Amy + Brian's Bell Tower on 34th Wedding | Houston Wedding Planner

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The Bell Tower on 34th is one of our favorite venues in Houston for a few reasons. Not only was the old stomping grounds of one of our Houston planners, but it also has beauty everywhere you look. Amy and Brian used that to their advantage when planning their wedding at this gorgeous venue. The building itself is a staple in the Houston area, but add in its signature Waterwall, plus multiple ceremony and reception locations (that all look right out of Europe) and you just can’t go wrong.

The couple spent the morning leisurely getting ready surrounded by close friends and family, one of our favorite parts of the day. Starting this special day with loved ones is a must in our book! It keeps you calm, on a day that is full of emotions, plus it makes for great photos once your photographer arrives. Those special moments of getting dressed, or the little details that not everyone sees, are all a big part of your day. The day is timed down to the minute, so for couples who are structured like us, they love that they day flows like clock work. That is how we knew we would love Brian, who loves clock work so much, he even had cufflinks made of the gears of a clock!

Once everyone was dressed and ready, it was time to get some pictures marked off that to-do list. They opted not to have a first look, saving that for the walk down the aisle, but they still got plenty of photos in to help save time during the wedding itself. They did the serious photos, but they also each had fun, doing a unique photo with each member of their wedding party, and we are sure those are photos they will always treasure.

It was time for these two to finally say “I do” in the beautiful Campanille Chapel. With its towering ceiling and windows to let in the Texas sun, it gives you elements of the outdoors while enjoying the luxuries of indoor venues. As string musicians serenaded Amy down the aisle, Brian was fully focused on his bride, while we love the look of love on Brian’s mom’s face as she watched her son marry the love of his life. When the heartfelt ceremony was over, Amy and Brian were able to share some bubbles and their second kiss as husband and wife with their wedding party before heading out for more photos.

We know wedding days aren’t all about pictures, but they are certainly important and Amy and Brian wanted to take full advantage of all the spots The Bell Tower has to offer. With the guidance of Nate Messara they were able to capture so many once in a lifetime photos that will live forever in their minds, but also, be on the walls of their future home for generations to come.

The details, oh, how we love the details. When you can fit something special and personal into your wedding day it makes it even more special, and they chose to incorporate their love of traveling throughout their day. Their guest book globe was such a fun idea, but Brian’s grooms cake might be one of our favorites of all time! Not only was it beyond amazing and realistic looking, with its worn suitcase and globe with markers, but it was also super delicious and was a cookie cake!! Kelly Q’s Cakes delivered just what they wanted for Brian and for Amy and her classic and elegant tiered cake.

But we can’t just look at those details, there were so many great parts! The Carillon Ballroom, with its grand staircase, towering ceilings, and classic warm tones, just set the perfect backdrop for their day. The Secret Floral Garden accented everything with varied height centerpieces with ivory, blush, and burgundy florals along with glass and gold with warm candlelight to set the mood. To bring a bit of blue to the day, they opted with bright blue menu cards and cocktail napkins, which was just the perfect amount.

As the cocktail hour ended, guests were welcomed into the ballroom for their plated meal and all the formal activities that followed. The newlyweds entered down the grand staircase and then the festivities began. First dance over the Texas star, toasts from the Maid of Honor and Best Man, parent dances that always bring tears to at least someone’s eyes, and of course lots of kisses.

As the sunset on this beautiful day, it was time for the guests to kick back and enjoy the music of Ice House Band and celebrate the new couple. There was lots of dancing and singing before wishing the couple farewell under a shower of gold and white confetti!

Here is to forever Mr & Mrs Gravesmill ❤️

Cast of Houston Wedding Vendors

Venue: The Bell Tower on 34th Street

Floral: The Secret Floral Garden

Photography: Nate Messarra Photography

Videography: Jen Creates

Cake: Kelly Q’s Cakes

Band: Ice House Band

Hair & Makeup: Primp and Blow

Kelly + Wes' Allan House Wedding | Austin Designer + Full Service Wedding Planner

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We say this all the time, but we always mean it, we just get to work with the sweetest couples!! Kelly and Wes were another one of those wonderful couples that we had the honor and pleasure of planning their wedding celebration. Like many of our brides & grooms, they live in Houston but Kelly travels to Austin frequently for work and they always enjoyed their visits to the vibrant downtown area. They selected The Allan House, an intimate and historic manor right in the heart of downtown, which just so happens to be one of our favorite Austin venues!

The ladies spent wedding morning getting beautiful at a nearby rental house, and then headed over to The Allan House to get into their dresses and start the pre-ceremony photos with the always wonderful Julie Wilhite Photography. Kelly and her father did the cutest first look, giving us vibes of many games of peek-a-boo played in their past. The guys arrived a bit later fully dressed and ready to toast the soon to be Mr and Mrs Wray!

The Allan House is a staple of Austin wedding venues, and Kelly and Wes used it as the background to their many pre-ceremony photos. The decided to forgo a first look and do photos with immediate family and wedding party early. We always suggest taking some photos prior to your ceremony, it not only saves you time after but also gives you some time to get comfortable in front of the camera.

With photos done it was time for guests to arrive and the ceremony, the ladies had time to freshen up and Kelly got the put the final touches on her wedding day look. With the help of her mom, she put on her veil and was ready to walk down the aisle. But before the ceremony started, Julie Wilhite captured the beautiful florals under the clear top tent.

Once it was time for the ceremony to begin Kelly walked down the aisle on the arm of her father, while being serenaded by the music of the Musical Discovery Chamber Players of Austin. They wanted to focus of the wedding to be “keeping the main thing the main thing” and you can tell they stayed true to that. We love these photos as well because they show just how in love these two, the way Wes looks at his bride just makes us weak in the knees ❤️

As guests enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres from Royal Fig Catering, the wedding party went back to the front of The Allan House for more breathtaking photographs in front of the historic house. There were so many amazing ones of Kelly and Wes it was hard to narrow it down!! These two experienced love at first sight, after being setup by a mutual friend to attend a birthday party where they were the only single guests there, and they were so happy to be husband and wife.

Their wedding had so many beautifully classic elements that it will never go out of style. White hydrangea, roses, and ranunculus accented with eucalyptus from The Last Petal Floral Studio paired with white linens and gold charges from Premier Events made their dreams come to reality. One of our favorite elements was the simple green wreath in the window. It might have been a small detail, but its those little details that make the biggest impact!

After all the formal pictures were taken, and guests had time to mingle, it was time to get the reception under way. The happy couple started it off with a heartfelt kiss under the stars and then dinner service began. Guests enjoyed a plated salad followed by Royal Fig’s delicious farm to table family style meal. We love family style so guests can choose what they want yet they don’t have to worry about walking around with a plate of food.

No wedding would be complete with traditional elements, and this one was no exception. Guests were treated to heartfelt toasts from the best man, maid of honor, and the father of the bride as dinner was wrapping up. Followed by the dances where the love between Kelly and Wes, and their parents, was on full display. You can’t forget dessert! Not only did they have the cake, but also a s’mores bar which always brings the fun.

The sun had set, the guests were full, and drinks were in hand, that means its time to celebrate! Love and Happiness came ready to entertain and the guests were ready to dance, and not just the young crowd!!

Hours of celebrating later, it was time to send the newlyweds off in style, but first…their private last dance. This is by far our favorite new wedding tradition of the past 10 years. Having that time at the end, with just the two of you, is a moment that you will not forget and gives you the chance to enjoy this amazing day.

Once the dance was over the new Mr & Mrs made their grand exit through the sound of maracas to their own decorated pedicab to whisk them away on the streets of Austin.

It was truly and honor and pleasure being part of your day Mr and Mrs Wray!

Sara + Andre's Carriage House Wedding | Houston Designer + Full Service Wedding Planner

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Sara and Andre were one of the best kind of couples we can work with; busy, hard working, and trusting! They attended a friend’s wedding in August of 2020 that we had the pleasure of planning (Tina and Henry), so when it was their time FINALLY (more on that later) they knew who to turn to and to trust us to do our job. Both Sara and Andre are busy doctors and didn’t have spare time to plan their wedding. They knew they needed extra help so we were ready to help plan out their wedding design and all their vendors!!

When we joined to help Sara and Andre they had secured a venue months prior but then life got in the way, and these two wonderful people had already waited a very long time to get married so this date was not going to pass by without some rings on their fingers. They had selected The Carriage House for their elegant yet laid back affair that they waited 1,660 days for! Thats right, a little over 4 years and 6 months!! It was the perfect venue to celebrate their fall wedding, with rich wooden tones to accent the slate and blush, and their signature red door was the inspiration for the red and burgundy florals.

