Affordable Wedding Venues in San Antonio, Texas

Affordable Wedding Venues in San Antonio, Texas blog post

Affordable wedding venues in San Antonio, Texas

…are surprisingly multiple and quite exceptional, in my humble opinion.

If you are recently engaged, first of all, congratulations! I’m ECSTATIC for you.

Wedding videography is a passion of mine and weddings are where I first started out in this filming journey.

As a bride and groom looking to start your lives together especially with inflation in our economy right now, finding the best wedding venues at an affordable price are likely at the top of your wedding to-do list.

As a videographer who has filmed at various locations, I can attest that these venues will give you everything you’re looking for and more for your big day.

And yes, you deserve to have your wedding day at the most perfect place and can at a practical cost.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Outdoor Garden Weddings

The first options to assess for the perfect location for your special event fall under the category of outdoor garden venues.

These outdoor spaces can save expenses by serving many functions simultaneously. Such as being an event center that is literally naturally beautiful, requiring minimal to no external decorations or floral services.

In addition, their accommodations combine to serve various purposes in a closely accessible space.

Check out these inexpensive wedding venues.

THE GARDENS AT WEST GREEN

The Gardens at West Green is a stunning inclusive wedding venue whose owner prides herself on being reasonably priced for the desired intimate wedding.

Of the many things this event venue boasts, the perfect location for minimal traffic and easy access for the wedding party and guests, bridal suite, groom suite, dance floor, and reception hall are just a few of the amenities it provides.

The fear with an outdoor ceremony is the risk of the weather changing. At the West Green location, part of its attraction as a perfect setting is the ability to accommodate a sudden need for change from exposure to the elements to protection for the wedding ceremony guests.

The grounds recently added a covered pavilion with a white backdrop reminiscent of elegant shiplap with draping curtains to enclose the space for you and your guests… should you need it. And if not, it is perfect for pictures. It is both unique and exquisite.

It truly is an elegant wedding venue with a personable owner that works with you from beginning to end to make sure your dream wedding becomes reality. She has her own list of preferred vendors and other recommendations to also help in your wedding planning listed on her website.

Affordable inclusive wedding venue in San Antonio, Texas - The Gardens at West Green

THE SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN

If you have looked for activities or sights to see in San Antonio, you have undoubtedly been to or at the very least, heard of the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Not only is the place gorgeous with the grounds kept impeccably well radiating conservation of resources, beauty and warmth. But it has multiple outdoor wedding venues all in one broad spot.

What I mean by multiple outdoor wedding venues is the fact that the SABOT (San Antonio Botanical Gardens acronym) has different locations within its gardens that can serve as different wedding ceremony settings.

For those of you hoping to avoid calling until you absolutely have to, you can find out these locations by visiting their website, looking under the Explore tab and clicking their Private Event Rentals option. You’ll need to fill out some contact information to access their pricing information but it is immediately available upon doing so and the information is detailed.

The downloadable PDF will list the different spots available, the number of wedding guests it can accommodate, as well as the starting price for booking, accompanied with an associated map to give you a visual of exactly where in the gardens each site is.

San Antonio Botanical Gardens affordable Wedding venue options

IVY HALL

Relatively new on the scene is the lush green oasis known as Ivy Hall, or in their own words, “San Antonio’s Hippest New Venue.”

And whoa. Let me tell you, this place is beoooootiful. This is a ridiculous event space in San Antonio’s King William neighborhood, which is in downtown San Antonio and iconic to SA-towners.

Not only is it a fabulous event space for your wedding day but they have their own exclusive caterer, Tim the Girl, whose owner is Tim McDiarmid, a James Beard Fellow. Immediately adjacent is The Good King, a full-service restaurant giving you the option to rent the entire acre of grounds, but for an additional cost. This is understandable as they will close the restaurant to their everyday guests in lieu of your special day.

This eclectic space will have everything you need for a beautiful wedding day. With ceremony seating starting at 90 inside and 140 for cocktail, they have plenty of room for you to expand your guest count.

Ivy Hall affordable San Antonio wedding venue

OTHER EVENT SPACES

MAGNOLIA HALLE

Also known as an urban barn, the Magnolia Halle event center is located in the heart of San Antonio but gives you that Hill Country feel you may be looking for.

The space is set up to provide everything you need for not just a wedding but other events like a birthday party or corporate events. The grounds boast a 3600 square foot main hall, an accompanying large picnic area and full service Bier Garden. Their exclusive caterer Everybody Eats, provides customized menus to help minimize your needs to book outside caterers.

Their goal is to provide you with a professional event team in addition to a ceremony and reception site, making their space the perfect place to promise your vows.

According to Here Comes The Guide, the ceremony fee starts at $550 but there is a minimum food and beverage minimum that starts at $4000 per event.

Affordable Wedding Venue in San Antonio, Texas - Magnolia Halle

LA CANTERA RESORT & SPA

Now, here’s one you may not have thought of. The luxury La Cantera Resort and Spa located in the infamous Texas Hill Country area of San Antonio.

This is not your typical luxurious north San Antonio hotel but the ideal location for the combination of a stunning event space with outdoor and indoor spaces. With at least 6 areas for different ceremony and reception sites on their resort floor plans, you can probably find anything you’re searching for.

The San Antonio Grand Ballroom has a grand foyer area featuring 7, yes, seven! historic mission bells overlooking two terraces with panoramic views. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide the natural light that many wedding professionals want for their clients with the La Cantera Ballroom. Across the hotel is Palo Duro with its ridiculously elegant crystal chandeliers, glass windows and two sets of French Doors.

