Photo Courtesy of Ashley Garmon Photographers

 Photo Courtesy of Chris Bailey Photography

Photo Courtesy of D. Jones Photography 

  Photo Courtesy of Chris Bailey Photography

Photo Courtesy of Hyde Park Photography 

Photo Courtesy of Adam Nyholt

Photo Courtesy of Hazel West Photography 

Happy Tuesday!

There is no doubt that every couple’s exit is unique and special in its own way. From confetti to rose petals, and bubbles to sparklers, there are many different ways to send that newly married couple off. Wedding night exits produce fabulous photographs and even more fabulous memories, and offer a chance to add some extra sparkle to the end of a memorable night!

Photo Courtesy of Adam Nyholt

Happy #tbt! This gorgeous wedding took place at Houston Country Club several years ago. These flower girls and ring bearers were all related to the bride and groom and were not going to pass up a front row seat to Minou and Josh’s first dance!

And we all know…kids will be kids! What a precious photo!

Looking for a fabulous gift for any occasion? Look no further! Three Sisters Jewelry Design has a wide variety of lovely handcrafted personalized jewelry to satisfy any style.

With a vast array of personalization options and accent choices, you are sure to find the perfect gift for a bridesmaid, a friend, a family member, or yourself (go ahead, you deserve it!). The possibilities are endless!

Happy shopping!

Photo courtesy of Chris Bailey Photography 

A lovely #tbt in honor of Mother’s Day! The wedding of Katie and Patrick took place in Santa Fe in 2010 and there is just nothing sweeter than seeing a mother look on as her little girl ties the knot. This photo is especially darling because the bride recently had a baby girl and will be celebrating her first Mother’s Day this weekend.

Wishing you all a fabulous Mother’s Day!

xo-KTE

Happy #tbt! Just loved this Moroccan themed rehearsal dinner at Hotel Zaza circa 2008. The colors, the food, the entertainment…it was magnificent!

Oh yes my lovelies, it is time to start shopping all of those must-have, personalized items you have had your eye on from Weddings Chicks! Shop until April 15th using the code unclesam at checkout to receive 40% off almost everything in their shop! Woohoo! Everything from their adorable custom kitchen towels to their custom favor bags are included so make your list and get to ordering! Not planning a wedding but don’t want to miss out? No worries! Many of their unique and customizable products are great for business gifts, being the hostess with the mostest or even Mother’s Day that is just around the corner! ENJOY!

Click here to see a full post of all images from Blake & Matthew’s big day on our Facebook!

Q&A with the Bride

Q: How did Matthew propose?

A: One morning Matthew made us a wonderful, albeit cold, breakfast in bed.  After we had both finished I asked him if there was anything he wanted to do today.   He walked to my side of the bed and said, “Well, there is something I wanted to ask you.”  I was very confused by his actions, until he got down on his knees next to me and asked me to marry him. 

Q: When you started planning your wedding, what were your “must have’s”?

A: Really my only “must haves” were flowers and candles—a lot of both!  I think we met that goal very well.

Q:  Where did you find inspiration for your overall wedding look?

A: I can’t really say that any one thing truly inspired me for the overall look of the wedding.  Everything just came together from different ideas of my mother, Jennie and myself.

Q:  If you had to pick one, what would be your favorite memory from your wedding day?

A: I really have two that are so special, I couldn’t pick just one!  First, having all of my best friends together in the same room was a real treat since several of them live out of state and I don’t get to see them that often, let alone all at the same time.  Second, seeing Matthew for the first time that day was beyond amazing.  I knew nothing would calm me down until I saw him and I was completely right.

Q:  If you could give one piece of advice to another bride currently planning her wedding, what would it be?

A: Know what your “must haves” are and fight for them, but also you have to be willing to let other people help shape your ideas because they often come out better because of it.

Q&A with the Coordinator, Jennie Chase

Q: From a planner’s perspective, what was your favorite moment at the wedding?

A: We worked hard to arrange things so that Blake and her mom would be able to get the first look at the finished ballroom after the ceremony. We had a dedicated cocktail hour for guests in the Lounge, and during that time snuck Blake and her mom into the ballroom through the kitchen.  We worked so closely with Rob at Events in Bloom on the décor concepts that it was beyond fulfilling to walk the empty room with them and see what we all dreamed up!  Shortly after my assistant and I opened the doors to the ballroom so that guests could enter.  Apparently it was quite the reveal because people audibly gasped and clapped when they saw the ballroom! 

