Pomanders: Precious vs Posh

Pomander balls are a popular (and smart!) option for flower girls to carry down the aisle. Baskets can be awkward for a small child to carry and many indoor venues won't even allow anything to be tossed down the aisle for safety reasons or care of the facility. Pomanders give you a 360 display of all those pretty buds in one precious package that's easily transportable for the most rambunctious of little girls. Yes, sweet as they may be, most every flower girl is also a bored little kid dying to run around and play!

But have you ever considered using a pomander ball for your bridesmaids instead of traditional bouquets? Consider a collection of sophisticated blooms like peonies or exotic stems of dendrobium orchids. Ask your florist to size them larger and accent with crystals or a bracelet-like loop for a handle. Send your bridesmaids down the aisle solo with one hand on their hip, the other hand draped with the pomander ball. You'll have your ceremony looking more like a posh runway and your bridesmaids feeling fabulous.

Sand Ceremony

I love honoring old traditions in an updated fashion. With outdoor weddings, a beautiful ceremony to perform after exchanging rings is the sand ceremony. It comes from the unity candle tradition, in which mother of the bride and groom both light two separate candles during the pre-service. After the exchange of vows, the bride and groom each use the candle their mother lit to light one center candle and then extinguish the mother's candles to symbolize the unity of two people into one shared commitment.

Sand Ceremonies are ideal in outdoor settings where wind may be a factor. It creates a beautiful visual effect for memorable photographs as well as the commemorative keepsake you take home with you. If you'd like to honor both mother of the bride and mother of the groom, you can have them walk down the aisle before the ceremony with a small vessel of sand to place beside a larger empty vessel for the ceremony. You may also wish to coordinate the color of sand with your wedding colors. Or think of a room in your house you will wish to display your unity sand sculpture in and then coordinate with the style and decor of that room.

I like the example displayed here. This couple chose to fill an hour glass to signify the beginning of a new time in both their lives. Long after their wedding day is over, the hourglass remains in their home office as a discreet keepsake.

Venue with a View

For the cosmopolitan bride looking for a hot high-rise ceremony or reception, check out The Plaza Club or The Downtown Club. Both Club Corp spaces, these venues boasts skyline views and fabulous locations next to the best hotels in downtown Houston. Don't let the club corp label scare you off, these spaces are available to all brides, members or non-members. Both Jason Bailey of the Plaza Club and Brittny Campbell of The Downtown Club are talented private event directors with a friendly approach to client relations. Pictured above is the "royal table" in the Plaza Club.

 

A hot pink & black trendy reception at The Downtown Club

 

A magical winter wonderland ceremony at the Plaza Club

 

Classic bridal elegance at the Downtown Club

 

The Plaza Club boasts 49th floor views of the west. Perfect for sunset

 

The lights of Houston are a glowing backdrop through the floor-to-ceiling wall of windows at the Plaza Club.

Vintage Veils

I'm a huge fan of the "birdcage" veil that is making a very strong comeback in bridal style these days. Also referred to as a demi or vintage veil, this demure accessory adds a huge statement to your overall bridal look. I particularly like how fashionable it is without any fuss. As if you are effortlessly classy and confident. You'll find them in three popular lengths of cap (to the forehead), eye-length, and blusher (to the cheekbones). The particulars of fabric are endless, but most often constructed of French net which lends itself to both delicacy and structure.

Birdcage veils are wonderfully versatile. Their simplicity make it a great option for outdoor weddings, especially where there may be wind involved and you hate to have 2 yards of tulle flying around your face while saying "i do". Yet it's sophisticated elegance translate it to a great option for the most formal of affairs. For a fashionista, embellish with feathers, or tie in a little bling with dots of crystals or a dazzling Swarvorski broach.

Sky Lanterns

 Looking for a fresh idea to add a "wow" factor to your ceremony or reception? Try sky lanterns! Safer than sparklers and so much more affordable than fireworks (appx $4/lantern), sky lanterns are the mini hot air balloons that are taking the european wedding market by storm. I predict we'll be seeing them as the hot new trend in America very soon...
Sky lanterns are made of non flammable bio degradable rice paper and have a special designed wick for burning. Once lit, the lantern rises into the sky until the wick burns out at which time the lantern floats harmlessly back to earth.


With the sun setting so early during the late-autumn and winter seasons, why not take advantage of early twilight with an unexpected and extraordinary sky lantern display. For lots of drama, outsource a professional company to release a display of sky lanterns in the distance, mimicking a fireworks show. For a more personal experience, provide each guest with a sky lantern of their own to release. You could do this at the close of an outdoor ceremony at sunset or invite your guests to step outside during an evening reception.

To be symbolic, I would suggest a bride and groom release just two during a private moment alone. What a wonderful memory and tribute to your future together as newlywed husband and wife.

A "Haute" Night Out with Green Lily

Thank you to all who attended our "Something Old, Something New" trunk show and charity event at Maison de Mode this past Thursday evening! Champagne flowed freely and we all had a fabulous time, but most importantly, we substantially benefited The Fairy Godmother Project through numerous donations as well as a monetary donation from the sale of a Laura Mercier silent auction gift basket. Enjoy these highlights from the talented and lovable Morris of Morris Malakoff Photography.

Maison de Mode storefront aglow in the heart of Rice Village

Bridal gowns illuminated for guests to peruse

Guests filled the boutique after hours

The lovely Melissa modeling The Cotton Bride 2010 collection

Rachel, a bride to be herself, modeling the 2010 collection of Angel Sanchez

Guests enjoyed mini-makeovers by Jennifer Aronson

Hot Trend: Cotton Couture

I just love what designer Chris Kole is doing with his line of hand-sewn, natural material bridal gowns called The Cotton Bride. The collection blends an array of cotton, linen, and other natural fabrics, with hints of beadwork, lace and embroidery. Chris Kole describes The Cotton Bride as an "enlightened collection of bridal gowns embodying the spirit of our times by reflecting today's evolving values and priorities"

Want to see the 2010 collection? Come to the trunk show and charity event at Maison de Mode next Thursday, November 12th from 5:30-8:30pm. We'll be unveiling the Cotton Bride 2010 along with Angel Sanchez's 2010 collection and benefiting the Fairy Godmother Project. For more information, view the invitation