Sweet Couture

I have to take a moment to rave about Mia Bridal Couture. I just spent some time with the owner, Emily, and adored her. What a warm, congenial woman! After our first five minutes together I felt like I had a new girlfriend. It can be hard to find high end retailers who aren't snooty or stuffy, but Emily and her intimate staff at Mia are neither. Brides are greeted at the new salon by modern white stylings with accents of mirrored elegance. The boutique is just gorgeous and done in a contemporary way that is comfortable and inviting. I loved that 27 Dresses was playing on a wall-mounted flat screen above the front desk! Emily is so caring of every bride that comes in. She thoughtfully plans her inventory to include a stunning variety of styles and price points to accommodate a range of preferences and budgets. Any bride with an appointment at Mia is in for a treat! You will get the special service you deserve.

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Fashion & Philanthropy

Houston brides: grab your mom, grandmas, sisters, friends, and Save the Date for "Something Old, Something New" a Bridal Trunk Show and Charity Event brought to you by Green Lily Events and Maison de Mode. We'll be unveiling the 2010 collections of Angel Sanchez and The Cotton Bride while benefiting The Fairy Godmother Project.

Check out these gorgeous gowns from Angel Sanchez's 2009 collection. You won't want to miss the introduction of his 2010 collection as well as The Cotton Bride's 2010 line by Chris Kole. Sip champagne or wine and nibble on artisan cheeses as your mingle amongst the featured gowns on display.

Maison de Mode is opening their doors to guests for this beautiful event, Thursday November 12th 5:30pm - 8:30pm. Come and see their gorgeous boutique with floor to ceiling windows off Rice Blvd, exposed brick architecture, plush seating vignettes and discerning racks of bridal gowns. Indulge in mini-makeovers, style tips, and goody bags. Bid on a generous Laura Mercier gift basket up for silent auction.

And while you're enjoying this night of fashion, what could be better than adding a dash of philanthropy? The Fairy Godmother Project takes donations of gently-used formal gowns and accessories, such as shoes, purses, and jewelry, and gifts them to underprivileged Houston high school students for their senior prom. I know every one of us has some once worn formal gown in the back of our closet we swear we'll wear again, but rarely ever do. Why not transform your something old into a deserving students something new? Bring your donations to the event. Maison de Mode will remain open through the weekend, Nov 13-15, as a donation location for The Fairy Godmother Project.

We hope to see you there!

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Hilton Post Oak

Just had a delightful morning with Rachel Hudson, Catering Services Manager for Weddings at the Hilton Post Oak. What a great venue for brides! Well, really two venues...

With 19 ft ceilings and stunning Louis XIV-style crystal chandeliers, the Grand Ballroom is gorgeous! Divided into three sections, the room can accommodate up to 1000 guests open or can be sectioned off for a ceremony and reception or to better fit your size party. Hilton Post Oak will allow outside catering and has established preferred relationships with vendors specializing in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine. This is the spot for your cultural soiree!

For a more intimate wedding, Hilton Post Oak offers the Vendome and the Post Oak rooms. The Vendome is historic in it's vintage wood paneling and has a sophisticated, French chateau feel. The Post Oak rooms are ideal for a mid-size affair with an established bar and and striking columns.

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Nancy Aidee Photography

I just had a moment to catch up with the beautiful and talented Nancy Aidee. She shared all her latest and greatest work with me and I was truly inspired by her editorial style. Nancy is passionate about utilizing natural light, rarely working with photoshop, but often shooting her clients  outdoors to capture the right effect at the right time. Enjoy some of Nancy's favorite images she shared with me...

 

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One year!

I'm happy to report my husband, Brian, and I just celebrated our first wedding anniversary. As a tribute, and a glimpse into my own personal style and taste, I thought I would share pictures from our wedding on October 10, 2008. I actually planned two events; an original wedding on a hilltop in Austin. Unfortunately the property was sold to private owners who closed it down and canceled our wedding 4 months before the date leaving me to scramble and find any other venue with my day open. I was blessed to find Ashton Gardens, right here in Houston. A beautiful venue which brings the outdoors in. So I tell all my brides, no worries!! Things have a way of working out, no matter how bad it seems. Please enjoy photography from the talented Shannon Drawe.

