Top 6 Historic Austin Wedding Venues
We love historic wedding venues because they’re brimming with charming details and tons of character. When the venue itself is full of personality, it makes planning the rest of the wedding easier to plan!
In this guide, we’re going to break down our favorite historic Austin wedding venues. It was so hard to narrow down our choices because the Austin area has such rich history, and practically every venue has a unique story! While this list is by no means exclusive, it’s a great starting point if you’re looking for an Austin wedding venue with history!
The Driskill Hotel
For upscale and elegant weddings, The Driskill Hotel is a historic Austin staple venue. In the heart of downtown, The Driskill greets guests with a stunning grand lobby, where they are immediately wowed. The hotel was founded in 1887, and in its 150 years, it hosted a number of inaugural balls for Texas governors. It was even the spot where future president Lyndon B. Johnson met his wife Ladybird on their first date. Talk about Texas history!
The Victorian architecture and decor of The Driskill make it ideal for black-tie weddings. There are two venue options, the mezzanine and the Victorian room, and several wedding package options.
Our sister photo booth company, Oh Happy Day Booth, got to be part of a stunning wedding at The Driskill last August! Check out the gorgeous photos from Jenny DeMarco!
Neill-Cochran House Museum
Museum weddings are always unique, and the rental money goes back to the museum, so your wedding contributes to a great cause! The Neill-Cochran House Museum is right in downtown Austin, and it’s a gorgeous spot for intimate outdoor weddings. The Greek architecture makes it stand out from other historic Austin wedding venues, so your wedding feels like a romantic European escape!
Before it was turned into a museum in 1959, the Neill-Cochran house was a family residence, a school for the blind, and a federal war hospital. Today, the museum keeps the history of Austin alive with rotating art exhibits.
The museum has an expansive number of preferred vendors you can work with. If you have out-of-town guests coming to your wedding, they can visit the museum during their trip to learn about Austin’s history.
Stonehouse Villa
If you’re looking for an expansive venue that blends history and modern amenities, you’ll love the Stonehouse Villa. Just outside of Austin in Driftwood, this venue is home to a gorgeous limestone villa that was constructed in 1924. The property offers stunning views of the Texas hill country, and there are multiple spaces for ceremonies and receptions.
In 2019, a brand new huge reception hall was added to the historic property, making it an ideal spot for large weddings. There’s also a big tented deck that offers the feel of a mixed indoor/outdoor reception.
If you want to say “I do” beneath a canopy of historic Texas trees, you’ll love the outdoor ceremony space with sweeping views of the hill country. The venue also offers luxurious bridal and groom suites.
Springdale Station
Springdale Station keeps ending up on our “best Austin wedding venues” list, but we’re not mad about it because we get to keep showing off these photos from our mid-mod styled shoot with Bonnie Burke!
This train station turned wedding venue is a favorite historic Austin location among wedding vendors. It’s full of history, eclectic charm, and unique vintage features. It’s just five minutes from downtown Austin, but it sits on an acre of land, so you feel like you’re on a day trip outside of the city! Unlike some historic wedding venues, Springdale Station offers ample parking space for all of your guests. Their main reception space holds up to 300 people, and the grounds are even pet-friendly in case you want your four-legged friend to walk down the aisle.
Thanks again to Bonnie Burke for the amazing photos from our shoot! Aren’t our streamers perfect for the rock-n-roll theme?
Star Hill Ranch
Star Hill Ranch is truly one-of-a-kind. The property is made up of restored buildings from Texas small towns that have been arranged to recreate an early 1900s Texas community. If you want your wedding to have a Stars Hollow feel (any Gilmore Girls fans out there) with a Texas twist, Star Hill Ranch is perfect for you.
The venue centers around the Pontotoc Chapel, which is a gorgeous backdrop for an outdoor ceremony. The banquet hall is ideal for big weddings, and there are also several micro spaces for elopements. We love this historic Austin venue because it offers a wedding experience for you and your guest that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before!
Etter-Harbin Alumni Center
Calling all Longhorns and alumni! The Etter-Harbin Alumni Center was founded in 1885 and sits right on the UT campus. With four different venue spaces, including a lodge-like lounge with gorgeous natural light, you can host big parties and intimate celebrations here.
The rustic ballroom and building itself are full of character, but the real treat is that it’s surrounded by the beautiful Waller Creek and 100-year old Texas oak trees. There are tons of great photo ops throughout the property!
The venue provides in-house catering and bar services, which makes planning easier for you. The rental includes tons of premium amenities, including bridal suites. This is a historic Austin venue that all Longhorns will love!
Final Thoughts on Historic Austin Wedding Venues
In our opinion, a historic backdrop is a beautiful way to start your future. Historic Austin wedding venues make for beautiful and memorable events. We can’t get over all the characters the venues above offer, and there are tons of other options that we didn’t mention here!
Streamers and balloon garlands add a great modern touch to historic venues. Contact us today to chat about your wedding!
Which venue is your favorite? Which one did we miss? Catch up on our other “best Austin venues” blogs and stay tuned for the next one.