Houston Wedding Blog

The Big To-Do: Lord Wedgwood Returns to Houston for Two Big Bering’s Events, Thursday & Friday, Nov. 15 & 16

Wedgwood & Bentley Postcard

He’s back! That’s right, Lord Wedgwood, direct descendant of Wedgwood founder Josiah Wedgwood and arbiter of gracious entertaining, returns to Houston this week for two very special events at landmark retailer Bering’s.

On Thursday, Nov. 15, from 6 to 9 p.m., Lord Wedgwood takes part in The Rise School of Houston’s “Gifts from the Heart” 13th-annual shopping extravaganza, taking place at Bering’s, and benefiting Houston’s renowned school for serving young children with disabilities in an integrated environment.

On Friday, Nov. 16, Lord Wedgwood returns to Bering’s from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. to present and sign pieces from the Wedgwood and Bentley collection, which features iconic tableware and home décor pieces mixed with contemporary classics, designed to embody modern luxury. And to be a downright spectacular addition to any discerning wedding registry—hint, hint.

Oh—and did we happen to mention that Bering’s is one of just FIVE U.S. retail stores selected by WWRD Holdings (Wedgwood’s parent company) to unveil the new Wedgwood and Bentley collection? The store was chosen, Lord Wedgwood says, because “Bering’s represents one of the most unique retail concepts in the United States. For generations, this one-of-a-kind treasure has offered an incredible array of luxury items for the home, and upscale gifts including Wedgwood china and crystal.” What’s more, he adds, “Bering’s is an excellent place to find gifts for everyone on your list, and they also offer the old-fashioned kind of service that seems near extinction.”

We’ll second that!

While you’re marking these wonderful events on your calendar, here’s the scoop on which Wedgwood and Bentley piece’s are Lord Wedgwood’s personal favorites, in his own words:

“One of my personal favorites is ‘Black Astbury,’ an iconic Wedgwood pattern that first appeared in the early 20th century. It is characterized by a rich, opulent design motif that is hand-decorated with raised paste-work and 24K-gold gilding. Each Black Astbury dinner plate can take up to 10 hours of work to complete. I also love the iconic Wedgwood ‘Pure Gold’ pattern that is based on the traditions of acid-etched decoration and hand-applied gilding. Pure Gold embodies a minimal but luxurious aesthetic.”

Fabulous. We can’t wait to see the new collection, and meet YOU at this week’s Bering’s events!

Lord Wedgwood at Bering's

Photos: Courtesy of WWRD

Share this post

Enchanted Garden Wedding at the St. Regis Hotel

Just because he made fun of her for buying the classic Britney Spears film “Crossroads” did not mean Jason thought any less of Kristen. Quite the contrary. After ringing up Kristen’s purchase at the Austin store where the two first encountered each other in 2007, Kristen gave cutie cashier Jason her number. “The three requisite days later, he called!” she recounts happily. This year, the couple wed in a Catholic ceremony—Kristen radiant in her Anne Barge gown from Ivory Bridal Atelier, and makeup by The Perfect Face—followed by a stunning celebration in the Astor Ballroom of the St. Regis Hotel. “Jason and I were originally considering a small destination wedding in Newport Coast, Calif., but we quickly determined that we really wanted to get married in Houston, the city where we both had lived practically our entire lives”—all the better, she says, to “spend this most special of evenings with our closest family and friends.” Kristen envisioned her reception as “a space that would sweep you away to a ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’-esque garden.” And with the help of lush white flowers, Manzanita trees, and dramatic lighting from Bright Star Productions, her wedding vision became a reality for all to enjoy. We love how the couple, both UT alums, paid tribute to their alma mater in food (a super-cool groom’s cake) and drink (“a burnt-orange version of our favorite lemon-drop martini,” notes the bride). Fabulous photos from Table4 Photography tell the visual tale of this beautiful Houston wedding. We hope you’ll let us know what you think— and, of course, join us in wishing Kristen and Jason a lifetime of happiness!

