Weddings to Celebrate: Varsha & Rahul | Houston Wedding Planner

Varsha & Rahul got married at the beautiful venue Las Velas last fall. I had the absolute pleasure of working with them through the entire planning process. Below are some images captured by the amazing John Ly of John Ly Photography. 

Varsha & Rahul- I had such a great time working with you! You are an amazing couple and I wish you a lifetime of happiness :) 

Lauren 

Cast of Vendors

Venue: Las Velas

Coordinator: Something to Celebrate, Lauren Carrillo

Photographer:

John Ly Photography, John Ly 

Florist/Mandap/Rentals: Prashe Decor

Linens/Rentals: The Perfect Touch Linens

Caterer: Madras Pavilion

Cakes: Edible Designs by Jessie 

DJ: DJ Yogi-G

Weddings to Celebrate: Sandra & Dustin | Houston Wedding Planner

Sandra & Dustin have been together a long time.  A very, very long time.  They are high school sweethearts.  And now...ten years, college, two furbabies, and two careers later...they are husband and wife.  They are so cute together and so comfortable to be around ... I loved every appointment I had with them.  And it was crystal clear that their families and friends felt the same way I did:  they were surrounded that night with people who adorned them.  The happiness just filled the room! 

Sandra hired me to help her with the majority of the coordinating, including the decor design.  I couldn't have been more pleased with how everything came out.  Here is a glimpse of their special day, courtesy of Tina with Agape House Studio

.  Tina is not only incredibly talented (I had a terrible time narrowing down the pictures to blog) and super sweet ... she's efficient.  This wedding was just two weeks ago!  Love that kind of turnaround!

Guys - thank you so much again for letting me help you plan your big day.  It was a blast!!  You HAVE to stay in touch.  :-)

xoxo,

Cast of AWESOME Vendors....

Photographer:  Tina, Agape House Studios

Coordinator:  Resha, Something to Celebrate

Venue / Catering:  Hotel ZaZa

Cakes:  Susie's Cakes

Floral and Decor:  Dan, Darryl & Co

Custom table runners:  Elegant Beginnings, Inc.

Lighting:  Impressive Events

DJ:  LG Entertainment

Lighting, Lighting and More Lighting!

So I have to admit, initially, I wasn't a fan of lighting at weddings.  Visions of ill-colored ballrooms and misplaced monograms were all I could see when I thought about artificial lighting at weddings.  But soon after I started my internship here at Something to Celebrate, I was introduced to lighting done right--and boy has it changed my perspective!  The appropriate uplighting and pin spots can totally transform a space.  Lighting can make the ordinary extraordinary and literally make your guests feel as if they walked into a magical place.  Check out some of the great lighting techniques below:

Happy Planning!

Kourtney

Wedding to Celebrate:: Erin & Matt | Austin Wedding Planner

While going to a rain plan is not how most couples envision their wedding day, Erin and Matt didn't let the rain ruin their day! It has been said that rain on your special day can be considered a stroke of luck for several reasons. Rain symbolizes blessings, cleansing, unity, and a new day--here are some pictures by

Number9 Photography

of Erin and Matt's

blessed

wedding day! :)

 Their wedding was at the charming hill country B&B, Hoffman Haus, in Fredricksburg, TX

Erin & Matt- We wish you many years of happiness together! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your special day.

Cast of Vendors:

Coordinator: Something To Celebrate, Jessica Moore

Venue: Hoffman Haus

Officiant: Mike Reinhart

Caterer: Delicious Details

Cake: Sophie's Choice Bakery

Florist: Verbena Floral Design

Photography: Number9 Photography

Music: Full Circle Media

Hair/Makeup: Pamela's Beauty Secrets

Rentals: Class A Rentals

Discount on Photography!!

I was recently contacted by Houston photographer, Ashleigh Rouse. Ashleigh would like to start shooting weddings, and would also like to work with us.  So..she has offered one of our lucky clients the following specials:

(a)  FREE engagement session with the purchase of $100 bridal session
(b)  $500 special on wedding and reception package

For your chance to win this great gift, you must be a current Something To Celebrate client. Just send a quick email to weddings@somethingtocelebrate.com and let us know you're interested. Winner will be notified via email in one week.

Have a great weekend!
 

Weddings to Celebrate: Mica & Giorgio | Houston Wedding Planner

Mica is special.  And not just because she is poised, kind, caring, funny, intelligent and beautiful.  She is also my cousin (well...my husband's cousin...but I claim her as my own).  She and Giorgio met on a cruise many moons ago.  They connected instantly and have been inseparable since.  When she told me she was engaged last year, I immediately offered to help her plan.  We had so much fun working on this wedding together.  The results of our many months of planning and Holly's (another STC coordinator ... she is fantastic) excellent day-of execution are pictured below.  All of these pictures were taken by Stacy & Stan Crossless than two weeks ago (impressive).  Do NOT miss the paragraph on her below.  She is worth reading about. 

