Located off Mueschke Road in one of the quieter areas of Cypress, Lindsay Lakes hosts more than 120 weddings annually. About 10 years ago, owners Jim and Shari Lindsay were set to retire, but they entered into the wedding business and purchased the 5-acre property in 2003.

"Their oldest son was looking for a wedding venue, and they went all over town and couldn't find anything they liked," sales director Norma Cardoza said. "Afterwards, they saw there was such demand for a different type of venue that instead of retiring, they purchased the property and constructed Lindsay Lakes."

There was an existing house on the grounds, but the couple spent almost three years constructing two other buildings and a man-made lake before the first wedding took place in 2006.

The majority of weddings at the venue take place outside overlooking the lake, which features four waterfalls, a gazebo and a windmill, all of which can be used as the setting for wedding party photos.

In the case of rain, the ceremony can take place inside the Tuscan Room, which is decorated in the style of a Tuscan vineyard. About 220 guests can be seated in the room, which could also be used as a reception space for less than 120 people.

The Lodge, which is housed in what was the existing home on the property, was remodeled by the Lindsays and now serves as the dressing room for the bride and groom. The living room and kitchen area is used as a common space for the couple's family, and the groom's dressing room is also on the first floor.

The groom's room features a flat-screen TV, pinball machine and poker table, while the bride's room is upstairs and next to the bridesmaids' dressing room.

During the months leading up to the ceremony, brides work with one of three wedding coordinators to ensure everything is prepared.

"When a bride comes to see us, we show her the facility and go over all our vendors and services," Cardoza said. "She gets to pick and choose what services she would like us to provide, and which ones she wants to bring in."

Ultimately, there are several things that set Lindsay Lakes apart from other wedding venues in the Houston area, Cardoza said.

"The lake, to begin with, is No. 1, along with our top-notch wedding coordinators and how great our food is," Cardoza said.

Dining options

There are more than 10 buffet options from which to choose, including the following:

• Southern Comfort—Boneless marinated fried chicken breast topped with bacon-sausage gravy, served with mashed potatoes, a vegetable, cornbread and salad.
• Fajita—Beef and chicken fajitas are served with refried beans and cilantro rice.
• Surf and Turf—Seared salmon is served on top of a lemon caper sauce, along with a starch and seasonal vegetable.
• Louisiana Special—Blackened tilapia is served with yellow rice and steamed broccoli and carrots and topped with sauted shrimp with a lemon Cajun cream sauce.

Planning the big day

As part of the wedding package, Lindsay Lakes provides one of three wedding coordinators to help assist the bride with the planning process.

• Bridal handbook: This 30-page handbook provides the bride with tips, advice, a timeline and reception map.
• Coordinator meetings: Brides receive a linen consultation to pick out various things such as the reception linens, floor plans, food and vendor services.
• Food tastings: Brides and grooms can set up a tasting appointment to decide which buffet option they would like at their reception. Lindsay Lakes does not allow outside food vendors.
• Wedding rehearsal: A one-hour rehearsal takes place the day before the wedding.