Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/184620
Chums Kirbi Knop and Tina Sanford had an inspired idea. Obsessive amassers of fabulous flea-market finds, they pooled their resources and collections to create a novel prop shop for those desiring to add a little splash to any event. Their collaboration, A Style Collective, is a onestop Houston shop aimed at anyone planning a party, as well as editors, photographers and do-ityourselfers. You can rent all kinds of unique items for your big day, or even hire the duo to style it for you. Check out their blog for ideas about how to use their props at your next soirée. Information astylecollective.com. ROOM TO GROW Robin Lindberg, owner of the jewel-box boutique Queen of Heirs, has recently expanded her Bellaire shop. Known for her gorgeous, wellpriced estate pieces, Lindberg and company now have twice the space to dazzle brides and prospective grooms with engagement rings and bridal jewelry alike. They even serve coffee and stock drinks and wine for customers trying on rings and perusing catalogs for his band style. 4901 Locust St., Bellaire, 713.666.6683; queenofheirs.com. PUT IT IN WRITING JENNY ANTILL THE PROP SHOP A lot of us at PaperCity have commissioned the talented Pat Leith, a former president of the Houston Calligraphy Guild, to pretty up all sorts of paper pieces, from baby announcements to wedding suites, scrapbooks and more. Although her specialty is a style called copperplate, she can scale it back to a simple block or bring out all the flourishes to create something quite formal and dazzling. Every piece is carefully done with an oblique dip pen and inks blended to match your paper suite, old-school style, although some enlist her to create a master copy of their invite that's later engraved and printed on stiff, luxurious cardstock. Oh, the options… Calligraphy by Patricia, 713.621.9595; calligraphyandcards.com. TIMELESS STYLE Love is in the air at Cartier. The first new engagementring design in five years, the Cartier D'Amour collection continues the French house's tradition of working with platinum (after all, Cartier was the first jeweler to master the metal). The solitaire is set in a micro-pavé setting that's both modern and sleek — and intended to awe from every angle. Pair it with a pavé band; options vary from platinum to every hue of gold. Engagement rings from $3,550; full-diamond-pavé bands from $3,250, at the Cartier boutique. WHAT'S NEW IN THE WEDDING WHIRL BY LAURANN CLARIDGE BRIDAL TRUNK SHOWS BELLE MARIÉE BRIDAL BRICKHOUSE BRIDAL 200 Valleywood, The Woodlands, 281.681.3430; brickhousebridal.com February 10 – 11: Pronovias Feature Weekend February 24 – 25: Watters & WTOO bridal and attendant March 2 – 3: Simone Carvalli Spring 2012 March 9 – 10: Maggie Sottero Feature Weekend March 16 – 17: Justin Alexander April 13 – 14: Enzoani April 26 – 28: Saison Blanche Couture May 18 – 19: Blue by Enzoani June 8 – 9: Jim Hjelm Spring 2012 June 22 – 23: Watters DRAWING — CREDIT: SARAH-ALLEN PRESTON CASA DE NOVIA BRIDAL COUTURE March 16 – 17: Anne Barge Spring 2012 March 30 – 31: Badgley Mischka Spring 2012 JOAN PILLOW BRIDAL SALON Highland Village, 4001 Westheimer, 713.622.1122; joanpillowbridal.com February 2 – 4: Romona Keveza Fall 2012 February 16 – 18: Anna Maier ~ Ulla-Maija Fall 2012 March 8 – 10: Romona Keveza Legends Fall 2012 March 15 – 17: Carolina Herrera Fall 2012 May 31 – June 2: Monique Lhuillier Spring 2013 MIA BRIDAL COUTURE 1958 W. Gray St., 713.622.2022; miabridalcouture.com February 10 – 11: Watters February 17 – 18: Rivini March 9 – 10: Judd Waddell with PA by Judd Waddell April 8: One Day Only Sample Sale April 27 – 28: Amsale "Straight from the Runway" May 18 – 19: Kenneth Pool June 29 – 30: Rivini July 20 – 21: Christos NOW AND FOREVER BRIDAL BOUTIQUE 3331 D'Amico St., 713.523.9090; casadenoviabridal.com February 2 – 4: Best of Vera Wang February 24 – 25: Lanvin March 1 – 3: Elizabeth Fillmore March 22 – 24: Monique Lhuillier Spring 2012 May 10 – 12: Vera Wang Spring 2013, straight from the runway 3701 Kirby Dr., 713.218.0369; nowandforeverbridalbtq.com February 17 – 18: Blush by JLM February 24 – 25: N&F Collection March 2 – 3: Hayley Paige March 23 – 24: Best of Tara Keely by Lazaro April 27 – 28: Best of Jane Wang May 25 – 26: Hayley Paige IVORY BRIDAL ATELIER THE WEDDING SUITE AT NORDSTROM West Ave Shopping Center, 2800 Kirby Dr., 713.550.1622; ivorybridalhouston.com February 2 – 4: Rivini Spring 2012 February 16 – 18: Reem Acra Spring 2012 Galleria, 832.201.2700; nordstrom.com February 17 – 19, 11 am – 4 pm: Rosa Clara and Aire FEBRUARY | PAGE 33 | 2012 S ometimes you have no idea what you don't know till you sit down with a pro. That's how I felt after chatting with wedding planner Ann Whittington, who has been helping brides plan everything from the engagement party to the post-nuptial brunch for more than 13 years. Whittington accompanies brides to every vendor appointment. (Her flat fees range from $4,000 to $18,000.) Since I'm assuming the role of bride myself this spring, she shared this priceless advice: Budget: Have one from the start. You can use up to 40 vendors for an event, and you'll need to go over every line item to determine what takes precedence financially. Photographers: Shockingly, there are photographers who won't take a meeting to go over a shot list with the bride and groom to figure out who are the important players the week before the curtain drops. That's bad form. Whittington believes it's crucial that the photographer talk through the details face to face, so they snap the pictures you envision, know who's who on the guest list and, most importantly, can shoot the event quickly instead of so slowly that they only get stiff, posed shots with frozen smiles. The Dry Run: "I always suggest that at least six weeks prior, the bride does a complete run-through, from hair and makeup to dress, veil and shoes to shoot a bridal portrait," says Whittington. "I can't tell you how many times a bride will realize she hates her hair, her makeup is too dramatic, her shoes hurt or the photographer isn't right." Shoes: The happiest brides elect to wear heels that don't tower, especially considering they'll be on their feet for 8 to 10 hours. (Most veer to Jimmy Choo.) Forgo flats that will change your gait. Transportation: If a good portion of your guests are winging in from out of town, consider hiring a bus or trolley to take them from one central location to the church then reception and, if necessary, back to their hotel at the end of the event. MICHAEL CARR PHOTOGRAPHY 2509 River Oaks Blvd., 713.523.0068; bellemarieehouston.com February 24 – 25: Badgley Mischka March 9 – 10: Jorge Manuel March 30 – 31: Modern Trousseau April 27 – 28: Ines Di Santo July 6 – 7: Modern Trousseau July 14 – 15: Sara Gabriel veils and accessories PRICELESS ADVICE