Special Events Blog

Garden Room

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:07:00 GMT

The Garden Room at the Courtyard on St. James is a beautiful banquet room that opens right onto our luscious Courtyard patio. The garden room can accommodate maximum 165 guests for a buffet dinner, 186 for a seated dinner and 225 for a cocktail party. It has a balcony that looks over the built in dance floor to allow everyone to see the action. The neutral colors in this rooms allows for any color scheme you can think of. Call us to help plan your next event!

Wine Cellar

Tue, 08 May 2012 21:23:00 GMT

Looking for an intimate location to have your next meeting or event for 50 people or less? Look no further because our wine cellar is the place for you! With our open brick design and rustic decor the wine cellar will charm your guests as they enjoy our delicious cuisine with impeccable service. We welcome all events from corporate meetings to rehearsal dinners to anniversaries and weddings. Call us for further details at 713.621.0555. Your guests will be glad you did!

3 Simple Steps to Choose the Best DJ for your Event

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:15:00 GMT

Have an event coming up and you can't decide which DJ to hire? Here are three simple steps to help you find the right one for you!

Do your homework:

Check online for testimonials from their former clients. Besides first hand references, this is the next best thing to see how they work and what other clients thought about their work. If you like what you see, set up a time to meet with them in person to see how your personalities match up…you will be working closely with them to make sure your event goes off without a hitch!

See their work first hand:

Most DJ’s will be honored to let you see them in action or at least have a demo for you to listen too. This way you can make sure their style matches up to the type of event you are planning.

Make sure the price is right:

Anyone who is planning an event is on a budget, but picking the DJ with the lowest price is never the answer unless you are getting a friends and family discount :) If you want to work with the owner of the company, expect the price point to be higher than if you used one of their employees. Some DJ's will have extra goodies to make your event standout such as up lighting and gobo's, which are well worth the extra penny.

Check out our preferred vendors list for your next event at the Courtyard on St. James!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:49:00 GMT

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! What a day to have a party and celebrate the Irish traditions. Bring together your closest friends and family for some corn beef and cabbage, green beer and Irish folk dancing. Courtyard on St. James would love to celebrate with you. We have 3 rooms that hold anywhere from 20-300 guests and great patio’s to enjoy March weather. Book next year’s event with us now!

Bow Ties and More!

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:19:00 GMT

Now that we have helped the ladies prep for prom, guys it is your turn! Looking for a way to add some character to your traditional black tuxedo? How about instead of a colored tie to match your date’s dress, try a bow tie. They are making a comeback and are incredibly stylish.

Now that you have decided to go with a bow tie, the real fun begins-how to tie it. Check out this tutorial to help look your best on the most important night of your life, whether you need it for your bow tie, traditional tie, pocket square etc. Your date and friends will be impressed!

PHOTO SOURCE:: http://www.tie-knots.org

2012 Prom Style Ideas

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:57:00 GMT

For ladies, getting ready for prom can be an event in itself. You have to do your hair, make up, nails or all of the above. Either way, before you do get ready, you need to decide on your style. The top two looks for hairstyles for 2012 are classic and messy. Now these could mean many things. Classic could mean a slick bun, Victoria’s Secret style curls, or a spruced up pony tail. Messy might portray a side messy bun, going with the bed head look, or adding braids to waves. And then there is the make-up. Viewed as another way to define your style, prom make-up could go many different ways. Going with a bold black, purple, or grey shadow accentuates the eyes and darkens the face and gives off an edgy feel. The classic Audrey Hepburn look with simple top eyeliner and bold lashes lightens the face and gives it a more sophisticated look. If you don’t like to wear too much make up, a touch of mascara, a bit of pink on the cheeks, and a light gloss on the lips is the way to go. As for nails, you can go with a light pink or nude color to go with any dress. There is always the classic French manicure or go wild with a design! Regardless of your style, have fun and enjoy the evening!!!

PHOTO SOURCE: : HAIRSTYLEIDEAS.COM

How to Arrive in Style!

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:31:00 GMT

Party buses have become the new mode of transportation for partiers all over Houston. This way of transportation has become popular especially for proms. Able to seat up to 50 people, there is plenty of space to arrive to your event in style. If you’re looking for something a little less expensive, but still fun, the limo is the way to go. There are several types of limos to choose from-classic, hummer, excursion etc. Able to seat you, your date, and a few close friends, the limo is a more intimate way to arrive to your prom. Here at the Courtyard on St. James, we’ve seen all sorts of transportation as we are Houston’s premier event facility. Come check us out!!!

Get Creative with Corsages!

