Styled Bridal Couture Shoot: Smoke, Mirrors and Magic at The Astorian

Luxe meets industrial chic in this fabulous shoot featuring gorgeous designer wedding dresses by Rivini, Oscar de la Renta, Hayley Paige and more. The shoot was held at The Astorian and showcased a variety of breathtaking bridal gowns, jewelry and accessories. See credits below on where to find these stunning pieces right here in Houston!

All Over Lace Bridal Gown with Middle Slit High Lace Neck Line Gown with Flowing Skirt Wedding Ceremony Flower Wall and Metallic Gold Detailed Bridal Gown Beaded Bodice and Flowing Skirt Bridal Separates Beaded Bodice and Flowing Skirt Bridal Separates Metallic Gold Detailed Multi-Layer Wedding Cake and Tropical Flower Bouquet All-Over Lace Bridal Gown with Deep V Neckline Brown Embroidered Cocktail Dress and Black Feathered Cocktail Dress Off-White Silk Pantsuit and Black Capris with High Neckline White Blouse Romantic Candlelit Tablescapes with Rose Centerpieces and Rose Flower Balls Beaded Cap Sleeved Bridal Gown

Location: The Astorian ~ Photography: Larry Fagala ~ Stylist: Summer Salah ~ Flowers & Decor: AJ’s Urban Petals ~ Makeup: Aubrie Layne ~ Hair: Tonya Riner ~ Cake: Susie’s Cakes & Confections ~ Gowns Designed by: Alon Livne, Hayley Paige, Rivini and Naeem Khan ~ Gowns Sold At: Now & Forever Bridal and Mia Bridal Couture ~ Accessories: Baccarat, Trumpet & Horn, Sloan/Hall, Kendra Scott, Oscar de la Renta, Tom Ford, Dior and LuLu Frost, Jimmy Choo, Giuseppe Zanotti, all from Neiman Marcus.

Rivini Spring 2016 at Mia Bridal Couture Aug. 27-29

Rivini Spring 2016 at Mia Bridal Couture Aug. 27-29

Photos: Rivini

With her passion for classic elegance and her focus on traditional silhouettes and simple sophistication, Rivini designer Rita Vinieris is not one for wedding dresses that bare it all, or bring to mind Vegas showgirls. Instead, Rivini’s new Spring 2016 collection takes its inspiration from the English landscape artist J. M. W. Turner, whose paintings are filled with natural light, radiant clouds and dreamy reflections. For Vinieris, that means bridal gowns with transparent layers that suggest a glimpse of the bride’s figure beneath, rather than how-low-can-you-go backs and ultra-plunge bodices.

See these stunning gowns next week, when famed Houston salon Mia Bridal Couture hosts an exclusive Rivini Spring 2016 trunk show. Mia’s expert consultants will be on hand to help you select your perfect Rivini gown, and assist you in styling it with beautiful accessories. Plus, Mia Bridal Couture will be offering special purchase incentives (meaning $ off retail!) for brides who purchase a Rivini gown during this special three-day event.

Appointments for this highly anticipated Rivini trunk show WILL fill. Make yours now, and make plans to be utterly and completely wowed.

Houston Club’s Open House Shows Off Downtown Venue

Last week’s open house at the elegant Houston Club offered to-be-wed couples a glimpse of how they might create their fantasy city-pretty wedding. With its sweeping views of downtown Houston and its much-lauded culinary expertise, the Houston Club is a fabulous location for refined weddings with cosmopolitan edge. And right now through Oct. 31, the club is offering a Bridal Open House Special: $500 off your ceremony fee, along with no room rental fees (a $2,500 value). Contact Houston club event planner Jeana Auger at 713.632.1554 for details. And meanwhile, check out terrific pix from the club’s Oct. 2 event, courtesy of Steve Lee Photography!

Houston Club’s Open House Shows Off Downtown Venue Houston Club’s Open House Shows Off Downtown Venue Houston Club’s Open House Shows Off Downtown Venue Houston Club’s Open House Shows Off Downtown Venue Houston Club’s Open House Shows Off Downtown Venue Houston Club’s Open House Shows Off Downtown Venue Houston Club’s Open House Shows Off Downtown Venue Houston Club’s Open House Shows Off Downtown Venue Houston Club’s Open House Shows Off Downtown Venue Houston Club’s Open House Shows Off Downtown Venue Houston Club’s Open House Shows Off Downtown Venue

Photos: Steve Lee Photography ~ Venue: Houston Club

How to Match Your Hairstyle to Your Wedding Dress by Marlene Montanez

Guest Post: How to Match Your Hairstyle to Your Wedding Dress by Marlene Montanez

Photos: Tom Carson

When I started dress shopping for my wedding, one question that came up again and again as I tried on dresses was, “What kind of veil do you want?” To be honest, the question always caught me off guard because I knew there was only one answer: “It depends on the dress!” Your entire wedding look, including your jewelry, veil and wedding hairstyle, should absolutely match with the wedding dress you pick! So how can you match your hairstyle to your wedding dress? Don’t fret, we’ve got some great tips on coordinating your hairstyle to your wedding dress with ease.

Backless Dress
Backless wedding dresses are very on trend. And whether it’s completely open in the back, partially so or just the illusion of an open back with lace detailing, you’ll likely want to show off that sexy back! Consider an up-do for your wedding day hairstyle to give your back the spotlight. If you aren’t feeling an up-do but still want something that’s flattering, you can also try a longer hairstyle where your hair is pulled and styled to the front and side. Think: An ultra-glamorous low side pony with curls.

One-Shoulder Gown
A one-shoulder gown is great for showing off fabulous arms and a little skin; so don’t have your hair covering that up! A half-up half-down wedding hairstyle is a great way to balance off this asymmetrical look. If your wedding is a bit on the formal side, an up-do works really well with this look, too. And since the focus on the gown is showing off the shoulder, you can also rest assured that just about any veil length works.

Strapless/Sweetheart Dress
Strapless and sweetheart-neck dresses are still some of the most popular wedding dress styles. The good news is, they not only flatter just about every figure, they work with just about any hairstyle, too! If you are having a church ceremony or concerned about showing too much skin, consider a long hairstyle instead of a half-up or formal up-do.

Casual/Beach Dress
If you are having a beach wedding or a more casual affair, embrace the afternoon vibe with a non-fussy look. Long hair styled in beach waves or even loose braids and half-up half-down looks are perfect for beach weddings. This is one look where you’ll want to avoid the formal up-do and have fun with your wedding day hairstyle.

Click here for more wedding hair tips and ideas from Latest Hairstyles!

Sareh Nouri Designer Launch and Trunk Show at Mia Bridal Couture

There’s nothing more exciting than the debut of a new bridal designer—especially when that debut takes place at Mia Bridal Couture. In just two weeks, Mia will welcome ultra-talented designer Sareh Nouri, with an exclusive designer-attended trunk show you will NOT want to miss. This very special event kicks off with a meet-and-greet reception Thursday, Aug. 14 from 6-8 p.m., followed by two full days of trunk-show excitement showcasing Nouri’s exquisite bridal gowns amidst the grandeur of Mia Bridal Couture’s new and utterly gorgeous River Oaks salon space. Make your appointment NOW to view these magnificent wedding dresses, and don’t forget to RSVP for your chance to meet the TLC-featured designer in person!

Sareh Nouri Designer Launch and Trunk Show at Mia Bridal Couture