After spending their first date in a yoga class, Keri and Michael decided to take their next outing to get to know each other better while strolling through Houston’s Buffalo Bayou Park. A date well spent, and a gorgeous Houston sunset later, the fitness-and-outdoors lovers decided to meet again… the very next day. Little did they know that Houston’s natural beauty would play into every major milestone they celebrated next.
Not all love stories start off with instant attraction. Just ask Callie, who did not hit it off with Eric when they first met at McGrady’s Pub in Charlottesville, Virginia during the Georgia vs. Florida game. Since they were rooting for opposing teams, Callie was, naturally, NOT a fan of Eric. “I would visit Charlottesville occasionally and he would always come over and ask if I wanted to get a drink with him. I refused,” Eric’s future bride says. Although she consistently turned him down, Eric was determined to get her to go out with him. He eventually reached out through Facebook, which turned into phone calls, FaceTime chats and finally the first date. Which turned into the second date. Then the third, fourth…twenty-seventh, etc. Until that magical day when Callie walked down the aisle in a gorgeous lace Anna Maier gown from Joan Pillow Bridal Salon, accessorized with her mom’s veil, sister’s bridal sash and grandmother’s rosary in her bouquet. “Our wedding was exactly what we wanted,” recounts Callie. “It was such a wonderful feeling to look at each other, know that we were married and surrounded by so many people who love us.” It’s true. Persistence always pays off, right Eric? We couldn’t be happier for the couple, and we wish them a lifetime of happiness. Thanks Adam Nyholt for the lovely photos!
Photos: Adam Nyholt Photographer | Bridesmaids Luncheon: Brennan’s of Houston | Bridal Gown: Anna Maier from Joan Pillow | House Party Attire: Houston Bridal Gallery | Invitations: Katie & Co. | Stationery & Registry: Bering’s | Baker: Who Made The Cake! | Lighting: Bright Star Productions
WEDDINGS IN HOUSTON SPRING 2015 | REAL WEDDING FEATURE
Brooke & Austin ~ November 23, 2013
Like their Aruba engagement, high-school sweethearts Brooke and Austin’s destination wedding was set in a stunning seaside locale. The couple joined 75 of their closest friends and family at the Dominican Republic’s luxurious Sanctuary Cap Cana for a weekend celebration full of sun, sand and spectacular ocean views. The pair’s ceremony took place on a private island, where a white-linen-draped, orchid-bedecked chuppah “was the perfect backdrop to say, ‘I do!’” the bride notes. For their reception, the couple treated guests to a light-up dance floor where everyone let loose—they were on vacation, after all! “Our favorite memory of the wedding day was how laid back it was,” Brooke says. “It was so easy to just take a deep breath and truly enjoy our special day.”
Photos: Adam Nyholt ~ Reception: Ballroom at Sanctuary Cap Cana ~ Wedding Dress: Brickhouse Bridal ~ Registry: Williams-Sonoma
Small-town boy Bryan met city-girl, Amanda in a Single Life class at Second Baptist Church. They hit it off and Bryan proposed three years later to Amanda on a beautiful bench in the prayer garden of SBC. Amanda and Bryan had a vision of their wedding to be classic, elegant, traditional and fun. Amanda wed Bryan at Second Baptist Church in a gorrrgeous blush lace Allure Bridals gown from Weddings by Debbie. Following the ceremony was an elegant affair at The Omni Houston Hotel where 175 of their nearest and dearest dined and danced the night away. Congrats Amanda and Bryan, we wish you a lifetime of happiness and love!
Photos: Thomas & Penelope Photography ~ Rehearsal Dinner: Maggiano’s Little Italy ~ Reception: Omni Houston Hotel ~ Bridal Gown: Allure Bridals from Weddings by Debbie ~ Invitations: Isabella Invitations ~ Florist: Dream Bouquet
WEDDINGS IN HOUSTON FALL 2014 | REAL WEDDING FEATURE
Anthony and Richard ~ September 14, 2013
When stylist Anthony was referred to realtor Richard—the latter provided a vacant property for a video shoot when the original site backed out at the last minute—he couldn’t have known that his rescuer would also end up being his lifelong mate. But the shoot led to a date, where “we seriously hit it off and agreed to meet again. And again. And again. And finally, he just never left,” Richard recounts. “Ah, true love!” Two years into their courtship, Richard proposed in Manhattan at Rockefeller Plaza’s famed Christmas-tree-lighting ceremony. The following autumn, the pair had a commitment ceremony—and partied the night away—at the Sam Houston Hotel, where, Richard says, the evening’s most joyful highlight was “bringing 165 family members and friends together in one place to help us celebrate our special day.”
Names: Anthony Dowd & Richard Ray ~ Number of Guests: 165 ~ Venue: Sam Houston Hotel ~ Consultant: Kat Creech Events ~ Flowers: Dream Bouquet ~ Ceremony Backdrop: Darryl & Co. ~ Linens & Chairs: Flora & Eventi ~ Lighting: Bright Star Productions ~ Cake: Susie’s Cakes & Confections ~ Photography & Videography: 1 Cinema Productions ~ Honeymoon: Hawaii
