Houston is a gorgeous city located near the Gulf of Mexico. Featuring the largest population in Texas, this southern gem is also one of the largest cities in the United States. Between the scenery and the (usually) favorable weather, this city has a lot to offer any bride. The large population provides a huge variety of food, venues, dresses, and more. It’s clear to see why you chose Houston as your wedding destination, but what do you do next?

Here are some decisions you’ll need to make to create your perfect Houston wedding.

Choosing your Venue

The venue is one of the biggest decisions for your wedding day. Outdoor weddings are popular in the summer, but remember that the weather can intervene. If you are planning an outdoor wedding for a different time of year, you may get much more severe weather that can change your plans, like this couple. For this reason, many couples prefer a beautiful indoor space like this wedding reception venue in Houston, TX.

You can choose to have your ceremony either indoors or outdoors and relocate to a comfortable venue indoors. While the ceremony will be photographed and remembered for years, the reception traditionally lasts much longer than the official portion of a wedding, and your guests will need to be comfortable. Remember to consider any extras included with your facility rental, as well as the size and setting.

Catering

Many of your catering choices will be dictated by your chosen venue. If you have a specific caterer in mind, you will want to ask them if there are restrictions on any venues, or if they have preferred location advice. Most catering providers will have costs starting in the thousands of dollars, so it’s important to make sure you have the right fit. The Knot recommends asking the following questions:

  • Is the caterer licensed?
  • What are the policies and insurance on serving alcohol?
  • Are you their only wedding that weekend?
  • Can they provide references or reviews?
  • Are meals available for those with dietary restrictions?
  • What is included in the catering service (setup, equipment, food, etc.)?

Review these items to find the fit for you, and don’t forget most importantly — try a tasting before your final decision!

Setting a Date

The most important considerations in setting a date are choosing a time that works best for your schedule and your loved ones. For many people, adding a little time extra time can provide additional opportunities for hard-to-book venues or for family from out of town to travel.

Other people may want to save money by choosing an off-season wedding. June through September are considered traditional wedding months but are also the most crowded and most expensive. You can often save costs on top-quality wedding providers by choosing an off-season wedding date.

Selecting the Wedding Party

Asking your friends and family to take a role in your big day is one of many ways to enjoy this time with those you love most. Unfortunately, we don’t all have an even number of treasured men and women to create an even and matching party. Perhaps the bride and groom each have three brothers, or there are two brides, or your closest family lives too far away to attend?

In this case, you may want to opt for a non-traditional wedding party, and that’s totally ok. In fact, many people find traditional wedding symmetry old-fashioned. And in case you were worried, mismatched wedding parties can still get you spectacular pictures as these happy couples demonstrate. So stop focusing on how to make everything even, and shift the focus to including those friends and family that you love the best.

Your Houston wedding is going to be spectacular. You’ll have all the big cities amenities, with all of the small town Texas charm ready to meet your guests. Start planning by selecting your dates and venue. Move on to creating a catering plan and inviting your wedding party to join you. Next steps include cake, flowers, dresses, and more — it’s a lot of decisions so you should get started now!