They decided to do a first look so they were able to enjoy the cocktail hour with their family and friends, so Kristen Giles was able to capture some meaningful photos that not only captured the beauty of the day but also the fun personalities of couple and their friends. These two know how to have a good time, and their friends do as well. Traditional wedding photos were not going to cut it, they were happy and wanted to world to know. And before all you Aggies and Longhorns ask, this Texas wedding was one for the Florida Gators. Sara and Andre met at the University of Florida in Gainesville and ended up in Texas, but the Gator’s came out to Texas to celebrate their union!

After the had their fun taking pictures with family and friends, it was time to walk down the aisle in the beautiful sunlight filled chapel. In true Andre fashion, he got a round of applause as he walked down the aisle :) But don’t you worry, Sara still upstaged him on the arm of her father. To make their ceremony unique they added two great ideas that we hope to see more of in the future. They wanted their fur babies, Bella and Maggie, to be part of the day, but unlike most weddings where they enter before the bride, this time they entered after! Sara didn’t want everyone to see her girls but her, so they made their way down the aisle to greet both their mom and dad! After the dogs made everyone smile and the ceremony resumed, Officiant Jennifer Luu handed the wedding rings to the wedding party who then passed them to all the guests as a way of including each and every person into the blessing of the rings.

As the guests enjoyed the beautiful fall weather outside under the canopy of trees and lights, The Posh Affair and E Johnston Designs were inside handling the final touches. Sara and Andre opted for a head table down the middle of the room so they would be surrounded by the guests, and with tall centerpieces to draw focus to the ceiling beams and twinkling chandeliers. To soften the look they used slate velvet linens with touches of burgundy, blush, gold, and candlelight. We especially loved the extra touches on the head table of vintage blush and cornflower glasses and hand written place cards by Jen Krause Paper Co.

One of Sara’s favorite elements was the dessert display from Nothing Bundt Cakes. Since a wedding cake was not a high priority for the couple, they opted to do a bundt cake wedding cake with multiple flavors of bundtinis. The Carriage House has a farmhouse style buffet table that is just perfect for storing all the cakes in drawers and cabinets.

After a relaxing cocktail hour everyone gathered inside to get the party started! They started with first dance leading into dinner, then the toasts, parent dances, and cake cutting. Once those formalities were done it was time to let their hair down and enjoy the night. We knew the couple were fun, but we underestimated just how much. This wedding was ready to dance, and dance the did! DJ Alton from J&A Entertainment got everyone on the floor and kept them there until the night ended. After hours of dancing (and sweating) it was time to end the celebration with a private last dance for the newly wed couple and then wishing them off under the glow of sparklers.

It was such a pleasure making your long awaited day everything you dreamed of Sara and Andre!

Cast of Houston Wedding Vendors

Venue: The Carriage House

Photography: Kristen Giles

Floral: E Johnston Designs

Caterer: The Posh Affair

Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes The Woodlands

DJ + Photo Booth: J&A Entertainment

Rentals: Premiere Events Austin

Invites + Signage: Jen Krause Paper Co

Officiant: Jennifer Luu

Beauty: Hey Lovely Makeup

Transportation: A&H Premium

Hotel: Embassy Suites The Woodlands

Bridal Gown: Martina Liana Bridal from Brickhouse Bridal

Bridesmaid’s Dresses: BHLDN

Groom’s Suit: Suit Supply

Groomsmen Suits: Men’s Warehouse

Bambina Bear Baby Shower | Austin Full Service Event Planner

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We might talk about weddings a lot, but that doesn’t mean thats all we do. We love ALL celebrations and had so much fun planning this baby shower. Terri reached out not quite two months before for help planning this shower for her sister Dominique. This wasn’t Dom’s first baby, but it was her first baby girl, and Terri wanted to throw a “sprinkle” the second time around. However, that was not meant to be, and it turned into a “torrential rain” but in the best possible way!

Terri had selected a venue, the Archer Hotel, but nothing else, and was in need of some event expertise to pull it all together. The family had been loving calling the baby “Bambina Bear” and that became the idea behind it all! We tied in the bear theme with cookies and gummy bears, and went with a natural glam look with limited shades of pink to compliment the venue and not be “too girly”

This might have been about showering Bambina and Dominique with love, but Terri wanted to make sure their close friends and family felt it too. Guests were given delicious gummy bear favors from sugarfina, along with little bottles of champagne and even personalized bluetooth clip speakers! They had a lovely brunch buffet from the Archer under their existing “hey baby” sign with the most adorable Texas shaped waffle EVER and of course mimosas to sip on the entire event too!

You can’t have a celebration without cake, and their cake and display did not disappoint!! The hot air balloon table was a show stopper, and the perfect place for the funfetti cake, macarons, and cuter than anything bear cookies from Word of Mouth Bakery. To top off all that sweet goodness, they also had individual parfaits available on the buffet!

It was a beautiful celebration, and we just loved working with Terri so much, we can’t wait for the next one!!

Thank you Terri, for letting us celebrate Dominique and her Bambina 💕

Cast of Austin Vendors

Venue & Catering: Archer Hotel Austin

Baker: Word of Mouth Bakery

DJ: Greenbelt DJ

Floral: Christie Turner Floral Design

Balloon Artist: Big Pop’n Balloons

Photographer: The Mill Photography Studio

Rentals: Premiere Events and Loot Rentals

Draping: Encore Global

Favors: sugarfina

Meg + Chris' Lakeside Country Club Wedding | Houston Wedding Planner

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Meg and Chris might look a tiny bit familiar to you, and if so, it’s because we had the honor of coordinating her sister Haley’s wedding the same year. Having that connection just made us love Meg even more, which is easy to do since she is one of the most positive and graceful people you will ever meet. Like so many 2020 brides, COVID thew lots of changes her way, but she never let them get her down. In the end they had to change the date, the reception venue, having a small private ceremony months before the celebration with everyone else, and making all the social distancing and safety modification, but it didn’t stop either of them from smiling and celebrating to the fullest.

Meg and Chris decided they didn’t want to wait until social distancing protocols were lifted before getting married, so they had a small ceremony for family in July of 2020 at the beautiful Christ Church Cathedral. It might have been a little crowd, but it was not short on emotion or beauty. They still treated it like a special day with beautiful florals and their photographer and videographer and even a cake for their post ceremony dinner.

Meg got ready with her sister and mother and shared so many sweet moments. One of our favorites traditions was their granny’s penny that they put in their shoe on wedding day, and it was even cuter that they brought it over in a ziploc bag!! Tina with Agape House Studios used both the gorgeous outdoor area plus the incredible stained glass to document the day.

Meg walked down the aisle on the arm of her dad and left hand in hand with Chris, and to make sure these two lovebirds felt celebrated, they were wished off under a sea of confetti. Confetti will pop up again with these two, and we think its pretty safe to say that Meg likes it a bit more than Chris!!

Five months later it was time to celebrate with family AND friends!! They decided to skip the ceremony and just hold the reception at the beautiful and classic Lakeside Country Club with a gorgeous pastel color scheme with just a pop of a darker fuchsia. Just because the wedding took place in December doesn’t mean that you have to do dark winter colors, especially not in Texas! While there are quite a few not so great things about getting married during a pandemic, there are a few little pluses, and Meg and Chris got to experience one of them. TWO CELEBRATIONS! That means they got two first looks, two special moments and days, and a big one for all the brides, Meg got to wear her wedding dress twice!!

Inside the elegant ballroom they played up the simplicity with ivory linens and napkins, beautiful gold rimmed glass chargers, and class centerpieces that will never go out of style. F. Dellit Designs used high and low centerpieces of hydrangea, roses, ranunculus in shades of white, ivory, pink, and fuchsia with pops of pale blue and dark greenery. The gold candlesticks with pale blue taper candles complimented the chargers and just pulled the entire look together.

Cakes by Gina once again wowed us all with her beautiful and delicious masterpieces. The wedding cake fit the simple elegance theme with its four tiers of swiss dots and it gave the groom’s cake a chance to shine. Chris’ two tier cake looked like a night full of skies and even had the silhouette of trees so you felt like you were in the forest enjoying the night sky!

