Houston Wedding Blog

White, Cream and Blush Houston Country Club Wedding

Back in 2011, a casual father-daughter lunch—a tradition Emily Catherine has enjoyed with her dad since she was very young—turned out to be a very important occasion, when a “tall handsome guy stopped me out of nowhere and said, ‘Hi, I’m Ben Riggs. Weren’t you in my brother’s grade at Kinkaid?’” recounts the bride. “We chatted for a little bit and then he went back to his friends and I went back to my dad. As I walked away, I had butterflies in my stomach. I had never met a guy who was so outgoing, confident and charismatic. I knew there was just something special about him.” The two became Facebook friends, started messaging each other, eventually shared phone numbers, and, as Emily Catherine says, “The rest is history!” This summer, the pair shared vows in a traditional church ceremony, followed by a Houston Country Club bash attended by 500 of their nearest and dearest. Southern elegance ruled the day, in the form of oodles of white, cream and blush roses, along with Southern specialties including fried oysters and grits, and a six-foot-tall, monogrammed, flower-wrapped cake. “We wanted people from all generations on the dance floor all night long,” says Emily Catherine of the high-energy dancing to the live band. “One of my favorite moments of our wedding was when they opened the doors to the church before my dad and I walked down the aisle. Ben and I had not seen each other before the wedding, and I couldn’t get to the end fast enough to be with him! Plus, I could see he was trying to hold back from getting choked up, it was so sweet! My other favorite moment was during our first dance. I looked around the room and saw all of our friends and family. I mean, when in your life do you have all the people who are important to you all together?” At your once-in-a-lifetime wedding, that’s when. Congratulations, Emily Catherine and Ben, and big thanks to Michael Carr Photography for the beautiful photos of this beautiful Houston wedding.

White, Cream and Blush Houston Country Club Wedding

Photos: Michael Carr Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Ines di Santo from Belle Mariée Bridal ~ Tuxedos: Al’s Formal Wear ~ Cake: Cakes by Gina ~ Flowers: Houston Country Club ~ Coordinator: Keely Thorne of Keely Thorne Events ~ Venue: Houston Country Club ~ Invitations: Bering’s

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Pretty, Sun-kissed White and Pink Wedding at The Woodlands Country Club

“We are both Aggies. Whoop!” says nursing student Heather of her spring Woodlands Country Club wedding to groom Andrew. “We had hung out with each all of our last semester at A&M and he, of course, waited until the last day before we graduated to take me for my favorite: ice cream! We talked for three hours and I knew right then and there we were going to be something very special. My best friend Mandy will take the credit for introducing us.” Photo studio Half Orange Photography, meanwhile, gets the credit for the sweet photos of this relaxed and effortlessly elegant Woodlands wedding. Congratulations, Heather and Andrew!

Pretty, Sun-kissed White and Pink Wedding at The Woodlands Country Club

Photos: Half Orange Photography ~ Bride’s Shoes: BHLDN ~ Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J. Crew ~ Venue: The Woodlands Country Club

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White, Silver and Purple Wedding at Hotel ZaZa

“From the beginning, I knew I wanted our wedding to truly reflect Ryan and I as a couple,” says Houston bride Lindsy. “As high-school sweethearts, we had been together for eight years when we began planning our wedding, and we had truly grown up together and with each other’s families. We wanted our wedding to be a night to celebrate our love as well as our family and friends who have supported us for so many years. I envisioned an all-white wedding with a mix of soft textured elements and strong architectural design. The ceremony, like my dress,”—a gorgeous Monique Lhuillier creation from Joan Pillow Bridal Salon, btw— “had an ethereal quality, with floating orchid petals and candles. The reception had a lot of clean lines with structured arrangements of white flowers. Fun-fact napkins, signature drinks and advice cards personalized our event and made our guests a part of our love story. The textured linens, mirrored table tops and white linen menus added texture and interest to a monochrome palette. An all-white stage, dance floor and lounge furniture created the perfect environment to dance the night away for our friends and family. After dinner the chandeliers changed to purple lighting and the music continued until early the next morning. We ended the evening with a salty-and-sweet treat of French fries and milkshake shots for our guests before a confetti exit to our hotel suite. The most special part of our wedding was a painting of our sweet dogs (who could not be at the wedding) by my cousin Jennifer. We made sure to display it under the chuppah so they could watch over our ceremony.” And if that’s not the picture of personal, meaningful wedding perfection, we don’t know what is. Congratulations, Lindsy and Ryan, and great thanks to Morgan Lynn Photography for the lovely photos!

