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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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.   &nbs...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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