Peach, Pink and Gold Wedding at The Houstonian by J. Cogliandro Photography

Ashley had been bugging Rick to plan the perfect date night, and that he did. Rick made dinner reservations at one of their favorite restaurants. Even when were then seated at a table with a dozen roses and a bottle of wine, Ashley still didn’t suspect anything. After all, they were low-key, private people–it never occurred to her that Rick would propose in public. But as soon as they were done with their meal, the restaurant’s manager personally presented the couple with dessert under a cloche cover. When Ashley removed the cloche, she discovered a ring box, and, well, let’s just say it turned out to be a date night she’d never forget. Ashley and Rick’s opulent wedding at The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa was a dream come true. “We ended up creating exactly what we wanted, a very festive and romantic atmosphere with a classic feel that recognized the importance of the moment”,” the bride says. Tall pink and peach candelabras, and hanging candles above the dance floor, added the perfect touch of romance and elegance to the evening. Thanks J. Cogliandro for the beautiful photos, and congrats to the newlyweds!

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Photos: J. Cogliandro Photography ~ Wedding Reception Venue: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa ~ Wedding Gown Designer: Lazaro ~ Wedding Gown Salon: Ivory Bridal Atelier ~ Shoes: Manolo Blahnik ~ Groom’s Suit: Al’s Formal Wear ~ Cake: Susie’s Cakes & Confections ~ Lighting: Bright Star Productions ~ Registry: Macy’s Wedding Gift & Registry, Restoration Hardware and Crate & Barrel

Sanctuary Cap Cana Destination Wedding by Adam Nyholt

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.”

Sanctuary Cap Cana Destination Wedding by Adam Nyholt Sanctuary Cap Cana Destination Wedding by Adam Nyholt Sanctuary Cap Cana Destination Wedding by Adam Nyholt Sanctuary Cap Cana Destination Wedding by Adam Nyholt Sanctuary Cap Cana Destination Wedding by Adam Nyholt Sanctuary Cap Cana Destination Wedding by Adam Nyholt Sanctuary Cap Cana Destination Wedding by Adam Nyholt Sanctuary Cap Cana Destination Wedding by Adam Nyholt Sanctuary Cap Cana Destination Wedding by Adam Nyholt Sanctuary Cap Cana Destination Wedding by Adam Nyholt Sanctuary Cap Cana Destination Wedding by Adam Nyholt Sanctuary Cap Cana Destination Wedding by Adam Nyholt

Photos: Adam Nyholt ~ Reception: Ballroom at Sanctuary Cap Cana ~ Wedding Dress: Brickhouse Bridal ~ Registry: Williams-Sonoma

Miss USA Wedding at Chateau Cocomar

WEDDINGS IN HOUSTON SPRING 2015 | REAL WEDDING FEATURE

Crystle & Max ~ August 9, 2014

It would be hard to top Max’s proposal to Crystle for sheer romance: The Belgian-born model alighted with his beloved from a chartered helicopter, then surprised the former Miss USA (2008) with his down-on-one-knee question in front of giddy friends and family dressed in T-shirts reading, “True Love is Crystle Clear.” Yet the couple’s summer wedding did manage to take romance to a whole new level, with a lavish 320-guest celebration set at castle-like Chateau Cocomar. Fittingly, the bride, who currently stars in OWN Network’s Tyler Perry sitcom “For Better or Worse,” was the very picture of a fairytale princess in her Lazaro gown and sparkling updo. And she has special praise for those who brought her regal fantasy to life: “The entire event was coordinated by [venue owner] Karen Martin and the Cocomar ladies,” Crystle notes. “They planned and executed together a tremendously awesome event that will forever be remembered!”

Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar Romantic White, Blush & Gold Wedding at Chateau Cocomar

Photos: Select Studios ~ Venue: Chateau Cocomar ~ Flowers & Decor: Plants N’ Petals ~ Wedding Dress: Lazaro ~ Groomswear: Al’s Formal Wear ~ Caterer: Cafe Natalie ~ Entertainment & Lighting: LG Entertainment ~ Honeymoon: Hawaii

Modern Architecture Inspired Wedding at Hotel ZaZa by Akil Bennett Photography

Mothers have a knack for picking out things they are sure their daughter will like. Carrie’s mom knew that she would like James, and she was right. The two lovebirds instantly hit it off and the rest was history. James planned the perfect intimate proposal in the Four Seasons Houston Hotel private wine room and later joined friends and family who were waiting to celebrate in the main dining room. When planning their wedding, Carrie and James had a vision of their Hotel ZaZa wedding to feel like a fabulous, modern cocktail party, and that’s exactly what it was. “The décor had a modern feel to it with the main design theme being the absence of a color scheme. Instead, we chose to go with architectural light displays and black accents”, says Carrie. The reception was a party that you wouldn’t want to miss, and the guests fully enjoyed every bit of the band, comedian, cigar roller station, and caricature artist while nibbling on delish Nutella and chocolate chip cookies and mini coke floats! Sounds pretty amazing, right? Wait ‘til you see all the sweet pictures from Akil Bennett! Congrats and best wishes to the newlyweds!

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Photos: Akil Bennett Photography ~ Proposal Location: Four Seasons Hotel Houston ~ Ceremony & Reception Venue: Hotel ZaZa ~ Wedding Gown: Pnina Tornai ~ Shoes: Jimmy Choo ~ Invitations: Tangerine Paper Space

Hindu-American Wedding by Akil Bennett Photography

“It was very important to us that our wedding day reflect both of our cultural heritages and traditions. We are thrilled we were able to incorporate two very different ceremonies into one (very long) day!” says bride, Becky. The Hindu marriage ceremony took place in the morning at the Omni Houston Hotel, “Starting with a boisterous barat procession with Aneesh along with his family and friends joyously dancing their way to the mandap (marriage pavilion), and ending with an Indian feast for lunch,” adds Becky. The Catholic ceremony was held that same evening (yes, that same day) where Becky wore a stunning lace Martina Liana gown from Brickhouse Bridal. Becky and Aneesh wanted to transform their reception venue into a small Tuscan village in the Italian countryside. “Between the bouquets of peonies and hydrangeas, the candles that filled the room with a soft glow, the tables named after Italian places close to our hearts, the Prosecco and Chianti that flowed throughout the evening, and the delectable Italian dinner, we truly felt transported,” says Becky. If you think their wedding sounds beautiful, just wait ‘til you see the pics! Thank you Akil Bennett for the fabulous photos and congrats to the newlyweds!

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Photos: Akil Bennett Photography ~ Ceremony Venue: Omni Houston Hotel ~ Reception Venue: River Oaks Country Club ~ Wedding Gown Designer: Martina Liana from Brickhouse Bridal ~ Wedding Band: Zadok Jewelers ~ Florist: AJ’s Urban Petals ~ Cake: Susie’s Cakes & Confections ~ Registry: Williams-Sonoma