White, Silver and Purple Wedding at Hotel ZaZa

Photos: Morgan Lynn Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Monique Lhuillier from Joan Pillow Bridal Salon ~ Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender ~ Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Monique Lhuillier from Nordstrom Wedding Suite ~ Flowers & Decor: Darryl & Co. ~ Cake: Susie’s Cakes & Confections ~ Coordinator: Belle of the Ball ~ Venue: Hotel ZaZa ~ Rehearsal Dinner: Maggiano’s Little Italy

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$1,000+ Hotel Derek “Life is Suite” Getaway GIVEAWAY

For a hotel that gets its name from an oil rig, Houston’s Hotel Derek—Derek = derrick…cute, right?—is about as far from gritty as you can get. In fact, the gorgeous Galleria-area boutique property is the very picture of urban sophistication. From its gleaming black granite lobby floors to its ultra-hip terrace and splash pool to its decadent down bedding, Hotel Derek beckons guests to relax and indulge in a true cosmopolitan experience.

And today, we’re beckoning you to ENTER TO WIN a totally indulgent $1,000+ Hotel Derek “Life is Suite” overnight romance package for 2!! One very lucky Houston bride-to-be will score herself and her sweetheart a sweet Hotel Derek getaway that includes Friday- or Saturday-night suite-level accommodations for 2 (including parking), Champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries upon arrival, and breakfast in bed. Um…awesome, right?

Entering our giveaway is super easy; HERE’S HOW:

TO ENTER:

1.) Like Weddings in Houston on Facebook—if you haven’t yet, that is.

2.) Email us your name, fiancé’s name, Houston wedding date, reception venue (booked or hoped-for).

3.) Entry emails MUST be received NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, AUG. 16.

4.) Winner will be notified by WEDNESDAY, AUG. 20 and announced on Facebook.

Oh, and Hotel Derek isn’t just an amazing place to escape it all in citified style—it’s also an amazing place to have your WEDDING. Just ask style blogger Rebekah Gullo, who tied the knot there last year! So we’re doubly delighted to offer this sweet deal to ALL Houston brides to be: Book your Hotel Derek wedding ($15,000 minimum food & beverage) by Dec.31, 2013, and mention Weddings in Houston, the Houston Wedding Blog or the Weekly Wedding Buzz e-newsletter at booking, and your complimentary wedding-night guest room will be upgraded to the lavish Presidential Suite (based upon availability at time of booking). Congratulations!

Photos: Hotel Derek

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Navy and Ivory Briscoe Manor Wedding by Lindsay Elizabeth Photography

What is it about dimpled beauties and fitness-related meet-cutes?? Even though Scott admits he “hated the challenges of a spin class” (um, yeah, been there), he figured strained muscles and spent lung capacity was worth it if it meant winning a “million-dollar smile” from the girl of his dreams—spin/cycling instructor Sarah. After forming a friendship and—our favorite part—falling in love, the two got engaged, in the spin studio where they first met (natch). “Briscoe Manor offered a distinctive, chic and truly Texas wedding venue with its limestone architecture and country setting among the pecan and oak trees,” Sarah tells us—the perfect spot to introduce Canadian-born Scott’s family to her native state. Her most memorable moments? “Getting to see Scott for the first time before the ceremony and spending special moments with my soon-to-be husband, and looking around at a room full of friends and family that we love so dearly. I especially enjoyed getting to introduce all of the Canadian guests to a true Texas-themed wedding!” And WE especially enjoy getting to introduce Sarah and Scott to YOU—with help from Lindsay Elizabeth’s ever lovely photos, of course!

Navy and Ivory Briscoe Manor Wedding by Lindsay Elizabeth Photography

Photos: Lindsay Elizabeth Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Enzoani from Weddings by Debbie ~ Bride’s Shoes: Cole Haan ~ Tuxedos: Al’s Formal Wear ~ Cake: Susie’s Cakes & Confections ~ Flowers: Flora Bella Designs ~ Coordinator: Behind the Bash ~ Venue: Briscoe Manor

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