Houston’s Wedding of Delayed Destiny: Young River Oaks Power Couple Grew Up Blocks Apart, But There’s a Twist

THE COUPLE: MOSIE HACKETT & MICHAEL SoRELLE, NOVEMBER 28, 2015
Mosie Hackett and Michael SoRelle’s union was nothing short of destiny. Each is the youngest of four children, and they grew up mere blocks from one another in Houston’s River Oaks neighborhood. Michael lived on Del Monte Drive, Mosie on Pelham, and while they both attended the University of St. Thomas, their paths never crossed there.

After more than 20 years of just-misses, fate intervened in December 2012. A fortuitous introduction at a friend’s home blossomed into a Thanksgiving wedding attended by 300 of the couple’s closest family and friends — no small feat considering the bride’s large Irish family, which includes 32 first cousins.

The prenuptial fête commenced with a Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, tacos and sweet treats accompanied by music, football and board games, followed by a rehearsal dinner at Tony’s. The island of Nevis served as the newlyweds’ postnuptial getaway destination.

THE PROPOSAL
“Growing up, my parents and I made as many annual trips to New York City for my birthday (December 6) as we could. This was always a magical treat, being able to visit during Christmas time,” explains Mosie. “Michael had a work trip to New York City scheduled for the last week in November 2015 and invited me to join him so that I could show him my favorite city at my favorite time of year.”

An obligatory visit to the Empire State Building would end in the couple’s engagement, but not without a few bumps along the way. After abandoning the viewing platform because of overcrowding, the couple ventured to the building’s elevators for a trip to the 108th floor for one-of-a-kind aerial view of New York City. Unfortunately, the elevator also fell victim to the night’s traffic jam of tourists and the duo was forced to trek up a number of stairs, heels and all. Sixteen flights later, Michael dropped down on one knee. 

“He told me he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. He asked would I marry him, to which I replied, ‘Yes’, and he asked, ‘Will you, really?’ which made us both laugh,” says Mosie. 

To celebrate their engagement — a double serving of french fries at NYC’s East Village cocktail bar Death & Company.

NOTES FROM A WEDDING
Venue: Ceremony at St. Michael Catholic Church; reception at River Oaks Country Club.
Caterer: River Oaks Country Club.
Wedding Designer/Event Production and Flowers: Todd Fiscus, Todd Events.
Cake and Groom’s Cake: Who Made the Cake
Music: Impulse, a four-piece L.A.-based band; Lillie McCloud, American dance and R&B singer; and the Jersey Boys
Bride’s Gown: Monique Lhuillier from Casa de NoviaBridal Couture.
Groom’s Tux: Ermenegildo Zegna; custom shoes by Justin Fitzpatrick.
Photographer: Donna Von Bruening.

DIVINE DETAILS
• Rehearsal Dinner: The fête served as a dual celebration, honoring the newlyweds as well as 39 years of marriage for the parents of the bride, Maureen and Jim Hackett.

• Something Borrowed: The bride wore a pearl bracelet, a family heirloom from her grandmother, as well as her mother’s flower-shaped diamond drop earrings. Additionally, the mother of the bride gifted the couple with two diamond wedding bands, which is a tradition in the bride’s family.

• Bridesmaids + groomsmen: Her attendants also wore Monique Lhuillier, swapping wedding white for navy. Crystal and pearl earrings made by Katie Phillips, the bride’s aunt, served as accessories, while custom-made cufflinks, a gift from the groom, adorned the groomsmen’s tuxes.

• Reception: Custom monogrammed linen hemstitch napkins lined the tables, accompanied by hand-painted menus and table numbers created by Momental Design.

• First Dance: Lillie McCloud performed a trio of songs, starting with Michael Buble’s hit “Feeling Good”, followed by Ella Fitzgerald’s “Isn’t It Romantic” and “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”

• Bubbles: Local artist John Palmer decorated a pyramid of champagne splits — a gift from the bride’s oldest sister.

• Liqueur: Guests sipped on unoaked Mer Soleil. The chardonnay is the first wine the groom ever gave the bride.

• Cake: For the groom, a cake shaped as a marine barge courtesy Who Made the Cake? The design, which featured a barge named Hackett and a tug boat named SoRelle, was an homage to the groom’s employer, Kirby Corporation, a premier tank barge operator established with help from the groom’s grandfather and great uncle. Wedding planner Todd Fiscus designed the wedding cake, which was stationed on a plate of miniature apples.

• Last Course: Miniature cookies and a wall of River Oaks Donuts provided guests with a sweet parting treat.

• Carriage: Postnuptial transit via a vintage Rolls Royce.