Coast Bridal Editors Laura Elder, right, and Melissa Rivera. Photo by Stuart Villanueva

Each year, hundreds of couples flock to the upper Texas coast to exchange vows by the sea. That’s not surprising. There’s something magical, romantic and serene about the water. That’s why waterfront weddings will never go out of style. But we’re also enjoying a rustic and very Texas wedding trend. Along with stately, elegant venues, couples also are finding charm in farms and barns where boots and bolo ties are most welcome.

We thank our lucky stars that, in this area, we can celebrate the sea, the coastal prairie and our Texas heritage and that there are venues to accommodate any wedding theme, as you’ll find in this issue. And there’s no shortage of services and retailers that can accommodate ceremonies. Whether you’re looking for a caterer or a photographer, we have you covered in our extensive professional listing that grows with each bridal issue.

Every wedding begins with a smile, a spark and love story. And in this issue, you’ll meet some charming couples and learn about how they met. Among them are Concetta Maceo and Destin Sims, who both were among Coast Monthly’s bachelor and bachelorettes a few years back. We’d like to think that we played at least a small part in their love story.

Coast Bridal is part of the Coast Monthly family of publications. No other bridal magazine highlights the venues, the people and the beauty of the region like we do.

We hope you agree.

SPECIAL THANKS

ON THE COVER: Mackenzie Medlenka models a wedding dress at The Conservatory at The Bryan Museum in Galveston. The dress, from the Couture Collection by Faragé Paris, features a corset and full skirt with Swarovski Crystal embellishments and neck piece with feathers and crystals. The dress is available at island boutique Nefertiti Bridal for $4,800. Hair by Rebecca Rivera and makeup by Daya Gracia, both of Total Technique Salon in Texas City. Bouquet by Connie Dryden of Island Flowers. Photo by Stuart Villanueva

The Coast Bridal team would like to extend its sincerest thanks to Connie Dryden of Nefertiti Bridal and Island Flowers in Galveston for providing expertise, advice and exquisite gowns for our cover shoot at The Bryan Museum.

We’d also like to thank Peter Ochoa, director of events at The Bryan Museum, for the use of the beautiful Conservatory at the property, 1315 21st St. in Galveston. In this issue, you’ll read more about the Conservatory and The Bryan Museum, which features one of the largest collections of art and artifacts of Texas and the American West.

And we’d be remiss in not thanking our stunning model, Mackenzie Medlenka, and our highly talented team of professionals who enhanced her beauty. Hair by Rebecca Rivera and makeup up by Daya Gracia, both of Total Technique Salon in Texas City. Rivera and Gracia are some of the most sought-after beauticians in the local wedding industry.