Houston Wedding Blog

HWB Hearts: Texas Hill Country Wedding Goodies

It’s no secret how much we here at HWB love Hill Country weddings—like Jana & Buddy’s, Lauren & Zach’s, Juli & Kyle’s…and on and on. But did you know what a great resource Hill Country is for other wonderful wedding stuff, besides scenic venues?

Along with the allure of Austin, the area’s international influences and the recent boom in winemaking have made it a mecca for gourmands, gastronomes and folks who just plain crave true Texas flavor. Fortunately for us, this renowned region is right in our backyard. We highly recommend scouting Hill Country for welcome-basket goodies, dessert-table treats and take-home favors that will give your wedding guests a taste of Texas that is as sweet to look upon as it is delicious to devour. Our faves include Austin’s ridiculously adorablicious (yeah, we made it up) Tiny Pies and favor-sensation Gracious Bridal (they do edibles as well as non–with packaging to die for). ‘Course for down-home delish, nothing beats Fredericksburg’s Rustlin’ Robs–who, after all, can resist zippy Black-Eyed Pea Relish or perfect Pecan Pie Filling-in-a-Jar? Take to the hills, Houston bride!

Texas Hill Country Wedding Goodies ~ Houston Wedding Blog Texas Hill Country Wedding Goodies ~ Houston Wedding Blog Texas Hill Country Wedding Goodies ~ Houston Wedding Blog Texas Hill Country Wedding Goodies ~ Houston Wedding Blog Texas Hill Country Wedding Goodies ~ Houston Wedding Blog Texas Hill Country Wedding Goodies ~ Houston Wedding Blog

Photos: Gracious Bridal (top 5 images), Tiny Pies (next 4 images), Rustlin’ Robs (last 2 images)

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Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography

Everything about Houston couple Jessica and Richard’s autumn winery wedding is so sumptuously seasonal, so elegantly festive, yet so full of handmade warmth and simple sweetness…we are utterly smitten. It doesn’t surprise us one bit that Jessica used Pinterest for much of her inspiration, from her spray-painted wine bottle table numbers to those pretty pumpkin centerpieces. “My sister-in-law and I worked several weekends creating decor,” Jessica told us. “And my bridesmaids helped with all the final touches. I will say though, not everything is how you plan it, so a few mishaps happened that I am thankful I only noticed after the fact!” That adorable banner gracing the head table, for instance? It was supposed to read “mr & mrs” rather than the other way around. But bride Jessica is so easygoing about the oops: “Maybe we’ll start a new feminist movement at wedding receptions!” We love it. The same way we love everything about this absolutely gorgeous fall wedding, with its echoes of Halloween, its whimsical sense of romance—and most of all, the wonderful couple at its heart, Jessica and Richard. As for these stunning photos, big thanks goes to the wildly talented Sarah Ainsworth of Sarah Ainsworth Photography, an HWB fave photographer, and, in the words of bride Jessica, “simply put, our best investment.”

Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography Autumn Winery Wedding by Sarah Ainsworth Photography

Photography: Sarah Ainsworth Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Jim Hjelm from Now & Forever Bridal Boutique ~ Bridesmaid Dresses: Nordstrom ~ Decor & Floral: DIY and Etsy ~ Venue, Catering & Cake: Haak Winery

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2012 Bridal Runway: The Princess Bridal

They’re slated to be featured in the May 5 Houston Chronicle as the “Business of the Week.” And today they’re our bridal couture pick of the day! Check out The Princess Bridal’s runway run at the I Do! Bridal Soiree @ InterContinental, featuring ruffles aplenty, prettiness in pink, and lovely long veils. Designers on display include Blue by Enzoani, Allure Couture and Essence of Australia. Beautiful, aren’t they?

Gowns: The Princess Bridal ~ Video: A&A Video

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Buy I Do! Tickets, Win Dinner for Two!

Buy I Do! Tickets, Win Dinner for Two!

