Simple wedding planning guide for newly engaged Houston Texas couples
Congratulations on your engagement! Getting engaged is an incredible moment, and if it happened right here in Houston, Texas, you’re off to a great start. Between the city’s rich culture, stunning wedding and reception venues, and unlimited resources, Houston is the perfect place to plan your dream wedding. But what’s next? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you kickstart your Houston wedding planning journey with confidence.
EventSmith Productions Captured this romantic Houston Proposal
Step 1: First Things First
Before you start booking venues and envisioning floral arrangements, there are a few key steps to take right away:
- Soak It All In! Take a moment to celebrate your engagement! Pop the champagne, announce your big news with friends and family, or share those ring selfies on social media if that’s your vibe. Many couples like to jump right into an engagement photo session, we recommend you wait to choose your wedding photographer so they can do both, but if you’re just too excited to wait you need to check out EventSmith Productions. They’re the best Houston wedding photographer and they have an extensive list of the “Best Houston Area Engagement Photo Locations”. You can view the list here: https://www.eventsmithproductions.com/engagement-session-ideas
- Discuss a Spending Goal Sit down with your partner and family that plans to help financially and discuss how much you’re willing to spend. It is best to be upfront about financial expectations to avoid surprises and disappointments later.
- Start Working on Your Guest List Start creating a rough draft of your guest list. This step will help you decide on a venue that matches your capacity needs. Remember, every person invited is someone you have to spend 2 minutes with on your special day. If they’re not someone you want to hug then don’t invite them. It’ll take some time to gather addresses too so starting early helps keep the stress low.
Step 2: Choosing Your Ideal Date and Perfect Wedding Venue
Choosing your wedding date and venue is one of the most exciting steps in planning your big day. It is recommended that you choose a season or a month you’d like to be married, but not get hung up on a specific date. It is more important to find your perfect wedding venue and see what dates they have available.
Luckily, Houston is home to a wide variety of stunning options. Whether you’re dreaming of a modern city-chic affair, a cozy rustic retreat, or a romantic outdoor garden celebration, this city truly has something for everyone.
When choosing your venue, one key decision is whether to go for a DIY or a full-service/all-inclusive option.
- DIY venues give you the freedom to personalize every detail and bring your unique vision to life. They’re perfect if you love being hands-on and creating a wedding that’s truly one of a kind. Typically you can bring in any vendor, or choose from their list. Keep in mind DIY venues do mean you and your family are doing a lot more work leading up to the wedding day and certainly on the wedding day. Did we say hands on? That includes ON the wedding day! This can cause a lot of stress and exhaustion.
- On the flip side, all-inclusive venues like can save you time and stress by handling many of the logistics for you. From catering to décor, these venues simplify the planning process so you can focus on enjoying the experience. Most include planners and coordinators to hold your hand throughout the entire planning process so you have wedding experts to call with your questions. Talk about STRESS FREE WEDDING PLANNING!
One standout all-inclusive venue in Houston is Butler’s Courtyard. This historic gem is brimming with character and charm. With its stunning architecture, beautifully landscaped grounds, and impeccable customer service, it offers a dreamy backdrop for any style of celebration. Plus, their all-inclusive packages make the process seamless, offering everything from catering to on-site planning expertise. If you’re looking for a venue that blends history, elegance, and convenience, Butler’s Courtyard is hard to beat!
Here are a few final tips as you pinpoint your perfect Houston wedding venue:
- Don’t settle for photos alone—visit venues in person! You’ll get a real feel for the space and can picture your special day coming alive. We recommend that you narrow it down to your top 3 venues and schedule private tours for each of those. If you can get them all on the same day, or in the same week, you’ll be able to make your decision faster and take advantage of booking incentives most venues offer for making a quick decision.
- Most venues will have an Open House in January to capitalize on the engagement season. Check the websites and/or social media of your top 5 venue choices and RSVP to their Open Houses. Butler’s Courtyard always has an Open House in January and July.
- Consider the season. Houston summers are hot and humid, so an indoor venue might be best for a summer wedding. Winter can be unpredictable.
