FIRST
FIRST
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12 MONTH
Wedding Checklist
THE ULTIMATE WEDDING PLANNING CHECKLIST FOR ALL ENGAGED COUPLES
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CONVERSATION TOPICS
THE BUDGET
DATE / TIME OF YEAR
THINGS LOCATION
GUEST NUMBER
STYLE
MEANINGFUL DETAILS
TOP PRIORITY VENDORS
WEDDING VIBE HIRING A WEDDING PLANNER
Plan, Plan, Plan Ready, Set
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Phase One Topics
BUILDING A MOOD BOARD BOOKING YOUR WEDDING VENUE
FIVE REASONS TO HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER
Phase One Priorities
JOIN WED SOCIETY BUY THE MAG SET A DATE SET A BUDGET BUILD YOUR GUEST LIST
How to Create a Wedding Mood Board
By following these steps, you’ll have a mood board you’ll LOVE that you can then take with you to all your wedding meetings (and show off to your squad).
There’s a method to the madness when it comes to creating a mood board.
LET’S GET STARTED! Download our Mood Board Worksheet
THE Brain Dump
Before you even start pulling imagery to build your board, it’s important to go in with a clear vision of who you are as a couple, what your ultimate aesthetic is and what your event expectations are. Jot all of your thoughts down in one place to reference before you even start pinning imagery.
Photo // Jen Symes PhotographyThis is the fun part! Open up Pinterest and create your wedding board (a secret board if you want - just hide it from public view). Now browse the web, Pinterest or start collecting all your favorite imagery. We suggest starting with one main Wedding Pinterest board as a photo dump before breaking down to boards by detail.
Save every wedding image you like...seriously, the more the better! Florals, decor, stationery, fashion, etc.
Now add in mood images – colors, quotes and textures you find online. These non-wedding images can surprisingly set the tone for your overall inspiration, so don’t feel confined to just wedding imagery.
Step One Step Two
IDEAS ON WHAT TO PIN? BEAUTY CAKES & SWEETS
DECOR FASHION FLORAL FOOD & DRINK INVITATIONS & PAPER PHOTOGRAPHY
Narrow down your wedding board images to your top 10-20 images. You can add these to a new FINAL board on Pinterest to separate the final selection of imagery from the pinning you did previously. Pull your very favorite details and aestheticsthose things that make you REALLY excited to have a wedding. This is what you’ll look at to refine your overall vision.
Step Three
Refine your selection with these questions: What style stands out in your saved images? What details are your fave/must haves? What colors stand out and do they match what you thought you liked? What fashion elements are most prominent?
IT’S TIME TO BUILD YOUR BOARD
Photos // Jen Symes PhotographyPick your FAVORITE mood board template design from the three Wed Society Canva templates we’ve created below. You’ll need to create a Canva account to get started if you don’t have one already. It’s FREE!
Step One Step Two
It’s time! Let’s build that mood board! Go ahead and save your top 6-10 images to your computer desktop or phone’s photo stream, so you’ll have easy access to them when building your actual mood board.
Step Three Step Four
Drop those photos in! Having trouble arranging them in an appealing way? Our tip is to space more busy images out by placing less busy images between. Include your wedding inspiration images here WITH your mood inspiring textures and quotes.
To finalize your color palette, spot the colors that jump out to you most from your imagery on the board. You’re looking for about 2-3 main colors (usually stronger, more vibrant colors) and two accent hues (typically softer, more subdued).
Step Five
SHARE YOUR MOOD BOARD!
We’d love to see the hard work you put into creating your design board! Do a pdf or jpg quick save from Canva and SHARE IT in the Wed Society Community here !
Have you joined the Wed Society ® community yet? Join Now!
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Explore articles with expert planning tips organized by your wedding planning phase
Caroline Lima PhotographyBRING YOUR MOOD BOARD ALONG TO ALL YOUR VENDOR MEETINGS TO SHOW YOUR VISION TO YOUR VENDOR TEAM. SAVE IT TO YOUR PHONE FOR QUICK DIGITAL ACCESS. VENDORS MAY ASK YOU TO SEND IT OVER VIA EMAIL. BE SURE TO ALSO PRINT IT OFF SO YOU HAVE A VISUAL ON-HAND.
PLUS, YOU KNOW MOM WANTS A COPY.
PLANNING POINTER view all planning pointers
VENUES
What to Consider When Booking Your Houston Wedding Venue
Are you ready to secure your spot at the perfect wedding venue ? There is no such thing as booking a venue too early. This part of wedding planning is one of the most exciting for a happy couple to participate in, and we are here to help! Here is a set of steps you can follow to make this process simple and enjoyable.
Venue // The Grand Lady THEBRIDESOFHOUSTON.COM PHASE TWO 15 PHASE ONE Photo // Honey Gem CreativeFirst Things First
SET YOUR BUDGET
Pick the location where you both picture yourself getting married. Is it a rustic, countryside setting or a glamorous, downtown vibe? How far from where you or your guests live do you want to be? Is getting married at home or at your religious center important to you? On top of asking yourself these questions, take into consideration the different planning and logistical processes that your site may require. Once you’ve narrowed down your location, it will be easier to select from venues in the area.
PICK THE WHEREABOUTS
Pick the location where you both picture yourself getting married. Is it a rustic, countryside setting or a glamorous, downtown vibe? How far from where you or your guests live do you want to be? Is getting married at home or at your religious center important to you? On top of asking yourself these questions, take into consideration the different planning and logistical processes that your site may require. Once you’ve narrowed down your location, it will be easier to select from venues in the area.
LOCAL VENUE ARTICLES TO HELP YOU START YOUR SEARCH The Top Ranch and Barn Wedding Venues in Houstona Industrial Houston Wedding Venues Perfect for the Moody Bride Pick the Perfect Houston Country Club Wedding Venue Top Wedding Venues in Conroe, TX (Lake Conroe and Montgomery County) Outdoor Wedding Venues in Houston with Picturesque Alfresco Spaces Discover the Best Downtown Houston Wedding VenuesESTIMATE A HEAD COUNT
Before selecting a venue, you need to lock in on a number of guests that you are expecting to host. This piece of information can give you an idea of how large of a site you will need. You want to avoid any venue that is not big enough for your guest count, as well as any that are too large. This approximation of guests will help you narrow down the venues that will comfortably fit your family and friends, without a tight squeeze or empty feel.
TOUR YOUR FAVORITE VENUES
Once you have your sights set on a venue, meet the staff and tour the place in person.
By going to tour the venue in person, you are able to make multiple observations about the setting that can help you make your decision. This allows you to experience the energy and atmosphere of the venue, something that cannot be observed through merely a gallery of pictures. Most importantly, you need to be comfortable with not only the appeal and representation of the site, but also the staff. Pay attention to their friendliness. You don’t want a team that is pressuring you into booking their venue. Instead, you want people that simply want to assist you on creating your dream wedding. These are the people that are going to be with you on your special day. You need to like them and their communication process.
CHOOSE A TIME OF YEAR
Do you picture walking down the aisle in the golden autumn or the radiant summer? The time of year has multiple effects on your wedding’s theme. This can range from color scheme, type of flowers, wedding dress style and an indoor or outdoor ceremony. With all of these factors, picking when you want your special day helps a couple find a venue with availability during the proper time of year.
Virtually works, too!
(TO HELP NARROW YOUR CHOICES)
CONSIDER YOUR GUESTS’ POINT OF VIEW
Part of your due diligence is to think about your guests’ convenience. Walking in their shoes while making your final decisions will give you a new perspective on the venue. Pay attention to the number of bathrooms provided, if it is handicap accessible and if the directions to the venue are easy to follow. This perspective is something that all of your guests will encounter on the day of the event, so it is always great to consider.
ASK ASK ASK!
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS.
Once you have fallen in love with a venue, it is important to know what you are committing to — so ask! Here are some popular and essential questions to ask the venue so you can make sure that they can accomplish exactly what you are envisioning.
1. HOW LONG IS THE SPACE AVAILABLE FOR THE DAY WE HAVE SELECTED?
2. ARE THERE ANY DÉCOR OR NOISE RESTRICTIONS?
3. DO YOU HAVE A BACKUP PLAN FOR UNEXPECTED WEATHER?
4. DO WE HAVE TO USE YOUR APPROVED VENDORS OR CAN WE USE ANY VENDORS WE WISH?
5. DO DIFFERENT DAYS OF THE WEEK VARY IN RATES?
6. ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL FEES I AM UNAWARE OF?
7. WHO WILL BE MY MAIN POINT OF CONTACT?
Five Reasons Hiring a Wedding Planner Is the Best Decision You’ll Make
(Besides Saying I Do!)
Going back and forth on whether you should hire a wedding planner ? Another vendor, another expense? You’ve got a lot of decisions to make as you plan a wedding – don’t even think twice about this one! Hiring a wedding planner may be the single most beneficial move you’ll make during the wedding planning process. How can a wedding planner help? Let us count the ways!
Photo // Rachel Owens Photography Wedding Planner // Lauren Field DesignsBring Your Dream Wedding Design and Vision to Life
The level of overwhelmed you might feel when you’re newly engaged is truly next level. Planning a wedding requires many moving parts. From nailing down your colors and your style, to all the details you want to make your day so special, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what you want, much less explain what you’re envisioning to the appropriate vendors to make it a reality. Your wedding planner has all the wisdom and expertise to help you articulate your vision and bring it to life! Having someone who knows the ins and outs of weddings can really help you decide what you want your day to look like and help you achieve it. Not only can they help you develop your vision, but they know exactly how to make those wedding dreams come true. They’ve also worked with tons of vetted vendors and know who to turn to for any design detail.
Stay on Track Throughout the Planning Process
Keeping up with events, vendor meetings and deadlines for your wedding can be a full-time job (wait, don’t you already have one of those?) and can be difficult to manage with all the other things going on in your life. Having a planner to check in and remind you of important dates and upcoming events can ease the stress of an already chaotic season and make engagement and the wedding planning process more manageable and enjoyable! Keeping up with all the details of the wedding budget can be a daunting task, as well. Hiring a wedding planner ensures you have another set of eyes on vendor costs, tips and all other expenses to make sure you’re staying within budget while maximizing your spending.
Wedding Photo3Don’t Stress About the Schedule
Creating a timeline for your wedding day is like choreographing a dance – it can quickly become complicated! You’ll need to consider multiple vendors and contingencies, while coordinating things in a way that makes sense for everyone involved. A wedding planner can help you navigate your day in a way that best fits you and your partner, as well as your vendors! Letting your planner handle the schedule and the inevitable issues that arise along the way means you, your family and friends can simply show up, soak in the day and enjoy it. By designating your wedding planner as the key person to handle any issues on the big day, you can focus on the big picture. Let a professional handle the details and relish your wedding day, stress-free!
