Expert Wedding Advice

The perfect wedding: 5 tips guaranteed to make the big day go smoothly

One of the highlights of the recent Bridal Extravaganza at the George R. Brown Convention Center was the presentation given by Darcy Miller, editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine. She shared wedding advice and trends with the room full of eager brides-to-be. The focal point of her wedding wisdom were five tips guaranteed to make the big day go smoothly.

* Get organized and stay organized

The details of wedding planning are countless from such major decisions as budget and that special gown to the wedding minutia of what to give the flower girls and ring bearers. The only way to control the mammoth undertaking is by staying organized.

* Pick a palette

Miller advises that brides should choose a pair (or a narrow range) of wedding colors, a move that will facilitate tying the details together. For palette inspiration, she suggests starting with colors that are already present in the wedding venue, such as blue if it's an oceanfront wedding or the dominant wall color in the room where the marriage will be performed or even what flowers will be in season.

* Make it personal

Little details that are meaningful to both the bride and the groom can be incorporated into the festivities in order to reflect the couple, making their wedding more than a cookie-cutter event. For example, Miller recalled a bride who loved elephants so much that she commissioned a cake topper in the form of an elephant. A couple married in Ireland had a wedding cake made from Baileys Irish Cream, Irish biscuits (cookies) and chocolate fudge.

* Keep your guests in mind

The wedding is not just about the bride and groom. It is about all who attend. Guests should be cared for in style, well-fed and comfortable. No one has fun when too hot or too cold. (Like those outdoor weddings in Houston in summer when it's blazing or the Carmel destination wedding in August when it's freezing.)

* Be in the moment

On the wedding day, the bride should let go of the details (hopefully all the planning is done). Don't sweat the little things (i.e. your sunset wedding is clouded over). Keep in mind that at the end of the day, you will be wed to the one you love, surrounded by loving friends and family.

KHOU Channel 11's Courtney Zubowski selected lavendar as her palette for her wedding at The Corinthian.

Wonderful Weddings, Courtney Zubowski, March 2013, The Corinthian, lavendar lighting, venue

Photo courtesy of Tomas Ramos Photographers

KHOU Channel 11's Courtney Zubowski selected lavendar as her palette for her wedding at The Corinthian.

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Dignity Delivered

Houston Furniture Bank turns compassion into comfort for kids

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Dean Todd, Stacey Todd, Cinde Matocha, and Gary Matocha.

A child sleeping on the floor isn’t just a statistic — it’s a crisis. And on May 8, more than 400 guests packed River Oaks Country Club to do something about it.

The Furniture Bank’s No Kids on the Floor gala, chaired by advocates and board members Francie and Mike Willis, raised more than $300,000, a record-breaking figure for the organization. The funds support its mission to provide beds to the estimated 300,000 children in Houston without one, a mission that has already placed more than 4,000 beds since the program launched in 2018.

The evening, emceed by Linda Lorelle, featured the moving video highlighting founder Oli Mohammed and the organization’s impact. Ralph Marek was posthumously honored as the night’s Legacy Honoree, with his son Stan Marek accepting on behalf of the family. The inaugural Jodie Hoffer Community Service Award — named for the late Furniture Bank champion — was presented to Youval Meicler of Texas Mattress Makers, whose support has been both generous and hands-on.

A heartfelt speech from the eldest child of a family served by the organization reminded the crowd what this night was really about: Dignity, safety, and the power of something as simple as a bed.

Pianist Doug Montgomery provided the soundtrack for the evening, while Johnny Bravo rallied the room for a spirited live auction and appeal. Elegant florals by H-E-B, a sold-out Giving Tree, and a silent auction featuring rare wine lots rounded out the festivities.

In attendance were Ben Marek, Roz and Alan Pactor, Scott and Samantha Hoffer, Karen and Larry Cress, Michele Meicler, Jody Merritt, Christine Johnson, Janice Hall, Hershey Grace and Ed McMahon, Cinde and Gary Matocha, Edna Meyer Nelson, Jeff and Harry Cummins, Lisa and Bob Gulitti, Regina Rogers, Steve Finger, Frank Monacelli and Gloria Nino-Monacelli, Danna and Hal Lynde, Allison and Stuart Peterson, Jill and John Parsley, Molly and Miles Marks, Kip Altstaetter, Frank Billingsley and Kevin Gilliard, Audrey and Phillip Davis, Michael Galloway, Laura Ward, Cathy and Bud Geisinger.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Dean Todd, Stacey Todd, Cinde Matocha, and Gary Matocha.

fundraisers houston furniture bank