Archive for the ‘Destination Weddings’ Category
Friday, July 7th, 2017
Writer: Natasha Garber
Photo: Caroline Tran
While a good connection might open the door, you need major talent to step through and succeed…especially in Hollywood. Just ask Los Angeles-based event expert Lisa Vorce, who, in the midst of a less-than-satisfying career as an IT consultant and programmer, began throwing parties for her husband’s talent-agent uncle. “My first party was for George Clooney’s mother,” she says. Not bad, we say. Here, the planner behind such high-profile nuptials as Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s gorgeous Italian villa “I do’s,” shares her experience and advice on her favorite of all events: the ultra-relaxing, totally indulgent, celebrity-style destination wedding.
Photo: Aaron Delesie | © John Legend
Weddings in Houston: You’re known for creating some of the most beautiful destination weddings on the planet. What are some of the toughest destinations you’ve had to work in, and how did you manage to pull off flawless weddings in these spots?
Lisa Vorce: Well you’re asking someone who doesn’t like to work in the same location more than once, and someone who is happiest in the most exotic of locales, so I tend to thrive on all things challenging. In fact, the more challenging, the better for me! Vietnam and Bali are two of the most difficult locales I’ve worked in, simply because they are non-Western cultures. My favorite part of working in these amazing destinations is the “reconnaissance mission” I typically do at the beginning of our process. Through lots of exploration—I get to know local artisans, experts from the area, local foliage and flowers, menu specialties etc.—I have been met with so much kindness and talent around the world, it’s amazing!
Photo: Jose Villa
WIH: How should a couple go about choosing their wedding locale?
LV: It’s a bit of a puzzle, and the stars need to align properly. There is a giant matrix that we use when vetting venues for my clients: distance, ease of travel, curfew, weather backups, venue capacities, accommodation capacities, food and beverage costs, etc. Some additional things couples should consider: How close is the wedding location to the airport? Do guests have to hop on a boat or rent a car? Do guests need visas or a Hep-C shot? Is there political unrest or another potentially tricky situation (e.g. Zika virus) that needs to be navigated?
Sourcing the perfect venue is a little bit like purchasing a home. It takes a lot of effort and time. Couples need to make sure they are taking into account all of the above and not just the aesthetics. Aesthetics are incredibly important, but everything else needs to be in the right place, too. And like buying a new home, couples need to prioritize their “must-haves” over their “nice-to-haves.”
Photo: Elizabeth Messina
WIH: What’s the most important factor a couple needs to consider when planning a destination wedding?
LV: Budget and personality are really important and non-negotiable. But guest experience is really my thing. This is so important to me for my clients. Ultimately, the best weddings are those where the guests can’t stop talking about how much fun they had. Guest experience has a great deal to do with hospitality—and Texan hospitality is legendary, so I am going to assume you are experts in this matter! Just as you would welcome a guest to your home with a beautiful meal, fresh linens and engaging activities, when guests travel to your wedding, you want to provide them with hospitality all along the way.
Once your guests arrive at the location, have someone available from the wedding party or planning team who can answer their questions, greet them and hold their hand along the way. Adding helpful info to your wedding website (if you opt to do one) is incredibly handy for guests as well. For me, some of the most amazing destinations are the hardest to get to, but it’s important to balance that with the guest experience. If they are going to travel a long way, what’s the “wow” factor when they get there? Provide them with some amazing activities and adventures: Think Mayan ruins in Tulum, or maybe a cooking class in Italy. It is important that you make your guests feel safe, happy and entertained, but also give them enough down time for relaxation and exploration.
Photo: Aaron Delesie
WIH: We like the sound of that! So tell us: What are some of the coolest local activities you’ve helped plan for destination wedding groups.
