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RICHARD FLOWERS THE EVENT COMPANY COMPLETE EVENT PRODUCTION R ecently at an outdoor affair, we used the family's heirloom formal china and stemware atop organic burlap linens, with 18-inch napkins replicating great-grandmother's linen handkerchief with a beautiful embroidered edge. PAPERCITY ASKED TRUSTED HOUSTON WEDDING EXPERTS TO SHARE THEIR MODERN UPDATES ON CLASSIC NUPTIAL TRADITIONS THAT NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE. Black-and-white classic glamour from the '30s has made a comeback, with a splash of just one color added as an accent. Our choice: yellow or coral. BY LAURANN CLARIDGE JULISKA Coming: a return to intimate afternoon weddings. The coupe champagne glass instead of the flute — it's just asking to be held. Shorter formal receptions, followed by a great after-party, allow the bride to change her clothes. A small destination wedding, followed at a later date by a larger reception in town. KEELY THORNE KEELY THORNE EVENTS WEDDING COORDINATOR W hile departing from the reception in a white 1960s Rolls Royce is classic, many couples have been driven away in cars — vintage or otherwise — owned by relatives for a personal touch. Couples are switching up the three-course seated dinner, still offering a place setting for everyone but providing a station with myriad options for the entree. Other alternatives include French-style service, which allows waiters to present platters for guests to serve themselves, as well as family-style dining. DARRYL MURCHISON DARRYL & CO COMPLETE EVENT PRODUCTION Family recipes are a big hit. Whether it's grandmother's favorite cookie or a heritage soup recipe, brides are asking caterers to make dishes from their family's past to serve at the reception or give away as favors. More brides are reinventing their mother's wedding dress, incorporating a bit of lace or panels from her gown to fashion a new one. CHRIS BAILEY Some couples have incorporated special plates, cups or milk-glass vases from their parents or grandparents into the table settings or centerpieces. CHRIS BAILEY The going-away dress has made a comeback. Many brides are opting for multiple wardrobe changes. Some have donned up to three dresses: the church gown, an 11 o'clock dress and an exit dress. One bride's father had given her mother a single rose once a week for 20 years. At the reception, the groom asked that we provide a single long-stemmed rose to carry on the tradition. Heirloom veils from the bride's family are something borrowed, while shoes with a touch of blue follow tradition — the entire shoe, just the sole or a portion that's bejeweled with blue crystals. "Something new" often includes a traditional sparkler — perhaps a new bracelet, necklace or earrings. When it came to tossing the bouquet, one bride wished to include several of her single girlfriends, so we tied the bouquet in a loose knot. She untied it shortly before she threw the bouquet. As it soared through the air, it separated and 13 single stem flowers were unfurled allowing them all to "catch the bouquet." FEBRUARY | PAGE 38 | 2012