Reap the Benefits of Vendor Relationships
Did you know the average couple hires more than a dozen vendors for their wedding? From your florist and officiant to caterer and cake, you could spend endless hours researching, vetting and communicating with vendors. Or, you could let your wedding planner make recommendations for vendors they trust, review proposals, read over legal contracts, manage communications and more. A professional wedding planner can offer insights and recommendations for vendors who can execute your style and vision perfectly. Your planner will also know what to look for when reading over complicated vendor contracts and can give you peace of mind that you aren’t missing any major details when signing with vendors. Vendor relationships are crucial –hiring a wedding planner means you’ll reap the benefits of their connections and helps ensure your team of vendors can all work together seamlessly.
Wedding Planner // Lovely Day Events Photographer // Day 7 PhotographyEnjoy This Once-In-A-Lifetime Season
Without a wedding planner, you can realistically expect to spend more than 500 hours planning your wedding. When you consider the time you’d need to spend making endless decisions, looking at spreadsheets, emailing vendors, dealing with the nitty gritty – what is that time worth to you? What else could you spend that time doing? Soaking up this season with the love of your life? Sounds good to us!
Hiring a wedding planner ensures you’ll have a trusted confidant, reliable friend and helpful resource along the way to your dream wedding, while you get to focus on the fun and exciting parts of being engaged. It’s a win-win!
Wedding Planner // Kristin Catter Events Photographer // SMS PhotographyOh what fun!
Booking Your Vendor Team & Designing Your Dream Wedding
CREATING A PERSONALIZED AND UNIQUELY YOU WEDDING HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER. IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS AND CHOOSING THE RIGHT WEDDING VENDORS.
Phase Two Topics
GUIDANCE ON DRESS SHOPPING
CHOOSING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
FLORAL GUIDE
Phase Two Priorities
EXPLORE VENDORS
THEBRIDESOFHOUSTON.COM PHASE TWO 25 OPEN A REGISTRY BUILD A WEDDING WEBSITE PICK YOUR BRIDAL PARTY
Shopping for The Dress
-Here’s a Cheat Sheet-
When it comes time to start the search for the perfect wedding dress, all the styles and fits to choose from can be overwhelming. You may think you gravitate toward a certain style, but when you actually try it on – not so much. Or maybe there’s a style you’re considering, but aren’t sure if it will flatter your body type. No fear! We are here to help with our ultimate wedding dress cheat sheet, breaking down each style and fit!
Wedding Dress Style Definitions
A-LINE: Universally flattering and oh-so-versatile, the a-line silhouette is a solid choice for any bride. This style is flowy with skirt that gradually flares out from just above the hips.
MERMAID: A fun, beautiful silhouette, mermaid dresses are fitted from the bodice all the way to the knee, where they flare out to resemble a mermaid’s tail. A flare starting just above the knee is called a trumpet fit, while a flare starting just below the knee is a true mermaid fit.
SHEATH: Sleek and sultry, the sheath style is a gorgeous choice for the modern bride who wants something understated and form-fitting. This contouring style follows the natural lines of the body with no extra material or flare – typically straight cut with no seam at the waist.
BALL GOWN: The ultimate style for the bride who wants to feel like a true queen. Ball gowns feature a fitted bodice (the uppermost part of the dress covering the chest and back above the waist) and a very full skirt, flaring out dramatically from the natural waist.
Wedding Dress Neckline Styles
SWEETHEART: Often seen on strapless gowns, this style is ultra-feminine and versatile across a wide range of bodice materials. A sweetheart neckline draws attention to the chest and is suited well for medium- or larger-chested ladies.
OFF-THE-SHOULDER: This is a dramatically stunning style for the bride who wants to flaunt her décolletage in a lovely way. Off-the-shoulder looks can be seen on dresses from boho to ball gown. If range of movement is a priority, however, this might not be the style for you.
ILLUSION: Another beautiful option to accentuate your décolletage, the illusion neckline features a sweetheart hem with added mesh tulle acting in place of straps. Perfect for any chest size and practical, too.
BOATNECK: A timeless, delicate style best-suited for smaller-chested brides, a boatneck style pairs wonderfully with a chic updo to show off the shoulders.
STRAIGHT: A great option for both the modern and the classically chic bride. This style also works best for small- to medium-chested ladies.
V-NECK: A wonderful option for the bride who wants to dance the night away and not worry about her bodice holding up, this style also accentuates any chest beautifully.
Wedding Dress Train Lengths
Don’t underestimate the wow-factor a train can add to your dress! Remember, if you’re worried about it interfering with movement after the ceremony, most trains can be bustled (if not removed completely) and blend seamlessly with your dress.
SWEEP OR BRUSH TRAIN: Just enough fabric to barely skim the floor behind you.
WATTEAU TRAIN: A true Watteau train attaches at the shoulders like a cape, but this style can also attach at the back or the waist as a detachable piece or as part of the skirt
CHAPEL TRAIN: A popular option, best for brides who do want a train but don’t want a ton of extra fabric weighing them down.
CATHEDRAL TRAIN: A jaw-dropping look for a formal affair, a cathedral train will trail several feet behind you for a dramatic look.
ROYAL TRAIN: The ultimate train for the most formal of affairs – fit for royalty!
We hope this wedding dress cheat sheet can help you as you’re looking for your dress for the big day. Remember, ultimately the choice is up to YOU and what you feel best in is all that matters. No matter what, you’re sure to look amazing!
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How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer
Once you’re engaged, one of the first tasks you’ll want to check off the list is choosing a wedding photographer! As the person responsible for documenting all the memories of your #bestdayever and delivering images you can look back on for years and years, it’s an important decision, no doubt. Not sure where to begin or exactly what to know when choosing a wedding photographer? We’ve got five helpful tips to guide you through the process.
Photo // Tailor James Photography PHOTOGRAPHYKNOW WHAT YOU’RE WILLING TO SPEND.
Quality wedding photography is not something to skimp on. Often, photography (and videography) can end up being one of the largest single expenses of your entire wedding. You can expect an experienced professional wedding photographer to charge anywhere from $2,500 all the way to $10,000 and beyond. Packages vary, but remember their prices factor in not only their creative talent, but their equipment costs, travel time and many, many hours of preparation and editing in addition to the time they’ll spend actually photographing your day.
DECIDE WHICH STYLE YOU FEEL MOST DRAWN TO.
Photography, like any art form, can vary immensely from artist to artist. It’s up to you and your fiancé to decide which artistic style you like best, and let that heavily influence your decision.
Are you drawn to fine art photography? These photos tend to have more muted colors, less contrast, more brightness and cool tones. You’ll tend to see more posed, “still life,” artful shots. Often, fine art photographers use film to help achieve this distinct look. Because film has been around for generations, these photos will definitely stand the test of time, but film is also more expensive to shoot and requires a different skill set than digital photography, so you can expect to pay more for someone who incorporates film into their work.
On the contrary, many couples are drawn to a more adventurous and photojournalistic style – with less emphasis on curating the ‘perfect’ shots, rather documenting the day exactly as it unfolds. These photos tend to have more contrast, warmth and saturated colors. This style can reflect more raw emotion via candid shots and shots that capture movement.
Of course, not every photographer’s work will fall exactly into one of these categories. You’ll see photos with a combination of these and other elements. Photography is subjective, so it comes down to identifying photos that elicit a heartfelt reaction from you.
Not sure how to nail down your ideal style? We recommend gathering several of your favorite wedding photos you’ve seen and assessing what they all have in common. Is it the lighting and colors? the emotion and movement? Which type of photos do you feel would better reflect your personality?
DO YOUR RESEARCH.
When it comes to narrowing down your short list of photographers, you’ll want to rely on word of mouth (who have your friends used and loved? what are reviews saying?), Instagram (remember to use location-based hashtags to your advantage) and local photographer listings on resources like Brides of Housto n .
Narrow down your list to 3-6 photographers. You’ll always want to have a backup, even if you have a favorite, in case that person is unavailable for your date. Peruse their websites and Instagrams to get a feel for their individual personalities. You’ll be spending essentially all day with this person on your wedding day – you want to make sure they’re someone you can be friends with!
Now’s the time to send inquiries and fill out those contact forms. Figure out what’s included in their packages. How many hours? Is an engagement session included? A bridal session? A second shooter? All things to consider and ask. It’s fine to ask to see a full gallery so you can get an idea of what the less frequently shared images look like – like their style of family shots, cocktail hour shots and reception shots. It’s also OK to request an in-person or virtual meeting.
Once you’re ready to sign the dotted line, read your contract very carefully and clarify any questions you have. What happens in the event of a reschedule (COVID-19, anyone?)?
What happens in the off chance the photographer comes down with something and can’t make it? If your wedding requires the photographer to travel, which costs are you responsible for? Will you get a print release, or are you required to purchase digitals and/or prints through the photographer? Protect yourself and your money as you finalize this decision.
BE CLEAR WITH YOUR GOALS.
Do you want these photos to be published in a magazine or online publication? Do you NOT want them to be published or shared? It’s important for your photographer to know these things ahead of time. It’s also a good idea to let them know which types of shots are most important to you – not specific poses or copies of photos you’ve found on Pinterest, but do you care more about the details, the candids, the family shots, or the portraits of just you two?
Bring your photographer up to speed on any potentially awkward family dynamics, and tell them if there’s anyone in particular you’d like them to pay attention to. Do you have a grandparent you’re especially close with? Any family traveling from afar? Let them know so you can be sure and get photos with these people while you have the opportunity.
TRUST YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER’S VISION AND CREATIVE INTUITION.
Remember, you hired this person for a reason! Be open to their expert advice and let them work with your planner to create the day-of timeline. After all, they’re the lighting experts, and great photos depend a lot on great light. Time of day factors into this, as well as artificial lighting and the structure/directional orientation of your venue. Your photographer will be able to use all of these factors to help devise a timeline that allows for the best photos to be captured as you celebrate your commitment.
Don’t forget:
Once you’ve made a decision and hired a photographer, reach back out to any other photographers you’d inquired with and let them know you’ve gone with someone else. Don’t worry – there won’t be any hard feelings. They’ll appreciate the courtesy and will be able to open up your date for other interested couples.
CHOOSING A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER CAN BE A DAUNTING TASK, BUT TRUST US, IT’S ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING. HAVING BEAUTIFUL IMAGES TO CHERISH IS ONE OF THE SWEETEST PARTS OF THIS SEASON.
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FLORALS
Florals 101
You’ve got the ring, a venue booked, a photographer picked out, a planner hired — it’s time to start thinking about your wedding florals! We’ve got the 411 on booking your blooms: everything you’ll need to know about when to book, where to look and important things you’ll want to consider when thinking about flowers for your wedding. Let’s get started!
