Opening summer 2014
Agave Hill, 80907 Circle Drive, Austin, 512-914-7983, www.agavehillevents.com
Accommodates: 250–300
The outdoor venue offers historic oak trees and an eclectic style of design, from the whimsical to the traditional and formal. Director of Events Evie Patton said in the past three years Agave has renovated the residential home on the property, built a covered stage and added more buildings. Once it opens this summer, the venue will work with preferred vendors for catering, music and other services.
Opening August 2014
Brodie Homestead, 5211 Brodie Lane, Sunset Valley, 512-439-2981, www.brodiehomestead.com
Accommodates: 125–325
Once it opens in August, the restored barn venue will be able to be sectioned off to serve as a ceremony and reception space. The venue also includes a bridal suite dressing room, groom’s dressing room, crystal chandeliers, a catering prep kitchen and on-site parking for events with up to 150 guests as well as shuttle service from parking at the nearby Toney Burger Center.
Opening in 2015
Ceres Park Ranch, 13187 Fitzhugh Road, Austin, 512-695-1441, www.cerespark.com
Accommodates: Up to 200
Open since spring 2010, the ranch is located on 200 acres in the Hill Country. Ceres Park is home to independent businesses Stanley’s Farmhouse Pizza and Jester King Craft Brewery.
Co-owner Cinnamon Nemec said the ranch is in the planning stages of building a new venue that is slated to open in the spring on the same property, offering couples both outdoor and covered ceremony options. By late summer the venue plans to resume booking for 2015.
Chapel Dulcinea, 16221 Crystal Hills Drive, Austin, 512-394-0226, www.chapeldulcinea.org
Accommodates: Up to 150
Open since: April 2005
The small chapel seated on the edge of a walking trail on the Wizard Academy campus features hand-chiseled stone benches and a historic church bell.
The benches provide seating for 12, capacity under the roof and awnings can accommodate about 35–50 guests, and another 100 would be able to view a ceremony by standing in the extended patio area.
Dunvegan Keep, Residence in Southwest Austin, by appointment only, 512-282-6834, www.dunvegankeep.com
Accommodates: Up to 80
Open since: 1995
Owner Craig Turner built the venue, which features marble lions, an iron gate, stone arches, stained glass, large outdoor mosaics and gardens. Chandeliers are hung throughout the oak trees for ambient lighting. The venue is popular as a site for Renaissance-themed weddings or weddings with a European aesthetic.
Gruene Estate, 532 Rock St., New Braunfels, 830-609-8664, www.grueneestate.com
Accommodates: 200–250
Hosted first wedding: April 2013
The Hill Country venue founded by co-owners Anna Lisa and Danny Tamez has hosted family reunions and business retreats for years and hosted its first wedding in April 2013, Manager Katherine Bluntzer said. The venue features a covered open-air chapel, and the owners installed a cooling system for its pavilion this spring.
The Inn at Wild Rose Hall, 11110 Fitzhugh Road, Austin, 512-380-5683, www.theinnatwildrosehall.com
Accommodates: Up to 150
Open since: 2008
The Inn at Wild Rose Hall is a South Austin event venue featuring an oak-covered ceremony site with an iron gazebo, a pond with a fountain and a covered veranda with twinkle lights, among other features.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, 512-232-0164, www.wildflower.org
Accommodates: Up to 250
Open since: 1995
The center, which features interactive exhibits and a variety of Texas plants, also hosts weddings. It was renovated earlier this year and can provide in-house catering or work with outside vendors. Six different spaces are available, including indoor and outdoor facilities.
The Lookout, 10600 W. Wagon Road, Austin, 512-422-9036, www.thelookoutaustin.com
Accommodates: Up to 150
Open since: 2010
The wedding and party venue features a hilltop location with gardens and lawns, providing sunset views. Owner Ann Jones said The Lookout has a catering and decorations package available and recently built an aviary that will house exotic parakeets.
Pecan Springs Ranch, 10601 Derecho Drive, Austin, 512-632-1046, www.pecanspringsranch.com
Accommodates: 50–400
Open since: February 2013
The property on 17 acres is surrounded by pecan and oak trees and features a creek and fresh springs. A 6,000-square-foot, climate-controlled building includes a prep kitchen, a groom’s area and a glass back wall that opens up onto a 2,000-square-foot terrace. There is also a separate bride’s house as well as numerous ceremony sites.
Star Hill Ranch, 15000 Hamilton Pool Road, Bee Cave, 512-565-6746, www.starhillranch.com
Accommodates: 50–400
Open since: December 2003
The Hill Country destination is centered around a historic main street and features restored buildings, including a chapel, as well as outdoor ceremony spaces surrounded by gardens in a Hill Country setting. Owner and General Manager Adam Wooley said the venue completed construction on its first guest cottage in early 2013.
Stunt Ranch, 13317 Fitzhugh Road, Austin, 512-843-3867, www.stuntranch.com
Accommodates: Up to 300
Open since: May 2004
The local business, which trains customers in movie stunts and special effects, is “not your typical wedding venue,” Chief Financial Officer Carolina Moody said. This year the 22-acre outdoor venue has started moving away from hosting traditional weddings and instead can host themed events.
“We will do action hero–packed weddings with explosions where the groom can zip line in [to the ceremony],” she said.
The Terrace Club, 2600 E. Hwy. 290, Dripping Springs, 512-894-4009, www.theterraceclub.com
Accommodates: Up to 300
Open since: July 2000
The all-inclusive venue offers a coordinator, decor, views of the Hill Country, and outdoor and indoor ceremony spaces. Within the past year, the location has renovated its bride and groom suites and its dance floor, and added a second outdoor ceremony area.
Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave., Austin, 512-469-6228, www.thinkeryaustin.org
Accommodates: Up to 500
Open since: December 2013
Weddings celebrated at the Thinkery help support learning experiences for local children and families. The venue works with preferred vendors for catering, audio-visual and other services. Ceremony spaces include a courtyard, program rooms and gallery areas. Guests can interact with hands-on science, art and mathematics exhibits in the museum.
The Vista on Seward Hill, 6414 Bee Caves Road, Austin, 512-327-3843, www.thevistaonsewardhill.com
Accommodates: Up to 200
Open since: 1997
The 100-year-old, European-style, glass-lined pavilion features stone fireplaces, iron candelabras and a stone courtyard with European statues. The venue also offers an indoor banquet hall with crystal chandeliers and tapestries. Co-owners Larry and Sidonee Seward recently added a new outside rock bar.
The Wildflower Barn, 1770 N. Elder Hill Road, Driftwood, 512-751-2739, www.thewildflowerbarn.com
Accommodates: Up to 120
Open since: March 2012
With two 600-square-foot barns, the site features eclectic vintage doors, a garden pond and fountains.