LV: Planning guest activities really depends on the location as well as the inclination of the couple. As soon as the couple determines their destination, my team goes to work to find out what’s special and fun to do at that destination. Golf and spa treatments are usually must-haves. One of my couples recently treated guests to a mobile cryogenic spa. It was very popular! Some of my favorite activities, however, have had to do with what the specific destination has to offer, from yacht parties in St. Barts, to cheese-making in Tuscany, to lace-making in Puglia…. I’ve also created activities based on couples’ family traditions. For example, we had a baseball field and custom scoreboard created for one couple. Each team had their signature baseball jerseys. It was amazing. We’ve done custom backyard and board games for other couples. It is very joyful to see the wedding couple and their guests take part in these activities!
Photo: Jose Villa
WIH: What are your favorite ways to incorporate a couple’s tastes and background, along with local customs and flavors, into the wedding menu—whether at a destination site, or at a wedding closer to home?
LV: I start by listening to and observing the couple. Sometimes it’s fun to imbue couples’ personalities into the tiniest unexpected details. For example, in one wedding, we incorporated tumbleweed. Now, that may not sound pretty, but tumbleweed actually makes incredible natural, multi-dimensional sculptures.
A Texas bride of mine had a connection to gemology, so we incorporated a malachite pattern into the invites, menus and tabletop. Oh—and one of my favorite things to do, if I’m doing a wedding indoors, is to replace the artwork of the venue with artwork that represents the clients’ aesthetic. So in the case of the malachite wedding, huge malachite prints were delicately overlayed onto venue artwork. It’s so much fun when guests notice those extra touches.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina
WIH: We love destination weddings, but we know that planning a wedding outside of one’s comfort zone is not without potential conflicts. How do you help your clients navigate these?
LV: For destination weddings especially, guest invites can be a big challenge. Each “constituent”—MOB, MOG, bride and groom—usually has a valid reason for adding a guest…or 10. But these numbers quickly add up. Sometimes it creates a cost issue, but it can also create a space issue, for example, if the venue holds 120 persons maximum. I usually play “wedding diplomat” in these situations, and remind everyone that at the end of the day, they all want the same thing: a beautiful wedding and an unforgettable celebration with their nearest and dearest.
As for keeping a limited guest count for your intimate, remote-location wedding…remember, Texas is a great place to do a big barbecue and party with ALL your favorite people once you return from your destination!
Photo: Aaron Delesie |© John Legend
Tags: Celebrity Wedding Planner, Destination Weddings, Hollywood Wedding, John Legend & Chrissy Teigen Wedding, Lisa Vorce
Posted in Celebrity Wedding, Destination Weddings, Planning | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 5th, 2017
Photo: Sylvie Gil
Northern California’s Napa and Sonoma valleys both top the destination wish lists of countless to-be-wed couples in Houston, and, indeed, all over the world. One of the region’s premier event planning firms, Cole Drake Events has a deep knowledge of the area and its wedding choices, and with her genetically determined passion for parties—her mother is an event-industry icon who plans major bashes for nonprofits and California cities—co-founder Stephanie Cole spends each working day guiding wedding couples through the hills and valleys of wine-country wedding planning. Here, she offers a bit of that renowned Cole Drake know-how to Houston to-be-weds—one of her most beloved destination demographics: “They’re always so much fun to work with!”
Photo: Briana Marie Photography
Weddings in Houston: How important are Texas-based couples to the region’s wedding scene—and why do you think Napa-Sonoma is such a strong draw for Texas to-be-weds?
Stephanie Cole: Every year it seems to be that about half our wedding business comes from Texas. Napa-Sonoma has it all in my opinion: picturesque scenery, world-renowned cuisine, marvelous mixology programs, amazing wines and perfect weather (meaning no humidity, y’all). It’s easy to see why it’s such a strong draw as a destination wedding location!
WIH: What’s the best way for a Houston couple to get a feel for the region before planning their wine-country destination wedding?
SC: The best way to get a feel for the region is to come out here…come on, I’ll twist your arm to come taste wine, eat amazing food and enjoy the beautiful weather! Once a couple has made the decision to get married in wine country, the most important thing to do is find and book a local wedding planner. They can listen to what you want in the area and offer suggestions for wedding venues. They can eliminate a lot of research for you, and, if they’re good, they’ll know all of the right people to contact to check availability.