Florals // The Carter Collective Photo // Chloe PhotographyWhen to Book your Florist
In the past, it was more common for florists to work on more than one wedding per day, but today, with florals being a huge part of a wedding’s design and blooms being so integral and time-intensive, many florists only book one wedding per day. This means you don’t want to wait! You’ll need to have a date set and ideally a venue (having your planner booked is also helpful) at least 9-10 months out from your wedding date. Your florist will likely need to order your flowers wholesale and needs ample time to place those orders. If you’re planning on getting married during “busy season” (June-October), you’ll want to book your florist even further in advance (12-15 months). Don’t wait!
Who to Book for yourWedding Florals
This all depends on your vision. Take a look at several local florists’ work and decide which styles you’re drawn to most. Do you like tall, formal arrangements? Loose, organic and freeform bouquets featuring unique blooms? Monochromatic? Colorful? Whimsical? Nailing down your personal style and knowing which florists specialize in that style can help you know who to reach out to. From there, inquire on their website and be prepared to tell them your floral budget. As a rule of thumb, devoting 10% of your overall wedding budget to florals is common, but if you want to go all out with florals, go for it! Or if minimal blooms are more your thing, that’s ok, too – it’s just important to be up front with your florist about your desires.
Communicating your Vision to your Florist
How do you communicate your vision to your florist? Your mood board, from Phase 1 can help! Your mood board photos can help communicate your vision well when you don’t necessarily have the words to describe precisely what you’re wanting.
That said, if you don’t have a specific vision for your wedding florals, it’s important to have an open mind and let your florist take the creative reigns! That’s why you’re hiring this person: for their talent, expertise and creativity! Give them a starting point plus the freedom to create something uniquely beautiful, and you’ll be amazed.
Remember, certain flowers are only in season during certain times of year, so if you had a certain bloom in mind, it may not work for your wedding date. Let your florist make suggestions for alternatives and trust their expertise!
Idea File
Hiring a Planner-Florist Versus Florist Only
It’s common these days for wedding planners to also double as florists and vice versa. Floral design and overall wedding design go hand-in-hand, and many of these vendors have incredible expertise in not only designing and planning the blooms, but the whole bash, too! Because floral design is such a large part of the event design, you’ll want to make sure your planner (who should be one of your very first, if not the first, hires you make) and florist are comfortable working together if you do book two separate vendors for these tasks.
Where to Spend and Where to Save on Wedding Florals
Before hiring a florist for your wedding, you’ll want to ask a few helpful questions. Do they have a minimum spend you’ll need to meet? Do they have a separate delivery charge? What’s the latest you’ll be able to make changes to your order? After these questions have been answered, you and your florist should be able to have a much clearer picture of the total amount you’ll be spending.
At the very minimum, you’ll want to invest in bouquets for you and your bridesmaids, boutonnieres, corsages and perhaps an accent piece for the altar. Beyond that, you’ll be looking at table centerpieces, a large floral install for your altar area, accent pieces for various parts of the venue, blooms for the cake and cake table, floral walls, hanging florals and more! The options are truly endless when it comes to the ways florals can make a visual impact.
If florals are top-priority for your wedding, be prepared to spend upwards of 10% of your overall budget on blooms. Remember that larger installs also require more labor – often a team, not just one person – and will affect the price you pay. If you’re looking to save money when it comes to florals, you’ll need to scale down on size and intricacy. You can also save by using blooms that are in-season and more commonly grown/easy to order.
Curious about using fake flowers to cut down on costs? This is certainly an option, but keep in mind the high quality faux flowers that will make someone look twice to figure out if they’re real, are often more expensive than the real flowers themselves!
VIEW MORE IMAGES FROM OUR FLORAL IDEA FILE >>>Floral Trends to Watch
FLOATING FLORALS – Hanging floral installations are guaranteed to make jaws drop! These arrangements hang from the ceiling and appear to float above your tables in mid-air.
PRESSED FLOWERS – An easy way to add a feminine touch to your decor is by incorporating pressed flowers. These dainty blooms can be added to your cake, stationery or even your beauty look (think nails and hair!).
IMMERSIVE INSTALLATIONS + PHOTO BACKDROPS –Think full-size tunnel walkthroughs, arches and walls, immersive installa tions allow your guests to experience the flowers, rather than just look at them!
BOLD, JOYFUL COLORS – With everything going on this year, brides are looking to express joyful, exuberant, bold and colorful vibes to share an optimistic vibe for their long-awaited celebrations.
URNS AND POTS – The classic and traditional urn is getting a make over, being used with statement florals but in less stuffy ways, and potted plants allow for reusable decor pieces once the day has come and gone.
SUSTAINABLE FLORALS – It’s not just a buzzword. Sustainable practices in the wedding industry are becoming standard, and even more so within florals! Foam-free floral design, locally harvested blooms and recycling efforts are just a few ways wedding florists are making sure their practices are more eco-friendly.
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WE’RE ALMOST TO THE FINISH LINE! WORK ON FINALIZING THOSE LAST MINUTE WEDDING DETAILS AND APPOINTMENTS WHILE YOU GET READY TO CELEBRATE VIA YOUR SHOWERS, PARTIES AND HONEYMOON!
Phase Three Topics
PLANNING YOUR BACHELORETTE PARTY
PLANNING YOUR WEDDING WEEKEND
BOOKING WEDDING WEEK APPOINTMENTS
TIPPING WEDDING VENDORS
Phase Three Priorities
SHOP FOR WEDDING DETAILS
SHOP FOR PARTY + SHOWER OUTFITS
THEBRIDESOFHOUSTON.COM PHASE TWO 45 PREPARE AN EMERGENCY KIT
PLAN THE HONEYMOON
BACHELORETTE
The Bachelorette Party Guide
Bachelorette parties are a right of passage in today’s pre-wedding festivities. The brideto-be gathers all of her girlfriends, and they hit the town to celebrate her last days as a single lady. However, planning every detail of the party can be stressful on top of planning your upcoming wedding. No worries – we’ve got you! We’ve pulled together all the essentials you need to get started. PLUS, we are sharing our favorite #BachBash party themes. You’re just a few clicks away from being all set for your bride-to-be weekend that will leave your girlfriends talking + reminiscing for years to come!
Photo // Caroline Lima PhotographyBachelorette FAQs
WHICH CITIES ARE BACHELORETTE PARTY HOTSPOTS?
VEGAS
We suggest hosting your bachelorette party anywhere from two to six weeks before the wedding. Getting crazy with your girls so close to the big day can be a recipe for disaster. A hangover and dark circles don’t make for a very good bridal look.
WHAT ACTIVITIES SHOULD WE HAVE PLANNED?
It’s important to create a unique experience based off of your own group. There truly is something for everyone. Gone are the days where every bachelorette party has to include bar hopping and hot pink everything. Try getting outdoors with your girls for a paddle board session or into a spa for a complete day of pampering. Maybe reservations at a private pop up restaurant for a unique dining experience.
Renting a boat or lounging at a chic hotel pool with a frozen cocktail always makes for a fun time. Also, activities that offer private style bookings have been super popular, like yoga sessions and cooking lessons.
LOS
NEW
ORLANDO/DISNEY WORLD
CABO SAN LUCAS
AUSTIN
NAPA VALLEY/SONOMA
*Honorable Mentions: Palm Springs, Scottsdale, Charleston, Tulum, Aspen, Destin/30A, Dallas
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE GIRLS MAKE WHEN PLANNING THE BACHELORETTE PARTY?
The biggest mistake bridesmaids can make is planning around what they think a bachelorette party should look like instead of what they think the bride really wants. If nightclubs, male strippers and phallic party favors aren’t your thing, don’t book the next ticket to Vegas. Get creative and plan a weekend filled with things that you love. As her wing women, this is your time to cater to your bride-to-be as well as foot the bill, so be sensitive of any personal budgets to avoid tension amongst the group.
HOW SOON BEFORE THE WEDDING SHOULD A BRIDE HOST HER BACHELORETTE PARTY?
Pick a Theme
HERE’S HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF
Wedding Week
Get the Guide
HOW TO PLAN THE BEST WEDDING WEEK
Photo // Megan Kay PhotographySTEP 1 - The Main Events
Plug in the big events, like your ceremony rehearsal, rehearsal dinner and bridal brunch, first. Ask your officiant or wedding coordinator on expected length of each event so that you know how much time to allot for each.
STEP 2 - Travel & Prep Time
Second, accommodate time for travel and prep. List those in your calendar (!!!), and add an extra 30 min to an hour for each to account for late bridal party members or underestimating equipment set-up time. This will be so helpful in keeping the day moving smoothly.
STEP 3 - Sleeping Arrangements
Don’t forget to plan where you and your spouse-to-be will be sleeping. Are you planning a traditional night apart? If so where are each of you staying? What about your pets?
Needing a little more alone time (hello –families can be CRAZY)? Plan to spend the night together as you normally would! This can be such a relaxing way to start your wedding day – together!
STEP 4 - Make Time for Your People
Next, reference your people. Who are you wanting to spend those precious last hours as a single guy or gal with? Make plans with those family and friends in the cal. TRUST US! This will be so important in keeping your mental stress low if you’ve already accounted for time with your peeps.
You may choose to schedule a bridal brunch with your bridesmaids or bridal party, or maybe your setup time is spent with your aunts and uncles. Just jot that down.
STEP 5 - Meals
Go ahead and nail down your plans for breakfast, lunch and dinner if you don’t have family events or obligations at those times. Is a relaxing breakfast in bed with your spouseto-be before the festivities kick off in your future? Or perhaps you want to schedule brunch with your gals to get in one last planning meeting? What will keep you the most sane? ��
Are you working through lunch for set-up at the venue? Delegate a family member to pick up lunch for those of you on location.
STEP 6 - Beauty Appointments
It’s time to fill in all your beauty appointments that remain. Are you planning to get your nails or hair done over the wedding weekend? Maybe a spray tan or wax? Double check length of time for each appointment when booking – you don’t want to be sitting in foils when you’re supposed to be at your bridal brunch. And triple check that your beauty pros KNOW this is for your wedding day so they are hyper-sensitive to doing their best work. ��
STEP 7 - Errand & Planning Time
Give yourself some planning or errand time. You’ll likely be answering calls from your planner, caterer, etc. Or maybe you’ve got to make a last minute run to Target for X, Y, Z that you forgot.
PRO TIP: We also suggest delegating an errand person(s) that you can ping as needed, so you’re not handling all the last minute details yourself.
STEP 8 - Take a Breath
Make sure to give yourself and your spouse-to-be some time to breath! If you need your alone time, this will be critical for your sanity come wedding week. Maybe you’re choosing to run errands solo for a break from your tightly wound siblings. Or go rogue and spend your wedding night alone at your favorite local hotel (get room service and relax – we fully support this!). Just make sure to make space for YOURSELF if that’s something you need.
