Blush & Champagne Wedding at Hotel Galvez

The love story of Jane and Travis began on a romantic sailboat ride out at sea. The pair, introduced by Travis’s sister-in-law, spent their first big date sailing on the Gulf of Mexico’s glistening waters—and as the bride says, “the rest is history.” On a special Memorial Day Weekend not too long after, Travis sailed Jane out to Redfish Island—where the groom’s grandparents had their first date over 60 years ago—to ask for her hand in marriage. “Of course I said yes, and when we finally made it to Galveston, our family was there waiting for us to celebrate,” recounts the bride. The couple naturally chose a nautical theme for their outdoor wedding and incorporated the symbol of an anchor in every aspect of the decor, from invitations (provided by Bering’s) to name cards. More than 200 guests gathered on the green lawn of Hotel Galvez and watched as Jane and Travis vowed their lives to one another beneath an arch of cherry blossoms, and then joined the newlyweds inside the stunning hotel for a candlelit dinner and dancing. Lovely blush and champagne roses completed each centerpiece for a look and feel of sheer elegance. “Just watching everyone really enjoy themselves made both of us so happy,” says Jane. “That was our goal for the evening.” Mission accomplished!

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Photos: SGI Photography ~ Ceremony & Reception Venue: Hotel Galvez & Spa ~ Invitations: Bering’s ~ Registry: Bering’s, Kuhl-Linscomb

Champagne and Red Wedding at Chateau Cocomar by Civic Photos

WEDDINGS IN HOUSTON SPRING 2015 | REAL WEDDING FEATURE

Brittney & Randy ~ July 19, 2014

Listen up, ladies: There’s something to be said for making the first move. Just ask Houston bride Brittney—who may never have ended up with the love of her life if she hadn’t asked handsome Randy for his digits at that Southern Methodist University dorm icebreaker 10 years back. “We ended up talking for hours on end,” she recalls, “then officially started dating on Sept. 24, 2004…and the rest is history!” At the couple’s beautiful Chateau Cocomar wedding, the groom, whose family hails from Ghana, changed into traditional Ghanian clothing halfway through the reception and delighted in watching his family shower his bride in money—a Ghanian tradition that Brittney says, “was a complete surprise to me, but made for an awesome story and a unique experience at our wedding.”

Champagne & Red Wedding at Chateau Cocomar by Civic Photos Champagne & Red Wedding at Chateau Cocomar by Civic Photos Champagne & Red Wedding at Chateau Cocomar by Civic Photos Champagne & Red Wedding at Chateau Cocomar by Civic Photos Champagne & Red Wedding at Chateau Cocomar by Civic Photos Champagne & Red Wedding at Chateau Cocomar by Civic Photos Champagne & Red Wedding at Chateau Cocomar by Civic Photos Champagne & Red Wedding at Chateau Cocomar by Civic Photos Champagne & Red Wedding at Chateau Cocomar by Civic Photos Champagne & Red Wedding at Chateau Cocomar by Civic Photos Champagne & Red Wedding at Chateau Cocomar by Civic Photos Champagne & Red Wedding at Chateau Cocomar by Civic Photos Champagne & Red Wedding at Chateau Cocomar by Civic Photos

Photos: Civic Photos ~ Rehearsal Dinner: Raveneaux Country Club ~ Venue: Chateau Cocomar ~ Consultant & Invitations: A Day to Remember ~ Flowers: Flora & Eventi ~ Decor & Rentals: EB Inc ~ Lighting: DJU Productions ~ Wedding Dress: Pronovias from Weddings by Debbie ~ Mother of the Bride Dress: T. Carolyn Fashions ~ Honeymoon: Jamaica

