With its meandering bayous and many lakes, and its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, Houston is a city defined by water. Which is wonderful news for Houston to-be-weds searching for water view wedding venues! Few natural features offer a more romantic backdrop for picturesque outdoor ceremony than sparkling, rippling, shimmering water. Fortunately, if you’re getting hitched in the Houston area, you’ll find an abundance of wedding venues that take full advantage of expansive water views, including these 5 wedding venues in and around the city.
Tag: Galveston Wedding Venue
Gray, Cream & Merlot Spring Wedding at The Bryan Museum
Who says work romances do not end well? Christina and James prove just the opposite. The pair met at work, when James was tasked with training his future-bride-to-be for his old position following a promotion. This turned out to be a life-changing encounter. After a whirlwind two-month romance, James proposed, knowing he had found the one. As avid fans of the Houston Astros, James surprised Christina with a custom Heidi Gibson ring at Minute Maid Park during the Astros’ Holiday at the Park event. With 45 guests, the pair held an intimate outdoor ceremony under the gazebo at The Bryan Museum in Galveston. “We wanted a minimalist look, showcasing the commitment we wanted to make to each other,” the bride says. The celebration continued their celebration amidst the quaint elegance of the museum’s glass-enclosed conservatory. Christina and James show just how unexpected true love can be. Best wishes to this adorable couple!
Photographer: Second Shots Photography | Venue: The Bryan Museum
Venues We Love: The Bryan Museum…Especially The Conservatory!!
One of the questions we get asked a lot here at HWB is: “Don’t you get tired of weddings?” And the answer is, well…no. We really, truly don’t. And the main reason is because every wedding is different. Every. Single. One. Color palettes may come and go, centerpiece heights may soar one season…and then come back down to earth by the next, but, we guarantee you, each wedding, no matter what trends they may share, is unique, special, unlike any other wedding in the universe. Because each couple is unlike any other couple in the universe—their love story is their own, and nobody else’s, and as such, their wedding is a magical celebration unto itself, singular and perfect.
Same goes for wedding venues: No two are alike. But…every once in a while, we come upon a venue that is so distinctive, we just have to single it out for some special love. The Bryan Museum in Galveston—housing one of the world’s largest collections of historical artifacts, documents and artwork relating to Texas and the American West—is one of these venues. And The Bryan Museum’s Conservatory is what makes it so totally one-of-a-kind for weddings.
Photo: C. Baron Photography | Flowers & Decor: Darryl & Co.
Constructed of intricate metalwork and dazzling emerald-green glass, the Conservatory isn’t for huge bashes—it maxes out at about 150 reception guests—but the wedding celebrations it does house are stunners.
Photo: Courtesy of The Bryan Museum
For larger wedding events, the 2,000-square foot Bryan Museum Conservatory opens onto a large stone patio that can be set up with additional guest seating.
Photo: Ryan R. Jones Photography
During the day, the Conservatory looks out onto a velvet-green lawn, while keeping guests comfortably cool, in its climate-controlled interior.
Photo: Courtesy of The Bryan Museum
At night, the jewel-like glass walls of this gem of a venue glow with candlelight, making for an ultra-romantic wedding reception atmosphere.
Photo: Ryan R. Jones Photography
And while most couples tend to have their ceremony in one of the area’s houses of worship, before segueing to the Bryan Museum for their celebration, you can say your “I do’s” on site, al fresco, beneath the museum’s jasmine-covered gazebo.
Photos: Courtesy of The Bryan Museum
Planning a Galveston getaway this summer? Call 409.220.3022 to schedule a visit to The Bryan Museum, and check out the beautiful Conservatory—plus the lavish bridal suite and awesome groom’s lounge—in person, as you plan your unlike-any-other-wedding wedding. It’ll knock your socks off. But heck, it’s summer in Houston. Who needs socks anyway??
Photo: Courtesy of The Bryan Museum
Happy venue-hunting, loves.
Venues We Love: The Lyceum of Galveston Island
The other day, we were sitting around the ol’ HWB editorial table, pretending our Diet Cokes were Prosecco (again) and shooing Bella Boo away from our snacks, when our talk turned to historical wedding venues. We get so many inquiries from Houston wedding couples who want to do their “I do’s” in a bona-fide landmark, so over the years, we’ve done tons of research, scoured the region, and turned up restored movie houses, repurposed bank buildings and former famed breweries—all now being used to house some of the region’s most gorgeous weddings.
And that’s how we lit upon the Lyceum. While this amazing venue’s full name—the Lyceum of Galveston Island—lets you know where it’s located, what it doesn’t let you know is how it came to be…or what a wedding there might be like. Which is where we come in. Check it out:
Photo: Courtesy of The Lyceum of Galveston Island
The Lyceum has major historic cred. An official Galveston historic landmark, the original Lyceum was built in the 1840’s and served as a philosophical meeting center and entertainment venue for the Galveston Island community. In 1854, the First Lutheran Church of Galveston bought the building, and turned it into their worship center and the first public school in Galveston (students paid $1 per year for tuition).
As building design goes, it’s pretty much a knockout. A soaring square tower and steeple, a grand double-door entrance, floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows—this seriously wow-inducing historic Galveston wedding venue ain’t messing around. And the choir loft, and fully equipped stage? Yeah, they pretty much make the Lyceum a slam-dunk for wedding setups.
Photos: Courtesy of The Lyceum of Galveston Island
You can take advantage of the great outdoors. While the Lyceum’s interior is a major space, let’s not forget that this historic wedding venue also has a beautiful courtyard area, lush lawn and lovely gazebo—perf for catching a Gulf Coast breeze, and treating guests to a taste of island sunshine…or starshine.
Photo: Courtesy of The Lyceum of Galveston Island
Now is a great time to visit the Lyceum and chat with venue manager Cynthia McEldowney about making your Galveston dream wedding a reality—and make sure to tell her “Hi!” from the Weddings in Houston crew!
Photo: Civic Photos
And now…back to bubbles, Bella Boo…and working on our awesome brand-new Summer/Fall issue, on newsstands July 1!!