Now, typically, I list the cast of vendors without much comment.  For this one though, everything was too amazing not to comment on.  First and foremost:  Stacy Cross

- photographer extraordinaire.  Mica fell in love with Stacy's work after she took pictures of my newborn daughter in 2007.  She has been a loyal blog-follower since.  She knew back then that she wanted Stacy to photograph her wedding, and 4.5 years later ... that is exactly what happened.  Stacy "knocked it out of the park."  I don't think these pictures could have turned out any more beautiful.  If you don't know Stacy - you need to.  I am honored to call her a friend, and feel so blessed that she came into my life. 

And then the flowers.  Oh the flowers.  Lisa Tran with The Blooming Gallery

(formally Wedding Flowers by Lisa) is, hands down, one of the best florists I have ever had the privileged of working with.  The flowers made the decor.  Without a doubt.  Guests talked all night about how beautiful they were.  I found myself starring at them all night.  They took my breath away!  Not one stem in Lisa's work is artificial....or imperfect, for that matter.  She is a perfectionist down to the last detail, and it shows in every event she has ever worked with me.  Plus she is one of the nicest people I have ever met. 

The Bell Tower on 34th Street(reception venue),

Susie's Cakes (you can not find a better tasting cake in Houston),

LG Entertainment (dj & lighting), Avalon Music (mariachis) were all fantastic as well.  They went above and beyond to make sure Mica had a fantastic time.  I have worked with them over-and-over again, and I look forward to every event I do with them. 

Mica & Giorgio - I can't wait to watch our children play together one day :-)  I wish you a lifetime of happiness, and hope that you get everything your heart desires.

xoxo,

The Date You'll Say I Do

One of the first tasks you will face once you get engaged is deciding what day you and your beloved will tie the knot.  Its hard, though not impossible, to move forward with most of the other tasks until you've picked a date.


And, oh, are there so many things to consider when settling on what day you will walk down the aisle.  The list can be never-ending if you let it, but here are the most important ones to remember:

1) Family and close friends - Now I'm not talking about your great uncle's sister-in-law's cousin's daughter.  I'm referring to those 5-10 people (maybe less) that you cannot imagine getting married with out.  What day's can they absolutely not be there?

2) Vendors - Is there a location at which you've wanted to say "I do" since you were 8?  Is there a florist you've had your heart set on for as long as you can remember? Especially if you're aiming to get married within the next 6 months you might one to check on that one, perfect vendor's availability before committing to a date.

3) Holidays and Other Special Occasions - Some people love the idea of getting married on an extra-special day (Valentine's Day, New Year's Eve), other's don't.  Both are fine, just remember if you are considering a holiday weekend some of your guests may already have commitments. Also don't forget to beware of dates like Super Bowl Sunday (as well as other sporting events) and religious holidays.


Above all, remember this day is about you, your soon-to-be-spouse, and your new life together.  Prioritize the things that are important to you so that you know what things you are more willing to bend on.  For example, if the two dates you are deciding between are one when the photographer you love is booked and one when your brother is studying abroad in Australia, then you know which date to pick because you've prioritized your...well...your priorities.

Happy date-picking!

Holly

Weddings to Celebrate:: Karen and Curtis, Emmaus and Barton Creek Country Club

Karen and Curtis hired me as their day-of coordinator, and I was thrilled to make sure their day was as beautiful and seamless as they envisioned it to be. The decor was gorgeous, very elegant and sophisticated (just like the couple!). They said their vows at the exquisite Emmaus Church in Lakeway, then partied the night away--this was a bunch that liked to celebrate--at Barton Creek Country Club. Karen chose a chic palette of crisp champagne, creamy white and sage green. Karen and Curtis, I wish you many years of happiness together! Thank you for letting me be a part of your special day.
--Katie









This was a hilarious game where the bridesmaids blindfolded Curtis
and made him choose which lady was his new bride by, well, feel.

Notice they added a surprise at the end of the row!









Cast of Vendors
Coordinator: Something to Celebrate, Katie Netherton
Florist: Exquisite Petals
Photographer: Studio 563
Videographer: Altared Weddings
Venue: Barton Creek Country Club
Decor: Townsley Designs; Sweet Sunday; Ilios

Couples to Celebrate: Meredith's Bridal Shoot

My sweet bride Meredith got hitched this past weekend, and now it's safe to share my favorite picture from her bridal session. Isn't this beautiful??! ! For more of the fantastic photos, check out Rachel Robinson's blog. She really did a bang-up job :-) I can't WAIT to see the pictures from the wedding this weekend (and share them with you all, of course).



xoxo,

Below the Radar Venues!

