Texas-Austin

Open to ANY budget friendly reception sites

We are trying to plan a wedding down in Austin (from Chicago) sooner rather than later, and are open to pretty much anything that isn't going to cost an arm and a leg.

I would say our only restriction is keeping close to Austin, maybe no more than 30 miles from the city, just for the fact we, and the few guest will be out of towners.

Any thoughts?

Re: Open to ANY budget friendly reception sites

  • edited December 2011
    you can check out the city of austin facilities: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/reservefacilities.htm

    zilker botanical gardens has an affordable garden center you can rent and you can also rent the gardens for your ceremony. i believe the gardens cost $300 and the garden center is $130 an hour.

    we're having our reception the Mexican American Cultural Center...you can rent different spaces and tables and chairs are provided: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/macc/

    the heritage oaks clubhouse in georgetown is really affordable: http://www.heritageoaksclubhouse.com/

    if you do your wedding on a friday or sunday, a lot of venues have much lower prices, so you might consider doing that.
  • edited December 2011
    Chapel Dulcinea is free and gorgeous, but there is a guest limit. If you're guest list really is small, you should check it out.

    There are a ton of Austin venues. It might help if you specified a budget.
  • edited December 2011
    There is no real set budget, but maybe under 5000, or maybe a bit more than that. We are thinking maybe 60 people or so... and we want something pretty informal.

    Initially we thought about just some restaurant on a beach in FL, but we are timid now because of the spill. And because we eventually want to live in Austin, we thought it would be fun to marry there.
  • erolliserollis member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Austin has so many great places. Here is a web site that may be helpful in finding a venue:  http://www.austinweddingblog.com/

    Good luck. Just holler if you need anything.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • edited December 2011
    If your budget is $5000, there are SO many amazing places!

    Here are a few I can think of that aren't super "traditional":

    -Star Hill Ranch
    -Mercury Hall
    -The Palm Door
    -Umlauf Sculpture Garden
    -One World Theater
    -Kindred Oaks
    -Vintage Villas
    -The Terrace Club
    -House on the Hill
    -Vista on Steward Hill
    -Winfield Inn
    -Inn at Wild Rose Hall (I think that's what it's called)
    -Green Pastures

    Barr Mansion is also beautiful but unfortunately part of the facility recently burnt down.

    Since your guest list is small you might also look at some restaurants.
  • edited December 2011
    were you saying $5000 for just the venue or $5000 for the whole wedding? you might check out shoreline grill. it's a restaurant overlooking ladybird lake. they have an outdoor area for ceremonies as well. depending on the day/time of year, they have a set food/beverage minimum, but that's all you need to pay unless you want a few additional things. 
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-austin_open-budget-friendly-reception-sites?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:126Discussion:05958ecb-bc70-4ada-b7a9-9baabc40c654Post:2df9c315-18be-4749-a40e-3614347a8778">Re: Open to ANY budget friendly reception sites</a>:
    [QUOTE]<strong><u>were you saying $5000 for just the venue or $5000 for the whole wedding?</u></strong> you might check out shoreline grill. it's a restaurant overlooking ladybird lake. they have an outdoor area for ceremonies as well. depending on the day/time of year, they have a set food/beverage minimum, but that's all you need to pay unless you want a few additional things. 
    Posted by hildeedee[/QUOTE]

    LOL, whoops! the whole thing went completely over my head. when i read $5,000 i thought "oh the possibilities are endless!" never did it occur to me that she could've meant for the whole budget, even though that's completely reasonable now that you say it. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-tongue-out.gif" border="0" alt="Tongue out" title="Tongue out" /> duh kelsey.
  • may2005may2005 member
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Check out the Caswell House (www.caswellhouse.org).

    We had our wedding & reception there.  It's a beautiful spot, very reasonably priced, and owned by a non-profit group, Austin Jr. Forum.
  • edited December 2011
    I would like to do whole wedding under 5k, which I know can be hard...

    But we want pretty informal, probably buffet style or something not so fancy, I am a picky eater. And any money we don't use for a wedding our parents said they would help us put towards a house (which we value more than just one day)....

    But, with that said, I still want something a bit more than a civil court wedding. I will surely check out these places though.

    And to elaborate more, all we need is a place to say "I do" and then some food, dancing is optional. Thanks :)
  • SarahBerahSarahBerah member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    There are a LOT of golf club houses in the Austin area that are usually mostly inclusive and not super exspensive.
  • edited December 2011
    I post this all the time... but I don't think people want to go as far as Geogetown - but it is a fabulous venue - a friend had her recepiton there and I was so impressed. Heritage Oaks Clubhouse. They have a website. www.heritageoaksclubhouse.com
     Rents for 100.00 an hour
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-austin_open-budget-friendly-reception-sites?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:126Discussion:05958ecb-bc70-4ada-b7a9-9baabc40c654Post:f246eb13-fb76-4b1f-81fc-eb31fbafd026">Re: Open to ANY budget friendly reception sites</a>:
    [QUOTE]I would like to do whole wedding under 5k, which I know can be hard... But we want pretty informal, probably buffet style or something not so fancy, I am a picky eater. And any money we don't use for a wedding our parents said they would help us put towards a house (which we value more than just one day).... But, with that said, I still want something a bit more than a civil court wedding. I will surely check out these places though. And to elaborate more, all we need is a place to say "I do" and then some food, dancing is optional. Thanks :)
    Posted by rubredvelvet[/QUOTE]

    Sorry if my answer came off as rude. I COMPLETELY understand where you're coming from. Our outlook was much the same while planning. Good luck!
  • lcbishop00lcbishop00 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Check out Maggiano's, www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=C45TpKU8zTOXQLduXlQfHp4HlArLsjLQB-s_zrBT0hoO4OQgAEAEgx5j4BVDhp4rEAWDJ1uWM5KTwE6AB9oeC8gPIAQGqBBxP0KY1ofYhkW8bQ5rni6z0gvUX_bofwHtes4tCgAWQTg&sig=AGiWqtxpiAvxGST4T4GN3n5aJTi7V33t9w&adurl=http://www.maggianos.com/">Maggiano's Little Italy
    It is a new restaurant here in Austin, and they seem anxious (in a good way) to build their wedding business.  They're in a great location in the Domain.  We are doing a lunch which is a fabulous all-you-can-eat Italian feast served family style for $22.95/person.  Dinner starts at $36:95, and there is no additional fee for the banquet roomsj - you just have to meet a minimum. 
    We can't wait for our reception there in April!
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