A week after moving back from Stuttgart, Germany, Ian, an Opera singer and the venue director of Conroe event venue Madera Estates, met Paul at McGovern Centennial Gardens during a holiday party in 2016. Two years later, Paul proposed to Ian in NYC after a Broadway show, on top of the iconic Empire State building. It was only fitting for the couple to select Madera Estates for their winter nuptials! “As the venue owner of Madera Estates, we knew immediately we wanted to play to the strengths of the venue, while also doing something completely different and unique to us,” says Ian. “Our leap day wedding was a vintage, Spanish-inspired evening filled with an abundance of candlelight. Deep and rich colors of navy, burgundy, and saffron were complimented by talavera and handmade wrought iron pieces.”

Guests were greeted upon arrival with flower-adorned beer burros and the women in the wedding party wore Frida Kahlo inspired headpieces. The couple tied the knot in a romantic twilight ceremony followed by a show-stopping fireworks display. The celebration moved indoors to Madera Estates’ Hacienda and the newlyweds made their grand reception entrance with adorable alpacas. The evening’s entertainment kicked off with Ian and Paul’s first dance where a drag queen interrupted them acting as a jilted bride! A churro bar and boozy hot chocolate fueled guests for a lively “La Hora Loca” featuring characters on stilts and light up foam sticks. The greatest challenge Ian faced while planning their festive wedding was, “Letting go! As an industry professional, it was hard to not micromanage the process or even day-of details. I call it the blessing and the curse!”

We are so excited to feature this handsome Houston couple and their vintage Spanish-inspired wedding, captured in such detail by Ama By Aisha. Congratulations, Ian & Paul!

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