AvantGarden is a historically rich wedding venue in Houston, TX. This charming estate was originally built in 1896 and has been carefully maintained over the years to keep up its breathtaking architecture. Its vibrantly colored exterior and open-air event spaces make for a one-of-a-kind backdrop to your ceremony and reception. It’s also located near Montrose and the Museum District, for your guests to have many attractions to enjoy during your wedding weekend.
With its eclectic decor and choice of four indoor and outdoor spaces, AvantGarden acts as a memorable setting to host your life-changing events. This intimate property can accommodate anything from romantic elopements to weddings with 100 attendees. Guests will enter via the decorated entrance gate to the Front Court and porch which offers a relaxing view of the street during small get-togethers. A small romantic fountain sits on the red brick patio to add a tranquil atmosphere to your big day. Inside the main house are two intimate spaces, the upstairs Citron Room and downstairs AvantRoom, for you and your guests to mingle throughout the evening. You will be welcome to use the in-house get-ready area, for you and your wedding party to complete your finishing touches before your ceremony. Couples can exchange their vows on the secluded back patio, with strings of bistro lights hanging overhead to add a romantic touch. Lush green plants surround the space, to give your altar a visually rich aesthetic. You will also have access to three separate bars onsite, fully stocked with a variety of beverages from premium liquors to tea and coffee.
The team at AvantGarden will work closely with you, to ensure you have an unforgettable event. They happily work with both local and out-of-state couples and offer their space as a setting for destination weddings. Onsite catering is available, from hors d’oeuvres to desserts, to give you and your guests a variety of mouthwatering creations to choose from. Servers and bartenders can be present on your big day to ensure that all of your loved ones are cared for throughout the night.
Civil Union, Commitment Ceremony, Elopement, Interfaith Ceremony, Non-Religious Ceremony, Religious Ceremony, Second Wedding, Vow Renewal Ceremony
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks, Cakes & Desserts, Cupcakes, Other Desserts, Destination Weddings, Destination Wedding Planning, Food & Catering, Planning, Se Habla Español, Rentals & Equipment, Service Staff
Settings
Backyard, Ballroom, Garden, Historic Venue
Business Attributes
Woman-owned Business
Pricing for AvantGarden
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Affordable
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Peak Season Bar Service Cost
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AvantGarden Reviews
Jovana Popovich(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-09-2019 From our first meeting to the end of our wedding night, Mariana was a such calming presence. Mariana is such an expert in what she does, and to be quite honest, I don't know if I would have been able to plan my wedding without Mariana's help. My husband and I both have jobs that keep us pretty busy, and knowing that someone else could take care of pretty much everything surrounding our wedding was a true life saver. She made planning our wedding such a breeze - I actually felt guilty a few times when people asked me if I was stressed out by wedding planning because I really had no reason to be stressed. I knew that Mariana was taking care of everything. For example, for the flower centerpieces for the tables for the reception, I just sent her some inspiration photos and said, if you could do something similar to this, that would be great. The result was fantastic and beautiful and honestly, better than anything I could have suggested.Our wedding ended up being even better than we could have ever hoped (and we had pretty high hopes/expectations!) and it was due to Mariana and her wonderful staff. Don't be fooled by the fact that the venue is a bar during the week, Mariana and her staff were so professional and so on top of it that this could have been a wedding in the fanciest and most expensive venue in town. The bartenders were very generous, the staff were so kind, and the food was amazing! We used both the pizza oven (for the cocktail hour) and the taco truck (for dinner) and we received so many compliments! A lot of people mentioned to us that it was the best food they ever had at a wedding and others were excited to find out the taco truck was permanently there so they could come back and eat there again. I'm so happy I picked Avant Garden for our wedding venue - it was truly perfect! Reviewed on 07-10-2019
Zack Kirby(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We just had our wedding here and we can't say enough good things about this place. It's whismical and unpretentiously beautiful.The food served from the taco truck and the buffet with a lot of side dishes was great! Our guests loved the idea!The staff was extremely helpful with the entire setup and clean up. They took care of every detail, coordinating and decorations.Marianna and Bella were very easy to work with and made the whole process stress free for me and my wife. They really did an amazing job and answered all our questions and were very responsive from the beginning of pur wedding planning. Also the dj, cake, desserts were all very good.We are so glad to have chosen AvantGarden for our wedding! Zack and Alice Reviewed on 31-12-2023
Renee Dylan(other)5 out of 5 Rating
My husband and I are highschool sweethearts.We agreed to get married when we found the perfect place that described our personalities. Years later we found AvantGarden by chance and fell in love with the old mansion. We also wanted a patio wedding, AvantGarden provided both. We hosted 137 guests. The ambiance is amazing. Eclectic and authentic, elegant and fun. The food from the taco truck is a delicious tribute to our own special local Tex-Mex style in Houston. The dj and the staff were amazing. The florist made me a gorgeous bouquet, exactly what I envisioned. And Mariana was so attentive to every detail! She made the planning easy and fun for us. We couldn't have dreamed of a better celebration! Reviewed on 30-12-2023
Dougie Steinbach(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Marianna was so great and Avant Garden was a beautiful venue! We were a bit indecisive and she had amazing suggestions for how to make our wedding special and memorable. The taco truck was delicious and everyone enjoyed it. Everything went smoothly day of, we would gladly recommend her and Avant Garden! Reviewed on 20-11-2023
Cristal P(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Mariana was amazing. Her composure and adaptability to one of the hottest days in Houston was amazing! She made so effortless and worry-free it was all I could ask for. Thanks so much, Mariana for making our special day truly special! Reviewed on 11-11-2023
Matthew Moriarty(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We can’t say enough positive things about our wedding experience at Avantgarden. We had never been to Avantgarden before, but after meeting Mariana and seeing the venue my wife and I both had no doubt it was the place we wanted to hold our wedding. The venue itself has such a funky and cool vibe, truly a gem in the heart of Montrose. Mariana is an absolute pro. She worked with us to create a wedding package that was right for us. We never had any doubts that she had everything under control from the planning and logistics aspect. She also has such a calming vibe that really helped put our minds at ease leading up to the wedding. Everything went so smoothly on the day of the wedding: The tacos and cake were fantastic, the staff was so kind and accommodating, and the DJ really took our song recommendations and created an amazing and unique playlist. We heard from so many guests that it was the best wedding they’ve ever been to. Thank you again to everyone who helped make our wedding so special. Reviewed on 05-11-2023
Tahisha Desir(other)5 out of 5 Rating
I had my wedding on 10/15 and I had a wonderful day thanks to Mariana and AvantGarden. Many brides say that the wedding goes by quickly and they remind you to enjoy it - Mariana made sure that I enjoyed my day. If anything went wrong, I surely didn't notice or know about it. When we ran behind schedule, Mariana was able to pivot quickly and seemlessly. My guests have been raving about the uniqueness of the venue and the use of space. They also loved the taco truck and thought it was a nice touch. AvantGarden is the perfect venue if you're looking for a garden wedding aesthetic in a space that has charm, character, and quirkiness. Reviewed on 02-11-2023
Brooke Bailey(other)5 out of 5 Rating
I recently had a wedding at Avant Garden and it was the wedding of my dreams. I wanted a wedding with warmth, beauty and mystery, where little girls danced with their dads and people fell in love in candlelit corners and longtime couples reconnected under the moon, and we danced until we could dance no more. This is exactly how it is at a wedding at Avant Garden. The enchanting old house has a dark sparkly New Orleans meets Houston Montrose feeling. The paper lanterns and garden and flowers felt like a fairyland (and all the photographs reflect that) . Our guests loved the food! That taco truck is outstanding. Everybody was delighted. The cheese board and sweets table was also delicious and beautiful, and the cake (Tres Leches style from a famous East End Houston bakery) was a big hit. Mariana has a fantastic staff and they have got weddings down to a T. They seamlessly guided the events of the evening. I didn’t have to worry about a thing. The valet parking was great, and the DJ was so friendly and had a great sense of how to keep the party going. As for the bartender- even the New Orleans guests were impressed and that’s saying something. (If you know, you know.)I especially loved the little after-party upstairs. I honestly can’t think of any other venue that would let you party until 2 AM. Avant Garden has a long history here in Montrose, and it brought back the days of dancing at the venue back when it was Helios and before that, Mausoleum. Throughout all of this, Mariana was a quiet but constant presence. We had our ceremony elsewhere (Avant Garden was the reception venue) and she even came to this other location to help. A few things that may be helpful to potential brides:As mentioned, we had the ceremony elsewhere although most people have it at Avant Garden. I wish I had hired a day-of planner because so many things came up (rental car! pay the mariachis! Etc). If you choose to have a ceremony elsewhere I would hire a day-of planner. If you have the whole thing at Avant Garden you will be fine without one.I might have hired a florist for my bouquet, bridesmaids bouquets and the boutonnieres for the guys because the Avant Garden flowers are not as polished as a professional florist. That is not to say the flowers were not beautiful, it is just a little personal thing of mine. If you like a more bohemian look you will be delighted with Avant Garden bouquets. I wish I had gotten some pictures posing on the Avant Garden balcony. It’s such a gorgeous shot, but I was too busy dancing!I wish the Houston weather had been a little cooler. If you want a wedding in the cooler months, be sure to reserve 6 months or more in advance. That said, there were fans and it was not too bad. The upstairs after party was air conditioned.Some reviews mention that Mariana did not show up for a planned initial meeting. This happened to us, but everything turned out okay. If it happens to you just eat at the taco truck and reschedule. She will come through.Mariana has been active in the Montrose arts community for many years. She has preserved a physical historic space and also a cultural one. Apart from my wedding, I am grateful for her contributions to Montrose. Thank you so much Mariana!Our family and friends all told us how unique and beautiful the wedding was, and what a wonderful time they had. Reviewed on 22-10-2023
Amanda Hammons(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-04-2023 We recently had our wedding at AvantGarden and it was absolutely amazing! Mariana is incredibly dedicated to ensuring that the day goes as perfectly as possible. She has lots of experience coordinating weddings and knew how to handle every little thing that came up. In the planning stages, she instantly understood the aesthetic we were going for, and it was executed perfectly. We were blown away by the flowers, taco truck, cake, and the wonderful staff. Mariana and her staff set up all the decorations and dance floor props we brought, and helped gather all our things at the end of the night. They also had fun with us - the DJ danced all night long and the bartenders wore our LED flower crowns, which made us so happy! It felt like everyone wanted to celebrate with us. Our guests had a blast and we received lots of comments about how fun the wedding was. They raved about how delicious the tacos were. The venue is unique, charming, and so beautiful - especially under the lights at dinner. The atmosphere is magical and dream-like, and the venue photographs beautifully as well. We have zero reservations when it comes to recommending AvantGarden! Reviewed on 03-05-2023
Meredith Sanders(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 16-04-2023 I LOVED having my wedding at Avant Garden! Mariana is so knowledgeable and experienced with hundreds of wedding on her belt, that I just had to answers questions and she took care of the rest! She planned it, coordinated it the day of, decorated, had a whole crew for setup/shutdown, and ALL within a very reasonable price point. Service was amazing, the crew were quick background players, she was so sweet and patient with me, and I have already recommended this place to other people. 10/10. Reviewed on 18-04-2023
