Outdoor Ceremony | Houston Wedding Blog

Egyptian-American Texas Wedding at The Gallery

A wedding is a celebration not just of one couple’s forever love, but, in so many cases, of two individuals’ unique backgrounds and cultures. Marlo and Sammy’s splendid wedding at The Gallery is a perfect example. The couple, who met at a birthday party on a boat in Austin and maintained a long-distance relationship for three years (no easy feat!) brought 250 people together for their nuptials, which paid homage to Sammy’s Egyptian roots and Marlo’s Texan ones in equal measures. In the bride’s own words: “Our wedding was bright and colorful. We had 10 bridesmaids and 10 groomsmen, with one being our English bulldog Sumo. He, of course, walked down in a tux too! After the ceremony, we had a traditional Egyptian zaffa and belly dancer provide entertainment to our guest. We also had delicious Mediterranean food and Texas-style BBQ for our guests. Our first dace was to a country song, but our DJ incorporated Egyptian dance music in with some of our favorite songs. We ended the night with the bridesmaids and bride wearing belly-dancer belts and had a sparkler send off. It couldn’t have been more perfect for us.” Perfect, indeed. Congratulations to the happy couple, and a thank-you to C. Baron Photography for the lovely pix!

bridal wedding shoes bride and groom portraits bridesmaids in purple dresses groomsmen shoes with names children at wedding ceremony aisle decor outdoor marriage ceremony couple walking down aisle with dog wedding gusts table and floral decor reception table decor wedding cake bride and groom chairs reception dancing belly dancer recptioni sweets photo booth props wedding favors couple sendoff

Photos: C. Baron Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Enzoani from Weddings by Debbie ~ Tuxedos: Al’s Formal Wear ~ Decor & Rentals: The Perfect Touch Linens ~ Flowers :The Posh Petal ~ Venue: The Gallery

Rustic-Gorgeous Texas Ranch Wedding by Christine Meeker Studios

Boots, Goode Co. BBQ and a beautiful ranch setting—Andrea and Cameron’s wedding is a Texas classic…with plenty of delicious twists. There’s the lovely hand-hewn altar with its repurposed wood doors and charming crystal chandelier. There are the boot-wearing b-maids in their sweetly mismatched frocks, the groom’s and groomsmen’s cream linen suits and dapper pink ties. There’s bride Andrea herself, with her tousled locks and miles of pretty pearls. And, of course, there’s that enchanting, open-sided Jacqueline Chapelle tent, which hardly needs decor enhancement of any kind (though we do love the couple’s choice of deep-pink table linens and classic gold chiavaris). Kudos to Triple L Designs for its work on this evocative wedding. Thanks to Christine Meeker Studios for the great photos, and congratulations to Andrea and Cameron!

Rustic-Gorgeous Texas Ranch Wedding by Christine Meeker Studios

Photos: Christine Meeker Studios ~ Bride’s Dress: Enzoani from Weddings by Debbie ~ Bride’s Shoes: Corral Cowboy Boots ~ Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Shakespeare Harris ~ Cake: Cakes by Gina ~ Consultant: Triple L Designs ~ Flowers: A Classic Bloom ~ Tents: Jacqueline Chapelle French Tents & Decor ~ Venue: Parrish Family Ranch

Sweet Spring Yacht Club Wedding by Alicia Pyne Photography

April and Johnny grew up in the same town, but their paths never crossed. Until one day, when the two ended up as college-dorm neighbors, they did. From that moment on, nothing could stand in the way of their true love. Eventually there came the steamy July 4th holiday when Johnny proposed, which adorable April recalls thusly: “We were spending the evening watching the fireworks on Lake Conroe. Johnny brought a picnic dinner, including a Key Lime pie (my favorite) for dessert! After dinner, Johnny pulled out the pie, and written on top with icing were the words, ‘Will You Marry Me?’ Of course, by the time we opened it, half the letters were smudged from the Texas heat. I still caught on where he was going with it, and of course said, ‘Yes!’” While the July proposal may have been smudged by the swelter, the couple’s June 2012 yacht club nuptials are the very picture of springtime’s fresh beauty. There’s April in her Pronovias gown, Johnny is his dashing three-piece suit, Lake Conroe’s blue expanse, the rhythms of a live mariachi band, and a wedding palette of cream, soft pink, and pale aqua you can’t help but fall in love with. Big thanks to HWB first-timer (but, we’re sure, certain-to-be regular) Alicia Pyne for the fabulous photos of this splendid spring wedding. And happiest wishes to the newlyweds!

Sweet Spring Yacht Club Wedding by Alicia Pyne Photography

Photos: Alicia Pyne Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Pronovias from Weddings by Debbie ~ Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender ~ Bride’s Hair: Kary’s Hair Studio ~ Bride’s Makeup: LP Makeup & Beauty ~ Cake: Edible Designs by Jessie ~ Flowers: Tara Lamb ~ Groom’s Suit: J Crew ~ Invitations: J Press Designs ~ Venue & Catering: Bentwater Yacht Club

Winsome Winery Wedding by Ana & Ivan Photography

A lovely spring day, a lovely winery wedding. Outdoor ceremonies have a short season in this part of the country, but bride Jeannie and groom Clay took full advantage of April’s bounty, saying their vows beneath billows of white fabric while bare-armed guests looked on happily. There are so many charming touches at this casually elegant countryside wedding—barrels and buckets, globe lanterns and “Grape Stomp” kisses, and splashes of dazzling bright blue. Ana & Ivan Photography captured not just details, but the sunlit soul of this wedding. We are fans.

Photography: Ana & Ivan Photography~Bride’s Dress: James Clifford from Brickhouse Bridal~Cakes: Wedding Cakes by Joyce Knighten~Flowers: The Blossom Shop~Venue: Bernhardt Winery

Venues We Love: Messina Hof Winery

There was a time when a Houston gal would have to make her way to California wine country (fiancé, friends and family in tow) if she fancied a vineyard wedding. Not so anymore—not when she’s got 100 acres of wine country splendor right here in her own backyard.

We’re talking about Messina Hof—the toast of Bryan, Texas, and a wine- and food-loving couple’s dream location for the celebration of a lifetime. A little Italian, a little German, and very proudly Texan (the winery and its wines have won countless local and national honors, including “One of the USA’s Finest Winery Experiences” from “Bon Appetit” magazine), this combination working vineyard, restaurant, tasting bar and villa is a standout in a region of really amazing places to tie the knot.

Picture this: saying your vows at sunset on a verdant private estate, beneath a flower-bedecked gazebo beside a sparkling spring-fed lake—then celebrating with sumptuous food and, of course, divine wines, overlooking 42 acres of vineyards aglow in the moonlight, whilst dancing the night away, surrounded by the people you love most.

And Messina Hof’s awesome for bachelor/bachelorette bashes, engagement parties, bridal showers and rehearsal dinners, too. What, we ask, is NOT to love? And if you haven’t yet entered out Messina Hof Private Wine Tasting for 20, well, what, we ask, is stopping you??