Photo // Kristin La Voie PhotographyBEAUTY
Book Your Wedding Week Beauty Appointments
Before you know it, you’ll be one week away from saying “I do!” Now is the time to prep so you enter wedding week stress free. We are here to help with all of your wedding week beauty appointments, so you’ll be glowing and feeling great on your special day!
HAIRCUT & COLOR
Let’s start out with our #1 tip: keep it natural! Getting your final haircut or trim is a must, but play it safe! Wedding week is no time for experimenting. Stick with the look you (and your spouse-to-be) love and trust!
When to Book:
We recommend booking this service 2 weeks before your wedding day .
Photo // Savannah Peterson Photography Beauty // JM GlamourWAXING
There are so many different options when it comes to waxing. From your eyebrows, bikini area, legs, armpits, etc. How much or how little you want to wax is completely up to you! Typically, waxing will prevent hair regrowth for about 2-3 weeks – enough time for one appointment for wedding and honeymoon.
EYEBROWS:
Make sure you are using the same eyebrow technician you have always used. Stick with your regular brow shape, nothing crazy!
OTHER AREAS:
The eyebrows and bikini area are typically the two waxing options that most brides opt into, however, there are other areas you can choose to get waxed as well: Legs Armpits Arms Face
If you are getting airbrush makeup for your wedding, a face wax is typically recommended.
BIKINI AREA:
There are various different types of bikini waxes. The top three are the bikini line, full bikini and Brazilian. Make sure you know which one you are asking for before you go in!
Bikini Line:
This is just a basic clean up around the sides and the top. That way if you are in a swimsuit, nothing will peek out of your bikini.
Bikini Full:
This type of wax includes the front, the sides, and the top. You can take off as much or as little as you want!
Brazilian:
This is the whole thing! Everything goes! This wax gets everything that a full bikini wax gets, plus those hard to reach places in the back!
When to Book:
5-7 days before your wedding ; however, make sure you have had a trial bikini wax prior to the week-of to ensure you aren’t in pain!
ARE THERE OTHER HAIR REMOVAL OPTIONS BESIDES WAXING?
Of course! Not into waxing? No problem! Check out these alternative options:
Shaving:
Although shaving is an easy and inexpensive option, we recommend leaving the hair removal to the professionals this week! Plus, who wants to risk razor burn?!
Sugaring:
Sugaring is another great hair removal option. Similar to waxing, sugaring will prevent hair regrowth for about 2-3 weeks
Laser Hair Removal:
Laser is an amazing alternative for brides who want long term results even after your wedding and honeymoon. However, to see long term results, you will have to start at least 6-12 months prior to your wedding day.
NAILS
Every girl’s favorite way to cope with stress… getting your nails done! Getting a mani-pedi prior to your big day is a MUST!
TIPS:
Leave the bright colors at home – neutrals work best! We suggest going for white or a baby pink color, so your hands aren’t in full-focus in your photos. We recommend getting a gel or dip manicure and pedicure so you know your polish will last through your wedding day and honeymoon.
When to Book:
1-2 days before your wedding.
FACIAL
We recommend getting your final facial prior to the week-of! Any of the options below are sure to make all the difference in your skin! Just be sure to give yourself enough time between the appointment and the wedding day, so your red skin can fade to its natural tone.
TRADITIONAL FACIAL:
A simple treatment that includes exfoliation, extractions and cleansing.
MICRODERMABRASION: Microdermabrasion vacuums away dead skin cells from the epidermis which then helps new and healthy skin cells grow.
CHEMICAL PEEL:
A chemical peel is a facial where a chemical solution is applied to your skin to remove the top layers. We recommend doing a chemical peel about two weeks prior to your wedding.
When to Book:
1-2 weeks before your wedding
SPRAY TAN
If you are planning on getting a spray tan, schedule it 2-3 days prior to your wedding.
TIPS:
Don’t DIY if you don’t have to! You want to look and feel your best on your big day, and the last thing you want is an uneven tan.
Get your spray tan done after all of your other beauty appointments. Make sure you are confident in your tan and that you have had a trial run prior to the week of.
When to Book:
2-3 days before your wedding ; however, make sure you have had a trial tan prior to the week-of!
The Finishing Touch - Hair Accessories
YOUR GUIDE TO
Tipping Wedding Vendors
Just picture yourself making your romantic exit and you’re finally married to the love of your life! The last thing you want to be thinking about is if you tipped your wedding vendors, or even if you tipped them correctly. Whether it’s your wedding planner, your caterer, your valet and so on, you don’t want to be fielding questions or scrambling for cash on your wedding day. We’re here to simplify your life with a comprehensive guide to tipping your wedding vendors. This is your one-stop-shop for all things wedding tipping etiquette — with a few pro tips thrown in to make your big day even better!
Photo // Hayden Jordan PhotographyVendor Tipping Etiquette
When it comes to tipping your wedding vendors, not all vendors (and situations) are equal. What that means is that some vendors expect to be tipped, like your makeup artist, and others don’t require it but would appreciate the gesture, like your musicians, and others still that build that cost into their contract with you. For example, some vendors will need to be tipped and others will give a service charge. Not to confuse the matter, but having a service charge by one vendor — your caterer, for example – doesn’t mean you don’t need to tip the delivery person or even the wait staff.
POINTERS ON HOW TO NAVIGATE THE TIPPING PROCESS:
Go through this complete list of wedding vendors and determine who all you need, or at least may need to tip. If you have a wedding planner, this is a task they can provide invaluable help with, so be sure to check with your planner if you want extra help. Once you determine who is on the list for tipping, you’ll want to have a plan for when and how to get them their tip. For some vendors, it’s upon delivery, at the end of the night, or even after the honeymoon.
Remember to have the cash or checks prepared in advance for vendors being tipped on the day of the wedding.
1. 4. 2.
Check your contracts.
Vendors such as reception staff, caterers and venues who are providing day-of management, among others, often put service charges or gratuity in the contract. Be sure to go through all your contracts to determine where that may already be covered.
3.
Include tips in the wedding budget.
Have a plan in place. You don’t need to tip business owners.
(WITH ONE EXCEPTION)
Traditionally, you do not need tip business owners. There are exceptions to this in the case of photographers who are both the owner and the service provider. In those cases, you may want to make the exception.
THEBRIDESOFHOUSTON.COM PHASE TWO 64 PHASE THREE Depending on how many vendors you have, the tips could add up, so it’s important to include this cost in your budget. Because tipping can also be somewhat spontaneous based on excellent service, try to add a little padding in your budget, if possible, for the option. You don’t want to get to the event day and try to scramble to tip someone. A little budgeting can stop that stress.
Ultimately, tipping is about rewarding excellent service, not feeling compelled. The goal is to be thoughtful of the type of service that is being provided, to be aware of how different service providers make their money and give financial compensation appropriately.
Excellent service is when vendors go above and beyond the agreed-upon terms — this can be before, during or after the wedding, so keep that in mind.
Reward excellent service. Put someone in charge.
This may be multiple people or one person, but someone needs to be in charge of dispersing tips during the wedding day — as well as before or after, as needed. If you have a planner or day-of coordinator, they are the person you will want to designate as tip manager. If you don’t have a planner, think through the day and the process and enlist your wedding party or family to help with different vendors. The main point — don’t try to do this yourself because you have a lot on your plate that day.
Photo // Feather & TwineLocal Wedding Inspiration Your Daily Dose of
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Complete Guide to all the Wedding Planning Lingo
You’re engaged and that means it’s time to plan your wedding! We’ve created a list of wedding planning terminology to help you feel confident when you walk into any wedding planning meetings. You’ll know your sheet cake from your cutting cake — and what a godet is by the time you’re through. Here’s a quick guide to all the words you need to know to help you eat, drink and be married!
Photo // Amanda Watson PhotographyENGAGEMENT PHOTOS — These are used as a way to document the couple’s engagement and are often personalized in a way that showcases the couple’s love story. This is also commonly used to get comfortable working with your wedding photographer.
FIANCÉ — The person to whom you are engaged. This can also refer to a man who is engaged to be married, which takes from the French version of this term.
FIANCÉE — A woman who is engaged to be married.
It’s important to note that American English doesn’t have gendered word endings, but if you see these terms this is what they can mean.
WEDDING HASHTAG — Personalized wedding hashtags are used so that guests can follow updates from the wedding as well as post their photos and well-wishes from the event on social media in a way that the couple can easily find it. Some services will help you generate wedding hashtags. Example: #PartyWithThePerkins or #FinallyTheJacksons
WEDDING REGISTRY — A service offered by a store or organization where a couple lists their gift preferences for their family and friends to use. Couples typically choose 2-4 places to register for wedding gifts. This term can also be listed as Bridal Registry and Gift Registry.
WEDDING WEBSITE — A personal wedding website is a website that engaged couples use to communicate with guests for their wedding. These can range from free services to highly customized designs for a fee. Couples use these to tell their love story, share wedding details, gift registry information and more.
DESIGN
MOOD BOARD — Your mood board is something that helps you visually communicate your wedding inspiration and desired style. This can include images with certain colors or textures as well as physical items that you are inspired by. Your planner will often create a mood board with you. However, you can create your own and use it in your meetings with your vendor team.
PALETTE — This refers to the range of colors you plan to use at your wedding. You may get asked, “what is your color palette?” While you may have a single color in mind, you’ll want to have a range of colors that work well together. Your wedding planner or primary vendor can help you create this.
LOGISTICS
RUN SHEET (OR RUNSHEET) — This is a document that lists all the action steps in the wedding planning process or specifically in the day-of process. This is something your planner or primary vendor, such as a day-of coordinator, will want to create together.
SHOT LIST — This refers to the list of desired photos you would like the photographer or videographer to capture at your wedding events. You will want to think through what types of images are most important to you.
FULL PLANNING — This refers to wedding planning and coordination packages for couples who want a full-time professional to oversee every aspect of their wedding planning and wedding day. This includes things such as vendor management, scheduling, marriage license, tracking RSVPs, creating the planning timeline and overseeing the big day itself, etc.
PARTIAL PLANNING — This typically involves month-of wedding coordination along with some additional planning services with a set number of hours dedicated to the client. This can be helpful for couples who want to be very hands-on but need professional coordination as the day gets closer.
WEDDING COORDINATOR — While most wedding planners offer coordination services, a wedding coordinator maintains contact with vendors and serves as a liaison for the couple. Many wedding coordinators offer month-of, week-of, and day-of services.
RAIN PLAN — A rain plan is just what it sounds like. It is the backup plan in case of rain and inclement weather.
ROOM FLIP — This refers to when a room is completely transformed between the stages of a wedding or event. The most common room flip example is having your guests leave the ceremony for a cocktail hour only to come back to the same room for the reception. This is done to help economize for space and budget as well as to limit the inconvenience of needing multiple locations.
