1. Real Weddings

A Traditional Wedding in Houston, TX

After several years of dating, Johanna should have had a sneaking suspicion that her boyfriend, Jimmy, was going to propose, when he planned a rare el

After several years of dating, Johanna should have had a sneaking suspicion that her boyfriend, Jimmy, was going to propose, when he planned a rare elegant date at a steakhouse. But instead, it came as a total surprise when he popped the question while they were waiting for dinner to arrive. The Bride Johanna Nixon, a children’s photographer The Groom Jimmy Zaid, a project engineer The Date November 14 “Of course, I was extremely excited and said yes,” Johanna recounts. The pair, who dated throughout college and were introduced by a mutual friend, decided they wanted to be married in Houston.

Johanna’s buttercream cake, inspired by a photo she saw in a magazine, was decorated with tiny white fondant flowers. She and Jimmy chose a pistachio-almond flavor because it was different and unexpected.
Favors were placed at each guest’s seat and used as added decoration on the reception tables.
The bride’s bouquet of white ranunculus, peach tulips, white hydrangea, and white roses stood out just enough from the ivory and champagne theme to look special without being too different.
Pin lighting centered on each of the reception tables really made the centerpieces glow. Half of the tables were decorated with a single statement of white phalaenopsis orchids and the other half featured a grouping of three different arrangements that brought a hint of cream into the ballroom so that it didn’t look too stark.
Stacking an iridescent glass plate on top of a gold charger added sparkle to the reception tables.
In addition to the simple white hydrangea bouquets tied to the church pews, Johanna had two arrangements of orchids placed at the altar.
At the end of the veranda Johanna had the hotel set up a little lounge area for guests to relax. White slipcovers and gauzy drapery panels made the spot feel like a swanky club. Kids also had this space to run around in.
Soft and elegant was the vibe the couple was going for, so they chose ivory and champagne as their colors. When they walked into the Alden Houston Hotel, Johanna and Jimmy loved the modern, warm feeling of the space and knew immediately that’s where they wanted their reception to be.
Johanna’s mother wrote a poem that was handed out before the late-afternoon ceremony at St. George Orthodox Christian Church. After the couple exchanged traditional vows the church choir sang.