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    New Wedding Venues

    Seven new area wedding venues guaranteed to exceed every couple's wedding day dreams

    Deborah Elias
    Feb 12, 2016 | 2:30 pm

    The question is popped, the answer leads to excitement and the hard work begins — finding the perfect venue for the perfect wedding.

    In previous stories (Houston's 10 Best Wedding Venues: A cheat sheet for smart brides and grooms and 18 hot and happening event venues: The best places to party special in Houston) we have discussed great wedding venues in the Houston area. Here are some exciting new options for hosting your wedding or special event:

    The Dunlavy

    The revitalization of Buffalo Bayou has delighted many and now there's more to love with the installation of the first venue/restaurant space along Houston's main body of water. The Dunlavy, which sits on the banks of the bayou in an area called Lost Lake, is a stunningly simple space with an impressive collection of crystal chandeliers that flicker off the windows and water. With the Clark Cooper Concepts team at the helm of the culinary experience, this space is surely going to be a force to be reckoned with.

    Houston Oaks

    Houston Oaks, located in Hockley about 35 miles from downtown Houston, is one of the most beautiful places in the area to have a wedding and reception in one place. The owners have installed a sweet little chapel on the property for the ceremony. There are many places to hold the reception but I love the idea of a clear span tent strategically situated under a gorgeous oak tree.

    Citadel on Kirby

    The Citadel on Kirby is a phenomenal new space. Gathering its inspiration from 17th century Scottish castles, it is both elegant and grand. Not only it is perfect for an indoor event, with its 26-foot-high ceilings, but the 30-foot indoor water wall and more than six acres of lush landscaped gardens, fountains, gazebos, and outdoor patios make it the perfect locale for an outdoor event. If you have dreamed of getting married in a castle, this is your space.

    Sylvan Beach Pavilion

    Sylvan Beach Pavilion is a landmark venue located in La Porte on Galveston Bay. Even though it is a historic property, it underwent a $15 million renovation in 2013 that creates a more modern feeling, with large windows and a teakwood deck space. Its most celebrated feature is the 10,000-square-foot glass-walled ballroom with a 3,600-foot circular dance floor. The is a special space that offers couples of all budget ranges a variety of robust packages.

    Waters Edge

    Waters Edge is waterfront venue located on two and a half acres facing the shores of Clear Lake. Guests can enjoy scenic views while sitting on the 2,500-square-foot patio that includes a fire pit to enjoy the spectacular view. The property also features a lighted pier and gazebo located over the water for those wishing to have a truly unique and romantic ceremony. The venue is decorated with modern touches, which makes a unique canvas for any event. One of the best features is the ability to launch a fireworks extravaganza, a rarity inside the Houston city limits.

    The Overlook

    Built on a secluded 22 acres with American Craftsman architectural elements, this charming space is located in Atascocita. The main building overlooks six acres of ponds in the woods near the Lake Houston area and has a lot of southern charm. Executive chef Julio Avila and wife Tiffany Avila of The Hometown Chef Catering Co. are sure to please the palate with their food and beverage selections.With a variety of ceremony and reception spaces to choose from and the ability to have a D.I.Y wedding or choose from all-inclusive packages, this venue can meet all budget ranges.

    The Bougainvilleas

    Located 20 minutes west of the Galleria area and only five minutes west of the Beltway, The Bougainvilleas is a true delight — featuring two ballrooms, a chapel, a wine room, a bridal suite, and a groom's room. The stunning floral entrance will surely captivate your guests' attention. The grand ballroom can seat up to 350 and with several package options to choose from with the basics including linens, cake, nonalcoholic beverages, and some decor elements, this is perfect for the budget-conscious couple.

    CultureMap contributor Deborah Elias is the founder of Elias Events.

    Houston Oaks, located in Hockley about 35 miles from downtown Houston, is one of the most beautiful places in the area to have a wedding and reception in one place.

    Houston Oaks
    Photo courtesy of Houston Oaks
    Houston Oaks, located in Hockley about 35 miles from downtown Houston, is one of the most beautiful places in the area to have a wedding and reception in one place.
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    Texas tragedy

    Camp Mystic halts reopening plan after outrage by families, lawmakers

    Associated Press
    Apr 30, 2026 | 3:00 pm
    Memorial Service Held For Young Camper Killed In Hill Country Floods
    Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
    Pink and green bows signifying a young camper who was lost in the Hill Country floods.

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Camp Mystic on Thursday, April 30 halted reopening plans on the Texas river where floodwaters killed 25 girls and two teenage counselors, backing down in the face of outraged families and investigations that accused the all-girls Christian camp of dangerous safety and operational deficiencies.

    The decision, a striking reversal of the camp owners' determination to reopen, follows weeks of testimony in court hearings and legislative investigations. Those hearings laid bare the camp’s lack of detailed planning for a flood emergency, reliance on poorly trained staff, and missed chances for an evacuation that came too late as floodwaters ripped through the camp over the July 4 weekend last year.

    “We never imagined a world without our daughters, and no decision made now can change that," Matthew Childress, father of 18-year-old counselor Chloe Childress who died, said in a statement.

    The camp’s owner, Dick Eastland, also died in the flooding.

    “No administrative process or summer season should move forward while families continue to grieve, while investigations continue and while so many Texans still carry the pain of last July’s tragedy,” Camp Mystic said in a statement.

    A spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed Thursday that the camp has withdrawn its application.

    The decision was praised by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who opposed the camp's reopening while investigations were ongoing.

    “I am thankful to hear that, today, the Eastland family withdrew their application,” Patrick said in a statement. “Given the tragic circumstances, this is the correct decision to protect Texas campers and to allow time for all investigations to be completed.”

    The families of the victims packed the court and legislative hearings, often wearing “Heaven’s 27” pins with photographs of their daughters. They listened to the details of missed flood warning signs, the descriptions of the flood and the decision to leave the girls in their cabins until it was too late. The testimony included video of the raging floodwaters as a girl repeatedly screamed for “help!” somewhere in the distance.

    Edward Eastland, one of the camp directors and a member of the Eastland family that owns and operates the 100-year-old camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River, offered a tearful public apology to the victims’ families on Tuesday.

    “We tried our hardest that night. It wasn’t enough to save your daughters,” Eastland said, with the victims' families sitting behind him. “I’m so sorry.”

    All told, the destructive flooding killed at least 136 people along a several-mile stretch of the river, raising questions about how things went so terribly wrong.

    Texas health regulators have said they are investigating hundreds of complaints against the camp's owners. The Texas Rangers are also looking into allegations of neglect, according to the Texas Department of Safety, although the scope of the state’s elite investigations unit was not immediately clear.

    The camp, established in 1926, did not evacuate as the storm rolled in and was hit hard when the river rose from 14 feet (4.2 meters) to 29.5 feet (9 meters) within 60 minutes.

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