Jacquelyn Brenna(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-03-2023 We had our wedding at Avant Garden two weeks ago (March 26, 2023), and it was truly amazing! I'm a planner at heart so it was difficult for me to let go of managing all of the details, but I couldn't be happier with the results. Avant Garden is such a cool space and very unique! Our event was fun and high quality without being stuffy or overly formal. I also feel like you get SO MUCH bang for your buck with this venue. You'd be hard pressed to find another all inclusive venue at this price point in any major city - plus she does discounts for Sundays and holiday weekends. We did the all inclusive package which came with flowers, DJ, food, cake, bar, decor, and day of coordination. 100% worth it, and if considering Avant Garden I can't recommend enough to go with this package. Let's break all of these components down a bit…\t• Food - The taco truck is truly top notch - every guest was raving about the food. There are great options for vegetarians and gluten intolerant guests as well. They also do an option for late night pizza - we opted out because we were on a budget but I'm sure it's amazing.\t• Bar - Since Avant Garden is an actual bar people could get anything from a complicated/gourmet cocktail to a basic mixer. Legitimate cocktails! And we had the bar open before the ceremony which is extra fun.\t• Flowers - Absolutely gorgeous! All I did was send Mariana a Pinterest board and she made it come to life.\t• DJ - The DJ was fine, but not amazing. He was a professional and followed our instructions for the processional and recessional, but didn't really follow our guidelines on the 'party' music. Nonetheless, we had a super fun dance party and it was a good time.\t• Décor - Mariana has amazing stuff in her inventory and the space looked beautiful. The only thing you will have to provide are signs and photos. Here is a list of everything we brought - welcome sign, seating chart, table numbers, ceremony 'reserved row' signs, framed photos of couple, 'guest book' sign, 'gifts & cards' sign\t• Cake - Mariana works with a local bakery and the cake was gorgeous! We did a two tier, the top chocolate and base tres leches with floral decorations.\t• Day of Coordination - Not much to say here other than that Mariana is a true professional and kept us in mind all evening. She even blew air conditioning on our sweet heart table during dinner so we wouldn't get too sweaty!Five stars across the board - You cannot go wrong getting married at Avant Garden!! Reviewed on 12-04-2023
Michael Pham(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-01-2023 We had our wedding at AvantGarden a few weeks ago, and it was great! The process was smooth, the staff members were attentive and kind, the DJ was great, and the place was beautiful. The food truck and pizza was delicious. In the planning stages, Mariana was great at answering our questions and helping us figure out what would work best for our wedding day. Our families also mentioned how much they appreciated Mariana's knowledge and calm personality on the day of.We highly recommend AvantGarden! During and after the wedding, our guests told us how much they love the space. Having such specialized bartenders on site also made it easy for us and our guests to get whichever drink we wanted. Overall, we had a great experience and are excited to go back and visit. Reviewed on 04-02-2023
Heaven Stephens(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-12-2022 Our wedding at Avant Garden was beautiful, fun and everything unfolded effortlessly. Mariana and her staff were very attentive. The DJ recommended by Mariana was on point with the music, the food was tasty (we went with taco truck), and the drinks were good. The venue is spacious, and they transform this place into something very special for weddings. Our flower arrangements – especially my flower crown and bouquet - were stunning and exactly what I wanted. Our vegan dessert, cakes, especially our gluten free cake were delicious. As a coordinator, Mariana worked hard to create our vision, incorporated our feedback and collaborated with us on some creative things we wanted to do differently. Our night was magical, and everyone had a great time. P.S. Mariana is very good at what she does. Trust Mariana. Reviewed on 18-01-2023
Fallon Hamilton(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-12-2022 We chose Avant Garden to host our December 17th, 2022, wedding and it was a true and utter dream. Mariana the owner, eased all our concerns and delivered us the most beautiful wedding day we could have imagined. The venue fit perfectly with the mystic fairy tale wedding I envisioned and is an all-purpose facility. We were able to host our ceremony there, use the covered patio for a sit-down dinner hosted by the taco truck housed in the parking lot, and use the 2nd floor area for a dance party after the reception. The decor provided was stunning, and the building played a part in making sure our theme was executed to a tee. Mariana has a full staff that works for her, and they effortlessly set up every detail of our wedding. Bar service was available, as well as full waitstaff. The food was amazing, and the self- serve taco truck was a hit amongst our guests. They designed my bouquet which I thought was beautiful, and had the venue decorated to my liking. Every concern I had was quickly addressed. My now husband and I will be forever grateful to Mariana and the Avant Garden family for everything. If you are looking for an eclectic hidden gem in plain sight with old school vintage charm. Our only complaint is that we wished we could do it again every weekend and have Mariana continuously re-create our wedding day. We HIGHLY recommend. Reviewed on 06-01-2023
Katelyn Allen(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-12-2022 I've read a lot of reviews about how accommodating AvantGarden is for events, but I'm not sure anybody can top our experience. Our wedding was set for what turned out to be the absolute coldest day of the polar vortex around Christmas, and Mariana and her staff were able to move the entire wedding inside and still make it look absolutely magical. They did not miss a beat and kept the whole event going seamlessly, keeping our stress levels low and making sure everybody had a great time. Their timing for everything was on point and all of our guests told us how beautiful everything turned out! I am absolutely recommending AvantGarden to any and everybody in Texas! Reviewed on 27-12-2022
Christie Allen(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 19-11-2022 We absolutely recommend AvantGarden for couples who are looking to have an authentic, colorful, and relaxed wedding! The music, ambience, and charm had our guests raving about the fun and beauty of our special day. I was drawn to this venue because I spent many years living in the heart of New Orleans, embracing the richness of courtyard gardens and classic architecture. That made AvantGarden such an easy pic. I also loved that we could provide our guests from all over the United States a chance to experience a touch of the classic and authentic feel of this diverse and cultured city.I must also add that our day was very cold and rainy. This did not disrupt our experience in the least. Mariana and her team did an exceptional job reassuring me throughout the day leading up to our ceremony that all would be marvelous despite the terrible weather. The patio where the ceremony and dinner took place was covered and heated well. Lastly, the food truck was awesome! Efficient and incredibly tasty. Reviewed on 04-12-2022
Tricia Padich(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-10-2022 My husband and I could not have dreamt up a more magical day! Mariana and her team did an amazing job executing our vision. Our friends and family are still raving about what an amazing wedding it was! I would 100% recommend AvantGarden for your big day. Reviewed on 02-12-2022
Tylor Higgins(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-11-2022 Mariana was fantastic. the venue was beautiful and everything was taken care of for us down to the smallest detail. when it came time for our special day, the venue, the food, and the coordination were truly the least of our worry. would highly recommend. Reviewed on 02-12-2022
Jim Holland(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-11-2022 Mariana (owner and wedding planner for AvantGarden) is a real treasure in the Houston wedding scene. While you're wedding will need to fit within certain parameters, Mariana ensures that it is tailored to your desires and that the event goes off without a hitch - well, except for the expected one :) From our first meeting she was engaged with our process and eager to make our special day truly outstanding! In particular, I appreciated how her wedding packages cover all the various vendors you'd otherwise need to arrange ala carte (e.g. bar staff, DJ, catering) and each vendor was of the highest quality. We did need to find our own Hair & Makeup and Photographers but even there Mariana had a list of vendors who had worked at AvantGarden which was a big help!The day before, Mariana was there for our rehearsal, ready to help. We were perhaps not as prepared as the average couple yet Mariana was there to help us structure the ceremony - and added some flourishes that could only be done at a venue like AvantGarden! The day of, Mariana and her staff worked tirelessly to keep everything running smoothly. When we would get distracted by friends and family, Mariana was ready to usher the party onto the next phase so that we were able to have all the celebration we could ask for without incurring overage charges from the vendors!All in all, an excellent experience and Mariana herself ensures that an event at AvantGarden will get you a great bang for your buck - not to mention a wonderful event. Reviewed on 28-11-2022
Jacob Carpenter(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 16-10-2022 We can't recommend AvantGarden enough after our October 2022 wedding. It's the perfect place for couples looking for a beautiful, well-run venue with tons of character. My fiancée and I weren't interested in a ballroom-type reception, and we loved the laid-back but elegant atmosphere at AvantGarden. We also appreciated that Mariana and her team make everything really easy and take care of a lot of details (at a great value, too). Admittedly, we were a tiny bit nervous ahead of the wedding because Mariana seemed so relaxed about everything coming together. But all of the reviews were right: Mariana and her team make everything go off without a hitch. The staff were exceptional, coordinating with vendors (including our all-important frozen margarita machine provider) and making sure everything went seamlessly during the reception. The decorations were beautiful, especially for the flowers and centerpieces (we just offered some thoughts on what we wanted, and Mariana's team made it happen). The DJ made sure everyone had a blast. The late-night pizza was great (even if we were stuffed by then). We were just thrilled with how everything went on our wedding night, and all credit goes to the AvantGarden crew. Reviewed on 24-10-2022
Courtney Hargy(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-02-2022 After researching many venues online we came across Avant Garden. We thought it could be the venue for us so we rushed to schedule an appointment. After touring the venue and meeting with Mariana we knew that same day we’d be married at Avant Garden. Having a taco truck at our wedding was always a goal for us and the option to have oven brick pizza was a bonus. Mariana was very helpful throughout the whole process. As a bride I was worried about the rain and cold weather. Mariana has a way of calming you down and reassuring you that everything will be great. And everything was amazing. Having her as the day of coordinator was a blessing. The flowers were exactly what I had envisioned, the table decor was perfect. Our guests loved the taco truck, there was so many options. The uniqueness of the venue is perfect for those who do not want to be in one room. Having three bars worked out great. The DJ was easy to work with and handled the night perfectly. The 360 camera was a last minute add on and we can’t stop watching the videos. Our guests really enjoyed it. Our signature drinks were exactly what we wanted. An old fashioned for the groom and a blueberry lemon drop for the bride. The sparkler exit was the perfect way to end the night. Our family and friends can’t stop talking about how much fun they had at our wedding. February 26th,2022 was the best day ever! Thank you Mariana. Reviewed on 12-07-2022
Kristine C(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-04-2022 I could not say enough good things. Mariana and her team are exceptional! She was so calm which kept me calm the day of the wedding. We went the with more expensive all inclusive package and it was worth every penny. Our friends and family loved the venue. We can’t wait to go back to celebrate our many anniversaries! Reviewed on 11-04-2022
Brandon Davies(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-01-2022 Had our wedding and reception here on a Saturday and couldn't be happier with how everything turned out. Mariana is an absolute all-star, and her venue is unbeatable for 100-125 guests. All 3 bars were stocked and staffed by fantastic bartenders. Her DJ was outstanding and easy to work with - I sent him a list of songs for each phase, he picked up the vibe and rolled with it. The lighting, decor, flowers, succulents... literally everything Mariana put together was amazing and I'm eternally grateful to her for putting it all together and coordinating all the fine details. 11/10 Reviewed on 31-03-2022