Some couples only want Napa County—I mean, I am a Napa local, so I get it. But Sonoma County has a ton of hidden gems too. Healdsburg and Sonoma are postcard-worthy towns that are underrated due to Napa’s huge name recognition.
In Napa County, Yountville, Rutherford, St. Helena and Calistoga are my favorite towns, and can all be considered wine country chic.
Photo: Aaron Delesie
WIH: What local activities or attractions should be part of a fabulous wine-country destination-wedding weekend?
SC: Wine tasting (duh) cannot be missed. One of my favorite activities for a wedding group is to have them blend their own wine! There are several wineries that offer this unique option, where guests are teamed up—we randomly pick teams by numbering off—and given specific assignments. The team creates their own wine blend together (imagine beaker, goggles and lab coat), while individually each member is responsible for other tasks (label creation, marketing strategy, financials, etc.).
After corking the wine and presenting to the judges, an overall winner is decided. It’s a great way to break the ice with people that may not have a chance to meet and mingle otherwise.
Croquet brunch at Meadowood Resort is another fantastic option. Guests dressed in all white—with fabulous sunglasses to hide the effects of the killer wedding the night before—can learn from Meadowood’s resident croquet master the skills and rules of the game before letting loose! Coupled with a brunch buffet, including a Bloody Mary bar and/or a mimosa bar, it’s one of the best ways to end your weekend celebration.
Photo: Sylvie Gil
WIH: On the culinary side, what can couples expect from local dining options?
SC: Napa County certainly boasts world-renowned cuisine. We have the Restaurant at Meadowood (with three Michelin stars), the French Laundry in Yountville (with three Michelin stars), and countless one-Michelin-star-rated restaurants. Fun fact: Yountville itself claims the most Michelin stars per capita of anywhere in North America.
Photo: Jose Villa
WIH: How can a Houston couple bring wine, and wine culture, into their Napa-Sonoma destination wedding?
SC: If a couple is in love with wine, food and wine pairings or tasting menus are the best ways to showcase it. We work with some of the best sommeliers and chefs in the area and can have them pair wines with cuisine for wedding couples and their guests.
For the wedding, small touches of wine country are definitely noticed. Utilization of barrels (don’t worry, we have a lot of them), personalized signs printed on cork, and finished wood farm tables with fashionable wine country chairs scream wine country chic.
Photo: Sylvie Gil
WIH: What advice do you have for couples who are considering a Northern California wine-country destination wedding…but may be hesitant about bucking the tradition of a big Texas nuptial bash?
SC: For my Texas clients, it generally takes them one trip to wine country as a couple (often during their courtship, or as the site of the proposal) to fall in love with the place. After they get engaged and think about their future wedding, they immediately think again of this beautiful place.
The most common concern is distance—but that’s where a planner makes it so easy. A wedding planner who is based in Napa or Sonoma knows the area, knows the key partners and knows what to expect. Your planner can offer suggestions to you (think about her as your matchmaker for your wedding dreams) and can even help you save money (and avert disasters). Simply put, planners are trained to eliminate the stress and to make your wedding vision come to fruition.
Finally, more often than not, we hear our clients lamenting that if they were to have a wedding in Texas, it would be a 300-to-400-person affair, which can be overwhelming. Here in wine country, our Texas-based wedding groups usually range in the 120-to-150-guest mark.
Photo: Sylvie Gil
WIH: We know that Texas couples are awesome…so tell us, why do you love Lone-Star-state lovebirds so much?
Year after year, Texas couples are seriously some of my favorite couples, and often become personal friends after the wedding. They always have a vision of what they want for their destination wedding, but they also have an open mind for new ideas and cost-saving suggestions. Plus, they are the sweetest and most thoughtful couples I have ever met!
