Bonus: these wedding venues offer lodging for you and your guests
Over the years, we’ve been photographing weddings in Austin and the Texas Hill Country. Quite often, our couples have wanted to spend more time with their loved ones who travel from all over to celebrate with them. One way brides and grooms make this happen is by choosing a venue with lodging on site. Instead of just a quick “hello and thank you for coming” at the reception, they can linger with their closest family and friends after rehearsal dinner, enjoy breakfast and games before the wedding and say their goodbyes over brunch the day after. When you consider how much effort can go into attending a wedding—flights, taking days off, a little “what to do in Austin” research, etc.—it’s nice to treat your guests to an event that’s a little more special.
We wanted to share our favorite Austin wedding venues with lodging with you brides and grooms considering weddings with more time to be with the ones you love best. Austin and Dripping Springs, the Wedding Capital of Texas, have venues that can meet your needs and wants for your micro wedding. In no particular order:
- Camp Lucy
Known for a long time as a local, favorite wedding venue, Camp Lucy has become a destination in its own right. Not only do they host weddings of all sizes, but they also offer beautifully appointed cabins and a luxe resort experience for couples and their guests. They have an on-site restaurant, Tillies, that features American Nouvelle cuisine. Not widely known: you can enjoy lots of nature on their trails. We can personally confirm that the Terrace Room is a really sweet suite! You can request treats for the alpacas at the front desk, too.
2. The Alexander at Creek Road
Set on 40 acres in some of the prettiest parts of the Gateway to the Texas Hill Country, The Alexander at Creek Road can host up to 40 of your closest friends and family. Their cozy cabins and treehouse suites are situated for guests’ privacy yet are very close to everything on the grounds: the two main ceremony sites, the brand-new Pavilion for cocktail hour, and the stunning Windsong Barn for the reception. The owners decorated with so many of their heirlooms and old family photographs.
3. The Creek Haus
The Creek Haus is the sister venue to the iconic Vista West Ranch, found on numerous “best wedding venues” lists. The Creek Haus is a striking venue on its own with the bonus of hosting up to 70 guests on site. The main ceremony site sits along a year-round creek, and the event barn has a moody industrial charm for couples looking for a more intimate feel.
4. Hill Country Casitas
Hill Country Casitas is a perfect spot to spend a Texas Hill Country weekend—and celebrate your own intimate Texas wedding. This venue has stunningly appointed casitas that will spoil you and your guests (do not miss the bathrooms). Trails lead to some great views, a huge fire pit, and a pool to keep everyone happy before and after your big day.
5. La Estancia Bella
This venue has a romantic beginning: La Estancia Bella was built and designed by architects for their own daughter’s wedding. That’s just one unique feature. The other is that it sits on 100 acres, and a herd of beautiful longhorn cattle grazes there. They have lodging for up to 20 guests on-site, perfect for a micro wedding.
6. D6 Retreat
With four cabins on-site, the lovely D6 Retreat can host up to 32 guests. They have winding trails that lead to a seasonal creek plus a pool—a must for those hot Texas summer wedding weekends. The highlight of this venue is the unique open-air chapel. It’s like a perfect, blank palette for you to work your creativity.
7. Smythwick Castle
That’s right: a castle. Smythwick Castle is nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country in Marble Falls. With enough room for up to 14 guests, it’s perfect for your micro wedding with the closest family and friends. Since the owner of this venue is an accomplished caterer and cake artist, you know you and your guests will be absolutely, delightfully spoiled all weekend.
8. Hideout on the Horseshoe
With 19 luxury guest cabins that can accommodate up to 108 guests, Hideout on the Horseshoe on the banks of the Guadalupe River is a perfect weekend getaway retreat for you and your guests. Did we mention Guadalupe River? They can include a tubing option as part of your package. This is a fun option for warm-weather weddings!
HOTEL VENUES
Of course, when it comes to venues with lodging, hotels are a natural place to look. Austin has its share of them, including those with lots of character. These spaces lend themselves to unique weddings where you can celebrate together over a couple of days in your own way.
- The Driskill Hotel
It’s been a part of Austin’s downtown since 1886. The Driskill has nearly 200 guest rooms, including 14 guest suites, including some that have balconies that are perfect spaces for micro weddings. It’s widely known for grand spaces that hold hundreds of guests and have options for more intimate celebrations, including the unique 1886 Cafe and Bakery. Bonus: the hotel is pet-friendly, so your fur babies can take part in your celebrations, too.
2. Inn Cahoots
Located in the heart of East Austin’s entertainment district, this hotel offers a unique hotel experience. The Inn Cahoots has five spacious and versatile condo-style suites (with a total of 23 hotel rooms), plus indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, including a rooftop deck with a view of downtown Austin.
3. Hotel Van Zandt
The Van Zandt offers so many ways to customize and personalize your celebration over multiple days, from a rehearsal dinner with a custom menu to a goodbye brunch the day after your wedding day.
4. Hotel Zaza
At first blush, you’d think that this hotel would host only large, grand weddings. But they have included with their offerings the option to choose a Hotel Zaza micro wedding package.
5. Line Hotel
The LINE Hotel’s location makes it great. It’s a short walk to the best museums, live music venues, and dining that downtown Austin has to offer. Your guests will never lack fun things to do while you’re together.