James Rivera(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-12-2021 My husband and I were married at Avant Gardens in December 2021. The event was beautiful and romantic and incredibly fun. Every detail was thought out and executed perfectly. I have been told by many friends that their wedding day was stressful and that they spent so much time worrying about the details that they barely had time to enjoy themselves. This was not the case for us. We were so well taken care of that our only job that day was to have fun and enjoy every moment. Our meetings with Mariana prior to the event were wonderful. She listened to our ideas and offered guidance. On the date of the wedding every element of the wedding and reception reflected our ideas and elevated them. The place settings, flowers, cake, food and décor all exceeded our expectations. We could not have been more pleased with our experience. It was truly the happiest day of my life. Reviewed on 23-03-2022
Eric and Diana Garza(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-02-2022 It’s been a little over a month since our beautiful wedding at Avant Garden, and we could not have chosen a better venue for our families and friends to celebrate such an important day with us. From our first meeting with Mariana, we knew we’d found the right place. Avant Garden is such a charming old house with plenty of indoor and outdoor space, very centrally located in Montrose (the neighborhood where my wife and I met and spent so much of the early years of our relationship), and the available wedding packages make planning such a breeze - we were incredibly happy to let Mariana and her team take care of the catering (El Palomo is INCREDIBLE – our guests still rave to us about how much they enjoyed the tacos and the taco truck setup), beautiful flower arrangements (around the venue as well as centerpieces, corsages, boutonnieres, etc), linens, valet parking, DJ, and amazing wedding cake. We brought our own photographer and photo booth and Avant Garden handled everything else! Throughout the process Mariana was able to help us make decisions based on her years of experience and was also very flexible in accommodating a pandemic-related postponement. Wedding day execution was flawless - every single member of her team is so warm and friendly, and they made sure our guests had such a fun time. It’s impressive how quickly and seamlessly they transition the space from ceremony to dinner while guests are none the wiser as they enjoy cocktail hour on the front patio, and on our particularly chilly wedding day the heat lamps were more than adequate to make sure no one was uncomfortable. The upstairs dance floor was so much fun, and Mariana’s recommendation that we put our photo booth up there was spot-on. Bars are located outside, inside and upstairs, so no one is ever very far from more dancefloor fuel. Absolutely get the sparkler send-off too – it was great. We wholeheartedly recommend Avant Garden and Mariana for your wedding. Reviewed on 07-03-2022
Janine Mae Dela Cueva(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-02-2022 AvantGarden was an amazing venue for our wedding, and without a doubt the right choice. The patio was beautifully decorated with twinkle lights, elegant chandeliers, white linens, and hanging lanterns that mixed with the outdoor greenery that created an un-matched atmosphere. The entire staff were friendly, and served/assisted our guests with a warm welcoming attitude - as if they were another happy guest who were excited to be part of our big day. Like every other wedding, we had our fair share of hiccups - but they were handled swiftly and professionally by the owner and wedding coordinator Mariana. She went above and beyond to ensure we enjoyed our day, and kept as much off our plate as she could. We can't thank her enough for all her efforts. We're still hearing from friends and family about how much fun they had, and how beautiful the wedding was. Reviewed on 17-02-2022
Stephen Tyson(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-01-2022 Absolutely the best wedding. Mariana and her staff made the planning and execution of our wedding easy and stressless. The recommended vendors were also spectacular (especially the photographer and the food truck). Mariana was patient with us as we postponed the wedding several times due to the pandemic. A lot of my friends saw price hikes and canceled plans, but Mariana thoroughly explained the differences in cost and worked with us to keep the cost at the original price although her and her staff were affected by the pandemic. Reviewed on 08-02-2022
Yiming Li-Tyson(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-01-2022 Having my wedding at AvantGarden was a DREAM COME TRUE, truly MAGICAL experience! The venue is so unique and everywhere you look could be a frame of art with one of kind decorations, sculptures, fountains, plants, staircases, etc... It is also unbelievable to watch the area transform into wedding venue with the drapes, flowers, amazing center pieces and candles etc - truly unique, romantic, intimate atmosphere. Mariana was an absolute pleasure to work with. We had a difficult wedding planning process navigating through COVID and multiple postpones/reschedules. Mariana was always calm, professional, kind, and acted as our emotional support during this process. She has so much experience planning/coordinating weddings at the venue and it was amazing to watch her work and learning how passionate she is about the venue and what she does for the community. Mariana also gave us multiple amazing vendor referrals for the local area such as photographer and cake, which made the planning process a lot easier. Food and music were also fantastic and so memorable. All the guests enjoyed the Taco Truck , snacks, and amazing drinks that were served at the wedding. Many still raved about the tacos many days after the wedding. DJ was awesome and we had the best dance party!Thank you Mariana for an unforgettable night!! Reviewed on 07-02-2022
Rhonna Wu(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-01-2022 We would highly recommend AvantGarden for the central location, beautiful outdoor patios, multiple full bars, and Mariana! AvantGarden's customizable packages mean you can be as hands-on or hands-off as you'd like. My husband and I are both very busy so it was important that we choose a vendor we could trust to run the show. Owner and coordinator, Mariana, was that person. Right from the start, we could tell she knew what she was doing. I showed her my Pinterest inspiration boards, and she executed my vision flawlessly. She coordinated with our other vendors, moved our schedule along day of, and was communicative and responsive throughout. There was a lot of uncertainty (COVID, fluctuating guest list, weather), but Mariana worked with us to ensure our day went smoothly. The venue was beautiful, and we all had so much fun - our guests are still raving about their specialty cocktails! With how stressful a wedding can be, my husband and I are grateful that ours turned out as we envisioned and that we could actually enjoy it. Thank you AvantGarden and Mariana! Reviewed on 05-02-2022
WILLIAM PAYNE(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-01-2022 The venue was fantastic and Mariana did a great job leading up to the wedding as well as coordinating day-of activities. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better venue and wedding coordinator than Avant Garden and Mariana! Reviewed on 05-02-2022
Abby Hagan(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-10-2021 Working with Mariana and the AvantGarden team was amazing. We live out of state, and with Covid we were never actually able to meet in person, but despite that things went incredibly smoothly. They worked with our budget and communicated clearly. I personally get overwhelmed with too many details, and having a package where I didn't have to figure out every little tiny thing was a dream. The floral team perfectly nailed the flowers based just on my Pinterest boards and aesthetic ideas; the visuals were better than I could have hoped. The venue was the perfect size for our wedding of 55 and I loved the variety that the space offered. I really loved the burlesque-y vintage vibe of the building and patio. One of the BEST parts was the food; I'm from Houston and am a huge snob about Mexican food, and the food truck that catered the event was some of the best I've ever eaten. I'm also vegan and they had tons of amazing food and I didn't feel like I was missing anything in my meal. (The meat eaters loved it too!) All in all it was a dreamy day and I would highly recommend this venue to anyone! Reviewed on 17-11-2021
Kiley Simpson(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-10-2021 Mariana did an absolutely amazing job with our wedding. She gave us suggestions for things we could do that turned out being some of the most complimented touches of the wedding!! She had everything put together for us, including super precious desserts and an amazing dj. I didn't have to worry about anything at all. Guests complimented the venue all night! It was so beautiful and different from what a lot of people had seen. I will be forever grateful that I chose this venue. Reviewed on 11-11-2021
Kim Nguyen(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-10-2021 We wanted an all inclusive venue so that we can have our event as stress free as possible, thankfully, we found the Avant Garden. Mariana and the staff at the Avant Garden went over and beyond for our special day, everything was just how we imagined it would be! We had to make so many changes, from moving our date, to add more guests, and every small details, Mariana took care of it all. We couldn’t be happier that we chose the Avant Garden. Reviewed on 19-10-2021
Catie Cohen(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-10-2021 amazing venue. we had our wedding there and cannot recommend it highly enough. we loved the vibe of the venue, and the owner set it up even better than I could have imagined on the day of. all of the details that I did not think of she did and made that day stress free and fun. she helped us postpone our wedding twice and even caught some wedding crashers so they weren't on our bar tab. :) Reviewed on 19-10-2021
Jade K(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-09-2021 I wish I had enough words to capture how amazing our wedding at AvantGarden was. The venue is absolutely stunning and so unique. From the cozy little attic suite where you can get dressed to the sparkly twinkle lights adorning the beautiful outdoor areas, every bit of AvantGarden feels like a magical secret garden hidden in the middle of Montrose. Mariana (the owner/coordinator) is spectacular. She’s a genuine rock star and made my entire wedding planning process entirely stress-free. I didn’t want to deal with detailed wedding planning myself, so we selected the all-inclusive package and Mariana took care of literally everything (cake, flowers, food, DJ…everything!). The only thing I had to do was find a photographer, officiant, and dress. Also, we ended up having to move our wedding from 2020 to 2021 due to COVID, and Mariana was incredibly accommodating and understanding. The all-inclusive package was a godsend. Pricing was incredibly reasonable (I don’t think you’ll find a better deal in Houston), and every little detail that Mariana and her team planned for our wedding was perfect. Her daughter Minerva designed my bouquets and flower arrangements, and they were gorgeous. I only needed to send her a couple of sample pictures and she created a bouquet even more beautiful than I’d imagined. We rented the taco truck for dinner and it was a HUGE hit – many of our guests told us it was the best wedding food they’ve ever had. Mariana has truly thought of everything to make your wedding fantastic. Throughout the entire wedding planning process, I knew that she had everything under control, and I hardly had to lift a finger! All of our friends and family had a fantastic time and kept saying it was one of the best weddings they’d ever attended. So unique, fun, low-key, and beautiful…we never wanted the night to end! I told all of our friends to get married at AvantGarden so we can attend more weddings there. I cannot recommend Mariana and her team enough – they are fantastic, genuine people who truly want to give you the best wedding ever!! Reviewed on 14-10-2021
Megan Weating(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-05-2021 We wanted it all: classic city chic meets bohemian dream, a unique party atmosphere, and a stress-free experience. Well we sure got all of that and more by having our celebration at AvantGarden! Mariana handled everything from the planning and decorating to the day-of coordination. After 7 lucky years of being together, we wanted a wedding that was truly special, representing our growth in a city with a lot of fun and love to offer. Not only did we create memories we'll never forget, we will be able to visit AvantGarden as we continue to grow together. We are so grateful to Mariana, her daughter, and her amazing staff that helped our out-of-town guests stay cool and comfortable down here in the heat of Houston while they partied throughout the venue late into the night. Mariana coordinated the taco truck Taqueria el Palomo for catering the wedding, and everyone loved this unique delicious dinner option! If you are ready to finally start the next chapter of your lives together and are looking for a beautiful, transformative venue at which to turn the page, we absolutely recommend AvantGarden. Reviewed on 16-07-2021
