My Favorite Small Austin Wedding Venues
Intimate weddings are my favorites to capture. The simplified timeline and small guest list allow the couple plenty of freedom to plan a day that feels true to them. I love being an Austin wedding photographer because so many spaces are perfect for an intimate celebration or elopement throughout the city. Today, I’m sharing my favorite small Austin wedding venues and what I love about them!
The Best Small Austin Wedding Venues
Justine’s Secret House
There’s so much to love about Justine’s, a Victorian-style house turned event venue. Their parent restaurant, Justine’s Brasserie, does the catering, so the food is always exceptional. Eating in the dining room feels like attending an elevated dinner party at a friend’s home!
While it has a homey feel, Justine’s can accommodate weddings of all sizes. I’ve shot events with five guests and 100 guests there! The courtyard space is best for small ceremonies, but the tent holds a larger crowd for receptions. With indoor and outdoor spaces and plenty of shaded areas, Justine’s is also an all-season venue. I love photographing couples inside the house and on the surrounding street, especially when light streams onto the property at golden hour.
One couple I worked with who were Justine’s regulars decided to plan their wedding evening based on their ideal date night! They served their favorite meal from the restaurant while a local band played, and then served their favorite desserts instead of cake. It was intimate and uniquely them!
UMLAUF Sculpture Garden
The UMLAUF is a six-acre sculpture garden and museum. It’s best for weddings in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and the trees look their best. There’s also an intimate indoor space, the Crenshaw Building. It’s the perfect spot to get ready before your ceremony or regroup with your guests after portraits on the grounds for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
Like Justine’s, the UMLAUF can accommodate everything from a two-person elopement to a wedding with over 100 guests. There’s plenty of space in the garden for everyone to spread out. However, note that on-site covered space is limited. So, if you plan a large celebration here, I recommend renting a tent to shelter the table area.
I’m admittedly partial to elopements at the UMLAUF, having photographed so many beautiful ones! One couple had a private ceremony—just them and their officiant—surrounded by the lush plants. It was fall, and the leaves had started to change. It began raining during their vows, but the couple rolled with it! The weather added a layer of magic to their already stunning ceremony.
Laguna Gloria
While I could name several picturesque small Austin wedding venues, Laguna Gloria takes the cake. Walking onto the grounds feels like being transported from Texas to Tuscany! From the 1920s architecture to the lush garden pathways, there’s a gorgeous portrait backdrop around every corner.
It’s my favorite venue for an intimate wedding ceremony, whether inside the villa’s brightly lit sunroom or in the outdoor gazebo area. You can also have a small cocktail hour or reception onsite before heading to a different location (some of my favorite options nearby include Proper Hotel, Jeffrey’s, and Malverde). Since indoor space is limited, Laguna Gloria is best for spring and fall weddings. Plus, the grounds are so beautiful that most couples prefer to spend as much time in them as possible!
My favorite wedding here began with a morning ceremony in the sunroom—an intimate space perfect for seating 10-12 guests. The bride and groom were both professional dancers, and they performed the most incredible choreographed dance on the patio afterward!
Austin Courthouse
If you’re looking for a hands-off option, this is your spot! All you need to do is make an appointment with the Justice of the Peace and arrive at your scheduled time. It only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, so there’s plenty of time before and after to snap portraits on the grounds and in any other locations you choose. I recommend planning at least 30 minutes for portraits at the courthouse, as the Art Deco-style architecture is lovely!
The courthouse is ideal for a small wedding. I’ve photographed some ceremonies that were just the couple and others that included a few immediate family members, like parents. The real beauty of a courthouse wedding is its simplicity! There’s no need to fuss over logistics or decor, so your love becomes the sole focus.
Going from the courthouse to a cool restaurant or Airbnb that fits your style is a great way to make the day uniquely yours. One of my couples followed up their ceremony with a small dinner reception at Lenoir. Another invited me to their Airbnb before the ceremony to take photos as they got ready, made breakfast, and danced in the kitchen. There are so many ways to add personality to a courthouse wedding!
Did one of these small Austin wedding venues resonate with you? I’d love to hear about it! Fill out and submit an inquiry form to give me a glimpse into your wedding vision. After that, I’ll be in touch to discuss what you’ve shared and walk you through my coverage offerings and artistic process. I can’t wait to get to know each other!
