Thank you to all that attended our 6th annual Wedding Trends event last week. We could not have pulled it off without the help of all of these fine vendors who participated this year. A special kudos goes to our 2012 Wedding Trends Chairperson, Cherie Fontenot with the Petroleum Club of Houston.

Also links to view all of the images on our NACE Houston Facebook Page are now up here:

2012 Wedding Trends 1/2          2012 Wedding Trends 2/2

VIP Room

Over the Top Linens - Clara Hough, CPCE - Linens

Party Props - Greg Miller - Lounge Furniture

Avalon Music - Angela Eaton, Flutist - Entertainment

Elegant Beginnings - Jill Vidal - Pipe and Drape

Bright Star - Gary Archer - Lighting

Dream Bouquet - Rebekah Graves - Floral Design 

Downstairs Ceremony

Sarah Haywood Design - Sarah Haywood - Speaker

Impressive Events - Joe Zuniga - Emcee/AV/Lighting

Avalon Music - Angela Eaton - Trumpeter and String Duo at entrance

Your Beautiful Face - Leah Comstock - Makeup

Enjoy Events - Kathryn Creech - Models

Upstairs Cocktail Reception

Bright Star - Gary Archer - Lighting 

LG Entertainment - Lewis Grell,DJ - Music & Entertainment

Parvani Vida Bridal - Wedding Dresses for models

Brunch Setting

Events in Bloom - Rob Smith - Brunch Setting Vignette

Who Made the Cake! - Nadine Moon - Cake with Charms Display

Jos A Banks - John Woodard - How to Tie a Tie Demonstration

English Tea Setting

Prestigious Event Rentals - Greg Dugat - English Tea Vignette

Michael's Cookie Jar - Michael Savino - English Cookies, Display

Pat Leich - Pat Leich - Calligraphy Demonstration

Semi Formal Setting

Elegant Beginnings - Jill Vidal - Linens & Décor Vignette

Dream Bouquet  - Rebekah Graves - Floral Design Vignette

Sugar Bunch Creations - Tamicha Roberts - Cake Balls, Display

Toastmasters - Star Shataria - Proper Toasting Etiquettes

European Formal Evening

Darryl & Co - Darryl Murchison - European Formal Evening Vignette

Edible Designs by Jessie - Jessie Lopez - English Fruit Cake, Display

A Finer Event - Mike Little - Wine Pouring Techniques & Etiquette

Downstairs Reception

DJU Productions - Jason Fajkus, DJ - Entertainment

Divisi Stings - Shelli Mathews - Collide - Entertainment/Strings

Impressive Events  - Juliana Wathen - Lighting and A/V

J&S Audio Visual - Tracy Punch - Video Production

Darryl & Co - Darryl Murchison - Lounge Furniture

Events in Bloom - Rob Smith - Lounge Furniture

Java Pura - Richard Colt - Coffee Station

MDI Video - Mitch Daniels - Video

D. Jones Photoggraphy - David Jones - Event Coverage

Corinthian - Boyd Bryan - Catering/Venue/Staffing

Beverage Sponsors

Glazers Distributors - Monique Bossett, Elsa Ortiz

Chandon by Moet & Chandon - Janie Higgins 

Chopin Vodka 

New Amsterdam Straight Gin

St. Germaine 

Voveti Prosecco 

E&J Gallo Winery - Monique Studak

William Hill Wines 

White Haven Sauvignon Blanc 

Republic National Distributing - Vanessa Gaidosik & Ike Arisukwu

Brugal Rum 

Famous Grouse Scotch 

Fiji WaterLeif Graham 

Grey Goose Vodka  

Republic Tequila  

Woodbridge Wines - Lee Midyett 

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates - Barbara Jurbala

14 Hands 

Columbia Crest Wines

Erath Winery  

Nicolas Feuilatte Champagne 

Specs Wine Spirits & Finer Foods - Rick Jamail

Silver Eagle/Anheuser Busch - Alyn Goad

Additional Sponsors

Atheneum - Amy Boyter - Invitations

Brandit Bandits - Jennifer Schafer - QR Codes/Marketing 

Event Solutions - Ashley Fuentes - Sponsor Packet

Hilton Houston Post Oak - Margery Reinheardt - Hotel Rooms

Hilton of the Americas Houston - Matthew Finnan - Hotel Rooms

Hilton Houston Westchase - Justin Martinez - Sponsor Packet

Rasmussen Resource Management - Alex Rasmussen - Sponsor Packet

EnVogue Meetings & Events - Haley Hughes - Invitations

Weddings in Houston - Radhika Day - Swag Bags

Aztec Rentals - Tables/Linens

Vera Cantrell - A few words from the heart

After spending 25 years in the corporate world selling and managing a group health insurance office, I decided to change careers and went to work for Adams and Green Entertainment Agency.   It was there, working with my great friends Bob and Delores Messer, that I realized how much I enjoy this industry and how it suited my interests and personality.  It was also there, in 2000, that I first joined NACE after hearing many of the people I called on tell me what a great organization it was for networking and learning more about the industry.  So we joined and I became very involved, eventually ending up on the board as the Associate Member Representative (a.k.a. Event Professional).  Becoming a member of NACE was very informative and much fun and I enjoyed being on the board and working with the other board members and representing the associate members.  It has been an excellent networking tool.

I eventually moved from entertainment to the décor side of the events business and after 3 years with another linen company I went to work for Party Cloths.  I am so happy to be at Party Cloths because of the attitude and professionalism of Donna Jahn, the owner of Party Cloths.  Her goal is to keep our clients happy and satisfied with our products and service.  We sew when we need to increase inventory, we bring in new products and we work hard to provide top-notch service.   In short, the attitude is “what do we need to do to make an event beautiful and our client happy.” 

Most of the people I know in this industry are here because they enjoy it.  It can be a lot of work but is very fun and rewarding and the people are great.  My advice is that if you are not having fun and enjoying what you do then you are in the wrong work and should find something else to do that adds quality to your life.

So when I am not working or networking I have many other interests and spend time gardening, playing tennis, messing around with friends, family and my dog, Little Boy, who I rescued last year.  I love playing games such as scrabble, bunko, poker and dominoes (anyone want a match?)

We’ll match Vera! Thank you for your dedication to our industry and chapter.