After Meg and Chris got their private big reveal (one of our favorite things to do) everyone was able to join in on the long waited reception. There were toasts, and first dances, and parent dances, and private dances, and everything in between. However, there was one thing missing, Meg’s sister was exposed to covid at the last minute and wasn’t able to attend. It was heartbreaking to not have her sister there, but they made sure she was still able to give her toast, even if it was via iPad!!

The departure was once again amazing thanks to another round of confetti. We know it might not be a popular option among venues, we know its a little bit messy, but it is 100% worth it. The looks on their faces, both for totally different reasons, is a moment that needs to be captured for all time!!

It was an honor being part of your happily ever after Mr & Mrs Shatto!

Cast of Houston Wedding Vendors

Wedding Ceremony

Photography: Agape House Studio

Church: Christ Church Cathedral

Post Ceremony Dinner: Brennan’s of Houston

Floral: F. Dellit Designs

Videographer: Wedding Films by Mia

Cake: Cakes by Gina

Beauty: The Bridal Suite

Wedding Reception

Photography: Agape House Studio

Venue: Lakeside Country Club

Floral: F. Dellit Designs

Videographer: Wedding Films by Mia

Cake: Cakes by Gina

Band: Doppelganger Band

Photobooth: Goldline Entertainment

Beauty: Blush and Company

Your Wedding Guestbook - Think Outside the "Book"

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Guest books are a staple of weddings, its the best way to remember who was there to celebrate with you as you reminisce on your 50th anniversary. Luck for you, they are no longer just a book full of lines for your guests to write down their name! They can be fun or traditional, and reflect your personality or fit your wedding theme. So scroll down and get some ideas for your upcoming celebration!!

AN ACTUAL GUESTBOOK

Yes, you can still find traditional guestbooks, just like the ones your parents had. Or you can find some that look traditional on the outside, but once you open it up there will be a fun surprise! Below are just a few of the things we have seen:

  • Want a traditional guestbook but still want to make it fit your wedding theme or decor? Put the book on a beautifully decorated table that make it work, like the Eiffel Tower for one of our Paris themed wedding. Or print out and frame a text message from your first date and place it next to your guest book, that way all your guests will see it!

  • Get a custom made guestbook on Etsy! You can get covers in wood, linen, velvet, suede, leather, the list goes on and on! Inside you will find blank pages so your guests can write messages along with their names, giving a more personal feel.

  • Turn your engagement photos or photos of your dating years into a book with plenty of empty space, and have your guests sign. The guests love looking at all the photos, plus you have the best coffee table book EVER! And for some extra fun, be sure to sign it yourself so you remember how you felt that day!

NEW HOME DECOR

Turn your guestbook into something you can keep and display in your home as decor or artwork! There so SO MANY ideas for this, and sometimes the item fits your wedding decor and sometimes it doesn’t, and either one is fine!

  • A fingerprint tree made by your guests.

  • A wooden sign that could also double as your welcome sign. They can be painted, like the Texas flag below, or they can be kept as a plain wood with your names and wedding date in the middle and your guests sign around.

  • A custom made sign from Etsy to reflect your personalities. This is a great way to bring in a loved item to your wedding without affecting the overall day, or to bring your beloved animals into your day!

  • A large framed sign that will make quite the impact in your home. Jason and Dixie chose to join their two states together, but you could do anything. However, we do think the two states is very cute, especially since we all know putting Texas on anything makes it the best!

  • A globe, or any item, that fits your wedding theme, or you just love and want to keep in your home. Just make sure the item is large enough for all of your guests to sign, and big enough so you can read it!

  • A framed engagement photo where your guests sign the photo mat. Such a classic option that you will always treasure.

UNIQUE IDEAS

The sky is the limit when it comes to this, just make sure it is something they can sign!! Be creative and find something that really goes with your personality as a couple! Two recent favorites we have seen:

  • The El Arroyo big book of signs for an Austin wedding where about 90% of the guests were from Houston. They not only got to write a message to the couple inside the book, but got to get a good laugh and experience the amazingness that is the El Arroyo sign!

  • Vintage postcards for the guests to leave the couple an adventure idea for their bucket list.

POLAROID OR PHOTO BOOTH GUEST BOOK

We hear some people talk about this being overdone, but we always say, you do you and thats all that matters. Plus, depending on your crowd it can be such a huge hit and so much fun!

  • POLAROID: Bring your own polaroids along with a blank guestbook (look at Etsy), some pens (we recommend THESE, and they have lots of color options) and some scrapbook double sided tape dispensers (like THESE, there are lots of options of brand), and lots of extra film and some batteries too. Make a cute sign with instructions, have your bridesmaids start before the ceremony so the book isn’t blank, and the guests take it from there. Some will take nice pics, some silly. Some will just write their names, some will write short funny messages, some will write longer or heartfelt wishes. With it being a portable camera you will get all sorts of backdrops around your venue as well. However, don’t be surprised if your cameras don’t make it home with you, often times we see only one of two by the end of the night. So we always suggest starting with at least two for that reason, no matter your guest count!

  • PHOTO BOOTH: Don’t think your guests are the DIY type? Let a photo booth company do the work for you. They can provide the backdrop, or you can do a custom one with the help of your planner and florist, and then the attendant will deal with the lighting and photo taking! Make sure your package includes 2 prints per person, so they can keep one and then they can put the second in your guestbook! Bring all the same supplies as the polaroid option, or sometimes the photo booth company can even supply those too!

Tatum + Pearce's Houston Country Club Wedding | Houston Wedding Designer & Planner

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Tatum and Pearce were a super fun and sweet couple, and we loved working with them! Not only were they a pleasure spending time with, they hold a special place in 2020 history by having one of the BIG weddings before quarantine started, with over 200 guests! They wanted a beautiful and classic celebration of their love, so the Memorial Drive United Methodist Church and the Houston Country Club was an easy choice.

Tatum was able to get ready with her 17 best gals, including her twin sister ❤️ After getting beautiful thanks to the teams at Shine Salon Houston and Jennifer Aronston Makeup, the ladies slipped into gorgeous and sleek navy blue dresses before Tatum was helped into her timeless Vera Wang gown. The guys didn’t disappoint either, they looked dapper in black and white, but had some fun hidden with suspenders that looked like Mexican serape blankets!

The time was finally here for Tatum to walk down the aisle to Pearce, and she was so happy to take that final walk on the arm of her father. Holding her bouquet of white roses, white anemone, and eucalyptus, she made her way to her groom with her cathedral length veil in tow, making the most stunning photos. We love all wedding ceremonies, indoor, outdoor, summer, winter, garden, lakeside; but there is just something about a bride walking down the aisle of a grand church that makes our hearts happy.

As Tatum and Pearce said “I do” the Houston Country Club was wrapping up the touches on the beyond beautiful reception that Tatum had been dreaming about. She had a vision in mind, but like so many brides, just wasn’t sure how to bring it to life, so with the help of her amazing vendor team, it became a reality. This design was very much a team effort, we worked with Martha with the Houston Country Club on the breathtaking florals, and The Blooming Gallery found rental linens so perfect that Tatum wanted to turn them into pillows for her house!!

She mixed modern clear acrylic ghost chairs, classic silver chiavari chairs, silver and white textured linens, silver velvet lounge sets, elegant white wooden bars, simple white bridesmaids bouquets as centerpieces, and show-stopping tall florals on beautiful glass vases. But if you ask us, the pièce de résistance was the greenery chandelier dripping with candlelight. It was front and center for the dances and toasts, and even surrounded by all the stunning decor, it just got your attention.

The couple also selected Cakes by Gina for their classic yet whimsical white sugar floral wedding cake. Tatum and Pearce also love their dogs, Ellie and Colt, so much, and they wanted to make sure they were part of the special day too. They made their appearance on custom cocktail napkins, on Pearce’s groom cake, and they were part of their engagement shoot as well!

With the ceremony and photos over, it was time to get the party started! Tatum made her gown a little more reception friendly by removing the lace top to reveal the classic button down strapless one that fit her decor perfectly. As guests were enjoying the cocktail reception and reception station dinner, the Houston Country Club made sure that not only Tatum and Pearce got a private meal so they could enjoy the evening, but also that their parents got a private meal as well. Its those little details that make the difference between a good venue and caterer and a great one!

As the reception started, the newlyweds shared their first dance under their halo of greenery and candles, where they also later danced with their parents and shared toasts with all the guests. One of our favorite photos of the evening was the joy that Tatum and her sister shared as Pearce danced with his mother. Seeing her share in Tatum’s joy is one of those many magical moments that weddings are known for.

