10 Tips from an Austin Wedding Planner
Deep in the heart of Texas lies a buzzing, mellifluous, party-loving, cowboy-cosmopolitan capital city - and one of the most incredible places to host your big day!
Austin is an incredible place to get married — live music, great food, dreamy Hill Country views! It really has so much to offer, which means it’s a destination couples often choose for their nuptials. There are definitely some quirks to planning a wedding in Austin - and when you’re ready - you need to have a plan! There is no shortage of venues, themes, vendors and vibes you can find for your Austin wedding - here are 10 tips from a local Austin wedding planner to help you plan your day perfectly.
1. Time of year is EVERYTHING!
This is the FIRST thing you should know - April, May, October, and early November are peak wedding months in Austin for a reason: perfect weather and wildflower season. But that also means venues and vendors book up fast, often 12-18 months out! If you want your dream location, make sure you book it early!
2. The weather can give main character or villain vibes!
We are blessed to have great weather for most of the year. Mild winters, pleasant falls and springs filled with wildflowers. But also… the heat can be brutal, the storms can be ferocious, the wind can be blowin’ and sometimes the bugs be bitin’! Consider this if your ceremony is outside (and even if it’s not). Make sure to have back up plans for all of the above!
3. Location! Location! Location!
As is with real estate, location is everything. There are SO many beautiful areas to get married: surrounded by nature in Dripping Springs, the perfect party downtown, a garden gathering in South Austin to name a few! Be sure to identify accommodation options, travel time and transportation needs when planning your wedding. Some areas have limited hotels or are a trek from the airport. Be well-informed and make sure your guests are too!
4. Austin is VERY popular - and the congestion proves it!
Locals, tourists, wedding guests and conferences - it’s no wonder there is always traffic! Make sure you understand the ramifications of Austin’s population boom. Lines are longer, parking is limited, traffic is common. Plan any of your logistics with ample time to avoid surprises driven by the sheer number of people out and about on any given day.
5. Foodies rejoice!
Austin boasts some truly incredible cuisine. Not just BBQ and Tex-Mex, but we have Michelin stars and James Beard chefs - so if food is your passion, you’re in the right place! Don’t be afraid to mix it up between your rehearsal dinner, reception and farewell brunch - there is so much good food to choose from!
6. THE Live Music Capital of the World
As you probably know, Austin is known for our MANY music venues, bars and artists. Entertainment options are far and wide, consider hiring local artists to give your guests the true vibe of the city. From blues to jazz to country and rock - there are so many cool ways to incorporate the heartbeat of Austin in your wedding!
7. These dates are NO-GOs…
As an Austin wedding planners and residents resident, there are a few weeks we recommend avoiding when planning your wedding. Make sure to avoid: SXSW, ACL, Formula 1 and sometimes UT football games. Not only are venues much harder to come by, but these events will drive up hotel prices and make travel significantly more unpredictable. If your heart is set on a date during one of the major events, consider moving your wedding out to the Hill Country, to avoid the traffic, higher costs and general chaos!
8. A courtesy block is hard to come by in Austin
Unlike many other cities, the courtesy block is very hard to come by in Austin. A courtesy block is when a hotel will provide a small set of rooms at a discounted rate without holding the couple financially responsible if the block isn’t used. In Austin, they are few and far between. If you want to secure a block, make sure you have a good idea of how many guests will utilize it. If not, make sure to give your guests many hotel options to meet budgets of all kinds.
9. Where’s the after party?
Austin is known for its vibrant night life - so the after party options are endless! Be aware however, that many bars will not allow you to section off a bar without a minimum spend. So if you don’t want to set aside budget for the after party, have the after party be more free-flowing and find bars on 6th Street, Rainey Street, South Lamar or the East Side that aren’t likely to be over-crowded or have lines.
10. Hire Vendors Who Know Austin
As with most things, the local vendors will help set you up for success from day one! Your Austin wedding planner can help you navigate the overwhelming tasks of finding venues, scoping out vendors and the general logistics of having a wedding in Austin. We can help you negotiate, work through any challenges and create the Austin wedding of your dreams!
Getting married in Austin? Let’s make it the most joyful, seamless day of your life — and actually fun to plan.
301 Walsh Events & Experiences; Modern weddings for laid-back couples who want things done right.
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