4 Free wedding Venues
As Austin event planners, we've seen our fair share of weddings and can tell you off the bat: the cost of Austin, TX wedding venues can get expensive. Luckily, our event sleuthing skills have helped couples find free Austin wedding venues that are both unique and photo-worthy, and we're sharing some of our favorites with you! Here is a great list of beautiful wedding locations around Austin where you can host your Austin wedding ceremony for free. Of course, as your favorite ATX wedding planner, we've also provided a list of pros and cons for each so you can decide which best fits your needs.
Keep in mind that the average cost of an Austin wedding is $35,000 (read our popular wedding budget breakdown ), and wedding venues take up 20-30% of that budget. That means getting a free venue can save at least $7,000 on your wedding! Pair that free venue with our exclusive all-inclusive wedding package to cover the other vendors (like DJ, florist, photographer, etc.), and you can have your dream wedding at your dream budget.
So, if you are a flexible couple willing to consider unconventional options for your free Austin wedding venue, keep reading! And of course, we are always available for a free consultation NEEDS LINK to help make your ideal wedding a reality.
Chapel Dulcinea
Address: 16221 Crystal Hills Dr, Austin, TX 78737
If you don't mind having your ceremony mid on a weekday from 8:30-5pm, this chapel is completely free and they greatly welcome donations. They have a streamlined online reservation process. and Their paid weddings that take place on evenings and weekends are very affordable at $500-$1000.
Pros: You can reserve the chapel for up to 90 minutes. Plan for a 30 min ceremony and leave 60 mins for a light reception; mimosas or coffee, breakfast snacks, and tea sandwiches if you get an afternoon slot.
Cons: Getting married at 10:30 am on a Tuesday is challenging for most people. The maximum guest count is 60 people (but really 55 guests + you + partner + photographer + coordinator + officiant) You can only reserve the chapel for 90 minutes. You may want to follow up with a secondary location at a nearby restaurant to share a full meal with your guests.
Butler Park
Address: 1000 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Get married in a space that offers a great mix of nature and the city skyline.
Pros: centrally located in the heart of Austin. Perfect for intimate ceremonies. There are three popular ceremony areas to choose from: Texas Hill overlooking the Capitol’s skyline; The Dock with views of the park’s pond and the city skyline; or the Grassy Knoll, the quintessential park space, perfect for smaller groups.
Cons: No furniture allowed, but some bench seating in the area. Maximum 20 people. limited parking. Music restrictions mean you will need a separate reception area if you want dinner and dancing.
Mount Bonnell
Address: 3800 Mount Bonnell Rd, Austin, Texas 78731
This public park is open every day from 5am to 10pm. It's completely open to the public and offers stunning views for a magical wedding ceremony.
Pros: No paperwork or payment is required. You can just show up :) The views!
Cons: No way to reserve a time for your gathering. The assent is a bit of a hike that include about 100 steps to the top and will require comfortable shoes. It also isn't stroller friendly, which means it's best to host a very small and intimate adults-only celebration. Also isn't wheelchair accessible. There are no public restrooms in the park and the park does not provide weather accommodations.
Texas State Capitol
Address: 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
If you love Texas, this location could be the perfect place to exchange your wedding nuptials. simply fill out their request form and someone will get back to you with available dates. click here for their listed rates. You'll notice the Great walk has no listed rates because the rental is free!
Pros: Centrally located in the heart of Austin. You can get married in classic Texas elegance in a space that offers plenty of beautiful shots. They offer several spaces which means you can host the reception in another part of the campus to keep things simple for your guests.
Cons: Furniture isn't provided, which means will either need to reserve a separate reception area or will need to coordinate furniture rentals. Scheduling could be a concern as available dates aren't publicly known which could make planning difficult.