Enchanted Garden Wedding at the St. Regis Hotel

Photos: Table4 Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Anne Barge from Ivory Bridal Atelier ~ Bride’s Hair & Makeup: The Perfect Face ~ Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka ~ Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Monique Lhullier ~ Tuxedos: Vera Wang ~ Invitations: Vivian Jade ~ Lighting: Bright Star Productions ~ Videographer: 31 Films ~ Venue: St. Regis Hotel

Share this post

Classic Wedding with a Charitable Heart by Lindsay Elizabeth Photography

“When Michael proposed, we started wondering where to find the right venue for us,” recounts Houston bride Carolyn. “Fortunately we thought about the Brookwood Community, a wonderful residential organization right outside of Katy, where adults with disabilities can thrive and learn to contribute meaningfully. My mother and I had often eaten in the café there and we loved to volunteer with the organization.” Carolyn explains that the Brookwood Community had only recently started hosting weddings—and she was thrilled to be among the first to take advantage of the community’s “beautiful worship center” and lovely, sunlight-filled café space. In her diaphanous Watters gown from Mia Bridal Couture, Carolyn made her wedding dreams come true, with a timeless summer celebration filled with personal photos, handmade signs and touches of blue, purple and green. The best part? “The profits from the wedding went to a scholarship fund to help residents live at the Brookwood Community. We were so grateful to have a wedding that benefitted a cause—and we enjoyed that we didn’t compromise on anything to host it there!” Congratulations, and happiest wishes to Carolyn and Michael. And big thanks to Lindsay Elizabeth Photography for the lovely, lovely photos!

Classic Wedding with a Charitable Heart by Lindsay Elizabeth Photography

Photos: Lindsay Elizabeth Photography

Bride’s Dress: Watters from Mia Bridal Couture ~ Rings: Tiffany & Co. ~ Venue: Brookwood Community

Share this post

$750 Vintage Yacht Engagement Shoot GIVEAWAY from Civic Photos

Today’s giveaway is going to have you vintage-loving gals swooning with delight. Here’s why: Barett Delyon Henry. The fab Houston photographer has turned out some of the most delicious vintage-inspired shoots we’ve seen—like Jon and Kirbie’s sporty, sexy, city-chic engagement sesh, featured in this here post!—and is an absolute superstar at using light, filters and superb photo editing (not to mention his considerable photographic talents) to create a classic retro feel.

Want him to turn back time by turning his lens on YOU? Enter today to win a very special Vintage Sunset Yacht Engagement Session, courtesy of Civic Photos—Henry’s hot Houston photo studio!

This unique giveaway package includes up to three hours of photography onboard a specially chartered 50-foot yacht. Should you win, all you and your hubby-to-be need to do is show up harborside at the appointed time, wearing vintage-style clothing (no, it doesn’t have to actual thrift-shop attire—any great duds with vintage flair will do). Henry and his crew will supply additional vintage props and lush red roses. As you set sail into the sunset, you’ll just need to smile, smooch a little, and just basically be in love. Henry’ll do the rest.

Also included is one 8X10 heirloom print of your favorite shot. You can, of course, purchase as many more pix as your wish.

How excited are you??

TO ENTER: 1) *Like* us Facebook 2) Email us your name, fiancé’s name, wedding date and reception venue, NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT, THURSDAY, NOV. 15. Please enter ONLY ONCE (duplicate entries will be deleted).

Winners will be notified the week of Nov. 19, and subsequently announced on Facebook.

Good luck, lovelies!

$750 Vintage Yacht Engagement Shoot Giveaway from Civic Photos

Photos: Civic Photos

Share this post

Winnie Couture WOWS at NY Bridal Market…and Causes an Instagram Frenzy!

Glamour’s Instagram feed of 2013 gowns making their debut at the recent New York Bridal Market garnered lots and lots of attention from couture-obsessed brides-to-be. But no gown got more love in less time than Winnie Couture’s stunning “Esme” mermaid gown, which tallied up a whopping 10,000 ♥’s in just three hours.

Behold that amazing gown, along with a few more of our newly unveiled 2013 favorites from the exceptionally talented Winnie Chlomin, whose internationally beloved-by-brides design house is now based in Beverly Hills—but got its start right here in Houston, with the Winnie Couture Houston Flagship Salon.

See a Winnie Couture gown that drives you wild with wanting? Hold tight, lovelies. The new dresses will hit Winnie’s Houston salon right around December. We can’t think of a better gift for the holidays!

Photos: Courtesy of Winnie Couture

Dresses (top to bottom, left to right): Esme (front, back)~Kazane (front, back)~Gittel~Jeanette~Pierretta~Danessa~Giulia~Ambrea

Share this post

Fashion and a Fellow’s Rebekah Gullo Dresses You in Style for Pre-Wedding Parties!

