must-attend

Houston society stars reveal best wedding tips at chic virtual soiree

One of the many unfortunate circumstances of the pandemic life is the end of big, lavish social gatherings. These days, anyone planning an event — especially a wedding — has to get creative under the gloom of COVID-19.

Now, a beloved organic urban farm is offering help to those looking to tie the knot with an informative, virtual happening, just in time for wedding season. Hope Farms, the seven-acre urban jewel that promotes healthy eating for the city’s neediest, will host an Instagram Live event, dubbed Bubbles & Brides, on Tuesday, July 14 at 9 am.

The Bubbles & Brides event, which will take place on @r4sfoundation, will offer up fresh ideas for weddings and private celebrations at the urban farm. Meanwhile, local experts will serve up advice on how to deal with the new normal in wedding planning.

Viewers can expect insider secrets and everything brides need to know about planning a micro wedding during the new normal. Hope Farms founder, Gracie Cavnar, will serve as moderator, along with area wedding planning gurus and social event experts, all touching on how to give your event the “wow factor.”

Guests will be able to see Hope Farms wedding vignettes set up across the farm. Featured presenters include Barbara McKnight with Culinare, Elizabeth Whitehead with Your Butler’s Pantry, Courtney Paddock with Little Coterie, Ana Llovera with Socialite Entertaining, Southern Glazers Spirits & Wine, Jody Stevens with Jody Cakes, Andrea de Gortari with The Bake Happening, and Jen McDonald with Jen McDonald Calligraphy.

Here are the local experts viewers can expect:

Andrea de Gortari of The Bake Happening, Jody Stevens of Jody Cakes, and Ana Llovera of Socialite on how to give your micro-wedding the “wow factor.”
Dr. Sippi Khurana on ideas for fashionable mask etiquette during this day in age.
Amber Elliott of the Houston Chronicle on how Houston’s favorite influencers are pulling out all the stops for their re-imagined weddings.
Ceron of Ceron Hair Studio on the new camera-ready wedding hair and makeup that will stand up to masks.
Fady Armanious of Tootsies on the bridal party’s fashion choices and what to do if your dress doesn’t arrive.
Clare Sullivan Jackson of Sullivan Group on tips on live streaming for absent guests.
Annie Criner of Gulf Coast Entertainment on fresh ideas for entertainment and dancing.
Jen McDonald on fresh ideas for modern calligraphy and custom chalkboards to wow your actual and virtual guests.

Meanwhile, for those looking for a rustic, boho event setting, Hope Farms has announced that its Gathering Barn, Chef’s Garden, Field of Movement, and Picnic Grove are now available for gatherings of up to 100 guests (depending on health guidelines). The farm is also offering affordable wedding packages for would-be couples. Those interested can find more information online.

Hope Farms founder and beloved society personality, Gracie Cavnar, will host the event.

Photo courtesy of Hope Farms

Hope Farms founder and beloved society personality, Gracie Cavnar, will host the event.

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Ode to Heidi

Versailles-themed luncheon celebrates Houston nonprofit's record season

Houston Symphony League Versailles luncheon 2025

Photo by Jacob Powers

Angelica Ximenes Chapman, Tracy Faulkner, Mahzad Mohajer, Fatimeh Mehdi, and Parissa Mohajer.

She dreamed aloud of goals so high, With passion shining in her eye.

Photo by Jacob Powers

Angelica Ximenes Chapman, Tracy Faulkner, Mahzad Mohajer, Fatimeh Mehdi, and Parissa Mohajer.

So began the tribute to Heidi Rockecharlie, president of the Houston Symphony League, during the annual President’s Luncheon. Held in the shimmering ballroom of Lakeside Country Club, the event — this year themed Bienvenue à Versailles — blended regal French flourishes with a heartfelt spirit, and capped a record-breaking season with flourish and flair.

League supporters turned out in full fashionable force, with chairs Beth Wolff and Saula Valente orchestrating a picturesque après-midi amid lavender-and-white floral candelabras by Simply Saula. The atmosphere struck a delicate chord: Equal parts elegance and intimacy. Guests laughed, mingled, and clinked glasses, while the hosts alternated verses from a custom-written poem that honored Rockecharlie’s tenure. It was both lighthearted and lyrical, just like its muse.

She led with heart, with fire, with flair. And left her legacy everywhere.

The highlight, as always, came with the president’s address, when Rockecharlie shared the year’s financial gift to the Symphony: A donation of more than $193,000 net of expenses.

That figure is thanks to a series of strategic moves under Rockecharlie’s leadership: A cost-cutting sponsorship program, expansion of the league’s icon event, and a fresh push for membership.

She said, “Let’s grow, let’s aim anew.” And guess what? That dream came true

She then passed the baton to incoming president Leslie Nossaman, who previewed her board and vision for the upcoming term. And Donna Mello, 2024's Ellen Kelley Volunteer of the Year, introduced this year's honoree, Susan Osterberg.

The celebration closed with an avalanche of gratitude and gifts. Rockecharlie received a magnum of Le Chemin du Roi Champagne by 50 Cent, a Hermes Brides de Gala en Fleurs scarf, and a crystal award featuring artwork from the Icon event.

Among those in the crowd were Farida Abjani, Hallie Vanderhider, Ellie Francisco, Lesha Elsenbrook, Betty Tutor, Alicia Maguire Smith, Heidi Turney, Andrew Cordes, Kathi Rovere, Diane Gendel, Sharon Brier, Jerre Parsons Williams, Diane Roederer, Susan Binney, Kinga Ferguson, Elizabeth Condit, Helen Shaffer, Mary Sage, Anna Dean, Astrid Van Dyke, Cheryl Byington, Kim Padgett, Nick Rockecharlie, Yoon Smith, and Danny Nguyen.

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