Then there’s the Esparza Lawn, El Fortin and Plaza San Saba. For wedding ceremonies with breath-taking hill country views for the guests, and natural vegetation as décor, these are top contenders.

While these are all beautiful, do keep in mind it comes at a cost. To keep this affordable, you will need to keep your wedding guest count significantly low and plan on a very intimate ceremony.

The La Cantera Resort also offers several sceneries for a more intimate experience. Whether that be a smaller ceremony or wedding reception, spaces like the City View Terrace, Primero Terrace and Emily’s Rose Courtyard are a few of sites to explore.

La Cantera Resort & Spa affordable Wedding Venue in San Antonio

Nearby Venues

Here are other noteworthy venues you can consider if you are open to driving to a nearby town or city like New Braunfels, Spring Branch and even Austin, Texas. 

THE GRUENE ESTATE

Near the Guadalupe River, the popular 17 acre grounds of the Gruene Estate has an open-air chapel that is both intimate and exquisite, exposed to the beauty of the surrounding nature yet covered to protect guests from the elements.

It is located on the original Gruene family farm and is a Texas Registered Historic Landmark family home that also serves as a wedding venue.

The attractive quality about this rustic venue is that they provide multiple packages to fit a large range of budgets. And their provided amenities are all encompassing including separate bride and groom’s spaces, a fire pit for s’mores and fellowship and covered pavilion, and even an event rental package should you desire an overnight stay.

If you’re really looking to keep costs down, they also have one that starts at $1000 for 2 hours to have just a wedding ceremony onsite.

This is a must to consider if you don’t mind the drive and want to keep expenses low.

Read more on the Gruene Estate.

THE GARDENS OF CRANESBURY VIEW

The grounds of this location are stunning. Ridiculous kept green gardens that will provide the utmost perfection for your day.

They have a ballroom that also serves as a chapel so you can have a ceremony inside or host your reception. They provide several amenities onsite including white padded chair, bridal suite, and day of wedding facilitator. They do not provide an exclusive catering or beverages but do have options they can provide you to explore further.

Per the Wedding Spot, their pricing packages start at $2355 for 50 guests. The grounds can accommodate up to 250 guests.

Read more on The Gardens of Cranesbury View.

MILLTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT

Located right by the historical Faust Street Bridge in New Braunfels, Texas is this rustic area called the Milltown Historic District.

The space showcases 3 unique event spots called the Gallery, The Grande Ballroom and the River Venue. The maximum guest count for each venue space is different and increases from 75 at the Gallery to 200 at the River Venue. Whether you’re looking for an outside garden-type wedding ceremony or the rustic elegance accented by spectacular hardwood floors inside, these venues are worth exploring if you don’t mind the drive from SA-town.

Per Here Comes The Guide, pricing starts at $2400 but varies depending on which location and guest count.

Read more on the Milltown Historic District by New Braunfels Wedding Guide.

REMI'S RIDGE and HAYES HOLLOW at HIDDEN FALLS

Waterfall ceremony backdrop at affordable luxury Remi's Ridge San Antonio Wedding Venue

Part of the infamous Walter’s Wedding Estates is the Hidden Falls venue that hosts two ceremony site locations known as Remi’s Ridge and Hayes Hollow. This location is also about 1 hour away from San Antonio in Spring Branch, Texas.

Amenities for both sites include onsite lodging, outdoor ceremony site with indoor reception hall, day of coordinator and more.

The landscape is indeed, breathtaking with 100-year-old oak trees and native plants. The cherry on top to make your wedding ceremony absolutely unique is the waterfall as an impressive backdrop.

Per Here Comes The Guide, pricing starts at $3500 but varies depending on the 3 package options they have available. The Wedding Wire has quoted a starting price of $10,000.

Read more on the Hidden Falls venues.

SHIRAZ GARDEN

Shiraz Garden is one of my favorite outdoor spaces to explore for weddings. Located at the east end of Austin, Texas, in Bastrop, these grounds are worth exploring if you don’t mind the 1.5-2 hour drive to Austin, Texas.

Their website breaks down their pricing with in-depth details, which is ideal for couples trying to save a trip out to a location they may not even book. They do limit guest counts to 150, but they have multiple ceremony site options, similar to the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. Whether you’re looking for an elopement site or large wedding day with reception hall, there are numerous options for you to explore here. All equally stunning.

Compared to the other venues, this site requires certain stipulations as part of their booking packages, including a professional, insured event coordinator, full-service catering, security officers and a deposit.

Pricing starts as low as $3900 for a Friday ceremony, during certain months outside of peak season. For micro-weddings or elopement packages, pricing starts at $1650. There are date and time limitations with these packages but they are clearly stipulated on their website.

Find more information on Shiraz Garden.

Affordable options for wedding venues in San Antonio

…are a definite possibility. 

And including possibilities that are nearby can also broaden the variety of choices, depending on how you view an additional commute.

Regardless, there are several competitive choices that are quite compelling. My top 3 would be the San Antonio Botanical Garden and The Gardens at West Green for locations in San Antonio. For locations nearby San Antonio, Shiraz Garden is a top contender.

Again, keeping in mind you’re looking to keep costs down, you will likely be hosting a smaller wedding guest list, inclusive amenities and even, possibly an off-site reception.

Regardless of how you plan your wedding, I hope these alternatives give you plenty to consider and eventually choose.

If you’ve found this helpful in any way, let me know! I’d love to hear your feedback. 

Otherwise, I wish you the best on your upcoming nuptials! Cheers,

~Ruth Elaine

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