On the first day of their junior year in high school, Garrett Barnard found himself mistakenly placed in the all-girls choir class, where he sat down next to the new girl in school, Josephine Henning. Though his schedule was eventually corrected, “he tried to stay in the all-girls choir as long as he could so he could continue to talk to me,” smiles Josephine. Years later, they planned a trip to Cabo, and Garrett proposed in front of Lover’s Arch. Of course, Josephine said yes! 

Choosing to exchange vows in Houston was a no-brainer for the pair, as they live in the city, grew up there, and most of their family and friends live close by. “It’s home to us!” smiles Josephine. When planning their hometown nuptials, Josephine and Garrett envisioned an elegant wedding with lots of flowers a bit of sparkle. “We also both love a good black accent and wanted to incorporate just hints of it to dress up the event!” confirms the bride of their vision. 

Before the luxurious hotel wedding reception, friends and family witnessed the couple’s vow exchange at a gorgeous nearby sanctuary. Following bridesmaids dressed in matching black gowns and a trio of flower girls, Josephine walked down the aisle in a stunning gown featuring an illusion bodice and long sleeves adorned with floral embroidery. At last, she met her groom at the altar, which was decorated with lush all-white blossoms for the traditional church ceremony. 

After Josephine and Garrett were pronounced husband and wife, guests made their way to the reception venue and discovered their seating assignments on a chic black acrylic wall incorporating the newlyweds’ monogram, as well as floating gold “frames” filled with sprays of phalaenopsis orchids on both sides. 

“We also both love a good black accent and wanted to incorporate just hints of it to dress up the event!”

Once they entered the ballroom, attendees were seated atop white-and-gold chairs surrounding an array of uniquely designed tablescapes – from smaller tables in front of banquette seating, to larger round varieties with lush centerpieces, to modern serpentine tables embellished with warm candlelight that added an elevated feel to the space. 

The couple loved that their floral-design team created a classic, clean, and modern display of blooms that paired beautifully with their own line of interior-inspired event furnishings. Grand displays of all-white florals featuring tuberoses, peonies, roses, snapdragons, hydrangeas, tulips, and phalaenopsis orchids adorned the bars, guest tables, and banquette-style seating throughout the ballroom, and a mix of gold, glass, crystal, and Lucite elements “reinforced a luxury feel, creating an ethereal atmosphere as if the floral décor were floating throughout the space,” adds the bride. 

Once dinner was served and speeches were enjoyed by all, everyone hit the dance floor. “The vibrant energy given off by the live band in combination with the elegant ambience created from all the florals and décor together made for a very special night,” confirms the bride. At end of the reception, a celebratory second line provided the couple with one last chance to dance with all of their loved ones before their grand exit in a classic cherry-red Corvette convertible down a path lined with firework fountains. “The entire day was pure perfection!” reminisces Josephine.