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:52:00 GMT

Corsages and boutonnières have graced the lapels and wrists of prom dates since the 1940s. The color of the flowers usually matches the outfit for the evening that he or she may be wearing. Prom corsages and boutonnieres, however, have started to take on a bit of a different, modern feel. By adding some flair and embellishments, you can really create a unique look for your date. Hope these images spark some ideas!

PHOTO SOURCE:: PROMMAFIA.COM

Prom Themes

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:13:00 GMT

PROM. Just hearing the word brings excitement to high school students across the country. Thinking about it is easy, but is planning it just as simple as thinking about it? Of course not! There are so many things that need to be planned in advance: hairstyles, the dress, who you’ll go with, how to get there, and of course, the theme.

Picking a theme may seem like a daunting task, but here are a few prom theme ideas that may spark your interest. Go for a theme from a different decade like the 1980s. If you’re looking for something a bit more extravagant, think about picking a theme by category.

The following have been popular themes:

Location: Paris, Venice, Hollywood

Style: Under the sea, Jungle, Casino, Masquerade, Luau

Song: A Moment Like This, Smells Like Teen Spirit, Forever Young

Movie: Alice in Wonderland, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, James Bond

Contact the Courtyard on St. James for a night to remember!!!

PHOTO SOURCE : : Stumpsprom.wordpress.com

Add a Caricature Artist to Your Next Event!

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:31:00 GMT

A fun party favor that can add a bit of character to any event, caricature artists are an unexpected, easy way to entertain your guests while giving them something to take home. Exaggerations of a person’s likeness, these drawings display an interest in a distorted and non-typical way. Be it riding a pony, or racing down a roller coaster, caricature artists are a good way to spruce up your party in a non-traditional type of drawing while adding humor!

Photo source : : macgarcia.com

Holiday Decorations

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:46:00 GMT

Holiday décor is something that everyone stresses about. Well, stress no more! Here are some festive holiday decoration ideas to get your creative juices flowing. When decorating a Christmas tree, try placing the ornaments within the tree rather than hanging them from the branches. Traditional white lights are a must for more formal parties. As for the star on top, a bow made out of ribbons could also work.

When decorating for a room with many tables, why not try putting nutcrackers in the center. On a raised block covered by sparkling festive colored fabric, this center piece adds more to the table as well as the room. When working an event with flowers, stick to seasonal holiday colors. Since it is the Christmas season, you can also incorporate pinecones or ornaments for a more festive feel. Just remember to include lots of candles!

Fundraisers, Galas and Holiday Events-OH MY!

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:09:00 GMT

Now that we are in full holiday swing, your calendar will begin filling up with several events to attend. Hopefully at least one of them will be at the Courtyard on St. James. From corporate parties to holiday galas we can do it all! We have 3 wonderful rooms to accommodate an event from 20 guests to 300. With our luscious patios, excellent cuisine and exceptional service our facility guarantees to be a crowd pleaser. Call us to help plan your next holiday event and we will prove it to you!

Photo source: : Buzzbo.com

Who Is Lori Evans?

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:40:00 GMT

Hi everyone! My name is Lori Evans. I have been an event coordinator at Courtyard on St. James for almost 5 years. My eye for detail and passion for weddings makes me good at what I doJ

I graduated from the University of Houston in 2006 with a degree in Consumer Science and Merchandising. Less than a year after graduating I was offered the opportunity to be an Event Manager for the Courtyard on St. James-my dream come true! In 2008 I married my college sweetheart after his tour in Iraq. Of course, we had our reception at the Courtyard on St. James after our ceremony at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic church. We now have a 14 month daughter, Francesca, and two dogs, Max and Bella.

Working at the Courtyard on St. James has opened my eyes to all the wonderful talent Houston vendors have to offer. My favorite color palette for weddings is cream and light pink. Mixed with LOTS of candles, it makes for the most romantic setting. Call me to help plan your next event!

Crazy Cakes – The New Party Trend!

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:11:00 GMT

Cake trends have always been an ever changing topic in special events. Now seen as an extension of the host’s personality, these outlandish cakes have event guests around the country talking. Seen most frequently at birthday parties, these cakes usually embody something that the host likes. Some have even been known to resemble paintings, designer purses, and even zombies! Crazy cakes are a fun way to show your likes while impressing your guests with this delicious creation.

Photo source : Abduzeedo.com

Up Light Your Life and Events!

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:40:00 GMT

Up lighting has become a part of the wedding decor check list over the past couple of years. Color coordinate the up lighting with your event and it will transform your party. With the neutral color combinations of the Courtyard on St. James decor any color scheme works in our facility. Regardless if you use up lighting or not, Courtyard on St. James is the place to have your next event!