Hotel ZaZa | Houston Wedding Blog

Blush, Gold and Ivory Wedding at La Colombe d’Or by J. Cogliandro Photography

WEDDINGS IN HOUSTON Spring 2015 | Real Wedding Feature

Katie & Mitchell ~ March 8, 2014

Jewelry designer Katie Decker has a passion for ornamentation, so it’s no surprise the bride selected La Colombe d’Or’s magnificently ornate, oak-paneled Grand Salon to celebrate her marriage to high-school sweetheart Mitchell. Having already designed her own rose-gold engagement ring, Katie took her inspiration from the romantic hue, bringing the color to her cake, her invitations, even her blush-toned Ines Di Santo gown from beloved Houston salon Mia Bridal Couture. At the couple’s elegant reception, French-style furniture surrounding the dance floor “made it feel as if you had gone back in time and entered a Belle-Epoque-style club,” Katie says. And while dining and dancing in that lavish environment was decidedly delightful, the bride says her favorite memory was “walking down the aisle and seeing Mitchell for the first time, with all our friends and family in one place. It was so surreal…and such a happy occasion.”

Blush, Gold & Ivory Wedding at La Colombe d'Or by J. Cogliandro Photography

Photos: J. Cogliandro Photography ~ Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo from Mia Bridal Couture ~ Rehearsal Dinner: Hotel ZaZa ~ Reception Venue: La Colombe d’Or ~ Cake: Susie’s Cakes & Confections ~ Registry: Bering’s ~ Honeymoon: Tuscany & Amalfi Coast

Modern Architecture Inspired Wedding at Hotel ZaZa by Akil Bennett Photography

Mothers have a knack for picking out things they are sure their daughter will like. Carrie’s mom knew that she would like James, and she was right. The two lovebirds instantly hit it off and the rest was history. James planned the perfect intimate proposal in the Four Seasons Houston Hotel private wine room and later joined friends and family who were waiting to celebrate in the main dining room. When planning their wedding, Carrie and James had a vision of their Hotel ZaZa wedding to feel like a fabulous, modern cocktail party, and that’s exactly what it was. “The décor had a modern feel to it with the main design theme being the absence of a color scheme. Instead, we chose to go with architectural light displays and black accents”, says Carrie. The reception was a party that you wouldn’t want to miss, and the guests fully enjoyed every bit of the band, comedian, cigar roller station, and caricature artist while nibbling on delish Nutella and chocolate chip cookies and mini coke floats! Sounds pretty amazing, right? Wait ‘til you see all the sweet pictures from Akil Bennett! Congrats and best wishes to the newlyweds!

Modern Architecture Inspired Wedding at Hotel ZaZa by Akil Bennett Photography

Photos: Akil Bennett Photography ~ Proposal Location: Four Seasons Hotel Houston ~ Ceremony & Reception Venue: Hotel ZaZa ~ Wedding Gown: Pnina Tornai ~ Shoes: Jimmy Choo ~ Invitations: Tangerine Paper Space

Red, Gold & Black Wedding at Hotel ZaZa by Select Studios

WEDDINGS IN HOUSTON FALL 2014 | REAL WEDDING FEATURE

Brittany and Ryan ~ November 23, 2013

“I’d never given much thought to the idea of ‘love at first sight’—until the moment it happened to me,” says Brittany. The bride first locked eyes with her hubby-to-be at a country-music festival in Steamboat Springs, Colo.—an instant that, she says, “felt like a movie” and changed her life. Eleven months into their long-distance relationship (he was in Austin, she in Houston), Ryan proposed aboard a gondola at Las Vegas’ Venetian Hotel. The couple’s Catholic ceremony was intimate and spiritual; their red-gold-and-black Hotel ZaZa reception was all about fun. “Since our love story began at a music festival,” Brittany says, dancing ruled the day—the highlight of a celebration “designed to include all of our guests; we wanted them to feel how much we loved them.”

Red, Gold & Black Wedding at Hotel ZaZa by Select Studios

Names: Brittany Tiner & Ryan Deck ~ Number of Guests: 300 ~ Venue: Hotel Zaza ~ Invitations: Katie & Co. ~ Flowers & Decor: Darryl & Co. ~ Cake: Who Made the Cake ~ His & Hers Signature Cocktails: Whiskey Press; Dirty Martini ~ Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo from Ivory Bridal Atelier ~ Jewelry: Zadok Jewelers ~ Photography: Select Studios ~ Registry: Bering’s; Williams-Sonoma ~ Honeymoon: Dominican Republic

Romantic Hotel ZaZa Spring Wedding by Akil Bennett Photography

“We met at a charity camp for children with cancer called Candlelighter’s, back in El Paso,” recounts recent bride Paige. “Patrick was the counselor for the youngest boys and I was the counselor for the youngest girls. Patrick had a ‘tough guy’ exterior, but seeing him with those children, gentle and kind, melted my heart and I was immediately in love. By the end of the camp we were constantly talking and flirting, sharing music and books; it was a beautiful beginning to a beautiful relationship.” We’ll second that, Paige. And third it. And just melt over it right along with you, while we sigh over Akil Bennett’s gorgeous photos of your Hotel ZaZa spring wedding. Thank you so much for donating your time and love to children in need, and for sharing your beautiful day with our beautiful Houston brides. Congratulations!

Romantic Hotel ZaZa Spring Wedding by Akil Bennett Photography

Photos: Akil Bennett Photography ~ Bridal Gown: Ella Blu ~ Bride’s Shoes: Yves Saint Laurent ~ Bridesmaids Dresses: Now & Forever Bridal Boutique ~ Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss ~ Wedding Reception Venue: Hotel ZaZa ~ Cake: Who Made The Cake! ~ Registry: Macy’s Wedding Gift & Registry

Blush, Gold and Ivory 1920’s Inspired Wedding with Bonus Fake-Audition Proposal Story!

Oooo, honey, you KNOW how much we love a good “proposal deception” story…and Ryan popping the question to Melissa is one of the best we’ve heard! “My sister, who is an aspiring actress, will often go on auditions and invite me (the bride) along with her. I always go along for support, so when she invited me to come along to an audition for an independent film, I did not hesitate. The audition was at Hotel Derek, there were signs welcoming those auditioning, sign-up sheets, and she was even assigned a number. I prayed with her in the lobby and all of the staff were rooting for her! She was super nervous so she asked if I could come back and actually watch her audition. When we were given the OK, I entered the room, and saw Ryan standing there all dressed up while I stood there confused. My sister was gone, it was only us and he got on one knee. There were candles and rose petals all around. It was perfect!” Ah, the old sibling’s-fake-film-audition ruse…gets ’em every time. Even cuter? “Our families were in another room watching it all happen on Skype.” Aww. The pair, who met four years ago while both working as nurses on the same Houston Medical Center unit and quickly became inseparable, tied the knot this past spring, with a breathtakingly beautiful 1920s-inspired wedding, decorated in fine vintage fashion by Houston fave Darryl & Co. We’re so grateful to this adorable pair for sharing their love with all of us, and all y’all…congratulations, Melissa and Ryan!

Blush, Pink, Gold, and Ivory 1920’s Inspired Wedding Blush, Gold, and Ivory 1920’s Inspired Wedding Blush, Gold, and Ivory 1920s Inspired Wedding

Photos: Agape House Studio ~ Bridal Gown Designer: Pronovias ~ Bridal Gown Salon, Alterations & Accessories: Houston Bridal Gallery ~ Shoes: Badgley Mischka ~ Decor: Darryl & Co. ~ Invitations: Isabella Invitations ~ Transportation: Hotel ZaZa