Houston Wedding Transportation Guide

“The best way to feel comfortable in front of the camera during your wedding is to do an engagement session prior to your big day. It is a great opportunity to instill confidence and build comfort in front of the camera. Also, establishing a relationship with Steve before your wedding will make a HUGE difference in the outcome of your wedding photo. We also highly recommend you hire a professional wedding coordinator. It's one of the best ways to ensure that your day is stress-free. When you are relaxed and having fun, your photos will naturally look beautiful!”

“Our number one tip for a successful photo session or wedding is timing! Set yourself up for success with a well planned event or session that works around the best light for the season. Remember that the sun will set around 5:30pm in the winter months, but around 8:30pm in the summer months — a big difference when planning the ideal event! We prefer to meet for coffee or drinks with our couples while the planning process is still in the beginning stages so that we can get to know them and discuss their desires for the session. Ideally you want your "premier images" to be shot during the best light, which is commonly called the blue or golden hour, around sunrise and sunset. When it comes to putting together a timeline — always overestimate! It is easy to underestimate the amount of travel time between locations and how difficult corralling the bridal party will be!”

“The most important thing I can stress is to choose a photographer that you really connect with! Your photographer is going to be by your side all day, and will be your point of contact, shoulder to cry on, and best friend for everything! You want to be sure you really like the person, and feel comfortable and confident with them. Be sure to be happy with their style of photography as well!”

“I recommend choosing a photographer that you trust completely and love the way they document a variety of weddings. Bonus if they are communicative and talk through the whole process with you about how to take advantage of the best light for photos and a timeline that will allow for you to create the images that you have seen throughout their portfolio. The photos that always ring truest and most treasured with my clients are the stolen moments — the authentic glances and laughter that come from releasing expectations and allowing your day to unfold just as it may.”

“We always encourage our Couples to really evaluate their timeline and hire a coordinator. Weddings are incredible moments in time — but they are just that "moments." Allowing enough time for each event including hair and make-up is critical. We believe our couples are happiest when they are given enough time to relax and truly enjoy the day as it is happening. We also encourage our Brides to treat themselves to a bridal session. While you are getting some incredible photos in your dream gown — it also serves a very functional purpose. It is the perfect opportunity to test your gown, bouquet, hair and makeup.”

“1. Finding a wedding photographer that you trust. As you're searching for your wedding photographer, it's okay to meet with them and see how well you connect. Your wedding photographer is one of your most important vendors, so you want to ensure that you will enjoy their company as they capture the most important day of your life. 2. Always do an engagement session! Doing an engagement session with your wedding photographer is one of the most important things you can do! This gives you the opportunity to not only get to know how your photographer will pose and work with you, but it also gets you comfortable with being in front of the camera before your big day!”

“Make sure you LOVE the photographer you choose. Review their website for consistent images and ask to view a full gallery if you have any hesitation. Always, always book a session prior to the wedding day with your photographer! It helps ease the nervous tension and allows you to establish a rapport with your photog before The Big Day when it really counts. You'll become familiar with how they direct, guide and pose you and you'll be a seasoned pro for the bride/groom session on the wedding day!”

“Couples who have never taken professional photos together find it hard to relax during their photo sessions. To get the best results, choose a photographer that makes you feel comfortable. Making couples laugh during their sessions really helps.”

“For couples, it's easy to get caught up in "the making" of a wedding and forget what it's all about: YOU! As you begin the planning process, your parents and families will have their requests and opinions. Then your friends will have their weddings which you'll begin to compare to yours. Before you know it, you're planning an entire production to impress and appease everyone else but you. So, make your wedding about you two as a couple. Make it reflective to your styles and personalities even if it doesn't fit the standard or traditions or the expected! Just have fun with it!”

“A couple of tips that clients could use to help photographers capture who they truly are: 1. Be themselves! Let your photographer choose locations based on their hobbies/interests so they are captured in the environment that suits them. 2. Allow your photographer to finish their vision with an artbook, designed expertly from start to finish and made with materials that will last for generations.”

“With a venue like The Dunlavy, you can get everything in a one stop shop including your Event Coordinator! It may seem more personal at home but take the work away from you and do our best to make your wedding as effortless for the bride and groom as possible so you can enjoy your special day.”

