Casa de Novia Bridal Couture

I recently visited Casa De Novia to view their Spring 2010 Collection. Carmen Rideau greeted me as soon as I entered the inviting boutique. The flow of the salon was open and relaxing unlike some salons that are divided into many separate sections. It was apparent from the moment I walked in that the employees at Casa de Novia would do anything to make a bride-to-be’s dream come true. Casa de Novia has a wide selection of designer gowns, ranging from Junko Yoshioka to Monique Lhuillier. There were three dresses in Casa de Novia’s selection that especially caught my eye.

This artsy bridal gown from Monique Lhullier’s Platinum Collection is ideal for the bride who wants to stand out when she walks down the aisle while maintaining a feminine aura. “Sunday Rose” is perfect for the woman who wants her dress to say it all! She is fierce, fashion-forward and has an impeccable flair for style.  It is an ivory silk satin organza gown priced at $9500.

The picture of this elegant Oscar de la Renta gown does not do it justice. This silk taffeta and tulle v-neck dress is embroidered with sequins that really make it shine. With every hint of movement this gown flickers so subtly and would look exquisite at a candlelit ceremony and reception. I cannot stress enough that this dress must be seen in person to really get the full effect of its beauty. The bride who wears this gown loves a little sparkle in her life and wants to feel like royalty on her wedding day. The gown is runway look #22 in Oscar de la Renta’s Spring 2010 Collection (Style # 12E02).

This organza Palazzo gown, Tess, was my favorite gown in the whole boutique, and they received it a few hours before I got there! I am glad I went when I did because this dress is just perfect in every way.  This gown is for the bride who wants to showcase her true beauty rather than the dress attracting all of the attention. At first glance it is simple but it has the exact amount of detail in the back to be extraordinary. This delicate dress is meant for a woman who wants a truly romantic evening without being over the top. It costs $4200.

Casa de Novia Information:

3331 D’Amico

Houston, TX 77019

713.523.9090

www.casadenoviabridal.com

Owned by: Luvi Wheelock

Upcoming Trunk Dates: (view website for more dates)
Junko Yoshioka will make a personal appearance February 25^th-27^th. Brides will receive 10% off the regular price if they purchase a dress at the trunk show!

Experience Elizabeth Fillmore’s 2010 collection Saturday March 13^th. Elizabeth’s exquisite avante garde taste & chic silhouettes are one-of-a-kind and a must see! 

Sarah Chesley 

Wedding Coordinator

Summer Wedding with a Watermelon Twist!

An outdoor summer wedding should be laid back, a ton of fun, and beautifully reflective of the season. A typical bride in this economy desires the wedding of her dreams without spending a lot of money. A backyard picnic-themed wedding set in the enjoyable summer season is just the answer!

What is a backyard picnic without watermelon? Not only is watermelon a refreshing treat to serve to your guests to beat the summer heat, it also provides the perfect color palette for your wedding. You can serve a fruity pink cocktail with a watermelon garnish or you can serve the champagne for your toast from a watermelon keg.

For the centerpieces, place your favorite pink and white, in-season flowers in vintage watering cans. Spend a relaxing day with your fiancé bargain hunting for watering cans at local antique shops. Be green and save money by reusing glass jars to use as candle holders. Pair the country-style bouquet centerpieces with the candle jars to complete the finishing decorative touch to your rustic tables. To create a truly magical wedding look, use reused glass jars as lanterns by placing candles inside the jars, tying wire around the tops, and hanging them from surrounding trees. 

Cut costs by having a simple meal like sandwiches, potato salad, and fruit catered by a local deli or prepared by someone close to you. Place all of the meals in picnic baskets with silverware and napkins, tie with ribbon, and let the guests keep the baskets as wedding favors. 

Personalize your wedding to your budget, your wants, and your needs. Don't become overly stressed about your wedding; it should be enjoyable and the beginning of a wonderful new chapter of your life. Whatever you are considering for your wedding, remember that it is your day and anything that you want is within reach. You might just need to get a little creative!

Sarah Chesley

Wedding Coordinator

Winter Love

Red is the color of love and love is what a wedding is all about. What better colors to have than white to represent the beauty of a new beginning, brown to represent the start of a new season, and red for the passion of things to come. Great colors for a winter wedding are green and red, or white and silver. My favorite color is red so I wanted to create something that wasn't necessarily conventional but still illustrated a love two individuals have for each other. This is definitely a wedding scheme for no one other than a romantic. 

