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    A heavenly wedding

    Dominique Sachse & Nick Florescu wed by Joel Osteen amid a sea of TV news starsand social swells

    Shelby Hodge
    May 20, 2012 | 11:27 am
    • Joel Osteen beams as the happy couple shares a moment at the altar.
    • Photo by Shelby Hodge
    • Photo by Shelby Hodge
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Zillions of white flowers including orchids, roses and hydrangeas filled everysight line in the Cason Thrash home.
      Photo by Shelby Hodge
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Detailing on the confection by Who Made the Cake? replicated the lace pattern inthe bride's dress.
      Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com

    It was Joel Osteen's first wedding outside of tying the knot for a handful of family members and the pastor, who preaches to millions via television from Lakewood Church every Sunday, was endearingly nervous as he stood before the gathering of 150 that had assembled for the marriage of Dominique Sachse and Nick Florescu.

    During the brief ceremony at the home of John and Becca Cason Thrash on Saturday, Osteen advised the couple of the importance of "keeping laughter in the house." Laughter, he said, serves as an antidote to troubles that the world challenges us with each day.

    Sachse responded emphatically "Oh, I do!" when asked if she took Florescu as her husband.

    Stunning in a body-hugging lace gown by Ines Di Santo, Sachse responded emphatically "Oh, I do!" when asked if she took Florescu as her husband. "I promise to love, honor and respect you for all the days of my life," she repeated after Osteen. Sachse and Florescu are regulars at Osteen's Sunday services and enjoy a close relationship with the popular pastor.

    The couple was attended by his children — Alex, Nicky, Ava, Ella and Isabella Florescu and Sachse's 7-year-old son Styles Credeur. They walked the rose-petal strewn aisle as family and friends cooed over the younger ones. The oohs and aahs were bountiful as Peter Sachse walked his daughter down the aisle.

    What was supposed to have been a small ceremony with only 50 guests mushroomed as the KPRC Channel 2 news anchor and Florescu began compiling their guest list. The reception, which was originally planned for only 100, expanded to include 150 additional guests. When the number reached 300, hostess Cason Thrash advised that the storied indoor swimming pool would have to be covered. "I mean, there would have been 10 or 12 people in the water if they hadn't covered it and no one wants to remember their wedding like that," she said.

    What everyone took home from this splendid event, beyond the beauty of and obvious adoration between the handsome couple, was the stunning collection of white flowers that covered every surface. For the ceremony, the Cason Thrash pool room was furnished like a chapel with soaring assemblages of orchids, roses, hydrangeas and more commanding either side of the wedding stage. Silver chiavari chairs with silver cushions provided seating for wedding guests. Thank you, Richard Flowers and The Events Co.

    For the record, Osteen, accompanied by his wife, Victoria, required that no alcohol be served in his presence.

    After the ceremony, while photos were taken, the wedding witnesses adjourned to the living room and bar where the schmoozing was intense and the bubbly flowed. (For the record, Osteen, accompanied by his wife, Victoria, required that no alcohol be served in his presence. Thus, the partying was closed off until the Osteens departed.)

    While guests circled the towering wedding cake, by Who Made the Cake?, featuring a lace design like that in the bride's gown, a work crew streamed through the pool area turning it into a dinner club disco. In this early crowd were guests including Nina and Wayne Wickman, Roseann Rogers and Dr. Aashish Shah, Alice and Herb Butrum, Susan and Mike Plank, Annie Amante, Manfred Jachmich and Candice and Lonnie Schiller.

    Waiters passed hors d'oeuvres from Katsyua while Ceron, accompanied by his partner Todd Fiscus of Dallas, regaled guests with tales of the pre-wedding hair and makeup sessions that his salon group oversaw. Debbie and Rudy Festari, Susan Glesby, Kimberly and Frank DeLape, Monsour Taghdisi and Henry Richardson and Joann and Bill Crassas were in this early crowd.

    The wedding took place at 5, the second tier of partygoers began arriving at 7. At 8 p.m., City Kitchen took over and provided a lavish buffet spread that had everyone swooning. At 9 p.m., the female DJs, flown in from Paris, launched their brand of CD spins and inspired serious boogying on the dance floor at one end of the covered pool.

    Among the numerous TV news personalities attending were NBC's Janet Shamlian with hubby Le Melcher, Bill Balleza, Frank Billingsley, Deborah Duncan, Rachel McNeil, Lauren Freeman and the retired Bob Nicholas.

    Click here to see official wedding photos from the ceremony by Al Torres Photography. And check tonight's 10 o'clock news on KPRC Channel 2 for a report on the wedding.

    unspecified
    news/society

    Michelin Stars

    Superstar Spanish chefs return to Houston for dinners with a purpose

    Joel Luks
    Dec 19, 2025 | 10:30 am
    Hope and Opportunity Dinner Texas Children's Hospital
    Courtesy of Texas Children’s Hospital
    Jordi Roca, Ignacio Torras, and Joan Roca.

    Leave it to Houston to blend avant-garde gastronomy with generosity, stirring up a one-two punch of flavor and philanthropy.

    Over two intimate evenings, Isabel and Ignacio “Nacho” Torras opened their private home for the Hope and Opportunity Dinners,an affair that embraced the neurodiverse community with epicurean delight.

    The dinners, limited to 100 guests per night, were a collaborative recipe honoring the missions of Texas Children’s Duncan Neurological Research Institute and The Genuine Cup, the nonprofit arm of The Genuine Foundation. With a thematic throughline of “Hope” and “Opportunity,” guests were treated to a nine-course menu..

    The culinary talent? Flying in from their famed El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain, Michelin-starred brothers Joan Roca (head chef) and Jordi Roca (pastry chef), along with sommelier Marta Cortizas, teamed up with chef Luis Roger of Houston’s Michelin-starred BCN Taste & Tradition. The menu, a poetic composition of bold Spanish flavors and delicate textures, was elevated further by thoughtful wine pairings.

    Far from a solo act, the Roca brothers worked in sync with some of Houston’s culinary luminaries: Felipe Riccio (March), Mayank Istwal (Mussafer), David Skinner (Eculent), Felipe Botero (Le Jardinier), Mary Cuclis (Kriti Kitchen), and Emmanuel Chavez (Tatemó). Service each evening was led by 27 young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, supported by 10 coaches.

    One dinner honored Whitney and Jim Crane, whose Astros Foundation has become a pillar of Houston philanthropy, and Dr. Huda Y. Zoghbi, whose groundbreaking neuroscience work continues to shape the future of medicine. The second dinner spotlight fell on Laura Arnold, co-founder of Arnold Ventures LLC, and Dr. Debra F. Sukin, president and CEO of Texas Children’s Hospital, both champions for equity and innovation in their fields.

    The evenings ended with cookbook signings by the Roca brothers, a fitting souvenir from two nights where food was both an experience and a vehicle for change. The events raised more than $400,000.

    Showing up for science and inclusion were Monica and Yordon Alvarez, Cathy and Joe Cleary, Carlos Correa, Molly and Crownover, Paula and Reginald DesRoches, Pam and Keith Fullenweider, Adrienne and Jared Crane, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Phoebe Tudor and Tudor, Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught, and Penny and Paul Layne.

    Hope and Opportunity Dinner Texas Children's Hospital

    Courtesy of Texas Children’s Hospital

    Jordi Roca, Ignacio Torras, and Joan Roca.

    fundraisershospitalstexas children's hospital
    news/society

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