If you've discovered your forever love and are envisioning a cozy, intimate wedding in Houston, Texas, you're in for a treat! Houston, renowned for its southern charm, culinary delights, and cosmopolitan atmosphere, offers an ideal backdrop for your special day. In this blog post, I'm thrilled to guide you through selecting the perfect venue for your intimate celebration, with a focus on small weddings in Houston.
Charming Restaurants for Micro Weddings - Houston's local restaurants provide intimate settings for micro weddings, offering private dining rooms and event spaces. Envision exchanging vows amidst the warm candlelight ambiance, complemented by a delectable meal crafted by talented chefs. It's a recipe for an unforgettable wedding experience.
Luxurious Hotels for Elegant Micro Weddings - For those seeking an elevated experience, Houston's luxurious hotels feature stunning ballrooms and event spaces. Dance the night away under sparkling chandeliers with panoramic city views through floor-to-ceiling windows. These venues radiate romance and sophistication, creating the perfect canvas for your special day.
Nature-Inspired Outdoor Venues - Nature enthusiasts can choose from Houston's beautiful parks, gardens, and vineyards for their micro wedding. Picture saying your vows surrounded by blooming flowers, lush greenery, or vineyard rows. The natural beauty of these venues sets a captivating backdrop, creating an intimately awe-inspiring atmosphere.
No matter the venue, a skilled wedding photographer is essential to immortalize the warmth, romance, and intimacy of your micro wedding. Their expertise lies in capturing perfect angles, utilizing lighting to its fullest, and preserving moments that tell the story of your special day. Remember to choose a photographer who comprehends and can beautifully capture the essence of your intimate celebration.
HEIGHTS FIRE STATION
Historic Heights Fire Station, decommissioned in 1987, is a hidden gem in the heart of Houston. Built in 1914, from outside of the venue, you immediately notice the vintage carriage-style doors. Once you walk in, you’re greeted with old hardwoods and a beautiful tin ceiling. Part of what's so special about the space is that it's smack-dab in the middle of Houston's most bustling Heights district, and the city's vibrancy and energy seem to permeate the very walls of the building. If you host your micro wedding at Heights Fire Station, you are sure to have a gorgeous, intimate wedding day!
1910 HARRIS COUNTY COURTHOUSE
The 1910 Harris County Courthouse is an ode to history, brimming with stories and details that harken back to previous generations. A six-story structure of neo-classical design topped by a prominent clerestory drum and dome, a prime example of Houston architecture of the 1900s and 19010s. It occupies an entire city block, called Courthouse Square, in the oldest section of downtown near Allen's Landing. If a courtroom is not available during your scheduled wedding date and time, there are numerous other options for the ceremony both inside and outside the Courthouse. If you are interested in using the courthouse for a meeting or an event, use the online reservation service or contact Customer Service 713.274.9796.
MCGOVERN CENTENNIAL GARDEN
McGovern Centennial Garden in Houston's vibrant Museum District is the epitome of modern luxury with the right amount of versatility to make all of your wedding dreams come true. No matter your personal aesthetic, you will love this place. MCG is a oasis in the middle of one of the largest cities, offering many options for a lovely ceremony, and it's the perfect way to set the mood for the magical moment when you and your partner say your vows and begin your new married lives together.
OUISIE'S TABLE
As a host of an event at Ouisie's Table, I would highly recommend considering this renowned establishment. Since 1973, Ouisie's Table has been a beloved spot in Rice Village, known for its culinary excellence. Whether you are planning a romantic wedding reception or ceremony, Ouisie's Table offers various spaces, each with its distinct ambiance and character. I had the pleasure of photographing a garden wedding in their beautifully manicured outdoor area, and the enchanting atmosphere created by the water features and abundant natural herbs was truly whimsical. Trust me, you will be more than satisfied with what Ouisie's Table has to offer!
