Tuesday November 29, 2011
Photos: Brooke Schwab Photography
"Matt and I live in New York, and a lot of our guests had never been to Texas before," says Paige, a Lone Star native. "So we wanted to show them a good time at a wedding that wasn't too stuffy or formal." The reception was held in the Cullen Sculpture Garden at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where guests dined and danced in clear tents that housed a mix of square and round tables topped with centerpieces of white flowers. "Mixing modern and rustic décor worked really well in the garden," says Paige, who planned her wedding with the help of Keely Thorne Events and her own mother. At the end of the night, guests were given copies of the Sunday New York Times—a nod to the couple's adopted city.
Follow the jump to see more from Paige and Matt's wedding, and visit our Real Weddings page to find other great style ideas.
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Wednesday September 14, 2011
In the Fall/Winter 2011 issue of Brides Houston, we announced the winners of our first-ever Editor's Choice Awards.
It's a way for the editorial staff and me to officially recognize the amazing, forward-thinking, art-creating, call-returning, trend-making wedding vendors who inspire and delight us every time we craft an issue of our magazine. And, most importantly, we're excited to share this winning list with all of you—it's a great place to start assembling your dream team. —Julie Raimondi
See the full list of winners after the jump.
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Photos: courtesy of BHLDN
You still have nearly two months of waiting to endure, but come August 18, brides can finally try on BHLDN wedding gowns in a BHLDN boutique. The Anthropologie-produced line has built an almost cultlike following with non-traditional brides since launching in February, with dresses priced between $1,000 and $4,000. Presumably, the salon space in Houston will match the tone of the styles, which feature a mix of hemlines, bold colors, and funky prints. To ensure that you're one of the first women to shop inside the new store, schedule an appointment on the BHLDN website. And while you wait, mentally try on as many of the line's gowns as you like in our Wedding Dresses gallery. —Phillip B. Crook
Photo: Courtesy of Priscilla of Boston
If you're a total fashionista who wants a gown that's hot off the New York bridal market runway, check out these "sneak peek" trunk shows at the Priscilla of Boston salons in Atlanta and Dallas, which run from Thursday, April 21st through Monday, April 25th. You'll be able to see the newest gowns from perennial favorites Priscilla of Boston, Melissa Sweet, Platinum for Priscilla of Boston, Jewel by Priscilla of Boston, and Vineyard Collection—they're so new that we just have one sneak peek photo of the Melissa Sweet collection, a gown called "Pearl," to show you (we'll have the full collections on the site later this week). But if this gorgeous style is any indication, the new collections will be definitely worth checking out. Visit Priscilla of Boston's website for more information on the trunk shows, and check out our Runway Index to see all of the newest wedding dresses.—Kim Forrest
Courtesy of the Blow Dry Bar Houston
Aside from the actual wedding day, there are lots of "auxiliary events"—bridal showers, bachelorette parties, and rehearsal dinners—where you'll want to be well-coiffed. Getting your hair professionally styled is nice, but it can add up. So that's why we're thrilled about the opening of the Blow Dry Bar Houston. The salon focuses specifically on blowouts and styling hair: no cuts, no coloring. And the best part is, a shampoo and blowout costs just $35 (and if you're feeling fancy, updos start at $55) and they're all about getting you in and out quickly—the whole shebang takes just 30-45 minutes. Upon entering the stylish shop, enjoy a complimentary beverage at the bar, and then choose from a "menu" of hairstyles, which are given cute names like "On the Rocks" (big curls) and "With a Splash" (half-updo). Perfect for bridal and bachelorette parties (and they'll do your hair for your actual wedding day as well!), Blow Dry Bar Houston is located at the corner of Westheimer and River Oaks Boulevard. Visit the Blow Dry Bar's website for more information or to make an appointment and don't forget to check out our hairstyle gallery for great wedding hair ideas.—Mary Beth Somich, Brides Houston
Courtesy of My Plates
We're loving all things heart-themed this Valentine's Day...including license plates. Sounds weird, I know, but in Texas, it's totally street legal to have a heart symbol on your license plate—how cute is that? With the company My Plates (which was awarded a contract by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles), you can create your own custom license plates online. Just visit their website, check if your desired letter/number/symbol combination is available (six characters or less), choose a background and colors, and voila! Your very own (again, completely legal) license plate will be ready in two to three weeks, and able to pick up at your local county office. What a fun Valentine's Day gift for your special someone. Visit My Plates' website for more information or to order. —Kim Forrest, Brides Houston
Tuesday December 21, 2010
Courtesy of ila&i
Houston-based jewelry company ila&i recently released their first bridal collection featuring a selection of engagement rings and wedding bands available in recycled gold. The rings also feature human-friendly diamonds, and all of the designs are made in the USA. I particularly love the baguette band pictured above—it's classic but still so unique. Visit ila&i's website for more information on where to find their bridal collection, and don't forget to check out our jewelry gallery to browse more rings.—Kim Forrest
Tuesday December 21, 2010
Courtesy of Anais Collezioni
The St. Pucchi collection is known for jaw-dropping, couture-inspired wedding dresses. So we were, of course, delighted to hear about a new wedding gown line designed by Rani and her two sons that maintains St. Pucchi's grand, whimsical style, but retails for under $2,000. Called Anais Collezioni, the collection features fashion-forward detailing and modern silhouettes. I'm particularly in love with the dress pictured above—the gold sash accentuates the natural waist, and the silhouette is so flattering. The gowns are already available at stores in 27 states, so visit Anais Collezioni's website for more information on where to find these gorgeous gowns. And don't forget to head over to our dress gallery to see hundreds of amazing wedding dresses.—Kim Forrest
Saturday December 18, 2010
Courtesy of Deville Fine Jewelry
I'm loving Houston-based Deville Fine Jewelry's clever cufflinks. Their unique designs would make fun, personal gifts, like this gear shifter design ($45) which would be perfect for the hard-to-please car enthusiast. They also offer links in other unexpected styles, like stethoscopes ($50), Chinese dragons ($45), and various sports team logos. One of my favorites designs is their set of iPhone cufflinks ($55), which are great if you're stumped on what to get for that Steve-Jobs-worshipping groomsman. Start shopping at devillefinejewelry.com.—Christine Barcellona, Editorial Intern, Brides.com
If you're still stumped on what to get your guys, check out our groomsmen gift ideas.