Ashton Snider(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-03-2021 I cannot recommend AvantGarden highly enough! They did everything except perform the ceremony itself. The venue owner is absolutely amazing, and her flower arrangements for the tables are breathtaking!The flowers, table arrangements, crystal glassware, DJ, catering, service, full-service bar, and beautiful decorations were included for a very reasonable price. Everything was beautiful and Mariana made sure personal details were included and made a focus of the decor. She also listened and addressed any concerns we had in consultation, the day was virtually stress-free for us!Mariana and her daughter are amazing! Reviewed on 08-06-2021
Steve Cassity(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-06-2021 Our experience at Avant Garden was nothing short of perfect. From the original planning to flexible customizations to execution on the day of, Mariana and her team made our day as special as anyone dreams of. Food is A++, and the lack of stress leading up to the event allowed us to simply enjoy ourselves. -great food-in house planning-amazing to work with-execution on the day of the event was unrivaled. -you’d be a fool not to have your wedding here. Reviewed on 07-06-2021
Brittany Britto(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-05-2021 Avant Garden was everything we could have imagined for our May 1 wedding and much, much more! Buckle up for a full review. (I’m on my honeymoon now but had to get this out now!)We stumbled upon Avant Garden while searching for the perfect venue for 150 guests. The pandemic, however, forced us to scale down and the owner Mariana worked with us, reassuring us that we could have just as beautiful and fun of a wedding with less people. As you can imagine, this felt like such a tough decision for me and my husband. We had our doubts, but thanks to Mariana, we regret nothing! First off, the ambiance of this space is so beautiful and has a classic, antiquated feel. Having a mansion with an outdoor patio with a bar, and two bars indoors was like a playground for our guests.We went with an all inclusive package, in which Mariana takes care of everything and acts as a day of coordinator! This took off a load of stress while planning. I sent her photos of my dream bouquet, flowers and wedding arch — she matched it to the T! The table settings were gorgeous. She truly went above and beyond, helped seamlessly guide us through the day’s events and incorporated any personal decorations I brought. The guys also loved the cigar bar on the balcony. (Mariana is also very laid back and does a lot of correspondence through text and email, which is great to keep track of things — both for you and her. She also does select in-person meetings but she really does not need hand-holding. You can tell she’s done enough weddings. Just tell her what you want and she will deliver and offer you suggestions!)Food: We went with the taco truck for dinner (the al pastor tacos, rice and beans are my absolute favorite!). This truck was important to us because my husband and I had tacos on our very first date lol. It was a hit!! The guests loved this and keep telling us how good the food was. Music: Mariana also hired DJ Forte, who kept our guests dancing all night with many of our requests (guests who were live-streaming loved our playlist and his song choices!). DJ Forte fit the changing moods of the wedding perfectly, kept the after party jumping (literally! We were jumping up and down) and he was able to make last minute changes for our official dances with our parents. I will never forget asking Mariana if our dance floor was ready — Yes, my grandmother was already on the floor dancing by herself! Drinks: We went with an open bar up to a certain limit and then cash bar. The bartenders were phenomenal, accommodating and so sweet! It was lovely seeing them interact with my family and having lively conversations. We were completely satisfied.Inclusivity: It was really important to me to be in a space that values diversity and inclusivity. My family and friends are comprised of people of color and people from the LGBTQ community.Avant Garden is and has been a lovely space for a long time that has welcomed and given space to all types of people with its open mics; comedy, drag and burlesque shows; and jazz nights. I’m also excited that now my husband, our family and friends can come back to Avant Garden basically any day of the week to relive some of our big day again and again and eat the delicious tacos.With the hectic past year that we’ve had, I am SO glad that we went through with our wedding at Avant Garden. Mariana, thank you! And to your staff, BRAVO. You have left me, my husband, friends and family with memories that we’ll cherish forever! Reviewed on 04-05-2021
Jeremy Keen(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-11-2020 AvantGarden is the perfect wedding venue! The grounds are gorgeous and Mariana (the owner) and her team do a great job to decorate it up on wedding day. They have lots of plants around the venue, making for some nice picture backdrops. The historic house is also gorgeous and has a lot of character. There is lots of space with different areas for mingling and dancing, from the covered back patio area, front garden, and upstairs with a balcony. Covid disrupted our initial plans (more on that later), so we had a small, 25 person wedding instead, with pizza from the wood burning oven, which is SO GOOD! We keep going back on Mondays to get more pizza and chat with Mariana. They also have a taco truck that will cater the wedding, which is really good too. Mariana and her team are professionals at throwing weddings. They will handle pretty much everything for you - all we had to do was find a photographer and officiant. Mariana serves as your wedding planner also and she does a great job with pre-wedding planning and logistics during the ceremony and reception. She made the planning process so easy, calmed all our nerves and gave us a perfect wedding. She genuinely cares about getting to know the couples and enjoys her work, which shows in the flawless execution. Mariana was also very helpful and accommodating during Covid. We were originally scheduled for April 2020 and Mariana immediately rescheduled us for November 2020. When Covid didn't slow down, she suggested a small wedding Nov 2020 for a nominal fee and then pushing the big wedding back to our one year anniversary in 2021. And we are so glad we did! We still had a wonderful ceremony and mini reception in 2020, but can have our dream wedding with all our friends and family after everyone is vaccinated. All of this just to explain how great Mariana is. Overall, it was a perfect wedding and we wouldn't have changed a thing (except no Covid of course..). From the flowers, to the pizza & drinks, the gorgeous venue and even the DJ. Everything was perfect. We can't wait to do it all again this November! Reviewed on 13-02-2021
Brandi R(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-11-2021 Truly such a beautiful place for a wedding with all of the right romantic vibes. Mariana is so caring and gives all the insight she can about the details. It was clear to me that she would make the day completely stress-free. I didn't book here for reasons outside AvantGarden's control but I highly recommend it as a gorgeous and unique wedding venue. Reviewed on 08-01-2021
Geary Bennett(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-12-2020 From start to finish, Mariana made our wedding dreams come true. We came to AvantGarden with little hope that we could salvage our Vegas wedding that had to be cancelled. With little more than 10 days to plan .. the staff of AvantGarden met the challenge and exceeded our expectations. They cater to as little or as much of the planning you need them to do . They are prompt, knowledgeable and beyond helpful. The venue is rustic , charming and hip which offers a flexible backdrop no matter what the theme would be . The service was spectacular in the outdoor garden which is covered and has its own walk up bar. We expected it to be chilly weather and they were prepared with outdoor heating . Mariana was attentive and accommodating with wise advice to help the evening go smoothly . The bartender Chris made amazing drinks , great recommendations and was friendly and conversational with the guests . The night started and ended perfectly. I am beyond happy with my experience. If you are looking for a wedding venue in the Houston area, this is it. No need to look further. You won’t regret it! Reviewed on 11-12-2020
Ashley Sanchez(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-10-2020 Mariana was the best from my first inquiry to beyond my wedding day. She did everything in less than 2 months and took the stress right off of me when covid ruinedhh our original wedding plans with another venue. We got married on 10.24 & people are still complimenting the venue food and the service! Reviewed on 27-11-2020
Brian Jaffe(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-10-2018 A wedding day should be the best day of your life. Not only are you celebrating a commitment to the one you love, but you have the chance to party with your closest friends and family from across the full spectrum of your life. It's an amazing opportunity, and at the same time, planning it can be a lot. When we got married, my wife and I set a budget and decided on our big rocks: we wanted to get married outdoors, have great music, great food, and our guests to be able to drink all they wanted. We wanted the entire event to be a representation of us as a couple. While we had our ceremony at the Houston Arboretum, the Avant Garden fit the bill perfectly for our reception - both literally and figuratively. It was a dream wedding day at an incredibly affordable price. Mariana and her staff at Avant Garden took care to get to know Grecia and I as a couple, listen to our vision, and use her space and her talents to help make it a reality such that the planning was easy and the day of we didn't need to worry about a thing except having a great time. Everything from the colors and the wildflower bouquets/boutonnieres were aligned with what we wanted. We had access to the venue in advance, and the day of, to get ready, take photos, etc. and Mariana was incredibly gracious with her time and fielding any questions we had along the way. The venue itself is stunning. Set in an old house in the heart of the city, the venue carries plenty of Houston history and has gorgeous spaces outdoors and indoors that are the perfect mix of classy elegance and cool vintage fun. We ate dinner outside in the back, hosted a live band downstairs, a DJ upstairs afterwards, and ensured there was plenty to drink for our guests the entire time. This review would be amiss without a special nod to dinner. The taco truck that is a permanent fixture of Avant Garden is THE BEST taco truck in the city. The owner works closely with Mariana to cater the event - taking specific order and even catering to my wife - a pescatarian - to serve some of the best fish tacos alongside the most deliciously seasoned pastor and fajita you can find. This with rice, beans, salads, etc. was fun, delicious, and honestly more than enough for all of our guests. When we were planning our wedding, my wife and I wanted to put our time and energy into what mattered to us: strengthening our relationship, inviting the right people, and making our wedding day a day that we could have a blast with our closest friends and family. Working with Mariana and the staff at Avant Garden, we were able to rest easy as they took care of the rest. Thank you for helping us make our wedding day the most fun day of our lives. Reviewed on 17-10-2020
Emily Mehlenbacher(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-09-2020 I cannot recommend AvantGarden enough! Mariana and her team did so well with the wedding and she was so helpful during the planning process. She took care of so many little things that I hadn’t even thought about and the wedding was so beautiful. Reviewed on 04-10-2020
KAY LEIGH FARLEY(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-06-2019 Today is my one year anniversary and wanted to share how much I loved my wedding at AvantGarden. The historic building and courtyard are totally unique in Houston and provided a gorgeous backdrop for the ceremony and reception. We chose to use their Taco truck as our catering and it was the best wedding food I’ve ever had. Mariana was very kind and flexible. My family can be stubborn and her ability to herd relatives and manage the event was incredible. I had an entirely stress free evening and if there were any fires, Mariana made sure I didn’t have to put them out. The stand out moment from the staff was a bartender chatting with my husband and I while he made our drinks. He said he was happy to be working our wedding because we looked so happy to be getting married. I still think about that all the time. Reviewed on 01-06-2020
Laura Irizarry(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-03-2020 We are so grateful we were able to celebrate our wedding day at Avant Garden. Mariana and her staff handled almost every detail including the table center pieces, the bridal flowers, and all of the food and drink. The only vendors we hired outside of Avant Garden was our photographer. The flowers and decor turned out beautifully and just as we had envisioned and the food was excellent. We went with the taco truck and they seriously have the best tacos I've had in Houston which is saying a lot because there are lots of taco options in Houston! Mariana is the owner of the venue and she was there every step of the way during the planning phases to make sure we had all of our questions answered. She somehow made planning our wedding stress free. If you are looking for a beautiful historic venue that makes you feel like you're in a secret garden in the heart of Montrose, we highly recommend Mariana's place. We absolutely loved having our wedding at Avant Garden! Reviewed on 24-05-2020
