Chloe hired me pretty far out from her wedding (over a year in advance) due to the fact that she was getting married on 8-8-08. I worked with Chloe, Chris, and Kelly Balfour (Eventology Weddings) on many occasions througout the planning of the wedding, and when the day came around for them to finally tie the knot... I was almost as excited as I was in anticipation of my own wedding!
The vision, creativity and hard work that went into the planning of this event is absolutely noteworthy-- there were so many small and beautiful touches, from the expertly designed peacock stationery to the incredible lighting display on the ceiling of the octagonal Garten Verein, where the reception was held. I spoke with Kelly (coordinator) on a regular basis about all of the fantastic ideas and vendors, all of the new and exciting things going on with her intricate involvement in the planning.
Peeking from beneath Chloe's exquisite Melissa Sweet gown were a pair of shoes from the sweetest of my dreams, turquoise and navy floral embroidered peep-toe Betsey Johnson pumps... complete with gorgeous rosy hot pink soles. Her hair and makeup were pinup-throwback, and she wore a bracelet with small charms bearing the faces of her father and sister (who have passed on but were surely with her in spirit on that day).
The ceremony took place at Ashton Villa, one of the Galveston Historical Society's lovely properties. There was a cocktail hour before hand (the ceremony began at 8:00 p.m.) and private trolley service to the reception on... what else? A streetcar that was literally named "Desire". My personal favorite part of the ceremony was the reading of a children's book, "Just Like Heaven". The bride and groom presented one another with coins and were bound by a traditional lasso, both of which were family heirlooms.
Post-ceremony, guests gathered outside at Ashton Villa's courtyard for Mariachi singers and the toasts to the bride and groom!
The reception at Garten Verein (an ocatgonal pavilion reminiscent of a gingerbread house in Galveston's Kempner Park) was just absolutely breathtaking. Upon entering the building, the first thing guests noticed was the incredible display of colorful, calming lights projected on to the ceiling! It felt a bit like being in an aquarium-dreamworld. The china, linens, and tablesettings were immaculate, down to the bamboo patterned flatware. The color scheme was carried through in the elegant florals and menu cards that adorned each table.
On Garten Verein's spacious porches guests found an outdoor Hookah Lounge! Beautiful glass hookah pipes were set up with a variety of flavored tobaccos. After a dinner of delicious Morrocan fare, what better than to step outside for a puff from the hookah? Everyone seemed to find it intriguing and fun.
There was dancing (to one of the couple's favorite DJ's) and merriment, and cutting of cakes (the groom's cake was his likeness, in a comfy chair, playing on his laptop with record scattered all around... all atop his favorite linguistics book). The couple made their exit to a vintage Rolls-Royce in a shower of green eco-fetti, confetti that is easily biodegraded and not harmful to the environment. Guests each received a pre-made box of childhood-favorite candies, delectable chocolate covered cake balls, and cookies on their way out.
Vendors: Galveston Historical Foundation (venues), Cakes by Gina, Island Flowers, Over the Top Linens, Bright Star Productions (lighting), The Perfect Face, and Eventology Weddings.
