Hope for brides
To say “I do” or delay “I do” — that’s the looming question for Houston brides hoping to get hitched in the time of COVID-19. And though there are no easy answers, the team behind Hope Farms recently proposed a streamlined, socially distanced option for nuptial ceremonies with all the fixin’s.
“This is for the couple who might otherwise elope to Aspen. It’s meant to relieve them of making a lot of decisions,” Hope Farms’ owner Gracie Cavnar said. “It satisfies the ‘party on Instagram’ component, and they can also have Grandma present.”
For $2,000, the venue’s Intimate Wedding package affords a two-hour event on 7 acres of urban green space in Sunnyside, just outside Loop 610. Plug-and-play offerings include a choice of three backdrop vignettes (Bohemian Spirit, Enchanted Garden and Arcadian Pastures); vowexchange seating for up to 12 guests; wedding cake by Jody Cakes or The Bake Happening; curated tabletop setup; and a bridal bouquet, boutonniere and cake-table floral arrangement designed by Flower Child.
The latter is Cavnar’s latest venture. She describes Flower Child as a micro farm for mindful clients who prefer to support locally sourced agriculture with a small carbon footprint. A percentage of all floral sales benefits Recipe for Success Foundation, which operates Hope Farms.
Flower Child also boasts use of Miss Rosebud — a vintage 1959 Volkswagen Transporter repurposed into a flower bar. That add-on starts at $2,500 and includes 50 bouquets.
County ordinance permitting, Miss Rosebud is just one of the upgrades available for medium-sized wedding celebrations. Under normal circumstances, Hope Farms can accommodate up to 100 guests, with some wiggle room.
To show off the property’s range, Cavnar and several preferred vendors hosted “Bubbles & Brides” via Instagram Live earlier this month. Roughly one dozen creatives descended on the farm — most wearing fashionforward masks for the gathering — to elaborate on their respective services.
Caterer Barbara McKnight of Culinaire fired up flat-bread pizzas on focaccia. Jody Stevens
of Jody Cakes wowed with her vegan, vanilla wedding cake and gluten-free chocolate cupcakes. Courtney Paddock of Little Coterie flexed her creative muscle with jewel-box décor moments. And Elizabeth Whitehead of Your Butler’s Pantry designed a tablescape inspired by the day’s farm-totable setting; her specialty is sourcing hard-to-find tabletop wares by Versace and other heritage brands.
For brides with Pinterestlevel aspirations, Jen McDonald’s calligraphy ups the elegance.
Ana Llovera of Socialite Americas can festoon Boomerang photo booths with A-list props, such as a Taylor Swift-autographed guitar, which Llovera won at auction. There’s also Jennifer Briggs’ Bevi Amo, a “bubbly and brew bar” served from a 1984 Piaggio Ape truck that’s been modified with self-serve wine and beer taps. Karen Johnson’s Goodie Rentals allow for picnic-style and minimalcontact hospitality, too.
The collective group makes a strong case for safe, socially distanced weddings that encourage Houston’s betrothed couples to eat, drink and be married.