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Austin Wedding Reception Venue - HELP!

breathing007breathing007
First Comment
in Texas-Austin
Hi There,

I"m looking for a wedding reception venue that can host 350 people but at a decent price.  So far I've looked into a few hotels (Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott) and they are either booked or will run around 40K when it's all said and done.   I only need the venue for the wedding reception as the wedding is going to be in Houston.

I'd like an affordable hotel (my parent's preference) if one exists but am open to any ideas.  The ideal package would include the ballroom/venue, alcohol, food (outside catering allowed) and tables/cutlery/linens for under 23K with tax and service charges.  Our budget is 30K for the entire reception.  Please help if you have some good ideas.

Thanks,
-Raj
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Re: Austin Wedding Reception Venue - HELP!

  • Rushmi_JasonRushmi_Jason member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If you are fixed on a hotel, you can check out Barton creek resort or Vintage villas (it's on the lake, and I believe they have accomodations also), or maybe event he Radisson downtown. When you look at hotels with that number of people, keep in mind, your only chouice is rpobably a ballroom - if you don't mind beign completely indoors without any windows.  
    If you are open to a non-hotel option, Villa St. Clair is very close to the airport (5-6miles i think), and I'm pretty sure they can accomodate around 350 ppl. They have 2 spaces - a BEAUTIFUL ballroom inside (i think this room alone holds around 350 ppl) as well as a nice very large patio/courtyard outside. The owner Kim is very nice, very accomodating, and very open to new ideas. We are having our inter-cultural/faith reception there this may, and its been good so far. They do flowers as well as food on site. They want ppl to use their catering, but their chefs seem open to creatign different types of food. We are having desi and carribean dishes, and we are going to meet the chefs this coming Monday. If you would like more info after that, let me know. Villa St. Clair also seems reasonable on their prices. They also provide tables (but no linens), and they have access to bartenders too. I really liked how we did not have to go around to 20 different vendors! Also, check into this, but I believe they provide some coordination/planning services, as well as a person dedicated on the actual day. i'm sorry for al the rambling, but let me know if you have any questions...hope this helps!
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  • breathing007breathing007
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    Thanks so much for the response.  I will have to check out the radisson downtown and you're right, I don't mind indoor to much even though being outside in Austin is beautiful!  I love everything you've said about Villa St. Clair with the only exception being on the food.  My parents being in a traditional indian family only want to cater from a handful of restaurants but I will have to look at the first two options you were talking about.


    Thanks for the help and please keep it coming!  As the groom and planner of the reception venue, I need as much help as I can get!

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  • MargoH09MargoH09
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The Radisson is surprisingly affordable for a downtown hotel, and they do rent out the outside deck/pool area. I'm not sure if they're affordable enough to hit your budget, and I don't think they allow outside catering.

    If you're looking for a hotel-type venue, I've found the Doubletree on 15th Street to be very open to working with a budget, but it's not a super-festive space--more businessy than weddingesque. HTH.
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  • DAADAA
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I would recommend the Bob Bullock History Museum.  Another option is the the Palmer Events Center.  Not hotels, but they meet all your critera.  Congratulations and good luck.
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  • decjunkiedecjunkie member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Kali Kate is a beautiful venue.  I have been to receptions there and they were incredible.  I love the large bar and the other sitting areas so you don't have to just sit at  your table.  And they have a beautiful floor to ceiling fireplace.
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  • januarybride11januarybride11
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    I am looking at Bella Lago at Forest Creek- it used to be named Forest Creek Country Club.    Love it!   Went to open house and they were so nice.    The food was so good and the place is really pretty.   Went to 2 friends weddings there in last couple of years- amazing!  One was summer and it was more around the pool- and under the trees.  Loved the nightime lighting!   That friend had about 300 guests. 

    As you were thinking outside, They told me their tent seats around 500-600- looks over this lake that is so pretty.     

    Pricing is good, especially for all they include.  Anyway, my wedding is in January and I like it that we can be indoors too around their pretty fireplace.    Classy place!

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  • pacificgalxpacificgalx
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I also suggest checking out Bella Lago. They are located in Round Rock. It's gorgeous and overlooks a lake. They are open to bringing your own food. My family is also insisting bringing our traditional dishes. The great thing about this place is that the outdoor tent seats up to 600 people. You can also bring your own alcohol which really helps out on expenses. The indoor area seats up to 200-250 people. The only drawback is if your reception has to be completely indoors, it would be difficult to fit 350 inside, especially if you're having entertainment (band). The dance floor was a bit small. Other than that, it's a beautiful setting and quite charming for the price and their flexibility to allowing outside catering.
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  • txbride2011txbride2011
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If you want another hotel option the Renaissance Hotel off of 183 and 360 is really gorgeous!  They have an amazing team of chefs and the pastry chef out there is out of this world!  They also have the personal bartenders....I am not sure on the pricing but it is def. worth checking out!
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  • RJG13RJG13 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Have you looked at The Terrace Club?  It's an all inclusive type place with linens, chairs, food, servers and even day of coordinators.  The place has so many decorations and centerpieces, that you basically add your accent colors and flowers.  They do provide bartenders, but you provide the alcohol.  It's a huge savings and you can just drop it off the day before. They have all the mixers including margarita machines.  I've been very hapy with it!  It's a Dripping Springs so about a 20 minute drive from downtown Austin.  It's really pretty and overlooks the Hill Country, so it has great views. 
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  • boxrkissesboxrkisses member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011



    We are using the Texas Federaltion Womens Mus.  It was VERY reasonable and you bring in all your own food & drinks.
    You can rent the whole venue or just ballroom.  It was the largest and most economical we found.  They have inside and outside areas.
    Here are a few pictures.
     

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  • breathing007breathing007
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thank you all so much for your feedback  We actually had narrowed our choices to two hotels.  One came from a recomendation in this forum:).  The only issue was the accomodation during cocktail hour wasn't adequate.

    The other hotel was perfect and we were about to close this week and they gave it away!  Needless to say, we're starting from square one again.

    Thanks for all of your help everyone!  Our list is now at 350 and looking for an indoor venue that fits our budget and outside catering allowed.
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