elizabeth & bradley, zaza houston, keely throne events

Elizabeth, Houston bride. Maxit flower design bouquet with abundant flowers including garden roses, spray roses, ranunculus, and hellebores. Zaza Hotel Houston, Keely Thorne Events, Marco Wang Photography

It was the perfect Winter day in Houston, the weather was crisp and the sun was shining. No one could have planned a better day. Through out the planning process Elizabeth and her mother, Maria, expressed multiple amount of times their love for flowers. When I was told the first time, I knew we were the perfect fit, but then through out our meetings I knew she meant business.

She was the perfect Southern belle mixing modern touches with more traditional elements. Acrylic chair and tables with topiary mini trees, yes please! Can we get this mix for every wedding? She wanted us to create a layout that was fresh and allowed the space to invite all guests to the dance floor. And then… cover it in flowers. We used the Zaza’s chandeliers to create a canopy of flowers for the dance floor that turned our so beautifully.

She loved the color pink, but wanted a sophisticated spin where we wouldn’t have bubble gum, but instead have color delicately placed through out the room. Julie from Keely Thorne truly pulled everything together and it made for one of the more magical events we have been a part of.

Can you even believe that this was the Houston Zaza Hotel. It’s amazing how we can transform these spaces and fill them up with the most gorgeous blooms.

Entry table with topiaries. Zaza Hotel Houston, Keely Thorne Events, Marco Wang Photography

Houston bridesmaids. Maxit flower design bouquet with abundant flowers including garden roses, spray roses, ranunculus, and hellebores. Zaza Hotel Houston, Keely Thorne Events, Marco Wang Photography

Bridal bouquet with hankie. Maxit flower design bouquet with abundant flowers including garden roses, spray roses, ranunculus, and hellebores. Zaza Hotel Houston, Keely Thorne Events, Marco Wang Photography

Bridesmaids and bride. Maxit flower design bouquet with abundant flowers including garden roses, spray roses, ranunculus, and hellebores. Zaza Hotel Houston, Keely Thorne Events, Marco Wang Photography

Flower girls with flower crowns. Zaza Hotel Houston, Keely Thorne Events, Marco Wang Photography

Flower girls with flower crowns. Zaza Hotel Houston, Keely Thorne Events, Marco Wang Photography

Bridesmaids, flower girls. Maxit flower design bouquet with abundant flowers including garden roses, spray roses, ranunculus, and hellebores. Zaza Hotel Houston, Keely Thorne Events, Marco Wang Photography

Flower girls with flower crowns. Zaza Hotel Houston, Keely Thorne Events, Marco Wang Photography

Grand entry into the ballroom, flower arch. Zaza Hotel Houston, Keely Thorne Events, Marco Wang Photography

Communal bar high table with cups of flowers. Zaza Hotel Houston, Keely Thorne Events, Marco Wang Photography

Head table with reserved sign. Zaza Hotel Houston, Keely Thorne Events, Marco Wang Photography

Room shot with acrylic tables, ghost chairs, flower arch, dance floor and chandelier full of flowers. Zaza Hotel Houston, Keely Thorne Events, Marco Wang Photography

Last dance, bride and groom. Zaza Hotel Houston, Keely Thorne Events, Marco Wang Photography

father of the bride

Morgan & Holman were another easy couple, and those are to be celebrated! Truth be told, we never met them until the day before the wedding. The whole wedding was planner with her sister, mother, father and event planner Alyssa Meeks. It was a magical combination of people who loved her and knew her so well that she never needed to involved. To work with such a kind, loving group of people was a highlight of 2019.

The father drew up the floor plans, and worked closely with the tent company to create a space that fit perfectly in their back yard. It was the most seamless extension of their gorgeous home and we couldn’t have felt more fortunate to be the ones that they entrusted.

To design in someones home demands more attention to detail and I am so proud to say, that is what we are known for. Making sure that we are respectful of every space and taking care of their property as if it was ours. Because let’s be real, it’s super intrusive to have all these strangers in your home. We have a responsibility to make sure that they are so comfortable, that they would like us back.

The bride wanted something classic and timeless. She wanted lots of greenery and touches of blush colors to add dimension. We chose a selection of seasonal flowers including roses, garden roses, spray roses, ranunculus, lisianthus and many other seasonal blooms that helped us fill out the arrangements.

When designing the space it was important to do a walk through so that we could see the space and understand how the guests would be walking through the space. As all guests entered they would walk through the front door. And we were so excited to hear that the family was on board with making this a spot that would shine. Focal points where guests feel welcome are so important.

Floral arch entry with all white flowers and greenery. Private residence in Houston, Texas. Maxit Flower Design, Alyssa Meeks , Chris Bailey Photography

Altar arrangements, blush, white, garden style urn. White pedestals. Aisle with small bouquet and hanging ribbon. Wedding ceremony in Memorial Drive Presbyterian, Houston, Texas. Maxit Flower Design, Alyssa Meeks , Chris Bailey Photography

Altar arrangements, blush, white, garden style urn. White pedestals. Wedding ceremony in Memorial Drive Presbyterian, Houston, Texas. Maxit Flower Design, Alyssa Meeks , Chris Bailey Photography

Monogram with bride and groom letters. Houston, Texas. Maxit Flower Design, Alyssa Meeks , Chris Bailey Photography

Room shot of the reception for private home event. Floral chandelier and low garden style arrangements. Houston, Texas. Maxit Flower Design, Alyssa Meeks , Chris Bailey Photography

Bride with bridesmaids and groom. Blush, white and green bouquets in a lush garden style. Houston, Texas. Maxit Flower Design, Alyssa Meeks , Chris Bailey Photography