Alicia Caballero(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-02-2020 Shortly after our engagement, my future wife suggested Avant Garden as a venue. After a tour of the space and after meeting Mariana, we knew almost immediately this was where we wanted to get married. Anyone who wants a venue that screams the City of Houston, look no further, this is the place. Not only is in right in the heart of Montrose, but it is so special, so different than typical venues, you will never forget it. As beautiful as the space is, what really made our experience with Avant Garden was our relationship with Mariana, the owner. She doubles as a wedding planner and dealt with all of our needs - floral arrangements, decor, wedding day tasks, etc. As stressful as planning a wedding can be, every time we met with her, our concerns and worries were washed away due to her calming demeanor. Our wedding day was perfect, and it's undeniable that the location was the reason for that. As an added bonus, the venue is a bar during the week, meaning you can always visit the place you said \"I do.\" We owe so much to Mariana and Avant Garden and my wife and I will remember our wedding day for the rest of our lives. Reviewed on 17-05-2020
Jenny Li(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-03-2020 Avant Garden was an absolute dream reception venue. Our wedding was on March 7, and the weather was perfect for the covered patio vibe. Mariana completely transformed the venue - the greenery was lit up by christmas lights, the tables and centerpieces were beautiful and colorful, and the entire environment was intimate, organic, and vibrant. The taco truck food was delicious. The bartenders were great and there were bars everywhere. It was also so helpful to know that Mariana was also in charge of all the details of the day. I did not have to hire a wedding coordinator. The dancing was awesome as well. The 2nd floor balcony was fantastic to go outside and cool off and chat with friends! And the 2nd floor bar made getting drinks very convenient as well. The grand exit was also perfect - I had a dress change and Mariana helped ensure everyone was ready with sparklers as we walked out of the venue and straight onto the bus to our afterparty location. Overall great time. Thanks for making our wedding day so fabulous! Reviewed on 30-03-2020
Dylan Leigh(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-03-2020 We choose Avant Garden because it's in the heart of the city yet you would never know it! The beauty of this venue is unique and genuine. My wife was very particular about how she wanted EVERYTHING and Mariana was amazingly easy going which calm both of us down instantly. Thanks to Mariana every little detail my wife wanted and more was taken care of. We were lucky to have our wedding a week before the coronavirus shut everything down. I'm writing this review because I felt lucky enough to experience my wedding at such a beautiful spot. For those of you bored at home for the last week looking up a million wedding venues , I would recommend this place with all my heart. That last comment was from my wife but I agreed this place was amazing and the taco truck was delicious! Reviewed on 26-03-2020
April Hawkins(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-02-2020 Mariana pulled our wedding together in less than two weeks. We booked it sight unseen, and were over the moon with the beautiful venue and wonderful staff. I can't recommend this venue highly enough. Reviewed on 25-02-2020
Bridget A(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-02-2020 My husband and I had eloped and wanted to find a place that fit our personalities to hold our reception and everything about Avantgarden was exactly what we were hoping to find. Mariana was amazing and so helpful picking the right package for our night. The entire team was great- the bartenders, the people who set up and took down tables, just everyone was so helpful and made the evening go smoothly. It is probably the only place inside the City or Houston that is affordable and BEAUTIFUL. We did not want to spend a fortune on this night because we were already married and this was exactly what we hoped for. I cannot say enough good things about this place!! It really was a magical night. Reviewed on 25-02-2020
Brian Allen(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-12-2019 The team at AvantGarden is a very well run and detail oriented team. They have hundreds of pictures to show you exactly what the event can look like if you so choose. They also allow you to make changes based on pictures you have. This is something we did and they made it look just about exactly the same as the picture. On top of the venue being extremely well decorated the food and drinks were just as well done. The taco truck got rave reviews all night as did the pizza that came out later in the evening. Overall, it was a great experience and AvantGarden took care of every detail leading up to the day and on the day. Reviewed on 09-01-2020
Jasmine P(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-12-2019 We had our wedding reception at Avant Garden on 12/21/2019 and it was everything we hoped for and more. You cannot beat the value! From the beginning Mariana assured us not to worry and she was absolutely right. When we were initially interested, she was very prompt in her responses and even dealt with all the questions from my mother. She is very flexible with your needs. We opted for the All Inclusive Package with some modifications. We had a couple meetings before the big day to finalize some details and it was fantastic. Mariana was always there coordinating and keeping us on schedule. She even did a great job accommodating all my guests and we had at least 180 people. Please do the taco truck--these are literally some of the best tacos in town. And at the last minute we decided to do the pizza--highly recommend, it was a great late night treat for guests! I received so many compliments about how great the venue was, how tasty the food was and how it was the most fun ever. That's what Mariana cared about. Trust in Mariana and the team at Avant Garden and you won't be disappointed---you will be the chillest bride leading up to the big day! Reviewed on 07-01-2020
Christy Watson(guest)5 out of 5 Rating
I attended my best friend's wedding there and it was really amazing. The venue looked beautiful.They went with the taco truck and that was the best food I've had at a wedding!The staff was really friendly and did a great job at coordinating my friends wedding.And the DJ killed it! Everyone danced for a long time.They also had an open bar for the guests. It was really a blast!I would definitely recommend AvantGarden for a wedding! Reviewed on 31-12-2019
Megan Mitchell(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-10-2019 When searching for the perfect place to host our big day , the search quickly halted when we found Avant Garden. We love Houston... more specifically Montrose , and this venue has all the charm , culture and edgy-ness you could ask for in a Montrose wedding. Plus it’s LGBT friendly! Mariana is the venue owner and operator , she also served as the day of coordinator. She worked with us to find a package that had all we wanted and for a good price. We highly recommend her valet service; it helped make the day run smoothly. Our guests LOVED the taco truck she has on her property; we strongly suggest using this for your catering needs! It was another fun way to bring more Houston into our wedding. Her daughter arranged all of our floral arrangements which turned out better than we could have expected. We wanted a fall themed wedding and they delivered! All in all, Mariana and her staff went above and beyond the call of wedding duty for our big day. I would absolutely say that value of what you spend here is more than worth it. Planning Tip: Mariana does really great with details the closer you get to your wedding. If you are a type A bride, like my wife, you will panic slightly but Mariana has all of this under control. Go over all the details a month out with her and you will feel more comfortable. She does better with the couples and less parents so save your final meeting with just her! All in all, she does a great job with the day of coordination and planning. Reviewed on 23-12-2019
Casey Phifer(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-11-2019 We had a fantastic wedding at Avant Garden - it could not have gone any better. Mariana is a true professional and her relaxed demeanor ensured that we had a calm, stress free wedding from the planning to the final event. Package: We went with the top package and I would recommend it. Mariana and her team crafted a gorgeous version of the colorful wedding we wanted complete with a bespoke arch, bouquet, and centerpieces. Venue: This place is a hidden oasis in Houston. It's so different from any other venue and was the first and only place we toured. If you're someone who appreciates people who take the time to restore and maintain old things you'll love this space. The house is beautiful and contains all kinds of space for your guests' needs without making anyone feel isolated or cramped. There's an upstairs, downstairs, patio and garden. We created a little cigar bar in the upstairs patio the dads loved. I recommend going for a bar visit in addition to a tour. We went on Friday evening with friends. It was so calm, people were playing chess and relaxing with friends. An impromptu jazz band broke out and we felt like we were back in New Orleans. Food: The food was amazing. I hear that so many brides never get the chance to eat but Mariana made sure that my husband and I got our food first. Guests loves the ability to order the tacos of their choice (including veggie options) from the food truck. They also had a long bar full of fresh toppings such as roasted jalapeños. We'd also recommend going for the pizza package. They have a wood burning pizza oven on site and carried trays of artisan pizza around on the dance floor. Being served pizza while I dress in a giant ball gown is the most glamorous I will ever feel; I have peaked. Also the churros! My sister wanted churros so Mariana made that happen and they. were. delicious. My husband almost ran out for the sparkler exit with a churro in his hand because I married that kind of food loving person. We're a good match. Music: Also the DJ! Loved the DJ and the guests loved him too. He played hits for the older folks coupled with more current music for us. Personally, I loved when he would come out and dance with me or my mom because he made the party.Overall, this was one of the best nights of my life and my husband and I are so grateful to have created this memory with friends and family. Mariana and her team are so relaxed and professional, you could not ask for a better crew of artists to help you get hitched. Thank you Mariana and the Avant Garden Team! Reviewed on 27-11-2019
Hayley McSwain(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-11-2019 AvantGarden was the best venue to have our wedding! The house and gardens have such amazing character and charm. It made our big day feel like a dream. Mariana, the owner, was a pleasure to work with and has a ton of experience, you can really tell she is a pro and you can leave it all to her. Having dinner under the glass roof was magical and the dance party upstairs was the absolute best!!! All of our guests said they had the best time at our wedding and I know a lot of that is thanks to the fun and laid back nature of AvantGarden. It really felt like a cool fun house party as opposed to a stuffy overly produced wedding. I am thankful for Mariana and her team for all of their hard work in pulling off an incredible wedding day. We had a lot of personal details on our wedding day and Mariana made sure they all were in place. It was especially awesome of her to install our disco ball on the ceiling for the dance party! I would highly recommend this venue for brides looking for a unique fun venue in Houston. Reviewed on 22-11-2019
Mike Garcia(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-04-2019 The moment we toured AvantGarden for our wedding, we knew it’d be the perfect venue. Mariana helped us through every aspect of the planning process and kept us on schedule with important decision making milestones. The wedding went smoothy and was a blast! It’s a great layout, and months later we still get comments from our family and friends about how much fun they had.Mariana typically recommends using the on-site taco truck (Taqueria El Palomo) for the wedding, and while we were skeptical at first, it was absolutely the right decision. The food there is incredible and your guests won’t be disappointed. They can accommodate dietary restrictions (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.) as well.Mariana, we can’t thank you enough for helping us on our wedding day! Reviewed on 31-10-2019
