HOUSTON FOR HOUSTON ONLINE SHOPPING EVENT

Hot Houston boutiques team up for limited-time-only online shopping event

Bright hues can be found at Cotton Club Collection.

Photo courtesy of Cotton Club Collection/Instagram

With restrictions continuing to lift, Houston’s fashion retailers and boutiques are faced with challenges. A local startup, TurnTurn, is hosting an online shopping event Friday, May 22, to encourage Houstonians to shop local and support small businesses.

“There needs to be some way for local smaller retailers to come together and support each other,” a representative of TurnTurn tells CultureMap. Hence, the event dubbed Houston for Houston.

These sales don’t happen often. For a 24-hour period, 17 participating boutiques are offering $30 off all purchases of $150 or more and $50 off all purchases of $250 or more.

“Houston for Houston came about to support each other as small business owners,” Annie Patten, owner of June & Co., says in a statement. “It’s a great opportunity to share our stories and give back to our customers.”

Although Gov. Greg Abbott lifted restrictions on retail stores May 1, many Houstonians are deciding to stay home and shop online.

“The other aspect of this [one-day online shopping event] was the hygiene factor,” the representative for TurnTurn tells CultureMap. “Shoppers aren’t going to want to try-on clothes in-stores right now; and, I don’t think that’s going to change for a while.”

The following 17 retailers are participating in Friday’s online shopping event:

All online orders can be picked up curbside or delivered via mail. For more information and promotional codes, visit HoustonforHouston.com.

shopping

Save the date

Houston’s premier bridal showcase returns with latest tips and trends

Photo by Anthony Rathbun

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Brides- and grooms-to-be should make their own save-the-dates for January 11 and 12, 2025. That’s when the 41st Bridal Extravaganza Show returns to the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. The largest bridal planning showcase in the U.S., the event helps attendees plan the perfect big day.

More than 225 vendors will be on hand, ready to talk about the latest tips and trends in everything from cakes to flowers to dresses and beyond. Expect cake samples, décor and flower ideas, multiple fashion shows, Instagram walls for selfies, prizes, presentations on the latest bridal fashion and trends, and entertainment from Houston’s top wedding professionals.

New for 2025 is an added focus on destination weddings. more than 10 vendors specializing in both destination weddings and honeymoon arrangements will be in attendance.

Bridal Party Gifts premieres its new, two-sided, suede “Bride to Be” glitter sash, and LWx Custom Hats showcases a traveling hat bar, where the hatter will be on hand for demonstrations and guests can create custom hats for all their wedding events.

Among the many other new vendors are The Painted Bridal Bouquet, with an artist on hand to demonstrate how they turn a bride’s bouquet into a custom artwork, creating a one-of-a-kind keepsake, and Unlikely Designs, helmed by Houston-based bridal gown designer Watina Lee, who is launching the "The Affirmation Collection" at the show.

A full listing of vendors and planned events is available on the show’s website.

Attendees will leave the event with a digital list of all of their favorite vendors with the BrideScan app, allowing engaged couples to connect with wedding professionals via a QR code.

The first 100 VIP Brides also receive signature swag bags with complimentary gifts from sponsors and vendors. VIP tickets offer attendees early entry, special prizes, a $200 gift credit to SymbolizeIt photo website, the latest issue of Texas Weddings Magazine, and many additional secret surprises.

Tickets are available online. General admission tickets are $15 online and $25 at the door for adults, and children aged 5-12 are $5. VIP single admission is $35, or a VIP package for one Bride or Groom plus three guests is $99. Show hours are 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday, January 11 and 12-5 pm on Sunday, January 12.

weddings