Photo: Sylvie Gil
Tags: Cole Drake Events, Napa Valley, Napa Valley Weddings, Sonoma Weddings, Stephanie Cole, Wedding Planning, Wine-Country Wedding
Posted in Destination Weddings, Planning | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 4th, 2017
The escape from city crowds, the beautiful natural settings, the promise of abundant R&R with beloved family and friends—what’s not to love about a destination wedding? While the experience of a destination celebration is all about leisure, narrowing down the choices for your destination-wedding location can be, well…a lot of work. So allow us to assist you, with a peek into some of our favorite settings for the nuptial celebration of a lifetime—one that will let you and your guests enjoy life to the fullest!
NAPA VALLEY VISTAS
St. Helena
Photo: Courtesy of Culinary Institute of America at Greystone
In the center of Northern California’s world-renowned Napa Valley sits charming St. Helena—home of legendary hot-air-ballooning, diverse art galleries and vibrant family wineries. Known as “Napa Valley’s main street,” St. Helena also is home to the Culinary Institute of America’s magnificent Greystone campus, where regal 19th-century architecture meets spectacular vineyard views…and where every wedding is an unforgettable celebration of food, wine, family and friends.
Texas-based couples love hosting guests at this iconic venue—and with good reason. Where else but at CIA-Greystone, former site of the historic Christian Brothers winery, can you find a 90-foot-tall atrium, a stunning barrel room, and some of the world’s most exciting cuisine and wines, all in one place?
Napa
Venue: CIA-Copia | Photo: Victor M. Samuel
For a Napa Valley food-focused wedding in a more contemporary setting, set your sights on the Culinary Institute of America’s newest facility: Copia. Located in the city of Napa itself, CIA-Copia is a food-lover’s playground, and a perfect place for lovers to celebrate the bond of marriage with those they love most.
Copia’s sophisticated mezzanine deck, overlooking the glass-walled atrium, modern amphitheater and the Napa River in the background, is among the venue’s most coveted spaces for sipping fine wine and craft cocktails, and feasting on custom menu items created in collaboration with CIA chefs.
You and your wedding guests also will get to take advantage of Copia’s many options for foodie fun. Located adjacent to the lively Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa, Copia offers culinary classes and demonstrations, tastings, and a fabulous on-site store where you’ll find everything from local wild mushrooms to luxurious French cookware.
HEAD FOR THE HILL COUNTRY
Wimberley
Venue: Old Glory Ranch | Photo: Anthology Photography
Historic Texas mill town Wimberley, located 45 miles southwest of Austin, is a haven for weekend antiquers, art-lovers and outdoors-enthusiasts. It’s also a picture-perfect location for your riverfront destination celebration.
For a wedding that takes full advantage of the natural beauty of this beloved Hill Country locale—but also allows for an on-site chapel ceremony and elegant ballroom-style reception—be sure to check out Old Glory Ranch, situated on 2,200 acres of Hill Country range along 1.5 miles of dazzling Blanco River frontage.
Whether you choose to say your vows in Old Glory’s enchanting Oak Grove, on a patio overlooking the emerald-green Blanco, or inside the venue’s climate-controlled Chapel Hall (built from repurposed homes and churches from the turn of the 20th century), you’ll know that your event will be given the full attention of Old Glory’s experienced staff—some of whom have been with the venue for more than a decade.
And make sure to inquire about the venue’s beloved miniature donkeys—which, when saddled with vibrant flower baskets, elicit “ooh’s” and “ahh’s” from guests young and old, and are a favorite for newlywed photo ops.
Dripping Springs
Venue: The Terrace Club | Photo: George Street Photography
Known as the “Gateway to the Hill Country,” picturesque Dripping Springs is located just 25 miles west of downtown Austin, but feels like a million miles away from the big city. A visit to Dripping Springs might find you gobbling down Texas barbecue, plunging into the jade-green waters of famed Hamilton Pool, or two-stepping at a historic Texas dancehall.
A destination-venue-hunting trip to Dripping Springs must take you to The Terrace Club, where you’ll find yourself on top of the highest ridge in the region, overlooking acre upon acre of spectacular Hill Country scenery.
