White | Houston Wedding Blog

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!

White, Red & Black Wedding at Crystal Ballroom at The Rice

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

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

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

Classic White, Purple & Green Wedding at The Omni Houston Hotel

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!

Classic White, Purple & Green Wedding at The Omni Houston Hotel

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

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.”

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

Lime Green, Black and White Wedding at Hotel Derek by Motley Melange

WEDDINGS IN HOUSTON FALL 2014 | REAL WEDDING FEATURE

Ashlyn and Zach ~ March 16, 2013

“When we were planning the wedding we wanted it to be something that let our personalities shine through,” says Houston bride Ashlyn. “We chose a design that was simple but still unique, and we decided to keep all of our events at Hotel Derek. This made it easy for guests, and allowed the evening to flow smoothly.” Ashlyn and groom Zach, who met as undergrads at UT Austin, treated their 130 guests to dinner and lively dancing, in a room done up for the occasion in chic shades of lime green, black and white. “We were so thankful to spend such an important day in our lives with our friends and family,” Ashlyn says. “Some of our favorite moments were the first dance, bouquet and garter toss, and dancing the night away!”

Green & Black Wedding at Hotel Derek by Motley Melange

Names: Ashlyn Higie & Zach Blakeman ~ Number of Guests: 130 ~ Venue: Hotel Derek ~ Flowers: Plants N’ Petals ~ Decor & Rentals: Darryl & Co. ~ Cake: Who Made the Cake! ~ Wedding Dress: Jane Wang from Now & Forever Bridal Boutique ~ Photography: Motley Melange ~ Registry: Macy’s ~ Honeymoon: Costa Rica