Photos (left, The Bird and the Bear Bistro; right, Ouisie’s Table) Courtesy Ouisie’s Table

What’s more delicious than fantasy wedding tablescapes, Italian delicacies, fine wine and bubbly, live entertainment, and more than 35 of Houston’s finest wedding experts and vendors gathered under one gloriously regal roof? All that and a $100 dinner for two at one of Houston’s hottest dining spots—The Bird and the Bear Bistro, from the fine folks at Ouisie’s Table.

A word about Ouisie’s Table—this beautiful Highland Village restaurant, composed of numerous indoor and outdoor dining and celebration spaces, is one of our favorite spots for rehearsal dinners, bridal lunches, day-after brunches, and yes, intimate, elegant, cuisine-focused weddings. While each room has its own unique personality and ambiance, Ouisie’s service and upscale Southern-with-a-twist food are uniformly flawless.

Which is why we were so excited when Ouisie’s debuted its exciting new Westheimer bistro, The Bird and the Bear, last fall. Never been? Think chic black-white-and-red room, bistro fare (escargot, foie gras, roasted salmon), and plenty of Ouisie’s Southern influence. Want to win? We’re giving away dinner for two (a $100 value), to one lucky bride who 1.) snaps up her I Do! Bridal Soiree @ The Corinthian tickets by midnight tonight and 2.) *likes* us on Facebook.

All brides who have purchased I Do! tickets between start of presale and midnight tonight are entered to win. Winner announced Wednesday on Facebook. Good luck, brides.

And we look forward with great pleasure to meeting you on Thursday!

 

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Resort-to-Ranch Bridal Shoot from Archetype Studio

Archetype Studio’s Terilyn Brown describes bride Lacey as “vibrant, beautiful, and so easy to get a long with—she has a great sense of humor and a wonderful laugh!” And we can see that spark in every single frame from Lacey’s bridal shoot, which kicked off at the San Antonio resort where her fiancé Brian works. Eventually, the shoot made its way to Terilyn and husband/photographer Koby Brown’s Kendalia ranch property, where the plaster walls and wavy glass windows of a 100+-year-old German rock house offered a perfect backdrop for the radiant bride. We asked Brown to tell us one wonderful thing about this shoot, and she smiled: “Lacey’s shoes. I love them. They have hearts on the bottom.” ’Nuff said.
Resort-to-Ranch Bridal Shoot from Archetype Studio ~ Houston Wedding Blog Resort-to-Ranch Bridal Shoot from Archetype Studio ~ Houston Wedding Blog Resort-to-Ranch Bridal Shoot from Archetype Studio ~ Houston Wedding Blog Resort-to-Ranch Bridal Shoot from Archetype Studio ~ Houston Wedding Blog Resort-to-Ranch Bridal Shoot from Archetype Studio ~ Houston Wedding Blog Resort-to-Ranch Bridal Shoot from Archetype Studio ~ Houston Wedding Blog Resort-to-Ranch Bridal Shoot from Archetype Studio ~ Houston Wedding Blog Resort-to-Ranch Bridal Shoot from Archetype Studio ~ Houston Wedding Blog Resort-to-Ranch Bridal Shoot from Archetype Studio ~ Houston Wedding Blog Resort-to-Ranch Bridal Shoot from Archetype Studio ~ Houston Wedding Blog

Photos: Archetype Studio

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GIVEAWAY: Buy I Do! Tickets, Win a Lakeway Resort Getaway!

Buy I Do! Tickets, Win a Lakeway Resort Getaway! Buy I Do! Tickets, Win a Lakeway Resort Getaway!

The Thursday, April 26, I Do! Bridal Soiree at The Corinthian is less than a week away, and we are so excited about our newest I Do! event, we can hardly stand it. The drama and grandeur of The Corinthian, the magnificent tablescapes, the incredible Jackson and Company cuisine and cocktails, the live entertainment and luxurious lounge ambiance…seriously, we are all aflutter.

So…to share our excitement, we’re giving away a BLISSFUL WEEKEND ONE-NIGHT STAY FOR 2 at Austin’s serene, scenic and spa-tacular Lakeway Resort to one lucky I Do! @ The Corinthian attendee. Our prize includes luxurious king-room accommodations plus breakfast at tranquil Lakeway Resort, home of the superb San Saba Spa.