BEAUTIFUL Bell Tower on 34th Street Wedding by Steve Lee Photography

WEDDINGS IN HOUSTON Spring 2015 | Real Wedding Feature

Rachel & Kurt ~ July 11, 2014

For their once-in-a-lifetime celebration, UT alums Rachel and Kurt chose The Bell Tower on 34th St., and it’s easy to see why. With its gorgeous grounds, vine-covered walls, hidden archways and spectacular interior, the beloved Bell Tower was the perfect place to gather 240 guests for an evening of dining, dancing and pure, exuberant joy. The bride enchanted everyone in her gorgeous Watters gown from fabulous Mia Bridal Couture–which, we might add, photographer Steve Lee Weddings captured magnificently against a series of Bell Tower backgrounds. Notes Rachel: “Kurt and I truly feel that our perfect evening lasted forever as we got to soak up every moment of happiness and fun of the party.” As for us? We note that this wedding was one of our favorites of the year! Best of luck, and much love, to the newlyweds. And big thanks to The Bell Tower on 34th, and Steve Lee Weddings, for sharing this beautiful event with us…and YOU!

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Photos: Steve Lee Photography ~ Wedding Dress: Watters from Mia Bridal Couture ~ Groomswear: Al’s Formal Wear ~ Venue: The Bell Tower on 34th Street ~ Decor & Rentals: AJ’s Urban Petals ~ Entertainment: DJU Entertainment ~ Registry: Macy’s ~ Honeymoon: St. Lucia

Cream, Champagne, Gold & Bronze Wedding at The Parador by Akil Bennett Photography

“We wanted our day to reflect a coming together and honoring of those we love, so the winter season seemed like the perfect time for our celebration. I never could have imagined just how beautiful the evening would be, and my initial entry into the ballroom brought me to tears. The intimate lighting of hundreds of candles, the warmth of white lights on fir trees, the live jazz band playing classic tunes in the background, and being surrounded by the faces of those we hold closest to our hearts made it feel like an evening of coming home,” says Houston bride Ashley. The European-style gardens and elegant simplicity of The Parador made it the perfect venue for the couple, who brought in subtle design elements in a soft, romantic color palette of cream, champagne, gold and bronze. Please excuse us while we swoon over the gorgeous photos of this beautiful wedding by Akil Bennett Photography. We promise you will, too. Congrats to the lovely couple!

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Photos: Akil Bennett Photography ~ Flowers: Cornelius Florist Northwest ~ Cake: Nutmeg & Co. ~ Decor & Rentals: Jacquelyn Nicole Weddings ~ Wedding Gown: Alfred Angelo ~ MOB Dress: David’s Bridal ~ Wedding Venue: The Parador ~ Lighting & Entertainment: DJU Productions

Orchid-Filled, Elegant Navy & Champagne Houston Wedding

WEDDINGS IN HOUSTON FALL 2014 | REAL WEDDING FEATURE

Kerry and Kris ~ October 5, 2013

Though they’d always known they’d wed, Kerry and Kris, who were introduced by a mutual friend in 2002, were simply waiting for the timing to be right, “which, for us, just happened to be about 10 years,” the bride says. Kris proposed to his beloved on bended knee at the top of a Colorado ski slope while fellow skiers applauded. “It was magical and I could not have imagined it being any better,” Kerry says. A little over a year later, the pair celebrated with 150 friends and family members, who sat at tables named for the groom’s favorite James Bond movies, and dined on filet mignon and shrimp, followed by slices from a magnificent four-tier wedding cake. The bride’s favorite moment? “Our first dance after we were introduced as husband and wife,” she recounts. “We danced to Aerosmith’s ‘Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.’”

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Names: Kerry Levine & Kristopher Bollmann ~ Number of Guests: 150 ~ Consultant: Schwartz & Woodward ~ Decor & Rentals: EB Inc Events ~ Lighting: Bright Star Productions ~ Cake: Who Made the Cake! ~ Groomswear: Al’s Formal Wear ~ Wedding Bands: Zadok Jewelers ~ Registry: Kuhl-Linscomb; Williams-Sonoma ~ Honeymoon: Tahiti