In case you don't know, I LOVE non-traditional wedding venues. I love it when I see a wedding in a space that is so out of left-field that turns out so beautifully, you wonder why no one thought of it sooner. Thus, I am constantly scouring the internet for new or non-traditional venues to hold a wedding. Libraries, restaurants, theatres and parks, are venues that make for beautiful weddings! Here are just a few I've discovered:
The Clayton House is a three story brick Georgian style house built in 1917 and designed by Birdsall P. Briscoe. The house was the home of Houston businessman and statesman William Lockhart Clayton and his wife Susan Ada Vaughn Clayton until 1958, when it was deeded to the City of Houston to be used for library purposes. The public can rent out the house for private events. With its central Museum district location and well-manicured grounds, the Clayton House would be ideal for an outdoor wedding.
Don't laugh--it's true! The Houston Zoo maintains some of the best venues in the city. Specifically, the Reflection Pool is one of the most magnificent settings in the zoo. It's elegant and romantic setting makes for an unforgettable wedding as you say your vows at the top of steps while standing under 50 year-old arching oak trees. This backdrop makes for the perfect place to get married!
The Heritage Society is the custodian of some of the city’s oldest structures. This unusual outdoor facility in Houston’s first public park is available for weddings, receptions, cocktail parties, seated dinners, or other special events. Connally Plaza can be easily tented or left open and will accommodate a very large crowd. The Museum Gallery and Tea Room offer beautiful photographs, paintings, and other decorative arts for your guests’ viewing pleasure. St. John Church provides an unforgettable location for an intimate wedding ceremony. A backdrop of downtown Houston’s skyscrapers set against Sam Houston Park is impressive and unique.
While the Houston Ballet and the Houston Symphony may call this building home, it also happens to boast one of the greatest event spaces in the city. The Grand Lobby of the Wortham Center is truly "grand" with its sky-high ceilings and enormous windows. The Grand Lobby hosts banquets and galas year-round and could be the site of your wedding.
Trevísio, the spectacular restaurant atop the John P. McGovern Texas Medical Center Commons Building in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, complete with two mesmerizing sixty-four foot exterior waterfalls, provides a wonderful backdrop for your next special event. Trevísio’s private dining rooms and conference center can accommodate functions of all sizes and descriptions, for groups of five to 500. The restaurant boasts seven private dining rooms, including two glass-enclosed areas located in the main dining room.
Happy Planning!
Kourtney

Weddings to Celebrate ::Erica and Joe, W hotel Austin

Erica and Joe came to me from a recommendation of their friend and my former bride, Kari. I love referrals from former clients because not only is it the highest compliment I could receive, but I get to see the client again at the friend's wedding! :)

I love Erica and Joe's engagement story. He's a computer guy and she's a graphics artist, so they met when they worked together designing webpages (among other things). A little inside joke was Erica's distaste of QR codes, for numerous reasons. On a trip to NYC, Joe arranged for a little scavenger hunt where each clue was found via a carefully placed QR code! The ending clue took them to a haberdashery where Erica's hat of choice was presented in a hat box, along with a ring and a nervous boyfriend on one knee. LOVE!

I nicknamed Erica and Joe my "QR Couple" and was so excited to pitch my tech-savy ideas to them. Like, a QR code on the back of the programs to say thank you or display the menu, and flat screens set up on a loop of pictures streamed live from the guests' smartphones. So fun!

Erica and Joe - thank you for choosing me as your day-of coordinator. You were insanely easy to work with, and so fun. I have no doubt you'll have an equally easy-going, simply joyous marriage. Congratulations!

xoxo,
jessica

Check out these photos from California wedding photographer, Bluephoto:


















Cast of Vendors:
Something To Celebrate
W Hotel Austin
Le Fluer Vintage
Bluephotography
The Rocket Brothers

Weddings to Celebrate: Kelly & Shaun

I had so much fun coordinating the day-of for Kelly and Shaun's February wedding at Memorial Drive United Methodist and The Courtyard on St. James. Kelly, a 3rd year law student, and Shaun, a practicing lawyer are a match made in courtroom heaven. :-) They are surrounded by a super support group of family and friends, and the love they have for them radiates. Add to that a couple of great venues + great food + flowers that filled the room with a glorious garden aroma, and you have one simply charming event.

See below for the exceptional video from MIA Productions. Vicky with MIA sent it to me the WEEK after their wedding. Gotta love that kind of turnaround!

http://vimeo.com/381881111

And here are some of the cute pictures Scott Kelly (of Scott Kelly Photography) captured. He also had these done in record time. I love this turnaround we have been experiencing lately :-) Enjoy!!





















































Guys - I hope your marriage is all you've ever dreamed of and more!

xoxo,




Cast of Vendors...