- Make sure you are checking reviews online! Why listen to the venue owner or sales team about how wonderful the venue is when you can hear specific experiences from couples and their guests? It’s even better if they have video! Butler’s Courtyard shares all their video testimonials on Facebook and Instagram. Here’s a recent one:
No matter your style or needs, Houston’s wedding and reception venue selection ensures you’ll find the perfect place to make your wedding dreams come true!
Step 3: Book Those Vendors
The best local vendors book up quickly, so make this a priority. Securing the right team will make all the difference in bringing your wedding vision to life.
- Photographers/Videographers: Capture the magic! Look for professionals who bring creativity and experience to their work. When you find someone you love, book them right away. Before booking them: make sure they are welcome at your venue BONUS if the venue can keep things easy by adding them to your package like Butler’s Courtyard can do with EventSmith Productions and Magek Photography.
- Caterers: Explore local catering companies to include Houston’s famous flavors in your wedding, from Tex-Mex to barbecue. If you’re booking an all-inclusive wedding venue you can save yourself this time consuming and stressful step. Just ask the in house planner your next step for choosing your wedding menu. At Butler’s Courtyard we have a variety of customizable menus created with decades of experience in what works best at weddings. You can choose from a variety of menues from our in house caterers: Red River BBQ, Esteban’s Cafe and Cantina and Robinette & Company Caterers.
- Florists: Pick a florist who resonates with your desired wedding style, whether it’s bohemian, traditional, or modern chic. Check your venue’s preferred vendor list and make sure your chosen florist is professional and carries the appropriate insurance. At Butler’s Courtyard our couples like to add our floral packages to their package to make things easy and save a lot of money. We partner with Lush Flowers who has created custom, discounted packages that we can add on for you.
Step 4: Add Houston’s Unique Charm
Make your wedding truly stand out by incorporating elements unique to Houston:
- Food: Treat your guests to a true taste of Houston with local staples — think fajita bars, donuts from your favorite local shop, or Cool Cow Creamery ice cream stations.
- Entertainment: Hire a mariachi band or a Zydeco group for that Texan flair.
- Photo Opportunities: Leverage Houston’s landmarks, like Discovery Green or the Waterwall, as backdrops for your photos.
Step 5: Your Next Steps Checklist
Here’s a checklist to keep you on track in the first few months of wedding planning:
- Celebrate and announce your engagement (if you haven’t already).
- Work with your family to draft a guest list and set your wedding budget.
- Choose your ideal wedding season and book your perfect wedding and reception venue.
- Start securing key vendors or keep wedding planning stress free and easy by using your venue’s partner and/or preferred vendors (photographer, caterer, musicians, etc.).
- Begin shopping for the dress. It could take longer than you think to find the perfect wedding dress, but for the most amazing shopping experience you have to check out Something Blue Bridal.
- Start imagining your custom details and what colors and decor you want to incorporate. Get to pinning! Your pinterest board will really show you what you’re drawn to when you realize you’ve pinned similar things over and over. Check out Butler’s Courtyard’s Pinterest board HERE for a great jump start to the brainstorming and visualizing of your perfect wedding decor.
Final Words of Encouragement
Planning a wedding is a significant undertaking, but it’s also an exciting and beautiful process. Remember to take breaks, enjoy time with your partner, and celebrate baby steps along the way.
When it’s time to find the perfect venue, Butler’s Courtyard stands out as a premier choice for couples seeking a stress-free, stunning space to celebrate their big day. Located just south of Houston, this historic gem offers an enchanting blend of charm, elegance, and convenience. With its picturesque grounds, timeless architecture, and attentive staff, Butler’s Courtyard ensures your wedding is as beautiful as it is seamless. Their all-inclusive packages cover everything from expert planning to catering, so you can breathe easy while they handle the details. If you’re looking for a venue that combines romance, ease, and exceptional service, Butler’s Courtyard is the perfect setting to make your dream wedding a reality.
If you are not in Houston but want the perfect wedding venue just go to this Wedding Venue Map to find the perfec family owned and operated wedding venues like: All 4 One Farms, CHÂTEAU JOLI, Catawba Falls Events, Love Grove Estate, Within Sodo, Legacy Lakes Venue, Laurel Haven Estate, The Bougainvilleas, New Park Event Venue and Barn at Bradstreet.
Here’s to making memories that will last a lifetime! 💍
