THE ART OF LOVE - Jackson and Company

THE ART OF LOVE
TO RI PATE & TR AVIS H OWARD
May 4, 2013 Houston, Texas
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Photographed by Michael Carr Photography
An impressive oil painting of Tori Pate and Travis
Howard’s wedding day hangs above the fireplace
in their new home. “We hired an artist to paint our
celebration,” explains Travis. “It is unique and will
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be dear to us forever.” The image captures the bride,
groom, and their guests dancing the night away during
their reception, and serves as a priceless memento of a
flawless day that neither of them will soon forget.
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RESOURCES
Beauty
Tracy Alfred for The Salon at
Saks Fifth Avenue - hair
Façade - makeup
Bridal Gown/Veil
Pnina Tornai for Kleinfeld
Bridal Salon
Kleinfeld Bridal
Cake
Susie’s Cakes & Confections
Calligraphy
Watkins and Watkins
Artisans, Inc.
Catering
Jackson and Company
Consulting
Ann Whittington, Event Planner
Entertainment
A Chosen Few Gospel Choir
- ceremony and reception
Marshall Maxwell
Entertainment Agency - ceremony
The Jet Set Band - reception
Favors
Susie’s Cakes & Confections
Floral Design
Plants n’ Petals
Honeymoon
Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort
Invitations
Events Gifts
Lighting Design
Pro/Sound
Linens
BBJ – Table Fashions
Photography
Michael Carr Photography
Registries
Bed Bath & Beyond; Macy’s
Rentals
Ducky-Bob’s Event Specialists
Shoes
Pelle Moda
Transportation
Auto Exotic Rental
Venue
The Corinthian
Videography
Coastal Productions
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The couple, who met at church when they
were just 15 and began dating a few years
later, hosted their nuptials in their hometown
of Houston. The bride desired a classic and
timeless ambiance for her day and enlisted the
aid of a professional to help her fulfill her vision.
“I couldn’t imagine not having the help of our
wedding planner,” she says. “She did so much
for us that I never would have thought to do.”
Both the ceremony and reception were held
in the magnificent hall of a historical building
located in the heart of the city. Towering
columns, crystal chandeliers, and stylish
architectural detail set the stage for the refined
service. Snowy buds in glass vases lined either
side of the ceremony aisle, while lengthy vines
of ivory flowers were suspended overhead.
Two majestic staircases flanked both sides of
the altar, and graceful white drapery created a
stunning backdrop for the exchange of vows.
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“Everything was perfect down to
the smallest detail.”
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The bride glided towards her groom on her father’s arm wearing
a fitted mermaid gown that featured a bodice embellished with a
floral appliqué and a layered ruffle skirt. Long, wavy locks paired
with a cathedral veil completed the stunning vision. “My most
memorable moment was watching Tori walk down the aisle,”
says Travis. “Her dress was gorgeous.” The groom, an officer in
the United States Army, donned his Dress Blues uniform while
his groomsmen wore traditional tuxedos. Bridesmaids appeared
in various black floor-length gowns of their choosing. “I wanted
them to be comfortable and feel beautiful,” says the bride.
“Everyone ended up looking amazing.”
The ceremony music, which featured a 20-piece orchestra and
16-piece bell choir, was a spectacular production in and of itself.
In addition, a gospel choir sang “Oh Happy Day” as the bride
and groom exited the service as husband and wife. “It really put
everyone in a good mood for the reception,” states the bride.
But despite the musical spectacle and the gorgeous décor,
the most important aspect of the ceremony for the couple was
the personalized words they exchanged. “Listening to Tori’s
and being able to write my own was really special,” says the
groom. “Instead of the typical cliché vows, ours reflected our
individual personalities.”
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To transform the space for the reception, splashes of purple were
added to the décor with lavender flora and violet lighting. A head
table topped with a mirrored surface ran the length of the room.
In its center, a hole was cut in the table to display an oversized
vase cast out of ice and bursting with blooms. Crystal candelabra
twined with flowers, rows of glowing candles, and plum charger
plates completed the ornate tablescape. The remainder of attendees
enjoyed their dinners at circular tables that were placed on the
perimeter of the room, each featuring a centerpiece of either a
crystal or mercury glass vase filled with frosty white flowers and
emphasized with candlelight.
The towering wedding cake was designed to replicate the lace
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and flowers on the bride’s gown and featured alternating layers of
traditional white cake and Italian crème. “Not only was it beautiful,
but it was also extremely delicious,” says the bride. In addition,
each guest received a miniature confectionary that was an exact
replica of the stunning dessert as a favor.
Reflecting on their day, both bride and groom report being
thrilled with every aspect of their glamorous affair, though one
detail stands out in particular. “My favorite thing from our wedding
is the painting we had made,” beams Tori. As the years go by,
simply staring at the colorful canvas hanging above their fireplace
will instantly transport the couple to the happy day when they first
ALISON BONN
became husband and wife.
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