Nicole Kessler(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 19-10-2019 When my husband and I began our search for a venue we were discouraged by prices, what venues offered, and the lack of uniqueness in properties. All that changed when we found Avant Garden! We were instantly impressed with the uniqueness of the space, the value, the amount of in-house vendors (and the flexibility if you did not want to use those vendors), and the ease and confidence of the owner. Throughout the process the owner, Mariana, communicated with us the things we needed to complete and answered any questions we had along the way. Our wedding was 10/19/19 and everything turned out beautifully! Mariana made sure to help coordinate our night and checked on us continually to see if we needed anything. Her daughter even took it upon herself to go to the drugstore during our reception to get me something I needed! We have received so many compliments from our guests on the decor, the venue, and especially the food. We were initially hesitant to used the taco truck on-site but we are so glad we did! We've had multiple guests ask how they can get a hold of the tacos again because they were that good. We had a Lord of The Rings themed reception and one of the bartenders made us a themed signature drink and wrote on the chalkboard in Elvish for us (a total surprise and not a request)! Mariana's daughter is also in charge of the florals at Avant Garden and did an amazing job. She made me and my bridesmaids absolutely beautiful bouquets, I told her I wanted something unique with lots of texture and she nailed it! Mariana and her team really know what they are doing. If you are looking to have a wedding that feels personalized and special that people will talk about long after the party go with Avant Garden! Reviewed on 27-10-2019
Valentina Rojas(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-09-2019 “We were married at AvantGarden on September 15, 2019. From start to finish Mariana and her daughter Minerva were amazing!! They made the planning process easy and removed a lot of stress and worry the day of our wedding. They are truly professionals who excel at organizing and keeping an anxious bride calm. The venue is magical, and it was a fairy tale event that was over way too soon!! We went with the taco truck for our dinner catering and it was the best catering choice we could have made. Everyone from the venue including the florist, the dj and the bartenders were awesome! We definitely recommend AvantGarden and Mariana's team for a magical wedding!Valentina and Raphael Reviewed on 27-10-2019
Katherine McElvaney(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-10-2019 Mariana and the whole AvantGarden team did a fantastic job hosting my wedding on 10/05/19. The venue itself is well-maintained and so charming and eclectic, with many beautiful spots for taking wedding pictures too. The value is really good because you get a lot along with the location. Bars onsite, sound systems, tables, linens, set-up and tear-down, great friendly staff, and of course Mariana herself, who acts as a day-of coordinator making sure everything runs according to schedule. This is invaluable because with her running the show you can relax and enjoy the special moments with your significant other, and friends and family. Mariana is very flexible and professional and meets with you several times to go over every detail to make sure your day is perfect. She's completely a pro! Her team can also provide flowers and decor, which I decided on very last minute and she was more than agreeable and flexible with, and the flowers and table decorations turned out better than I had ever anticipated. I highly recommend AvantGarden and couldn't have imagined a more perfect and magical place to host my wedding! Reviewed on 24-10-2019
Robin Wilder(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-08-2019 Avant Garden was everything I imagined it to be. Mariana was great to work with, very responsive and on point with the details needed for a wedding. She turned everything we envisioned into our reality and made our day extra special. The taco truck was a huge hit, the music and atmosphere has been raved on for days. I would do it all over again and again. Reviewed on 04-09-2019
Jaclyn Hippard(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-03-2019 If you are getting married, do it at Avant Garden! My husband and I were looking to find an eclectic ambiance with packages that would make the planning process easy, and that is exactly what we found. Avant- was a one stop shop - food, ceremony, reception, dj, flowers, you name it! And Mariana is amazing!! She is quick to respond. Listens to what you want and helps guide you throughout the process! All for an amazing price. Reviewed on 26-06-2019
Grayson Stokes(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-03-2019 Planning a wedding with Mariana at Avant Gardens was like a breath of fresh air. She shared her expertise and ideas how to create the wedding vibe my daughter described and then implemented the plan to the last thoughtful detail. And when we had a larger crowd than originally anticipated, she was very flexible and made the changes that allowed the intimate feeling to remain. Avant Garden provides full wedding services that removes the stress of wedding planning from coordinating with the food truck to creating unique flower arrangements for the tables and wedding party and the adding special touches that made the wedding envisioned in my daughter’s head a reality. Thank you for a wonderful wedding experience! Reviewed on 27-05-2019
Nikki Johnson(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-05-2019 We needed an all inclusive venue to handle our wedding ceremony/reception since neither of us lived in Houston. Avantgarden provided everything from the centerpieces to the bouquets to the snacks/sangrias. Mariana provided a timeline of events and handled all of our concerns. Mariana was able to communicate with us via phone, text messages and emails. My makeup artist was able to arrive at 11am to setup and do my bridal party's makeup on the third floor. Our wedding ceremony and reception was enjoyed by all of our guests. They were especially excited about the food truck and thoroughly enjoyed the delicious tacos! Overall, we would highly recommend Avantgarden for any wedding or social event. Reviewed on 26-05-2019
Carley Lyons(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-01-2019 We had our wedding in January 2019 and it was perfect! Mariana and her team were the best. I was a very low maintenance and hands-off bride so I put a lot of trust in her and the venue to create a great atmosphere and party for us, and boy did they ever! The place was magical, beautiful, with an elegant bohemian feel which was exactly what we wanted. We definitely lucked out with amazing weather in January, which was a gamble, even so there were a number of heat lamps that kept guests warm throughout the night. We also opted to have our catering done through the taco truck on property, the food was SO GOOD! And our guests loved the concept and the food as well, best cost for value in catering 100%! We had so much fun with such little stress, and our guests had the best time. So many compliments after! Reviewed on 07-03-2019
Katie Chewning(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 16-02-2019 Mariana and her team made our day perfect! She is so organized and took all the stress off of us. I never felt like a detail would be missed throughout the entire planning process. She is extremely flexible. All of our guest had a great time and really complemented her staff. They were attentive and so friendly. The food was amazing and I would highly recommend the taco truck that is onsite. There isn’t a thing that I would have changed about my wedding and Avant made it possible! Reviewed on 05-03-2019
Jessica Alegria(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 19-01-2019 We got married this past January at Avant Garden and everything was perfect! Mariana really is a pro with making everything run smooth throughout the entire event. Everything from the ceremony to the dinner to the dancing and firework send off. Can’t wait to see all the pictures once they’re back from the photographer (: Would recommend Avant Garden to anyone looking for a beautiful venue with outstanding staff Reviewed on 02-03-2019
Felicity Adams Kahn(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-12-2018 We had our wedding ceremony and reception at Avant Garden at the beginning of December (2018). From the planning to execution, the food and the venue, the atmosphere was great and everyone had a fantastic time. It was better than we could have ever imagined!Mariana’s knowledge and experience as an event planner and ‘day of’ coordinator was invaluable to us. She took so much stress out of the wedding planning and organization and put together something that far exceeded our expectations. On the wedding day she kept everything running on schedule and even made sure that myself and the groom stopped to have something to eat. We didn’t have to do anything apart from enjoy our day and spend time with our guests. The flowers and decorations really were both creative and stunning, my bouquet and the centerpieces were really amazing. We had the on-site taco truck cater and they were fantastic; the set up is really nice and the quality is outstanding – no one was left hungry and we received a lot of compliments. The DJ was great and kept everyone entertained and kept the order of events moving along, the bartenders and service staff were friendly, attentive and professional! We have been told by so many of our guests that they really had the best time and just how much they loved the venue, the food and the atmosphere - we only have Mariana and the Avant Garden team to thank for that as they really worked hard to make it amazing. Thank you, Avant Garden, for making our day so memorable and special, for all of the right reasons! Reviewed on 17-01-2019
Ashley Bass(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-12-2018 This place is amazing on a regular basis but my wife and I had our wedding there two days ago and it was A.MAZ.ING. Even with two other weddings that weekend, Mariana and her staff gave us super personalized attention and kept the event flowing so seamlessly that we really got to enjoy our party. We had ~150 guests and it never felt crowded inside or out. The house has so much depth and history that our guests were never bored. During our toasts, the DJ moved upstairs and we hailed our guests to follow, really allowing everyone to let loose and have just the best party. While we lost our minds on the dance floor, Mariana and her team consolidated everything we needed to take with us.This was our day and we could not be happier that we spent it here. Reviewed on 03-01-2019
Michelle Cressy(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-12-2018 What a fantastic venue ! My daughter celebrated her marriage here this past weekend . We couldn’t have been more pleased. The place is beautiful and full of natural character and beauty . Then , you add the warm and talented touch of the owner , Mariana , and you are guaranteed a wonderful outcome ! Mariana has wonderful taste and she really takes time to see exactly what you are wanting . I also used the taco truck to cater and those guys can really cook ! It was very affordable and delicious . Reviewed on 09-12-2018
Travis Clark(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-11-2018 AvantGarden is such a unique and beautiful place to get married. Mariana was so accommodating and handled so many of the little details, the decorations, the flowers, the DJ, everything went off without a hitch. The on-site taco truck and pizza oven were fantastic!Thank you, Avant Garden, for the perfect wedding! Reviewed on 16-11-2018
TEG E(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 27-10-2018 Avant Garden was the perfect venue for our wedding, The casual glamour and perfect location within Houston makes Avant Garden a rare gem. Mariana and her team are flexible for any requests and are always positive and helpful, responding to emails and meeting several times to iron out details. Our guests will not stop talking about how magical our night was. Highly recommend! Reviewed on 01-11-2018
Theodore Othrat(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-10-2018 My husband and I were invited to a wedding at this place a year before we decided to get married. We were enchanted by the unique ambiance and the character AvantGarden has to offer.And even though we wanted to choose a different venue at first because we share so many friends with the couple who's wedding we attended, we just went with our instinct and booked it here.That was the right decision! We ended up with close to 200 guests. At first we were nervous about the large attendance, but it all went smoothly thanks to Mariana and her staff. Our only regret: not hiring the taco truck. Our friends did and their food was much better than the expensive catering we chose.Everything was beautiful. We strongly recommend AvantGarden! Reviewed on 31-10-2018
Kristine A(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-03-2018 We had our wedding and reception at Avant Garden in March 2018. While we knew what we didn’t want in a wedding venue, we weren’t completely sure what we did want - until we visited Avant Garden and met Mariana. We had no intentions of hiring a wedding planner and were starting from scratch, but Mariana was reassuring and invested in making our day special in our own way from day one. The wedding packages she offered were customizable to meet our needs and budget, and Mariana was accommodating to all of our questions and special requests throughout the planning process. On the day of the wedding, the venue looked more beautiful than we imagined it would, thanks to the additional decorations and touches from Mariana and her team. The back patio setup was perfect for our 118 guests. We chose to keep the dance floor outside, which worked out very well and kept our non-dancers entertained all night long. Everyone loved the onsite taco truck, which catered our dinner with delicious food that our out-of-town guests are still talking about. Mariana and her team didn’t miss a beat that evening - constantly working to make sure we were sticking to the schedule, flipping the setup from the ceremony to the reception, clearing plates and even working with the mariachi band we added at the last minute. Our wedding day ended up being everything we wanted - welcoming, beautiful and so much fun - thanks to Avant Garden. Reviewed on 29-10-2018
