written by Jessica Schatz
photography by J Wilkinson Co
The wedding of Emilie Samantha Herrmann and Christopher Noel Petty took place in San Antnio, Texas on August 18, 2007. This event stands as a hallmark of beauty and elegance.
Wedding Professionals to be listed soon...
Emilie and Christopher first met while attending high school. "We dated in high school, kept in touch during college, and then got back together when we attended law school" said Emilie.
Emilie recalls the day that Christopher proposed, "On Christmas Eve morning, I was awakened at my door with dozens upon dozens of roses. I saw Christopher behind all the roses and I dropped to the floor. He bent down to meet me, proposed and I said YES!!! We spent the day having champagne and celebrating with friends and family."
During the eight-month engagement, Emilie, her mother, Karen Herrmann as well as their Event Planners - The Events Company from Houston, Richard Flowers and Kirksey Gregg, planned the spectacular event.
Unusual details, such as: custom mailing stamps for the invitations, monogrammed CoCo Bella photo frames each filled with a photograph of the bride and each individual bridesmaid taken after the event, given as a "thank you". Hotel favor bags included a San Antonio Fiesta flare, Bottles of Wine, labeled with a photograph of the couple, even personalized Kleenex boxes along with Texas pralines and so much more.
The celebration went on for four days! Emilie explains, "Thursday was the welcome party for the out-of-towners and the younger guests, held at the Flip Burger. Friday was the Bridesmaid Luncheon, at Piattis, and the Rehearsal Dinner was held at the Southwest School of Arts and Crafts. Early Saturday was the Groom's Men's Luncheon, held at the San Antonio Country Club. The Bride and her wedding party prepared themselves for the special day at the Bride's home where Angelina Mata and two of her assistants, as well as the ladies from Chanel at Saks Fifth Avenue did everyone's hair and makeup. Later Saturday evening, the wedding ceremony, attended by 400 family and friends, took place at the First Presbyterian Church. Reverend Richard Kannwischer performed the ceremony. Sunday, everyone said their goodbyes at a farewell brunch.
Nationally recognized photographer, Jeanann Wilkinson, of J Wilkinson Co truly caught the beauty and grandeur of the entire event with spectacular photographs.
Emilie's bridal gown, by Tomasina, was strapless, completely beaded with seed pearls on Alencon lace, with a cathedral-length train. Her shoes were Betsy Johnson, and her lingerie from England. "I wore my Aunt's crown and necklace, both made up of sapphires and diamonds," Emilie explained. "The crown was originally made for Empress Josephine by Napoleon Bonaparte, and the necklace and earrings had come from Queen Victoria. These pieces were my something borrowed and something blue. The diamond in my engagement ring was passed on to me by my mother and father, which was from my mother's original engagement ring. My parents also presented me diamond earrings as a wedding gift, from my mother's original wedding ring"
"My bouquet was made of Gardenias and Orchids which are some of my grandmother's and my mother's favorite flowers. The stems were delicately wrapped in silk and studded with pearls."
There were ten bridesmaids. The bridesmaid's dresses were antique gold, full-length strapless gowns by Vera Wang. Each bridesmaid received pearl and diamond earrings, presented in a Tiffany ceramic box as their thank you/keepsake of the wedding. There were five House Party members who wore lovely tea length ivory dresses. The flower girl's dresses were from Posh Props.
The reception was held at The Argyle Club, in San Antonio. The entry pavilion was created within an octagonal tent. The walls of raw silk panels were backlit with Tivoli lights that twinkled, making the event even more dazzling. Above gathered and billowing white chiffon, there was an eight-foot diameter floral shade, which anchored the room. Crystal chandeliers accented the perimeter of the floral shade, and crystal sconces adorned the walls.
The couples monogram accented the dance floor. Towering floral arrangements on lighted pedestals were in each corner of the room. The floral centerpieces at each table featured roses, cymbidium orchids, tulips, hydrangea and gardenias; all entwined with crystal beads.
The entryway to the Grand Dance Tent was lined with photographs of the couple. Atop the guest book table was a sea of floral blossoms. The walls of the Versailles motif -inspired tent, floral covered chandeliers and thousands of flowers, provided and elegant backdrop for the evening. A marble-like dance floor, crafted after a floor in an Italian Villa, was the center of the tent. Pearl and crystal-laden linens covered every table, along with monogrammed linen napkins with the couple's initials. There was banquette seating in the wings of the tent to provide a place for guests to lounge throughout the evening.
Some of the special touches include; DJ, Tommy Kennedy capturing the moment with music in a "Club Christopher Cigar Room" for the groom, featuring cigar rollers from Cuba, making custom cigars included for the guests. There were two vintage photo booths for guest's enjoyment. A watercolor rendition of the Argyle's grounds was created for guests to locate the unique stations throughout the evening.
Guests enjoyed live entertainment by Professor D, a band that kept the guests on their feet. David Caceras of the Carlyle Hotel in New York City performed the couple's special song, "True Companion", by Marc Cohn. Live event painter Greg Kalamar known for his work at the Grammies, artistically and fluently painted the evening, capturing the event on canvas. That painting now hangs with fond memories over the couple's fireplace mantel.
After the wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Petty enjoyed their first night as a married couple at the Watermark Hotel on the beautiful Riverwalk in San Antonio.
Emilie explained, "We had so much fun we want to do it again and again. Our friends ask if we can do it again, too."
