What Do the Best Wedding Venues in Central Texas Offer?

A wedding needs the ideal setting—one that’s perfect for the couple as well as the guests. When searching for wedding venues in Central Texas, consider factors such as specific location, a venue and package that fits your budget, and a venue that has all the elements to make your vision a beautiful reality. In this blog we’ll talk about 

Why Choose a Wedding Venue in Central Texas?

When planning a wedding, you’ll want to consider the experience of the guests as well as the bride and groom. Central Texas offers some great advantages, especially for weddings in which guests will be coming from many parts of the country.  People attending a wedding enjoy having other attractions to explore while they’re in town. Central Texas has its share of attractions for people seeking outdoor activities, cultural and historical spots, great dining, and more. Let’s explore some of Central Texas’s most scenic and interesting attractions. Some of these are worth considering as wedding ceremony sites as well as places for guests to visit while they’re in town. 

The River Walk in San Antonio

The River Walk is a long series of paths that wind through San Antonio. There are 15 miles of pathways that take you past restaurants, bars, gardens, and shops. The River Walk is a fun and romantic way to explore the city.

The Texas State Capitol

The Capitol in Austin has a variety of buildings and grounds to explore. In addition to the Capitol itself, there’s the Governor’s Mansion, Bullock Museum, and Visitor’s Center. 

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg, in the heart of Texas Hill Country, is worth a stop for several reasons.

• Enchanted Rock – A beautiful spot for hiking, camping, rock climbing, and star-gazing.
• Wineries – The Fredericksburg region has more than 50 wineries and vineyards with many wine-tasting events.
• Art Galleries – Fredericksburg is known for its art galleries, many featuring distinctive Southwestern art.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center

 20 minutes from downtown Austin, this botanic garden showcases all of the plants and wildflowers native to Texas.

Lady Bird Lake

The 10 miles of trails alongside Lady Bird Lake run right through downtown Austin. The paths are popular for walking, dog walking, biking, and scooters. You can also take riverboat and kayak tours of the lake. Another of the lake’s attractions is the world-famous bat colony under Congress Bridge. It’s a nightly ritual for both locals and tourists to line up and watch thousands of bats emerge from under the bridge at dusk. While bats are around all year, the prime viewing season is May through September. 

Museums

Central Texas has several outstanding museums that celebrate the region’s art, history, and culture.

• The Alamo –An essential part of Texas history, this historic landmark offers both public and private tours as well as a permanent exhibit. Located in central San Antonio, visitors can also explore the city’s vibrant downtown. 
• McNay Art Museum – This museum, 5 miles from downtown San Antonio, has over 20,000 works of art, including works by Picasso, Van Gogh, and Matisse. Check their calendar for the latest exhibitions. 
• Waco Mammoth National Monument – A museum and paleontology site featuring the fossils of 24 mammoths.
• LBJ Presidential Library – The library of President Lyndon Johnson, is located on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. Aside from photos, books, and historic documents, visitors can listen to tape recordings of LBJ in conversation with other historic figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr.

Zilker Park and Barton Springs

For anyone staying near Austin, Zilker Park provides a peaceful and interesting refuge. The 350-acre park has trails for hiking and biking, boat rentals, and the famous Barton Springs, a natural pool with refreshing warm water year found. 

Wedding Venues in Central Texas: What to Look For

So now that you know more about the amazing locations surrounding Central Texas and why a wedding here is the ideal place for a lifetime of memories, what should you look for in that perfect venue? 

It’s essential that you start by defining your needs and goals. Some of the main points to consider when comparing wedding venues include the following.

• Your budget
• Availability for the wedding date
• Proximity to airports, accommodations, and attractions
• Space – the venue must be large enough for the guest list
• Services and amenities such as catering, bar services, and entertainment 

Choosing the right wedding venue makes all the difference when it comes to the atmosphere and experience of the event. Here’s more on the key areas to focus on when selecting a venue. 