RIVER OAKS GARDEN CLUB
It’s hard to believe this magical garden forum is in the middle of the nation’s fourth largest city. River Oaks Garden Club’s Forum of Civics is an idyllic Houston wedding venue exploding in greenery, from the ivy-covered archways that welcome guests to neat garden canopied by Live Oak trees. Located on Westheimer, the Forum was established in 1910 and has long served as a botanical inspiration for Houstonians, including being the site of a World War II Victory Garden, which encouraged locals to plant their own veggies to support the war effort. The Forum can host a variety of events up to 175 people.
HOCKZEIT HALL
Located in the heart of Old Town Spring, Tx, Hochzeit Hall offers an affordable venue for hosting various events. As "Hochzeit" translates to wedding or marriage in German, rest assured that your special day will be celebrated in style. Our outdoor, covered chapel is undeniably the most popular choice at Hochzeit Hall, having successfully accommodated several hundred weddings. Its roof ensures both protection from rain showers and a comfortable shaded area for you and your guests. Keeping this in mind, we highly recommend our clients to consider the chapel as their venue of choice to create a truly memorable and worry-free event.
THE SUNSET COFFEE BUILDING
The Sunset Coffee Building is located at 1019 Commerce Street, Houston, TX at the intersection of Main Street and Buffalo Bayou next to Allen’s Landing, the “Plymouth Rock” of the City of Houston. Built in 1910, the Sunset Coffee Building was originally a coffee roasting company. In the late 60’s it was home to the Love Street Light Circus, a psychedelic music club featuring many local bands. In 2003, the building was purchased by Buffalo Bayou Partnership (BBP) as part of the organization’s master plan to revitalize Buffalo Bayou. The Sunset Coffee Building offers Houstonians an active space on Buffalo Bayou where Houston’s past merges with its future. The Sunset Coffee Building offers three rentable spaces for special events: The Rooftop Terrace looks out over the intersection of Buffalo and White Oak Bayous, the original site of the Port of Houston. The Café is an enclosed industrial style space with a balcony overlooking the bayous. The Plaza, located between the building and Commerce Street, is a perfect space for small concerts, festivals and receptions.
MEMORIAL PARK HINES LAKE
Memorial Park Clay Family Eastern Glades provides numerous wonderful areas with natural backdrops to feature in your outdoor wedding, including beautiful vistas surrounding Hine Lake. The park also features 3 pavilions that can be reserved for larger parties. For more information contact reservations@memorial parkconservancy.org
HOUSTON BOTANIC GARDEN
The Houston Botanic Garden is part living museum part serene oasis, offering itself as one of the more unique micro wedding venues in the Houston area. If you have your micro wedding here, you get to choose from an awesome selection of ceremony and reception areas, indoors or outdoors. However, the Woodland Glade is most ideal for a ceremony, and the adjacent Global Collection Garden Tent is well suited for a reception. One of our favorite areas of the garden is called the “Global Collection Garden” which houses themed gardens from arid to subtropical or tropical. Want to feel like you are in Sedona? No problem! From classic archways to native coastal prairies to arid rock landscapes, we can’t wait to capture more portraits there in the future! You can’t go wrong with having your wedding at any of these locations! Any wedding at Houston Botanic Garden is sure to be classy, fabulous, and so fun. Plus, we love that you and your wedding guests can stay at the hotel, making your micro wedding even more stress-free.
RONIN
Ronin is the micro wedding venue that has it all: industrial features, a modern arch patio and sweet city views. What more could you want? This modern venue pairs natural light, concrete floors and white walls, so your wedding photography will be well lit! Plus, the airy patio area overlooks the streets of downtown Houston. It’s the ultimate "industrial chic" setting for a celebration of your new marriage!
THE OAK ATELIER
I love the ambience of The Willow at Oak Atelier! This ceremony spot at the Oak Atelier with it’s 17ft ceilings, huge 9ft doors which salvaged from antiquated mansions, polished concrete floors and exposed brick this glass greenhouse has so much character. It's set against a whimsical forest background lit up by dappled sunlight coming through the trees just outside. Worthy of a magazine cover indeed! The Oak Atelier is located in Conroe, TX, just North of Houston and only 40 minutes from downtown.
