Newly renovated (think modern industrial touches and touchable textures) Four Seasons Hotel Houston is the city chic backdrop for this sophisticated, modern downtown wedding shoot. Event planner and designer Malleret Designs showcases the most desirable wedding trends of 2021 while also incorporating timeless and polished details which won’t fade with time. Malleret Designs says, “Four Seasons is known for its excellent five-star services worldwide, and we wanted to exemplify all of that.”
After meeting through mutual friends, Michael and Kelley found themselves smitten with each other, right from the get-go. Their connection soon turned into romance, and after five happy years, Michael decided it was time to make things official. One fateful day after brunch, Michael and Kelley took their dog, Dunkin, out for a walk…which ultimately turned into a memory Kelley will always cherish, after Kelley noticed a pink heart tag on the dog’s collar that read, “Mom, can we keep him?” and on the other side, “Will you marry me?” OK, guys, how sweet is that? Michael’s creative proposal worked, and the following May, Kelley and Michael tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at the same church where the bride’s parents had been married. The pair’s spring Astorian wedding reception had it all, from the elegant decor and the spectacular city view, to fantastic entertainment and exquisite food. Their 275 guests were treated to the sublime cuisine of Cordúa Catering. “Cordúa Catering knocked it out of the park,” notes the bride. “They provided the traditional carving station with some fun, modern options like the Mac & Cheese Bar, the Raw Seafood Bar, and a Salad Wall.” Yum! Yet the best moment for Kelley and Michael was “…The Astorian’s view of the sunset on downtown Houston. It was breathtaking and a moment we will never forget!” Congratulations to you both!
Contributors: The Sweet Shack, Houston Invitation Services, Blooming Gallery, Blush & Co., Whittington Bridal, Drywater Band
Photo: Ama Photography & Cinema | Venue: The Crystal Ballroom at The Rice
Sure, the bars are hopping. And yeah, there’s a hot, new eatery opening its doors just about every 19 seconds. But one of our favorite things about downtown Houston’s business-to-pleasure evolution is the growing popularity of our thriving urban center as a super-chic location for wedding celebrations.
Photo: Courtesy of The Ballroom at Bayou Place
One of the coolest kids on the Downtown block is The Ballroom at Bayou Place. Located right in the heart of Downtown’s lively Theater District, The Ballroom has 15,000 square feet (!!) of flexible party space, which can be configured for everything from an intimate engagement-party gathering to an all-out-epic wedding bash for 500 or more of your nearest and dearest. If sleek balconies, sweeping skyline views, swank chandeliers and velvet drapery sound like your idea of the ideal wedding setting, you’ll definitely want to check out this Downtown dazzler, where manager Craig Howard (formerly of Ritz Carlton hotels and Cirque du Soleil—you may have heard of ’em) and his team of pros will help you with everything you need to plan a very pretty city wedding.
Photo: Courtesy of The Ballroom at Bayou Place
Jumping from a modern ballroom to classic one, let’s take a little stroll across Downtown, and treat you to a glimpse at The Crystal Ballroom at The Rice, located, just like the name says, in the historic Rice Hotel. Built in 1913, The Crystal Ballroom is 5,600 square feet of…gorgeous. Picture 35-foot-high ceilings, hand-painted murals, arched windows, and, of course, the lavish chandeliers you’d expect from a place with “crystal” in its name. Plus, the venue is catered by Sambuca, a name synonymous with renowned American fare—making The Crystal Ballroom a great spot not just for opulent Downtown weddings, but impress-your-guests pre-wedding parties and rehearsal dinners.
Photo: Ama Photography & Cinema | Venue: The Crystal Ballroom at The Rice
Oh—and don’t forget Lawless Spirits, also located in The Rice. This artisanal-cocktail hotspot, with its industrial-glam ambiance and equally chic terrace offers additional pre- and post-wedding celebration space, along with a taste of Texas history.
Photo: Courtesy of Lawless Spirits
Find these two Downtown gems, and tons more Houston-area wedding venues, right here, and schedule your tours early, loves…the best spots in town book up fast!
Photo: Ama Photography & Cinema | Venue: The Crystal Ballroom at The Rice
