Houston Wedding Blog

Houston’s $10,000 Amazing Home Race

Photos: Courtesy Seven7Digital and SCVNGR

On Saturday, March 24, the streets of Houston will come alive with eager to-be-weds racing to win $10,000 cash. Will you be one of them?

Register now to take part in The Loken Group and The Short Team’s “Amazing Home Race”—a one-day treasure hunt that will send racers ricocheting from one exciting Houston location to another. Clues and challenges will be delivered via text, in real time, to participants’ mobile devices. The ultimate prize? A cool ten grand, baby—the perfect chunk of change to, say, put toward your purchase of a gorgeous Loken Group newlywed nest of your choice?

This awesome, fast-paced, use-your-wits-to-win adventure is brought to you by The Loken Group, The Short Team (both affiliated with Keller Williams) and SCVNGR, and we have no doubt registration will fill FAST. Need a reason to jump on the Amazing Home Race? We can think of about, oh, ten thousand of ’em.

Good luck!

Houston’s $10,000 Amazing Home Race
Photos: Frederick Warren Photography, Courtesy The Loken Group

Share this post

Orchid-Filled Hilton Americas Wedding By Kelly Hornberger Photography

“I chose Hilton Americas-Houston because I loved the elegant setting that the hotel provided,” bride Natalie told us about her magnificent 280-guest wedding celebration. “As soon as you walk into the lobby you immediately notice the beautiful chandeliers and enormous marble columns situated around the lobby. The ambiance of the hotel really set the mood that I had envisioned for my wedding.” Enhancing that mood, and bringing freshness and warmth to the opulence, were simple, monochromatic, bloom-and-branch centerpieces from Darryl & Co. set against earth-toned linens and flickering votives, in a room washed in shades of pink of purple. Orchids abounded, at the request of the bride, who told us, “I knew the night Shane proposed that orchids would be a part of my wedding. During dinner on New Year’s Eve of 2010, the waiter presented me with a covered plate that I assumed would be the entree that I had ordered. When he removed the lid, I was so surprised to find the most gorgeous engagement ring situated in the middle of a beautiful orchid arrangement. I fell in love with the flower not only because of the beautiful colors, but because of the beautiful memory that it reminded me of.” For memories of her perfect day, Natalie will forever have photos from top Houston wedding photographer Kelly Hornberger, who was kind enough to share a selection with us in this here post. Thank you, Kelly—and happiest wishes to the lovely couple!

Orchid-Filled Hilton Americas Wedding By Kelly Hornberger Photography

Photos: Kelly Hornberger Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Maggie Sottero ~ Bride’s Shoes & Jewelry: Badgley Mischka (wedding bands) ~ Tuxedos: Al’s Formal Wear ~ Cake: Who Made The Cake ~ Flowers, Decor & Rentals: Darryl & Co. ~ Venue & Catering: Hilton Americas-Houston

Share this post

Place Cards and Favors for Wine Weddings

Houston is a food- and wine-lovers’ paradise. Its fertile surrounding lands are also home to more than a few beautiful wineries—Messina Hof is one of our faves—where a wine-loving couple may wish to wed. If you’re planning to get hitched at a local vineyard, or to feature good wine, big time, at your wedding, make it personal with custom wine labels from the wonderful Nancy Nikko (whose also does lovely custom canning labels, bookplates and oodles more, btw). While wine stopper options abound, our current favorites are erasable ceramic Placetile’s, which do double duty as place cards and favors—and Daisy Mae Designs’ awesome “map” stoppers, which you can customize with a snippet of Texas territory. And for sheer prettiness, we absolutely adore flower-accent wine-cork place-card holders from Karas Vineyard Wedding, featured here in beloved Tiffany blue, but available in just about any color you can imagine. Check out these, and a couple more wine-theme cuties, below.

Photos (clockwise, left to right): Nancy Nikko Design, Casiani via Amazon, Daisy Mae Designs, Home Wet Bar, Nancy Nikko Design, Nancy Nikko Design, Placetile, Nancy Nikko Design, Karas Vineyard Wedding, Placetile

Share this post

Houston Valentine’s Day Gifts, Goodies and Getaways

We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: Wedding in Houston vendors are the best in the business. But besides weddings, know what else they’re really good at? VALENTINE’S DAY. Gorgeous flowers, couture confections, decadent spa treatments―our partners have got you covered. Here’s just a handful of the goodies they’ve got going to help make this Valentine’s Day the most deliciously romantic you’ve ever enjoyed.