BOATHOUSE AT MILLICAN RESERVE
Love, love, love the uniqueness of the Boathouse at Millican Reserve! It's a 1,000 square foot facility that sits on a hidden, private lake surrounded by nature in College Station, Tx. Maximum seated capacity is 60 inside, with tables and white garden chairs provided. The space flows very well utilizing the outdoors to gain seating if needed. Millican Reserve offers multiple outdoor venues as well and allows guests to experience nature.
7F LODGE
It would be hard to beat this combination of elegance and rustic charm. The little chapel tucked away in the trees at 7F Lodge is just spectacular! The sunlight beaming through the windows makes for some pretty remarkable images. 7F Lodge is a full-service wedding venue and a bed & breakfast, steeped in history. You and your guests can enjoy a full weekend of events, with accommodations on-site, all uniquely themed and decorated. 7F Lodge is located in College Station, TX, northwest of Houston.
MAGNOLIA GREEN
Magnolia Green Tx Venue is one of the most unique micro wedding venues, hidden in Magnolia, Texas only about 40 minutes north of Houston. It is an expansive 5-acre property with tons of greenery and gardens. The key feature that sets this venue apart is its large event barn with fancy chandeliers and roll-up garage doors on the front and back. It's the perfect space for a reception. The lush acreage makes for the loveliest ceremony backdrop, and the natural beauty of the place is basically built-in wedding decor. Not to mention there's also a 4 bedroom, 2 bath beautifully furnished cabin with high-end linens so you and your family can enjoy one another all weekend. Magnolia Green will make any elopement or micro wedding absolutely magical!
THE MEEKERMARK
Under the trees and beneath the stars is the most unique outdoor, open-air wedding space, with floating windows and soaring white vaulted beams resembling a chapel in the forest. Then, have your reception indoors within the modern vintage-decorated reclaimed wood barn! For an intimate elopement or micro wedding, you won’t regret choosing The Meekermark in Magnolia, TX, just 30 minutes north of Houston.
FOREVER 5 EVENTS
Forever 5 Events is a classic wedding venue that actually has a gorgeous setup for a micro wedding! You and your guests can enjoy 16 wooded acres of privacy and peacefulness. It’s lush trees and open-air ceremony area provide a romantic, secluded atmosphere for your intimate wedding. There's also the main indoors modern space, with floor to ceiling windows, that can host the reception. There are great affordable packages with freedom on catering and bar options. Forever 5 for modern elegance in the woods!
THE BRYAN MUSEUM
The Bryan Museum in Galveston is one of the most elegant wedding venues in Texas. As a wedding photographer, The Bryan Museum is one of my favorite venues. Maybe its the history of the building itself, a timeless gothic revival building built in 1894 that was destroyed by the 1900 storm then restored again as an orphanage; or maybe its the property’s lush manicured grounds that remind me of gardens and romance. Whether you choose the Conservatory, the Grand Lobby, the Sculpture Garden or the Gazebo, I guarantee that the pictures are going to be extraordinarily beautiful!
MERCER ARBORETUM
You're right, Mercer is not a wedding venue, but it does indeed lend itself to a great photography opportunity after you've said your I do's at the local courthouse. Mercer Arboretum is not only known for its stunning collection of native and cultivated plants but also offers a picturesque backdrop for photoshoots. Among the many highlights are native Dogwood trees, vibrant pink camellias, rare camphor daisies and orchid trees.
LYNN'S RANCH
Conveniently nestled on 2.7 acres in Montgomery, TX, Lynn's Ranch is something special! The beautifully appointed 3800 sq. ft. gambrel barn is ideal for intimate family gatherings, showers and micro weddings up to 100 guests. Accommodations include full day access to venue with indoor or outdoor ceremony sites, two queen size sofa beds, two beautifully decorated seating areas, two oversized bathrooms both with showers. You may choose from one of their all-inclusive packages or you have the freedom to DIY your event.
In conclusion, as you embark on planning your small, intimate wedding in Houston, explore these venue options and consider the invaluable role a skilled photographer can play in preserving the magic of your special day. May your wedding be filled with love, joy, and unforgettable moments in the heart of this vibrant city!
If you have any questions about these micro wedding venues or photographing your intimate micro wedding, please don’t hesitate to contact me.