Published in: Weddings in Houston
By: Pica Kahn
Photos By: Larry Fagala
It was a cool, clear March night in downtown Houston. The wedding guests looked in amazement at the Corinthian's dramatic staircase cascading down to the landing where the couple would be married. The bride walked down the long aisle, for the most important night of her life. Escorted down the aisle by her father, she stopped at the end of the runway to receive a kiss from her mother.
The flash of photographer's bulbs accented the event. Like a room filled with fireflies, the lights seemed to match the twinkling of the bride's eyes.
The Corinthian is a spectacular venue reminiscent of the halls of Versailles. Some 20 columns line both side of the Neo-classical turn of the century building, completely renovated just a few years ago. The landing at the bottom of the magnificent staircase has seen many exchange vows.
Just entering the building, one feels like a special guest. Glass doors offer a peek inside, hinting of style. Beyond these are stairs that seem to go over the horizon beckoning guests to enter this wonderland.
Corinthian guests feel as special as the bride. Creating and environment that is both dignified yet filled with energy, the flow of the room invites guests to revel in the space. Moving guests through the room is easy with the staircase always the focal point; the bride upon it accentuates the place.
Her dress was exquisite and the whole wedding just fell into place. Working with Jackson Hicks made it easier," said Jeri Shapiro, mother of the bride. "I know whatever his responsibilities were I didn't have to worry about anything. He makes you feel very special. I wish I could rewind and do the whole thing over again.
It took a year to plan and was over in an evening, but the memories live on. The bride knew what she wanted and that made it much easier.
"Cindy wanted the wedding to have a look of sophistication and elegance. We followed the theme of the Corinthian columns and it was just beautiful.
Three unique arrangements graced the tables as centerpieces.
Tall candelabras
with solid wreaths of flowers on top were accented by sprinkled
rose petals covering votive candles. Other tables had silver trumpet
vases with solid balls of flowers on the top. The final arrangement
was a low silver arrangement with a pave of flowers, artichokes, apples
and grapes.
"Even the powder room had ribbon wrapped vases filled with flowers. The chuppah had open blooming branches and roses all pink and two candelabras with solid pave flowers. Cynthia didn't want any greenery. A 36-inch ball was hung crisscross across the balcony of the room. It was beautiful."
Hand written and then engraved, the invitations were as classic as the wedding itself. Elegant in their simplicity, the cream colored invitations proclaimed letters in Old English, inviting guests to the nuptials. Matching menu cards with the Corinthian logo were placed on top of every napkin.
After the ceremony, guests gathered upstairs for cocktails and hor d'ouvres and as it by magic the room below was turned into a dining room of round tables.
"It was amazing how they did that," said Shapiro. "It all went so smoothly. Actually, the hardest part was the guest list. We finally settled on 350, and they all fit comfortably in the room. We had a three-course dinner starting with Gulf crabmeat au gratin."
Medallions of Herb-Crusted Tenderloin of Prime Aged Beef with Red Wine Demi-Glace followed the crabmeat. Herb Roasted Spring New Potatoes, Haricots Verts and Grilled Tomato accompanied the meat.
The Bride's Cake and the Groom's Cake were served with fresh raspberries to excite the palette.
"Jackson did the square Groom's cake. It was the best chocolate cake I have ever tasted," said Shapiro. "The Bride's Cake was simple but beautifully decorated, with real lilies of the valley on the top, and lilies of the valley made with icing surrounded the cake."