Houston Wedding Blog

Sam Houston Hotel Romance Package GIVEAWAY

Here’s the thing about a romantic getaway—you really don’t have to get all that far away for it to be all kinds of romantic. As long as you’ve got a fabulous room, a luxurious bed, a deep tub, and, of course, the man of your dreams dreaming right alongside you.

We can’t think of a better spot than downtown Houston’s very own, very chic, newly remodeled and totally hip Sam Houston Hotel (formerly the Alden Houston) as the perfect local getaway locale. This exceptionally stylish hotel—whose Veranda by *17 canopied rooftop terrace is among Houston’s most in-demand wedding venues—is located walking-distance from hot downtown Houston attractions, including Minute Maid Park and Discovery Green (where you’ll find The Grove restaurant and bar), and just a short, sweet Light Rail hop from some of the world’s most prestigious art and culture museums. Within the walls of this historic Houston bank building turned boutique hotel, you’ll find yummy cocktails at the great Sam Bar (a fave after-work hangout for young downtown business folks), and even yummier modern American eats at “Best in Texas”-ranked *17 restaurant.

Of course, with your Sam Houston Hotel Romance Package—which includes deluxe king bed accommodations, Champagne, room-service breakfast and late check-out—you may opt to not venture out of your room at all.

The choice is yours. The contest is ON. Here’s how to enter:

1.) Like Weddings in Houston on Facebook—if you haven’t yet, that is.

2.) Email us your name, fiancé’s name, Houston wedding date, reception venue (actual or hoped-for) and a few sentences describing your perfect romantic Houston weekend—where you’d go, what you’d do, where you’d eat, where you’d smooch. Keep it clean. Ish.

3.) Entry emails MUST be received NO LATER THAN MONDAY, JULY 8.

4.) Winner will be notified by WEDNESDAY, JULY 10 and announced on Facebook.

Want to find out more about “The Sam” as it’s known to folks in the know? Check out the hotel’s Weddings in Houston page for wedding pix and deets, and visit the hotel’s own site for history, happenings and hotel photos.

Sam Houston Hotel Romance Package GIVEAWAY

Photos: Sam Houston Hotel

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Middle Eastern and American Houston Wedding with NBA Twist

It’s a pretty good sign when your groom takes your cultural traditions and family expectations into consideration when popping the question: “Being Middle Eastern, where the proposal is normally an official, formal, family event, Jonathan wanted to make sure my family was included in the special night,” says bride Rema. A week before her 30^th birthday, on Memorial Day weekend at her parents’ house, Jonathan gave his future wife a pair of shoes she’d been coveting. Little did she know that her real gift—a gorgeous diamond engagement ring—was taped to the bottom of the shoebox. “I was speechless. It took about 30 seconds to actually say, ‘Yes,’ after the ring was on my finger. It was very memorable, and very respectful for Jonathan to include my family in the moment.” For her wedding, Rema wore Rivini from Ivory Bridal Atelier, and the couple and their 250 guests dined on braised short rib and danced to a mix of Arabic and American music. Rema’s favorite moment? “We had the Rockets game announcer”—Jonathan is senior manager of game operations and events for the NBA team—“announce us and our wedding party at the beginning of the reception. It sounded like the beginning of a basketball game. Very fun!” We hope y’all will have fun checking out Austin Miller Photography’s photos of this lovely Houston wedding. Drop your comments below!

