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Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 16, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Minerva House Cathleen Cantrell and Winston Holloway were two-and-a-half years into dating when, over dinner at Brasserie 19 in Houston, Winston suggested they go to a movie down the street at the River Oaks Theater. The marquee beneath the big red "River Oaks" sign read, "You're my absolute favorite, will you marry me?" Cathleen was completely shocked when Winston told her the sign was for her. Eleven months later, in April 2018, they were married at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Houston. Their wedding reception was held at the Houston Zoo, where Cathleen is a volunteer. "Our wedding was special because it incorporated our loves and interests," says Cathleen. "Our guests really saw 'us' throughout our wedding." A focus on genuine expression meant that every detail of Cathleen and Winston's wedding was thoughtfully selected and unique. Winston's career as an architect led to his "blueprint" design for the seating chart; his goofy streak inspired him to create a bust of himself for his wedding cake. Cathleen's love of animals shone throughout the ceremony and reception through a face painting station, Barnum's Animal Cracker favors, and a recurring de Gournay Amazonia print. This thoughtfulness was also reflected in Cathleen and Winston's music choices. As a surprise for their guests, a gospel choir was hidden in the church where their wedding was held and, once Cathleen and Winston were officially husband and wife, revealed themselves by singing "Oh Happy Day," one of Cathleen's favorite songs. Similarly touching, Cathleen and Winston had selected their first dance song when they heard it on the radio months prior: When "A Kiss to Build a Dream On" by Louis Armstrong came on, they instantly turned to each other and said, "That's it! That's our first dance song!" 01 of 20 Menagerie From Start to Finish Minerva House Cathleen loved her wedding invitations so much, they wound up being one of her favorite details of the whole day. The de Gournay-inspired design that appeared throughout the event's décor backed the invitation cards; the invites also incorporated a vellum inner-envelope with customized blue and white toile covered with zoo animals. Monogrammed crests and palm leaves polished the final design, which was created by Embossed Graphics of Texas. Unique Ways to Use Vellum Throughout Your Wedding 02 of 20 Amazonia Pumps Minerva House Much like the invitations, Cathleen's Aquazurra for de Gournay shoes (in the "Amazonia" print!) brought her animal theme to chic new heights. Wedding Shoes That Are Worthy of an Instagram 03 of 20 Not Afraid to Stand Out Minerva House Knowing that Cathleen didn't want a diamond engagement ring, Winston chose an emerald solitaire, made by Lindsey Leigh Jewelry, instead. Cathleen ran a bridal boutique for several years—she now has an events company of her own—so feeling unique on her wedding day was incredibly important to her. See more colorful engagement rings here 04 of 20 Two Tries, Two Bows Minerva House At first, Cathleen wasn't sure if the classic, architectural Carolina Herrera wedding dress she ended up wearing down the aisle was "the one." The second time she tried on the dress, however, she knew: "I felt like Audrey Hepburn." The two bows—one for the ceremony and another for the reception—made the dress all the more appealing. "I'm a bow girl," says Cathleen. 05 of 20 Texas-Sized Wedding Party Minerva House Cathleen had 18 bridesmaids (dressed in custom Lula Kate dresses that Cathleen helped design) and Winston had 11 groomsmen—talk about a Texas-sized wedding party! Is a Big or Small Bridal Party Right for You? 06 of 20 Looking Sharp Minerva House Winston wore a Hugo Boss tux and custom Stubbs & Wootton shoes, which were embroidered with Cathleen's nickname for him: "Chief." The couple's ring bearer looked adorable in a matching ensemble. 