Houston Club Wedding | Maria-Paula + Stuart • Kati Hewitt Photography

gorgeous military wedding

I’ve known Maria-Paula since high school when she was the yearbook editor, and I was one of her staffers. Ever since I have known her, she has been dating Stuart. In fact, they have been together for 11 years! Not only have they been dating since junior high, but they also have endured long distance for many years. I learned during their wedding toasts that MP and Stuart haven’t lived in the same city since they were 18. Stuart’s mom called MP her “golden ticket” because as long as MP was in Houston, that meant Stuart would come visit her and the rest of his family. Haha!

MP and Stuart got married at Rice University where MP attended college. The outside of the chapel is all light pink bricks, so it went perfectly with their blush pink and navy wedding colors. Stuart is in the Coast Guard, so the couple ended their ceremony with a sword arch, and they even cut their cake with a sword. “Military style!”

houston club wedding reception

The reception took place at the Houston Club which is on the 49th floor of the One Shell Plaza building in Downtown Houston. The view from the floor-to-ceiling windows was AMAZING! One thing I loved about MP and Stuart’s wedding day was how friend and family-oriented it was. MP had family fly to Houston from Colombia, and Stuart had friends come from military bases all over the world. It was fitting that the couple chose a travel theme for their wedding which included a seating chart that read “Where in the world are you sitting?” So cute!

Above that, it was so special to see how much they love and are loved by their families. There was not a dry eye in the room during the toasts made by the bride’s parents, groom’s parents, and their siblings.

Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Carley! I wish you the best as you embark on your next adventure in New Jersey!

MP’s “something blue”- a surprise for Stuart! Love this shot by my husband & second shooter, Alex! How gorgeous is this architecture! Moments before “I do!” After the sweetest emotional vows! That’s one heck of a first kiss! Mr. and Mrs. Carley! Woohoo! Linens by House of Hough The incredible Houston Club! Planning and coordinating by the fabulous team at Bourbon & LaceMy favorite grand entrance photos taken by Alex Y’all, these next few moments had me tearing up behind my camera. A favorite for sure!!