Wedding Reception Hot Spots in Houston, Texas
Houston may not be as large as Dallas, or as artsy as Austin, but when it comes to wedding celebrations, it’s as big it gets.
Check out the Pavilion Royale, just 15 minutes from downtown, for a ranch-flavored party to remember. There are two room options for weddings and/or receptions, the Athena Room and the Bella Room (the first holds 400 guests, the second, 220). The site can offer decorations (don’t stress about centerpieces; they’ll provide them!), custom wedding packages, and in-house catering. There is also a dance floor, stage, and an event planner.
Want to add a little Mediterranean flavor to your Texas celebration? Consider Bella Terrazza, in the Uptown/Galleria area, where the architecture is reminiscent of the Italian Riviera. You can have a reception or rehearsal dinner in the site’s Wine Room, or choose the spacious Terrazza banquet hall. There’s even an outdoor Garden Piazza. Bella Terrazza specializes in wedding receptions (the size of the affair is up to you), with an on-site staff and a large selection of fine wines. If you sneak off into the bougainvillea to steal a kiss, well, that’s Italian!
Known for its exceptional service, the five-star Omni Houston Hotel is another great celebration option. The hotel’s on-site event planners work with you, and there are banquet halls for weddings, receptions, parties, etc. Since you’re in the heart of town, you might want to stay here too, or consider booking rooms for guests. Marble baths, bathrooms, and refreshment centers are tres chic, and that morning newspaper and coffee is the perfect energizer. You can always use that hair-dryer and ironing board for any last-minute wedding emergencies.
Finally, why not really take the plunge aboard your own private yacht? Star Fleet offers Kemah Dinner Cruises on Galveston Bay, in which you bring the whole party aboard. If you think a boat trip sounds a bit, well, un-chartered, the line offers seated affairs or buffets, with several different menu options to choose from. (You can also work with the executive chef to create a menu of your own design.) On the entertainment side, they can offer anything from a DJ to a band to a harpist. The only thing you need to provide is the love.