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Tag: Houston Wedding Venue

June 13, 2017

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.

Bryan-Museum

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.

Bryan-Museum-Conservatory-Courtesy of The Bryan Museum

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.

Bryan-Museum

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.

The-Bryan-Museum

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.

The Bryan Museum

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.

Bryan-Museum-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??

Bryan-Museum-Bridal-Suite

Photo: Courtesy of The Bryan Museum

Happy venue-hunting, loves.

June 5, 2017

Blush, Black & Gold Wedding at Crystal Ballroom at The Rice by Ama Photography & Cinema

Houston couple Marina and Frank were partying like it was 1999 (literally) when they first met at a nightclub their senior year of high school. Marina tells us, “Frank was dancing with my friend (who happened to be one of my bridesmaids) to get closer to me. He eventually made his way to me, and we exchanged numbers at the end of the night.” They kept in touch and went on a couple dates, but parted ways when Marina started college and Frank left town for boot camp—but that didn’t stop them from keeping in touch. After she graduated college and Frank came back from the military, they were inseparable.

Marina and Frank planned a trip to visit their friends in New York City…but little did she know this trip had something special in store for her. “Frank mentioned that he had never done any of the typical touristy things in the city, so I planned an entire day out of it. We went through Ellis Island Museum and walked around to take an imprint of Frank’s grandfather’s name—whose name is on The Wall of Honor—but Mark insisted that we should take a look at the skyline first. As we were walking over, his started breathing heavily and got down on one knee,” recounts Marina. She was so surprised that she couldn’t even remember most of what he said, but she does remember him saying, “My grandfather started his new life on Ellis Island, and I want us to start our new life together here.” Aww…pass the tissues, please!

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Exactly one year later the pair tied the knot at the Crystal Ballroom at The Rice with their nearest and dearest to witness. “We wanted to go with something elegant, classic and timeless with pops of bold elements,” says Marina.

Crystal-Ballroom-at-The-Rice Crystal-Ballroom-at-The-Rice Blush-Black-Gold-Wedding-Decor Blush-Black-Gold-Wedding-Decor Blush-Black-Gold-Wedding-Decor White-Gold-and-Black-Wedding-Cake Cupcake-Tower Dessert-Station Bar-Sign Fun-Wedding-Signs Cigar-Bar Monogrammed-Matches-For-Cigars Cigar-Bar Sambuca-Catering-Appetizers Bride-and-Groom-Dancing Bride-and-Groom-Dancing Cookies-and-Cupcakes Bride-and-Groom-Cutting-Cake Bride-and-Groom-Toasting

One of their favorite moments? When LG Entertainment played the last song, and all of the guests joined the bride and groom on the dance floor!

Bride-and-Groom-Dancing-with-Guests

Congrats and best wishes to the newlyweds!

Wedding-Reception-Exit Photos: Ama Photography & Cinema | Rehearsal Dinner Location: Lawless Kitchen & Spirits | Reception Venue: Crystal Ballroom at The Rice | Catering: Sambuca Catering | Music, Lighting & Entertainment: LG Entertainment

May 19, 2017

Fuchsia, Lavender & Peach Wedding at The Gallery

Rachel and Zach were married on her parent’s anniversary at The Gallery, so they incorporated different elements that gave little nods to that blessed event, and to her Louisiana roots. “I wore my mom’s veil, and Café Natalie created a menu that was full of Cajun cuisine with crab-stuffed mushrooms and blackened Cajun fish with dirty rice,” she adds.

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“I wanted our wedding to feel soft, intimate, slightly vintage and romantic,” says the bride, pointing to elements including lace, mercury glass, candles and soft spring colors like fuchsia, lavender and peach.

Colorful-Bouquets Flower-Girl Groomsmen-with-Groom Bride-and-Groom-Portraits Bride-and-Groom-Portraits Bride-and-Groom-Portraits Bride-and-Groom-Dancing Guests-Dancing

“Some of my favorite moments were making eye contact with my teary-eyed groom at the end of the aisle, our first dance, toasting to my parent’s 34th anniversary and dancing to Pharrell’s song ‘Happy,’” says Rachel.

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Congrats and best wishes to the newlyweds!

Photos: Angela Sostarich Photography | Venue: The Gallery | Catering: Cafe Natalie

May 15, 2017

Venues We Love: The HESS Club…Plus Exclusive Booking Offer!