VENUE WALKTHROUGH — A venue walkthrough is an appointment to see a potential wedding venue, ask questions, take pictures and ultimately, envision what your event would look like there. All wedding venues encourage couples to schedule an appointment for a personalized venue walkthrough.
VENUE COORDINATOR — This is the person at the venue that will book your wedding, help with services such as menu and floral that are in-house services and make sure the event runs smoothly during your reception.
VENDOR MEAL — This refers to the additional meals you may need to arrange for the vendors that will be working at the event itself.
IN-HOUSE — This is the term used when additional services are offered by the vendor. Most commonly this is used in relation to venues. They often offer in-house catering or floral arrangements services and event planning in some cases.
GOLDEN HOUR — This is a photographer term referring to a pre-sunset time when the natural light is ideal for taking wedding photos. The event time will play into when your wedding photos should be taken.
HARD-STOP — The time at which your wedding festivities have to be over by and guests need to be off the premises.
DESTINATION WEDDING — This refers to a wedding that takes place in a different state or country than the couple lives and often has the wedding party or guests staying with the couple for a weekend or more in that location.
ELOPEMENT — While the term elopement used to indicate running away to get married, now the term is most commonly used to indicate a purposefully small or paired down event. This could range from only the couple being in attendance to having a few friends and family.
MICRO WEDDING — A micro wedding is a wedding or reception with less than 50 guests. One version of a micro wedding is to combine an elopement with a small reception.
INTIMATE WEDDING — An intimate wedding typically has fewer than 75 guests. This style of wedding is purposefully low-key, though that doesn’t have to mean casual.
BLACK TIE — This dress code is for events starting after 6 p.m. and is traditionally the most formal dress code.
BLACK TIE OPTIONAL — This dress code indicates that men do not have to wear a tuxedo and women have the option to wear a range from full-length gowns to cocktail dresses.
TWO
DESTINATION WEDDING TIP
CHECK SEASONAL CHANGES AND TOURISM SCHEDULES BEFORE PICKING A DATE! BOOKING DURING THE MIDDLE OF HURRICANE SEASON MAY LIMIT YOUR OUTDOOR FESTIVITIES, WHILE HIGH TOURISM RATES TRANSLATE TO EXPENSIVE BOOKING AND CROWDED HOTSPOTS.
Photo // AJ Stegall PhotographyTUXEDO — This specifically refers to a man’s dinner jacket and comes in a range of styles from the traditional to the more modern as well as different colors.
WAISTCOAT — This is the vest typically worn by men over a shirt and under a jacket.
CUMBERBUND — This is the broad waistband worn in place of a vest, typically in men’s clothes.
CUFFLINKS — The device for fastening two sides of a shirt cuff together. These also make great wedding gifts to your fiancé
APPLIQUÉ — Appliqué is the ornamental needlework and detailing often seen on wedding dresses. This ranges from glitter and beads to extensive lace.
GROSGRAIN RIBBON — This is a ribbed fabric that comes most often in belts, sashes and even floral bouquets.
WEDDING VEIL — The wedding veil is worn on the head and comes in a wide variety of styles. From the floor-length cathedral veils to blusher veils that cover the bride’s face, you can find these in lace brocade, tulle, organza, silk and chiffon fabrics.
SILHOUETTE — In the context of weddings, this refers to the shape of various wedding dress styles . Experts will refer to the different styles by their silhouette name most often. These include ballgown, fit-and-flare, mermaid, and more.
GODET — This is the name for the triangular piece of material inserted into a dress to make it flared for a more dramatic or ornamental look.
OFFICIANT (OR CELEBRANT) — The officiant is the person that officiates at the wedding ceremony. This can be a religious figure, a civil celebrant or an ordained friend or family member.
BEST MAN — Considered the principal groomsman. Often the role is filled by the most important person to the groom.
GROOMSMAN — These are members of the groom’s party and officially attend to the groom at a wedding.
RING BEARER — This is a carryover from a more traditional style wedding when the role was typically filled by a young boy who carried a ring tied to a pillow down the aisle. Today, traditionally, the best man keeps the rings with him until the groom needs them. The ring bearer role is often filled by the couple’s pets or young relatives.
MAID OF HONOR — This is the title for an unmarried woman acting as the principal bridesmaid at a wedding. This role is typically filled by a sister or best friend of the bride.
MATRON OF HONOR — Similar to the maid of honor, this role is given to the married woman acting as a principal bridesmaid. Some brides have both a maid and matron of honor while some opt for one or the other.
BRIDESMAID — These are members of the bride’s party and are typically close friends or family members of the bride.
FLOWER GIRL — The flower girl is traditionally filled by a young girl that walks down the aisle just ahead of the maid of honor, after the bridesmaids. She scatters flower petals along the aisle before the bride. This role has changed in recent years to include grandmothers and male friends or relatives who act as flower attendants.
ATTENDANTS — This is anyone that plays a role in the wedding including the best man, bridesmaids, ushers, flower girls, etc. These people are called this because they have roles and responsibilities to “attend” to during the wedding.
USHER — An usher is typically a male relative or friend of the couple that shows guests to their seats for the ceremony as well as answers general questions.
GUEST LIST — The list of people invited to your wedding.
SEATING PLAN (OR CHART) — The seating arrangement selected for your guests to use during your wedding reception.
PLUS ONE — This is a term referring to your wedding invitation by giving an invited guest the opportunity to bring someone of their choosing.
WELCOME BAG — Welcome bags are typically gifts given to out-of-town guests including family and friends that have come from a distance to attend your wedding. These gifts are usually prepared and delivered to hotel rooms or guesthouses and filled with convenience items or local delicacies.
ROOM BLOCK — This refers to the practice of blocking off 10+ rooms at a hotel or hotels for out-of-town guests. These often come with a slight discount and are especially helpful for guests to locate a convenient place to stay while they are in town for the wedding.
DETAILS
TO MAKE SENDING RSVP CARDS BACK EASIER, INCLUDE STAMPED AND ADDRESSED ENVELOPES IN THE SUITE! BY DOING THIS, YOU’LL SAVE YOUR GUESTS THE ADDITIONAL COSTS IT TAKES TO MAIL IT BACK, AS WELL AS ENSURE IT MAKES IT TO THE RIGHT DESTINATION.
Photo // Laura Eddy PhotographySAVE-THE-DATE — This is something that is sent to guests ahead of the invitation in order to allow them to save the wedding date on their calendar.
INVITATION SUITE — An invitation suite refers to all the various pieces that come with a wedding invitation including the wedding invitation, response card, information card, and often includes wedding stationery.
WEDDING STATIONERY — This is separate from the wedding invitation, though often part of invitation suites. It is a personalized stationery that is used for thank you cards and more.
LETTERPRESS — This is a vintage-style printing with a deep impression. This is the opposite of embossing, which produces a raised image.
VELLUM — Vellum is a type of paper that is see-through and often used in highlystylized wedding invitation suites.
ESCORT CARD — Escort cards direct guests to a table vs. a specific seat. These are considered a less formal choice than place cards.
PLACE CARD — Place cards show guests both a table and the specific seat they have been assigned. Traditionally, this means the reception is a more formal event with a served dinner option.
WEDDING PROGRAM — Traditionally, this refers to the piece of paper that lists the order of events in your celebration including who is participating in each phase of the event. This allows guests to know who is doing any readings or the names of your wedding attendants and more.
BOUTONNIÉRE (OR BOUTINEER) — This is a single flower or small bud that is worn, typically by a man, in the buttonhole of his lapel.
CORSAGE — A small bouquet of flowers worn, typically by a woman, on her dress or around the wrist. At weddings, these are often worn by the mothers of the bride and groom as well as grandmothers and other females that play a prominent role in the events of the day.
BOUQUET — This is often referring to the bridal bouquet , which is the flower arrangement carried by the bride as she walks down the aisle. The maid of honor holds this for her during the ceremony and returns it for the recessional.
NOSEGAY — This refers to a small bunch of flowers that are often particularly sweetlyscented. Other terms for this type of bouquet are posy and tussie-mussie.
GARLAND — This is a band or chain of flowers, leaves, or other types of foliage. This can refer also to wreaths worn on the head, but typically refers to the festive florals draped in loops throughout the event space or as runners on tables.
POMANDER — As it relates to weddings, a pomander is typically a decorative ball of flowers used in wedding decor.
FLOWER WALL — This can be a full wall of florals or can refer to single flowers or garlands draped in single strands as a backdrop.
BUTTERCREAM — This is a popular icing for wedding cakes. The most common types of buttercream are American, Swiss Meringue and Italian Meringue.
FONDANT — Fondant is associated with more luxurious cakes and is most often used to sculpt or decorate cakes. It’s a unique consistency and is a popular alternative to the buttercream.
GANACHE — This is another popular way to “ice” a cake, as well as, a cake filling. It is a mixture of chocolate and cream and has a firm consistency.
ROYAL ICING — Royal Icing is a mixture of powdered sugar, water and meringue powder. This is most often used to hold decorations together and in piping.
NAKED CAKE — This is easily identifiable because it has minimal or no outer layer of frosting to show off the cake’s texture and filling. This trend has been around for a while now and has only gained in popularity.
CUTTING CAKE — This is the cake that gets cut in the traditional ceremony for the photo opportunity, but is not typically enough to serve all the guests at the wedding. This is also a more expensive cake.
SHEET CAKE — This is the cake that is a less expensive option and is slightly different from your cutting cake typically. This is most often cut in the kitchen and served to guests as single slices.
CENTERPIECE — These are decorative pieces for display in the middle of a dining or serving table.
TABLESCAPE — This is a term for the artistic arrangement of decor and flowers on any given table.
CHARGER — This is a large decorative base setting that the dinnerware is placed on during formal dinners.
PLACE SETTING — This is a complete set of dishes and cutlery provided for a single guest at the reception — or during a meal.
CANDELABRA — This is a large, branched candle holder that can be placed on tabletops or large candelabras can be used in altar decorations and more.
TAPER CANDLE — A taper candle is one that narrows slightly from a wider base to a “tapered” top. They fit most standard candle holders and have a traditional burn time of one hour per inch.
TEALIGHT CANDLE — These are tiny candles in a thin metal or sometimes plastic cup. They are an inexpensive and attractive candle option.
GOBO LIGHTING — Gobo stands for go-between optics. Gobo lighting comes from a stenciled circular disc used inside a lighting fixture. These can be customized with patterns, initials, names and more.
ENGAGEMENT PARTY — An event hosted by the friends or family of a couple to celebrate their engagement.
BACHELOR AND BACHELORETTE PARTY — These are respectively the groom (bachelor) and bride’s (bachelorette) celebration with their wedding party. These can also include a wider group of friends and be an entire getaway vs. a single night party. They do not have to be scheduled on the same night and don’t have to take place the night before the wedding.
