GETTING HITCHED, TEXAS GULF STYLE MAY 2020 KEEPING IT FRESH BLOOMING HOT TRENDS FOR BRIDAL BOUQUETS Love it or leave it WEDDING EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON WHAT’S IN AND WHAT’S OUT MAY 2020 $7.99 COASTMONTHLY.COM 645485005999 THE WEDDING PLANNER ‘BRIDE GUY’ HAS SEEN IT ALL GETAWAY VEHICLES BY PICKUP OR CARRIAGE, MAKE A MEMORABLE EXITGALVESTON THE BRYAN MUSEUM Your Wedding Day One Stunning Location ^ C ONSERVATORY PETER @ THEBRYANMUSEUM . ORG ^ EVENT RENTAL INQUIRIES 1315 21S T S TREET (409)220-3021 WWW . THEBRYANMUSEUM . ORG / WEDDINGS - EVENTS Stacie & Jacob, Photographed by Aaron Dominguez/Spotlight Weddings M USEUM G ARDENS R EHEARSAL D INNERS C EREMONIES R ECEPTIONS 4 COAST BRIDAL 2020 FROM THE EDITORS LOVE IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS I t seems fitting that this issue of Coast Bridal is a “flip book.” On one side is our normal Coast Monthly May issue. Flip it around and upside down, and it’s our bridal guide. For many in the wedding industry — and for brides and grooms — worlds, big plans and dreams have been flipped upside down in this age of social distancing. To the anguish of many, weddings have been delayed, and rescheduled. We understand the frustration of putting off the big day. Planning a wedding is stressful enough, which is why we sincerely recommend leaving the details to professionals. But we hope you find solace in knowing that big day will come and it will be beautiful and filled with well-wishing family and friends. And this crisis presented many couples with their first real stress tests. We’re betting it makes many couples stronger. Putting together a bridal issue during the crisis at times was surreal, but mostly it was a hopeful re- minder of better days to come. There’s something inspiring about working with professionals — the ones you’ll read about in these pages — who, in the words of wedding planner Peter Ochoa, are “in the business of making people happy.” And there’s the unflappable Connie Dryden, who for years has been the calming, creative drive behind many a beautiful island wedding that went off without a hitch. There are reasons so many people choose to get married on the upper Texas coast. There’s beauty and history and a venue for every couple. A serene setting, or one with roots and history, is the perfect place to start a life together. As you’ll read in these pages, times are changing and many couples are tossing out longtime tradi- tions to make weddings their very own. We hope this issue offers ideas, tips and hope for better days. At Coast Bridal, we raise our glass to your future and for all that you’ve got to look forward to. LAURA ELDER Coast Bridal Editor MELISSA RIVERA Creative Director/Design EditorGalvestonIslandWeddings.com All your wedding needs under one roof. 409-789-3500 Access DJ’s • A Finer Event • Cakes by Jula • CruisePlanners • Darkerside DJ’s Island Flowers • Kirk Surber Photography • LBL Event Rentals • Nefertiti Bridal Rexberry Luxury Weddings & Events • Tour de Tents • Wedding Bliss Events Friends of Galveston Bridal Group: Betsy By Design • Events at the Tasting Room • Gypsy Joynt Riondo’s Ristorante • Something Blue • Wedding Heart Ceremonies Galveston Bridal Group photos by Kirk Surber Photography6 COAST BRIDAL 2020 SHORELINES WE ASKED ON FACEBOOK: What was your wedding song? We were married in 1974 and our song was “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce. Although neither of us ever met him, a family friend was his pro- ducer. Sadly, not long after our wedding, Croce and several band members died in a plane crash. Forty-five-plus years, four kids and three coasts later, we are still happily married. Pam Ali “Run” by George Strait. It came out when we met and it instantly became “our song.” We played it at our wedding and every time it comes on, we stop what we’re doing and dance to it. We’ve been married almost 20 years. He was in Iraq 2004/2005. I rewrote some of the words (to fit the situation) and wrote the song in a card and sent it to him. He still has that card in his night- stand. It’s an extremely meaningful song to us. Sherry Kelley Ehrich “If” by Bread and “The Wedding Song (There is Love).” Karen Ivey “If (a Picture Paints 1000 words)” by Bread. Absolutely the best song. We celebrate our 40th in May! Bobbey White “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King. Jonathan and I got married on a Southwest Airlines flight to San Francisco. He surprised