Middle Eastern and American Houston Wedding with NBA Twist

Photos: Austin Miller Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Rivini from Ivory Bridal Atelier ~ Entertainment: Jonny Black Productions ~ Flowers: DIY ~ Rentals: Memorable Events ~ Venue: Renaissance Hotel Greenway Plaza

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Fairytale Wedding Gowns by Claire Pettibone

Fairytale fans, behold the Spring 2014 collection from the inimitable Claire Pettibone. The one-of-a-kind designer’s newest gowns are just as ethereal and garden-nymph-dreamy as ever, but the newly launched collection is just a wee bit more grown up—a little less boho and a little more chi-chi. You will, of course, find all the yummy details—lace straps, whimsical appliqué, sheer illusion netting, diaphanous layers, oodles of floral touches—that make a Claire Pettibone a Claire Pettibone. It’s no surprise that Pettibone’s mother and father were both professional artists who exposed her to galleries and museums at a young age—each and every one of her gowns is a unique work of art. Her designs haven’t quite made their way to Houston but word on the street is she’ll be available locally soon. Until then, you’ll have to head to ATX to get your own Pettibone. In the meantime, enjoy some of our top picks from the new collection!

Fairytale Wedding Gowns by Claire Pettibone

Photos: Claire Pettibone

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Gorgeous Great Gatsby Bridal Luncheon at Chateau Cocomar

When Chateau Cocomar throws a party to thank its brides, you know that party is going to be something special. And the April bridal luncheon the Houston venue hosted to show its gratitude and love for its 2012 brides was very special indeed. Designed by the exceptionally talented Tamara Menges, in homage to the 1920s decadence of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” the lovely luncheon featured shades of cream, white, ivory, gold, blush and champagne, with de rigeur touches of feathers, pearls and lace. We’re so delighted to feature photographer Holly Hoyt’s dreamy photos of this gorgeous event at the beautiful Chateau Cocomar. Seriously, how beautiful is this event? Let us know what you think! And check out the credits below for a full list of vendors.

Gorgeous Great Gatsby Bridal Luncheon at Chateau Cocomar

Photos: Holly Hoyt Photography ~ Catering: Café Natalie ~ Desserts: Party Architects ~ Flowers: Tamara Menges Designs ~ Linens: Elegant Beginnings ~ Rentals: Aztec Party Rentals ~ Stationery: Atelier du Papier ~ Venue: Chateau Cocomar

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Coral and Ivory Garden Party Wedding at the Antique Rose Emporium

Both former high-school athletes, Brittany and Chad sat next to each other on the way to UIL regionals in San Antonio—and that, Brittany says, was pretty much all it took for her to fall in love. After dinner at their favorite hometown restaurant one evening in 2012, where, Brittany recounts, her future groom “ate a kid’s meal for dinner because he was so nervous” (how cute is that?), Chad proposed to her underneath a blanket of stars at Hempstead City Park. The couple’s Antique Rose Emporium wedding, with its “antique, sweet Southern vibe,” was sheer perfection, from the deeply touching chapel ceremony, to the gently tousled flower arrangements and rustic burlap table runners, to the down-home dinner of chicken-fried steak and homemade mashed potatoes, to the natural beauty of their chosen venue—which, with its acres of Texas pioneer roses “did not call for extreme amounts of decorations,” Brittany says. “Everyone had a blast including my grandparents who are 70 years old and were the life of the party,” the bride notes—a fact attested to beautifully by photos from Paige Budde of Awake Photography. Congratulations, Brittany and Chad—may your life together forever be a garden of roses.

Pink and White Garden Party Wedding by Awake Photography

Photos: Awake Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Maggie Sottero from Weddings by Debbie ~ Tuxedos: Al’s Formal Wear ~ Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal ~ Flowers: Dilorio Farms & Roadside Market, Hempstead ~ Venue: Antique Rose Emporium, Brenham

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Downtown Aquarium Wedding by Kreative Angle Photography

