Houston Wedding Blog

HWB Hearts: Dessert Pops to Die For

Behold the dessert pop. It’s cake—or pie, or cookies, or “toaster pastry,” or cheesecake, or cupcakes, or French macaroons—on a stick. The color and decoration options are pretty much endless. Ditto the presentation possibilities. It’s a bite Heaven (or two or three or FIVE, depending on how long you linger at the dessert display, and how many pops you pop into your pie hole). Everyone goes nuts when they see them. And you can even have yours in the shape of miniature tiered white wedding cakes, if that’s your thing. In a mouthful: It’s wedding dessert perfection. Behold!

Dessert Pops Inspiration Board ~ Houston Wedding Blog

Credits (Photos From Top to Bottom, Left to Right): Bakerella ~ Favor Ribbons ~ Lil’ Miss Cakes ~ Cakewalk Desserts ~ Duff Goldman ~ Sweet E’s Bake Shop ~ Bakerella ~ Bakerella

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Charming Gallery Wedding by Kelly Hornberger Photography

It was supposed to be a beautiful outdoor sunset ceremony. But, like so many other al fresco Houston events before it, Amanda and Celestino’s nuptials fell victim to an onslaught of wet weather. No matter, though. This couple, caught up in the romance of their special day, would not be daunted. They simply made a last-minute decision to move their ceremony indoors, where, the bride says, she ended up having “absolutely the most amazing, gorgeous wedding I could have ever hoped for—every quirk and mishap that happened that day just made it even more special.” Now we ask you, Houston brides, is that a perfect wedding day outlook, or what? There’s so much we love about this charming wedding, with its DIY touches, its sweet, simple florals and hints of vibrant pink, its string lights and sparklers and sunny joy, no matter what the clouds outside had to say. Cheers to Kelly Hornberger Photography for the pitch-perfect pix, and our warmest wishes to Amanda and Celestino.

Charming Gallery Wedding by Kelly Hornberger Photography ~ Houston Wedding Blog

Photos: Kelly Hornberger Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Winnie Couture ~ DJ: JPL Entertainment ~ Flowers: Olive Tree Florist ~ Venue: The Gallery

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The Big To Do: Texas-Style Entertaining with The Dining Diva, Wed. 6-13

Houston Wedding Blog ~ Texas-Style Entertaining with The Dining Diva

Trying to figure out just what you’re going to do with all those newfangled kitchen gadgets and super-chic tabletop goodies you’re sure to get gifted from your wedding registry? Here’s an idea: Learn how to whip up and serve a scrumptious Texas-style gourmet dinner! This Wednesday, famed “Dining Diva” and cookbook author Molly Fowler shows you how, at a sure-to-be-delicious cooking class, 6:30 p.m. at Central Market. Menu items include (cue the drooling) Shrimp Acapulco and Smoked Grilled Ribeye with Sauteed Mushrooms. Tasting is strongly encouraged. Couples are welcome. Space is limited, so reserve yours now. Mmm… date night is served!

Credits (Photos From Top to Bottom, Left to Right): The Dining Diva (2 images) ~ Central Market

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Q&A: Katie Frederick of Ever After Honeymoons on The Big Trip!

Q&A: Katie Frederick of Ever After Honeymoons on The Big Trip! ~ Courtesy Petit St Vincent Resort ~ Weddings In Houston Magazine
Photos (From Top to Bottom, Left to Right): Courtesy Petit St Vincent Resort ~ Courtesy Castiglion Del Bosco in Tuscany ~ Courtesy Katie Frederick via Connie Chung Courtesy Four Seasons Bora Bora ~ Courtesy Portrait Suites Rome ~ Courtesy Katie Frederick via Connie Chung ~ Courtesy Hotel Le Toiny St Barths

Honeymoons are to regular vacations what wedding receptions are to Saturday-night dinner parties. You wouldn’t leave the planning of your lavish 300-guest nuptial bash to your everyday dinner-party coordinator (that’d be you), would you? Likewise, it’s smart to put the planning of your once-in-a-lifetime trip into the hands of a honeymoon expert, rather than a regular ol’ travel agent—or, heaven forbid—booking online, sight unseen. Eek! Katie Frederick eats, breathes and lives honeymoon planning, every single day of her well-traveled life. Her boutique travel planning firm, Ever After Honeymoons , is sought out by well-heeled brides across the nation for its deep knowledge of divine honeymoon destinations and hidden gems, and its ability to deliver luxury and no-detail-too-small service from departure to return, and then some. We tapped into Katie’s killer honeymoon instincts, and got her to share her top picks in honeymoon locales and must-have travel goodies. Here you go, Houston brides…and happy travels!

