Unique Small Wedding Venues

When you get engaged, one of the first things you’ll be searching for (in addition to your photographer, of course) is a wedding venue. If you’ve got an adventurous spirit (like me), you’ll want to celebrate with friends and family somewhere that’s just a little bit different.

While I’m most known as an adventure photographer, I also help plan and shoot intimate weddings (read more about how to plan a meaningful wedding). And though I’ve photographed weddings from Greece and Iceland to Big Sur and Joshua Tree National Park, I’ve found some of the best places to elope or have a small wedding in the Austin, Texas area.

Here’s my carefully curated list of the Top 10 Unique Venues for Intimate Weddings:

1. Carpent er Hotel

Situated right near the heart of Austin, the Carpenter Hotel is close to downtown and just a short walk from the lush green of Zilker Park. Carpenter Hotel offers two unique options for elopement packages: their open-air Quonset Hut or their on-site restaurant, Carpenters Hall.

Just married couple walking their dogs to their South Congress Hotel elopement reception

2. So uth Congress Hotel

A timeless and modern venue, South Congress Hotel also offers both indoor and outdoor options for your wedding. Featuring an event space, lush gardens, and a beautiful courtyard. South Congress Hotel offers a wide range of menus from brunches and beautifully plated dinners to street tacos. Just a mile from downtown, it’s a perfect place to celebrate with your wedding guests and escape for epic wedding photos on South Congress with the city in the background.

3. Hudson Bend Ranch

The perfect backdrop for your wedding weekend. Hudson Bend Ranch is a destination venue nestled in the Texas Hill Country. Just 30 minutes from downtown Austin, Hudson Bend offers two wedding packages: the Laurel, a courtyard ceremony and reception (for up to 50 guests), and the Juniper, a courtyard ceremony and Party Barn reception (for up to 100 guests). Both packages include lodging, which gives you the full wedding experience. This small wedding venue feels like a secret garden with a touch of the southwest!

4. Sekrit Theater

This Austin eastside gem is a favorite of artists, dreamers, makers (and photographers!). The not-so-Sekrit Theater makes for a unique backdrop for your wedding portraits. The grounds include the Green House, Tiny Home, New Orleans Porch, Front Gardens, Lounge Bus, Goldfish Pond, Backyard with Chandelier Tree, and Vintage Ford Truck. This is the perfect small wedding venue for anyone looking for a quirky, Austin vibe, yet close to convenient and top-notch restaurants for a reception.

Couple excited for their fun Confetti Faux exit

5. Malverde

Featuring a private indoor and outdoor event space, Malverde at La Condesa offers skyline views of downtown Austin from its perch just above 2nd Street. Malverde features a funky minimalist vibe, craft cocktails, artisanal beer, and wine selection, catered exclusively by La Condesa. Because Malverde is set in the middle of the city, you can easily escape for modern wedding portraits in front of the city’s collection of murals.

6. Justine's Secret House

Tucked away on East 7th Street near Waller, Justine’s Secret House is an opulent 1,020 square-foot Victorian house with a New Orleans-style courtyard and backyard, exclusively for private events. Velvet lounge chairs, Victorian settees, chandeliers, and a marble-top bar lend an authentic, timeless feel. The house and courtyard can host up to 150 people for a standing cocktail party, or 40-60 people for a seated dinner in the house. Full-service events with food and drinks are catered by the famed Justine’s Brasserie. This is a favorite space of mine!

7. The Greenhouse at Driftwood

Located in the heart of Hill Country, the Greenhouse at Driftwood is an elegant setting for elopements and weddings whether yours will be natural and organic or a black-tie affair. The Greenhouse at Driftwoods accepts only a limited number of weddings each year, be sure to book early!

Funn intimate wedding ceremony at Shady Villa Hotel

8. Shady Villa Hotel

A fun and funky venue in Salado, the Shady Villa Hotel has been welcoming Texas travelers for over 150 years. The historic hotel buildings are situated under a canopy of Texas oak trees. This unique space is an architectural time capsule, with parts of the restaurant dating to 1861, and additions that date from 1941-1951.

Intimate weddings with dogs portraits ideas

9. Living Waters on Lake Travis

Romantic and peaceful, Living Waters on Lake Travis is a little bit rustic, a little bit modern, and a whole lot magical. Ideal for intimate weddings, the venue boasts accommodations for up to 22 guests in a variety of unique accommodations. Hold your ceremony lakeside or by the copse of trees and dance the night away under the covered pavilion.

Wedding portraits amongst Jennifers garden wedding venue in Austin Texas

10. Jennifer's Garden

On a one-acre parcel of lush gardens, with Shoal Creek running through, you’ll find the Inn at Jennifer’s Garden. A hidden gem among Austin’s intimate venues, the Inn feels as if you are stepping into another world abroad. Minimal decorations are needed for an elopement or wedding of any size, as the grounds have a lot of character!

Austin, Texas Wedding, and Elopement Photographer

Do you envision your intimate wedding celebration in an adventure city like Austin, but feel overwhelmed by the thought of planning your elopement? Let me help you! I’ll share ideas to assist you to fulfill your desires and longings for your wedding day, walk you through each step of the process, and document every moment!

Start planning your epic elopement or intimate wedding today!