Watching all the guests arrive, feeling the anticipation rising!
(fresh water pearl chandelier earrings by Regina B)

My Dad walks me down the aisle, we had to munch on skittles before hand to bite back the tears!

(silk tulle veil by Pronovias)

 

We had a traditional ceremony. Beautiful white and mini green hydrangea clusters lined the aisle.

(flowers by Rebekah Graves of Dream Bouquet)

 

 Our first shot as husband and wife! I carried a medium cascade of phalaenopsis orchids. At the last second, one of my bridesmaids picked one out of my bouquet to pin in my hair! Loved it!

(Spanish lace & silk organza gown by Manuel Moto "Elat")

 

YAY! Mr & Mrs. Scott!

(Bridesmaids wore Dessy sweetheart gowns in Concord and carried picasso calla lilies)

(Groomsmen in Mens Wearhouse, tuscany vest & tie set in bisque)

 

 A moment alone walking into our reception. We had no idea this shot was being taken!

Our Monogrammed Ice Martini Luge for cocktail hour featuring my favorite drink, cosmopolitan, and Brian's, dirty martini, with our favorite variety of olives; regular, garlic, & blue cheese stuffed.
(Ice Martini Luge by Ice Occasions)

Our tables were named after different places my husband and I had been to together. The front side of the table card had the location and the back side a brief description of why that place was special to us. Our stationary, by William Arthur, was continued at the table with menu cards set in concord napkins announcing the 5-course dinner service.

Three alternating centerpieces filled the room. Shown above; a tall clear vase topped with hydrangea and phalaenopsis (left) a floating tea-light tree dressed in white dendrobiums (center) and a low arrangement of hydrangea and calla lilies (right)

Our candy bar compliments of the mother of the groom. My favorite part was the ring pops in little ring boxes. Guests were wearing them all  night!

Cutting our cake! Four tiers of alternating tres leches and bridal white with strawberry filing. The cake cutter was my something borrowed, a waterford crystal-handed set from my sister and her husband.

(Cake by Cakes by Gina)

 

We faked everyone out with our father/daughter dance. Started out swaying to "My Girl" then busted out the sunglasses and the moves to Billy Ocean.
(reception by 11-piece band Infinite Groove, the most amazing band ever!)

A send off of silk rose petals and wedding bells. We gave cowbells to the groomsmen!

Our getaway car, a 1930's vintage Rolls Royce.

(transportation by Monarch Limousines)

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Modern Bridal Portraits

What a gorgeous Green Lily Bride, Van Nguyen. Well, now it's Mrs. Van Tseng after her wedding this past weekend at Hotel Derek. A gorgeous zen-romance affair using rich greens, golds, and ivories that  I can't wait to blog about soon. For now enjoy a few of my favorites from her bridal portraits. Photography by the talented and awesome Clint Shuttlesworth! I'm so in to his modern, high fashion style. Plus, he's super cool to work with; he makes all his client's feel like superstars in a relaxed, chilled out kind of way.

 

 

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Making a Positive Imprint

So one of my associates at Green Lily, Lauren Ballas, is an amazing LEED AP designer who introduced me to this gorgeously green project. Flower Imprints; an eco-friendly solution to preserving your wedding flowers. So easy, so chic, and absolutely fabulous!

