An open-air rehearsal dinner under the expansive sky is a lovely way to give your guests a relaxing and Texas-style welcome to your wedding festivities. Check out this beautiful courtyard rehearsal dinner decor by Kirksey Gregg Productions for some inspiration for your own celebration!
“After we got engaged, Eric told me that the only thing he wanted in our wedding was to have the Spazmatics play during the reception,” recounts bride Melissa. “I had no idea that band would shape our entire wedding.” That wedding started with a ceremony at the Houston Arboretum—“I love the idea of bringing our kids back to the exact spot we got married to have a picnic,” the bride says. Next, guests headed to Houston’s House of Blues for a fun, upbeat, joy-filled party featuring Southern comfort food, red velvet cake and tons of dancing. DC Stanley Photography’s photos of this event are nothing short of fantastic, but Melissa says the photographer’s talents go beyond just pointing and shooting. “David and his wife are an amazing team. I hate posed pictures and he does an amazing job of catching the moment without being intrusive. His work looks more like art then wedding photography. He was also extremely helpful when needed. My bustle kept falling out and he helped my bridesmaid fix it. He has been to a lot of weddings and has tons of knowledge. I am sure he could be a wedding planner if he wanted to.” Aww… how sweet is that? However, we do hope the Stanley duo keep taking gorgeous wedding photos, so we can keep showing them to you, our beloved Houston brides! Congratulations, Melissa and Eric, and thank you for sharing your very special day.
Photos: DC Stanley Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Allure Couture from Weddings by Debbie ~ Cake: Rustika Café & Bakery ~ Flowers: Think Studio ~ Ceremony Venue: Houston Arboretum ~ Reception Venue: House of Blues
Photographer Sarah Williams of HWB fave The Silhouette Studio recently shared her own 2013 vow renewal with us—and we are so glad she did. Not just any ol’ restating of sacred commitments (although it involved that, too), Williams’ wondrous Elmwood Gardens vow renewal was a chance for the photographer and her one-and-only, Caleb, to have the celebration they didn’t get a chance to when the two eloped back in 2011 while Caleb, a Marine, was in training. Feast your eyes on Williams’ beautiful event, created with help from a slate of super-talented East Texas wedding specialists—shot by the bride herself (except for portraits of Williams and her family, which are the work of Krystle Akin Photography). And while you’re at it, check out Williams’ work on HWB, and get the full love story behind her vow renewal on her own blog. Congratulations, Sarah, we couldn’t be happier for you and Caleb!
Photos: The Silhouette Studio (portrait photos by Krystle Akin Photography) ~ Coordination: Bella Spree ~ Desserts: Sassy Sweets ~ Flowers: La Tee Da ~ Venue: Elmwood Gardens
Recognized as a National Register District, downtown Brenham is pretty much picture-perfect for classic photos with a charming small-town feel. Which is exactly why photographer Sarah Ainsworth and her clients Hayley and Jeffrey chose the location as the backdrop for the couple’s engagement shoot. As Ainsworth tells us, “It had that great mix of the cute downtown square, with old buildings and unique architecture, but also offered the country landscape that provided perfect open fields.” We can’t help falling in love with Hayley and Jeffrey, who’ll wed in Houston in October. Good luck and congrats to the almost-weds, and big thanks to Weddings in Houston fave Sarah Ainsworth for sharing her lovely photos!
Photos: Sarah Ainsworth Photography
It pays to exercise! Just ask bride Katie, who fell in love with future groom David when the two started working out together in training for a triathlon. “We became good friends, and later did a half marathon together,” Katie tells us. “An engagement was soon to follow…and now so is a baby girl!” We’re so happy for newlyweds, and so delighted to share with you their Woodlands Resort & Conference Center wedding, shot by the very talented Huz Abdul of Kreative Angle Photography. Simple and elegant, with champagne, mocha and navy accent colors and a focus on the beautiful Woodlands Resort surroundings—we are charmed by this sweet wedding and the wonderful couple who shared it with us. Congratulations, Katie and David!
Photos: Kreative Angle Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Brickhouse Bridal ~ Flowers: The Blooming Idea ~ Invitations: Bering’s ~ Venue: The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center
There’s so much to love about Houstonians Shatara and Bilal, we can’t contain the amazing in one single blog post. That’s why we’re spreading it out over TWO. In today’s post, we swoon and sigh over this beautiful couple’s breathtaking engagement photos, shot by Austin-based High Dot Studios at historic Laguna Gloria in Austin, and picturesque Vista West Ranch in Dripping Springs. Oh, how we adore the magnificent natural settings, the superbly stylish attire and the subtle vintage touch of this dreamy photographic idyll. If you love this couple and these pix as much as we do, get ready to go gaga over this Thursday’s HWB post, which will showcase Shatara and Bilal’s beautiful Laguna Gloria wedding!
Photos: High Dot Studios
Gritty, rough-and-tumble sports brought them together—they were both college athletes, and they bonded over Michigan State ice hockey games while the two were students there—but Julie and Jeff’s summer wedding was no grungy affair. Quite the opposite. With its palette of cream, green, neutrals and soft pinks, and wrought-iron accents and glowing candles, the couple’s Briscoe Manor celebration is a study in refined rustic elegance…Houston-style! Check out the custom “brand,” the his-n-hers boots, and the getaway Rolls, natch. Oh—and don’t those b-maid shots just make you want to procure some parasols for your big day pix? Big thanks to Katie Lamb for the lovely shots. And happiest wishes to the newlyweds!
Photos: Katie Lamb Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Watters from Mia Bridal Couture ~ Bride’s Shoes: custom Blackjack cowboy boots ~ Cake: Susie’s Cakes and Confections ~ Bridesmaids’s Attire: Amsale ~ Mother of the Bride Dress: Tadashi Shoji ~ Flowers: Stephanie Jamison at Flora Bella Designs ~ Decor and Rentals: Briscoe Manor, Events in Bloom, Bright Star Productions ~ Ceremony and Reception Venue: Briscoe Manor ~ Registry Location: Bering’s, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Macy’s
“Peter and I have always felt like we are old souls and we seem to gravitate towards vintage things, folk tales, and things from the past,” bride-to-be Mikayla tells us. For the couple’s engagement shoot, the pair wanted to tell the story of their love within a classic story of love. Which we love. Photographer Emily Kiel was right on board, setting the pair’s e-session in an empty Conroe lot—a suitably green stand-in for the classic Robin Hood tale’s Sherwood Forest. Etsy, Ebay and an antique shop served as sources for the vintage furniture, bow and arrows, and Mikayla’s pretty white dress. The bullseye target was homemade. As for the couple’s love, it is “classic and timeless,” says Mikayla, just like the story that inspired their romantic shoot. Happiest wishes to the winsome couple, and big thanks to Emily Kiel for the fine photos.
Photos: Emily Kiel
