1. Real Weddings

A Floral-Inspired Barn Wedding at Chandelier Grove in Tomball, Texas

Deborah Dou (29 and a business analyst) and Elton Wong (29 and a financial planner) met at the Houston Rodeo. “Deborah was dressed in an orange top, j

Deborah Dou (29 and a business analyst) and Elton Wong (29 and a financial planner) met at the Houston Rodeo. “Deborah was dressed in an orange top, jeans and cowboy boots, and her hair was in a braid,” Elton says. “We realized we both went to the University of Texas at Austin but had never met each other there. It seemed like we were destined to meet.” For their soft pink and blue floral-rich spring wedding at Chandelier Grove in Tomball, Texas, Deborah and Elton showcased country charm and Texas flair. “It provided not only the perfect romantic garden feel with the beautiful landscapes but also the exact Texas charm—the barn, pecan tree grove and blue bonnets—we were looking for,” Deborah says. After an outdoor ceremony in front of 165 guests, Deborah and Elton burst into their barn reception like champions, ripping through a paper banner that read “Yes, we did!” After serving guests (many had traveled from China to attend) a meal of Peking duck and a variety of French macarons, Deborah and Elton left—like true champions—through a shower of petals. —Carolyn Meers

Bride and Groom Wedding Bands
JRCro helped craft Deborah and Elton's colorful invitation suite. "We had invitations with a watercolor floral design and vellum RSVP cards filled with flower petals," Deborah says. It was held together with by a band with portraits of Elton and me created by our invitation designer, which made it unique and playful."
After the ceremony, Deborah changed into a traditional Chinese wedding dress (called a qipao), which was personally tailored by her aunt-in-law.
Deborah wore a pair of pointed-toe white lace heels by Bella Belle.
"My bouquet was not only lovely in colors but also huge—just the way it should be in Texas," says Deborah, who had Flower Vibes create a colorful arrangement in varying shades of pink with king proteas, ranunculus, anemones, garden roses and peonies.
"I asked my six bridesmaids to choose their own blush/light pink dress in whatever style they felt comfortable, while my maid of honor had a floral design," Deborah says. "I really wanted their personalities to shine through with me on the wedding day. Their beautiful dresses tied in together and created a perfect mix and match."
Elton's blue suit from Indochino popped against the day's pink shades.
For part of the reception, Deborah donned a traditional red Chinese wedding gown that had been tailored by her aunt-in-law.
To match Elton’s bright blue suit, his groomsmen paired light blue ties with dark gray suits from Jos. A. Bank.
Deborah and Elton chose Chandelier Grove in Tomball, Texas, the site of the ceremony and reception, for its Southern charm. The couple said their vows under a flower arch amid blossoming bluebonnets in a pecan grove.
"A large focus of our wedding was florals, so I picked flowers with many shades of pink," Deborah says. These monogram letters were crafted by Houston's Flower Vibes and hung on the doors of the barn at Chandelier Grove in Tomball, Texas, where the reception was held.
"To incorporate our floral theme, we made individually pressed flower coasters with our guests’ names and table numbers as escort cards, which doubled as favors," says Deborah.
"To incorporate our floral theme, we made individually pressed flower coasters with our guests’ names and table numbers as escort cards, which doubled as favors," Deborah says.
A handcrafted globe calligraphed with Deborah and Elton's wedding date sat at the guest book and gift table for a personal touch.
A luscious six-foot flower chandelier hung over the banquet table at the barn reception at Chandelier Grove in Tomball, Texas. It was crafted with peonies, garden roses and lots of greenery.
"To incorporate our floral 'Love in bloom' theme, we made individually pressed flower coasters with our guests’ names and table numbers as escort cards, which doubled as favors," Deborah says.
Delicate green garlands were looped over Deborah and Elton's chairs at the barn reception at Chandelier Grove in Tomball, Texas.
Blush pink glassware and ranunculus were paired with the rich, leafy green centerpieces. Each guest took home a hand-pressed floral coaster.
Since they got engaged in Paris, France, Deborah and Elton served towers of French macarons in flavors like s’mores, cotton candy and creme brulee.
Buttercup Bakery crafted a tower to display a medley of French macarons, which the couple offered instead of a cake.
For their grand entrance, Deborah and Elton burst into their barn reception like champions, ripping through a paper banner that read “Yes, we did!”
Elton and Deborah had their first dance under geometric chandeliers, which warmed the lofty barn at Chandelier Grove in Tomball, Texas
The newlyweds ended the night walking through a shower of petals, honoring the day's theme, "Love in bloom."