Terrace Club couples love to descend the stone walkway, and say their vows in the venue’s garden space, beneath a flower-bedecked arbor (and, more often than not, in front of a majestic Hill Country sunset), before making their way with their guests to the 7,000-square-foot ballroom, for dining and dancing. Since everything, from catering to rentals to centerpieces, is included in their wedding package, couples need focus only on the festivities, which means they have way more energy to enjoy a Dripping Springs wedding weekend of lawn games, local lake adventures, and celebratory hijinks at the acclaimed Deep Eddy Vodka distillery, located adjacent to the venue.
Johnson City
Venue: King River Ranch | Photo:Bonnie & Lauren Weddings
In picturesque Blanco County, along the Pedernales River, lies the “Crossroads of the Hill Country”: Johnson City. Home to the “Texas White House”—aka the childhood home of President Lyndon Johnson—this charming Hill Country enclave, located just under 50 miles west of Austin, boasts countless nearby wineries, plus local hiking, fishing, horseback riding and hot-air-ballooning.
It also boasts beautiful King River Ranch, a stunning wedding spot set on a private ¼-mile stretch of the Pedernales, where horses, miniature donkeys and St. Croix sheep graze in expansive pastures…and where in-house wedding design services are provided by Willem-Aiden, a former fixture on Hollywood’s lavish event-design scene.
In love with the Hill Country, but got your sights set on a big, beautiful wedding, with all the whistles and bells of an in-town bash? King River Ranch’s King Barn can accommodate 250 for a seated dinner and dancing, while the venue’s spectacular River Terrace, built directly into dramatic rocky riverbank, provides an unparalleled backdrop for relaxed (but ultra-elegant) revelry.
GO WEST, YOUNG TO-BE-WEDS
New Ulm
Venue: The Vine | Photo: Smith House Photography
Just west of Houston, set on 23 rolling acres filled with gently swaying trees and sunset views for miles, The Vine started as a rough sketch and a dream…and is now a regal private event venue that makes wedding-couples’ dreams come true.
The Vine’s capacious Barrel Barn may have “barn” in its name and customized sliding reclaimed barn doors at its entrance—but the nod to a rustic farm structure stops there. This remarkable 500-guest-capacity reception space features floor-to-ceiling flagstone fireplaces, gleaming wood surfaces and state-of-the-art lighting and sound capabilities, plus the ability to slide back those big ol’ barn doors and let nature in when the weather allows.
For a destination wedding ceremony with a contemporary chapel feel, The Vine’s on-site Union Bell Chapel is true to its name, with a working bell that newlywed couples can ring as they exit the chapel and make their way to the party of a lifetime.
Future weddings at The Vine will get to enjoy the fruits of this venue’s labors—literally—as the property’s young grapevines will be ready for harvest in the next couple of years, and eventually will be featured at the venue’s planned tasting room.
Columbus
Venue: Big Easy Ranch | Photo: Joey T. Photography
Situated 70 miles west of Houston and 80 miles southwest of Austin, Big Easy Ranch has everything a weekend wedding group could want, all on one magnificent 1,300-acre property.
Tour the grounds of this true-Texas-style destination resort, and you’re likely to stumble on sparkling lakes, picture-perfect ponds, cascading waterfalls and stands of centuries-old oak—any of which might strike you as a perfect spot for your al-fresco “I do’s.”
Dining, dancing and revelry typically take place in the 10,000-square-foot Lodge, where celebrants can feast on farm-to-table cuisine prepared by the ranch’s award-winning chef (gourmet game, and seafood with a Southern twist, are just a couple of his specialties).
During their leisure hours—one of the greatest appeals of a weekend destination wedding, after all—attendees may want to avail themselves of Big Easy Ranch’s Chet William-designed championship golf course, cast a line in one of the property’s well-stocked streams or lakes, or take a chance on trophy hunting with one of the ranch’s expert guides (Big Easy Ranch happens to be one of the top-producing whitetail ranches in Texas).
