1. Real Weddings

Joy & Andy: A Formal Wedding in Houston, TX

Most people are hoping to get a better score when they take MCAT prep courses, but Joy Beato landed that, plus a fiance: Andrew (Andy) French. The Br

Most people are hoping to get a better score when they take MCAT prep courses, but Joy Beato landed that, plus a fiance: Andrew (Andy) French. The Bride Joy Beato, 25, grad stuednt and sales coordinator The Groom (Andy) French, 27, med student The Date May 7 Two years later on Andy’s birthday, he gave Joy a 14-page story of their relationship with a surprise ending: a ring. Joy immediately began a planning whirlwind, which she orchestrated solo. “A girl only gets one opportunity to plan her dream wedding, and I wanted to experience it all -- good, bad, and ugly!” she says. The wedding that ensued was accented with sumptuous elements, such as rich champagne hues and creme brulee in place of a traditional wedding cake.

After hilarious speeches by the best man and maid of honor, Joy’s father surprised the two with a toast -- but the highlight of the evening was Joy’s surprise for Andy. She flawlessly played a number on the piano -- an instrument she’d sworn off 10 years before, after a particularly bad recital, and that Andy had long begged her to play for him.
Joy wore a strapless white satin dress with an embellished bodice. “I ordered it without even trying it on,” she says. “It was absolutely perfect -- I felt like royalty!”
The Ceremony Decor
Their unique wedding cake consisted of individual creme brulee cups drizzled with chocolate and served with fresh berries.
Her six bridesmaids wore strapless, black, tea-length, A-line dresses with green orchids tucked into their hair.
The couple decided to host their party at the 1900 Mediterranean-style Paraiso Maravilla (which means “marvelous paradise”), an exotic, timeless locale right in the heart of Houston. Two officiants -- one a Catholic priest and the other a nondenominational minister -- presided over the traditional ceremony that included Christian vows and Filipino traditions.