From the very first meeting, Shelby and Kevin knew exactly what they wanted. They wanted their reception at the iconic Brennan’s and it to feel like an elaborate dinner party that they hosted for their favorite people. Shelby has spent so many monumental moments in this special restaurant with her family. They wanted the room to be filled with candlelight, love, and above all else, another memory made in this historic building. As true Houstonians, they’ve celebrated many milestones here, including the bride’s parents wedding in the original ballroom, a beautiful legacy to have! The morning of the wedding, Shelby got ready in her childhood bedroom and our photographer Erin captured an incredible photo of the bride walking down the staircase of the home she grew up in, just like she had many times as she went to dances and proms with Kevin. An iconic photo of her was captured, walking past portraits of her parents at the same wedding venue where she would get married in just a few hours.
They wanted this reception to feel like home, with all of their favorite people from all over the country coming. Shelby and her family also spend a lot of time in New Orleans and Brennan’s was the perfect way to showcase this. We loved getting to incorporate some very special East Coast vibes from their extended time living in Boston as well. This sweet bride and groom have been together since high school and were the iconic “when will they finally do this thing?” couple. We incorporated oyster shell place cards at each setting as a wonderful favor for each guest to take home and remember their love story.
They have years of memories together in Houston with their families, as well as on the East Coast as new college graduates with fresh jobs, enjoying their new lives together. Eventually, they came back to Houston and we really locked in the wedding planning, and we were able to get all of the fun details rolling.
Shelby and Kevin are absolutely the most quintessential, classic couple, both with their design taste, fashion, as well as their music. They are truly old souls and their big day needed to show that, we even showcased their favorite movie quotes on their napkins during cocktail hour. They have a fun flair for NOLA-style details and they wanted a pop of green, the next question was just which shade and how much. Shelby knew she loved hydrangeas as Kevin always brings them for her but she also adores lily of the valley and it’s classic nature, so we found classic ways to incorporate it, including her cake and in her bouquet.
There was one particular photo that we drew our main inspo for the entire event, feel, vibe, and design paired right next to the image that our lovely photographer Erin took. She wanted the tables to be full of candlelight and raised glasses between people from all different points in their life, and boy did they have it. Finding a way to keep the tables classic while also utilizing the venue inclusions as well, as fun items that would pop and make space special to them were all top priorities. I think we nailed it.
This was absolutely, whole heartedly, the most complicated diagram, spacing, mockups, and day of setup, that our team has ever done, and I am so proud of how well everyone did! My amazing design team and LE staff had just a little over two hours to set up the entire reception while we were off getting hitched at the beautiful ceremony, at St. Michael’s.
When we arrived, relaxed, and ready to see all the beautifulness, we grabbed a cocktail in the courtyard for their private vows, and gift exchange while my team was upstairs finalizing all of the pieces. When we arrived upstairs there wasn’t a dry eye, or lack of excitement from any family member, or anyone in their wedding party.
The already dwindling light outside looked so beautiful coming through the curtains, paired with our candles being lit, glassware being set, and beautiful full hydrangeas, (Shelby’s fav flower, that we were so excited to include) down to our head table with our brand new lamps that brought about the most perfect could be in your own dining room, if your dining room were this iconic.
The Brennan’s drawing pulled all the way through the wedding day goods, down to the classic southern ticking on our bar signs from LeLe’s Lines and invitations from Bering’s. Truly, it brought about the classic details paired with the fun NOLA vibes that we were looking for. The tiniest of green details including the vodka soaked olives in honor of Grandma Louise. The live painting from Brittany with Dirk Guidry Art was the perfect way to remember their day forever and maybe even hang on their wall of their family home, like their parents.
In a space this small, and full, I do think my favorite part was actually the way that our band, Jordan Kahn Music Company looked like perfect adorning tops on the stage, right in the middle of it all. Paired with our beautiful white dance floor from Mike’s.
There is just truly nothing quite as romantic as the groom balling his eyes out in their vow exchange in the courtyard with a letter he had written back when they were first dating – one of his goals written down was to marry Shelby Casper. And look at that, we made it happen.
After a couple of floral flips, bustling, and some cocktails in our bride and groom, they joined cocktail hour with their guests accompanied by the beautiful jazz band from Avalon, again tying in that perfect NOLA feel. Once the guests were ushered into the ballroom for dinner, we were able to see the full dinner display and design come to life. It was truly a moment I will remember forever! Once we were done with the tear jerking speeches and first dances and the dance floor opened for the rest of the evening, not a soul left.
Right before the last dance we passed out authentic New Orleans mardi gras beads that had been saved by the mother of the bride over the years. Graciously passed out by our team, and excitedly taken by the guests for the last few dances of the night! We ended the night with a truly iconic exit in a vintage car. Bubbles blowing in the wind with the New Orleans brick design as the backdrop couldn’t have been a more perfect and curated day that we will all remember forever.
It was the privilege of a lifetime getting to partner with Shelby and Kevin to create the most iconic dinner party of all time!
Many thanks to the Loose Ends dream team!
Venue/Catering/Bar: Brennan’s
Photography: Erin Weise Photography
Florist: F. Dellit
Baker: Susies Cakes Houston
MUAH: Sunkissed and Madeup
Bridal: Ivory Bridal Atelier, Anne Barge
Bridesmaids: Dessy Group
Menswear: Bravo Tux
Signage: LeLe’s Lines
Invitations: Bering’s
Artist: Dirk Guidry Art
Rentals: Decor By Dulce
Band: Jordan Khan Orchestra
Jazz Trio: The Avalon Music
Dance Floor: Mike’s Dance Floor
Transportation: Sam’s Limousine
Content Creator: Infinitetly Captured