However you choose to round out your Big Easy Ranch wedding weekend, you’ll enjoy a destination wedding experience, at a destination so close to home, you’ll be snuggled down in your newlywed nest almost before you know it.
MEXICO IS FOR LOVERS
Cancun & Tulum
Photo: Courtesy of Oasis Hotels & Resorts
For busy couples who crave an oceanfront destination wedding without the logistical and design responsibilities a destination wedding can entail, Oasis Hotels & Resorts has the ideal wedding package solution, in one of two Yucatan Peninsula destinations: Cancun, offering dazzling beaches, endless shopping and high-energy nightlife; or Tulum, where soaring cliffs and Mayan ruins meet soft sands and cavernous cenotes.
Whichever site you select, Oasis will take care of every detail, from ceremony to reception to accommodations and more, when you choose the “O Weddings” package that fits your destination-wedding dream.
Options include the O Mayan Package, which incorporates local history and culture into your nuptials, with a traditional Mayan altar setup at your beachfront location, and a ceremony performed in the Mayan language (with English or Spanish translation, of course!).
For larger, more lavish celebrations, the O Eternity Package includes exclusive ceremony and reception decor; a private poolside or beachfront dinner with open bar, DJ and custom lighting; and a rehearsal dinner in one of the resort’s acclaimed specialty restaurants.
And while your O Weddings package features may be pre-set, the service you’ll receive is completely personalized. Oasis Resorts’ U.S.-based staff will serve as your concierge throughout the planning process, and put you in touch with your own personal bilingual wedding expert, on site, to make everything simple…and superb.
Tags: Big Easy Ranch, Culinary Institute of America at Copia, Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, Destination Wedding Venues, Dripping Springs, King River Ranch, Napa Valley, Oasis Hotels & Resorts, Old Glory Ranch, The Terrace Club, The Vine
Posted in Destination Weddings, Venues | No Comments »
Monday, April 24th, 2017
Venue: Agave Estates | Photo: Ama Photography & Cinema
When it comes to weddings, it’s all about the ambiance, darlings — that total experience of sight, sound, fragrance, flavor, setting, landscape and design, all rolled together. And TBH, it’s hard to imagine a wedding location with more built-in ambiance than Agave Estates, Katy’s beautiful hidden gem, nestled into a 30-acre wildlife sanctuary that feels a million miles away from downtown Houston (in reality, it’s only 30).
When you first glimpse the terra cotta walls, wood arbors and curved archways of Agave’s private enclave, you may think you’ve somehow stepped back in time…and into an era of cobblestones and courtyards, the sound of a burbling fountain somewhere in the distance. But nope, no time travel here, honey. You’ve just found yourself face-to-face with a full-service wedding site designed specifically to create a sense of total escape and immersion for your outdoor wedding ceremony and unforgettable reception. In other words: You’ve found a little slice of Paradise.
Venue:Agave Estates | Photo: Ama Photography & Cinema
Venue: Agave Estates | Photo: Akil Bennett Photography
For those couples seeking a true Spanish Villa vibe — and room to celebrate with up to 300 of their nearest and dearest — the estate’s Agave Road is a favorite. With towering oak trees, fluttering palms, huge hand-carved wood doors and 10,000 square feet of reception space, Agave Road doesn’t just offer ample space and great service, but some of the most gorgeous photo opps in the entire region.
For weddings on the more intimate side, Agave Real features natural stone and wrought-iron accents, glowing sconces, plus a lovely view of the lagoon-like reflecting pool, and is a superb celebration spot for groups of up to 200.
The newest member of the Agave Estates family is Agave Rio — a delightful patio restaurant serving up fresh seafood, steaks and Latin-influenced fare, along with classic, tropical-leaning cocktails, all in an al fresco environment that welcomes you to linger long, and savor the feeling of a relaxing oasis. It’s also a perfect place for elegant rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, bridal showers and day-after brunches. Want to try it out for yourself? Comment on our Agave-themed Facebook and Instagram posts, or email us your first and last name, fiancé’s name, wedding date and wedding venue (either booked or wish listed!) for automatic entry into our Agave Rio Dinner for 2 GIVEAWAY! One lucky bride or groom will WIN; winner will be notified on Tuesday, May 2 and announced on Facebook and Instagram. Shouldn’t it be…YOU?
