Sydney's Sweet 16 {Gold, White, and Spectacular}

What do you get for the coolest, nicest, and most together 16 year old? A car? Well, yes. But, also you through her a sky's the limit sweet 16!

 

Sydney is such a talented and special young lady, and such a pleasure to be around. I planned her equally as awesome older sister's sweet 16 roughly 4 years ago, and she made an impression on me even then (at the age of 11). When we met to discuss her party, she had some definite ideas and style that she was looking for, but was also open to ideas. The party was going to be at her home (which is absolutely lovely), and I had great space to work with!

 

The Details

Rentals & Floral:  Darryl & Co. (If you want a contact over there, see Lauren... she is awesome)!

DJ: JPL Entertainment

Photo Booth: Snap Photo Booth

Lighting: Darryl & Co.

Catering: Cordua (contact Darla... she is great)!
Invitation Design: Sara Moore Designs (AMAZING)

This party was all about lighting. Luckily, we were able to adjust the pool lights easily, which really illuminated the back yard. It was transformed from Sydney's backyard, and took on more of a cool and modern touch. The lighting over the pool was custom made, and draped from one fence line to the next. Brick columns that open the patio were draped in white linen, and highlighted with up lighting. Behind that were several cocktail tables and the bar. Sydney had several "mocktails" being served, which were all signature and designed just for her! They were fittingly named " Sydney's Sixtini" and the "Sweet Dream." Both were delicious! (Pictured below). The pool was also adorned with mason jars lit with votive candles, which added just the right touch. Next to the pool, we added a lounge area with a white sofa complete with gold glittered pillows, and ghost chairs. Guests had a great view of both the pool and the party! One of my FAVORITE details of the entire party was Sydney's floating monogram. As the sun went down, the pool lighting really highlighted it - awesome! Inside, the party was going with passed h'or derves and Dominic (from JPL Entertainment) as the DJ. Rather than a birthday cake, Sydney opted for a dessert table (lined with a glittered gold linen) complete with individual desserts from Cordua and cookies from Michael's Cookie Jar. Also inside, the living room was transformed with draping over the built in bookshelves and television, modern lounge furniture, ghost chairs, and more spectacular up lighting!  Remember when planning your next party, lighting can make all the difference! For fun, guests were also able to enjoy a photo booth (with awesome props)! Snap-Photo booth is always first rate, and their attendant, Kendyll, definitely can get the party started (she is a joy to work with)!



 

The Menu

Plantain Chips and Sauces

Amazon Sliders

Angel Wings

Potatoes Pont Neuf

Smoked Salmon Rillete Cornette

Pesto Chicken Mac & Cheese

Wild Mushroom and Truffle Mac & Cheese

 

To Drink

Sydney's Sweet Sixtini

Sydney's Sweet Dream

 

Sweets

Salted Carmel Rice treats

Mini Carmel Apples

Alfajores

 

Sydney hand selected all of the food herself, and it was all DELICIOUS! Aside from having amazing food with a South American flare, what I loved is that it was all food that gave her guests something new to experience.

 

 

 Disclaimer: All of these photos were taken with my phone... I'm certainly not a photographer!

 

 

 

Erika and Patrick {A Perfect Match}

The Details

Venue - Bell Tower on 34th

Photography - Evoke Photography

DJ - DJ U Productions (Darryl)

Flowers - Floral Events

Linens / Rentals - Darryl & Co.

Hair / Makeup - Adome Artistry
Ceremony and Cocktail Music - Divisi Strings
Cakes - Sweet Cheeks

Erika and Patrick are a perfect match, and all-around great couple! She is a teacher, and he is a firefighter, and they each have a passion for not only their professions, but also their life together. I had a great time working with Erika on her wedding at the incredible Bell Tower on 34th, and even with a complete Houston monsoon outside, she stayed calm, cool, and collected... literally not letting it rain on her parade. Erika is a close friend of my husband's family. She contacted me about 2 months before her wedding in a panic. Her planner was a no-show, and needed a "day of" coordinator. Luckily, I left 2 weekends available in April for my son's birthday, so I was able to step in!

If you have never had the pleasure of attending or hosting an event at the Bell Tower on 34th, you are missing out! From the ambience, to the staff, I love it! I had the pleasure of working with the awesome Donna at the venue, and she is always detail oriented and great to coordinate with.

Erika and Patrick had their ceremony in the traditional chapel at The Bell Tower. I love that she brought her minister from her college, Texas Lutheran University, to preform the ceremony. It added such a personal element to their vows. Her walk down the aisle was adorned with a sting quartet, provided by the talented musicians at Divisi Strings.

The wedding ceremony was intimate and detailed, but when it was over, it was time to party! Erika's original plan was to have her cocktail hour on the Bell Tower on 34th's water wall. The unpredictable Houston weather had a different idea. We just moved to plan B (there is always a plan B when having anything outdoors in Houston). We flipped part of the reception ballroom into her cocktail hour. Divisi Strings delighted guests with their performance, while everyone enjoyed cocktails and appetizers. The wedding party, along with the bride and groom, sat at a "head table," and Erika and Patrick had such cute "Mrs. and Mr." signs to accessorize their seats.

Once the bride and groom made their grand entrance, and after they danced their first dance, Erika's parents welcomed their guests. Her father moved the crowd with a touching welcome and toast, and I'm sure it was a moment Erika will always remember.

After enjoying a buffet dinner (delicious), the dance floor was open, and, WOW, did the guests have a blast dancing! Thanks to Darryl at DJ U, guests hit the dance floor, and the night flowed. Even the photographer joined in for a few songs. The reception was underway, and everyone was able to take notice of many of Erika's details and personal touches. She brought in lounge furniture to give a laid back feel in one area of the Chandelier Room. They also had a photo booth with TONS of great props... guests had a blast getting wild with their pictures! Placed around the ballroom were photos of the couple as well as Erika's bridal portraits (beautiful). There were also flip-flops offered to anyone who wanted to kick off their shoes and dance the night away as well as Koozies for guests to take as favors.

 

 

Erika's cake was designed by a teacher that she works with, and was delicious! It stood 4 tiers high, and sat on a gorgeous silver cake stand. Patrick's groom's cake was, of course, the fire fighter's logo, and was spectacular (and yummy)!

My favorite part of the night was the couple's unique getaway.... that's right... a classic fire truck! (We did have to check ahead of time to make sure it could make it through the driveway area). I loved this personal element, and the couple looked great as they  were showered with rose petals, and drove away to their honeymoon.

All images by Evoke Photography