Javier Balli(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-10-2018 My wife and I had our wedding here on 10/20/2018. We decided to do it at Avant Garden because we loved the venue's quaint and intimate feel, the cost was in our budget, and Mariana (owner) was very informative when we inquired. Since neither of us had ever planned an event like this, Mariana made sure we had all our ducks in a row. We had communicated via emails, text messages, and meetings about the details of the venue. We simply talked to Mariana about what we wanted and she made it happen! She really paid attention to the style we were looking for and executed it perfectly. The only thing we had to arrange was the food (she gave suggestions), valet (we used her recommended provider), and the photographer. Mariana was also very flexible with our requests. She even allowed us to have our small dog present all night.The day before the wedding we had a rehearsal and everything was pretty straight forward. On the day of we basically just arrived and Mariana and her staff were outstanding! Mariana handled all of the details flawlessly. The night could not have gone better, I would highly recommend Avant Garden. Reviewed on 25-10-2018
Tiffany Norman Barry(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-09-2018 I am beyond thankful to have chosen AvantGarden as our wedding venue. The owner, Mariana, is wonderful to work with. She served as our wedding coordinator throughout the planning process, which was really priceless. She and her team truly made our wedding day magical and beautiful. They made all of the floral arrangements and my bouquet, and they were more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. The venue itself is beautiful on its own, so there isn't much decorating to do. Perfect for the bride who doesn't want to DIY!! We received SO MANY compliments on the wedding and the venue. All of our guests had a ton of fun, and they all really appreciated the unique atmosphere. Also, I highly recommend using the on-site taco truck for the catering. The food is delicious and all of our guests raved about the tacos! Reviewed on 24-10-2018
Adela Buentia(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-10-2018 What an amazing venue!AvantGarden is beautiful and the service second to none. We knew we wanted AvantGarden for our special day, best decision ever. So many magical spots for romantic photos, we loved the vintage look of the venue. The food from the taco truck and the service was fabulous and all our guests were impressed. Would certainly recommend it for a wedding Reviewed on 15-10-2018
Noney Leiva(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-08-2018 We recently had our wedding at this location and I wanted to review this venue while all the details are still fresh in my mind. Mariana, the venue owner is fair and honest. She works hard for your event making sure it flows as perfectly as possible. My wife and I had very little financial help, paying for our own wedding. Mariana allows payments over the entire span of the booking which made our lives so much easier. I found the most important part of this process was to be working with someone who communicated well and who truly loved their work and was not all about dollar bills. The DJ played all songs from our list and people danced their butts off. The flower arrangements were breathtaking! We hired Mariana to do all of our decorating. Our guests kept raving about the coolness of the details!The AvantGarden staff were amazing, courteous and constantly attentive, specially Mariana’s daughters!This venue sells itself. It’s a neat old historic mansion in the heart of Houston with a unique bohemian flair.The parking lot is small but as per Mariana’s recommendation we hired the valet services, and everything went smoothly.If you want an easy and beautiful wedding call AvantGarden! We’re happy we had ours here!Marcel and Noney Reviewed on 03-09-2018
Laurie Jonietz(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 12-05-2018 We considered several potential venues in the Houston area for our wedding and ultimately chose Avant Garden. We’re so glad that we made the choice that we did. The setting was charming, from the outdoor patio, which was transformed for our ceremony, to the amazing 100 + year old home where we had our reception. Most important, the owner, Mariana, was there with us every step of the way in helping us plan our wedding. We knew that it was as important to her as it was to us to make sure that the day was perfect. There were a couple of hiccups on our big day, as to be expected, but Mariana and her staff were there to make things right. We especially liked the all-inclusive packages, which relieved us of the stress of having to sweat the details. Mariana told us that the majority of her wedding couples use the taco truck which is normally parked there, and though we were initially skeptical, we ended up using them and it was fantastic! There was much about our wedding that was unorthodox, but for us it was the perfect choice for the happiest day of our lives. Thank you, Avant Garden! Reviewed on 28-07-2018
Lindsey Miller(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-09-2019 Our wedding at AvantGarden was absolutely incredible. This venue is unique, fun, and memorable, and Mariana is just fantastic and was extremely flexible in working with us. Our 65 guests seemed to really enjoy themselves and the all loved the food (I definitely recommend the taco truck; delicious and a great price).AvantGarden is such a cool place - once you step into the garden canopy in the back of the house, you will quickly forget you are on busy Westheimer. Aside from one fire truck, I did not notice any road noise at all. There are so many different areas for guests to explore and enjoy (upper balcony, front patio, upstairs dance floor, downstairs, etc.) and the whole place was decorated beautifully.My husband and I began wedding planning 2.5 months before the date, so we chose to go with the most inclusive package. We trusted Mariana's artistic and professional judgement - and I am glad we did because she delivered a wedding even more beautiful than we could have imagined. She also recommended a number of vendors (food truck, photographer, hair&makeup) who we used for the wedding and were extremely happy with their services as well.We got married at the end of June and even though I was worried about the heat and humidity, we had lots of fans running during ceremony and the outdoor dinner, but I never once felt uncomfortable (and I didn't hear any complaints from my guests, either.) Just make sure if you have someone videoing your ceremony, they are prepared for the loud fans and can filter the noise out when editing.We had a couple hiccups with the DJ who was backfilling for the gentleman regularly scheduled, but Mariana was on top of the situation and kept the event running smoothly all night. Other than that, everything went perfectly.If you are looking for a venue that is both offbeat and beautiful, I highly recommend checking out AvantGarden. We couldn't be happier with our experience. Reviewed on 13-07-2018
Lisa Mosely(bride)5 out of 5 Rating
My entire wedding planning experience was amazing thanks to AvantGarden. With the owner Mariana, I felt like I had a personal wedding planner and director without the price tag of one. The venue was reasonably priced and completely all inclusive...I literally only had to order the cake to be delivered to them and drop a couple personal items off to her the day before that we wanted included, she did EVERYTHING else!! The venue was beautiful! We also hired the on site taco truck for our dinner which was the hit of the night. The food was amazing! Everyone said the bartenders had heavy hands as well ;) Mariana was very attentive to all of our needs and the night ran perfectly! Such a fabulous, beautiful, and unique venue...you will not regret choosing AvantGarden!!! Reviewed on 11-07-2018
Jodie Brenton(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-06-2018 Mariana and the Advantage Garden were the best decision ever. We got so much value for the Money. Our guest had a wonderful time and the venue was so beautiful. She did a great job of tailoring a package with only the things we wanted! It was perfect. Reviewed on 10-07-2018
Katie Wang(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-04-2018 We wanted a unique venue that has lots personality and fell in love with AvantGarden. The patio space is BEAUTIFUL and was perfect for our wedding!Mariana and her team (including her daughter!) were THE BEST!! You can tell that she has a lot of experience with weddings and really made sure she took care of us. They went above and beyond, from little things, like using extra flowers we had to make adorable mini-centerpieces for the cocktail tables, to big things like helping me figure out a plan for when it started to rain. When my actual wedding coordinator would go AWOL, Mariana would be right there to fix things for me. When it started to rain really hard at the end of the wedding, she braved the rain to help us load our stuff into our cars and got soaked in the process. She also made it very clear to our guests that if they didn't feel comfortable driving in the downpour, they were free to stay as long as they felt necessary for it to die down, even though our venue rental time was over. She was so accommodating and flexible with everything. Her calm was exactly what I needed on my wedding day. My entire family was very impressed with her and her team (and they're not easy to please), and they still talk about how great she was. Thank you so much for everything you did for us! Reviewed on 09-06-2018
Audrey McKenna(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-03-2018 We LOVED having our wedding at AvantGarden, and we've gotten so many compliments!!! When we first started looking at venues, we were kind of disheartened by how many of them had a lot of restrictions, like \"pick your caterer out of these three approved caterers\" or \"no candles\" or weird beverage pricing. We even looked at a place that didn't allow you to dance inside because it was a historic building! When we got to AvantGarden, we were delighted by how easy to work with and laidback Mariana was. Almost everything was customizable, and we could use whatever vendors we wanted. On top of that, the venue is beautiful! Our guests could not stop talking about how gorgeous and unique the space was, especially at night with all the lights and lanterns on. The bar package worked out great, and the multiple zones (upstairs, downstairs, inside, front patio, back patio) made it easy for our guests to mix and mingle. Would absolutely recommend it! Thank you so much, Mariana!! Reviewed on 04-04-2018
David D(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-05-2019 Such a quaint, romantic and intimate location! We had our wedding here, and the coordinator, Mariana, did such a great job pulling it all together. She gives you lots of options, and is very flexible when it comes to using your own services, etc. In the end, we had a fantastic time and couldn't ask for a better wedding venue, and all of our wedding guests said nothing but good things about the venue. Definitely recommend! Reviewed on 13-03-2018
Ashley Freeman(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-11-2017 The Avant Garden was absolutely perfect! My husband and I could not have asked for a more perfect venue. Avant Garden captures the whimsical feeling we wanted. The whole event was dreamy and all encompassing. No other venue offered such a well rounded experience. Mariana, the venue owner, puts so much into her events. Mariana served as the day of coordinator, florist, venue director and everything in between. She was a dream to work with. Our friends and family are still raving about the venue, Mariana and her staff. Reviewed on 28-12-2017
Felisa Bernardo(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-03-2017 This venue was the perfect place for our wedding. The event coordinators were super sweet and easy to communicate with. The ambiance is perfect with all the greenery and twinkling lights. It was like a magical fairy garden. I recommend renting the taco truck for an easy catering option. Thank you Mariana for making our night so special! Reviewed on 29-10-2017
knottief37e9959d60a5b08 (bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-12-2018 My wife and I got married at Avant Garden in May of 2017. So in other words, all of our dreams came true in May of 2017!! We owe all of it to Mariana and her amazing venue/team. Everything went off without a hitch, and our vision became a reality before our very eyes. The venue is amazing, the ceremony was perfection, and I would highly recommend Avant Garden to anybody and everybody!! Reviewed on 23-10-2017