Q:  What was one detail that made this wedding unique?

A: Blake’s mom is a photographer, so the engagement and bridal portraits were important.  During one of the décor meetings, the idea came up to enlarge one engagement and one bridal, and Rob’s team would suspend the portraits over each fireplace at Houston Country Club.  They were nearly as tall as me!  However, they were the perfect size for the tall walls there.  I loved the finished product! 

Q: What are three words that describe the couple? 

A: Three words for the couple:  Classic Southern Sweeties

Q: What are three words that describe the wedding? 

A: Three words for the wedding:  Traditional done right!

Vendor Love

Ceremony: St. Luke’s United Methodist Church / Ceremony Musicians: Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas and Organist, Rob Landes / Reception: Houston Country Club /Floral, Furniture & Decor: Events in Bloom / Lighting: Pro Sound / Band: Atlanta Party Band / Photographer: Steve Armstrong Photography / Cakes: Susie’s Cakes / Tuxedos: Affinity Tuxes / Bride’s Gown: Casa de Novia / Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid, Houston / Makeup: Austin Wedding Makeup, Lisa & Avery / Hair: Danann Patrick at Salon Aura Veni / Cookies: Tiny’s No. 5 and Moeller’s / Ice Bar: Ice Designs / Photo Booth: Cupics

A little vintage KTE in honor of #tbt! The wedding of Summer Foley and Mark Magee took place on Easter weekend of 2009 at beautiful Briscoe Manor. Since then we have helped her older sister, Alyssa, plan a wedding in Austin and are currently helping her younger sister, Jordan, plan a wedding in Philadelphia! Oh…and add one child for Summer, another on the way and a set of twins for Alyssa that were born just last month! Just love this family and remembering this amazing wedding….OPA!

 Photo courtesy of Boutique Theo

 There is nothing better than when creative energies collide…and this is one of those occasions! Boutique THEO is a one-stop-shop for unique event accessories, gifts, jewelry, and decor to add that ‘lagniappe’ every event needs. Here is a little more information on the company straight from the horses mouth:

“THEO is the brainchild of childhood friends, Jennifer Delesie and Charlotte Hale. Each prominent in the wedding industry, Jennifer via her esteemed photography business and Charlotte via Plum Pretty Sugar. Together they have developed a shopping site to make event planning inspired and exciting.

Jennifer and Charlotte have combined their imagination and skill with the established and accomplished eye of world-renown Event Designer and Producer, Lisa Vorce. For planners and individuals alike, THEO brings to life event planning and makes it not only beautiful, but a journey told in exquisite real life photography.

Since 2012, THEO has quietly existed amongst those in the know. Now, this March 2013, Jennifer and Charlotte bring THEO to the national and international level. They seek to inspire the creation of beauty the world over.”

I know KTE is super excited to have THEO at our fingertips…we hope you are too!

So many of us have attended the standard bridal luncheon on the day before or day of someone’s wedding and many bride’s these days are opting for something a little more unique with their friends and relatives. Here is a question from one of our brides-to-be and a few of our ways to add life to this traditional event!

Q: My aunt, grandmother and a few close family friends would like to host a bridal luncheon for me the day before my wedding. I really appreciate their kind gesture but I really don’t like stuffy luncheons since I have been to so many in the past. Any ideas for something they could host that would still be meaningful but fun at the same time?

A: I completely understand your dilemma and have a few fun suggestions that might help to freshen up this traditional wedding event. Hope you find them helpful! The most important thing is that your family wants to do something kind to honor you on your big day so just know to tread lightly with your strong opposition to a traditional luncheon and approach the situation with a positive attitude…it will definitely help for them to be more open to your ideas.

• Spa Party: Whether it’s hosted at someone home or in a spa you can pamper your girls (and hostesses) with mani/pedi’s or mini massages along with light bites too!
• High Tea: Having something like a tea with a set menu and a bit of a schedule may also make a traditional luncheon a bit more exciting and fun. It’s a great way to still have time to chat with guests but a chance to experience something more unique.
• Jewelry Party: Many retailers like Kendra Scott and their Color Bar are now offering shopping/party experiences for their clients. If you were gifting your girls a piece of jewelry for the wedding you could invite them into the store for champagne and light bites while picking out their perfect piece to compliment their big day look where they get to customize it with their own choice of stones and finish.

Happy Planning!

xo – Keely

…Have a question for Keely and the girls? Just shoot us an email and we will be happy to feature your question in our next Wedding 101 blog – info@keelythorne.com…