Budget

Budget is always a major consideration when planning a wedding. The venue is a significant part of the overall wedding cost. If staying within your budget is a challenge, you may need to rethink the design or the size of the guest list. When researching wedding venues in Central Texas, be sure you’re clear about the cost and what is included. The venue may charge by the hour, by the day, or give you a choice. Venue staff may assist with issues such as parking, setting up furniture, lighting and temperature control, and other needs. 

Services such as catering, bar service, and entertainment may be offered as part of a package or at an additional cost. You may also want to be free to arrange your own catering, which may involve using the venue’s kitchen or having the caterers prepare everything off-site. When researching or booking, be sure to ask any questions so you know what is included.

Availability

Wedding venues are often busy, especially during prime season—between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It’s always best to book the venue as far in advance as possible. Experts generally recommend booking the venue at least a full year before the wedding date.  When you begin your search, decide how flexible you can be with dates and be ready to discuss with the venue before you fall in love with it’s atmosphere and amenities. 

Location: Travel and Accommodations

Aside from great places to visit, your wedding venue should be located close to travel and accommodations for guests. Central Texas covers a wide region that includes Austin-Round Rock, San Antonio, Waco, Killeen, and nearby areas. Wedding guests may be driving or flying in from many places. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is a busy hub, with connecting flights from the East Coast, West Coast, and Midwest, as well as international flights. This makes Austin the perfect central location if you want to minimize traveling time for guests arriving from diverse locations. 

Proximity to accommodations is also a factor. People arriving from out of town will most likely be staying at a hotel or Airbnb for at least a night. Ideally, it will be a short journey from their accommodations to the wedding site.  

Capacity 

Of course, you’ll need to find a space that can accommodate all of your guests. One of the first points to look at on the venue’s website is capacity. There may be multiple spaces, such as indoor and outdoor areas. You want to be sure that the venue can comfortably fit the number of guests you plan to invite. In addition to guest capacity, you’ll want to verify that the site has adequate parking that is convenient for your guests and makes their attendance easy. 

Indoor and Outdoor Spaces

Since weather can be unpredictable, consider looking for both indoor and outdoor spaces in the perfect venue. This can also allow you to create different vibes to fit your wedding theme, with space outside to enjoy your celebration in a natural setting. As temperatures or conditions fluctuate, having options for your guests will only add to the experience.

Setting and Atmosphere

A wedding is a memorable occasion in which every detail matters. The venue you choose should reflect your preferences and values. Aside from space, convenience, cost, and amenities, it’s important to choose a venue that offers the kind of environment that’s right for the wedding. The atmosphere includes decor, landscaping, architecture, aesthetically pleasing grounds, and natural surroundings. 

When considering a space, be sure to browse any photos the venue has posted on social media or their website. If it’s practical, visit the venue yourself.  If the wedding has a theme, the venue should complement this. For example, if the theme is rustic, a venue in a scenic natural environment would be more appropriate than a downtown hotel. 

Reputation

Before making a final decision, it’s worth looking at the experience, reputation, and public face of the company. The following can give you a good idea of a venue’s reputation.

• Website – A professional and well-designed website is always a good sign. The website will also provide insights into the venue’s style and values.
• Social media pages – The venue’s Facebook, Instagram, and other social media pages may provide photos, videos, and insights into how popular the venue is and how events there look.
• Reviews – Previous customers can tell you what they liked and didn’t like about the space. Aside from reviews published on the website, you may be able to find additional reviews by searching on Google. 
• Word of mouth – If you know people who have gotten married or attended weddings in Central Texas, you can ask them about their experience.

Find the Best Wedding Venues in Central Texas

Austin and other parts of Central Texas offer a wide selection of wedding venues. When choosing, consider all the relevant points that will merge to make your wedding moments unforgettable. The ideal venue is an essential component of a wedding everyone will remember for all the right reasons. Vuka has two unique event spaces in the Austin area: Vuka Bouldin Creek and Vuka North Loop. Both feature wide, warm spaces, handmade furniture, kitchen access, and more. To learn more about our enchanting wedding venue spaces, contact us for more information or to book a tour.