Got space on your calendar today through Sunday? Not anymore, you don’t. We’ve got the scoop on four, count ’em, four, fabulous bridal events coming up—and these are in addition to this evening’s A Day to Remember 10th Anniversary Party @ Villa Rinata!

Check it:

Also this evening, Butler’s Courtyard in League City opens its doors to marrieds-to-be. Head over to this beautifully restored historic former bank building for wine, cheese and a chat with on-site wedding experts.

Butler’s Courtyard Open House
Thursday, September 9
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
122 Michigan Ave.
League City, TX 77573
For more information call 281.557.5551 or e-mail

On Friday and Saturday, Mia Bridal Couture welcomes Christos for a two-day trunk show. Make your appointment to meet with a consultant from Amsale Aberra’s coveted line of timeless, romantic gowns.

Christos Trunk Show @ Mia Bridal Couture
Friday, September 10 – Saturday, September 11
1958 West Gray
Houston, TX 77019
All brides will enjoy a special 15% discount on all Christos gowns purchased during the event. For more information call 713.622.2022 or e-mail

Appointments are required for brides who want to receive a consultation—and get 15% off purchases of the season’s newest gowns—at this Saturday’s Belle Mariée Bridal Fall Open House. Wine, cheese and dessert are included, too!

Belle Mariée Bridal Fall Open House
Saturday, September 11
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2509 River Oaks Blvd.
Houston, TX 77019
For more information or to schedule an appointment call 713.523.0068 or e-mail

Searching for a beautiful “blank slate” in which to create your perfect wedding environment? Demers Banquet Hall, with its sleek lines and gleaming expanses, welcomes your vision—and offers the décor, linen and catering services to make it a reality. Make sure to RSVP for this Sunday’s “Four Seasons” bridal showcase and see for yourself.

Demers Banquet Hall Four Seasons Bridal Showcase
Sunday, September 12
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
8225 Cantrell St.
Houston, TX 77074
For more information call 713.772.0726 or RSVP

Ever dream of having your favorite band play your wedding? One Norwegian couple’s fan fantasy came true. Groom Njal proposed to bride Elin at a Band of Horses show in Oslo earlier this year. So when the couple heard that the South Carolina-based indie band was going to be heading back to Norway for a music festival in Tromso, their home town, right around the time of their September wedding, naturally they sent fan mail to tell the band their romantic tale. And rather unnaturally, the band showed up at the wedding ceremony to surprise the couple with a beautiful rendition of their soulful “Marry Song.” OMG. Check out the vid. You can see the bride wipe a tear from her eye as she takes it all in!

Maybe your taste runs more toward country crooners or perhaps you’re gaga for Gaga. Maybe you imagine your fave singer soloing as you sashay down the aisle—or maybe you envision your beloved band taking to the stage to rock the reception.

Drop a comment here and let us know your wedding music fantasy, Houston bride. Who knows? It just may come true. Ask Elin and Njal. And congrats, you two!

You’ve read his books, seen his awesome talent on display at events for J. Lo, Elton John and Tommy Hilfiger. You’ve fawned over him on Oprah and Tyra, and nodded empathetically at his sage advice on “My Fair Wedding.” And now you can slip into WOW gowns from his brand new bridal couture line, David Tutera by Faviana, when it makes its Houston debut at Maison de Mode this Friday through Sunday.

Bearing the tag line “Inspired by the red carpet, worn on the white carpet,” Tutera’s high-drama gowns are named for classic and current stars like Gwyneth, Audrey, Cameron and Marilyn. A few styles, like the fabulous, figure-hugging, floral-accented Eva, convert into shorter dresses for post-ceremony partying. So convenient!

Make sure to make your appointment now. This show is gonna be hotter than Houston in July. See you there!

Maison de Mode – David Tutera by Faviana

Friday, September 3 – Sunday, September 5, 2010

2431 Rice Blvd

Houston, TX 77005

For more information call 713.527.8285 or RSVP

We know that Houston has the best wedding and event experts in the entire country. And now lots of other people do, too. That’s because two of our finest hometown wedding talents just won big at the annual National Association of Catering Executives Awards, held in Austin this year. Just in case you were wondering, NACE awards are to catering professionals what Oscars are to film actors, and believe us, Lisa Hopkins and Monique Studak are stars!

Hopkins, director of catering at the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, was named NACE’s Caterer Member of the Year, while Studak, of E&J Gallo Winery, took home the award for Event Professional of the Year. Fortunately for us, another awesome hometown talent, David Jones of D. Jones Photography, was there to capture these exciting moments for us, and you, to enjoy.

If you’re planning your wedding, and your path happens to cross with either of these amazing women, please be sure to offer your congratulations. And let us offer ours: Great job, gals!!

Top left, right: Lisa Hopkins; Bottom: Monique Studak

Photos by D. Jones Photography

Here’s what we love about trash-the-dress photo shoots: the chance to get out into nature, in your gown, with your new hubby, for a series of pix that capture the sexy, exhilarating rush of newlywed romance in all its wild glory. Yowza. Here’s what we don’t love about the trash-the-dress photo shoots: um, trashing the dress.

It sounds awfully destructive, but a trash-the-dress photo shoot doesn’t actually have to involve turning your wedding gown into garbage. Depending on your bridal gown’s material and embellishments, it can usually be cleaned and preserved post-shoot (though it probably won’t retain its pristine pre-wedding glory, you’re not likely to wear it again anyway). And even if it can’t, it just may be worth the wow of a set of gorgeously sensual trash-the-dress photos.

These unbelievably romantic TDD pix from around the globe—which, depending on where you work, are kinda NSFW—say, “Oh, yes.”

Natural, unposed, unabashed–no wonder this beautiful South Florida TDD is from Jessica Loren Organic Photography.

You can just feel the day-after-the-big-day languor and love in this Ocho Rios, Jamaica, TDD pic from Ontario-based photographer Melanie Dreidger.

How much fun is this UK TDD by Freeman Photographics? The bride looks like a mermaid!

This desert shoot from California photographer Kerry Garrison is SO HOT, no?

After that scorcher, how about cooling off with a plunge into romance from award-winning Riviera Maya, Mexico-based Del Sol Photography?