Bride with bridesmaids and groom. Blush, white and green bouquets in a lush garden style. In front on brides family home with a floral arch. Houston, Texas. Maxit Flower Design, Alyssa Meeks , Chris Bailey Photography

Bride with her bouquet stepping out limo to the reception. Houston, Texas. Maxit Flower Design, Alyssa Meeks , Chris Bailey Photography

Bride and groom entering the reception. Blush, white and green bouquets in a lush garden style. Houston, Texas. Maxit Flower Design, Alyssa Meeks , Chris Bailey Photography

Garden style centerpiece with all white and touches of blush flowers. Houston, Texas. Maxit Flower Design, Alyssa Meeks , Chris Bailey Photography

Bride and father dancing the first dance. Florals for the band front. With a lush garden style. Houston, Texas. Maxit Flower Design, Alyssa Meeks , Chris Bailey Photography

Bride and father dancing the first dance. Florals for the band front. With a lush garden style. Houston, Texas. Maxit Flower Design, Alyssa Meeks , Chris Bailey Photography

Installation of florals through the staircase entry of reception in private home. Houston, Texas. Maxit Flower Design, Alyssa Meeks , Chris Bailey Photography

Confetti exit, Houston, Texas. Maxit Flower Design, Alyssa Meeks , Chris Bailey Photography

the 5 closest people

Place setting detail with calligraphy bride name card. Photographed by Kate Elizabeth. Styled by Shannon Ducker Events.

We have grown up hearing the saying that goes… “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”. This might or might not be true in your life, but in mine I have found it to be mostly true.

We are not immune to this concept in business. To have business owners that build you up, exceed more, challenge you to do more, might be the best thing we can do. We also have to edit the people we keep close. Making sure that the people are striving for more and are not settling in their style, aesthetic, customer service, reputation, and kindness.

You have seen people get in a rut in life, but I have also seen that in business. Spending time with women owned businesses that are growing and achieving great things is electrifying. It is necessary for my soul and my sanity. We need each other and this past week has solidified that for me.

I have been surrounded with event planners that challenge me, build me up, cheer me on and keep me going. Hearing their worries and lifting them up has made the struggles we deal with easier and more palpable. We need each other, and to deny that is to deny yourself one of the more essential parts of business ownership… one another. You need your community of like-minded strong willed humans. And for that I am thankful.

Table scape with white and blush garden style arrangement by Maxit Flower Design. Photographed by Kate Elizabeth. Styled by Shannon Ducker

Here are some amazing images from one of those ladies that I hold close. She is rocking it you guys. Nothing is stopping her from achieving her goals and she sets them lofty and big. This year Kate Elizabeth photography started her own photography workshop and I am sincerely cheering her on. This is not a small feet as such projects can feel daunting with our everyday work load.

She mastered it and completely exceeded my expectation on design and aesthetics. Go check out more information on her new formed instagram page HERE.

Tree installation and aisle flowers by Maxit Flower Design. Photographed by Kate Elizabeth. Styled by Shannon Ducker

Bridal bouquet with blush and white flowers in a garden style by Maxit Flower Design. Photographed by Kate Elizabeth. Styled by Shannon Ducker

garden & gun: a long lasting relationship

Several years ago Garden & Gun reached out to do a feature on us. We were over the moon that this amazing, Southern magazine would highlight us. I have known about their work and could not believe they knew who we were. They represent the Southern person. Highlighting both masculine and feminine hobbies, this magazine has a little bit for everyone and that is what I loved the most.

Since this feature, that happened several years back, we have maintained a relationship with them. They have reached out for arrangements and as you will see bellow a fun event where we collaborated to make a special evening.

Garden & Gun just recently also launched an event series that host Southern styled events in locations through out the South. Several months ago they chose Houston to highlight some chefs as Houston is known for their amazing food! We are so luck y to be surrounded by some of the most talented chefs in the States.

We used this super traditional and timeless cement colored garden urn for this bar arrangement to create hight and allow the colors to speak for themselves. Garden & Gun asked for a bright Fall color palette and we delivered. These tones are bright and cheerful, yet keeping the Fall palette in mind.

We used dahlias, lisianthus, garden roses, eucalyptus and fall leaves to make an painterly, artistic arrangements.

Adding the pop of blue was the perfect touch to keep that masculine feel that is so well known from Garden & Gun. It was the perfect contrasting tone and believe it really added so much interest. Taper candles has recently made a come back and we love it. This detail is so classic.

talent is talent

When I get word that Hannah Mason is coming to photograph our flowers, my flowers even get excited. This kind, generous, sweet photographer blows me away with her talent.  There are many photographers out there that do a great job and that I love dearly. But Hannah, tells a story.  

You can literally see her thinking and brainstorming about the details, pulling all elements of the wedding to photograph.  She understands the concept behind styling the wedding in a manner that catches ALL the details.  Because if you don't already know... those details are all well thought out.  Someone had to chose those details, think through them and put them all together.

The wedding collaboratively is made from all of those tiny decisions that made one evening so memorable.  To think that a photographer wouldn't give every one of those elements their own time, is a shame.  It's not validating that each step meant something to our clients. Each item was chosen with thought, and it was part of the process they took into hosting an event for their loved ones.

I get so passionate about this subject as I am in meeting after meeting with my clients and see how much this all means to them.  I see how much they enjoy it and how they speak of specific people and times in their life that make them ponder these decisions.  It might seem like just a candle, an invitation, boutonniere, the beading on a the dress, that flowing hanging ribbon, or a simple centerpiece.  But to them it was a well thought out detail that they took the time to think through and choose the perfect one for them and their loved ones.