Simply purchase your I Do! @ The Corinthian tickets by midnight tonight, Friday, April 20, and *Like* us on Facebook (if you haven’t yet), and you are automatically entered to win. All brides who have  purchased presale tickets and have become a FB fan by tonight’s deadline are entered. Our randomly selected winner will be announced Monday on Facebook.

Good luck…and we look forward, with great anticipation, to meeting you @ I Do!

Buy I Do! Tickets, Win a Lakeway Resort Getaway!

 

Etsy Envy: Bridesmaid Gifts

They’re there for you every step of the way, offering opinions when asked (OK, sometimes not when asked), agreeing to wear whatever frothy frock you choose, helping you with wedding prep chores at your whim, and occasionally talking you off the ledge of wedding planning indecision. That’s just what it means to be a bridesmaid. So please, be an exemplary bride, and show those amazing girls just how much you appreciate their patience, good humor, and most of all, their love. Etsy artisans make gracious bridesmaid gifting easy and, yeah, a heck of a lot of fun. We’ve hand selected our current favorite bridesmaid gifts to help you say “thank you” in style!
Etsy Envy: Bridesmaid Gifts ~ Houston Wedding Blog
1. Shop Memento ~ 2. JuJu Baju ~ 3. Tyra Handmade Jewelry 2 ~ 4. Delicacy J ~ 5. Brilliant Bashes ~ 6. Ickady Bags ~ 7. EmenGee Designs ~ 8. Anista Designs

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What’s New at the New I Do?

What’s New at the New I Do?

The I Do! Bridal Soiree at The Corinthian is I Do! like you’ve never seen it before. Which, for the 35-plus top-of-the-line vendors in attendance, means a chance to showcase their best in a whole new light. Of course, you’ll have to wait ’til those storied doors of The Corinthian open on April 26, to see just what we’re talking about. Until then, here’s a little sneak peek at what some of our experts plan to unveil!

Wedding consultant extraordinaire Jo Ann Schwartz-Woodward, of top Houston wedding-planning firm Schwartz & Woodward, will be speaking to brides about the custom wedding-planning services for which Schwartz & Woodward is known—and will be offering a free vendor consultation (valued at $1,500), to provide couples with “vendors in every single category that they would need to plan a memorable wedding,” Schwartz-Woodward says.

Visit award-winning videography studio Sculpting With Time to speak with founder Alex Douglas about the “Wedding Cinema” package, which includes a highlight video and feature-length film, shot with Hollywood-quality equipment by up to three cinematographers. And take advantage of a 10% show discount!

On the hunt for engaging invitations? Along with other gorgeous invitation and stationery designs, Vivian Jade will be showcasing their fun and innovative Sweetheart Pocket invitations and sending brides home with a Sweetheart Pocket sample.

Brides with a sweet tooth will no doubt want to indulge in treats from Who Made The Cake, which will show off stunning new cake styles, along with Cake Shots—“the hot new wedding favor,” Who Made The Cake’s Nadine Moon tells us.

Though they won’t debut until shortly after the I Do! show, photographer DC Stanley’s stylish new photo albums are destined to be big with brides—so make sure to ask about them at the DC Stanley display (and be sure to pick up a $100 DC Stanley gift certificate while you’re at it).

Photographer Steve Lee of top Houston photography studio Steve Lee Weddings will catch the attention of many a bride with dazzling 40-by-60-foot canvas wraps, so be sure to keep an eye out for them! Also be sure to take advantage of Steve Lee Weddings’ special I Do! @ The Corinthian package, which includes two portrait sessions, two-photographer wedding coverage, edited images and a wedding book, all at a very special show-only discount.

Crazy for couture? Look for mingling models sashaying about The Corinthian sporting beautiful gowns and accessories from top Houston bridal salons, including breathtaking Carolina Herrera designs from Belle Mariée Bridal, and hotly anticipated Amsale fall 2012 styles from Mia Bridal Couture.

These are but a tiny handful of the treasures you’ll uncover at I Do! @ The Corinthian. We’ll be posting, tweeting and buzzing about more in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned—and, most of all, make sure to snag tickets to this intimate and extraordinary show before they run out!

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