me! Later that evening in San Francisco, we were on a street corner at Fisherman’s Wharf and a one-man band perform- er announced he was ending his set for the day. I told Jonathan, “Whatever he plays will be our wedding song.” We were blessed it was “Stand by Me” and not something like “Play That Funky Music White Boy.” Best. Wedding. Ever. Rena Lidstone “All My Life” — Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Nev- ille. I feel just as lucky today as I did the day I met my wife, Lori. Jay Carnes I walked down the aisle to instrumental music from “Phantom of the Opera.” It was beautiful. Jennifer Citti Prochaska Married in 2001. Keith Whitley “When you say Nothing at All.” Nikki Harper Ashcraft Al Green “Let’s Stay Together.” Kim G. Lain Ours is “Ribbon In The Sky” by Stevie Wonder. A beautiful ballad, and yes, Shirley, picked it. Chris Crowder Sr. “This Must be the Place“ by Talking Heads was our procession song. Our first dance was to “Good Morning Beautiful” by Steve Holy. Carly Suzanne “Blue Skies” sung by Willie Nelson, August 2000. Aubrey Garcia The song we danced to was “Ribbon in the Sky,” Stevie Wonder. Jill Peterek Presnal We danced to “Moondance” by Van Morrison. Carole Machol-Atler Our wedding song was “Looks Like We Made It” by Barry Manilow. This April 29th will be our 42nd anniversary. Married in Brooklyn, N.Y. Alfio A. Tropea “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele. Jennie S. Latham Got married in Philly to a local girl, so we had them play Ernest Tubbs doing “Waltz Across Texas.” Brought the house down. Philip Gerding “The Way You Look Tonight” by Steve Tyrell. Susan Falgout After 18 years as a weekend wedding DJ from Galveston to Houston (my last one ever at Ashton Villa on Jan. 4), I got couples up dancing to celebrate their anniversaries to Steve Tyrell’s “This Guy’s In Love With You.” I “sell it” by sharing that, for each couple on the dance floor, it brings 10 years of good luck to the new couple. It worked every time! Tyrell grew up near Hobby Airport and has performed at The Grand. Lee Usry The Reedy Chapel choir performed at my daugh- ter’s wedding at First Presbyterian. They sang “Oh Happy Day” as the recessional. It was amazing. Kitty Allen “Forever in Love” by Kenny G. Sherry Smecca Ours was Van Morrison “Have I Told You Lately” but the tape player would not work so we asked them to improvise and they played “Beauty and the Beast.” Unfortunately not joking. Keith BassettV oted Galveston Island’s best caterer, we specialize in intimate gatherings, business dinners, or hosting your wedding or reception. GRG offers a wide variety of menu selections that we can personalize for any event. From presentation to flavor in every bite, we ensure a unique and memorable culinary experience for your guests. Our catering highlights include: • Private banquet facilities • Off-site catering and Party Trays • Personalized Menus • Complete Bar & Wait-Staff services the art of great eating 409.750.8888 628 Seawall Boulevard Galveston, Texas 77550 galvestonrestaurantgroup.comToday’s couples are more interested in informal seating arrangements.COAST BRIDAL 2020 9 FEATURE TRENDS TO SAY ‘I DO’ TO From dancing on clouds to modern registries, here’s the latest on weddings story by MARGARET BATTISTELLI-GARDNER C onnie Dryden, owner of Island Flowers, and Dewayne Ross, owner of Wedding Bliss Events, are members of the Galveston Bridal Group, a consor- tium of Galveston-based business owners who specialize in weddings and share space at 2328 Market St. in Galveston. They helped to compile this list of the top five wedding trends for 2020/2021: CUSTOMIZED WEDDINGS Cookie-cutter nuptials have given way to highly personal affairs, with couples incor- porating special themes that are meaningful. Dryden sees a lot of fun Aggie- and Louisi- ana State University-themed weddings that incorporate school colors and other proud alumni touches. Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is a personalized goal for many couples looking to reduce the typically large carbon footprint of big weddings, Ross said. Couples are opt- ing for vintage or heirloom engagement rings, eliminating leave-behinds such as favors, repurposing décor and just generally looking for more sustainable options, he said. MORE INTIMATE WEDDINGS “It used to be common for a bride to have 12 to 14 bridesmaids,” Dryden said. “But not anymore. I’ve even seen weddings where the bride and groom don’t even have attendants.”Next >