Thursday December 16, 2010
Photo: Conde Nast Digital Studio
Looking to save big on a gown from the Priscilla of Boston group (this includes the labels Melissa Sweet, Reverie by Melissa Sweet, Vineyard Collection, Platinum for Priscilla of Boston, and Jewel by Priscilla of Boston)? All Priscilla of Boston salons nationwide are hosting their annual sample sale tomorrow, December 17th, starting at 8 a.m. You'll find amazing deals on gowns—up to 75 percent off retail price. And bridesmaid dresses will be priced starting at $34.99—so bring your friends! Visit Priscilla of Boston's website for more information, and check out our dress gallery to do some pre-shopping! —Kim Forrest
Photos: Harrison Studio
"Robert and I love the country, and wanted to have a party where everyone would feel comfortable yet honored," says Marie of their wedding on her grandparents' ranch. The ceremony was held in an oak grove. Bridesmaids wore dresses from Anthropologie and carried bouquets of peonies, hydrangeas, lilacs, and sweet peas. The reception was held in a tent put up on the property's tennis court. The wedding cake, by Edet Okon of Satin Slices, featured five tiers, each a different flavor, including carrot, chocolate, almond, and spice. See more from this couple's wedding here.
Friday September 10, 2010
Photo: Jen Huang Photography and Merci New York
We've been fans of 57Grand's fashion-forward, reasonably-priced bridesmaid dresses (from $150) since they launched last year. Their gowns are genuinely re-wearable—they even have a dedicated section on their website to prove it. If you're equally as into the NYC-based line, you'll be happy to hear that 57Grand is expanding at the end of September—in addition to being available at their New York showroom and online at 57grand.com, the line will be sold at the Bella Bridesmaid boutiques in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Richmond, Va., Baltimore, Houston, Madison, NJ, Orlando, and San Francisco. Happy shopping! —Lauren Matthews, editor, Brides New York
Courtesy of Ariat
If you're looking for a really fun and Texas-themed "something blue," check out these gorgeous ostrich boots from Ariat. They're the perfect special something to peek out from under your dress. How fun! Visit our Facebook page for more stories and style ideas from Brides Houston. —Kim Forrest, Editor, Brides Houston
Photo: Adam Nyholt
Sure, scoop-your-own candy buffets are popular, and for good reason—who doesn't love something sweet at the end of the night? But if a color-coordinated candy spread is a bit cutesy for your tastes or just feels a little too "been there, done that," we've found the next big thing. Houston-based Michael's Cookie Jar creates gorgeously art-directed buffets that include handmade favorites like classic chocolate chunk cookies, lemon poppy shortbread, black-and-whites, and Mexican "wedding cakes."
Owner and pastry chef Michael Savino, formerly of the Four Seasons Hotel in Houston, sets up the buffet using his own collection of charmingly mismatched china cake stands, and provides bags so that guests can take the treats home. He can also create his signature "cookie cake" (pictured) by stacking hundreds of bite-size cookies on a custom-made stand. —Kimberly Forrest, Brides Houston
Photo: Anna Williams.
If you've ever been a bridesmaid, you probably have a story to tell. Hopefully, it's about how meaningful sharing such an important time with the bride was, how much you loved the dresses she selected, how lucky you felt to stand with her at the ceremony, and how much fun you had at the reception. However, we know that might not be the case.
Whether your experience was positive or negative, Gaylord Hotels is asking you to share your stories and photos in their "Memorable Bridesmaid Dress Sweepstakes." When you share your story, you'll be entered to win a trip for two to any Gaylord Hotels destination (Maryland, Nashville, Florida, or Texas), with transportation on Southwest Airlines, daily breakfast, and a spa treatment. Visit Gaylord Hotels' sweepstakes website for more information or to enter. —Kim Forrest
