Rehearsal Dinners | Houston Wedding Blog

5 Hot Houston Rehearsal Dinner Locations

Photo: Larry Fagala | Location: Bloom & Bee At The Post Oak Hotel | John Varvatos Pants, Inis Meain Sweater, Stubbs + Wootton Loafers: 29 North at The Post Oak Hotel

Rehearsal dinners are more than just an evening affair to “rehearse the wedding,” the night before your big day—it’s a wonderful occasion to meet members of the “other side of the family” or “ extended members of your new family” and bond with your loved ones in an intimate setting. It can be just as formal or informal as you like! Just remember to include everyone in your wedding party with their significant other and anyone who has traveled down specifically for your wedding as well as the officiant.

Start your wedding festivities off on a delicious note at one of these 5 hot Houston rehearsal dinner locations!

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Intimate Houston Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Artisans Restaurant

houston, rehearsal dinner venue, micro weddings, engagement parties, holiday parties, french, elegant, artisans restaurant — Photo Courtesy of Artisans Restaurant

Located in midtown Houston, Artisans Restaurant is a rehearsal dinner venue that delivers an authentic French dining experience in a fine setting.

Artisans Restaurant’s menu is classic yet innovative, focusing on creative dishes using fresh gastronomic products. Your guests will enjoy Chef Jacques Fox’s delectable French cuisines such as Le Filet de Boeuf au Poivre, a black pepper crusted beef tenderloin in green peppercorn sauce, and La Volaille et son Homard, a roasted frenched chicken breast in Americaine sauce. From the intimate 28-seat Table du Chef in the main dining room, which offers a front-row dining view of the kitchen, to the unique private dining rooms, Artisans Restaurant is an ideal spot to host your rehearsal dinner!

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Chef Eric Aldis Debuts New Wedding & Celebration Menus at Agave Rio

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Above Photos: Ama Photo & Cinema

Tucked away in the lush forests of Katy lies one of our region’s most picturesque wedding venues: With Old World, Mexican-influenced charm, and state-of-the-art amenities, Agave Estates offers all-inclusive wedding ceremonies and receptions services that combine gracious hospitality with relaxed elegance. Joining Agave Estates’ popular Agave Real and Agave Road venues is Agave Rio—the Estates’ new on-site celebration space and restaurant, offering superb private dining options for engagement parties, bridesmaids gatherings and rehearsal dinners, along with a dreamy, rustic-chic backdrop for intimate ceremonies.

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Photos: Chuck Cook Photography | Photos 1 – 7: new featured menu items | 8: Executive Chef Eric Aldis

And here’s even more exciting news: At the helm of the new Agave Rio is Executive Chef Eric Aldis—a star of the Houston culinary scene. Chef Eric started his career at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston, and has made a name for himself in culinary operations at such prestigious properties at the Bellagio Las Vegas and the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans. Locally, Chef Aldis has earned a reputation for bringing sustainable food practices to acclaimed restaurants including Mark’s American Cuisine, Mo’s and Corner Table.

We recently spoke to Chef Eric about his partnership with Agave Rio, and what wedding couples—and Houston foodies—can expect from Katy’s newest restaurant/celebration space. Here’s what we found out:

HWB: What makes Agave Estates special, and how does the venue and its setting inspire you?

Chef Aldis: Agave Estates is special because of the architecture, the beautiful landscape…and a professional culture to match. The venue and setting inspired me to create a menu of American cuisine using local and exotic ingredients.

HWB: What are some of the signature menu items you are creating for Agave Rio?

Chef Aldis: Oysters Agave (a hearth-roasted Blue Point oyster with salsa verde, lump crab and Mexican truffle, grilled at 900 degrees); Chauvinist Pig (a house-carved pork shoulder with bacon, prosciutto and brie, served on brioche bread)…and Shipley Donut Bread Pudding.

HWB: Yum! How does creating menus for wedding celebrations differ from creating restaurant fare, and what do you enjoy about developing personalized, special-occasion menus?

Chef Aldis: We pride ourselves on providing high-quality restaurant fare as well as menus for wedding celebrations. Preparation and planning are identical for both. I really enjoy developing personalized special-occasion menus. It gives me the opportunity to step outside the box and create—especially when cooking for guests with special dietary needs and providing a true 5-star experience.

HWB: What excites you most about your Agave Estates partnership?

Chef Aldis: This partnership excites me to be able to provide an entertainment venue for Katy, Texas—my hometown!

As enamored with Agave Rio—and all of Agave Estates venue and event-package offerings—as we are? (And really, how could you not be?) Call 281.665.3337 or email Agave Estates at to schedule a venue tour or book dining reservation for Agave Rio. And…dig in!

Venues We Love: House of Blues

Just the words “Foundation Room” are filled with hip, VIP mystique and a promise of exclusive, upscale, elegantly wicked fun. So of course the Foundation Room at House of Blues is a perfect spot for special wedding-related soirees. But there’s so much more to love about House of Blues than its Foundation.

For instance, did you know that HOB’s intimate Elwood Room is a great setting for an afternoon shower? “And guys don’t mind the couple’s shower when they can hang in The Jake Bar Lounge,” promises House of Blues special event sales manager Lauren MacQueen. How’d you like to “party like a rock star in our Big Mama Suite?” MacQueen wants to know. You can, you know, at your ultra-exclusive bachelor or bachelorette party, behind closed doors, with an overhead view of the legendary House of Blues stage. For an unforgettable engagement celebration, book the Bronze Peacock room, which features “playfully sophisticated decor and a dedicated stage for a band or DJ,” plus a cool outdoor terrace, perfect for setting up a cigar bar or hookah lounge. Or treat guests to a morning-after-the-wedding “Gospel Brunch”–there’s no more enjoyable penance for the previous evening’s celebratory hijinks. And that aforementioned Foundation Room? Inspired by the Near East and featuring Persian carpets, beautiful chandeliers and an eclectic display of art from HOB’s private collection, it’s a near perfect mixture of sophistication and peacefulness. Naturally, the food, drinks and service are fabulous, too. Rehearsal dinner, anyone?

Of course, for the ultimate rock ’n roll wedding, there’s no venue more fitting than HOB’s legendary Music Hall. “The bride and groom take center stage as guests view the ceremony from The Mezzanine,” then the entire entourage joins the stars of the show downstairs for a lavish reception on the main floor. For details on how you can hook up HOB for your wedding-related celebration, call 832.667.7757 or click.