“We suggest you use a venue to not only wow your guests but give them a true taste of what you love. You can bring in so much personality through decor, food, the bar, and colors!”

“Few people have access to a Father of the Bride home along with a Hollywood budget for planning. Remember how much time, stress and money it took to make that property picture perfect? A tent alone could break the bank. Brides typically choose us because of our ability to make the wedding process easier and more enjoyable. Not only do we have a veteran staff to guide the brides through the intricacies of events, but also provide a wealth of resources from ideas and trends to staffing and equipment making dreams both realistic and a reality.”

“We know many couples are looking to save money on their weddings these days, and some are considering residences versus professional wedding venues. However on your special day you'll want to be able to enjoy your family and friends, and not worry about organizing all details. Professional venues will help you cover all the things you might not think about, such as insurance, adequate bathroom facilities for your guests, and indoor alternatives if your outside ceremony location gets rained out.”

“A Texas Renaissance Festival Wedding is truly a unique experience. Every bride wants to feel like a princess, here we won't just make you feel like a princess, we will make you one. We have hundreds of amenities to make your day truly special. No DIY decorations or familial stress — here our very experienced and professional staff takes care of every detail from premium parking for your guests to clearing a path to our wedding chapel for each and every bride.”

“When considering a venue for your wedding, a private residence provides more intimacy and less formality in the structure of the service. It is often decorated and planned with friends and family, creating warm memories for all who know and love you both. A rented venue often comes with a wedding planner, familiar with the ways the facility can be decorated and used and who is experienced in all sizes and styles of weddings as well as specifics for various faith traditions.”

“There is a common misconception that you can save a lot of money by hosting the wedding at a friend or family member's home and the fact of the matter is; that is simply not true. There are items that a commercial venue naturally provides that private residence does not. For example, most private residences do not have the proper electrical requirements that a DJ, band, lighting, and other vendors need. A venue will also provide plenty of restrooms. Another amenity that is often overlooked is a dumpster. Most of all a venue provides a rain plan and peace of mind which is priceless.”

“Although at first thought, it might seem less expensive and easier to have your wedding reception at a residence as opposed to a venue, there are a lot of hidden costs to consider. Most people do not have enough tables, chairs, linens, plates, silverware, napkins, glassware, etc. to accommodate a large number of guests in their home, so renting all of these items will be necessary. The beauty of having an event at a venue is that all you have to do is show up, and everything is included in the venue rental. No need to worry about cleanup either!”

“Our biggest advice to couples is to visit the places that you're interested in and don't be afraid to ask plenty of questions. The setting of your wedding will be a huge factor in the mood and ambiance, so choose a place that fits your theme, personalities, and love story. Spend time in the space thinking about how you can bring your vision to life, how the tables and décor could be arranged, how the photos will look, and how the reception would feel overall. This is your big day, spend it in a place that makes you feel the most comfortable.”

“I've seen beautiful weddings at private residences, but quite often the planning process becomes even more stressful because couples don't realize the costs associated and the extent of what needs to be rented for a wedding. In addition to the usual linen and decor rentals, items such as tables, chairs, dance floor, restrooms, trash cans/dumpsters, a tent, fans/heaters would need to be rented. Especially in Texas, the weather can change in an instant and if you planned an outdoor ceremony and reception, you may be up a creek without a paddle.”

“Most couples who opt for hosting their wedding at home vs a venue usually do so assuming it will save them a lot of money on venue fees, but what most people do not consider is that backyard space is not set up for a wedding. Without on-site personnel, there would be no one to provide guidance or offer suggestions along the way. Venues set up, break down, clean up, and ensure everything runs smoothly — the couple is entirely on their own with a backyard wedding, which adds a whole lot more work and stress.”

“Having your reception at a residence can be very personal and intimate, which works for some couples' wedding vision! We like to educate all of our couples on all the things that the venue will do in the background that might seem menial — setting up tables and chairs, washing all china, silverware, and stemware, combating parking and providing enough restroom facilities for all of the guests. All of these things are staples for a successful event!”

“Lindsay Lakes' motto is City Elegance, Country Charm. We are family owned and operated and want all our couples to feel comfortable and stress free. We are an all inclusive venue. We provide deluxe bride and grooms suites, lakeside or chapel ceremony, and 2 halls for your reception. Our wedding coordinator team will guide you through the entire process of planning your wedding and will be there to assist you at your rehearsal, the ceremony and reception.”

