Blush, Gold and Ivory Wedding at La Colombe d’Or by J. Cogliandro Photography

WEDDINGS IN HOUSTON Spring 2015 | Real Wedding Feature

Katie & Mitchell ~ March 8, 2014

Jewelry designer Katie Decker has a passion for ornamentation, so it’s no surprise the bride selected La Colombe d’Or’s magnificently ornate, oak-paneled Grand Salon to celebrate her marriage to high-school sweetheart Mitchell. Having already designed her own rose-gold engagement ring, Katie took her inspiration from the romantic hue, bringing the color to her cake, her invitations, even her blush-toned Ines Di Santo gown from beloved Houston salon Mia Bridal Couture. At the couple’s elegant reception, French-style furniture surrounding the dance floor “made it feel as if you had gone back in time and entered a Belle-Epoque-style club,” Katie says. And while dining and dancing in that lavish environment was decidedly delightful, the bride says her favorite memory was “walking down the aisle and seeing Mitchell for the first time, with all our friends and family in one place. It was so surreal…and such a happy occasion.”

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Photos: J. Cogliandro Photography ~ Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo from Mia Bridal Couture ~ Rehearsal Dinner: Hotel ZaZa ~ Reception Venue: La Colombe d’Or ~ Cake: Susie’s Cakes & Confections ~ Registry: Bering’s ~ Honeymoon: Tuscany & Amalfi Coast

White, Red and Black Wedding at the Crystal Ballroom at The Rice

WEDDINGS IN HOUSTON Spring 2015 | Real Wedding Feature

Lisa & Joel ~ September 20, 2014

As Houston Rockets director of broadcasting Joel Blank recounts his initial blind date with KHOU-TV anchor Lisa Hernandez: “We had our first date, and knew we had gone on our last first date.” The couple made it official with a lovely late-summer wedding at the dazzling Crystal Ballroom at The Rice, where guests dug into fajitas, indulged in a decadent “dessert gallery,” and danced the night away. We don’t know who’s luckier—the bride, who, dressed in her stunning Ines Di Santo mermaid gown, tearfully exchanged vows with the man of her dreams, or the groomsmen, who each went home with an NBA game ball signed by Dwight Howard, James Harden, Kevin McHale, Calvin Murphy, Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon. You be the judge!

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Photos: Morgan Lynn Photography ~ Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo from Ivory Bridal Atelier ~ Venue: Crystal Ballroom at The Rice ~ Catering: Sambuca Catering ~ Decor & Rentals: EB Inc Events ~ Cake: Susie’s Cakes & Confections ~ Invitations: Katie & Co. ~ Videography: 31 Films ~ Honeymoon: Turks & Caicos

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

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

Purple and White Wedding at Sam Houston Hotel by 1 Cinema Productions

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.”

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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