Those of you with shorter locks or simply a passion for vintage glamour, behold the birdcage veil. This short, circular "veil-ette" is not just a sophisticated alternative to the traditional long veil, it’s also one of the hottest trends in bridal fashion. For more details on birdcage styles and how-to-wear tips, plus a sneak peak at which celebrities are getting ’caged, check out this post on the Houston Wedding Blog, and let your retro-fashion fantasy take flight!

For intimate, sophisticated reception-table ambiance, keep your centerpieces on the low-down, but don’t forgo high style. Low-profile centerpieces allow guests to see one another clearly as they converse across dining tables, and are a chic, contemporary alternative to towering floral arrangements. They can also be a cost-effective choice for brides on a tighter budget. Whether you surround a beautiful oversize bowl of roses with varied-height votives, line the center of a long banquet table with wooden boxes of monochromatic mums, or go for flats of grass accented with river rocks, keep the look simple and striking—stunning.

"New year, new family, new life." That’s how realtor Amy Zummo sums up her spectacular New Year’s Eve wedding to college sweetheart Joshua Gascoyne. Picture Wortham’s Grand Foyer done up in "winter wonderland" splendor by Darryl & Co. Add a 16-foot ice bar, a magic show and a spectacular Kenneth Pool gown (that was later worn by "Grey’s Anatomy" character Izzie Stevens for her on-screen wedding), and you’re beginning to get the picture. For a full view, and a snowfall of inspiration, click here.

Darryl Murchison
Darryl & Co.
"I started as an everyday florist, I did one wedding and it was a ripple effect!" says celebrated floral and event designer Darryl Murchison of his rise to wedding fame. The owner of Houston’s Darryl & Co., and creator of some of the city’s most decadent, divine wedding design schemes, bouquets and tablescapes, Murchison insists that the thing he loves most about his job is simple: "I make people happy!" These days, the much-lauded Murchison is bringing smiles to brides’ faces with "lounge-look" seating spaces dappled with highboy cocktail tables that evoke stylish, sophisticated clubs. Also in vogue, according to Murchison, is the elegant, minimalist aesthetic, and the chic (and budget-friendly) cocktail reception.

For more insights from the guru of floral himself, click here or call 713.863.0400

A wedding gown is not just a special occasion dress. It is the garment in which you will pledge your eternal devotion to your beloved. It is the outfit in which you will be remembered for all time, captured eternally on video and in countless wedding photos. It is the only dress you are likely to preserve and keep forever. No pressure. Seriously, your wedding gown should make you feel your most beautiful on the most important day of your life. The experienced consultants at Houston’s top bridal boutiques know this, and they have the expertise and gown selection to make sure you get the dress of your dreams. Visit our bridal fashion directory for a list of Houston’s best bridal boutiques. And be sure to check out our event listings for upcoming designer trunk shows—the best opportunities to get one-on-one attention from design-house representatives, not to mention deep discounts on exquisite designer bridal gowns.

Weddings in Houston’s much-anticipated Before You Say..."I do!" annual bridal soiree will take place Sunday, January 24, 2010. If you only attend one wedding show, this is the one, so mark your calendar Houston brides and make it a date. Keep an eye out for your Weddings in Houston weekly Wedding Buzz Newsletter as we announce more details in the weeks ahead.

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