“Not all restaurants are the perfect backdrop for ceremonies and receptions but those of us who are set up for weddings are the most economical and low stress places to plan a party because the kitchen, the décor, tables, chairs, flatware, china and glassware are all built in to the site. You literally do not have to pay to rent all of those and coordinate deliveries and caterers. Another significant upside is post party clean up — at Rainbow Lodge, you show up, enjoy your event, let us handle the food and drink and then you leave.”

“Surprisingly, one of the most common mistakes we see is when brides leave the flower planning to the last minute. Sometimes it's a bride who assumes she can pop in on a Wednesday afternoon and order some bouquets for the weekend, other times it's someone who thinks that DIY means picking out the flowers a day or two before the wedding — and then learning a harsh lesson about how long it takes to craft a few dozen centerpieces! It's amazing that people planning a wedding that might have been in the works for over a year too often don't involve a florist until far too late in the process. Another frequent error is falling into the Pinterest/Instagram trap. Many of these photos are filtered, edited, or just simply created by people with a celebrity's budget.”

“Brides often look at websites and social media platforms like Pinterest for inspirations for their wedding flowers, which can be very helpful. I think peonies are the most commonly requested blooms that are only in season domestically in the late Spring-Summer months. They are imported at some other times of the year but are much more expensive and sometimes disappointing. If a bride wants peonies but they are out of season we offer lovely fully bloomed specialty roses that have a high petal count and a ruffly edge. Another common issue is brides who want to use a lot of greenery and garlands thinking that greenery is less expensive than flowers — which is not always the case.”

“First, after I know what type of event I am doing — age group, any steps I need to follow and so on — I play the most popular and familiar songs first then announce that I'm taking requests. And that's pretty much the ice breaker there. Line dancing for group sessions is always a "go to" win situation. As a DJ when you get a good read from the crowd then these steps should never fail. A few jokes on the mic are good too.”

“Well, any good DJ will tell you, the best way to liven up a crowd is to find that person that is wanting to "let loose." Find out what song will trigger them — could be a line dance, or just ask them. Once everyone else sees them having a good time, they'll want to be a part of it!”

“The main way to get people on the dance floor is to play what THEY want to hear, not what the DJ wants to play. At some events, like a wedding, you're hired to cater to their requests; it's their personal event. Sometimes people hire me to do the Def Jam Blaster show where I play what I want, sometimes they hire me to do their personalized requests. A professional DJ knows the difference.”

“There are many tips and tricks to getting people to let loose and have fun on the dance floor! For starters, aside from great song selections, a great timeline is very important. You want to build energy throughout the night and the best way to do that is to place activities that help you build momentum in sequential order that flows. For example you do not want to have toasts and speeches after you have opened up the dance floor! Also, some of the best activities to transition from dinner to dancing is the anniversary dance! Have your bride and groom out on the dance floor for the first song — you can sort of guilt trip folks into come out to join them!”

“I usually try and take as many requests as I can to make it an enjoyable experience for all. Even those that may be nervous about dancing usually get on the dance floor if it is a song they like. I try and make it as personalized as possible that way everyone gets into a dancing mood. I always try and play upbeat songs and mix the classics with today's hits. I try my best to make it a fun, party type atmosphere for all.”

“Sometimes when a party is dead I try to play some line dances. I might play the most popular current dance or depending on the crowd I might play an older one that everyone knows the moves to. I also try to remind guests that this is a celebration and we owe it to the people that invited us to party. If I see people moving in their seats but scared to get on the floor, I might walk over and try to get them to step out on the floor. If none of that works I might remind the crowd I am taking requests but you are required to dance if you request a song and I play it.”

“I use the current mood and energy in the room to dictate how I pack the dance floor. If the crowd is already in a party mood, I will hit them right away with a fun, high energy song but if everyone is more laid back and reserved, a smarter approach may be to start with a slower song or line dance. Another ice breaker strategy is to do an anniversary dance, which gets all the married couples out on the dance floor. There are really no tricks to getting the dance floor full but once the crowd knows the DJ is a professional, it gives people permission subconsciously to let loose because they trust they will be taken care of when they are out there dancing!”