REHEARSAL DINNER — The rehearsal dinner meal includes the wedding party as well as some extended family or close friends and takes place after the wedding rehearsal the day before the ceremony. This can also be Rehearsal Brunch or anything your specific schedule needs it to be.
FIRST LOOK
HAVING A FIRST LOOK BRINGS MORE FREEDOM INTO YOUR WEDDING TIMELINE! SEEING YOUR FIANCÉ EARLIER IN THE DAY ALLOWS YOU TO GET COUPLE AND BRIDAL PARTY PHOTOS DONE BEFORE THE CEREMONY, GUARANTEEING YOU MORE TIME TO ENJOY YOUR COCKTAIL HOUR AND RECEPTION.
Photo // Gaby Caskey PhotographyFIRST LOOK — A first look is when the bride and groom have a private moment to see each other before the ceremony. This is often captured on film by the photographer and videographer. First looks can also be done with other members of the couple’s friends or family.
FIRST TOUCH — Some couples prefer not to see each other before the ceremony but would still love to have a private moment alone. A first touch is when the couple is separated by a wall or door and hold hands for a moment.
PRELUDE — This is the music that is played while guests are being seated for the ceremony. It can be whatever the couple prefers.
WEDDING PROCESSIONAL — This refers to the wedding party walking down the aisle. This includes the officiant, parents, bridesmaids, flower girl, ring bearer, bride and groom.
VOWS — Vows are the promises partners make to each other during the wedding ceremony. Many couples opt for writing their own vows either in addition to or instead of the traditional options. Depending on the culture and/or religious background of the couple, vow types can vary greatly.
RECESSIONAL — This is when the wedding party exits after the ceremony.
FOOD & DRINK
COCKTAIL HOUR — The hour after the ceremony and before the reception where guests mingle and are served drinks as well as food such as hors d’oeuvres. This doesn’t always have to be an hour.
CORKAGE FEE — This is the fee charged per bottle, specifically when you have provided your own wine or alcohol. You will want to speak with your caterer about their corkage fee policy when negotiating your contract.
OPEN BAR — At an open bar option, the drinks have been paid for by the host.
SIGNATURE COCKTAIL — This can be one drink or in some cases, two drinks from the bride and groom served as a particular treat for the event. Couples often pull from their love story, family history and more to create a special drink for their wedding day.
Tips on Serving Custom Cocktails at Your Wedding
FEASTING STYLE— This style of catering usually features a variety of food options where guests can serve themselves. In feasting style, there is a particular focus on beauty and delightful tastes. In some cases, this looks like a luxurious charcuterie set up.
PLATED SIT-DOWN DINNER — This style of catering is usually predetermined with options listed on the reply card of the wedding invitation. Guests are served their meal by the wait staff.
CANAPE — A small piece of bread or pastry with a savory topping served with drinks.
CRUDITE — These are traditional french appetizers featuring sliced or whole raw vegetables with dipping sauces.
GRAND ENTRANCE — This is when the newlyweds are introduced at the reception.
HEAD TABLE — This is the principal table at the wedding reception where the wedding party traditionally sits. In some cases, the newlyweds sit with the group at the head table. In other cases, they have their own private sweetheart table.
SWEETHEART TABLE — A private table set up just for the newlywed couple.
SEND-OFF — This is when the couple makes their official exit from the reception. Traditionally, this is where the couple leaves for their honeymoon, but many modern couples opt for a different timeline. The send-off is where the couple walks through the guests who have lined up to cheer them out. Guests can cheer with bubbles, streamers, flowers, flags and more. Many people also make their exit to fireworks.
THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE MOST COMMON WEDDING PLANNING TERMINOLOGY THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.
Here are a few quick recommendations for learning the rest of what you need to know —
Get comfortable asking questions. Whether it’s contract or pricing negotiations or wondering what the difference is between family-style and feasting-style is, it’s important to be comfortable asking vendors to explain the details. If you’re not clear on something, don’t be embarrassed to ask for clarification. Vendors are usually happy to explain.
Do your research. Our Brides of Houston site has tons of helpful guides to help newly engaged folks just like yourself. Plus, there are many helpful resources online. Rely on your vendors for their guidance, but make sure you are staying up-to-date with the information.
Don’t assume anything. It can be easy to assume you and a vendor are on the same page but don’t do it. Don’t assume something is included in the contract because it seems like it would be or vice versa.
wedding vendor
BEAUTY
with Beauty Babes Angela Sostarich Photography Ellen Renee Photography Patti Darby Photography Seleni Hernandez Photography Ellen Renee Photography Kasey Lynn Photo NOWARTISTRY
with Butter Artistry Patti Darby Photography Megan Kay Photography Courtney Leigh Photography Stephania Campos Photography Amanda Watson Photography Mustard Seed Photography NOWBEAUTY Riley Campbell
CAKED UP WITH RILEY
with Caked Up With Riley Ally Joe Photography Amy Odom Allison Ermon Photography Kya Reign Creative Brandy Palacios Photography Kya Reign Creative CONNECT NOW with Etoilly Artistry Emily Figurelli Photography Megan Kay Photography Courtney Leigh Photography Courtney Leigh Photography Feather & Twine Megan Kay Photography CONNECT NOWFACE FOUNDRIÉ
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with The Flour Petal Bakery Alicia Yarrish Photography Rachel Driskell Photography courtesy of The Flour Petal Bakery Sara Ascencio courtesy of The Flour Petal Bakery courtesy of The Flour Petal Bakery CAKES & SWEETSwith Jo's Paper Kitchen
Alicia Yarrish Photography Leslie Margarita Photography Meeker Pictures Westy Peck Photography Catie Ann Photography Taryn Lynn Photography JO'S PAPER KITCHEN INVITATIONS & PAPER CONNECT NOW Joanna Kenney Brianne Johnson Photography Alicia Yarrish Photography Wild Garden Photography with Joyful Soul Calligraphy Patti Darby Photography & Click Photography Brianne Johnson Photography JOYFUL Adrienne HoffmanUNFORGETTABLE FLORAL
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with Relics of Rainbows Photo Relics of Rainbows Photo Relics of Rainbows Photo Relics of Rainbows Photo Relics of Rainbows Photo of Rainbows Photo of Rainbows Photo Nicole OmanBIG
Kasey Lynn Photography Dawn Elizabeth Studios Mustard Seed Photography with Big Sky Barn | The Milestone Montgomery Kasey Lynn Photography Kasey Lynn Photography Kati Hewitt PhotographyVENUE
THE ORCHARD AT CANEY CREEK
NOW
with The Orchard at Caney Creek Amy Maddox Photo Amy Maddox Photo Kati Hewitt Photography courtesy of The Orchard at Caney Creek Amy Maddox Photo Kate Gulledge CreativeEVENTS AND RENTALS
with 2 B Luxe Events and Rentals Emily Figurelli Photography Brandon & Lindsay Lutz Photography Courtesy of @palmroyalvilla Joanna Krueger Courtesy of @palmroyalvilla Drakeswith Junk In Love Events
Caleigh Ann Photography Wild Garden Photography Meeker Pictures Emily Figurelli Photography Emily Figurelli PhotographyCONNECT NOW
LOVE BIRDS & CO.
with Love Birds & Co. JW Baugh Photo Katy Cox Photo Kaley Elaine Photo Kasey Lynn Photo Kasey Lynn Photo Katy Cox PhotoON
with On Cloud9 Events Christina Elliott Photo The Crakes Bailee Starr Photography Eric & Jenn Photography Bailee Starr Photography Annie Lui PhotographyWEDDINGS BY ANDREA
with Weddings by Andrea Brittany Marshall Photography Sweet Nest Photography Vey Gallery Sweet Nest Photography Heidi Elyse Photo Moments of Grace Photography CONNECT NOW WEDDING PLANNERBEAUTYBABESMUAH@GMAIL.COM
@BEAUTYBABESMUAH
WWW.BEAUTYBABESMUAH.COM
BEAUTY BABES
SARAH@PETALANDPRESSSTUDIO.COM
@PETALANDPRESSSTUDIO
WWW.PETALANDPRESSSTUDIO.COM
