.png){kind=small}
A Downtown Houston Wedding Story: Serena & Hector's "Speakeasy Love"
- Klen Ibale
- Jun 6
- 6 min read
A Speakeasy Romance with a Downtown Twist
There’s something wildly romantic about blending old-school charm with modern city vibes and Serena and Hector pulled it off flawlessly. Think vintage speakeasy style meets the heart of downtown: twinkling lights, towering buildings, and a love story that felt like it belonged on the silver screen. It was intimate, bold, and full of personality—just like the couple themselves.
From the nervous giggles to the heartfelt vows echoing beneath skyscrapers, every moment of their wedding carried that moody-glam magic you only get when classic romance meets contemporary edge. Being part of the Next Chapter Weddings team means we get a front-row seat to love stories of all kinds... and Serena and Hector’s day? It was one of those unforgettable celebrations that makes you fall in love with love all over again.
"Nothing beats witnessing a love story bloom, and come to life on a Wedding day!"
Saturday, September 28, 2024, brought clear skies and a warm, sunny afternoon, setting the stage for a nearly perfect evening. After months of meticulous planning and collaboration with countless individuals, vendors, and teams, the day finally arrived.
A Wedding Venue within Downtown Houston
Nestled in the heart of Houston, Lawless Spirits & Kitchen offered a unique blend of vintage charm and modern elegance. With its inviting atmosphere, creative cocktails, and delectable cuisine, this venue creates an unforgettable celebration.
The venue’s exotic and luxurious decor boasts a tasteful Art Deco design. As if slipping into a 1920’s speakeasy, I was left intrigued and comfortable in the warm ambiance of the space. Tremendous metal light fixtures, gold bead curtains, extensive wooden bar, and softly lit nooks all worked together seamlessly to achieve this goal.
Party-Ready: Dressing Up the Reception Area
The reception area was already set with tables, chairs and linens. Upon arrival, our team (NCW) set to work decorating. The silk garlands and bouquets from Something Borrowed Blooms were a pleasant surprise! As we unboxed the floral arrangements we were greeted by a pleasant aroma, no doubt intentionally applied by the florist. The silk flowers were some of the best quality our team had witnessed, and it had us all considering this option more often for future events!
The delicate blues and whites were joined by a name place setting for each guest - a painted field of flowers. In addition, an “order of event” set of cards describing the drinks, dinner, and dessert that were to come, completed the place setting in a trio of pink, blue, and green. Serena and Hector had obviously put a lot of thought into the seating of their guests, and we were able to execute the plan to its completion.
Our presence in the reception space also allowed us to field any questions from vendors or family. The meetings between our Lead Coordinator, Brandi, and the couple ensured that we were the knowledgeable gatekeepers of all information. You may or may not be surprised by how many questions are asked on a wedding day! With each inquiry I am able to respond to, I am reminded that somewhere closeby, the bride is relaxed and has her feet propped up, drink in hand… unbothered. Isn’t that how it should be?! We think so.
Prepping the Ceremony Site for "I Do"
Once we put the finishing touches on the reception area, we moved on to the ceremony site. The outdoor patio, which was the setting for Serena and Hector's ceremony, was breathtaking. We were surrounded on all sides by Houston’s towering skyscrapers. The life of the city played into the setting but never outshined what took place on the patio. The greenery wall, twinkle lights, and chiavari chairs were all provided by the venue. A few floral pieces were added, and within a matter of minutes the ceremony site was complete!
With Every Arrival, the Venue Felt More Alive
It wasn’t long before the wedding venue was bustling with the arrival of Hector and Serena’s guests. When our team is booked with a Lead Coordinator and Assistant, as it was with this wedding, we are able to cover more ground. While Brandi stayed with the bride and the wedding party, I was stationed to welcome guests, direct traffic, and communicate with the DJ regarding where we were on the timeline. The results - an effortless official start to a fabulous evening.
Next Chapter Weddings Carefully Plans Every Little Step
When weddings are your life, as they are for us, you know what questions to ask in planning meetings to make sure no detail is overlooked. A simple point can make a huge impact! For example, where would the couple prefer to stand in relation to the audience? For Serena and Hector, they chose to stand opposite to their family so their faces could be seen by their loved ones; groom's family on the right, groom on the left… bride’s family on the left, bride on the right. This practice is becoming more and more commonplace because it just makes sense!
It was particularly important to our bride and groom to have all communication in both English and Spanish to make certain every guest could fully appreciate this special occasion. They sought out a bilingual officiant, DJ, and Emcee. It was particularly helpful to have a bilingual Emcee when our Mariachi band arrived! The Emcee introduced the group with all the gusto a troop deserves, and they proceeded to serenade the couple during dinner hour.
The Venue & Staff Absolutely Delivered!
The reception is where the Kitchen, of Lawless Spirits & Kitchen, truly shines. The wedding couple was able to work closely with the culinary team to design a menu that suited their tastes, including gourmet appetizers and mouth watering entrees. And wedding cake was not the only dessert to be had that night! A flight of delectable treats made their rounds following dinner. The bar was a highlight, featuring handcrafted cocktails, personalized to fit the theme of the wedding.
All areas of the venue were appropriately staffed, and all guests were served promptly and graciously. I particularly appreciated the venue’s lead liaison. Her bright smile and attentiveness won me over instantly, and she continued to impress as everything “venue related” was taken care of without prompting from our team. They were completely on point!
As coordinators we were able to provide the family of the bride and groom the freedom to enjoy the celebration, free from responsibility, from start to finish. It was a delight to see this first hand! As the evening progressed, the parents of Hector and Serena were able to dine and dance, all while congratulating these two special people in their lives on their next chapter.
And back to the Ah-mazing patio - it was a breezy get-away spot during the reception, a quiet place to enjoy a cocktail, and a great backdrop for photos! Following the ceremony, the space was swiftly transformed. The photographer, Eddy Herrea, took full advantage of the expanse as he proceeded with a lineup of family photos. The incredible DJ, A.M. Productions, was also the Photobooth vendor. His team quickly set up the Photobooth and stayed for the full event to assist guests.
It Was a Day to Remember
As I reflect on all that took place that day, and the small part I played in it, I am brought back to the love between Serena and Hector. It is genuine. It exudes happiness. It creates a soft glow in my heart as I picture him kneeling before her, swapping her fancy high heels for equally fancy bedazzled high top tennis shoes. How lucky am I that I got to be there for them?! They were a perfect couple. It was a perfect space. And I will forever be amazed by this downtown Houston wedding scene.
Hope to see you on the next post!
The Vendor Dream Team
Wedding Planner: Next Chapter Weddings
Venue, Appetizers, Dinner, Sweets, Bar Service, Bussers: Lawless Spirits & Kitchen
Cake: Hector Galvan Castillo
DJ, Photobooth: A.M. Productions
Florals: Something Borrowed Blooms
HAMU: Polished Makeup & Hair
Photographer: Eddy Herrera Photography
Comments