The Gallery | Houston Wedding Blog

10 Simple Elegant Wedding Venues

Lounge and live it up at these 10 simple elegant wedding venues in and around Houston. You’ll be in the excellent company of many couples who have chosen these beautiful though not-too-buttoned-down Houston wedding venues for their own relaxed and romantic celebrations!

Houston wedding venue elegant affordable unique ceremony space — Venue: Sara’s Inn | Photo: Larry Fagala

1. SARA’S INN

Located in the hip, bustling Houston Heights neighborhood, Sara’s Inn combines Victorian charm with well-appointed accommodations in a unique, vintage-vibe wedding setting. Here, you’ll find antique furnishings, intimate reception spaces and picturesque outdoor areas, including an elegant 1,000-square-foot covered garden patio that makes for a lovely ceremony location. You can also exchange your vows on the front porch steps of the inn or on the rooftop balcony, for a truly special “I do” experience.

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Hurricane Harvey Wedding at The Gallery

When a couple submits their wedding to us, one of the things we like to ask them is, “What was the greatest obstacle to planning your wedding?” As you can imagine, there are some common responses to this one: “Living in a different city from where we were having our wedding.” “Balancing our ideas about how our wedding should be with our parents’ ideas.'” “Deciding between cake and cupcakes.” “Finding clean versions of our favorite Lil’ Wayne jams.” That sort of thing. One answer we haven’t heard before? “Hurricane Harvey.” Until now. When the monster storm made landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast as a category 4 hurricane late on Aug. 25, to-be-weds Fabiana and Ander had a decision to make: whether or not to proceed with their dream wedding, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 26, at beautiful indoor-outdoor wedding venue The Gallery, in the Galleria area of Houston. The couple, who both attended college in Venezuela, met while applying to a “model UN” group during their sophomore year. With so many of their guests coming into town from Venezuela and other far-off locales to attend their once-in-a-lifetime celebration (100 of the originally planned 120 guests braved Harvey for the bash!), the pair decided the show must go on. And go on it did. Notes the bride, with admirable calm, “We had the time of our lives thanks to our guests, and danced until the rain got too strong.” We are both honored and delighted to share Fabiana and Ander’s charming, joyful and truly unforgettable “hurricane wedding” with you. Congratulations to the newlyweds; may clear skies shine above you, and may love fill all your days!

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Wedding centerpiece

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Photographer: Jacquelyn Nicole Photography | Venue: The Gallery | Florist, Decor +Rentals: Dream Bouquet | Caterer: Café Natalie

4 Tips for Easing First-Dance Performance Anxiety

photo: Cottonwood Weddings Photo: Cottonwood Road Photography | Venue: The Gallery

Remember when the newlywed “first dance” was just two crazy kids, swaying around on the dance floor to their fave sentimental tune? Yeah, neither do we. Probably because for at least the last 5 years or so, first dances have become major productions: the perfect song choice, the dramatic entrance, the fancy footwork, the…professional choreography?? If you’re feeling first-dance pressure, you’re in good company. And we’re here to help, with these tips for bringing the fun back to this much-loved wedding tradition.

Include your soon-to-be spouse in the first-dance planning process. After all, he or she is the one you’ll be dancing with! Take a step back and try to remember if there were any songs you both liked while dating. Is there a song that has particular meaning to you? Is there an artist you both love? Is there a musical style you’re both more comfortable dancing to?
To ease the pressure you may be feeling about dancing in the spotlight, consider taking a series of dance lessons together. These can be a great date-night activity, followed by dinner or a post-con cocktail and laugh sesh, looking back on his sweet attempts at salsa, or your dramatic “dip” recovery. Pre-wedding dance classes can also serve as a way to explore what music style fits both of you best.
When selecting a wedding reception first-dance song, don’t forget about the “classics.” There’s a reason why you can never go wrong with a timeless standard for your first spin as spouses. Classic songs from the 40s and 50s are always in style, and any qualified Houston wedding band or wedding DJ will definitely be able to fulfill this request.
Beware of pop music. Charting songs and Spotify hits typically are in for like…five minutes in the grand scheme of things…and then forgotten. You’ll want to pick a first-dance song you and your groom will love in the moment, be delighted to relive in your wedding photos and wedding video over and over again, and dance to, in intimate moments, for years to come.

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.

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“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 34^th 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

Vintage Blush & Gold Wedding at The Gallery

Houston bride Kristi went to town on planning the details for her candlelit, garden-inspired, beautiful wedding at The Gallery. Kristi carefully thought out every single detail, from the wax-sealed vintage programs, to rose-folded vanilla napkins, to spending months collecting wine bottles to hand make soy wax candles for the guests! Kristi and her groom, Ross chose a soft color palette of blush, ivory, gold, and hints of mint that filled the room for a romantic setting. There were not one, but FIVE different white-on-white cakes, custom macaroni and cheese bar, AND a late night doughnut station for the guests to indulge in. If you think all of this sounds amazing, just wait ‘til you see how gorgeous the photos are! Congrats & well wishes to Kristi & Ross!

Vintage Blush & Gold Wedding at Ousie's Table