Michael’s Cookie Jar, creator of the delightful cookie tower that had so many of you oohing and aahing at the I Do! show, has too many adorable cookie gifts to count. But our fave has got to be the Valentine Gift box, with 18 bite-sized cookies to say “I love you” in six yummy flavors including espresso shortbread, gingerbread and sugar cookie, plus a personal love note at no extra charge. Order 24 hours ahead for pickup, or have your sweets shipped to your sweetie.

Also a big hit at our January show, Nothing Bundt Cakes bundtelets and bundtinis (you may remember these babies from your I Do! swag bag) are cute as anything, and insanely delicious to boot. Flavors include red velvet, chocolate chocolate-chip and white-chocolate raspberry. Pick up a Nothing Bundt Cakes decorating kit and customize a Valentine’s Day cake your honey won’t be able to resist.

Get primped for your perfect Valentine’s venture with a little beauty boost from Evia Spa. Perhaps the Spa Manicure/Spa Pedicure/60-Minute Massage trio ($165), or the fabulous Shampoo/Blow Dry/Makeup Application/Shellac Manicure combo ($110)? Want to luxuriate right alongside the LOYL? All couples services booked for Friday, Feb. 10, Saturday, Feb. 11, or Tuesday, Feb. 14 come with complimentary cocktails, bubbly, beer or wine AND gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries.

Aw, heck, why not make a weekend of it? Lakeway Resort & Spa―you may recall it as the site of Lauren and Zach’s lovely nuptials―is offering the “Sleepless in Austin” Valentine’s package, which includes resort accommodations on Saturday, Feb. 11, chilled bubbly, a five-course dinner and, of course, every gal’s favorite Meg Ryan-Tom Hanks rom-com flick. Space is limited, book now!

’Course, if you want to drop a hint for your honey, you could always let him know that a gift of red roses is still your favorite token of love. For the perfect “bouquet” send him straight to Floriography, which offers gorgeous fresh long-stemmed roses nestled in a sleek white box, “Mad Men”-style, for a modern woman with vintage flair―namely, you. Oh―and you may want to remind him that if he orders by TOMORROW, Feb. 9, he’ll get 20% off, because while you love him, and he loves you, EVERYONE loves a deal. Thanks, Floriography! And happy Valentine’s Day, Houston brides.

Houston Valentine’s Day Gifts, Goodies and Getaways
Photos (clockwise, left to right): Photo by Morris Malakoff courtesy of Michael’s Cookie Jar, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Lakeway Resort & Spa, Floriography, Evia Spa

Share this post

Chic Tech Bridesmaid Gifts

Her iPod is practically a physical appendage. She can’t get enough of her Kindle Fire. She loves her iPhone almost as much as she loves you. Sound familiar? Rare is the bridesmaid who doesn’t adore her tech devices. So how about showing your maids how much you adore them with gifts that are both tech-friendly and totally chic? We love everything from chicBuds, but right now we’re wild about their new Fauvette “birdie” speakers, which’ll bring bling to BFF’s iPod, iPhone or other MP3 listening experience—along with four hours of quality speaker sound. Also new, and so freakin’ adorable we could scream: chicBuds ARTS patterned earbud cords—a first for the earbud market (and a fabulous bridesmaids’ gift, or part of a bachelorette-weekend essentials bag). For the many monogram-lovers among you (yeah, you know who you are), may we suggest Lipstick Shades’ preppie-chic monogram device cases and sleeves? Whether your bridesmaid is partial to her laptop, Blackberry, iPhone or Kindle, these guys have got a case, cover or sleeve she’ll love—even more because it’s personalized with her initials. And offered with your profound thanks. Aww…

Photos: chicBuds (top 3 images), Lipstick Shades (bottom 2 images)

Share this post

Autumn Chateau Polonez Wedding By RSVP Studios

They’ve known each other for 25 years, and have been a couple for nearly 19 of those. But Ana and Eric’s long courtship did not diminish the romance of their Chateau Polonez wedding one iota. After meeting in their church orchestra—she played violin, he played timpani—and eventually falling in love (starting with a surprise New Year’s Eve date in 1993), the couple said their vows, then celebrated in elegant style, with a candlelit reception at the European-style chateau. Our favorite touches? We adore the little lovebirds and the bright, fall-color floral. And, of course, who wouldn’t love those gorgeous confections from Supreme Kakes? We’re especially enamored of the “suitcase” groom’s cake, with “stickers” referencing global travel destinations, about which bride Ana told us, “People know that we usually like to travel during the summer, and one of the questions Eric gets asked is, ‘Where are you going next summer?’ He felt that this really represented our favorite thing to do, and let our friends and family have a glimpse at our future traveling plans.” We’re grateful to RSVP Studios for representing this sweet wedding in photos—and to Ana and Eric for sharing their happiness with future Houston brides.

Autumn Chateau Polonez Wedding By RSVP Studios

Photography: RSVP Studios~Bride’s Dress: Panache Bridal & Formal~Bride’s Makeup & Hair: Hilda Kershman~Cakes: Supreme Kakes & More~Flowers: Floral Events~Venue: Chateau Polonez

Share this post

Venues We Love: InterContinental Houston…Plus Weekend Getaway Giveaway

Venues We Love: InterContinental Houston
Photos: Nhan Nguyen Photography ~ Venue: InterContinental Houston Hotel

If you attended January’s I Do! Bridal Soiree, you got a chance to witness, first-hand, the majesty of the InterContinental Houston Hotel’s Legends Ballroom. As the site of our spectacular 2012 runway show, the Legends Ballroom dazzled with its 18-foot ceilings and elaborate chandeliers. With all eyes focused on the runway, many of you may have missed the venue’s many other fabulous features—so let’s just lay them out for you, shall we? First off, there are the ballroom’s regal cherry-mahogany walls, which imbue a sense of grandeur befitting even the most elegantly formal wedding occasion. Then, just beyond the ballroom’s doors, in the glass-walled foyer (a favorite pre-function space), there is that incredible spiral staircase—perfect for your grand entrance as a newly minted Mrs. Add to that a gracious and ultra-efficient staff, and some of the finest culinary talent in the country, and the fact that the Legends Ballroom can accommodate a wedding reception for up to 800 of your nearest and dearest—while a couple of smaller, but no less luxurious, ballrooms can host more intimate groups—and, well, InterContinental Houston catering manager and wedding expert Chantal Lavin says it best: “The location, ballrooms, culinary team and staff make the InterContinental Hotel Houston the choice for sophisticated and savvy brides.”

Want to learn more about available dates, or schedule a visit? E-mail Chantal, or click here.

Oh—and here’s something else the InterContinental Houston has besides beautiful ballrooms: spacious, stylish guest rooms with insanely comfortable beds and city views for miles. The kind of room you’ll luxuriate in with the love o’ your life when you score one of our TWO two-night, weekend getaways, which include a Friday & Saturday night stay, plus a lazy, lavish breakfast in the The Restaurant—the InterContinental’s global-cuisine dining destination.

To Enter: E-mail us with your name, fiancé’s name, wedding date and reception venue. Please do NOT enter more than once—duplicate entries will be deleted. Entry must be emailed BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012. Two randomly selected winners will be notified, and announced on Facebook the following week. Good luck!

Share this post

White and Purple Woodlands Winter Wedding

A white winter wedding need not be devoid of color. Quite the contrary. A clean, wintry white background is the perfect foundation for a warming burst of color. Lynsey and Taylor’s December wedding celebration at The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center is a spectacular example. Against a backdrop of snow white, including white table linens, chair covers and room draping, Darryl & Co. brought in subtle touches of purple and silver, along with plenty of icy crystal, glass and rhinestone sparkle, creating an effect that was at once coolly chic and warmly inviting. Purple and pink color-wash lighting, snowflake gobos, and, of course, flickering candlelight, completed the picture, providing Lynsey, Taylor and their 225 delighted guests a winter wonderland in which to eat, drink and dance the night away. And boy, did they. Big thanks to Jaylene DeBenedictis of Sacred Image Photography for her beautiful photos of one of the loveliest winter weddings we’ve had the privilege of featuring. Enjoy!

White and Purple Woodlands Winter Wedding ~ Houston Wedding Blog

Photos: Sacred Image Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Kitty Chen Couture ~ from The Princess Bridal ~ Flowers, Decor & Rentals: Darryl & Co. ~ Venue, Catering & Cake: The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center

Share this post