After the formal dances and toasts, it was time to cut the cake and bring out the desserts. Two cakes weren’t enough for this crowd, and there is no better late night snack than cinnamon milk shooters with donut holes!! It gave everyone the boost they needed to dance to the music of The Doppelganger Band and enough dance floor props to keep everyone going all night.

After hours of fun, it was time to wish the new Mr and Mrs farewell. As the guests gathered outside with rose petals to toss at the happy couple, Tatum and Pearce shared a private last dance surrounded by a sea of white confetti. Donning a white fur shawl to keep warm, Tatum and her new Mister were showered by roses before the drove away in the light of sparklers. It was a dream night for a dream couple!

It was a joy and a pleasure being part of your happy day Mr & Mrs Martens!

Cast of Houston Wedding Vendors

Photography: Nancy Aidee Photography

Church: Memorial Drive United Methodist Church

Reception Venue and Caterer: Houston Country Club

Floral: Martha with Houston Country Club

Rentals: Blooming Gallery

Band: Doppelganger Band

Lighting: GTX Production

Cake: Cakes by Gina

Stationary: Katie and Co Houston

Hair: Shine Salon Houston

Makeup: Jennifer Aronson Makeup

Wedding Dress: Vera Wang from Casa de Novia Bridal Couture

Transportation: Sam’s Limousine

Departure Car: Monarch British Limousines

Lizzy + Carson's Junior League of Houston Wedding Reception | Houston Wedding Coordinator→

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We had the pleasure of helping Lizzy and Carson navigate planning a wedding during a pandemic along with Lizzy’s mother Barbe. They were one of our dream families; classic and elegant style, incredibly kind, but also fun loving. Those traits became important as they made the difficult decision to postpone their celebration from early August of 2020 to late March of 2021. However, they didn’t let that stop them from starting their life together as planned. They decided to hold a very intimate ceremony and reception on their original wedding day in their backyard. This made their wedding reception seven months later so much more relaxed and fun since they got the nerves out of the way.

Once the wedding weekend was finally here, Lizzy was ready to enjoy it with her ladies. They started with private class at Pure Barre, and then had a refreshing poolside lunch at the St. Regis Houston knowing that all the details were taken care of. Later that evening the ladies met up with the rest of the family and wedding party for a welcome dinner of gold ole Texas food, hospitality, and dancing at Goode Company Armadillo Palace!

Early the next morning the ladies were up and ready to get the wedding day finally going! Luckily all they had to do was take the elevator down to a getting ready room in the St. Regis where coffee and the talented ladies of Hey Lovely were waiting for hair and makeup time. I don’t know about you, but seeing Lizzy in her fuzzy slippers and pajama set makes me think that everything I wear should have fluffy feathers on it, I’d smile all day!!

After a full morning of beauty it was time to take off the fluff (as cute as it was) and put on her gorgeous Amsale wedding gown. Its simple and elegant front with a bit of fun in the back went perfectly with Lizzy’s personality, and she looked so beautiful. After her big reveal to her bridal party, it was time to head over to the Junior League for photos and to celebrate!!

With everyone together at The Junior League of Houston, Lizzy and Carson were ready to do their first look. Although this was just a reception, this was still the first time Carson was seeing Lizzy in this wedding dress, so it was still a special moment and you could still feel the love and excitement.

With the first look done, they could truly relax and enjoy each other on this day that they had waited seven months for, and they did. You could see the joy and love they share in all their photos, their smiles were radiant!

The Junior League of Houston certainly has a gorgeous outdoor area, but we can’t skip over the beauty that you will find inside. With its elegant touches of gold and blue, it was the perfect backdrop for Lizzy and Carson’s vision. The Secret Floral Garden used a combination of tall, unique, and modern centerpieces mixed together with bud vases, traditional vases, and tall and skinny vases, all in varied forms of glass. To keep all that variety looking cohesive, they stuck to primarily white calla lilies, tulips, hydrangeas, adding in some white roses and other forms of greenery, plus plenty of candlelight, for a super classic and clean feel. To accentuate the florals they stayed with simple silk linens and napkins, and gold rimmed glass chargers to bring add a formal setting but not too much clutter with additional plates and flatware. Anchoring the room was a six tier smooth white cake by Cakes by Gina on a beautiful textured velvet linen where Lizzy was able to place her white calla lily bouquet.

The guests enjoyed a cocktail reception on the Blue Stone Patio, where they snacked on hors d’oeuvres including mini quesadillas and bruschetta, and then were welcomed into the room for dinner and dancing. After being introduced to “Another One Bites the Dust” the new Mr & Mrs May shared their first dance to “Come and Get Your Love” before guests enjoyed dinner. The Junior League provided delicious stations like caesar salad with crab cakes, a risotto martini bar, a southern fare biscuit bar and carved to order beef tenderloin. Eager to get to the dancing part of the evening, the happy couple cut the cake, had the always sentimental dances with their parents, and then, it was time to party!!!

The Royal Duke’s Band kept everyone dancing as the sparkly hats and headbands came out!! This group came to celebrate, and celebrate they did!! The shoes came off and there was so much dancing and singing. Now, they did have to pause for a little bit so Lizzy could toss her bouquet, and also make sure to eat a late night corn dog, because weddings have their priorities after all! After 2 hours of non-stop dancing, the night had to come to an end, but Lizzy and Carson got one more special private dance before they were whisked away to their happily ever after.

It was finally time to say goodbye, and the happy couple was wished off under cloud of white rose petals as they drove away with one of our favorite signs ever “Just Married…7 Months Ago”

Happy Forever Mr & Mrs May!

Wedding Hashtag: #ItsGonnaBeMay

Dogs in Wedding - Why and How to Include Them In Your Special Day→

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We are pet people at Something to Celebrate. While we love ALL weddings, we won’t lie, a wedding with a dog is just something special! You might be wondering why & how should you incorporate your fur baby into your wedding, especially if you can’t have them there in person. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS

This is the easiest way to incorporate your pets because you can take them near your house and they require the shortest time commitment. Use these photos on your save the dates, or print off and frame as many as you want and display them at your ceremony and reception for everyone to enjoy!

Photo by Nancy Aidee

Photo by Nancy Aidee

YOUR ATTIRE

This one is for the guys! Have some fun but keep it classy with socks (either just with your dog breed, or even custom ones with your exact pet) and cuff links like Mike. If your wedding is a bit more on the casual side, go crazy with your tie! In this day and age of so many custom clothing options, you can almost do anything, just make sure it fits the formality level of your celebration.

Photos by Laurentina Photography

Photos by Laurentina Photography

SIGNS, STICKERS, AND MORE!

There are so many options when it comes to signage and paper products, so use your imagination and have fun! We have seen lots of creative ideas in the past, and while we would love to share them all, it would take awhile, so below are just a few recent ones.

  • Custom stamps, SO SO cute! If you have stamps, that means you can always include your pets on your invites as well.

  • Make COVID precautions a bit more fun with custom stickers to indicate how comfortable your guests are with social distancing. Hopefully this particular use will be gone soon, but stickers are here to stay!

  • Were you planning on doing assigned tables for your guests? If so, it will be one sign that you know everyone will be looking at, so of course you need your furry friends to be front and center on that sign!

  • This is a big day, it’s the official start of a new family, so why not document it with an adorable sign with ALL your family members. You could easily make a sign that you also use as a guest book and have your friends and family sign. Or you could be like Kady & Nathan and just show off your newest piece of artwork for everyone to enjoy!

  • Turn their adorable faces into photo booth props, and then they really be part of the celebration!!

YOUR BAR (AND BONUS FAVORS)!!

There are so many fun ways to include your pets into your bar and that is probably why we see this the most! Even if you are having a formal wedding, the bar is always a fun place, so you can use this area to bring in a little bit of whimsy into the evening.

  • Have cups made with an illustrated version of your four legged friend and your new married name on the back. Keep them at the bar so they can used during the wedding, but order extra because guests will want to take one (or more) home as a favor!

  • Sure, you could make a signature drink named after you or your fiance, but naming it after your pet is way more fun! It could be as simple as giving a traditional drink a new name for the night (like Kasey & Ed did with their margarita “The Willie” and old fashioned “The Carter”). Or turn your pet’s name into the drink, like Tina and Henry did with their “Zoey-Rita”!

  • If thinking of drink names is too much, or you aren’t doing a signature cocktail, we’ve still got you covered! You can name your bars! Haley & Tyler named their three bars after their three dogs, Cash, Credit, and Debit (Tyler is an accountant if you are curious).