07 of 20 A "Love Actually" Moment Minerva House Cathleen and Winston's Catholic ceremony was held at Annunciation Catholic Church, where they asked a gospel choir (Love Actually style!) to stow away for the ceremony—only to burst out after the "I dos" singing one of Cathleen's all-time favorite songs: "Oh Happy Day." 08 of 20 Butterflies in Full Effect Minerva House Cathleen and Winston chose not to see each other prior to the ceremony—their last encounter had been at the rehearsal dinner the night before. "I was surprisingly nervous to see Win! I couldn't believe the moment was here and I really wanted him to love my dress. Butterflies were in full effect," says the bride. Winston was feeling excited, too: "Ecstatic and wildly overdressed." Why Your Wedding Photographer Really Wants You to Think About Having a First Look 09 of 20 Chandeliers Over the Zoo Minerva House The Houston Zoo, despite housing a plethora of wild animals, was the perfect spot for the couple's glamorous celebration. Our Favorite Ways to Decorate Your Wedding Venue with Chandeliers 10 of 20 Palm Fronds and Ginger Jars Minerva House Pink and white garden roses, peonies, and ranunculus defined the centerpieces. These were placed between Cathleen's grandmother's collection of ginger jars and palm fronds over, of course, a de Gournay-esque tablecloth. 11 of 20 Architecting the Seating Arrangement Minerva House Winston, who is an architect, designed a seating chart like a blueprint so guests could easily find their tables. Cathleen loved orchestrating new friendships in crafting the table assignments: "I wanted to make sure everyone was getting to know fun guests we invited and didn't just stick to their normal groups of friends." Unique Wedding Seating Charts to Guide Guests to Their Tables 12 of 20 Texan Cuisine Minerva House Mashed potatoes with bacon bits and sour cream, short ribs, and remoulade peppered steak fries were only a few of the delicious options on the dinner menu. The menu cards included the monogrammed crest from the invitations. 13 of 20 The Head Table Minerva House The linens on Cathleen and Winston's table were yet nother nod to the de Gournay Amazonia theme. The couples' napkins bore their crest, as did the custom monogrammed napkin rings. These Statement Linens Will Take Your Wedding Reception to the Next Level 14 of 20 Love and Reflection Minerva House The reflection pond at the Houston Zoo was the perfect spot to dance the night away—and for an outdoor bar. Cool Wedding Bars That Served It Up Big 15 of 20 Fairy-Tale Dinner Party Minerva House Two long rows of tables bordered the reflective pool, where a fountain erupted beneath the leaves and chandeliers. Winston loved the symmetry and linearity of the space. 16 of 20 You May Kiss the…Owl? Minerva House Cathleen has visited the Houston Zoo since she was a child and serves as a volunteer there. A huge animal lover, the bride was thrilled when she learned that she'd be able to see a few of the zoo's creatures on her wedding night (this owl, included!). 17 of 20 Men and Beasts—Pastry Style Minerva House The de Gournay Amazonia reared its head once more on Cathleen's cake, which was handpainted and featured a spray of greenery and two elephants on top. Winston's cake was a head—his head, in fact, complete with a marble cake interior. Find more hand-painted cake inspiration here 18 of 20 Party Animals Minerva House Along with animal cracker party favors and a face painting booth dedicated to guests' spirit animals, Cathleen and Winston supplied some animal masks for those less willing to totally transform for the evening's entirety. Awesome Wedding Photo Booth Props 19 of 20 Final Dance Minerva House Though the night was filled with special songs, the last one was extra special—Cathleen and Winston's final dance of the night was to the song "Sugar" by Maroon 5, a song that was extremely popular when the couple first began dating (and that shares a title with Winston's pet name for Cathleen). Get your wedding music checklist here 20 of 20 Sources Minerva House Photography, Minvera House Venue, Annunciation Catholic Church (ceremony), Houston Zoo (reception) Event planning, Holloway Events Flowers, Lanson B. Jones & Co. Rings, Lindsey Leigh Jewelry Officiant, Father Leon Strieder Stationery and Calligraphy, Embossed Graphics of Texas Cakes, Cakes By Gina Music, Grady Gaines & The Texas Upsetters Rentals, Swift Events Bride's attire, Carolina Herrera Bride's accessories, Aquazurra for de Gournay (shoes) Groom's attire, Hugo Boss Groom's accessories, Stubbs & Wootton (shoes) Hair and Makeup, Hey Lovely Makeup Welcome boxes, A Signature Welcome Day-of Coordination, Two Be Wed Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit