Monique Lhuillier | Houston Wedding Blog

2015 Wedding Gown Trend: Capelets & Sleeves

Captivating capelets and intricate, detailed sleeves have made a huge comeback this season, and we are all for it. Check out our faves fresh off the runway that have us swooning. Want to try them on? Schedule your appointment at Houston’s top bridal salons now!

Lace Embroidered Long Sleeve and Cap Sleeve Bridal Gowns Lace Detailed Capes for Bridal Gowns Sheer Lace Detailed Long Sleeved Bridal Gowns Beaded Sleeves Bridal Gown and 3/4 Lace Sleeve Bridal Gown

1. Sareh Nouri: Mia Bridal Couture 2. Jim Hjelm: Houston Bridal Gallery, Now & Forever Bridal Boutique, Weddings by Debbie 3. Lusan Mandongus: Brickhouse Bridal 4. Enzoani: Brickhouse Bridal, Paravani Vida, Weddings by Debbie 5. Monique Lhuillier 6. Ines Di Santo: Ivory Bridal Atelier 7. Catherine Deane 8. Ines Di Santo: Ivory Bridal Atelier 9. Winnie Couture: Winnie Couture Houston Flagship Salon

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

Vintage-Elegant Houston Wedding by Motley Melange Photography

There’s just something so darn sweet (and LOL funny) about this journalistic, third-party courtship story we received on behalf of Houston couple Amy and Jimmy: “After seeing a picture of Amy through a friend’s Facebook, Jimmy was determined to meet her and asked a friend of his to introduce him to her. The introduction was made, but the first date was not made until six months later. Jimmy and Amy had dinner and bonded while watching the first ‘Paranormal Activity’ movie. Since then, they have watched every ‘Paranormal Activity’ movie except for the fourth one, due to Jimmy being out of the country during their anniversary.” See what we mean?? Think that’s cute, just check out their understated, vintage-elegant Houston wedding, with its white, gold, gray and pink palette, and Amy’s gorgeous, keyhole-back Monique Lhuillier gown. Cheers to the newlyweds, and big thanks to Motley Melange Photography for the lovely photos.

Photos: Motley Melange Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Monique Lhuillier ~ Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin ~ Cake: Frosted Memory Makers ~ Catering: Café Natalie Catering ~ Entertainment: Jonny Black Productions ~ Venue: The Heights Villa ~ Videography: 1 Cinema Productions

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