Venue: Agave Estates | Photo: Courtesy of Agave Estates
Venue: Agave Estates | Photo: Fernando Weberich
Venue: Agave Estates | Photo: Civic Photos
Want to find out more about Agave Estates? Schedule your tour now, and make sure to tell them you found them on the Houston Wedding Blog!
Tags: Agave Estates, Agave Real, Agave Rio, Agave Road, Houston Wedding, Houston Wedding Venue, Outdoor Ceremony
Posted in Bridal Showers, Destination Weddings, Giveaways, Venues | No Comments »
Thursday, March 9th, 2017
Photo: Dream Photo & Video | Venue: The Corinthian | Decor & Flowers: Darryl & Co. | Gowns: Now & Forever Bridal Boutique
Our I Do! Wedding Soiree always impresses, but this year it was on another level, y’all! We sold out every last ticket to the luxurious show, with wedding couples, bridesmaids and MOB’s lining up along our host The Corinthian’s grand staircases, eager to get a chance to meet, greet and mingle with the best of the best in Houston’s wedding business!
We can’t thank our guests enough for helping us celebrate Houston’s only luxury wedding event of the season! It warms our hearts to see you adorable wedding couples engaging with our stellar photographers, wedding planners, bridal salons, beauty experts, jewelers, entertainers and more. If you missed the Soiree, or want to relive the extraordinary event, check out these gorgeous images from our official show photographers, Civic Photos and Dream Photo & Video.
Guests at the I Do! Soiree were welcomed by gorgeous models in gowns from some of Houston’s finest bridal boutiques. Throughout the entire event, brides could see and touch gowns from Houston Bridal Gallery, Ivory Bridal Atelier, Parvani Vida Bridal and Formal, MW Couture and Now & Forever Bridal Boutique.
Photo: Civic Photos | Gown: Now & Forever Bridal Boutique
Photo: Civic Photos | Gown: Ivory Bridal Atelier
Photo: Civic Photos | Gown: Houston Bridal Gallery
Photos: Civic Photos | Left Gown: MW Couture | Right Gown: Parvani Vida Bridal and Formal
Elaborate florals and decor were orchestrated throughout the entire venue. Designs on display came from Blooms Design Studio, Darryl & Co., Flora & Eventi, Haute Flowers & Events, Keisha’s Kreations, LBL Event Rentals Inc. and TnT Events.
Photo: Civic Photos | Decor & Flowers: Flora & Eventi
Photo: Civic Photos | Decor & Flowers: TnT Events
Photo: Civic Photos |Decor & Flowers: Keisha’s Kreations
Photo: Civic Photos | Decor & Flowers: LBL Event Rentals Inc.
Photo: Civic Photos | Decor & Flowers: Haute Flowers & Events
Photo: Civic Photos | Decor & Flowers: Darryl & Co.
Photo: Civic Photos |Decor & Flowers: Blooms Design Studio
The gorgeous sights were complemented by sounds from all types of musical entertainers and DJ’s. LG Entertainment served as the MC for the night, while Danny Ray & The Acoustic Production, DJU Entertainment, Scott Graham Piano and Signature EvenTx kept the party going all around.
Left & Top Right Photos: Civic Photos | Top Left: Signature EvenTx | Bottom Left: LG Entertainment | Right Middle & Bottom Photos: Dream Photos & Video | Right Middle: Danny Ray & The Acoustic Production | Bottom Right: DJU Entertainment
Patrons got a taste of some of Houston’s top caterers and bakers too at the I Do! Wedding Soiree. The Corinthian’s Jackson and Company served as the exclusive caterer of the event, spoiling guests with delectable food and drink pairings. Those with a sweet tooth also were able to satisfy their cravings with treats from Dessert Gallery Bakery + Cafe and Susie’s Cakes & Confections.
