday, Sept. 1, you will be automatically entered to win a $500 editorial boudoir shoot with one of the best in the business: the outrageously talented and exceptionally professional Steve Lee. Lee’s reputation for making brides of all shapes, sizes and comfort levels feel secure, sexy and confident at their boudoir shoots is well earned. And his photos? Ahhh-mazing.

So what are you waiting for, honey? Purchase your tickets to the Oct. 6 I Do! Bridal Soiree at Hotel ZaZa, our most sophisticated and stylish show of the year—and you could win what will ultimately amount to the best freakin’ gift your groom will ever get: you, at your most bridal beautiful, for his eyes only. Forever.

All brides who buy their tickets to Houston’s hottest bridal event by midnight Sunday are entered to win; winner announced Tuesday, Sept. 3 on Facebook. And remember, the I Do! Bridal Soiree at Hotel ZaZa WILL SELL OUT. It always does.

Good luck…hot stuff.

Photos: Steve Lee Weddings

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Pizza vs. Treadmill: A Bride’s False Dichotomy?

Photo: Holly Hoyt Photography via Culture Map

When we came upon Houston bride Monica’s tale of how becoming engaged put her on the path to fitness and better health, we knew we had to share it with y’all. She’s just so honest and funny and practical and—just, you know, freakin’ cool—we figured we’d let her inspire those of you who are determined to get in great wedding shape. Her take on the choices we make will make you want to get started on your pre-wedding shape-up, rather than waiting ’til Monday. Or Tuesday. Or next month. Check out her story on Culture Map, then lace up them kicks and GO!

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Bridal Preview: Kenneth Pool Spring 2014

If there’s one word we can associate with Kenneth Pool’s Spring 2014 bridal collection, it’s…glamour. These are no fun-and-flirty frocks or garden-nymph gowns. These wedding dresses are straight-up spotlight-stealers. Look for lots of lustrous satin, hip-hugging drop-waist and fit-and-flare silhouettes, plus a few queenly ballgowns for good measure. While, unlike in collections past, bling is at a minimum in this new Kenneth Pool showing, when beadwork does make an appearance in the collection, it is magnificently delicate and detailed, as in a gorgeous, shimmering cap-sleeve gown—the showstopper of the collection. See designer Amsale Aberra’s newest Kenneth Pool gowns when Belle Mariée Bridal hosts a September trunk show. Check the salon’s site for more details. Meanwhile, check out our favorite Kenneth Pool Spring 2014 gowns!

Bridal Preview: Kenneth Pool Spring 2014

Photos: Kenneth Pool

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Champagne, Gold and Chocolate Villa Rinata Wedding

Ooo… another U.S.-Canada transcontinental love story. We love it! (Full disclosure: Our editor is married to a totally adorable Canuck, so she’s a little biased.) OK, so, Jessica and Mike’s tale actually starts with a series of phone calls they shared, at the urging of friends who thought they’d be perfect for each other. Eventually, they had to meet in person—and once they did, the sparks flew. One January day, Mike flew from Edmonton, Alberta, to Houston to surprise Jessica with a marriage proposal…and not only did she say, “Yes,” but she actually moved to Edmonton, where she and Mike now live. “It’s very cold here,” she tells us, “but he keeps me warm.” We’ll just bet he does. Oh—and about the couple’s Houston wedding? It was a beauty! Using a palette of champagne, gold, ivory and chocolate, Darryl & Co. filled the already-lovely Villa Rinata with creamy roses and hydrangeas, illuminated with amber uplighting. Jessica dazzled in her Allure Bridals gown from Weddings by Debbie, and perfect hair and makeup by—who else?—The Perfect Face. Feast your eyes on photos from Canadian photography team Shadowbox Studios, which capture all the glamour and sophistication of this wedding, with its feminine touches and metallic edge. And join us in wishing Jessica and Mike a lifetime of love and warmth!

