Kelli & Chris
The wedding uniting Kelly Miley and John Bird occurred on May 11, 2002, at seven o'clock in the evening at St. Paul's United Methodist in Houston, Texas. The wedding clearly reflected the young, hip style of the couple. The bride wanted the décor to be very simple, yet elegant. The goal was first accomplished in the wedding paper trousseau, which consisted of invitations complete with reception, respond and seating cards and programs, all done in thick white cardstock with silver embossed lettering. The tone was set for the wedding and the white and silver detail was evident throughout many aspects of the ceremony and reception.
The reception site was only a mile away from where the ceremony took place. The boutique hotel's penthouse suite was the perfect location for the bride and her attendants to have their hair and make up done. Later, they were transported in stretch limousines to the ceremony site, where they then got dressed in the bride's parlor. The groom and his attendants arrived dressed and waited in their own parlor. The church was decorated with two large altar arrangements of Calla Lilies, Orchids and White stock that were later taken to the reception site to adorn the bars. The first six pews were decorated with white calla lilies wrapped with white chiffon ribbon, which draped from the pews. The last row of pews had two tall poles with flowers at the top, which cascaded over into the aisle. The front entry had a tall arrangement in a Tanga Vase of Callas that had a light at the top. This arrangement was also taken to the reception and placed at the guest book table. The house party handed out the silver embossed white card stock programs.
The bride carried a round bouquet of Stephanotis with rhinestones, mini white Callas and a few white Roses. The handle was tied with a silver rope. The bridesmaids carried bouquets of mini white Callas tied in the middle. The two mother carried clusters of white Callas Lilies. The groom's boutonniere matched the bride's bouquet and was made up of three small Stephanotis blooms with rhinestone crystals.The families were seated to Pachelbel's Canon in D, the Bridesmaids procession was to Trumpet Tune of Purcell, and the Brides Procession was to Trumpet Voluntare, all performed by the church's organist. The church soloist sang "O God of Love" during the ceremony.
The reception was held in the Ballroom de la Contessa at La Columb D'Or. Upon arrival, the guests viewed the bridal portrait, signed the guest book and were offered hors d'oeuvres and cocktails in the foyer of the ballroom. A piano player entertained the guests during the cocktail hour. The cocktail tables had white linens and small arrangements of calla lilies and peonies.
The seated dinner reception was held in the main ballroom. The décor consisted of white table linens with organza overlay, adorned with silver beads, forming a diamond pattern. The pattern was duplicated on the sash, which was placed over the white stretch cotton chair covers. The white cotton napkins on the tables were tied with silver organza ribbon. The centerpieces were tall silver swirl candelabras with a crystal bubble bowl at the top filled with white callas, French white tulips, bear grass and curly willow. The head table had a low arrangement of white flowers surrounded by four crystal bowls. Banisters, with touches of greenery, were placed in front of the band. They served to separate the band from the dance floor and added nicely to the overall décor.
The four-tiered rolled fondant cake was adorned with silver ribbon and silver gum paste beads, which were a diamonded pattern as the table linen overlay. The cake was placed on a credenza laced with greeenry in the ballroom and surrounded by 12 candles. The groom's cake was covered with milk chocolate icing and had a red, white and blue symbol from the University of Arizona, the groom's alma mater. Placed next to the cakes were the bouquets, silver cutting knife and server, and the couples toasting goblets.
During the dinner, the band played light background music. The dinner consisted of a Belgian endive salad with dry figs and apples, a dual entrée of filet of beef and smoked chicken with Portobello mushrooms and seasonal vegetables. The dual entrée was chosen so that the guests would have a choice of meats. Vegetarian meals were available upon request.
After dinner, the bride and groom cut the cake and proceeded to the dance floor where toasts were made by the best man, maid of honor and father of the bride. The seven-piece band played "At Last" for the couples first dance, and "Unforgettable" for the father-daughter dance. The band then entertained the guests with songs from every era and genre. The band was so versatile with their musical talents, the groom even started to break dance for his bride not long he and his bride had waltzed. Each guests was given a silver picture frame, which doubled as the seating cardholder and party favor for the guests to take home. White rose petals were thrown as the couple ran through the canopied departure line into the awaiting limo.
The coordinator had placed the gifts and other items, such as the portrait, guest book and pen, in the father's vehicle. The parents were overjoyed to find they had nothing left to do so they returned to the salon for one last slow dance.