What you'll need:
Cut flowers from a bouquet or centerpiece
Cloth or recycled paper
(The project pictured here re-used paper from wrapping in a package!)
Hammer
Wax paper


Instructions via Lauren:
Take cloth or recycled paper and lay on tile or concrete flooring (don’t put on table or countertop as it may ruin these surfaces)…
Take cut flowers (make sure they are colorful enough to make a print on the surface) fan out and place them face down on the cloth/paper
Place a sheet of wax paper that is big enough to fit over the flowers
Gently hammer the petals and then the center of the flower
Remove wax paper and remnants of the flowers stuck to the cloth/paper
You should end up with a print of the flower
Check out these gorgeous results:

What to do with your imprinted material? Cut a square and put in a frame as a keepsake. Try framing four pieces in different sizes or shapes for a focal wall. Or you could wrap thank you gifts for your family and friends in this commemorative material.

Thanks to Lauren for this wonderful idea. Stay tuned for more amazing design tips from Green Lily Girls.

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Raising the "Bar"

Bars and stations have been the trend for receptions and is an easy way to showcase individual's personalities. I love them as an alternative to buffets or traditional desserts. To check out some of the most amazing dessert buffets I have ever seen, visit Amy Atlas. Some of her amazing work is pictured here. See below for some of the many great ideas for bars you could use to personalize your reception. What's the best bar/buffet display you've seen?

It's been going strong for years:
The Candy Bar
(ala Amy Atlas)

Fresh-baked Cookie Bar:
print the recipe's out
as part of your favours













The latest twist on the Sweets Buffets: A Gourmet Popcorn Bar! Mmmm....

Love the Ice Cream Bars! Don't you adore this signature Amy Atlas style? Her creations are just so perfect!

For savory treats, marry a martini bar with your favorite comfort food: Pictured here is a martini glass full of mashed potatoes and all the fixin's. Try a Mac N Cheese Martini Bar or the more classic Seafood Bar.

Have a cigar rolling station or a cigar display for guests to enjoy one after dinner or to take home as a favour

Ice Bars with your monogram are so hot! They bring that "wow" factor to guests. You can have the whole bar made of ice or just the martini luge. Serve your signature cocktail off it.

For those of you who aren't liquor fans, try a Beer Buffet. You can order your own custom labels to coordinate with your wedding style and apply them to your favorite brews. Ice 'em down in various size buckets and arrange them on a table. Tie ribbon around the buckets with a personalized tag displaying the beers true name. Position a few jars of your favorite bar munchies as a cute addition!

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"Split" Bouquet

Looking to honor a few extra friends at your wedding but don't want a dozen bridesmaids or to put them on guest-book duty? Try a "split" bouquet. Ask your florist to create your bouquet, then split it into equal parts to match the number of "flower" girls you have. You can also do this with the women in your house party. I have seen this done with four people and it worked beautifully. Have each one of your friends stand at the beginning of the aisle with one part of your bouquet. As you begin to walk down the aisle, collect each part of your bouquet as you walk past each honoree. Once you have them all in your hand, they will look like one bouquet again. Have your maid/matron of honor holding an extra length of ribbon so that when you hand your flowers off to her she can wrap them together and tie off with a sweet bow. You may want to give her a chance to practice this at the rehearsal so it goes smoothly during the ceremony.

What I love about this idea is you could easily incorporate your male friends! I saw a bride do this using four of her cousins to honor her late grandmother and she included a note of remembrance in her program. So it could also be a touching tribute.

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Men of Steel

Hot new trend in men's wedding rings: damascus stainless steel. The ring featured here is hand-crafted by damascus-steel artisan Andrew Nyce.

The word "damascus" refers to metal with a visible grain pattern, and this distinct steel was used in middle eastern sword-making from approximately the 12th to the 18th century. What man wouldn't love wearing the same metal used to forge legendary swords of unparalleled sharpness and strength rumored to cut through rock? The technique used to create damascus steel is some what of an ancient art, but Andrew Nyce is a master keeping this rare and beautiful art alive.

On his website, Andrew describes his custom rings as "bold, wide designs...sophisticated, yet distinctly masculine. The intricate patterns are as individual as fingerprints"

The coolest thing about these rings is the wood grain pattern is an unpredictable naturally-occurring design. It can be twisted and rendered by the artisan, but not created. So each ring is a truly unique, one-of-a-kind. Just like your fiance!