We are positively giddy with delight to have the superbly stylish Rebekah Gullo of fave Houston style blog Fashion And A Fellow guest posting on HWB today. You may remember Rebekah from our recent post on her absolutely splendid wedding to the handsome “fellow” of FAAF fame. If you’re not already following her great blog, you really should start. Like NOW. Meanwhile, enjoy her tips and fashion/accessory picks for dressing to impress on the pre-wedding party circuit! And make sure to jump over to FAAF (and follow her on Twitter) for plenty more awesome style advice and general loveliness.

Take it away, Rebekah!

“Three of the biggest parties you’ll likely attend during your wedding preparation are engagement parties, wedding showers, and your rehearsal dinner. With the fall and winter wedding season quickly approaching, I created a couple of outfit choices to fit each of your wedding occasion needs, and made each outfit wearable whether it is a warmer or cooler day…because you never know in Houston!”

[Engagement Party]

Fashion and a Fellow Engagement Party

“This party can be a ‘girls-only’ event, or can include your soon-to-be-husband, and other guys. Either way, I like to keep it classy and sophisticated with a peplum dress, or a blouse and shorts with a tweed jacket.”

[Wedding Shower]

Fashion and a Fellow Wedding Shower

“To me, this party is filled with flowers, delicate desserts and maybe a mimosa…or two! I chose a bright printed dress and added a studded belt for a little edge. I love a delicate dress with a surprisingly stronger piece, like a belt or a statement necklace.”

[Rehearsal Dinner]

Fashion and a Fellow Rehearsal Dinner

“This event is a time to reflect over the past months and look forward to the days ahead. You are almost a BRIDE. Choose a piece with shades close to white, like pink or yellow, or mix in a white piece with another color. I chose one with metallic flecks that glittered in the light.”

“Remember: You’re the bride, you can do whatever you want. There are no rules. This is your time to shine and make the most of it!”

www.fashionandafellow.com

Photos: Courtesy of Rebekah Gullo

Share this post

Photos, Kudos and Highlights from Our Best ZaZa Bridal Show Yet!

OK, so we were going to kick off this post by gushing a bit about how truly fantastic our Oct. 7 I Do! Bridal Soiree at Hotel ZaZa was. But instead, we’ll let Houston bride Vanessa, who attended this year’s ZaZa show, tell you in her own words, which she emailed to us post-show:

“The event was amazing! There were great vendors, the presentation throughout was beautiful, and the staff at Hotel ZaZa was courteous. I loved the event because it was so much more personal than other events. I had the time to talk to vendors and I left knowing which ones I loved. Having food, Champagne, and wine was definitely a plus. It let my group relax and have fun. You nearly forget you’re at an event not a party! I have a few friends that are recently engaged and have already told them to sign up for the I Do! Bridal Soiree in January!”

Wow. Thank you so much, Vanessa, for attending I Do!, and for sharing your experience with us and our awesome Houston brides!

Huge thanks, too, to Hotel ZaZa senior catering manager Kristina Opp and her outstanding staff; to entertainers extraordinaire Jonny Black of Jonny Black Productions, and pianist Scott Graham; to A&A Video Productions for filming our fantastic show (clip coming soon!); and to D. Jones Photography for GORGEOUS photos of I Do! @ ZaZa, featured here. We’ve got way more I Do! @ ZaZa on Facebook, so do check them out…and if you see something you like, drop your comment and let us know. And just a reminder—if you contact any of the vendors you met at the show, or whose work you’ve admired through our show photos, PLEASE let them know you found them through Weddings in Houston and the I Do! Bridal Soiree!

Tickets for the Jan. 27 I Do! Bridal Soiree at the Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston are ON SALE NOW. Get yours before they sell out! We can’t wait to meet you there!!

I Do ZaZa 2012 2012 I Do at Hotel ZaZa

Photos: D. Jones Photography

Share this post

Casting Call: New MTV Bridesmaids Show

MTV Casting Call

Are you—or is anyone you know—a bridesmaid for more than one 2012 or 2013 wedding? MTV wants to know! The cable network is casting a new show, “Always A Bridesmaid,” and is on the hunt for gals who’ve got multiple b-maid obligations that range from elegant and over-the-top to casual and low-key. If you are between 18 and 28 years old and are involved in several bridal parties for 2012/2013 weddings, email MTV your contact info, a video summary of your situation and a recent photo. Who knows? That bevy of bridesmaid dresses, party invites and planning chores (not to mention your natural charm) may just land you on TV!

Share this post