By Kieran Kern
The sparkle of snow, glowing candles and a crackling fire are hallmarks of an enchanting winter’s evening. While Houston’s weather may not warrant a one-horse open sleigh, brides and grooms-to-be can still harness all the enchantment of winter without the plunging temperatures. Keely Thorne of Keely Thorne Events parlayed her background in events planning into a near-decade of making couples feel like guests at their own fabulous one-of-a-kind weddings.
Winter Wear
Thorne encourages couples to take their events to the next level of elegance during the winter. “There is something about the winter that lends itself to a black-tie wedding,” she explains, “If your guests are dressed to the nines, it changes the whole ambience of the event.” With guests in black or white tie, a winter wedding almost begs the bride to raise the bar on glamour. She sees brides incorporating, “a lot more lace” into their looks. Whether as a covering, off the shoulder or a sleeve, a winter bride can’t go wrong with lace. Another refined option to consider is sheer netting.
Brides looking for more in-depth advice would be well-served by making an appointment at Casa De Novia. Proprietor Luvi Wedlock’s decade in business guarantees that she understands the importance of finding the right dress for this most important day.
Seasonal Setting
With the attire set, what color schemes or themes support the desired ambience? Thorne encourages playing off the season while taking advantage of the temperate weather. She advises creating a winter wonderland in white, beige and gold, of course. Invite guests outside with a tent option to enjoy the cool temperatures while remaining protected from unexpected weather. Make it magical with the twinkling glow of holiday lights.
Two of Thorne’s preferred Houston wedding venues are The Corinthian and The Houstonian Hotel. The Corinthian offers a truly grand experience. “The all-white marble columns create an overarching feeling of grandeur and augment a wintry color scheme,” she explains. “The Houstonian is a resort in the heart of that city. Between the lush landscaping and the outrageous holiday décor, your guests will forget they’re in a city.”
Houston Flavor
Winter dining in Houston means quail and pheasant. Bacon-wrapped quail or pheasant enchiladas put a decadent twist on a Houstonian classic. Thorne notes edible favors trump the traditional fare and cites options such as warm doughnuts or the Texas kolache – a sweet bread stuffed with sausage or cheese – as a great snack to send home with guests. And don’t forget the coffee and hot chocolate station!
The centerpiece of your guests’ gastronomic experience is the wedding cake. The paradigm has shifted, and couples don’t have to compromise taste for looks and vice versa. Who Made the Cake’s Nadine Moon has built her reputation by creating custom-designed cakes where flavor and design are equally important. She loves the opportunity for flavors and looks that evoke winter’s sparkle. “Winter is just magical! I love the whole winter wonderland feel; the lights and sparkle translate well into a cake,” Moon explains. Design-wise, winter offers even more opportunity for luster and sparkle to create a snowy, crystallized look. She offers snowflakes and sugar-encrusted branches as a great way to bring the season into your reception. Flavors like her vanilla cinnamon cake with a hazelnut ganache filling ensures the cake is not only beautiful but also good to the last bite.
Twinkling lights, lustrous color and outrageous décor, winter in Houston is a fantastic time to share the warmth of your love for each other with your guests.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect dress or a cozy venue, our vendor directory can help you find the right touches for your wintery Houston wedding.