  • If you are going to take the time to name your drinks after you dogs (or cats, anyone, maybe, one day..), you better have a sign made!! It can be a be on acrylic or printed and in a frame. The picture can look like a computer graphic, can be hand painted, can be a custom watercolor, again, the possibilities are endless.

  • Last but not least, what is a bar without koozies and beverage napkins! Skip the monogram and opt for furry face instead!

CAKE

Before you start to doubt us, yes,, you can include your dogs on the wedding cake and not just the groom’s cake! Traditionally the groom’s cake is the more “fun” one, but you can fit your furry friends into anything you want. Actually incorporate them into the cake, like Haley & Tyler’s cake eating trio), or make them a topper (in plastic, metal, or icing form). If you still want just a traditional wedding cake with a hint of your loyal companion, grab an extra beverage napkin and display it on the cake table for a beautiful (and still elegant) photo!

INCLUDE THEM IN YOUR CEREMONY

Don’t know anyone to be a ring bearer or flower girl? No worries, your pet is up to the task! But the task they are ready for is looking adorable in photos and making your guests smile. Having proper wedding etiquette is not. They might stop to literally smell (or eat) the roses, chase a squirrel, or decide to jump on that beautiful new white gown they have never seen their mom in. So whenever you have your beloved animal at your wedding, they need their very own companion. Companies like The Pet Gal can even board them when you are gone during wedding weekend and your honeymoon. On wedding day they will bring them to your ceremony just in time for photos, stay with them during the ceremony (because as much as we love them, they don’t love us enough to sit through a 20 minute ceremony), help with with post-ceremony pictures, and then take them back home. Weddings are loud and full of strangers, and that can stress your dog. So let them stay just to spend time with the two people they love most in the world, and then let them go back home for a nap!

PHOTO TIME!!

How many days of your life are spent with a professional photographer following you like a shadow? Probably not many, so take advantage!! You are both dressed to the nines, so get your furry friend the cutest bow tie, or a flower collar, and you will treasure these pictures FOREVER!!

KISSES

Last but not least, include them for the kisses. Yours or theirs, they don’t care. They just love kisses!!

Jenna + Joe's Hotel Galvez Wedding | Houston Wedding Designer & Full Service Planner→

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Jenna and Joe might not have had the smoothest path to the altar thanks to our best friend covid, but with some patience, laughter, and our help through it all, they finally made it. It took three tries before the date finally stuck, and in the end their final date was exactly one year from their original choice. It was clearly meant to be an April affair! Their wedding weekend was all about celebrating their favorite things; their family, their friends, their ADORABLE dog Scout, Jenna’s love of NOLA, Joe’s love of baseball, having fun, and of course, each other.

The couple selected Galveston, and the Hotel Galvez, to get some of the feeling of New Orleans while still staying close to Houston. Since everyone was coming from out of town they made it a weekend celebration and held their welcome reception in the beautiful conservatory at the nearby Bryan Museum. In order to fully enjoy the events, they also had us assist with the planning of the welcome reception and had Dana of Dana & Josh Fernandez Photography there to capture all the memories.

Guests dined on mini cold canapés, chicken and sausage gumbo shooters, Brazilian chicken, bistro filet, lemon rice, and assorted mini desserts as they enjoyed an open microphone for toasts. One of the best toasts came from the father of the groom, who had a wonderful surprise for his son and new daughter. Joe’s best friend was not able to make it to the wedding, but that just didn’t sit well for his dad, so he had a life size cardboard cut out made and presented it to the couple at the welcome reception. If that doesn’t set the scene for a fun wedding, I don’t know what does!!

Wedding day finally came and they were ready to walk down that aisle! They decided to forgo a traditional wedding party and instead focused on their parents and siblings, and the cutest wedding party member EVER, their dog Scout!! Hang in there when you get to the photos, because I might have posted a few too many of him, but there was so much happiness that even Scout was smiling. It was just too cute!!!

Jenna got ready in her sleek Sarah Seven gown with her mother by her side, while Joe spent the morning with his buddies before putting on his stylist suit from Suit Supply. With her bridal gown belt, and his colored jacket, these two made quite the couple, and their pictures with the white Hotel Galvez in the background really made their outfits stand out even more!

After a touching first look, it was time to finally get married, and not surprisingly, Scout stole the show. Jenna looked beautiful walking down the aisle with an elegant bouquet of white peonies by Last Petal Floral Studio, but even her eyes were on Scout. As they were FINALLY pronounced husband and wife, their closest family and friends cheered with approval, and Scout joined in with an affectionate howl as well :) And now, it was time to party!

The happy couple was welcomed into the Terrace Ballroom with music from IN10CITY after guests had spent the past hour feasting on a crab claws, oysters on the half shell, and shrimp, all served with mini bottles of hot sauce; and six other hot passed hors d’oeuvres like lamb, beef, brie, and even more shrimp! Guests dined on a delicious plated dinner of surf and turf, while sitting at tables with mis-matched linens from EB Inc Event Rentals (one of our favorite current trends) and centerpieces of candles, mixed greenery, roses, hydrangea, ranunculus, and succulents from Last Petal. After the meal was over and guests had time to chat with the happy couple, then the dancing kicked off with the couple’s first dance and the parent dances.

You can’t have a wedding without wedding cake, and Jenna’s cake did not disappoint! The always amazing Cakes by Gina blended Jenna’s love of NOLA into her cake by combining it with a King’s Cake and matching macarons. Isn’t it a thing of beauty! But don’t you worry, Joe was covered too. His love of baseball was incorporated with a custom built concession stand and vanilla ice cream, served in little baseball hats, with his favorite ice cream topping, Dutch Treat Twinkle Nut Crunch. If you thought those baseballs were just for decor, well, that might have been the intention, but with this lively crowd, it turned into a game of toss between Joe’s parents.

After all those formalities, it was finally time kick off their shoes and have some fun!! The guests packed the dance floor, wearing the custom Mardi Gras beads from the wedding, and danced and danced and danced. They also broke out into song with “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” and enjoyed the photo booth by Lucky Shots when they needed a breather. To make sure their guests had enough energy to last the entire night, the Texas staple Whataburger was brought in for a late night snack, but with enough time to eat it before the final nod to NOLA to wrap up the evening.

The band members of IN10CITY lead the guests to the hotel bar for an unofficial after party in a Second Line to “When The Saints Go Marching In” with Jenna and Joe leading the way. It was the perfect end to a wedding that was 100% worth the wait!!

Congrats Jenna + Joe, it was an honor and pleasure being part of your celebration!

Wedding Hashtags: #CalhounDat

Cast of Houston Wedding Vendors

Wedding Reception

Planner: Something to Celebrate

Venue & Catering : Hotel Galvez

Photographer: Josh & Dana Fernandez

Florist: Last Petal Floral Studio

Band: Intensity Bands

Cake: Cakes by Gina

Hair/Makeup: Blush and Co.

Rentals: EB Inc Events

Lighting: GTX Productions

Photo Booth: Lucky Shots Photo Booths

Late Night Snack: Whataburger

Gown: Sarah Seven from Lovely Bride

Suit: Suit Supply

Welcome Dinner

Venue The Bryan Museum

Catering: Chopin Mon Ami

Photographer: Josh & Dana Fernandez

Florist: Island Flowers

Transportation: Clear Lake & Galveston Shuttle

Jennifer + Andy's Houstonian Wedding | Houston Wedding Coordinator→

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Jennifer and Andy’s wedding at The Houstonian was beautiful and elegant, but don’t let that fool you, these two knew how to have fun! It was one of the last weddings in 2020 before COVID shut everything down, and they went out in style!!

In choosing The Houstonian for their wedding celebration, they were able to host all of their weekend activities and guests all in one location, which is one of the things we love best about hotel weddings. It was the perfect spot for out of town guests, the rehearsal dinner, the getting ready locations, the ceremony, and the reception. Plus with their iconic lighted Texas Live Oak tree and unmatched hospitality, it is hard to not fall in love with this Houston treasure.

The ceremony for 250 guests was held during golden hour in front of the twinkling Texas Live Oak, and then everyone moved inside to the Grande Ballroom for the cocktail reception and dinner. Jennifer’s parents spent many months working with the amazing team at The Secret Floral Garden on gorgeous decor and place settings, so when planning the timeline, we made sure that the new Mr & Mrs Miller got to experience it before everyone else. We are so glad we did, those five minutes produced some of the best pictures of the evening by the incredible Ama by Aisha.

