This mansion wedding was held on a private estate overlooking the ocean.
This album showcases the first wedding held at this venue. The groom was a location scout and became aware of this estate as he was scouting for TV locations.
When the couple decided that they wanted a singularly unique location for their wedding, they contacted the property owners and arranged to book this exclusive location for his wedding.
As a wedding photographer in Houston, I've photographed events at countless venues. However, few can compare to this amazing mansion in terms of location, views, and decor.
For more photos and to see how this estate looks today, check out the wedding album that I created from a recent event at this venue.
The mansion construction began in 1926 with a construction budget of nearly $1,000,000. That was quite a hefty sum equaling just over $13,000,000 in today's adjusted dollars. Architect Kenneth A. MacDonald, Jr. designed the thirty-five room mansion and almost every room has an ocean or mountain view. It also boasts 10,277 square feet of living space.
The mansion was named after its original owner, Austrian-born business mogul who made his fortune in wool processing. He built this impressive mansion to fulfill a promise that he made to his wife. He promised her a castle by the sea and even by today's standards, he certainly kept his word.
This mansion is a classic Beaux Arts structure with Mediterranean accents that harkens back to ancient Italian coastline villas. Upon entering the home, you'll see a huge marble staircase in the entry hall featuring an elaborate wrought-iron stair rail created by craftsman James C. Kubic.
If you look closely at the details, you'll see that Kubic incorporated ram heads into the wrought-iron design as a reference to Kauffman's wool business. The estate also contains a library with coffered ceilings, mahogany-paneled walls in the master suite, and a 35-foot tall living room ceiling with hand-stenciling.
The original owners s lived in this mansion for just a few short years before both died. Then, for almost 20 years, the Villa was unoccupied except for a single caretaker and his pet dog.
Although several attempts were made to sell the house, it was eventually sold at auction in 1952 for only $71,000. However, things have since been better for this property. When it was last listed, the restored mansion was presented for $14,500,000.