Tropical Wedding Blazers: A Love Story in Puerto Rico
- Kendra W. Houston
- Feb 17
- 4 min read
Written by Kendra W. Houston | Artist & Fashion Designer
Kendra specializes in creating one-of-a-kind clothing items by hand-painting custom designs on them. She works with clients looking for something truly unique to wear for their weddings, charity galas, and other special occasions.
Designing unique blazers for a tropical wedding
Last year, I had the absolute pleasure of working with Fernando and Daniel. This wonderful couple were planning their upcoming wedding reception in Puerto Rico, and wanted something really special to wear. They didn't have many clear ideas until they discovered my Fern blazer from a couple of years ago...
...and immediately knew it was the inspiration they had been looking for! They reached out to see how it might be used as a stepping off point for their own custom design. This sparked an exciting creative journey that I’m thrilled to share with you!
Get a custom hand-painted wedding outfit of your own
If you’d like to make your own wedding look even better with a custom hand-painted piece, I can help! Let’s create something that's 100% you.
The Initial Consultation
During our first conversation, Fernando and Daniel shared exactly what it was they loved about the Fern blazer. I also learned more about their vision for the wedding, discussing essential details that would shape their custom design:
Vibes: They envisioned an elegant yet FUN outdoor party.
Venue: A lush, nature-forward hacienda in Puerto Rico.
Colors: Dusty shades of blue and green.
My job now was to combine everything that drew them to the inspo piece with everything unique to their own moment to create the perfect blazers just for them!
Gathering Inspiration
I began the planning stage by assembling a mood board filled with images and notes. I left no stone unturned, including "visiting" their venue virtually to scope out the aesthetic, focusing on the plants that would inform the blazers' design. They had also mentioned their cat Eco...was there a way to fit him in somewhere??
The most important consideration was making it all come together in a way that felt personal, beautiful, and meaningful.
Custom Blazer Design Process
During this time, Fernando and Daniel shopped for the blazers they wanted to be painted. We consulted on fabric choices and colors that would work well for this project, as well as ideas for the other (non-painted) parts of the outfit.
I sketched out various design options, overlaying drawings onto images of their selected blazers. This allowed us to narrow down exactly what they wanted before finalizing the full concept.
Their look featured the ferns that originally inspired them, alongside local plants from their venue. Each blazer had the same unified elements arranged slightly differently, allowing the couple to match in a way that was complementary rather than identical.
A beautiful way to include something personal in your wedding outfit
Custom hand-painted means anything is possible. Have a very specific combination of flowers? Is there a special animal, place, or even words you'd love to see incorporated? This is where we can make it happen!
Bringing the Designs to Life
Once the final designs were approved, I began the painting process. I meticulously crafted each detail with brush and fabric paint, incorporating those elements that made their outfits truly special. And remember the adorable Eco? Not to worry: we found a place for him, too!
Including him in interior pocket details created a delightful touch just for the two of them--or a cute surprise when they shared them with wedding guests! Once again, each blazer had its own unique version.
An Unforgettable Evening
Rarely do I have the opportunity to be at the occasion I create a piece for--but this time was different. I was overjoyed to be present at Fernando and Daniel's wedding, and it was a night to remember! Every moment was filled with joy, love, fun, and beauty. It felt so special to be a part of it.
Seeing the blazers in their intended context--the location that inspired the design--was also a lovely experience for me. It felt like I got to see my artwork completed!
It was a wonderful celebration with a wonderful couple.
A Heartfelt Thank You
Here’s what Daniel and Fernando shared about their experience:
"We wanted something fun and different for everyone. What we got was something way more than what we expected. Thank you, Kendra, for turning a simple request into something elevated and unique for a day of pure joy."
This tropical wedding blazer project with Daniel & Fernando was an incredible way to kick off 2026! As I look forward to more exciting projects this year, I still have openings for those looking to add custom hand-painted magic to their own stories.
Photography Credits
Special thanks to the talented CUALESLARISA by Giancarlo Santini for beautifully capturing every moment of this unforgettable occasion.
If you’re considering unique custom designs for your event or have a special story to tell, let’s collaborate to create something extraordinary together!
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About Kendra
Kendra W. Houston is a visual artist and fashion designer who specializes in customizing clothing items by painting one-of-a-kind designs on them by hand.
She is based out of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and appreciates contributing to the slow fashion movement in one of the birthplaces of American industrial textile mills. She works out of a cozy home studio, assisted by her pet rabbit Tiverton.
Kendra's designs are detailed and immersive, often reflecting things that hold special significance to the wearer. The name of her brand, The Casual Reply, comes from a line in a John Denver song: “talk to God and listen to the casual reply.”
Each one of her items is a handcrafted work of fine art that is nonetheless intended to be used and worn as an entirely functional clothing item. Continuing and meaningfully adding to the story of a garment using unconventional, personal themes and designs is a source of true joy for Kendra in pursuing this calling.
She regularly participates as a featured designer in charity fashion shows as well as juried art events throughout New England.
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