Are you looking for a reception venue in College Station? Today I will tell you all about the beautiful and historical Astin Mansion! Astin Mansion is a perfect place for wedding receptions, engagement parties, Greek events, office parties, and even for portraits. I have had the privilege of taking photographs at Astin Mansion twice: once for Maryann and Michael’s engagement shoot, and once for their wedding. The pictures of the venue are stunning! Here is a questionnaire filled out by Paula, the owner of Astin Mansion. Hopefully this can answer all of your questions about what they offer. And don’t forget to scroll to the bottom to see the pictures I have taken of this outstanding venue!
When was this venue built? Any special story or recognition given to the venue?
Architect Hal B. Thomson built the Astin Mansion for Roger Q. and Nina Heard Astin in 1924. The house was listed on the National Historic Register in 1987 and is full of architectural marvels such as the various wooden accents hand carved by Master Carver Peter Mansbendel, a grand staircase with hand forged metal rails from Old San Antonio Ironworks, and one-of-a-kind metal and glass lighting fixtures designed by Mrs. Astin. While the house only has 3 bedrooms, it has 7 fireplaces, one of which is a large Tudor Gothic fireplace in the conservatory. Inside the house you will find Italian marble, New England slate, and original Oak floors as well as walls covered in rich mahogany and Texas quarried limestone. The back garden area still showcases the original carriage house and small children’s playhouse fashioned after the main house.
Nina Heard Astin, who was well known for her generosity and community involvement, outlived all of her children and bequeathed her estate to the community in the form of the Nina Heard Astin and Nina Bess Astin Charitable Trust. The trust continues to support several of Mrs. Astin’s favorite organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club, as well as various scholarships and other local causes.
Since Mrs. Astin’s death, the house served as a private residence for 2 more families and has been a special events venue for the past 10 years. As a venue, the Astin Mansion provides an elegant setting for weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, vow renewals, corporate parties, and Greek formals. While comfort is a word that often gets placed at the bottom of the criteria list, we are proud of the fact that people feel at home in this grand house and everyone always loves visiting!
What is the maximum number of guests you can accommodate?
The historic mansion and grounds can accommodate everything from small, intimate family weddings to galas with hundreds of guests. While most of our events average 150-175 guests, we have hosted as few as 38 guests for a beautiful, private wedding to 300+ for several weddings and corporate events.
Do you have standard wedding packages you offer?
The Astin Mansion offers several wedding packages designed to fit every client’s need, from a quaint wedding ceremony only to a full weekend celebration. We also have a variety of packages designed for Corporate Events, Greek Formals, Family Reunions, Baby or Bridal Showers, Birthday Parties, Rehearsal Dinners, Bar Mitzvahs, Quienceaneras, High School Reunions, and other Special Events.
What is included in the wedding packages?
Our packages include a few special perks for our clients. The first perk we offer is access to the venue, free of charge, for bridal portraits. If brides choose to have their wedding on-site, a stunning Bridal Suite is included as a place for the Bridal Party to relax and dress. As for the venue rental, we provide a full time hostess to assist guests throughout the evening. We also supply vendor tables, gold chivari chairs inside, white garden chairs outside, round guest tables, and white linens. In addition, a custom floor plan design and set up are included in the package price. And even more importantly, at the end of the evening our guests can walk out the door leaving the mess to us!
Are there any special or unique services you provide?
The Astin Mansion is a multiple service venue. We have one of the most talented floral designers in the Brazos Valley who assists our clients with creating one-of-a-kind floral arrangements that will leave their guests talking for weeks. We also have a wonderful chef who tells everyone that cooking and serving delicious food is her passion. I assure you that most guests ask if they can have seconds and sometimes even thirds. In addition to these two important aspects of any event, we staff professional coordinators who help design and manage each event as needed.
Can renters hire their own vendors (caterer, coordinator, DJ, etc.), or do you have a preferred vendor list?
Because we have an on-site floral designer and chef, we do require that our clients acquire these services through us. Other than this, our clients are allowed to bring in any vendor they choose. We do provide a Preferred Vendors list at signing, but the list is simply recommendations from us for local vendors that have provided our clients with excellent service in the past.
Why should couples consider Astin Mansion as their wedding venue?
I think couples should consider hiring us because the Astin Mansion is the most beautiful, romantic, historical venue in the Brazos Valley. Not only do we provide mouthwatering catering by our own in-house chef and unbelievable floral/décor by our unbelievably talented floral designer, but we provide these services under the same roof as the venue. By grouping these important services together, our clients not only save money, but they are relieved of the additional stress of trying to find these vendors and are guaranteed the same level of service and quality that has become an absolute standard at the Astin Mansion.
What advice for a future bride and groom planning a wedding can you give?
The most important advice I give young couples is to make sure you don’t get too bogged down in the planning that you forget to enjoy the moment. Tiny details are something you are aware of, but most of your guests will not notice. Take time to enjoy every single moment and remember, “This is not just a wedding!” It’s the day that you wed the person for whom your soul has been searching since the day you were born…
Do you have any upcoming events or specials?
The Bridal Association of the Brazos Valley Spring Bridal Show is February 9th. We will be showing, as will a lot of great local vendors. Anyone interested in planning a wedding should attend. The BABV is a non-profit organization and all proceeds are donated to local charities. Just make sure you stop by our booth and say hi!
We will also be celebrating the 90th birthday of the Astin Mansion later this year!
Where can we find out more about your work?
Facebook: www.facebook.com/the.astin.mansion
Instagram: @theastinmansion
Twitter: @theastinmansion
Website: www.astinmansion.com
Pinterest: pinterest.com/astinmansion
Maryann and Michael’s wedding at Astin Mansion!
A few ofMaryann and Michael’s Engagement Photos at the mansion:
