You love Etsy. We love Etsy. So what’s not to love about a new HWB Etsy feature? Periodically, we’ll be putting together some of our favorite finds from everyone’s favorite “everything handmade” site. This week, our picks feature vintage-contemporary delights, including jewelry, accessories, perfume…and the sweetest lil’ silver cake forks EVER. Dig in and enjoy! And if you see something you really love, drop a comment—and tell a friend. There’s plenty for everyone.
1. Olive Yew Jewels ~ 2. Bag Noir ~ 3. Saras Boutique ~ 4. Trinkets 818
5. The Lonely Heart ~ 6. SIGNS2LOVE ~ 7. Olive Yew Jewels ~ 8. Simple Traditions
Tantalizing Travel Theme Wedding by Studio Capture
If you’re considering a theme for your wedding, but are concerned about making it tasteful and timeless (rather than tacky or over-the-top), take a cue from Tiffany and Rodney, who turned their life’s passion into a superbly sophisticated and deeply personal wedding theme. As Tiffany explains, “We are big travelers and thought it would be so unique to have the tables named as places we have been to together, or that we planned to visit on our honeymoon”—for which they chose Kenya and Zanzibar, in yet another example of their adventurousness and joie de vivre. Their Hotel ZaZa reception, executed with the design expertise of Darryl & Co., is the perfect example of how to do a theme right. The magnificence, of course, was all the details, from the elegant table signage, to the whimsically exquisite place-card holders to the understated black-white-and-gold color scheme. Instead of lavish centerpieces, Tiffany and Rodney chose to go with delicate flowering branches, allowing the small, stunning decor details to shine—aided by pretty little votive lanterns. Perfection. Just like these photos from
Studio Capture. Check the credits for more on the fine Houston talents who contributed to this wedding. Congratulations, Tiffany and Rodney, and thank you for sharing your special day with us!
Photos: Studio Capture~Bride’s Dress: Brickhouse Bridal~Bride’s Shoes: Nordstrom~Bride’s Hair & Makeup: The Perfect Face~Flowers, Decor & Rentals: Darryl & Co~Cakes: Susie’s Cakes & Confections~Day-Of Coordinator: En Vogue Events~Venue: Hotel ZaZa~Videographer: A&A Video
The New 25th-Anniversary Issue of Weddings in Houston is OUT!
Whew. It’s been a huge year for the Houston Wedding Blog, and we have you, our beautiful, wonderful, enthusiastic brides, to thank for that. So THANK YOU! Like most of you, we’ll be taking a little holiday break to fully immerse ourselves in the joys of the season. But we will be back the week of January 2—so look for new posts then…we’ve got so much wedding deliciousness in store for you!
In the meantime, don’t forget to pick up the BRAND-NEW issue of Weddings in Houston, on newsstands now. And when you do, remember to bend at the knees—with more than 400 pages of design inspiration, venue guides, stunning fashion spreads, hot new trends, tips, tricks, gift finds, and essential planning tools, our 25th Anniversary Issue is not just beautiful, it’s heavy. In the very best way.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and most of all, wishing you love, health, peace and joy on your wedding day, and in all the days of your marriage. See you January!
Kelsey & Matthew’s Petal-Perfect Country Club Wedding
Take one gracious country club, add hundreds of perfect roses in uncountable shades of cream and pale pink, accent with touches of crystal, glass, wood and silver, stir in one lovestruck couple, and serve. If it sounds like the recipe for a perfect Houston wedding, we can attest that yes, it most certainly is. In this case, the floral and decor firm behind all the pretty is the wonderful Events in Bloom, and the couple is Kelsey and Matthew, who were kind enough to share their special day with us—thank you, and congratulations! Photos courtesy Chris Bailey Photography.
Photography: Chris Bailey Photography~Bride’s Dress: Christos from Mia Bridal Couture~Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid~Floral & Decor: Events in Bloom~Cakes: Susie’s Cakes & Confections~Officiant: Weddings Performed~Venue: River Oaks Country Club~Coordination: Keely Thorne Events
Jennifer & Mitchell’s Let-Your-Hair-Down Majestic Metro Wedding
The day after he met Jennifer at an Armadillo Palace show in 2005, Mitchell told his mom, “I met my future wife last night.” And dang if he wasn’t RIGHT. Six years to the day they started dating, the pair tied the knot, with a ceremony at Christ Church Cathedral followed by a high-energy, high-style reception at the ultra-cool Majestic Metro—the groom’s venue choice, incidentally, which he picked immediately upon spotting it in the pages of Weddings in Houston (if you heard the “toot-toot,” that was our own horn, btw).
There are so many things we love about this wedding, but let’s just start with bride Jennifer, who left those long, flowing locks down for her big day…so pretty! Especially with her Kenneth Pool gown from Mia Bridal Couture and delectable blue Manolo Blahnik shoes, dontcha think? We’ve also saved a swoon or two for those gorgeous purple-pink-and-peacock-feather florals by Darryl & Co., and that to-die-for dessert table—a perfect accompaniment to the couple’s Who Made the Cake cake. “I purchased the cake stands from a company called Tiers of Joy,” Jennifer told us. “I wanted that romantic look, but with lots of bling, so when I saw these I HAD to buy them!!” Yes, you did, Jennifer.
And if you’re thinking that adorable flower girl’s orchid purse looks familiar, you’re right.
Big thanks to photographer Chris Wineinger for his great pics of this fabulous, fun-filled wedding. As for Mitchell, who apparently still has Jennifer’s number in his phone under “future wife,” you may want to edit that contact, mister. Or not. It is pretty darn cute. Congrats, you two, and happiest wishes to you!
Photography: Chris Wineinger ~ Bride’s Dress: Kenneth Pool from Mia Bridal Couture ~ Flowers, Decor & Rentals: Darryl & Co.~ Catering: Sambuca Catering ~ Cake: Who Made the Cake ~ Desserts: Ooh La La Dessert Boutique ~ Cake Plates: Tiers of Joy ~ Invitations: Event House ~ Venue: The Majestic Metro
Karlin and Jeremy’s Archetype Engagement Shoot PLUS 12 BIG GIVEAWAYS!
Remember way back in September when we ran our awesome Archetype Studio Engagement Session giveaway? Lots of y’all entered, sharing your beautiful, touching, and in a couple of cases pretty darn hilarious, proposal stories with us. While we usually select our giveaway winners totally randomly, in this case, our staff teamed up with Terilyn Brown of Archetype to pick the entry that moved us most. Our winner? Karlin, who, like her fiancé Jeremy, is an active-duty U.S. Marine. The two met, and eventually fell in love, while stationed in Okinawa, Japan, but eventually Jeremy received orders to move back to the states, while Karlin remained in Japan. During his time back in the U.S., Jeremy, head over heels over Karlin, procured the ring he planned to give his girl one day.
That day eventually came, months later, when Karlin and Jeremy were fatefully reunited in Okinawa (and despite a super-typhoon that hit the area and almost derailed the smitten soldier’s proposal plans!). As Karlin recounts it, after a dinner date and frozen yogurt, he surprised her by asking someone to take their picture. “He is shy and will never ask a stranger to take a picture of us, much less carry a camera around—that is my job,” Karlin told us. “As soon as we were getting ready to pose he turns me around and was already down on one knee. I am not really sure what else happened after that.”
What happened is that Karlin said, “Yes.” And entered her story in our contest—and won. And this past month, when she and Jeremy were once again reunited, this time in Houston, the pair posed for Archetype’s camera—and the results, as you can see here, are utterly amazing (they make it hard for us to believe that adorable Jeremy could ever be camera shy!). For us here at the Houston Wedding Blog, it is the perfect convergence of an extraordinarily talented photographer, a beautiful and adoring couple, and a story of determination, devotion and LOVE—of country, and of each other.
When you’re done wiping away that tear or two you KNOW you just shed, scroll down below those gorgeous photos to find out how you can win one of 12 engagement sessions Archetype is giving away, one per (business) day, starting Thursday, December 1!
Photos: Archetype Studio
ARCHETYPE STUDIO’S 12 DAYS OF ENGAGEMENT-SHOOT GIVEAWAYS CONTEST
The Prize(s): In the generous spirit of the Christmas season, and just because they love Houston brides as much as we do, Archetype Studio is giving away ONE engagement photography session—two-hour Houston location shoot, in-person ordering and image-consulting appointment, and one heirloom print any size up to 8×12—EVERY DAY for 12 business days, from December 1 through December 16.
Yes, really.
To Enter: E-mail us your name, fiancé’s name, wedding date and wedding reception venue. All requested information MUST be in your entry e-mail. You may enter ONCE per entry day during the contest period: Dec. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and entries must be received by 5 p.m. each entry day in order to qualify. One winner will be randomly selected each day. We will notify winners by e-mail, and announce winners on Facebook.
You’ve seen their stunning photo work. Now be a part of it. Enter Archetype’s 12 Days of Engagement Session Giveaways contest, and good luck!!
Sultry House of Blues Engagement Shoot by Adam Nyholt Photographer
“The best way to describe Ashley and Dan is to say they have big personalities,” hot Houston photographer Adam Nyholt told us, when we inquired about this amazing engagement shoot. “They both love fashion, and of course have great taste. For their engagement session they wanted a shoot that was unique and very much ‘them.’ I suggested the Foundation Room at House of Blues, not only for it’s dramatic vibe, but also because I knew nobody else has taken engagement portraits there.” Yup, that’s right, HOB’s ultra-exotic, super-sexy private party space was virgin territory for an engagement shoot when Ashley and Dan rocked the joint. We have a feeling it’s going to get a lot more popular, though, once brides-to-be get a look at these gorgeous photos (which also include a handful of lighthearted, romantic shots in picturesque Eleanor Tinsley Park). “During their entire session I encouraged them to relax and be themselves. They immediately warmed up and were kissing, striking dramatic poses and sometimes just being goofy. I loved it!” Nyholt says. So do we, and we hope you do, too.
Photos: Adam Nyholt Photographer
Juli & Kyle’s Spectacular Sunset Lakeway Resort Wedding
We get lots of inquiries from brides who dream of doing a destination wedding, but really want to limit travel to within driving distance of Houston. One of the spots we love most for a wedding that’s close to home but feels like a million miles away is Lakeway Resort & Spa on the shores of Lake Travis in Texas Hill Country. Minutes from Austin, and an easy drive from Houston, Lakeway Resort offers wedding coordination, catering for up to 350 guests, and a list of top-notch vendors, so you barely have to lift a finger to plan your perfect wedding. There’s world-class golf, sailing and the heavenly San Saba Spa, too, making it ideal for a weekend-wedding retreat. Plus, Lakeway Resort has got one of the most scenic wedding sites we’ve ever seen—the gorgeous Vistas Glass Ballroom, which instantly turns that incredible lake sunset into a wedding backdrop no amount of decor could ever duplicate. See for yourself, in these beautiful photos of Juli and Kyle’s Lakeway Resort wedding, by top Austin photographer Matt Montalvo! Gorgeous couple, beautiful wedding location and sparklers, too! Who could ask for anything more? Congratulations, Juli and Kyle!
Photos: Matt Montalvo Photography