Wedding Cake Alternative
We know that there are those of you who are looking to do things differently, including forgoing a traditional wedding cake. But we have to say, no matter how alternative we are, we still love the style a cake brings to a reception. So we’re thrilled to see Sugar Land entrepreneur Yvette Atkinson’s answer to wedding cakes sans cake: Favor Cakes, 281-491-1169, favorcakes.com. Favor boxes shaped like cake slices are filled with candies and chocolates, arranged into tiers (as many as six), topped with silk flowers and wrapped in ribbons, which are cut during the "cake cutting." Atkinson can personally create your Favor Cake, or you can choose one from her extensive collection. Costs: $2.95 per box.
Boutique Hotels
If you want to host your wedding at a hotel, but are turned off by the institutionalized feel of a multipurpose ballroom, then a boutique hotel might be the perfect alternative. They offer originality as well as the comforts you’d expect to find at a luxury chain hotel—only with a little more style and wit. The chic residential feel of the Alden Houston, 1117 Prairie Street, 832-200-8800, aldenhotels.com, will work well with a variety of reception decors. Weddings can be held indoors in the hotel’s cozy restaurant, 17, or outdoors on the romantic Veranda (left), with spectacular views of the downtown skyline. Veranda capacity: 215; no outside caterers allowed.
Making It Personal
"We met in a swing-dance class we were both taking at the Melody Club in Houston," says Alison Tunnell, a 21-year-old college student from Amarillo. "And our first date was over tea at a coffee house." Their relationship developed quickly—after just two months Justice Diven, a 26-year-old petroleum engineer from Oklahoma, proposed over tea. When it came time to take their engagment photos, the couple enlisted the help of Leslie Gaworecki of Goodlight Photography. She was able to incorporate a coffee house setting and also get shots of their other love—dancing. "The idea was perfect," says Alison. "And the photographer’s laid-back attitude helped us tremendously." When the couple received the photos, they were astonished.
Classic, Not Boring
If you are looking for a cake somewhere between basic tradition and ornate modernity, try this five-tier gold-and-white cake created by Sarah Orr of Let There Be Cake, 713-436-8780, lettherebecake.com, in Pearland. "A lot of brides today have a classic look in mind, but also want a little flair," says Orr. Different tiered shapes, such as this cake’s circular topper (which is made out of cake) and its petal-shaped base are good examples of this idea. Simple accents like edible 24-karat gold paint, sugar-paste butterflies and tiny flowers will go a long way on a cake this refined. Orr suggests her almond amaretto cake paired with three layers of her Bravarian cream icing for the total, delectable effect. Price: $1,330 (serves 140 guests).
Disposable Camcorders
Take advantage of the latest advancement in video technology: one-time use camcorders. The devices hold 30 minutes of video, allowing guests to capture moments that your videographer may miss. Instead of placing them on tables, entrust a few friends seated at different tables with the camcorders. Let them know they can erase what they’ve captured to make room for better footage. This camcorder has only four buttons, so it’s is easy to use, and the footage can be transferred to a DVD, allowing you to e-mail clips to friends and family. Pure Digital Technologies Camcorders, $30 each, available at CVS and Wolf Camera. DVD processing is an additional fee.
Classic Meets Cool
Striking a balance between tradition and modernity (read: between what you want and what your family expects) is a daunting task. This time, compromise is painless thanks to Mali Chi’s designs at Paper & Peonies, Tomball, 281-255-4375, paperandpeonies.com—a new custom stationery shop. Her 2007 wedding collection, which was inspired by her own recent nuptials, features classic ecru cards with gorgeous prints and spectacular colors. As a graphic designer, creating her own wedding invitations was a natural instinct. "I wanted something contemporary and colorful that reflected our personal style," Chi says. Chi created six fresh and appropriate-for-grandma sets available and more to come later in the spring, complete with thank-you cards, programs, place cards and menus. Prices per invitation start at $1.75.
A Little Bit Country
You’ve probably added a little Lone Star flair to your wedding here and there, but too much can turn "cute" to "kitsch." Avoid a hodgepodge of Texas memorabilia by sticking with an iconic image and using it sparingly. Felix Doolittle, Felix Doolittle Stationery, felixdoolittle.com, knows what we’re saying. He’s created a line of save-the-date cards that feature adorable location-inspired illustrations, including this pair of cowboy boots titled "The Ranch." It’s a simple, sweet way to get to the point: Texan by birth, Texan by marriage. $2.50 each, 25 card minimum.
Flower of the Moment
We’re calling it the next cymbidium orchid: The perfect "alternative" flower to spice up your bridal bouquet. Floral designers like it for its durability and texture. We love it because it works well with the hot colors of the season: mango, raspberry and violet. Designer Ann Brock of The Posh Petal, 713-662-9753, theposhpetal.com, is a fan of cockscomb’s velvety feel and its bright varieties of hot pink and chartreuse, and says it works well with flowers that complement its unusual nature, like roses and tulips. Bonus: This fall/winter bloom is also is inexpensive. The Posh Petal’s Ann Brock livened up Erin Bess’s bouquet (left) of tulips, roses and freesia with fuchsia coxcomb.
Personalize Your Aisle
Perhaps a plain, white aisle runner isn’t dramatic enough for your grand entrance. If that’s the case, have one customized with anything from a favorite poem, quote, monogram, or family crest to an illustration of any kind of flora or fauna imaginable. Artist Lodia Roderick of Aisle Art, aisleart.com, creates these stunning custom aisle runners and will even add embellishments like feathers and rhinestones. Many brides intend to pass these runners down to their children, who can add personal touches for their own wedding ceremonies. Prices start at $600.
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