BESPOKEN BEAUTY
BESPOKENBEAUTYINFO@GMAIL.COM
@BESPOKENBEAUTY
WWW.BESPOKEN-BEAUTY.COM
INFO@BLOOMINGBEAUTYCOMPANY.COM
@BLOOMINGBEAUTYCOMPANY
BLOOMING BEAUTY COMPANY
WWW.BLOOMINGBEAUTYCOMPANY.COM
houston VENDOR GUIDE THEBRIDESOFHOUSTON.COM FIND VENDOR PROFILES ONLINE CONTACT@BRIDALBEAUTYTRIBE.COM
DAISY_ARTEAGA@YMAIL.COM
@24KAIRBRUSH_BAR
ADORNEARTISTRY@GMAIL.COM
@ADORNEARTISTRY
BRIDAL BEAUTY TRIBE
BRITTANY BLANCHARD
BUTTER
WWW.BRIDALBEAUTYTRIBE.COM
BRITTANY@BRITTANYMBLANCHARD.COM
@BRITTANYBLANCHARDMAKEUPARTIST
WWW.BRITTANYMBLANCHARD.COM
CHEERS@BUTTERARTISTRY.COM
@BUTTERARTISTRY
WWW.BUTTERARTISTRY.COM
ARTISTRY @BRIDALBEAUTYTRIBE
CAKEDUPWITHRILEY@GMAIL.COM
@CAKEDUPWITHRILEY
WWW.CAKEDUPWITHRILEY.COM
INFO@PINKPALETTEARTISTS.COM
@PINKPALETTEARTISTS
WWW.PINKPALETTEARTISTS.COM
INFO@ETOILLYARTISTRY.COM
@ETOILLYARTISTRY
WWW.ETOILLYARTISTRY.COM
HOUSTON@FACEFOUNDRIE.COM
@FACEFOUNDRIE
WWW.FACEFOUNDRIE.COM
CAKED UP WITH RILEY @PEARLCOARTISTRY
INFO@GLOWANDGRACEARTISTRY.COM
@GLOWANDGRACEARTISTRY
WWW.GLOWANDGRACEARTISTRY.COM
HONEYBEELOVELYINFO@GMAIL.COM
@HONEYBEELOVELYBEAUTY
WWW.HONEYBEELOVELYBEAUTY.COM
WWW.PEARLCOARTISTRY.COM
SIMPLYBELLAHTX@GMAIL.COM
@SIMPLYBELLAHTX
WWW.SHELLYCUEVAS.GLOSSGENIUS.COM
TEASE@TEASEHTX.COM
@TEASEHTX
WWW.TEASEHTX.COM
DAISY_ARTEAGA@YMAIL.COM
@24KAIRBRUSH_BAR
WWW.24KAIRBRUSHBAR.COM
houston VENDOR GUIDE SOURCE LOCAL WEDDING EXPERTS @BRIDESOFHOUSTON PEARLCOARTISTRY@GMAIL.COM
HOUSTON@FACEFOUNDRIE.COM
@FACEFOUNDRIE
BOUDOIR
ERIKAGEIERPHOTOGRAPHY@GMAIL.COM
@ERIKAGEIERPHOTOGRAPHY
CAKES & SWEETS
KADY@ALCHEMYBAKELAB.COM
@ALCHEMYBAKELAB
ALCHEMY
WWW.ERIKAGEIERPHOTO.COM
WWW.ALCHEMYBAKELAB.COM
SAYHELLO@INFINITEBOUDOIR.COM
@INFINITE_BOUDOIR
CONTACT.BUTTERCREAM@GMAIL.COM
@BUTTERCREAMHOUSTON
WWW.INFINITEBOUDOIR.COM
BUTTERCREAM
VIEW VENDORS ONLINE CAKECONSPIRACY@GMAIL.COM
HELLO@RACHELDRISKELL.COM
@RACHELDRISKELL
WWW.RACHELDBOUDOIR.COM
WWW.BUTTERCREAMHOUSTON.COM
houston VENDOR GUIDE THEBRIDESOFHOUSTON.COM FIND VENDOR PROFILES ONLINE WWW.THECAKECONSPIRACY.COM
HELLO@SAMANTHAWEBBPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
@SAMANTHAWEBBPHOTOGRAPHY
@CAKE_CONSPIRACY
INFO@MARBLELOUSCAKES.COM
@MARBLELOUSCAKES
MARBLELOUS
INFINITE BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.SAMANTHAWEBBPHOTOGRAPHY.COM KELLIE@CHOCOLATELLAMA.COM
SAMANTHA WEBB PHOTOGRAPHY @THE_CHOCOLATE_LLAMA
WWW.MARBLELOUSCAKES.COM
WWW.CHOCOLATELLAMA.COM
HELLO@THEFLOURPETALBAKERY.COM
@THEFLOURPETALBAKERY
CATERING
WWW.THEFLOURPETALBAKERY.COM
JOYFULSOULCALLIGRAPHY@YAHOO.COM
@JOYFUL.SOUL.CALLIGRAPHY
WWW.JOYFULSOULCALLIGRAPHY.COM
INFO@STEELEMAGNOLIACALLIG.COM
@STEELEMAGNOLIACALLIGRAPHY
INFO@BRIGHTSIDECOFFEEBAR.COM
@BRIGHTSIDECOFFEEHTX
WWW.BRIGHTSIDECOFFEEBAR.SQUARE.SITE
EVENTS@CAVIARANDBANANA.COM
@CAVIARBANANA
WWW.CAVIARANDBANANA.COM
JJANSZEN@ESSENCATERING.COM
@ESSEN_CATERING
WWW.ESSENCATERING.COM
INFO@HEDRICKSCATERING.COM
@LISAHEDRICKCATERING_EVENTS
@WILKINSWRITING
WWW.HEDRICKSCATERING.COM
houston VENDOR GUIDE SOURCE LOCAL WEDDING EXPERTS @BRIDESOFHOUSTON EVENTS@WOLFEANDWINE.COM
@WOLFE_WINE
CAVIAR & BANANACHELSEA@JUNKINLOVERENTALS.COM
@JUNKINLOVEEVENTS
HELLO@LOVEBIRDSVINTAGE.COM
@LOVEBIRDSVINTAGE
WWW.LOVEBIRDSVINTAGE.COM
EVENTS@ONCLOUD9TX.COM
@ONCLOUD9TX
INFO@PREMIEREEVENTSONLINE.COM
houston VENDOR GUIDE THEBRIDESOFHOUSTON.COM FIND VENDOR PROFILES ONLINE DECOR & RENTALS VIEW VENDORS ONLINE WWW.JUNKINLOVERENTALS.COM @PREMIEREEVENTSTX
ENTERTAINMENT
INFO@DJBENEFIELDENT.COM
@DJBENEFIELD_HTX
EXPERIENTIAL EVENTS
INFO@BRIGHTSIDECOFFEEBAR.COM
@BRIGHTSIDECOFFEEHTX
WWW.DJBENEFIELDENT.COM
WWW.BRIGHTSIDECOFFEEBAR.SQUARE.SITE
BRITTNEYDRINKARDART@GMAIL.COM
BRITTNEYDRINKARDART@GMAIL.COM
@BRITTNEYDRINKARDART
WWW.BRITTNEYDRINKARDART.COM
@BRUSHEDSCRIPT
VIEW VENDORS ONLINE @ROYALDUKESBAND
VIEW
@BRITTNEYDRINKARDART
WWW.BRITTNEYDRINKARDART.COM
houston VENDOR GUIDE SOURCE LOCAL WEDDING EXPERTS @BRIDESOFHOUSTON @BRUSHEDSCRIPT
BRITTNEY DRINKARD ART BRITTNEY DRINKARD ART AD ON PAGE 25 @DOUBLEOAKEVENTS WWW.DOUBLEOAKEVENTS.COM INFO@DOUBLEOAKEVENTS.COM DOUBLE OAK EVENTS @BELLEAMEBRIDALHOUSTON
SUPPORT@BRUSHEDSCRIPT.COM
WWW.BRUSHEDSCRIPT.COM
INFO@BELLEAMEBRIDALHOUSTON.COM
BRITTNEY DRINKARD BRIGHTSIDEMADDIE@GOLLADAYFLORAL.COM
INFO@BRICKHOUSEBRIDAL.COM
@BRICKHOUSEBRIDAL_BHB
WWW.GOLLADAYFLORAL.COM
WWW.BRICKHOUSEBRIDAL.COM
MONICASBRIDES@YAHOO.COM
@MONICASBRIDES
WWW.MONICASBRIDES.COM
HOLLY@ADIFFERENTBLOOM.COM
@ADIFFERENTBLOOM
WWW.ADIFFERENTBLOOM.COM
HELLO@ALLTHEPRETTYTHINGSHTX.COM
@ALL.THE.PRETTY.THINGS.HTX
INFO@CALIANDBLOOMFLORAL.COM
@CALIANDBLOOM
GARDENPARTY@GREENTEAMSINC.COM
SARAH@PETALANDPRESSSTUDIO.COM
@PETALANDPRESSSTUDIO
WWW.PETALANDPRESSSTUDIO.COM
JEN@PETALANDSTEMBYJEN.COM
@PETALANDSTEMBYJEN
HELLO@STONESTHROWFLORAL.COM
@STONESTHROWFLORALCO
BRICKHOUSE BRIDAL @UNFORGETTABLEFLORAL
WWW.STONESTHROWFLORAL.COM
GARDEN PARTY FLORAL BY GREEN TEAMS INC. BOBBI@UNFORGETTABLEFLORAL.COM
@GARDENPARTYFLORAL
houston VENDOR GUIDE THEBRIDESOFHOUSTON.COM FIND VENDOR PROFILES ONLINE WWW.GARDENPARTYFLORAL.CO @GOLLADAYFLORAL
JAELYNN@URBANRUBBISH.COM
@URBANRUBBISH
INVITATIONS & PAPER
WWW.URBANRUBBISH.COM
STATIONERY01@BERINGS.COM
@BERINGSHARDWARE
AD ON INSIDE FRONT
WWW.BERINGS.COM
REGISTRY01@BERINGS.COM
@BERINGSHARDWARE
AD
WWW.BERINGS.COM
JOANNA@JOSPAPERKITCHEN.COM @JOSPAPERKITCHEN
WWW.JOSPAPERKITCHEN.COM
JOYFULSOULCALLIGRAPHY@YAHOO.COM
@JOYFUL.SOUL.CALLIGRAPHY
SIMPLYBELLAHTX@GMAIL.COM
@SIMPLYBELLAHTX
JOYFUL SOUL CALLIGRAPHY
houston VENDOR GUIDE SOURCE LOCAL WEDDING EXPERTS @BRIDESOFHOUSTON SMILE@PIXSTERTEXAS.COM
URBAN RUBBISH @PIXSTERTEXAS
WWW.JOYFULSOULCALLIGRAPHY.COM
JO’S PAPER KITCHEN BERING’SPHOTOGRAPHY
ALICIA@ALICIAYARRISH.COM
@ALICIAYARRISH
ALICIAYARRISH.COM
HELLO@ALLYJOEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
@ALLYJOEPHOTOGRAPHY
WWW.ALLYJOEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
INFO@BRANDONANDLINDSAYLUTZ.COM
@LINDSAY_LUTZ
WWW.BRANDONANDLINDSAYLUTZ.COM
BRIANNEJOHNSONPHOTO@GMAIL.COM
@BRIANNEJOHNSONPHOTO
COURTNEY@COURTNEYTATE.COM
@COURTNEYTATEPHOTO
WWW.COURTNEYTATE.COM
VIEW VENDORS ONLINE WWW.GOODOMENCO.COM
ERIKAGEIERPHOTOGRAPHY@GMAIL.COM
@ERIKAGEIERPHOTOGRAPHY
WWW.ERIKAGEIERPHOTO.COM
JOY@FORJOYPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
@FORJOYPHOTOGRAPHY
WWW.FORJOYPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
INFO@GOODOMENCO.COM @GOODOMEN.WEDDINGS
HAYDENJORDANPHOTOGRAPHY@GMAIL.COM
@HAYDENJORDANPHOTO
WWW.HAYDENJORDAN.COM
INFO@JAMIEHARDINPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
@JAMIEHARDINPHOTOGRAPHY
ALLY JOE PHOTOGRAPHY BRIANNE ALICIA BRANDON & LINDSAY LUTZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTNEY TATE PHOTO FOR JOY PHOTOGRAPHY HAYDEN JORDAN PHOTOGRAPHY JAMIE HARDIN PHOTOGRAPHY houston VENDOR GUIDE THEBRIDESOFHOUSTON.COM FIND VENDOR PROFILES ONLINE ERIKA GEIER PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.BRIANNEJOHNSONPHOTO.COM GOOD OMEN CO. JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO & FILMSKATI@KATIHEWITTPHOTO.COM
@KATIHEWITTPHOTO
KATI HEWITT PHOTOGRAPHYWWW.KATIHEWITT.COM
MEREDITHKIRKPHOTOGRAPHY@GMAIL.COM
@MEREDITHKIRKPHOTOGRAPHY
MOLLIE JANE PHOTOGRAPHYWWW.MEREDITHKIRKPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
INFO@MOLLIEJANEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
@MOLLIEJANEPHOTOGRAPHY
WWW.MOLLIEJANEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
HELLO@NATALIENICOLEPHOTO.COM
@NATALIENICOLEPHOTO
WWW.NATALIENICOLEPHOTO.COM
HELLO@RACHELDRISKELL.COM
@RACHELDRISKELL
HELLO@RKMPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
@RKM_PHOTOGRAPHY_
WWW.RKMPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
HELLO@SAMANTHAWEBBPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
@SAMANTHAWEBBPHOTOGRAPHY
houston VENDOR GUIDE SOURCE LOCAL WEDDING EXPERTS @BRIDESOFHOUSTON MEREDITH KIRK PHOTOGRAPHYWWW.SAMANTHAWEBBPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
HELLO@SARASCENCIO.COM
@SARACRISTINASCENCIO
WWW.SARAASCENCIO.COM
CHRISTINE@SWISHNCLICK.COM @SWISHNCLICK
WWW.SWISHANDCLICK.COM
HELLO@WILDGARDENPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
@WILDGARDENPHOTOGRAPHY
WWW.WILDGARDENPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
RELICSOFRAINBOWS@GMAIL.COM
@RELICS.OF.RAINBOWS
SARA ASCENCIO SAMANTHA WEBB PHOTOGRAPHY RKM PHOTOGRAPHYTHETEAM@EPOCHCOEVENTS.COM
