***Guilty Pleasure !***

[oobiecoo]

Hey there! So I wanted to start a little thread with info for the Bryan area. My cousin in law got married in College Station and had the reception in Bryan at this really amazing mansion type of house. I want to say it even had a little playhouse in the back for kids... and there was a rooster roaming around! So cute! I''m trying so hard to remember what it was called but I''m going to do some searching and find out so I''ll post the name when I find it. They had Madden''s cater. Its a nice restaurant and they set up the food buffet style with nice serving dishes and I believe they served it as well. I don''t remember everything they served but I do remember these slices of roasted pork, grilled vegetables (so good!) and mashed potato martini glasses. They had a few toppings that you could add into the martini glasses as well. It was a spring wedding so the menu was light and perfect for the season! Dinner at Madden''s can be fairly pricey but I don''t think the catering is priced outrageously because the cousin-in-law was on a smaller budget.

The Benjamin Knox gallery in College Station is really great too and I believe they do weddings there. I know they do other types of events all the time because Benjamin loves a good party (and karaoke!). There is a coffee/wine/sandwhich shop attached and has a bar so it would be a good place to serve the food. Outside is a deck with tables and an old train car that you can sit inside as well. And then there is the actual gallery part where guests can walk around and you can maybe put some tables in there. I don''t know how many guests you are inviting but that venue is probably good for no more than 50 or so.

Another reception area is the Brazos Cotton Exchange Ballroom in Bryan. I have an email with info about the Cotton exchange ballroom with lots of pictures. I''m not sure what is available on their website but if you need more pics or info then let me know. Guests can stay at the LaSalle hotel which is pretty nice and historic and right next to the ballroom.


Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[oobiecoo]

I totally forgot about Messina Hof. You''ve probably heard of it but it is a winery/vineyard/restaurant/hotel. I''ve never been to a wedding there but I did have a kind of wedding party there. We had a group of about 10 people and went for a tour and tasting which is fun. You might consider it for something like that!

 

[Guilty Pleasure]

wow, oobiecoo, that is so sweet of you! I didn''t see this until now... I did a search for my name to find the pictures of my ring, and this came up. It''s so funny because over the past month, I have looked at Astin Mansion, Messina Hof, Brazos Cotton Exchange, and been to eat at Madden''s! I wish I had seen your thread when you posted! It''s nice to know you''ve eaten at Madden''s because I chose them for my caterer.

We are having the reception at Downtown 202, which is literally across the street from Cotton Exchange and La Salle Hotel.

Anyways, I really appreciate that you took the time to start this thread and give me so many helpful suggestions. Thank you

 

[aggiebling09]

Date: 11/17/2008 6:53:06 PM
Author: Guilty Pleasure
wow, oobiecoo, that is so sweet of you! I didn''t see this until now... I did a search for my name to find the pictures of my ring, and this came up. It''s so funny because over the past month, I have looked at Astin Mansion, Messina Hof, Brazos Cotton Exchange, and been to eat at Madden''s! I wish I had seen your thread when you posted! It''s nice to know you''ve eaten at Madden''s because I chose them for my caterer.

We are having the reception at Downtown 202, which is literally across the street from Cotton Exchange and La Salle Hotel.

Anyways, I really appreciate that you took the time to start this thread and give me so many helpful suggestions. Thank you

Just had to say, I LOVE downtown 202!! It''s such a gorgeous building...I love the bricks and chandeliers

My sorority has had 2 formals there. Best of luck with your planning!

p.s. are you having sweet memories do your cake? I got my moms bday cake there the other day and it was to die for!!

 

[Guilty Pleasure]

I hadn''t thought about cake yet - thanks for the recommendation! Also, I am so glad that you like it. I was nervous about booking it since it''s very different from the country clubs or other venues I looked at. I wasn''t sure if the beauty was only in my head.

aggiebling, would you mind describing the setup that your sorority used for tables and dance floor etc? We are responsible for bringing in the tables and linens and setting up everything - the venue doesn''t even have a recommended setup! I''m curious to see what others have done

Also, just curious what sorority you are in. I was a DG at A&M when I went there

 

[aggiebling09]

I''m an AXO!! That''s so neat that you were greek too

We had it set up with the bar to the very right wall (near bath rooms) and we had the dance floor also in that room. (with the DJ on the wall in the back) The room to the far left had: poker tables at our first formal there lol and the 2nd yr we had dining tables in there. How many people are you inviting? It''s crazy that they don''t have a recommended set up!

I think we used party time rentals for linens and tables, but I''ll have to double check on that. I also REALLY like working with The Petal Patch for flowers. We''ve used them for formals, recruitment, and a 25th anniversary event in 2007 that I helped plan. (they''re great lol) Like I said earlier, you should definitely check out Sweet Memories or Cinderella Stories for your cake. Ok one last vendor recommendation: photographer. I''ve had friends use Butch Ireland, one friend used Kelvin Morrison, and another use JP Beato III photography. All 3 photographers take amazing pictures! (they really use lighting well)

I hope this helps! Let me know if you need any other vendors or advice. I''m glad to help since I love B/CS!

-aggiebling09

p.s. check our www.brazosvalleybride.com !! I''ve said a few vendors, but they have TONS for you to look into! I''m sure you could find services that are more to your taste on this site.

 

[Guilty Pleasure]

thank you thank you thank you! I really liked two of the photographers you recommended judging by the web sites and have contacted them for pricing information. yay!

 

[aggiebling09]

Guilty pleasure,

I thought about you today when I was in David Gardner''s! They had some gorgeous flower arrangements. I asked them who did them and they said Post Oak Florists. Just thought you should know!

 

[Guilty Pleasure]

oh thanks aggiebling!