Ceremony Venue: Memorial Drive United Methodist Church
Reception Venue & Catering: The Courtyard on St. James
Coordinator: Something to Celebrate, Resha Zazueta
Videographer: MIA Productions

Weddings to Celebrate :: Tori and Casey at Red Corral Ranch

Oh how I love working at Red Corral Ranch! It's a gorgeous venue that's so easy to personalize - each wedding we do there looks different from the next. I am honored to be able to work at Red Corral Ranch so often, and am so grateful to be on their list of preferred vendors.

I first met Tori and her mom over one year ago, and knew almost instantly that I wanted to work with them. Like mother like daughter, these two young women are so sweet, and truly best friends. I loved being their "day of" wedding coordinator. :)

Tori and Casey (and Michelle!), thank you so much for trusting us with your day. It was a fabulous celebration, and Travis was quite possibly the best Best Man ever. God's richest blessings on your marriage. Keep in touch!

xoxo,
jessica











Cast of Vendors:
Something To Celebrate
Red Corral Ranch
Royal Fig
Michelle's Patisserie
Rosehip Flora
Debra Gulbas Photography
Musical Discovery Chamber Players
Full Circle Media
Booth66
Ilios
Jentri Quinn

Video from this weekend's wedding at the W

Erica and Joe brought in California photographer/videographer Jonathan Roberts of Bluephoto Wedding Photography for their wedding at the W hotel this weekend. He was great to work with, and knocked my socks off when he sent me this video this morning. Talk about quick turnaround!  Enjoy. :)


20120330-Erica-and-Joe-Wedding from JR on Vimeo.

Couples to Celebrate: Sara & Rico

As many of you might know, the equally talented photographers Ben Godkin and Sweet Caroline have joined forces as Caroline + Ben Photography. What a dynamic duo! It's like an explosion of talent with each click of the shutter. My sweet friends Sara and Rico just had their engagement shots done with Caroline, and I thought I'd share a peak of the beautiful results. Sara and Rico are getting married July 8th at the lovely Camp Lucy, and I could not be happier to help them plan their day. Can't wait! And I'm so excited to see the day through Caroline's talented eye. Enjoy!







Venues to Celebrate: All Hail the Ballroom Wedding!

Rustic, vintage, outdoor weddings have been all the rage for the past few years. With all the natural light, gorgeous scenery, and DIY details, what's there not to love about them! But as every trend before them, the rustic wedding trend will pass away. And what will couples be left to choose from--the tried and true ballroom. Try as we might to get away from them, ballroom weddings are like the South--they will rise again! And Texas has no short of gorgeous ballrooms to hold your special celebration. Consider the venues below when planning your next big celebration:


St. Regis Astor Ballroom - Houston
Petroleum Club - Houston
Driskill Hotel - Austin
The Corinthian - Houston
The Crystal Ballroom - Houston

Happy Planning!

Kourtney

Weddings to Celebrate :: Lindsey and Laron, Mansion at Judges Hill

I love these two. Really. LOVE them. :)
I was helping one of my clients secure her wedding venue when the venue rep let us know that "Sorry, but our other sales person just booked that date." So we secured another date, no problem. But then a few weeks later, the venue rep came back and said the original date was now open.
Enter Lindsey and Laron.
Lindsey and Laron had originally booked the popular date, but then found out Laron was going to be deployed. This hiccup resulted in postponing the wedding one year, and Lindsey having to do most of the planning without Laron on the same continent. Laron didn't want Lindsey to feel she was navigating wedding planning on her own, so they came to me for help with everything from design to vendor selection. And I am so glad they did.
These two people are quite possibly the kindest people God has placed on this earth. It was a joy to get to know Lindsey and Laron in our 1.5 years working together, and truly an honor to be a part of their wedding celebration. I'm thrilled to share these pictures with you - enjoy!

Lindsey and Laron - what can I say? Thank you for choosing me. And thank you for trusting me with your wedding. I miss you! Hope you're loving your new life as husband and wife, in Germany!
Much love,
jessica


A page from the design board that I created for Lindsey and Laron

Flower Inspiration page from the design board I created









Texas music legend Jerry Jeff Walker made a surprise appearance.
The only people who knew ahead of time were the groom's parents
and us. Such a fun surprise to pull-off!













 




 






Be sure to check out Lindsey and Laron's wedding video as well.

Cast of Vendors:
Jessica Moore, Something To Celebrate wedding and event coordination
The Mansion at Judges Hill
The Mill Photography Studio
Joe Simon Wedding Films
Flora Fetish
Michelle's Patisserie
Mike Rinehart
Kevin Smith, FC Media
Ilios Lighting
Maris Malone Calderon