Known for its must-see world-class art, Texas cowboy culture, ample shopping, and diverse eateries, Houston has plenty of appeal if you want to make a fun weekend out of your wedding. There’s also no shortage of breathtaking wedding venues to earn your “I do’s.” Top among them? Walters Wedding Estates’ one-of-a-kind spaces, all of which offer romance and character in spades. So, it’s not a matter of if you will fall in love with a venue here; it’s a matter of which.

In this series – called “This or That” – we are focusing on two unique Walters Wedding Estates wedding venues in Houston: Big Sky Barn and Iron Manor. Each brings something different to the table when it comes to style, amenities, features, ceremony, and reception spaces, but both are a masterclass in laid-back luxury with a twist. Find out more about each venue below.

On-Site Chapel

The Chapel at Big Sky Barn

Inside the 3,000-square-foot space of Big Sky Barn’s chapel, you will find a lot to love – especially if you’re looking for a modern-meets-Texas-chic aesthetic. Industrial chandeliers hang from soaring, exposed-beam ceilings, and dark-wood pews lend the space a traditional-but-elevated feel. This is all brightened up by hand-stained and white-washed oak planks that line the walls and the ceiling. But the most breathtaking feature is, of course, the altar. You will get to exchange your vows against a backdrop of floor-to-ceiling windows framed by oak beams – with magical views of the forested landscape outside!

The Chapel at Iron Manor

Iron Manor’s on-site chapel, on the other hand, offers a completely different vibe. If you and your partner are fans of modern-industrial design, this venue is a perfect representation of that aesthetic. Think: exposed iron trusses, herringbone-brick patterned walls, moody-gray ceilings, and crystal chandeliers that imbue the space with a dose of glam. The color palette is overall darker than that of Big Sky Barn, but there’s plenty of light pouring in from the floor-to-ceiling arched windows. Make a dramatic entrance through the 25-foot-tall sliding wooden doors, and when at the altar, expect a stunning view of the fountain outside!

Outdoor Cocktail Area

Big Sky Barn Outdoor Cocktail Area

Once the vows are exchanged, it’s time for cocktail hour! Big Sky Barn’s lush outdoor landscaping allows for an alfresco cocktail hour in the sunshine. Imagine your guests enjoying a post-ceremony break surrounded by greenery, a vintage truck bar, and lots of outdoor games to keep them occupied – giant jenga, cornhole, and an on-theme ring toss! A scenic back patio offers a large couch swing for a restful moment with garden views.

Iron Manor Outdoor Cocktail Area

Iron Manor also provides an open-air option if you want to stage a sun-soaked happy hour for your guests while you sneak off for your photography session. One of the most stunning architectural elements of the venue is the outdoor brick-walled patio, with a bell-shaped facade. Featuring an iron fountain and lantern chandeliers, it’s the perfect place for your guests to sip and mingle around high-top tables under the twinkling string lights.

Reception Space

Big Sky Barn Reception Space

Big Sky Barn’s rustic, luxe-lodge appeal extends through to the reception space, which is outfitted with reclaimed timber beams, oak, hemlock, and pine boards – all sourced from old buildings, barns, and factories. (During cocktail hour, your guests can gather around one-of-a-kind wine barrel tables, or sip their drinks by the grand brick fireplace!) For your reception, imagine this: wooden farmhouse tables, caged chandeliers hanging from large braided ropes, and elegant white drapery. Of course, when the time’s right, a large dance floor offers you and your guests plenty of room to groove the night away!

Iron Manor Reception Space

Iron Manor’s reception venue, called “Crane Hall,” is a beauty in its own right. Exposed brick walls add a dose of warmth and coziness, but it’s really the details that make the space shine. Metal beams and exposed pipes line the ceiling, and an iron chandelier crane can be moved and decorated based on your vision. Another way to customize the space? The iron lattice walls, which can make way for a custom neon sign, floral arrangements, and even a photo booth. You’ll also be hard-pressed to find a more unique bar area. Alongside some delicious cocktails, the steam-engine bar serves up major industrial vibes in the form of metal pipes, visible ducts, and vintage taps.

Photo-Worthy Special Features

Big Sky Barn Setting

Each of these venues have something special to offer – and it’s these standout details and architectural elements that will likely sway your decision one way or the other. Big Sky Barn, for example, features a breathtaking chandelier-lined foot bridge where you can pose for your first look photos or couples’ portraits. (This is a popular, sought-after backdrop that adds a “wow” element to any photography session!) Other backgrounds include a private gazebo drenched in foliage and string lights. One word: dreamy.

Iron Manor Setting

Iron Manor’s castle-like facade is big on storybook undertones, and it makes for a great background when shooting your wedding photos – especially the property’s European-style fountains and well-maintained rose bushes. But there are so many other photo-worthy corners, too. Take your candid “getting ready” snaps inside the venue’s one-of-a-kind bridal suite – outfitted with plush hair-and-makeup stations and lounge furniture. Another must-have in your wedding album? Photos with your wedding party inside the bridal atrium, which boasts a glass ceiling, bathing the space with heavenly natural light. Bonus: an automatic curtain opens to the reception area when it’s time for your grand entrance. (Talk about drama!)

Surrounding Area

If you’re touring wedding venues in the quaint town of Montgomery – one of the oldest in Texas – you’re in luck! That’s because Big Sky Barn and Iron Manor sit just a stone’s throw away from one another, making it easy for you to tour both on the same day. The quiet calm of the surroundings sets the perfect stage for any wedding. Here, you’ll get to enjoy the peace – and the breathtaking natural terrain. Nearby, the glistening Lake Conroe invites you to rest, relax, and recharge before or after your big day!