Location. Location. Location. That’s what the Galleria area’s HESS Club is all about. Well—that and some of the best wedding food, drink and service you’ll find anywhere in the city, at a remarkably reasonable price.

HESS-Club-Ceremony Photo: Courtesy of HESS Club

Inside the HESS Club, you’ll find marble floors, tray ceilings, contemporary chandeliers and dramatic French doors. And you’ll be able to accommodate 300 people for dining and dancing—chairs, tables, linens, china, flatware and glassware included (nice!).

HESS-Club-Wedding1 Photo: Courtesy of HESS Club

Outside the HESS Club you’ll find world-class hotels, superb restaurants and some of the best retail adventuring anywhere on the planet, making this hidden gem of a venue a very appealing site for Houston wedding couples expecting an abundance of out-of-town guests.

HESS-Club-Wedding2 Photo: Courtesy of HESS Club

And here’s the fun part: Book your Houston wedding at the HESS Club by Aug. 31, 2017, and you’ll score an awesome $550 uplighting package, including pinspots for your fabulous wedding cakes, for FREE, just for mentioning this post on the Houston Wedding Blog.

HESS-Club-Catering Photo: Courtesy of HESS Club

Schedule your visit today—this uniquely beautiful and affordable venue does tend to book up fast—and start planning your graciously chic, blissfully stress-free HESS Club wedding!

April 24, 2017

Venues We Love: Agave Estates…PLUS A Romantic Dinner for 2 GIVEAWAY

2017-04-24_0002  Venue: Agave Estates | Photo: Ama Photography & Cinema

When it comes to weddings, it’s all about the ambiance, darlings — that total experience of sight, sound, fragrance, flavor, setting, landscape and design, all rolled together. And TBH, it’s hard to imagine a wedding location with more built-in ambiance than Agave Estates, Katy’s beautiful hidden gem, nestled into a 30-acre wildlife sanctuary that feels a million miles away from downtown Houston (in reality, it’s only 30).

When you first glimpse the terra cotta walls, wood arbors and curved archways of Agave’s private enclave, you may think you’ve somehow stepped back in time…and into an era of cobblestones and courtyards, the sound of a burbling fountain somewhere in the distance. But nope, no time travel here, honey. You’ve just found yourself face-to-face with a full-service wedding site designed specifically to create a sense of total escape and immersion for your outdoor wedding ceremony and unforgettable reception. In other words: You’ve found a little slice of Paradise.

2017-04-24_0003 Venue:Agave Estates | Photo: Ama Photography & Cinema

Agave Real Wedding Ceremony & Reception  Venue: Agave Estates | Photo: Akil Bennett Photography

For those couples seeking a true Spanish Villa vibe — and room to celebrate with up to 300 of their nearest and dearest — the estate’s Agave Road is a favorite. With towering oak trees, fluttering palms, huge hand-carved wood doors and 10,000 square feet of reception space, Agave Road doesn’t just offer ample space and great service, but some of the most gorgeous photo opps in the entire region.

For weddings on the more intimate side, Agave Real features natural stone and wrought-iron accents, glowing sconces, plus a lovely view of the lagoon-like reflecting pool, and is a superb celebration spot for groups of up to 200.

The newest member of the Agave Estates family is Agave Rio — a delightful patio restaurant serving up fresh seafood, steaks and Latin-influenced fare, along with classic, tropical-leaning cocktails, all in an al fresco environment that welcomes you to linger long, and savor the feeling of a relaxing oasis. It’s also a perfect place for elegant rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, bridal showers and day-after brunches. Want to try it out for yourself? Comment on our Agave-themed Facebook and Instagram posts, or email us your first and last name, fiancé’s name, wedding date and wedding venue (either booked or wish listed!) for automatic entry into our Agave Rio Dinner for 2 GIVEAWAY! One lucky bride or groom will WIN; winner will be notified on Tuesday, May 2 and announced on Facebook and Instagram. Shouldn’t it be…YOU?

2017-04-24_0004 Venue:  2017-04-24_0005 Venue:  2017-04-24_0006 Venue: Agave Estates | Photo: Civic Photos

Want to find out more about Agave Estates? Schedule your tour now, and make sure to tell them you found them on the Houston Wedding Blog!