Though they’d been friends since they were 10—best friends all through high school—Shannon was nevertheless “speechless” when, six years into their romantic relationship, Colin proposed while she was curled up with a hot chocolate, fumbling for the TV remote. Their spring wedding, which started with a church ceremony where Shannon’s beloved brother walked her down the aisle then high-fived her before dropping her off at the altar, gave way to an equally joyful reception at the Downtown Aquarium. Echoing the Nautilus Ballroom’s marine theme, Shannon and Colin went with a palette of cobalt blue and deep purple, and treated guests to seafood specialties including gumbo and crab-stuffed fillet of sole. As Shannon recounts, “The aquarium was decked out with lanterns and treasure chests filled with glow necklaces. The guests were asked to write date ideas on tongue depressors from the chests—we have some doozies. The DJ had everyone moving the entire night, guests sent us off with wedding wands through a tunnel out of the location. We then drove off in a cherry red Challenger and spent the evening enjoying the luxury of Hotel Icon.” Just how lovely does Shannon look in that Jasmine Couture gown from The Princess Bridal? Sigh. Congrats to the happy couple, and a high-five from us here at HWB to Kreative Angle Photography for the fine, fine photos.

Photos: Kreative Angle Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Jasmine Couture from The Princess Bridal ~ Flowers: The Bloom Room ~ Venue & Catering: Downtown Aquarium

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La Torretta Weekend Wedding with Football, Mad Libs, Bollywood and More

“Staying true to our Indian traditions and our Southern roots, Rushi and I wanted to include special touches that showed our personalities for our big weekend, so our first decision was to have our wedding outside of Houston, at the gorgeous La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa right off Lake Conroe in Texas,” says Houston bride Shilpa about her wedding to Rushi. “Our weekend-long celebration started with guests greeted with fresh-baked cookies, lemonade and handmade welcome bags upon check-in. Guests were then directed to an LSU viewing party Friday afternoon to enjoy the LSU vs. Arkansas game with fellow guests and Tiger fans. The colorful Friday night garba/raas festivities began with a live drum player and DJ, followed by an Italian pasta bar for dinner, king cakes fresh from Baton Rouge and homemade Indian sweets for dessert.” And that was just Friday’s fun. For Saturday’s wedding, perfect weather set the scene for a joyful celebration where guests sipped mango lassis alongside American-style cocktails, did custom wedding Mad Libs, and sat at floral-draped tables to dine on divine Indian specialties. As fine photos by New York photographer Trent Bailey show, “The reception continued with all-night dancing, personalized coozies and glow sticks, and all-around joy and happiness as two families became one, and two people became lifelong partners in this journey of life!” If there’s a better reason to celebrate, we sure don’t know what it is. Congrats, Shilpa and Rushi, and thank you so much for sharing your magnificent wedding with us, and all our brides.

Photos: Trent Bailey Photography ~ Bride’s Makeup: Makeup by Shazia Kazi ~ Cake: Sweets To Dream On ~ Decor & Rentals: Mandap Creations ~ DJ & Lighting: Indoraja Entertainment ~ Flowers: The Secret Floral Garden ~ Coordinator: Alana Padgett ~ Videography: T2 Productions ~ Venue: La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa

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Sophisticated City-Chic Engagement Shoot by Ama Photography & Cinema

“Having met in Europe on independent vacations, our relationship has always been long distance, focused on traveling to be together,” says bride-to-be Olga, who will marry Brian next June. “We got engaged in Mexico and felt like we never had any pictures commemorating our time in Houston, where Brian is from and where we now live. Our focus was finding locations that we felt were true to Houston.” With help from photographer Aisha Khan of Ama Photography & Cinema, the pair found inspiration in oak-lined North and South Boulevards, and the verdant beauty of Hermann Park. For the second part of their shoot, Olga opted to wear a white tuxedo jacket to complement Brian’s traditional tux. Though you’d never know it, neither of these two had ever actually had professional photographs taken before, and were both very nervous. “However I think dressing up and using props such as the vintage chair helped us to be more in character. We could have never imagined such fantastic photos, all credited to the vision of our extremely talented photographer!” Kudos to Khan, and our sincere thanks to Olga and Brian for sharing their beautiful photos with all of us…and all of you.

Sophisticated City-Chic Engagement Shoot by Ama Photography & Cinema

Photos: Ama Photography & Cinema

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