Champagne, Gold and Chocolate Villa Rinata Wedding

Photos: Shadow Box Studios ~ Bride’s Dress: Allure Bridals from Weddings by Debbie ~ Bride’s Hair & Makeup: The Perfect Face ~ Cake: Alphorn Bakery ~ Flowers & Decor: Darryl & Co. ~ Venue: Villa Rinata ~ Rehearsal Dinner: Maggiano’s Little Italy

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GIVEAWAY: Buy I Do! @ ZaZa Pre-sale Tix and WIN a Fitbit Bridal Fitness Package

GIVEAWAY: Buy I Do! @ ZaZa Pre-sale Tix and WIN a FitBit Bridal Fitness Package

Photos: Fitbit

The sophisticated, super-chic, swag-filled I Do! Bridal Soiree at Hotel ZaZa is coming up in a little over six weeks—which is the perfect amount of time to get a jump on your bridal fitness and health regimen. And we want to help!! Buy your limited-availability I Do! @ ZaZa pre-sale tickets by midnight Sunday, Aug. 25 and you could win a Fitbit One Wireless Activity Tracker and Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale—a fantastic bridal fitness technology package worth $230!

How much do we love Fitbit? A ton. Because that’s how much weight (and more) Fitbit’s activity-tracking devices have collectively helped brides, grooms and regular folks lose since their much-lauded launch. Clip your Fitbit One to your sports bra, tank, belt or pocket during the day, and track your steps, distance traveled, calories burned and stairs climbed. Wear your Fitbit on your wrist at night to measure your sleep quality and learn how to sleep better and wake healthier. Then use your Aria smart scale to track your weight, body fat and BMI, and sync your stats with a custom online graph, to help you stay motivated and on track toward “I do!”

All brides who buy their tickets to Houston’s hottest bridal event by midnight Sunday are entered to win; winner announced Tuesday, Aug. 27 on Facebook. And remember, the I Do! Bridal Soiree at Hotel ZaZa WILL SELL OUT. It always does. Snag your tickets now while you can—and score a super-cool pre-wedding fitness package too.

Good luck…and get moving!

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Elegant Ivory, White and Black Persian-American Wedding at Hotel ZaZa

We admit it: We’ve got a soft spot for love stories that begin, “We met when we were 16 years old, at the mall.” Especially when they involve years of long-distance, on-again-off-again dating that culminates, finally, with the realization that you can’t and won’t live without your true love by your side. Such is the nature of Elly and Ryan’s relationship, sealed with heartfelt vows in a ceremony inside Hotel ZaZa’s Phantom Ballroom that combined Persian and traditional Western rites and rituals. Following the ceremony, guests gathered in the ballroom’s foyer area where they enjoyed more than 10 different types of passed hors d’oeuvre while Hotel ZaZa’s expert staff, along with design pros from florist and decorator Plants N’ Petals, transformed the ceremony space for the reception. “Each of the 13 nooks in the Phantom ballroom was used differently,” bride Elly explains. “The center nook held the Persian sofreh while other nooks contained bars, couches and seats with cocktail tables, guest dinner tables, the six-piece band, and the two DJ’s.” Centerpieces of roses, peonies, hydrangeas and crystal candelabras topped the tables, where guests convened to rest and refuel when not dancing the night away. “Our wedding went even better than I could have imagined,” Elly says. “We had such a wonderful time!” And we’ve had a wonderful time sharing your day with you and Ryan. Thanks so much to John Ly Photography for the pretty pix—and congratulations to the lovely couple.

Elegant Black and White Persian-American Wedding at Hotel ZaZa

Photos: John Ly Photography ~ Videography: A&A Video Productions ~ Bride’s Dress: Melissa Sweet by Priscilla of Boston ~ Jewelry: Markle Luxury Jewelers & Zadok Jewelers ~ Shoes: Jimmy Choo ~ Hair & Makeup: Blush & Co. ~ Flowers & Decor: Plants N’ Petals ~ Persian Sofreh: Sofreh Chic ~ Coordinator: Belle of the Ball ~ Officiants: Minister Brian Engle (Weddings Performed); Lillie Taat~ Venue: Hotel ZaZa

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