Red has such an intensity that it can easily over power anything, but by only using it subtly you can acquire the full scale of romance and charm. If you decide to use such a strong tone as red, then an ivory wedding dress is a must have. The combination of an ivory dress and a bouquet full of different red hues compliment each other wonderfully without taking over the bride. My inspiration for the center pieces was exactly what you see in winter. Everything is bear but it has a surreal beauty unlike any other season. Also, using the compilation of white linens allows you to have the perfect blend of everything that is romantic.

Astrid

Wedding Coordinator

The Sunny Side of Weddings

When you think of a summer wedding, what do you see? The warm sun, a beautiful bride, and gorgeous flowers, of course! This summer why not make your flowers warm and happy like the sun? If you’re wondering where I’m going with all of this then you’ve maybe never heard of a Billy Ball flower.  Billy Ball’s are the perfect accessory to any bouquet or centerpiece and they will definitely put a smile on your face. If you’re looking for something quirky, fun and unforgettable then I say this flower is the perfect one for you!

And for that bride on a budget why not pair up some hydrangeas, white or green, with little Billy Balls adding that pop of brightness! Like the sun peaking through the clouds.

by: Allison Geary-Weisenhorn

Wedding Consultant

Green Lily Events

Tonya & Chris !

There is nothing more than we love than to make a Bride and Groom happy as we navigate through all the choices and decisions of wedding vendors. We have had so much fun helping Tonya and Chris wrap up some of the final details of their wedding that we felt compelled to share their fun loving engagement pics by creative photographer, Christina Carroll Photography. http://www.christinacarrollphotography.com/
Tonya has selected a playful theme for her wedding where she is incorporating personalized koozies and home made cookies. We love Tonya's style. Be on the lookout for more Wedding Pics from Austin based photographer, Christina Carroll. The ceremony and reception will be held at the Tuscany Villa in Katy, TX. Cheers Tonya and Chris !

Jessica Zapatero
Green Lily Events

Looking your best on your Wedding Day !

January brings out of best of us as make all kinds of healthy resolutions. How many times have we said,  " This year I am going to lose those pounds, eat better, drink more water and do anything I can to look fabulous in my wedding gown." No matter if we are self willed or selflessly give in, all  Brides have an uncanny way of looking absolutely amazing on their wedding day.

Nothing radiates more confidence when you walk down the aisle than when you feel good and look good.
Starting an excercise and diet regimine about 6 months before your wedding day is the key to acheiving your goals, no matter how small or large. There are many options for excercise, personal training, the gym and yoga/ pilates studios. I recently reviewed a wonderful class at DEFINE http://www.definebody.com/  - a new trend in excercise that combines a series of yoga, pilates, stretching and weights to sculpt and define your figure. Starting up an excercising routine again continually reminds me how just a few simple changes to your daily routine can make a huge difference.  Some other tips that can help to compliment an excercise routine are :

• Go for a 10 Minute Walk Every Day ! Start with this. You can always increase later after it becomes routine. It's enough to gently boost your metabolism and keep you active.
• Water, Water and More Water ! Hydration is critical. While the benefits are countless this is one of the hardest things to implement into your daily routine. Whenever I would neglect this item my trainer would recite how water lowers body fat, flushes cellulite, improves digestion, gets rid of dark circles under the eyes, and makes you feel full. These are just a few of the benefits of drinking the required 10 cups of water per day. This may seem like a lot but I found the easiest way to get into the habit is to break the amounts down into manageable amounts:

•Keep a bottle of water beside your bed. Before you go to sleep drink ½ the bottle and as soon as you wake up (before your feet touch the floor) drink the remaining ½ bottle.

•Before each meal drink a half a bottle of water.

•Carry water with you and sip it throughout the day. I can't overemphasize how important this step is.
 
Your skin will look hydrated and you will feel lighter. Cheers !
 
Jessica Zapatero
Green Lily Events

Tree Chic

The perfect decor for a winter wedding is crystal-clad trees. Use them to line your aisle at the ceremony and all over your reception. Pictured here is a stunning example of how glamorous you can go. How exquisite are the crystal tear drops amongst the floating dendrobium orchids and tea-lights. Stunning!

A more sizable arrangement is great for guests tables or cocktail tables

This is the perfect example of a tall tree arrangement for a guest table. I love how the branches drape well above the guests line of sight and the roses at the base bring a soft, romantic finish.

 

Plan to dress up your bar or special display tables with a larger tree overflowing with crystals. I would love to see this tree draped with rock candy crystals highlighting a candy bar buffet.

Bling out your place cards and welcome guests into your reception with a dazzling display.