After a delicious dinner of multiple salads and vegetables, red fish, chicken, carved to order beef tenderloin, and the Houstonian’s “all the way” mashed potatoes, the guests danced the night away thanks to The Matchmaker Band. Whenever they are performing there is never an open spot on the dance floor, and this wedding was no exception.

We knew everyone would be having such a great time with dancing and the custom neon sign photo booth, so we were prepared with almond and chocolate wedding cake from Susie’s cakes and mini desserts from The Houstonian. We had the traditional mini pecan pie, apple pie, and triple berry pie tarts, plus in a nod to Jennifer’s Peruvian heritage, we were sure to include plenty of alfajores. But there were no sugar highs for these guests, dessert was followed up with late night breakfast tacos and mini pizzas as well!!

After all that eating, it was time to finish out the night on the dance floor, starting with the Aggie War Hymn and ending with the bride and groom on the stage during the final song of “Shout” with a surprise ending of a confetti cannon!

It was a perfect blend of elegance and fun, and truly reflected Jennifer and Andy!

Congrats Mr & Mrs Miller!

Wedding Hashtag: #rejoycethemillers

Cast of Houston Wedding Vendors

Wedding Planner: Something to Celebrate

Venue: The Houstonian

Cake: Susie’s Cakes

Florist: The Secret Floral Garden

Photographer: Ama by Aisha

Videographer: Video by Robot

Ceremony Music: DIVISI Strings

Reception Music: Matchmaker Band

Lighting & Photobooth: LG Event Entertainment

Ice Sculpture: Ice Designs

Hair/Makeup: Blush & Co

Haley + Tyler's Briar Club Wedding | Houston Wedding Coordinator

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Haley was a “Covid Bride” so we were originally scheduled for her Wedding ceremony at a church with the reception being held at The Junior League of Houston. When we had to postpone, the Church and Junior League did not have dates that lined up and she decided the Church was more of a priority to her than the reception venue so we found a new venue which was The Briar Club.

As we got closer to the wedding date, the capacity restrictions were still extremely limited at The Church and she would only be able to have her immediate family attend the ceremony. Because of that, she opted to move everything to The Briar Club and do a room flip in the Main Ballroom.

The capacities at The Briar Club were then reduced as well so we could no longer do the room flip and maintain the capacity restrictions so we finally landed on Plan D - which was to have the ceremony in the main ballroom with the guests seated at their dinner tables and seating for immediate family members on the dance floor so she would still have an “aisle” to walk down.


This family went through SO many changes during the Covid rescheduling process as we also planned her sister’s wedding during the same period of time experiencing all the same ups and downs. We shared lots of laughs and tears throughout the process but Haley (and Tyler) handled everything with grace.

Haley and Tyler started their wedding days apart from each other with their wedding party at Hotel Zaza in the heart of the city. Then Haley and her bridesmaids, followed by Tyler and his groomsmen, were transported to The Briar Club to enjoy the rest of their day. When Haley arrived, the first thing she did was share a first look with her dad! Haley and Tyler opted not to see each other before their ceremony because they wanted their first glimpses of each other to be when she started to walk down the aisle. 

When we were talking through details about Haley and Tyler’s wedding ceremony, we decided to introduce dashes of modern style that would pair with the timeless feel of the space where they would wed and celebrate later in the evening. A circular golden hoop featured bright pink flowers by F. Dellit Designs offset on the piece, and it offered just the right amount of color and whimsy. It was our favorite detail of the day, and it’s also the spot where Haley and her bridesmaids captured many of their photos!

Once they were officially announced as Mr. and Mrs., Haley and Tyler enjoyed dinner tucked away together. We always highly recommend that our couples use cocktail hour to enjoy their first meal together because this time ensures they’re able to take a quick break from their guests and enjoy each other’s company before the dancing begins.

Inside the ballroom, tall centerpieces by F. Dellit Designs filled with classic flowers, like dahlias, garden roses, and standard roses caught everyone’s eye throughout the night, thanks to their bright pink palette. Haley and Tyler’s wedding cake by Cakes by Gina also had their bright pink floral theme woven throughout, and their circular hoop served a new purpose as the backdrop for the DJ, Goldline Entertainment. 

On the dance floor, Haley and Tyler shared their first dance together. Then, each danced with his or her parent before the floor was opened for the rest of the night. Haley even jumped behind the DJ booth! After the last song played, Haley and Tyler had one last memorable wedding moment together when their guests tossed confetti before they jumped into a pedicab.

Thank you so much to Agape House Studio for capturing every moment of Haley and Tyler’s day! We have loved sharing the images from this sweet celebration with you.

Cast of Houston Wedding Vendors:

Venue: Hotel Zaza

Planner: Something to Celebrate

Photographer: Agape House Studio

Videographer: Wedding Films by Mia

Floral: F. Dellit Designs

Cake: Cakes by Gina

Rentals: Aztec Events & Tents

Beauty: Blush and Company

Lighting: GTX Event Productions

Transportation: Pedicab Group

DJ and Photobooth: Goldline Entertainment

Rentals: BBJ Linens, Rose and Co, LG Event Entertainment & Production

7 Top Houston Wedding Venues

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As wedding planners, our role is always to uncover the most meaningful ways to share the story of your relationship with your guests. We want to know how you met, why you love spending time together (and how you like to spend it!), and what you are most excited to experience on the day of your celebration. As important as food and flowers and stationery will always be, there’s also an element that helps to set the tone and act as a canvas for your wedding day – your wedding venue. 

We live and work and love in Texas, so it’s only natural for us to want to highlight the venues in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio where so many of the celebrations we have planned have taken place. Today, we’re highlighting the locations we love in our home city. So, meet seven of our favorite Houston wedding venues below.

THE BELL TOWER ON 34TH

When a venue is inspired by Italian villas, you know before ever setting foot on the property that it’s beautiful. But, then you arrive, and it’s more than you imagined. Meet The Bell Tower on 34th!

Why we love it: The venue is solely dedicated to hosting weddings and events, and their team is incredible. They also have a great executive chef onsite who masterfully crafts menus and never fails to meet the needs (and culinary whims!) of our couples. The architecture also offers plenty of inspiration, and the space is designed to host events with up to 1,200 guests; however, the flow of The Bell Tower on 34th is such that intimate weddings are just as easy to plan. 

Julie Wilhite Photography

Julie Wilhite Photography

THE HOUSTONIAN

Located in the Galleria District, The Houstonian offers a complete variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. Plus, we love that it’s located on many acres and boasts a wonderful pool and spa if you’re hoping to create a complete destination experience for your guests. 

Why we love it: The Houstonian has long felt like an oasis in the middle of the city to us. We love recommending this space for couples who are welcoming out of town guests because they will definitely feel relaxed and filled with fun by the time they depart. From a live oak with string lights to gardens, decks, and indoor ballrooms, the event spaces are numbered here. Plus, the culinary experiences do not disappoint! 

Julie Wilhite Photography

Julie Wilhite Photography

HOTEL ZAZA

We have shared how much we love Hotel ZaZa time and time again, so of course we had to include this Houston hotel on our list of favorite venues in the city! 

Why we love it: Hotel ZaZa is a boutique hotel (they have two Houston locations, ZaZa Houston Museum District + Hotel ZaZa Memorial City, as well as one in Austin and Dallas too) , so it has a completely unique feel woven throughout all of its interiors, including the ballroom spaces. We especially love the location in the heart of the Museum District. In the ballroom, you will find sweeping views of the city, which look even more incredible at night when the buildings are aglow. With its inviting backdrop, there are plenty of opportunities to weave in color palettes, style, and more.

Photo Credit: Nancy Aidee Photo

Photo Credit: Nancy Aidee Photo

ST. REGIS

When couples mention they would like to host an elegant soiree that’s filled with luxury, we cannot recommend the St. Regis quickly enough! Located in the Uptown district, the space boasts up to 11 ballrooms from which to choose for a variety of events and guest counts.

Why we love it: We have long adored the St. Regis brand because their staff is unparalleled, and we know our couples and their guests will leave the celebration feeling truly pampered. Plus, there is always something to be said for a classic hotel ballroom wedding! The spaces at the St. Regis are filled with timeless style, and the spacious interiors forever keep guests protected from the Texas elements outside. There are plenty of ways to create a truly spectacular wedding here!

Photo Credit: Allen Tsai Photography

Photo Credit: Allen Tsai Photography

THE GROVE

When couples express their interest in celebrating in a space that’s modern with incredible cuisine, we’re always quick to recommend The Grove! Located in downtown Houston, the space is multi-level, modern with industrial flair, and offers views of Discovery Green. 