Amber Lamkins(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-05-2017 Thanks to Mariana and her staff at Avant Garden, we did not have to think of a thing, yes decisions had to be made, but with Mariana, you didn't have to worry about what you needed to do next. She was on top of it. Avant Garden delivered the most amazing wedding venue and is such a beautiful hidden gem. You would never guess the beauty of the venue from just passing by. A truly magical place and I so very highly recommend this venue! Oh, and the taco truck is a must for the food! A Houston favorite/famous taco truck parks in the lot of Avant Garden and also caters her weddings. One taste, and you're hooked!!! Reviewed on 23-10-2017
Branden Messarra(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-12-2018 Planning a wedding is stressful!! Even after months of planning, be aware that things will still come up that you didn’t even think to plan for. Your wedding day is not the time to be stressing over all the little things that will come up. This was where Mariana shines. She orchestrated our wedding day with expertise and clarity. The venue was amazing and beautiful, with many unique areas for your guests to have a great time. Thanks for making our special day extra special! Also, I highly recommend catering from the taco food truck! Reviewed on 21-10-2017
Matthew Shailer(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 16-09-2017 As you look for venues in Houston, you tend to get a lot of the same. And if you are like me, something with character and charm is essential to represent a unique and special relationship. Character and charm are found in spades at Avant Garden. It looked promising online, but within five minutes of visiting I could not get it out of my head. It is a beautiful space, lovingly tended to, flexible and adaptable for most occasions. I fit 300 people into my nuptials, so don't be surprised to find that many things are possible. But why I signed that contract, ultimately, was more than the beauty of the space, but was because I, as a working professional, did not have time to stage manage everything. The superb staff of Avant Garden immediately had me at ease and showed commitment to helping my wedding to be exactly what I wanted. On the day of, they did not disappoint and I am so grateful still for everything they did to give me the wedding of my dreams. Thank you, Avant Garden! Reviewed on 20-10-2017
Kate Beckwith(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-09-2017 I'm so happy we chose Avant Garden for our wedding reception. I'm grew up in Houston, and my husband is from outside Atlanta; we have lived together in the Bay Area for the last few years. I truthfully never planned on getting married, and I’ve lived on the west coast for 15 years, but as soon as we got engaged, we knew we had to get married in the south. As Californian as our lives are now, we are both most definitely southerners, and we wanted a wedding that both our southern families and west coast artist friends could relate to and have fun at. This is exactly what we got with Avant Garden. We had our ceremony at the nearby Rothko Chapel, and the reception at Avant Garden. Weddings can definitely be stressful, and being a bit of an anti-bride myself I didn’t always even know exactly what I needed help with or the right questions to ask, but Mariana and her team put me at ease. The venue itself is casual but very tastefully decorated—cool without trying too hard. The outdoor patio is large and comfortable, and there are also multiple zones inside, so clusters of guests can gather while the married couple can float easily from one group to the next. While we were happy to not have to resort to them, I can assure you that Mariana and her team have contingencies for dealing with rain or any other eminent or potential disaster. For example, when we forgot to pick up the dessert tarts and my dad had to scramble to go get them fairly late in the reception, Mariana smoothed everything over by walking around the patio with a platter offering tarts to the somewhat confused guests! Throughout the whole experience, I got the sense that Mariana had seen everything before. Not only did she know all the right questions to ask, but she also made a number of essential recommendations (like a grand entrance!) that I wouldn’t have thought of myself (really, really, don’t let my fancy outfit fool you, I was not a bridely bride) and helped create memories and photos that we'll carry with us for the rest of our lives. The only drawback to our entire experience was that Mariana could sometimes be a little flaky when it came to meetings. While this truthfully stressed me out a little at the time, I also knew that I could trust her experience and knowledge because she was so self-assured. I now understand that she's simply relaxed because she's ultimately on top of things and knows it will work out. Mariana clearly understands the ins and outs of weddings what parts of the event are crucial to the comfort and experience of the guests, and what traditions can be tossed out the window, so at some point she'll probably be relaxed about something that seems super stressful or urgent to you at the time. That said, she absolutely came through when it counted, and I'd encourage you to trust her and her team every step of the way. Overall Avant Garden was an affordable, fun, hip place to have my wedding reception, and I would particularly recommend it if you are a bit \"alternative\" or \"diy\"...haven't hired a wedding planner, but aren't totally sure you'll be able to pull everything off yourself?? This is your place!! Reviewed on 19-10-2017
Theresa Hunt(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-09-2017 We had our wedding on Sept. 3rd 2017. It was beautiful and perfect for us in every way. It was the weekend following Hurricane Harvey and we were very concerned about the ability to pull it off, but Mariana(the owner) and her team worked so hard to make it all come together for us.The venue was perfect for the type of wedding we wanted. Eclectic, laid back and intimate. Avant Garden is so unique! The package options are so inclusive and extremely reasonable for the area. We could not find any other venue that came close to what Mariana was offering.I would highly recommend Avant Garden for a memorable wedding! Reviewed on 19-10-2017
Erika Simons(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-04-2016 My wife and I had our wedding at Avant Garden in 2016 and absolutely loved it. We had around 200 people attend - we were nervous at first that it would be a tight fit but with access to the front and back patio as well as upstairs and downstairs in the house, the venue handled 200 people quite well. It was a little tight with this many people during the ceremony but once everyone spread out for the cocktail hour and reception, space was not an issue. It was perfect. Mariana (the owner) was calm, cool, and collected. I found this to be very important in the midst of the craziness of wedding planning as well as during the event. She did a great job of helping us organize our vision, was very responsive, and was very open to creativity and new ideas. The historical house in Montrose creates a really cool vibe for the evening. There is something very special about this place – Mariana does an incredible job decorating for weddings. Our guests kept approaching my wife and I telling us how amazing the venue was. We hired the taco truck that sits on Avant Garden property as well as a guy that made personal pizzas in a brick oven on site. Taco trucks and weddings are not an obvious pair but it worked out great. The food tasted great, was very affordable and the guests absolutely loved it. Both the taco truck and the pizza guy handled the high volume of guests well. The dessert bar that Mariana set up was great and we also had a baker bring in some extras to add to the table. We also set up a scotch and cigar station on the upstairs patio – it was a big hit with the guys at the wedding. DJ was great – very responsive to requests and good music selection. Staff was very professional and service was fast. Overall we had a great experience with Avant Garden and highly recommend it! Reviewed on 18-10-2017
Elaine Hunt(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-09-2017 Avant Garden was the perfect wedding venue. I was really able to trust Mariana with her taste on decorations and advice. Everything from the beginning of the planning all the way up to the actual wedding day was very smooth and I never once had a single problem, even while Hurricane Harvey devastated the city Mariana kept us informed. I didn't have a wedding planner, and looking back I'm glad I didn't waste any money on one. I did most of the planning with just myself and Mariana and it was really easy that way. She is so helpful and her venue is quite possibly my favorite place in Houston. Our families had an amazing time and we were really glad that we were able to have our special day at a place that my husband and I both have a connection to as an old date spot. Reviewed on 17-10-2017
Alaina Weber(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-05-2017 This venue completely made my wedding! Mariana, the owner and organizer of Avant Garden, is the kindest, most flexible, easy to work with person I've ever met. From the beginning she was on top of her game and ready to make all my ideas a reality. Being from Louisiana originally, I did not know of many places in Houston. After my mom attending my cousin's music show here, she told me how beautiful it was and we checked it out. After meeting with Mariana the first time, I knew this place was perfect! The night of my reception, everything was beautiful and just how I pictured it! Mariana handled everything and it was all inclusive pricing and she was workable with all of my needs! Even when the power went out on the entire block in the middle of my cake cutting (which was in no way the vendor's fault) she never missed a beat to fix it; I have to say, we have some cool cake cutting pictures now!! I will never forget this place and how beautiful the night was, and how seamless everything went! I would highly recommend this place and have to many people! It's very affordable, especially if you have a strict budget and Mariana is willing to work with you on everything! Reviewed on 23-05-2017
Caitlin Sapaugh Cox(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-04-2017 I am so glad I chose AvantGarden for my ceremony and reception. I think it's a great venue especially for a smaller wedding (mine was around 75 people) First of all the venue... it is a unique venue with a beautiful outdoor section complete with hanging lanterns and chandeliers and several bar areas. There is a downstairs and upstairs indoor section as well, which helps out in case of bad weather. There is a boudoir-like sexy third floor where the bride/etc can get ready and that worked really well. Second of all..the team. The team does lots of weddings every year so they are very experienced. Mariana is the owner/coordinator and she was great. I liked how specific she was about the pricing. She gave us 3 package options with the prices and customized one of them from there. I met with her probably 3 or so times before the event to go over details/timeline. I brought in outside vendors for catering and flowers and she worked great with them. She also recommended a valet service for us (really a MUST for this venue) and Juan and his team did a great job. Mariana is easy-going and came through for us in every way. She is busy with events so the best way to contact her is by e-mail and text (and save it for weekdays not weekends.) If you use outside vendors, also ask them to e-mail or text as a best way to contact the venue.Anyway, my wedding was more beautiful than I ever expected and went so smoothly because of Mariana and the team at AvantGarden. I highly recommend the venue for a special wedding experience. Reviewed on 03-05-2017
Devyn Flores(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-03-2017 PERFECT WEDDING VENUE!!!! Our wedding was March 12, 2017 at Avant garden and was perfect. I still have people commenting on how it was their favorite wedding to attend. The House/venue is over 100 years old with beautiful wisteria covering the back patio. There is no denying the venue is gorgeous and perfect for an intimate wedding, what made the wedding day so perfect was Mariana, the owner/ wedding coordinator. She made everything run so smoothly. Things I didn’t even think about she was right on top of it. She helped transition from the ceremony to the reception with such ease. I arrived late with a last-minute decision to use my daughter as the flower girl. (she was going to be the one who blessed me and her stepdad with the rings). I had a glass ring box that I wanted to put in the flower girl basket. The ring box had little feet and the basket is a modern looking steel basket with holes in the bottom. I ended up buying fake petals from hobby lobby so last minute and wasn’t too crazy about them. I was running behind and she saw me walk in with them (everything still in hobby lobby bags) and went out of her way to find a clear plastic sheet to put in the bottom of the basket so the feet wouldn’t fall through. She also took some roses from one of the extra centerpieces for the basket so we didn’t have to use the fake ones!! This was such an amazing touch on her part and was one of the many things she did to make our day perfect. Everything went so smoothly!! Mariana is great and I loved that I could text her as I don’t enjoy talking on the phone. Overall there is not one thing I would have changed!! The venue was beautiful, Mariana and her staff (and sweet daughter) were great. The pictures should be back soon and I will come back and post a link if anyone wants to see them!! Reviewed on 26-04-2017
Mariana L. Leiva has managed AvantGarden since 1996. In the Fall of 2007 she started dedicating her time to coordinating beautiful weddings at AvantGarden.