A Fiesta-Inspired Wedding at AvantGarden in Houston, Texas

Embracing their Southwestern roots, Adriana Gonzalez (26 and a retail manager) and Mike Cole (34 and a store leader) threw an elegant fiesta-inspired wedding complete with delicious Mexican food and drink, vibrant florals and cacti and succulent accents. “I was inspired by the bright colors that spring brings, and one of Mike's non-negotiables was a queso fountain,” Adriana says. “The queso fountain sort of led us in the direction of a fiesta theme.” The couple’s nuptials took place at the beautiful AvantGarden in Houston, Texas, with an alfresco ceremony and reception. “We wanted to create a space to celebrate our commitment to each other and have room for lots of fun,” the bride says. Adriana and Mike exchanged vows in front of the terrace’s ornate gates embellished with flowers. “The twinkle lights and lush greenery are so magical on their own that my florist got to have a lot of fun creating a beautiful arch piece that served as an accent for the ceremony,” says Adriana says. The couple personalized their ceremony with meaningful songs like “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors, the song that played after Mike popped the question during a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. Mike’s grandmother gave an opening prayer and a scripture reading, and the couple exchanged heartfelt written vows. During cocktail hour, where the queso fountain and sangria were flowing, the terrace was flipped from the ceremony site to a festive reception site with tables clad in vibrant linens and blooms. For dinner, AvantGarden’s truck served an array of tacos, and guests sipped Jarritos Mexican sodas. Fun-filled activities included dancing and a photo booth that created gifs and printable pictures for guests to take home as keepsakes. —Marissa Hermanson