Houston Wedding Blog: Where in the world should we GO?

Katie Frederick: There really are so many incredible places to visit! I encourage couples to talk about what their perfect day on their honeymoon would be. What would you like to see and do? What are your favorite things to do together? Then I can recommend the best destinations that offer what you are looking for.

Also make sure to check the weather in the destinations you are interested in. Then spend some time really talking about what each of you want for your honeymoon. A lot of brides will say, “I wants a beach honeymoon but he will be bored.” A good compromise is to spend the first half of your honeymoon on the beach and then go to a city.

If you really can’t decide between two destinations, you can visit one for your honeymoon and then save the other destination for an upcoming anniversary trip. Gives you something to look forward to!

HWB: When do we need to book?

KF: I recommend couples book their flights and hotels around six months ahead of time. At this point a lot of hotels have early booking discounts, flights are priced well, and it gives you time to consider your options. If you wait until the last minute, you will most likely have a lot of last-minute wedding things to get done, and the hotels and flights you want could be sold out. I always recommend waiting to book tours, activities and excursions until you are on your honeymoon.

Another tip: Make sure to book all travel with your names exactly as they appear on your passports. Don’t book your travel with your married last name unless you are changing your name prior to traveling.

HWB: What should we pack?

KF: Pack light, and pack things you can mix and match with each other. Think ahead of time about what you plan to do, but don’t pack for every possible situation. Make sure to buy mini bottles of beauty products (www.3floz.com has a great selection!). I love light tunics and swim cover-ups, and they take up very little space. Be sure to leave a little room in your bag in case you want to buy a few things during your honeymoon.

HWB: Any cool or cute-as-heck honeymoon travel goodies we absolutely MUST know about?

Here are some of my favorites!

Q&A: Katie Frederick of Ever After Honeymoons on The Big Trip! ~ Anthropologie ~ Llewellyn Turquoise Jeweled Caftan from Calypso St. Barth ~ Weddings In Houston Magazine
Photos (From Top to Bottom, Left to Right): Tied-Front Dress from Anthropologie ~ Llewellyn Turquoise Jeweled Caftan from Calypso St. Barth ~ Travel Books from Luxe City Guides ~ “Brendle” Sandal from ALDO ~ Python Passport Cover from Mr Hanz

HWB: Fabulous! Now we’re booked, packed and ready for romance. Any parting advice before we take off?

Don’t plan too much ahead of time. Usually the time before a wedding is really hectic and scheduled. Your honeymoon is the time to sleep in, decide what you feel like doing that day, and just enjoy each other’s company.

Follow Katie’s happy travels, and start planning your own, on Twitter @EA_Honeymoons and Facebook.com/everafterhoneymoons!

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HWB Hearts: Intriguing Ideas for Hand-Tied Bouquets

Satin ribbon and pearl pins are a classic choice for a hand-tied wedding bouquet. But there’s no rule that says they’re required wrapping for wedding bouquet stems. We’re huge fans of using interestingly textured, unusually patterned and/or heirloom fabrics and other materials to bind bridal bouquets. Some of our favorite ribbon alternatives include lace (especially black), raffia, twine, silk handkerchiefs, crocheted doilies, bear grass, leather and suede. Also alluring: mixing a simple or rough-hewn wrap material with a contrastingly delicate or ornamental accent, or vice versa. For instance, fine lace accented with wood buttons, or twine encircled with pearl rosary beads. And, of course, there’s nothing more meaningful than a bouquet wrapped with a bit of lace from the hem of your grandmother’s wedding gown, or adorned with your great-aunt’s heirloom locket.

Find more hand-tied bouquet inspiration, and the week’s wedding news, events & tips, in today’s week’s Wednesday Wedding Buzz!

Credits (Photos top to bottom, left to right): Karen Tran Florals, Kellie Kano Photography via Greer Loves, Heather Bliss via Callie Rose, Meredith Perdue (next 2 images), Four Seasons Flowers, Shannon Kelley Photography (last 2 images)

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