High-Glamour Black-and-Silver Hotel ZaZa Wedding With Canine Friend

We’re just so tickled to be able to show y’all the wedding of Andrea and Alessandro—such a beautiful couple, such a magnificent celebration. The two met a Sunday Funday brunch…and ended up chatting ’til midnight that day. It wasn’t long until the pair realized they were madly in love, and eventually Alessandro proposed to his lovely bride on a trip to San Francisco.  “On our second day, after an afternoon biking around Sausalito, he took me to an amazing mountain top for the sunset,” Andrea recounts. “Just as the sun was setting, he got down on one knee and proposed with the spectacular view of San Francisco behind him. It truly was the most amazing day!” Though perhaps not quite as amazing as the day the two tied the knot, with a church ceremony followed by a dazzling black-white-and-silver celebration at downtown Houston’s Hotel ZaZa. The silver-and-crystal candelabra, the dramatic feather accents, the sleek white dance floor—everything about this wedding exuded glamour and drama. Everything, that is, except for the awesome photo-booth fun that was a highlight of the wedding for guests and newlyweds alike, which exuded sheer joy and whimsy. If you’re wondering how Andrea put together such a spectacular wedding, she says she found “90%” of her vendors on her one-day visit to the I Do! Bridal Soiree at the Royal Sonesta (where, incidentally, she was also the lucky winner of our Kindle Fire giveaway—BONUS!). We’re so thankful to Andrea and Alessandro for sharing their special day—big thanks too to photographer Rachel Robinson for sharing her terrific pix.

High-Glamour Black-and-Silver Hotel ZaZa Wedding High-Glamour Black-and-Silver Hotel ZaZa Wedding High-Glamour Black-and-Silver Hotel ZaZa Wedding High-Glamour Black-and-Silver Hotel ZaZa Wedding High-Glamour Black-and-Silver Hotel ZaZa Wedding High-Glamour Black-and-Silver Hotel ZaZa Wedding High-Glamour Black-and-Silver Hotel ZaZa Wedding High-Glamour Black-and-Silver Hotel ZaZa Wedding High-Glamour Black-and-Silver Hotel ZaZa Wedding High-Glamour Black-and-Silver Hotel ZaZa Wedding High-Glamour Black-and-Silver Hotel ZaZa Wedding High-Glamour Black-and-Silver Hotel ZaZa Wedding High-Glamour Black-and-Silver Hotel ZaZa Wedding High-Glamour Black-and-Silver Hotel ZaZa Wedding

Photos: Rachel Robinson Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Monique Lhuillier ~ Bride’s Hair & Makeup: The Perfect Face ~ Bridesmaid ~ Dresses: Vera Wang for David’s Bridal ~ Floral & Decor: Plants ’n Petals ~ Venue: Hotel ZaZa ~ Videography: Sculpting with Time

Petroleum Club Wedding by SB Image Studios

They fell in love over barbecued squirrel… Now THAT’S a sentence you don’t hear every day. But it’s the one that describes the blossoming relationship between Maria and Jarrod, who met at a backyard party and instantly connected when the groom-to-be fed his future bride a tasty bite of the grilled critter he’d shot just moments earlier. Ah, romance. Three years after their barbecue bonding, the pair wed in a decidedly more upscale celebration, starting with a formal ceremony at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, filled with music—from a rousing choral performance to a live brass quintet playing the Trumpet Voluntary for the bride’s processional. To marry her squirrel-hunting beau, bride Maria wore a La Sposa dress she customized herself: “My mother and I, along with help from friends and family, sewed Swarovski crystals and pearl beads all throughout my lace and tulle gown, and cathedral-length train. It took us six months to complete.” On top of that, “I also hand made the bridesmaids’ jewelry and completely designed the cake, by drawing and submitting my design for Edible Designs by Jessie to make.” Now that’s our kind of DIY. The couple’s 300-guest reception at the beautiful Petroleum Club of Houston treated celebrants to a sit-down dinner, the aforementioned cake, and lots of dancing, after which Maria and Jarrod departed by—what else—a horse-drawn carriage. The night was truly magical—all thanks to our many supportive and loving guests,” the grateful (and gracious) bride says. Our thanks to SB Image Studios for sharing photos of this splendid Houston wedding—and our happiest wishes to the lovely couple!