WWW.EPOCHCOEVENTS.COM
HELLO@FINISHINGTOUCH-EVENTS.COM
@FINISHINGTOUCHTX
WWW.FINISHINGTOUCH-EVENTS.COM
HELLO@HOPEFULEVENTSANDDESIGN.COM
@HOPEFULEVENTSANDDESIGN
WWW.HOPEFULEVENTSANDDESIGN.COM
CHELSEA@JUNKINLOVERENTALS.COM @JUNKINLOVEEVENTS
WWW.JUNKINLOVERENTALS.COM
HELLO@LOVEBIRDSVINTAGE.COM
houston VENDOR GUIDE SOURCE LOCAL WEDDING EXPERTS @BRIDESOFHOUSTON LOVE BIRDS & CO. @EPOCHCOEVENTS
@LOVEBIRDSVINTAGE
WWW.LOVEBIRDSVINTAGE.COM
JUNK IN LOVE EVENTS @MOONSTRUCKEVENTSTX
HELLO@MOONSTRUCKEVENTSTX.COM
MORGAN@MORGANMARIEEVENTS.COM @MORGANMARIEEVENTS
R&J
WWW.MORGANMARIEEVENTS.COM
EVENTS@ONCLOUD9TX.COM
@ONCLOUD9TX
WWW.ONCLOUD9TX.COM
RISS
SHANNON@POWEREVENTSANDPLANNING.COM
@POWEREVENTSANDPLANNING
WWW.POWEREVENTSANDPLANNING.COM
ROCHELLE@RANDJEVENTS.COM
@R_AND_J_EVENTS
WWW.RANDJEVENTS.COM
MERISSA@RISSCREATIONS.COM @RISS.CREATIONS
WWW.RISSCREATIONS.COM
houston VENDOR GUIDE THEBRIDESOFHOUSTON.COM FIND VENDOR PROFILES ONLINE WWW.THESTORYBOOKEVENTS.COM
EVENTS HELLO@WEDBYANDREA.COM @WEDBYANDREA
HELLO@THESTORYBOOKEVENT.COM @THESTORYBOOKEVENT
WWW.WEDBYANDREA.COM
CREATIONS THE WEDDINGS BY ANDREA* Unless otherwise stated,
15 ACRES
MAX CAPACITY : 450
AD ON PAGE 9
PRIMARY CONTACT : Fabiola Garza, Event Coordinator
PHONE : (281) 703 - 9091
EMAIL : foreverstartshere@15-acres.com
@15_acres_venue www.15-acres.com
25566 BRADBURY ROAD | HOCKLEY, TEXAS | 77447
AVERAGE PRICE : $23,500 - $30,000
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
AGAVE ESTATES
MAX
PRIMARY CONTACT : Lindsey Tiller, Sales and Event Coordinator
PHONE : (281) 395 - 5070
EMAIL : info@agaveestates.com
@agaveestates www.agaveestates.com
AVERAGE PRICE : $10,900
1254 FM
KATY, TEXAS
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
ASHTON GARDENS | NORTH & WEST HOUSTON
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
77494
Price Range”
@ashtongardenshouston
@ashtongardenswest www.waltersweddingestates.com
BENEATH THE OAKS
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
ON-SITE
houston VENUE GUIDE FREE PARKING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
“Average VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
on
cost per person which is subject to change at any time and may include special or seasonal discounts and generally may exclude alcohol,
may also charge a
fee,
may or may not be reflected in the
price range provided.
BIG SKY BARN | THE MILESTONE MONTGOMERY
MAX CAPACITY :
PHONE : (972) 317 - 7464
EMAIL : houston@waltersweddingestates.com
@bigskybarn www.waltersweddingestates.com
BRISCOE MANOR
MAX
PHONE : (281) 238 - 4700
EMAIL : contact@briscoemanor.com
@briscoemanor www.briscoemanor.com
CHARLESTON LANE
PRIMARY
PHONE
(832)
EMAIL : hello@charlestonlanetx.com
@charlestonlanetx
EMERY’S
PHONE
13570 FOREST LANE | MONTGOMERY, TEXAS | 77356
AVERAGE PRICE : contact venue for pricing
AVERAGE
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
RICHMOND, TEXAS
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
ON-SITE
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
houston VENUE GUIDE VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
* Unless otherwise stated, “Average Price Range” is based on average cost per person which is subject to change at any time and may include special or seasonal discounts and generally may exclude alcohol, taxes and service charges. Venues may also charge a site rental fee, which may or may not be reflected in the average price range provided. stated, Price based at time may or seasonal may alcohol, taxes may reflected price
*
FOREVER 5 EVENTS
MAX CAPACITY : 200
PRIMARY CONTACT : Emily Mays, Owner
PHONE : (281) 923 - 0730
EMAIL : hello@forever5events.com
@forever5events www.forever5events.com
AVERAGE PRICE
CALFEE ROAD
CONROE, TEXAS
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
otherwise
HARAS HACIENDA
PRIMARY CONTACT : Tatiana Ortiz, Event Coordinator
PHONE : (281) 259 - 4861
EMAIL : events@harasdc.us
@harashacienda www.harashacienda.com
HIDDEN PINES
LAKE HOUSTON
special
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
seasonal
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
provided.
MADERA ESTATES
MAX
PRIMARY CONTACT : Ian Ramirez, Venue Director
PHONE : (936) 441 - 9337
EMAIL : info@maderaestates.com
@maderaestates www.maderaestates.com
AVERAGE
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
MAGNOLIA GROVE WEDDINGS & EVENTS
MAX CAPACITY : 320
PHONE : (281) 844 - 9029
EMAIL : info@magnolia-grove.com
@magnoliagrove.tx www.magnolia-grove.com
AVERAGE PRICE
SH 61 | ANAHUAC, TEXAS | 77514
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
MAJESTIC OAKS WEDDING AND EVENT VENUES
PRIMARY CONTACT
PHONE : (832) 953 - 3400
EMAIL : majesticoakstx@gmail.com
@majesticoakstx.weddingvenues www.majesticoakstx.com
MARA VILLA
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
* Unless otherwise stated, “Average Price Range” is based on average cost per person which is subject to change at any time and may include special or seasonal discounts and generally may exclude alcohol, taxes and service charges. Venues may also charge a site rental fee, which may or may not be reflected in the average price range provided.
houston VENUE GUIDE FIND VENUE
STUDIO B HTX
MAX CAPACITY :
PRIMARY CONTACT : Lisa Joubert, Manager
PHONE : (832) 781 - 1735
EMAIL : studiobvenue@gmail.com
@studiobhtx www.studiobhtx.com
THE ANNEX
MAX CAPACITY : 200
PRIMARY CONTACT : Natali Holbrook, General Manager
PHONE : (832) 299 - 5147
EMAIL : info@theannexevents.com
@theannexevents www.theannexevents.com
PRIMARY CONTACT : Alexis Tower
PHONE : (281) 846 - 4663
EMAIL : alexis@thehomesteadtexas.com
@thehomesteadtexas www.thehomesteadtexas.com
PRIMARY
PHONE
@theorchardweddings
2206 EDWARDS STREET #B | HOUSTON, TEXAS |
AVERAGE PRICE : $1,050 $4,200
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
7076 CR
AVERAGE PRICE : $6,500
| NAVASOTA, TEXAS | 77868
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
OUTSIDE CATERING
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
*
THE PEACH ORCHARD VENUE
MAX CAPACITY : chapel 250 | ballroom 300
PRIMARY CONTACT : Jessica Musselman, Bridal Relations Director
PHONE : (832) 616 0634
EMAIL : info@thepeachorchard.com
@thepeachorchardvenue www.thepeachorchard.com
THE WEINBERG AT WIXON VALLEY
MAX CAPACITY :
PRIMARY CONTACT : Skyler Waltemathe
PHONE : (806) 201 2782
EMAIL : info@theweinbergatwixon.com
@theweinbergatwixon www.theweinbergatwixon.com
THE WOODLANDS COUNTRY CLUB
AD
PRIMARY CONTACT : Annemarie McKay,
PHONE : (281) 863 - 1449
EMAIL : annemarie.mckay@clubcorp.com
@thewoodlandscc_weddings www.clubcorp.com/clubs/the-woodlands-country-club
1737 SAWDUST ROAD | THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS | 77380
AVERAGE PRICE : $6,500 - $15,500
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
AVERAGE PRICE : $6,000 - $11,500
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
7786 KURTEN CEMETERY ROAD | BRYAN,WEDDINGS AT WINDY KNOLL
PRIMARY CONTACT : Lauren O’Malley, Venue Manager
PHONE : (832) 607 - 8281
EMAIL : weddingsatwindyknoll@gmail.com
@weddingsatwindyknoll www.weddingsatwindyknoll.com
WILLOWYNN BARN
MAX CAPACITY
PRIMARY CONTACT : Lauren Smith, Venue Director
PHONE : (346) 816 - 9911
EMAIL : willowynnbarn@gmail.com
@willowynnbarn www.willowynnbarn.com
REHEARSAL
ROUND TOP, TEXAS
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
ON-SITE CATERING
OUTSIDE CATERING ALLOWED
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
CEREMONY SITE AVAILABLE
OUTDOOR PARTY AREA
FREE PARKING
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
We know it's hard to find the perfect spot to travel and relax at, will you be laying by the pool all week or going on the adventure of a lifetime? Wherever your dream honeymoon takes you, we’re here to help with some of our favorite locations! Bring your favorite Houston wedding vendors with you to make your destination wedding dreams come true or know these are also the perfect locales to be swept off your feet and relax away from home!
CONTACT
(855) 421 -
(417) 348
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park Courtesy of Dogwood Canyon Nature Park