Venues We Love: The Bryan Museum…Especially The Conservatory!!

One of the questions we get asked a lot here at HWB is: “Don’t you get tired of weddings?” And the answer is, well…no. We really, truly don’t. And the main reason is because every wedding is different. Every. Single. One. Color palettes may come and go, centerpiece heights may soar one season…and then come back down to earth by the next, but, we guarantee you, each wedding, no matter what trends they may share, is unique, special, unlike any other wedding in the universe. Because each couple is unlike any other couple in the universe—their love story is their own, and nobody else’s, and as such, their wedding is a magical celebration unto itself, singular and perfect.

Same goes for wedding venues: No two are alike. But…every once in a while, we come upon a venue that is so distinctive, we just have to single it out for some special love. The Bryan Museum in Galveston—housing one of the world’s largest collections of historical artifacts, documents and artwork relating to Texas and the American West—is one of these venues. And The Bryan Museum’s Conservatory is what makes it so totally one-of-a-kind for weddings.

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Photo: C. Baron Photography | Flowers & Decor: Darryl & Co.

Constructed of intricate metalwork and dazzling emerald-green glass, the Conservatory isn’t for huge bashes—it maxes out at about 150 reception guests—but the wedding celebrations it does house are stunners.

Bryan-Museum-Conservatory-Courtesy of The Bryan Museum

Photo: Courtesy of The Bryan Museum

For larger wedding events, the 2,000-square foot Bryan Museum Conservatory opens onto a large stone patio that can be set up with additional guest seating.

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Photo: Ryan R. Jones Photography

During the day, the Conservatory looks out onto a velvet-green lawn, while keeping guests comfortably cool, in its climate-controlled interior.

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Photo: Courtesy of The Bryan Museum

At night, the jewel-like glass walls of this gem of a venue glow with candlelight, making for an ultra-romantic wedding reception atmosphere.

The Bryan Museum

Photo: Ryan R. Jones Photography

And while most couples tend to have their ceremony in one of the area’s houses of worship, before segueing to the Bryan Museum for their celebration, you can say your “I do’s” on site, al fresco, beneath the museum’s jasmine-covered gazebo.

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Photos: Courtesy of The Bryan Museum

Planning a Galveston getaway this summer? Call 409.220.3022 to schedule a visit to The Bryan Museum, and check out the beautiful Conservatory—plus the lavish bridal suite and awesome groom’s lounge—in person, as you plan your unlike-any-other-wedding wedding. It’ll knock your socks off. But heck, it’s summer in Houston. Who needs socks anyway??

Bryan-Museum-Bridal-Suite

Photo: Courtesy of The Bryan Museum

Happy venue-hunting, loves.

A Special Scent for All Your Wedding Stuff!

Photos: 5 Thirteen Designs

There’s no stronger trigger of emotion and memory than a particular, familiar smell. So here’s an idea: Give your wedding its own unique fragrance—one that will both set the tone for, and forever evoke memories of, your most important occasion, your one perfect day. Online custom stationery boutique 5 Thirteen Designs has just launched WedScents, a line of heavenly fragrance kits designed for the bride to delicately scent all of her wedding essentials—from save-the-dates to favors to fabric elements. A collection of four introductory fragrances includes Citrus Blossom (bright, crisp, outdoorsy), Forever Fresh (herbal, gardeny), Captivating Waters (cool, coastal) and our hands-down fave for Houston weddings, Radiant Glamour—a sexy, feminine blend of fresh-picked florals. Each set includes a mist-applicator fragrance bottle, application ideas and 25 themed note cards. We LOVE the idea of tucking these into your b’maids’ spa kits or gift bags, or using them for favors at your bridal shower or pre-wedding luncheon (did we mention that the packaging is beautiful?). Breathe deep, dolls. This is a fun one!!

Etsy Envy: Not Your Grandma’s Engagement Ring

If you know, without question, that only a classic diamond engagement ring will do pour vous, you may want to pass over this here post, future bride. If, on the other hand, you’re on the hunt for an utterly original engagement ring design—something in hammered steel perhaps, a rough-cut diamond, or a hand-sculpted setting—we’ve got a handful of amazing engagement rings we think you’ll admire, courtesy of Etsy’s finest.

Our Favorite Finds

1. Garnet Girl Designs ~ 2. Noa Sharon Designs ~ 3. Rare Earth ~ 4. Locusart Jewellery ~ 5. Kate Szabone ~ 6. Spexton ~ 7. Lilian Genebra ~ 8. Janish Jewels