Photos: SB Image Studios ~ Bride’s Dress: La Sposa ~ Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka ~ Cakes: Edible Designs by Jessie ~ Decor & Flowers: Think Studio ~ Rentals: Elegant Beginnings ~ Venue: Petroleum Club of Houston

Bell Tower on 34th Wedding by RSVP Studios

“We wanted our wedding to be elegant, beautiful, modern, traditional, vintage and mainly FUN,” says radiant Houston bride Lacie, adding, “It sounds like a strange combination.” But the truth is, for many a bride, Lacie’s fantasy weddingscape doesn’t sound strange at all. Though there are some brides who truly crave an authentic 1920s theme from flapper dresses to prohibition-era bootleg whiskey—or, on the flip side, a totally modern party, all metallic sheen and sleek angles—most brides want a mix of elegance and comfort, time-honored tradition and contemporary chic. Lacie and groom Jed got just what they wished for, with help from Darryl & Co., which turned out lovely, low-profile hydrangea arrangements, atop tables set with silver chargers at the villa-like Bell Tower on 34th. And just how stunning does Lacie look in that fairytale Maggie Sottero dress, her pretty maids (in ga-ga-gorgeous earth-tone Allure gowns) all in a row? Happiest wishes to the newlyweds, and sincere thanks to RSVP Studios for the wonderful photos.

Crystal Bridal Shoes Bride ring and Groom boutonniere Bridal portrait in mirror Reception Decor Wedding Party Bride and Flower Girl Bride and Groom exchanging rings Reception table Reception Floral Decor Bride and groom posing outside venue Reception Sweetheart Table Custom Caketoppers Bride and groom cakes Couple kissing Dessert Table Bride and bridesmaid dancing Bride throwing bouquet Bride and Groom exit

Photos: RSVP Studios ~ Bride’s Dress: Maggie Sottero ~ Flowers: Darryl & Co. ~ Cakes: Edible Designs by Jessie ~ Candy Buffet: Sugar Bunch Creations ~ Venue: The Bell Tower on 34th

Sparkling, Super-Luxe Woodlands Resort Wedding by John Ly Photography

Lush purple and pink flowers, cascades of crystal draping, a room washed in shades of rose and lavender, a dazzling monogrammed white dance floor—Stefanie and Byron’s wedding celebration, with design help from Darryl & Co., was a knockout. And lest you think this sweet couple—who met on Match.com, btw—opted for formal glamour over just plain fun, we can promise you, it just ain’t so. They had the best of both! Check out Stefanie and her besties taking to the stage with zany ’80s revivalists The Spazmatics…the bride’s favorite band. You go, girl! Big thanks to the happy couple for inviting us to share their spectacular day, and to John Ly for the lovely photos!

Johny Ly Photography Johny Ly Photography Johny Ly Photography Johny Ly Photography Johny Ly Photography Johny Ly Photography Johny Ly Photography Johny Ly Photography Johny Ly Photography Johny Ly Photography Johny Ly Photography Johny Ly Photography Johny Ly Photography Johny Ly Photography

Photos: John Ly Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Private Collection ~ Bride’s Makeup: Makeup Texas ~ Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid ~ Décor, Flowers & Rentals: Darryl & Co. ~ Videography: A&A Video Productions ~ Venue, Catering & Cakes: The Woodlands Resort

Classic Pink & White Country Club Wedding with Art Deco Inspiration

Since her grandparents wed, everyone in Claudia’s family has married at her family’s church—St. Anne Catholic Church—and celebrated their nuptials at River Oaks Country Club. And when it came time for Claudia to be joined in blessed union with her beloved Erik, the bride carried on the tradition in gracious and gorgeous style, with help from planner Jo Ann Schwartz Woodward of Schwartz & Woodward. Carrying a bouquet accented with a green crystal rosary that had been blessed by Pope John Paul II—a gift from the groom—as well as an heirloom Art Deco brooch and an antique monogrammed handkerchief, Claudia said, “I do,” to Erik, and he to his bride, in the presence of more than 400 family members and friends. A mix of light-pink damask and sheer-satin-stripe soft-white tablecloths from Elegant Beginnings set a romantic, feminine tone for the reception, with its elegant, Art Deco decor scheme. Claudia’s Chanel-inspired Who Made The Cake cake, featuring a pale-pink bow, pearl accents and an Art Deco brooch? Perhaps one of our favorites, ever! We are so happy for this lovely, loving Houston couple, and so thankful to photographer Tomas Ramos for his wonderful photos of this opulent, elegant wedding.

Classic Pink & White Country Club Wedding with Art Deco Inspiration Classic Pink & White Country Club Wedding with Art Deco Inspiration Classic Pink & White Country Club Wedding with Art Deco Inspiration Classic Pink & White Country Club Wedding with Art Deco Inspiration Classic Pink & White Country Club Wedding with Art Deco Inspiration Classic Pink & White Country Club Wedding with Art Deco Inspiration Classic Pink & White Country Club Wedding with Art Deco Inspiration Classic Pink & White Country Club Wedding with Art Deco Inspiration Classic Pink & White Country Club Wedding with Art Deco Inspiration Classic Pink & White Country Club Wedding with Art Deco Inspiration Classic Pink & White Country Club Wedding with Art Deco Inspiration

Photos: Tomas Ramos of NICO Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Pnina Tournai ~ Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo ~ Cake: Who Made The Cake ~ Consultant: Schwartz & Woodward ~ Linens: Elegant Beginnings ~ Programs: Katie & Co. ~ Videography: A&A Video Productions