Why we love it: Houston is such a classic Texas city with plenty of historical charm, so when The Grove debuted with modern style in 2008 we were thrilled! We love working with clients to create a complete culinary experience for their guests, and The Grove’s team has the same view. We also love their passion for green spaces and eco-friendly events, which ties in perfectly with their location overlooking Discovery Green. 

Photo Credit: Edmonson Photography

Photo Credit: Edmonson Photography

CRYSTAL BALLROOM  

We love planning events for and with our clients when they want to embrace the history of Houston, and the Crystal Ballroom is one of the most historical venues in the city! Built in 1913 and located in the Rice Hotel, this space is in the heart of the city with a ballroom and adjacent smaller spaces, making it a wonderful choice for celebrations downtown. 

Why we love it: We’ve mentioned it already, but we love the history of the Crystal Ballroom, and we also love the location. The Rice Hotel is near the Theatre District, airport, Minute Maid Park, and the George R. Brown Convention Center, so it’s conveniently located near many landmarks for guests to enjoy. The interior of the space is also gorgeous – crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, a built-in stage is primed for a band, and the full design is original to 1913 when the Crystal Ballroom opened. 

Photo Credit: Agape House Studio

Photo Credit: Agape House Studio

COHEN HOUSE

We are quick to support the colleges and universities who call Houston home, and Rice University is one of them. On their campus, they also have a wonderful venue, the Cohen House, that serves as the faculty’s club. The space includes both interior and exterior spaces, including a garden, and all have a beautiful feel that’s as historic as they are welcoming. 

Why we love it: It’s likely a given, but one of the top reasons why we love this property is for its ties to Rice University! We love the pride of this college, and our couples also love the ease of celebrating their ceremony onsite (if they choose!). Rental of the Cohen House includes multiple spaces, including the living room, terrace, main dining room, and outdoor garden, which provides plenty of inspiration for design and layout. With the ability to host events with up to 300 guests, Cohen House suits the needs of our couples well, while always feeling at once spacious and intimate. 

Photo Credit: Dana Fernandez Photography

Photo Credit: Dana Fernandez Photography

Are you planning a wedding in Houston? Which venue draws you in the most? We would love to talk much more about how Houston can be the backdrop for your wedding day!

Check out our Top Austin Wedding Venue too!

Avery + Kyle's Houston Crystal Ballroom Wedding | Houston Wedding Coordinator

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Avery and Kyle’s wedding at the Crystal Ballroom in Houston was lovely, romantic and sophisticated!

Avery and Kyle hosted their ceremony at St. Luke’s UMC. As Avery processed down the aisle with her father, her stunning cathedral length veil cascading behind her, Kyle beamed from ear to ear. St. Lukes is a beautiful church and worked well for their almost 200 person guest list.

The couple got engaged in Paris, which influenced their design/decor choices.

Their reception was held at the Crystal Ballroom in Houston. This historic venue is located in downtown Houston in what was formerly the Rice Hotel. The venue has spectacular crystal chandeliers, 35-foot ceilings and a full wraparound terrace. It’s also huge- the 5,600 square foot event space and the adjunct 1,400 square foot parlor provide ample room for up to 250 guests. If you want a grande wedding with traditional yet opulent vibes, Crystal Ballroom can deliver!

You’ll see little hints of Paris in the reception design (like the cake and cake topper and lock & key escort card display).  Kyle actually made the “lock & key” escort card display himself- that is some DIY we can get down with!

The day was everything they dreamed for and we’re so happy for them!

Wedding Hashtag: #eiffelinlovewithstelma

Congrats, Mr & Mrs Stelma!

Cast of Houston Wedding Vendors

Wedding Planner: Something to Celebrate

Church: St. Luke’s UMC

Reception Venue: Crystal Ballroom

Cake: Cakes by Gina

Florist: Bella Bloom Couture

Photographer: Agape House Studio

Videographer: Reverent Films

Ceremony Music: St. Luke’s United MC

Reception Music: Bradley David Entertainment

Rentals: Elegant Beginnings

Transportation: Trans Consultants

Hair/Makeup: Blush & Co

Hotel Block: Lancaster Hotel

Erin & David's Bell Tower on 34th Wedding | Houston Wedding Coordinator

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When we think about Erin and David’s Bell Tower on 34th wedding, pretty in pink comes to mind! This feminine fete was frilly and fabulous.

Erin and David’s wedding was a truly joyful day. We’re pretty sure Erin didn’t stop smiling once- she’s a bubbly and beautiful personality that embraced the celebration.

One of our favorite things about this wedding is that as elegant as it was, it was also full of personality. There was a carefree quality about the day that sticks with us- anytime a couple wants a balloon arch AND elaborate florals, we’re down for the challenge! It all came together better than we could have imagined.

Wedding Hashtag: #NewBeJennings

Cast of Houston Wedding Vendors:

Venue: The Bell Tower on 34th

Cake: Who Made The Cake Houston

Florist: Flora Eventi

Photographer: Dana Fernandez Photography

Videography: Cakewalk Films

Ceremony Music: Divisi Strings

Reception Music: Drywater Band

Balloon Installation: Big Ass Balloons

Beauty: Hey Lovely Makeup

Robert and Ben's Hughes Manor Wedding | Houston Wedding Coordinator

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As we draft this post, it’s Pride month. But we’re also in the middle of a Pandemic, civil unrest (due to the George Floyd case and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter Movement) and an even more recent failed attempt to negatively affect health-care legislation for the LGBTQ community.

To say that 2020 has proven to be one of the most profound and intense of our time & career could be an understatement. Although we don’t usually preface our posts with current events, it feels important to recognize that moments in history like this have a huge impact on weddings. Couples are persevering in tumultuous times. LOVE is powerful and worth fighting for.

It is an honor to have a diverse mix of clients- every walk of life, every race, gender, creed and culture is accepted and welcomed into our family.

It is a privilege to evolve in our business and to find ways to serve our couples and the wedding community. We advocate for equal rights in our community and hope that our couples know that we’ll continue to advocate for them.

Robert and Ben recently celebrated their first anniversary, so we want to first wish them a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY and second, they recently celebrated the birth of their son! Congratulations all around, as we’re so excited to share their beautiful celebration with you!

These two were so much fun to work with- and their friends and family were equally awesome. The ceremony was conveniently held outside at Hughes Manor- they exchanged vows outside in perfect weather and then headed inside for the reception.

Hughes Manor has a beautiful design with gorgeous architectural design & details. We were able to play off of the existing decor to create a classic, clean wedding style that was romantic and masculine.

It was truly a PARTY with amazing food, lively entertainment (The Pictures Band came in from Austin) and a packed dance floor. The night wrapped with a festive second line.

Congrats again, you two! Wishing you all the best today and always.

Cast of Houston Wedding Vendors

Photography: Nate Messarra Photo

Catering: LaRue Catering

Venue: Hughes Manor

Cake: Kelly Q’s

Florist: Floral Events

Videographer: MIA Videos

Ceremony Entertainment: Divisi Strings

Reception Entertainment: The Pictures

Hair + Makeup: Pink Palette Artists

Kristen + Corey's Hotel ZaZa Wedding

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We were so excited to help high school sweethearts, Kristen + Corey, tie the knot! The couple dated all through college, even though they were in different states. They share a beautiful love that has already endured through many years, and you can feel the deep connection between the two of them! Hotel ZaZa in Houston was the setting for the big day.

Kristen and Corey each spent their wedding mornings getting ready separately with their bridesmaids and groomsmen. Kristen and her bridesmaids captured sweet photos together where they all wore matching floral robes before Kristen slipped into her wedding dress. Once they were ready, Kristen and Corey met inside Hotel ZaZa to share their first look together (it was, unfortunately, too windy to move forward with the original plan to meet outside).

Just before the ceremony, when the weather was a bit clearer, the pair ducked outside to capture photos together in the gardens. Although the weather was less than ideal, these are some of our favorite photos from their wedding day because it felt like every flower was in bloom! The colors are beautiful, and they both look so happy and relaxed whether they’re pictured together or with members of their wedding party. 

From the beginning, Kristen and Corey shared they wanted to exchange their vows inside during their ceremony. Blooming Gallery brought plenty of soft blush and ivory colors inside through the flowers that lined either side of the aisle. Plus, the team also added several tall arrangements perched on Lucite boxes to create a beautiful altar and backdrop. 