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First Step

Congratulations! You found love and had that love returned and now you're engaged to be married! Next step: wedding day....right? Well, yes, that's right, but there are a few steps between now and then. A dear friend of mine is engaged right now and she asked me the other day "where do I start?" She already has the venue, the date, the photographer and the dj; some important check list items you would think would have her feeling almost done. So why does she feel like she's barely started?

Because of the details. Details are what transform your wedding from an event into an experience. A statement, an expression, a unique punctuation impressing guests with an unforgettable memory. But where to begin? Colors? Flowers? Dresses? Cake? Favors?

Start with stationary. Most brides have some sort of a vision on how they would like their wedding day to look and feel. My solution on the best way to translate these dreams into reality is paper. Paper will seal the deal on your wedding day when you sign that marriage license and it is paper that will get you started in the right direction on all the many details.

Go to a local paperie, tell an associate you'd like to look through their books of wedding invitations, and then take your time. Take hours, days, even weeks! These shops have tons of books and plenty of tables and chairs for you to browse at your leisure. Look at every kind of invitation imaginable. They come in all different styles and colors and there is
every kind of font and motif imaginable. You will come across things you've never seen before and you may be surprised at what you like. Once you decide on an invitation that speaks to you, it will keep all other details in line with a cohesive style.

An alternative first step is to hire an event planner! Let us worry about sifting through the endless options to orchestrate one perfectly coordinated affair that frees you up to enjoy your engagement.

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The Office Wedding

If you're an office fan like me, then this was the wedding of the year for you! But what a terrible weekend it was: tacky guests, spilled secrets to the conservative grandmother, divorced parents squawking, and a ripped veil. But take a lesson from Jim and Pam: the most important thing is your commitment to one another. They did what they had to do to make the day their own, and my number one tip to all bride's and groom's is at the end of the day, it's the two of you. If the problem isn't between the two of you, then it's not a problem at all. Just all part of the experience. Plan for the best, but keep your eye on the prize. A marriage to the one you love most. And that is a precious gift to be cherished...

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A Magical Evening in Austin: Ashley + Justin

I'm so excited to share these beautiful pictures from  husband and wife team, Gordon & Lara, of Red Letter Photography! My good friend, Ashley, and her husband, Justin, were just married July 25th at Villa Antonia in Austin, Texas.
As a guest, I was thrilled for the bride and groom and so delighted with all the lovely details.

An intimate ceremony for 120 guests was set with simple white chairs against a panoramic Hill Country sky. Guests were welcomed at their seats with a chic-woven hand fan and ceremony program. Bouquets of bright yellow popped cheerfully against the elegant blue (a deep shade of cornflower) of the bridesmaids. I loved the men all in tan tuxedos with crisp white shirts and coordinating blue ties. The bride looked stunning in a fitted, sweetheart silouette with just a touch of a train. As the two wed under a pergola laced with yellow blooms and fresh greens, I remember my favorite moment when the bride's veil flew straight across her face and into the groom's. She tried to play it straight and ignore it at first, but then she just laughed, gathering it in her hands and replacing it behind herself. It was so wonderfully real, and I was touched with the sincerity of their ceremony.

 Dinner was a real treat, set outside to breathe in more Texas beauty from this amazing hill top. A delicious three-course meal was served as twilight set in.

With champagne and spirits flowing, dancing soon followed in an adjacent hall, rich in medieval elegance, with stone walls and handsome iron chandeliers. Here, the couple shared their first dance as husband and wife, sweetly exchanged tastes of their chocolate wedding cake, and were filled with blessings and wishes from all. All good things come to an end, but I shared in the cheer as guests tossed rose petals on the Bride and Groom as they exited.

So proud to add a little extra green-bit that the couple designed all wedding stationary on recycled paper and the guest's place cards were displayed on re-used corks from wine bottles. A little eco-thought here and there goes a long way! :)

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