Rustic, Romantic Bridals (With White Horse!) by Rachel Robinson Photography

You’d never know by looking at bride Meredith’s bridal photos that her shoot didn’t turn out as she’d hoped…at first. Although Meredith had found the perfect North Houston location, and a perfect white horse to go with it, the day of the shoot was somewhat less than perfect. “It started to rain and we couldn’t get the horse,” photographer Rachel Robinson recounts. “We started to shoot at a golf course and got some great stuff inside, but it never was what either of us really, REALLY wanted.” So the following morning, bride and photographer awoke early, Meredith donned her lovely Alvina Valenta lace gown from Ivory Bridal Atelier and got her hair and makeup in picture-perfect shape with help from Makeup Texas, and started all over again, in her originally selected site, “with the sweet horse and all!” Robinson says. Though the temperamental Houston weather threw this bridal shoot for a loop, it ended up coming out better than either bride or photographer could have imagined. In the end, Robinson says, “What more do you need? A crazy-beautiful girl, great light and a horse!”

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Photos: Rachel Robinson Photography ~ Bride’s Dress: Alvina Valenta ~ Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Makeup Texas

Houston Outdoor Wedding Essentials

Outdoor weddings have so much going for them: natural light, open space, gorgeous views, a clean slate for decorating… Need we go on? Of course, this being Houston, outdoor weddings also have a few additional challenges, the biggest of which is the potential for weather—as in really bad weather. But with careful planning and a few key wedding essentials, an al fresco Houston wedding is not just possible, it can be pretty darn close to perfect. Don’t plan your outdoor celebration without first perusing our must-have wedding essentials, from Prestigious Event Rentals’ weather-resistant tents and rentals, to Jacqueline Chapelle’s truly unique designer canopies to pretty-and-practical twirlers from the wonderful Pamela’s Parasols. We also love SoleMates, whose heel protectors and be-prepared kit are the perfect pairing for the outdoor Houston bride (and her grateful ’maids). Throw in a few Thermacell lanterns—which give off a golden glow, and get rid of pesky mosquitoes—and you’ll be able to face the elements fearlessly!

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Credits (Photos from Top to Bottom): Sole Mates, Prestigious Event Rentals via Scott Kelly, Pamela’s Parasols, Thermacell, Jacqueline Chapelle’s French Tents & Decor via Julie Wilhite Photography