Emily + Brian {Rustic Evening}

 

Emily and Brian are a couple that truly encompass strength. This is evident in all they have endured this year. From a terrible car accident that injured the groom, to Emily's father suffering a severe stroke, this couple has had to rely on faith and each other to get them down the aisle. Emily booked me as her "day of" coordinator, and shortly thereafter was struck with the news of her dad's stroke. She didn't know what the outcome of his illness would be, and decided to lean on her faith. She and Brian decided that by postponing the wedding, they would be allowing difficult circumstances to overshadow their joyous occasion. They relied on their faith for a positive outcome, and it worked. Not only was Emily's father able to be at her wedding, but he was even able to give her away. It was a moment that they will both cherish for a lifetime, and one they will never take for granted.
 

The Details

The Venue - {Oak Tree Manor}

Photos - {Eclectic Images}

Flowers - {Something Special in Flowers}

Cakes - {Lollydoozer's}

Hair & Makeup - {My Look Makeup}

Music - {Skyline}

Transportation - {Monarch Limousines}

Printing - {Katie & Co.}

Oak Tree Manor in Spring, Texas provided the perfect backdrop for both the ceremony and reception. With an outdoor ceremony, the bride and groom couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day and a setting than under the gorgeous oak tree where the couple said their vows. The tree was adorned with round balls of baby breath and lit mason jars hanging from its branches, which were also lit with romantic white lights. The ceremony was performed by the minister from Emily and Brian's church, and was absolutely touching. He reminded us all of why we exchanged vows, and renewed faith in couples, old and young.

For the ceremony, Emily carried a bridal bouquet that had a garden feel and included

 hydrangeas, dahlias, lisianthis, daisies, veronica, succulents, Queen Anne’s lace, curly willow and touches of greenery and berries, and was hand tied with champagne satin ribbon, champagne being the color of her gown. As the ceremony concluded, the bar was opened, and guests were invited to join the reception. Skyline began their set by playing some traditional dinner music, as guests mingled and opened the couple's candy buffet and enjoyed a cocktail.

 

Once the bride and groom were introduced, they graced everyone by preforming their choreographed first dance to, "I Won't Give Up," by Jason Maraz. The reception was decorated with mason jar centerpieces that were filled with paper flowers. The unique thing about the flowers is that Emily is a librarian, and she created paper flowers from book pages. They turned out amazing, and were a personal touch! The mother of the bride sewed burlap runners with lace trim that were out of this world! Lollydoozer's created a spectacular 4 tier wedding caked, in which each tier was a different flavor. It was incredible! The groom's cake (Also, created by Lollydoozer's) wowed the guests. It played to Brian's love of music, and was a replica of a DJ set.

 

After guests enjoyed dinner and dancing, Emily and Brian were whisked away in a classic Rolls Royce, to enjoy their well deserved honeymoon!

 

 



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