The Houstonian Hotel Club & Spa | Houston Wedding Blog

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!

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

Pink, Cream & Gold Wedding at The Houstonian by J. Cogliandro Photography

WEDDINGS IN HOUSTON FALL 2014 | REAL WEDDING FEATURE

Marla and Ryan ~ November 9, 2013

Decidedly unromantic memories of their first high-school encounters—Ryan stepping on Marla’s foot at the homecoming dance, awkward eye contact in the halls—eventually led to magnificent memories of the most extraordinary occasion of their lives. Dressed in a stunning Austin Scarlett gown and matching custom veil, Marla wed Ryan in a church ceremony, then joined guests for dining and dancing at The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, in a romantic ballroom done up in dreamy shades of blush, pink, cream and gold. While the evening’s great music, late-night chicken and waffles, and flower-bedecked wedding cake all were highlights, “One of our favorite memories was sharing a dance with my grandparents, who have been married for 62 years and were also high-school sweethearts,” Marla says. “I don’t know if there was a dry eye in the room.”

Names: Marla Doughty & Ryan Murphy ~ Number of Guests: 200 ~ Venue: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa ~ Lighting: Bright Star Productions ~ Cake: Susie’s Cakes & Confections ~ Wedding Dress: Austin Scarlett from Mia Bridal Couture ~ Rehearsal Dinner: Hotel ZaZa ~ Photography: J. Cogliandro Photography ~ Registry: Macy’s; Williams-Sonoma

Elegant Black, Gold & Pink Wedding at the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa by D. Jones Photography

WEDDINGS IN HOUSTON FALL 2014 | REAL WEDDING FEATURE

Lisa and Donald ~ January 19, 2014

While their Match.com introduction might not be the essence of tradition, Don’s request to Lisa’s dad for permission to marry his daughter certainly was. “After getting my dad’s blessing, he dropped to one knee and I said, ‘Yes!’” recalls the bride—who also happens to be director of catering and conferences for one of Houston’s most revered wedding venues: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa. Naturally, the couple wed at Lisa’s longtime place of employment, aided in planning by the hotel’s social catering manager, Jim Gray. Highlights of the joyful occasion included a ceremony filled with poignant readings by the couple’s many family members. Avid foodies both, Don and Lisa incorporated wine pairings into their lavish menu, and treated guests to exquisite desserts, almond-and-raspberry wedding cake, and postprandial cigars. “My favorite part of the night was singing and dancing with my niece and goddaughter Caroline to—yes—‘Sweet Caroline,’ by Neil Diamond,” Lisa recalls happily. “The entire room joined in!”

Names: Lisa Hopkins & Donald Barry ~ Number of Guests 135 ~ Venue: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa ~ Lighting Bright Star Productions ~ Cake: Susie’s Cakes & Confections ~ Officiant: Minister Lynn Turner, Weddings Performed ~ Photography: D. Jones Photography ~ Honeymoon: Hawaii

Houstonian Hotel Wedding With Four-Legged Best Man by Adam Nyholt Photographer

While “the dog did it” is a legendarily convenient excuse for all kinds of stuff, in the case of Andrew’s proposal to Lauren…the dog really did! “Andrew had a tag made that on one side said, ‘I love you,’ and on the other, ‘Will you marry me?’ He hung the tag and the ring on our dog Niko’s collar. I noticed it immediately and though it was some sort of joke. It was perfect! And thankfully it was not a joke,” the bride recounts. For the couple’s 150-guest wedding at The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, Lauren opted for white with silver accents as her palette, “which I think is very simple yet extremely sophisticated and elegant,” she says. “It was very important to us that everyone there was a person that touched our lives in some way. That included having our dog there as the best man. The whole night was absolutely amazing. Andrew and I never left the dance floor!” We wish the newlyweds a lifetime of happiness, and send a shout-out to super-talented photographer Adam Nyholt for the beautiful images.

Houstonian Hotel Wedding With Four-Legged Best Man by Adam Nyholt Photographer

Photos: Adam Nyholt Photographer ~ Bride’s Dress: Novia D’Art from Now & Forever Bridal Salon ~ Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman, Vera Wang ~ Cake: Susie’s Cakes & Confections ~ Flowers: The Plant House ~ Rentals: Darryl & Co. ~ Venue: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

The Best I Do! We’ve Ever Done, Thanks to You

I Do! Bridal Soiree 2011 I Do! Bridal Soiree Tablescapes

Susie’s Cakes & Confections (left); iCatching Events (right)

More than 1,000 attendees. Over 80 vendors. Five full hours of FAB-U-LOUS. We’ll be doing complete show coverage a little further down the road, with photos, video, the whole shebang. But for now, we wanted to take a sec to shine the spotlight on some of your (and our) favorite highlights of this past Sunday’s absolutely spectacular I Do! Bridal Soiree @ The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa.

First off, how about those tablescapes? Sparkle, shimmer & bling are the thing for 2011 wedding reception tables, as radiantly evidenced by our vendors’ magnificent wedding table displays, which featured tons of crystals, blow-glass orbs and jewel accents. And how about that high overhead? We’re talking beautiful suspended floral displays and centerpieces (which, incidentally, are great for letting guests talk to each other across the table without sight obstructions). We saw you practically swooning at the masses of roses (the one bloom that never goes out style), and the brilliant palettes of red, pink and oh-so-popular purple.

Kenneth Pool gown I Do! Bridal Soiree 2011

Mia Bridal Couture (left); Kuhl-Linscomb (right)

When you weren’t chatting with vendors, we spotted you sipping refreshing Pimms cocktails and nibbling sinfully delicious (and simply adorable) French macaroons. And how about those awesome sliders and savory-sweet chicken biscuits? So yummy! It’s no wonder The Houstonian’s fabulously talented catering department recommends serving diminutive comfort snacks like these as a late-night treat at your reception.

As for that fashion show…gorgeous, right? We’ll soon have a rundown of the runway’s most coveted looks, but for now, two words: convertible gown. As in, one amazing dress that goes from ceremony-elegant to celebration-sexy. As in, pretty much perfect.

Whether these highlights remind you of Sunday’s splendor…or make you wish you’d attended, we hope they’ll make you smile. Be sure to subscribe to the Houston Wedding Blog and the Weddings in Houston Wedding Buzz for complete I Do! coverage along with advice on how to incorporate the divine design ideas featured at the soiree into your own very, very special day.