Joan Pillow Bridal Salon | Houston Wedding Blog

Vintage Outdoor Texas Wedding

Paul caught Gillian’s eye from across the table during a mutual friend’s bon voyage party back in 2010. Unfortunately the pair didn’t exchange numbers that night, and Gillian went back to San Francisco for school. A few months later while she was home for Christmas break and hoping to find a date for New Year’s Eve. “During happy hour I mentioned my to my friend that she should have Paul get in touch with me. Three minutes later my phone rang, and it was Paul,” recounts Gillian. They immediately hit it off, and tied the knot six years later. Gillian walked down the aisle in style wearing a tea-length eyelet Oscar de la Renta dress from Joan Pillow Bridal Salon, and paired it with pink Manolo Blahnik pumps (major Carrie Bradshaw moment). “It was a playful dress that fit like a dream. When I saw it on the runway, I knew this was it,” adds Gillian. Paul and Gillian danced the night away with their family and friends, and made a true Texan move by stopping at Whataburger before attending the after party. Sounds like one fun night, right? Check out the sweet pics below. Congrats to the lovely couple!

Bridal-Party-Getting-Ready Wedding-Rings Manolo-Blahnik-Pumps Oscar-de-la-Renta-Dress-and-Bridal-Bouquet Vintage-Outdoor-Wedding Bride-and-Groom Bride-and-Groom-Portraits

Photos: Mint Photography | Oscar de la Renta Dress: Joan Pillow Bridal Salon | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

Joan Pillow Bridal Anniversary Bash Saturday, Nov. 2

Photos: Maria Elena Headpieces & Accessories

Walking into Joan Pillow Bridal Salon in Highland Village is a little like walking into bridal Heaven. The space is hushed, intimate and deliciously luxurious. And the gowns? Totally exquisite. We’re talking the crème de la crème of bridal couture, including Monique Lhuillier, Oscar de la Renta, Marchesa and British phenom Jenny Packham, among others. To behold the bridal bounty for yourself—and help Joan Pillow celebrate its 4^th anniversary as a premier Houston bridalwear institution—call 713.622.1122 to RSVP by Tuesday, Oct. 29, for the Joan Pillow Bridal Salon Anniversary Event on Saturday, Nov. 2, which will feature skincare analysis from Saks Fifth Avenue’s IOMA, Laura Mercier makeovers and brow shaping courtesy of Neiman Marcus, and styling assistance from expert Gisele Del Busto of Maria Elena Headpieces & Accessories, which also will be holding a trunk show during this event. Appointments are a must—so make yours now, mademoiselle.

Oh—and one more thing: This fabulous anniversary bash is taking place during the Holiday Shopping Card event benefitting the American Cancer Society. As a participating retailer, Joan Pillow Bridal Salon is offering a 10% discount on gowns and a 20% discount on accessories, to brides bearing a Holiday Shopping Card (which can be purchased at the salon, or at any participating retailer).

As if you needed one more excellent reason to go. So…go!!

Gold, Lavender and Rose Chateau Cocomar Wedding by Steve Lee

“Sean proposed to me on Christmas Eve 2011 at my parents’ house. We have a family tradition of each person opening one gift the night before Christmas. That year my mom decided the gift would be an ornament with an inspirational message inside. Everyone opened their ornaments and read their messages aloud, one at a time. I was last because my mom couldn’t seem to find my ornament on the tree. Sean found the ornament for her and he handed it to me. When I opened it my message read, ‘Will you marry me?’ I was so shocked and excited that I didn’t even notice that he was already down on one knee with the ring in his hand telling me how much he loves me. It was perfect! I loved finding out later that Sean had asked my dad for his permission before proposing.” We love it, too, Jessica. And, just like your mom, we love that you had her wedding gown altered to wear at your rehearsal dinner at The Grove. And that you made the invitations to your Chateau Cocomar wedding by hand. And that Sean’s favorite moment of the whole wedding was when he got his “first look” at you, privately, in the moments before the ceremony. And, most of all, that you and Sean found each other, and true love, in this big, wide world. Congratulations to you both, and big thanks to the exceptional Steve Lee for magnificent photos of this magnificent Houston wedding.

Gold, Lavender and Rose Chateau Cocomar Wedding by Steve Lee

Photos: Steve Lee Weddings ~ Bride’s Dress: Monique Lhuillier from Joan Pillow Bridal Salon ~ Bride’s Hair & Makeup: The Perfect Face ~ Engagement Ring & Wedding Band: Zadok Jewelers ~ Cake: For Heaven’s Cake ~ Flowers & Decor: Floral Events ~ Linens: Elegant Beginnings ~ Officiant: Weddings Performed (Minister Lynn Turner) ~ Venue: Chateau Cocomar ~ Rehearsal Dinner: The Grove

White, Silver and Purple Wedding at Hotel ZaZa

“From the beginning, I knew I wanted our wedding to truly reflect Ryan and I as a couple,” says Houston bride Lindsy. “As high-school sweethearts, we had been together for eight years when we began planning our wedding, and we had truly grown up together and with each other’s families. We wanted our wedding to be a night to celebrate our love as well as our family and friends who have supported us for so many years. I envisioned an all-white wedding with a mix of soft textured elements and strong architectural design. The ceremony, like my dress,”—a gorgeous Monique Lhuillier creation from Joan Pillow Bridal Salon, btw— “had an ethereal quality, with floating orchid petals and candles. The reception had a lot of clean lines with structured arrangements of white flowers. Fun-fact napkins, signature drinks and advice cards personalized our event and made our guests a part of our love story. The textured linens, mirrored table tops and white linen menus added texture and interest to a monochrome palette. An all-white stage, dance floor and lounge furniture created the perfect environment to dance the night away for our friends and family. After dinner the chandeliers changed to purple lighting and the music continued until early the next morning. We ended the evening with a salty-and-sweet treat of French fries and milkshake shots for our guests before a confetti exit to our hotel suite. The most special part of our wedding was a painting of our sweet dogs (who could not be at the wedding) by my cousin Jennifer. We made sure to display it under the chuppah so they could watch over our ceremony.” And if that’s not the picture of personal, meaningful wedding perfection, we don’t know what is. Congratulations, Lindsy and Ryan, and great thanks to Morgan Lynn Photography for the lovely photos!

White, Silver and Purple Wedding at Hotel ZaZa

Photos: Morgan Lynn Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Monique Lhuillier from Joan Pillow Bridal Salon ~ Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender ~ Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Monique Lhuillier from Nordstrom Wedding Suite ~ Flowers & Decor: Darryl & Co. ~ Cake: Susie’s Cakes & Confections ~ Coordinator: Belle of the Ball ~ Venue: Hotel ZaZa ~ Rehearsal Dinner: Maggiano’s Little Italy

Regal, Refined, Reimagined: Carolina Herrera Spring 2014 Bridal

As exquisitely made as ever, Carolina Herrera’s recently runway-revealed Spring 2014 collection introduces a few exciting twists to the renowned designer’s classic silhouettes and sumptuous fabrics. A delicate lace overlay lends sweetness to a sleek mermaid silhouette; long lace sleeves are perfect for a grand cathedral ceremony; perfectly scalloped edges create intrigue in an otherwise traditional ball gown; and metallic-accent appliqués seem to bloom larger as they travel from bodice to hem. There’s plenty more magic in Herrera’s newest gown group—enjoy some of our favorites right here, and, for an in-person experience, schedule your appointment for this week’s Carolina Herrera Spring 2014 trunk show at Joan Pillow Bridal Salon.

Regal, Refined, Reimagined: Carolina Herrera Spring 2014 Bridal

Photos: John Aquino