Tucked away on a side street in an unassuming but convenient part of the Brays Oaks Management District, The Villagio takes wedding planning to a new level. That’s why the 16,000 square foot event facility is a popular destination for wedding ceremonies and receptions.
The planning is often a time of worries and woes for couples who desire a large wedding with all of the bells and whistles. It can take a lot of time to search for and review available subcontractors and vendors needed for an event of this type. Prices need to be checked and weighed against others, references must be checked. Then there is also tension in hoping that each one shows up and fulfills their end of the contract.
But as full service event facility, The Villagio takes the worry out of the planning process. Managed by Trish Nguyen, who got into the wedding planning business 25 years, the facility hosts one event a week in a typical year. For the past ten years, they have hosted such events every week of the year before the pandemic.
“We are an all-inclusive facility and have been very highly rated on The Knot and Wedding Wire (web sites), winning awards too, because we do it all from A to Z in wedding planning,” Nguyen said. “We take the stress out of having to do any planning and we can take care of every need for the event.”
With a chapel, a ballroom that can accommodate up to 500 guests, and a “rose garden” courtyard for outdoor ceremonies, 90 percent of their business is weddings. Since they do not have an alcohol license, the only thing they cannot provide is liquor, but allow it to be brought into the facility.
Other than that, Villagio packages can include all food, non-alcoholic beverages, cake, photography, decorations, flowers, music and DJ.
Couples planning a wedding just have to make a visit to review and choose a package, and Nguyen and her staff does the rest. After that, the wedding couple just has to show up and enjoy their occasion.
Their website is filled with glowing reviews of the facility and so are the bridal websites. Wedding Wire has awarded them their Couples Choice award for the past seven years. Nguyen points to several examples of these kinds of reviews:
“The ceremony and reception was absolutely gorgeous! It was everything I could have dreamed of and so much more, and Trish and the vendors associated with her were professional, polished, and on time with everything that needed to be delivered to have a perfect wedding. She gave me my perfect wedding, and we have received so many compliments on the wedding, and all 220 of our guest had such a great time. I highly recommend booking at her venue, and take it from a previous bride, this is a decision you would not regret!”
— Christine, married April 14th, 2018
The pandemic year has been a challenge to many businesses and Villagio is no different.
The facility allowed small gatherings and followed all safety protocols.
Nguyen looks forward to a time when the business can return to normal; They are already fully booked for each and every weekend in 2022.
“It has been a difficult year but we are grateful to have continued to receive future bookings,” Nguyen said.
Aside from running a thriving business, the owners and management have a big heart in that they make a donation to the Houston Food Bank each time an event is booked with them.
“We made a pledge (to do so) and we are proud of our work in that,” Nguyen said. We do not want people to go hungry so we will continue with that.”
10901 Braes Bend Drive
281-352-0903
www.villagiohouston.com
— By Arlene Nisson Lassin
