The Julia Ideson Library

500 McKinney St,
Houston, TX 77002
View their website

Average Base Cost: $25,000

Our average base cost for a wedding at the Julia Ideson Library is calculated by figuring a 125-person guest list on a Saturday evening using a food/beverage price of $125/pp. Entertainment, flowers, additional decorations and rentals, transportation, and photography are not included. Price is rounded up to the nearest thousand. Gratuity and sales tax included.

*Prices subject to change

How it breaks down:

Facility Rental Fee: $8,300

What’s Included: Exclusive use of all of the rentable spaces in the entire building (except the Exhibit Hall) for 6 hours, including load-in and load-out.  Some of the spaces have furniture included.

Extras:

• Additional time is $830/hour.
• Hiring a wedding planner is required.
• If alcohol is served, venue requires a minimum of two uniformed officers, and an additional officer per 100 guests over 199.
• If valet parking is used there is a permit fee of $253.89.
• Security fee is additional, and rate depends on number of guests and hours rented.
• Fees starting at $256 are charged for moving pre-existing furniture.

Vendors: The venue provides the space only, so you can choose your own caterer from a pre-approved list.

More Stats:

Space Type: Inside/Outside

Size: Up to 300 guests

Bridal Suite: There is a room/space that can be used for changing. However, the venue recommends that hair and makeup be done prior to arrival.

Parking: Valet is highly recommended and Sovereign Services is the company the Library recommends.  Otherwise, the nearest garage is 3 blocks away.

How Will Grandma Get There? The  Julia Ideson Library is located in the heart of Downtown Houston and is walking distance from a ton of hotels, including the Hyatt Regency, Magnolia Hotel and Doubletree Downtown.

Party On! Midnight, however additional hours can be purchased.

The Report: 

Opened in 1926 as the central library for the Houston Public Library, the building is on the National Register of Historic Buildings. Rumor has it that the building is haunted by a former library caretaker and his dog. Perfect for a Halloween wedding!

Woman Getting Married Says:

I love library wedding venues. They have so much character and tend to have great layouts with wide open spaces…perfect for dinner, drinks, and dancing. It’s great that this venue lets you choose your own caterer, even if it is from their pre-approved list. The location is also great. Because it’s the Houston Public Library keep in mind you’ll be dealing with the city vs. a catering manager or planner, but since they require you to hire a wedding planner I would go with one that knows how to navigate the property and their setup as effectively as possible.

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