Photos: Civic Photos | Top Left: Dessert Gallery Bakery + Cafe | Top Right: Susie’s Cakes & Confections | Bottom: Jackson and Company
The man women with the plan were also in attendance. A Day To Remember, Bourbon & Lace Event Services, and Kat Creech Events learned more about our lovely wedding couples and offered guidance for all of wedding planning’s ups and downs. A Day To Remember also designed our awesome Groom’s Lounge, complete with Texas Mules, fresh guacamole and Jackson and Company’s Beef Poptarts.
Left Photos: Civic Photos | Top Left: Bourbon & Lace Event Services | Bottom Left: A Day To Remember | Right Photos: Dream Photos & Video | Top Right: Jackson and Company | Bottom Right: Kat Creech Events
Guests were also able to say hello to some of our favorite invitations and stationery boutiques in Houston — Isabella Invitations and Bering’s.
Bering’s along with Celebrity China & Cookware also showed off some of the most wanted registry items for wedding couples of any style.
Photos: Civic Photos | Top Left: Celebrity China & Cookware | Top Right: Isabella Invitations | Bottom Left & Right: Bering’s
Nine of Houston’s top wedding photographers and videographers — Adam Nyholt, Addison J. Wedding Photography & Videography, Civic Photos, C. Wright Photography, D. Jones Photography, Dream Photos & Video, Lindsay Elizabeth Photography, Sage Films and Taylor Golden Photography — also met with couples to help them learn how to capture their special days.
Top Left Photo: Civic Photos, Booth: Taylor Golden Photography | All other photos:Dream Photo & Video | Top Middle Booth: Civic Photos | Top Right Booth: Lindsay Elizabeth Photography |Bottom Left Booth: Adam Nyholt | Middle Booth: D. Jones Photography | Bottom Middle Booth: Dream Photo & Video | Bottom Right Booth: Sage Films
Top Photo: Addison J. Wedding Photography & Videography | Bottom: C. Wright Photography
Guests could even get a little more glam, with the help of demonstrations and models from Azur Salon at West Ave. and Kax Salon and Kax Tanning Soufflé.
Photos: Dream Photo & Video | Left: Kax Tanning & Kax Salon | Right: Azur Salon at West Ave
Wedding couples still looking to nail down their venue were also presented with a number of options in addition to our amazing host venue, The Corinthian. Couples wanting to escape the city or be right in the heart of Houston on your wedding day met with Big Easy Ranch and The Ballroom at Bayou Place.
Photo: Civic Photos | Venue: The Corinthian | Decor: Darryl & Co.
Photo: Civic Photos | Venue: Big Easy Ranch
Photo: Civic Photos | Venue: The Ballroom at Bayou Place
And of course we can’t forget about the bling! Everyone at the event (including us) were stuck by the dazzling beauties on display from Donoho’s Jewellers, Eklektic Jewelry, Lewis Jewelers and Nazar’s Fine Jewelry.
Top Left, Right & Bottom Right Photos: Dream Photo & Video | Bottom Left Photo: Civic Photos | Top Left: Nazar’s Fine Jewelry | Top Right: Donoho’s Jewellers | Bottom Left: Lewis Jewelers | Bottom Right: Eklektic Jewelry
We can’t thank our amazing wedding experts (find a full list here), all of our guests and the amazing team at The Corinthian for making this I Do! Wedding Soiree the best one yet. Want to see more pics? Check us out on Facebook and Instagram. And stay tuned for details on our next I Do! Wedding Soiree, coming in Fall, 2017!
Tags: A Day to Remember, Civic Photos, Dream Photo & Video, I Do! Soiree, I Do! Soiree 2017, Jackson & Company, LBL Event Rentals, LG Entertainment, Scott Graham Piano, The Corinthian
Posted in Bridal Gowns, Bridal Show, cakes, Decor, Desserts, Destination Weddings, Fashion, Floral, I Do! Soiree | No Comments »
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