After they exchanged their vows and celebrated their first moments of being married, Kristen and Corey joined their guests once again for their cocktail hour and reception. The pair decided to serve two signature drinks – a margarita for her and a Manhattan for him – as well as a menu created by the catering team at Hotel ZaZa. 

Inside their reception in the Phantom Ballroom, Blooming Gallery again incorporated elegant, garden-like florals. Tables alternated between boasting tall and low centerpieces of roses, hydrangeas, and eucalyptus, and the look was as beautiful in this space as it was during the ceremony. 

Whether they were sharing their first dance together, joining their parents, or celebrating with their guests, Kristen and Corey loved being on the dance floor. They did take a dancing break, though, to cut their cake by Susie’s Cakes with cascading flowers by Blooming Gallery. He also had a fish themed groom’s cake!

We loved planning Kristen and Corey’s wedding celebration, and we are so thankful to have witnessed their joy from the beginning of their day until they ran through a lineup of their guests tossing rose petals as they left at the end of the night. Thank you to Nancy Aidee Photo for capturing these photos!

Cast of Houston Wedding Vendors:

Planner: Something to Celebrate

Venue: Hotel ZaZa

Cake: Susies Cakes

Florist/Rentals: Blooming Gallery

Photographer: Nancy Aidee Photo

Videographer: AGB Videography

Ceremony Music: Divisi Strings

Reception Music: Bradley David Entertainment

Lighting: GTX Productions

Hair/Makeup: Blush & Co

Linda + Anson's Houston Museum of Natural Science Wedding

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One of the greatest benefits of planning weddings in Houston and beyond is the wonderful variety of venues available to our couples for their celebrations. And, today’s location could not have been more fun or fitting for our couple.

We’re off to the Houston Museum of Natural Science to share more about Linda and Anson’s wedding day!

When Linda and Anson decided to host their December wedding day at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, they knew they wanted to embrace the holiday season and the museum’s exhibits. So, they planned all of their additional décor and styling elements around what was available in their space. That’s one of the best ways to develop your wedding style – allow what is present in your space to inspire the rest!

After getting ready and sharing their first look together, Linda walked down the aisle with her mom. We loved seeing the museum’s Christmas trees tucked along the walls on either side of the ceremony space. They added a wonderful nod to the holiday season without turning their celebration into one with full Christmas styling. Linda and Anson recited their vows in front of their guests before recessing back down the aisle to join the fun that would ensue during their cocktail hour and reception. 

The cocktail and reception spaces could not have been more unique for Linda and Anson! Dinosaur fossils overlooked the party and added an undeniable amount of unique fun and energy. Lounge seating was placed throughout the cocktail space to add modern style, and the same aesthetic continued in the reception where tables were topped with low centerpieces and tall candelabras by Secret Floral Garden. 

Outside of embracing their venue’s details, Linda and Anson also wanted to offer their guests plenty of entertainment.

Their band, Sick Duck/Party On, kept guests dancing, and their DJ, Roger, kicked the celebration up a notch. We loved seeing Anson drumming too! L+A also had a popup magician, thanks to Dylan Bryson, and plenty of delicious desserts by Who Made the Cake. 

As you can see from their photos by Laning Photography, Linda and Anson’s wedding day was filled with the best energy, and we’re so thrilled to share some of their best moments with you! 

Cast of Houston wedding vendors

Photography: Laning Photography

Wedding Planner: Something to Celebrate

Venue: Houston Museum of Natural Science

Officiant: Samuel Kwan

Catering/Bar: Cafe Natalie

Cake: Who Made The Cake

Florist: Secret Floral Garden

Video: Reverent Wedding Films

Photo Booth: Flashbar Photobooth

Magician: Dylan Bryson

Ceremony Music: Third Floor Strings

Reception Music: Sick Duck/Party On

Beauty: Souki 

Makeup: Elaine Nguyen + Devyn Lyles

Lindsey + Rickey's Station 3 Houston Wedding

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It’s not every day that we get to plan a wedding at a Houston Fire Station! Well, okay, to be fair, Station 3 isn’t an active fire station! This is a bit of a throwback for us, but we realized we hadn’t shared it before! Fortunately, it’s still relatively “on trend” for today’s couples that are still loving greenery and color.

Station 3, otherwise known as "Stonewall", was one of Houston's original fire stations.  Built in 1903, its everlasting motto, "Trust in Us" can still be seen etched into the building’s stone today.  Station 3 is one of the city’s historical landmarks, located directly outside of downtown.  The original brick, wood floors, concrete beams, and intricate hand-carved exterior stonework all add to its timeless beauty and charm.

Station 3 underwent a complete restoration project in 2014, bringing many of its amenities into the 21st century.  

It’s hard to deny the unique character of this charming venue! It was the perfect fit for Lindsey + Rickey’s early November wedding. These two have a great time together and their intimate wedding was a blast from start to finish. They really kept lighthearted all day and it was a beautiful sight to see- we’re always happy when our couples are happy!

Be sure to check out their wedding photo slideshow too!

Cast of Houston Wedding Vendors

Coordinator: Something to Celebrate

Venue: Station 3

Catering: Cafe Natalie

Bar: Station 3

Cake: Who Made the Cake

Florist: Floral Events

Photography: Al Torres Photography Inc

Music: DJU Entertainment

Bridesmaids Hair: Pink Palette Artists

Make up: Jentry Kelley

Emilie + Peter's Big Sky Barn Wedding | Houston Wedding Designer & Planner

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While they were planning their wedding, Emilie and Peter hoped to find a wedding venue that combined modern style with a rustic aesthetic. They could not have found a more perfect spot to celebrate than Big Sky Barn. The space is located just over an hour outside of Houston, perfectly situated between the city and The Woodlands, and it served as the ultimate destination for E+P to recite their vows and celebrate with their guests during their ceremony and reception. 

One of the greatest perks of Big Sky Barn is couples can spend their mornings onsite getting ready. This helps to create an even more relaxed atmosphere, which we could both see and feel while Emilie and her bridesmaids prepped for the day ahead. Sunkissed & Made Up were on hand for hair and makeup, and the gals looked so happy and content in their robes for the morning! 

Rather than seeing Peter during a first look, Emilie and her dad shared a first look together. The moment was sweet, and we’re certain it helped to calm any nerves Emilie may have been feeling. Plus, knowing Emilie and Peter had yet to see each other until her walk down the aisle added an extra layer of fun and excitement to their ceremony!

Emilie and Peter’s ceremony was hosted inside at Big Sky Barn, which was a wonderful choice because of the weather (they celebrated in August, after all!) and because the architecture inside the barn is stunning. Plenty of natural light filled the space, thanks to the large windows located throughout, and we loved the deep stained wooden beams layered throughout the ceiling. Emilie and Peter chose to accent the space thoughtfully with help from their florist, Last Petal, who added greenery with ribbon along the aisle and an arch filled with roses and eucalyptus to act as an additional backdrop. 

Emilie is a veterinarian so their dog,  Oliver, who is absolutely adorable, had to be included in the festivities. His walk down the aisle elicited plenty of awes. And of course, when Emilie followed, there were plenty of happy tears shed!

Post ceremony, Emilie and Peter stepped outside with their photographer, The Silhouette Studio, to capture couple’s portraits as sunset neared. Golden hour is known as one of the best times to capture photos because the light is even warmer, and we think the results are beautiful! Big Sky Barn’s property is as fabulous as its interior. Post photos, E+P rejoined their guests inside the barn for their reception. Last Petal adorned round and long tables with alternating looks between lanterns encircled with greenery and dahlias that matched the bouquets and long greenery garlands, respectively. The blooms and greens felt rustic, but they also matched the couple’s desired modern style. 

Whether we were witnessing Emilie and Peter share their first dance together or their dances with their parents, celebrate their cake cutting or enjoy the menu prepared by City View Catering, spend plenty of time of the dance floor with family and friends or step outside to enjoy a cigar, E+P’s wedding was a complete delight from beginning to end. We are so grateful The Silhouette Studio captured every moment for us to share with you!

Cast of Houston Wedding Vendors

Photographer: The Silhouette Studio

Venue: Big Sky Barn

Officiant: Lifelong Grace Ministries

Caterer: City View Catering

Alcohol: Southern Rum Runners

Cake: Supreme Kakes

Florist: Last Petal

Videographer: Monroe Wedding Video

All Music: Royal Dukes Band 

Transportation: A&H Premium LLC

Rentals: Premiere Events

MakeUp: Sunkissed and Made Up

Ice Cream: Marble Slab Creamery