Whether you’re a born and raised Austinite or an out-of-town admirer, if you’re hosting your wedding in the ATX, you’ll want to include some truly Austin elements. From the venue to the parting gifts, here are some ways you can incorporate the capitol city’s culture and lifestyle into your big day details.

Austin Wedding Venues

Austin is an eclectic mix of city and country, which makes it ripe with possibilities for couples. Venues of all kinds exist in and around the area, so you’re sure to find one that fits your vibe. Some unique and beautiful options include:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Thanks to Austin’s temperate climate, couples love hosting their weddings in outdoor areas. The LBJ Wildflower Center, nestled 10 miles outside of downtown Austin, is a popular venue that captures the beauty of the hill country. With nearly 300 acres of native plants, wildflowers, cultivated gardens, walking trails, an arboretum, and courtyard, the Center offers plenty of memorable settings for ceremonies and receptions.

Green Gate Farms

If you want more of a rustic, country theme, you’ll want to check out Green Gate Farms. The main attraction is the historical big, red barn built in 1902. Inside you’ll find plenty of space to host an elegant dinner. There are stunning outdoor areas as well, each naturally decorated by century-old trees and wildflower meadows. Feast between the organic vegetable fields or dine underneath the stars in the open-air space overlooking the fields and windmill. And when you host your wedding at the Farm, a portion of your payment goes to a local community of sustainable farmers!

Blanton Museum of Art

Those looking for a chic, modern venue will love the beauty of the Blanton Museum. The atrium, undoubtedly the centerpiece of the museum, features a soaring 50-foot ceiling and iridescent blue walls. Dine and mingle under the hanging sculpture installation, lounge in the covered outdoor Loggia, and walk through the galleries filled with impressive art collections.

Related: My Favorite Austin Wedding Venues 

Wedding Welcome Bags

Wedding welcome bags are a must-have for out-of-town guests, especially when filled with local items to give guests a taste of Austin flavor. They’ll appreciate the information and goodies you’ve put together to help them navigate and enjoy the wedding celebrations. A few suggestions of what to include:

• Wedding itinerary
• Map or local guides
• Locally-made treats like candy, snacks, coffee, and wine
• Austin postcard
• Keepsake from the area to help your guests remember the great time they had in Austin 

Photo Opps

Austin is full of Insta-worthy backdrops, from colorful street murals to the capitol building. It’s worth spending a little extra time in the downtown area to get some unique wedding photos to fill your album with. Head to the “I love you so much” mural at Jo’s on South Congress Avenue or stop by the “Greetings from Austin” retro postcard painting.

Related: Why You Should Say Yes to a Wedding Album

Flowers

Flowers will inevitably be a part of your wedding, so why not add a little local flare by including the Texas state flower - the bluebonnet - into your arrangements? Tuck them into your bouquets or boutonnieres, include them in your table centerpieces, add seed packets to your welcome bags or give out as favors. Tip: the pops of blue will look especially nice when mixed with white blooms.  

Food

A truly Austin wedding should have some Tex-Mex on the menu. Serve tortilla chips and salsa (local salsa, even!) or set up a build-your-own taco or fajita bar. Texas bbq is another great idea for a menu item. Think pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, chicken, slaw, and potato salad. And don’t forget about the food trucks! Austin is home to many a mobile restaurant, serving everything from unique desserts (popcorn sugar and vanilla ice cream) to Asian fusion. Have the food truck roll in during the cocktail hour or offer late-night snacks during the reception.

Entertainment

Austin is known for its music, so there’s no shortage of local entertainers ready to rock your reception. There’s also the Soundcream Airstream, which acts as a DJ booth and lounge area. Aside from music, you could set up lawn games, a photo booth, and have donkeys serve drinks. Yep, you heard that right. Couples across Texas are hiring beer burros, sweet little donkeys that carry drinks, favors, and food in their pack saddles. They also love posing for pictures!

Related: Here is Why You Need a Photo Booth at Your Wedding

Wedding Favors

Local delights are the best way to give your guests favors with an Austin twist. Think local coffee brews, hot sauces and salsas, jams, Texas-shaped cookies and chocolate, Austin-produced wines, and shot glasses with mini bottles of tequila attached.

Looking for more ways to give your wedding day an Austin touch? Let's talk about an ATX wedding!