“First off I start reading my crowd as soon as the cocktail hour begins. What is the age range of the crowd, are they drinking a lot already, are they being conservative, are they laughing and joking? These are my ways of telling how the night may go once we open the dance floor. If the bride and groom choose to do a money dance or anniversary dance I always do it right before we open the dance floor — I am basically forcing people to come out and dance. Then once we open the dance floor usually they are like, "well we were already out there, let's go again!" Get people on the dance floor for 2-3 songs back to back and they will keep coming back.”

“One thing most brides/grooms overlook is how much food eager guests can pile on a standard size dinner plate. Kids are really bad about wasting food. By the time your guests get to what looks like an endless amount of food on your buffet, their eyes may be bigger than their stomach. That creates a lot of waste as well as miserable guests. Use a "Buffet Plate" — a standard dinner plate is between 10" and 11" but a buffet plate is 9" or less. Your guests can come back as often as possible, but you want them to be reasonable on the first pass.”

“At BB's Events & Catering, we really do believe that fresh is best, especially for a wedding. It's important to hire a company that has experience executing on-site cooking for large events.”

“When looking for a caterer it is important to feel confident with the caterer you choose. You want them to be flexible with menu options and provide a tasting to ensure that they are the right fit. Communication and promptness are essential to helping couples feel at ease on their wedding day. At Taste Sensations Catering, we are a family owned catering business that treats each wedding as if it were our own. You're more than a customer, you become family with us.”

“A reception is a special experience for everyone involved, and a huge part of that experience is food — not only how it tastes, but also how it is displayed and served. If your caterer is aware of details like color themes and decorations, they can help to enhance aesthetics and cohesiveness, tying everything together for an unforgettable experience.”

“Order 5% more than you think you need! Although you incur more cost, you will be able to provide a meal for unexpected guests who did not RSVP, and/or feed a vendor or two. Also, something we always provide for our clients is boxes of their food to go with them as they leave the reception. There's nothing worse than getting back to your hotel after the wedding day of your dreams and feeling hungry. All that dancing and drinking works up your appetite for a late night snack! Make sure your caterer has you covered.”

“This is YOUR party and you can have whatever you choose on your menu. Let your caterer guide you so everything works well according to your vision. You don't have to stick to "the usual." Make it yours — move outside the box and make it a day to remember.”

“Here at DINE, we believe that the food at a wedding reception is all about bringing people together. Whether it be Hors D'oeuvres at Cocktail Hour, or a traditional plated formal meal, the food at a wedding will always initiate conversations. Think really carefully about your guests, and the type of day that you would also like them to have — this can help to make important decisions such as cuisine and budget choices a little easier. Don't be frightened to try new things, or ask your caterer for something specific to your needs.”

“With so many family members all in one place on the day of, there are certainly lots of personalities and opinions! If you are worried about a particular person overstepping their boundaries, it's a good idea to let your planner know about it ahead of time. That way, we can help keep an eye on them, and make sure that nothing is distracting you from celebrating your big day! More importantly though, don't stress about others, and instead focus on the true meaning of the day.”

“Our advice for dealing with family drama is to try and resolve it BEFORE wedding day. As uncomfortable as it can possibly be, having a sit down meeting and hashing out issues that could arise on wedding day is the best approach. We often find that just a talk with divorced parents who might not get along or siblings who are feuding is enough to have them be on their best behavior on the big day. Reminding them that the day is about you as the couple and not about them will usually be enough to keep the peace. We as planners always ask if there are sensitive family issues that we need to be aware of so that when it comes time to create the seating arrangements for the ceremony and the reception, we know how to best handle those situations with care.”

“Every family has their ups, downs and frictions. The most important thing is for the newlyweds-to-be to focus on communicating now. You are both about to adopt each other's families — this includes the loving, not-so-loving and estranged family members. Communication is incredibly valuable in every aspect of life. Learning to communicate as a united front through potential issues that arise will help ensure your new journey together starts off with a solid foundation.”

“Truth is, the mere mention of the word tip or gratuity may seem like a faux pas to many wedding vendors. As such, this area is often overlooked by brides and grooms. You're hosting the most important event as you start your lives together. The staff of your wedding vendors will work hard to make sure it all comes together effortlessly on your part. While tipping your wedding vendors is never a requirement, it's acceptable for rewarding exceptional service. Don't forget to prepare for tipping exemplary service!”