Wedding Blog
For us, booking the venue was the easiest decision we’ve made so far. Upon first getting engaged, I went to one of those Bridal Extravaganza thingies where you get bombarded by vendors left and right. It was a bit overwhelming, but I did end up finding some information that led us to the venue of our dreams–Barr Mansion, in Austin, Texas. Later that night, I looked up the venue’s website and fell in love with the place. It had everything I wanted for the ceremony–a simple outdoor garden area–as well as a beautiful reception location (the Artisan Ballroom). Additionally, it is the only certified organic wedding venue in the United States! This fit in nicely with our “green”-themed wedding.
I found out at the bridal show that the venue would be hosting an open house the next Saturday night so that potential bookers like us could check it out all prettified with candles and glowy lights. The Dude and I went, and even though the price they quoted was higher than we wanted to spend, we knew we had to have our wedding there. We both wanted a place where we could have the ceremony + reception, and the ballroom felt so intimate and special. To make it work for us, we decided to hold the wedding on a Friday instead of a Saturday, and we picked the very last Friday in their “off” season to save additional money. (Yes, that is how we ended up with the 9/11 wedding date.)
Above and below are a few pictures of the Artisan Ballroom, where we’ll be holding our reception after the sunset ceremony in the gardens. This building was created from timbers belonging to an old barn that was built in the Catskill Mountains in the 1770s! We love its rustic elegance.
And here are some shots of the garden where we’ll be getting married. I always wanted an outdoor wedding.
All photos from Barr Mansion’s website.
Can’t you just see a lovely English garden party happening here?
Did you book the venue of your dreams, even if it was a bit out of your price range? If so, how did you make it work?
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Like I wrote about, our reception venue was much more than we wanted to spend, but we made it up by finding a caterer that was much less than we wanted to spend. Worth it, I think, because to me, weddings are about the atmosphere and the fun and the memories, not really the food (although ours will still be good!). Some people disagree with me on this, though, I know.
The ballroom has such a unique look to it! It’s rustic, but not overly-so. And the garden is beautiful!
I went to a friend’s wedding at your venue a few years ago and it was absolutely lovely. The barn has a great feel for the reception!
I love it! It is going to look so beautiful at night with that glass wall! I can’t wait!
beautiful! i love the glass house look.
WOWZA that place is beautiful!! I cannot wait to see your recaps after the wedding!
Beautiful! I have yet to attend a wedding at Barr Mansion, but I’ve heard it gorgeous. 
If you don’t already have a photographer, you should check out Brian and Stella Alesi’s blog. Some of the most gorgeous weddings I’ve seen on their blog were shot at the Barr Mansion. http://www.stellaalesi.com/
Your reception venue is stunning! Wow. You can comfort youtself with the fact that if it were to rain or something awful, you could have your ceremony inside in front of those big windows and it would look magical! Not, of course, that I want that to happen for you! The garden is lovely!
Wow, that view from the outside is amazing! I totally want a few nighttime shots of our venue’s exterior!
Very beautiful. Reminds me of our venue! We have a glass wall too! And, I did the same thing - I told them I’d take any Friday or Saturday in September if they could lower their rate…. So, I ended up with September 4th!
I was in my best friends wedding there!!! She had her reception in the Artisan room absolutely fabulous!!!!
Wow, your venue is a dream! I can’t wait to see your wedding pics!
We booked the ceremony venue of our dreams and we’re having a backyard/park picnic reception to balance the cost.
The reception area at the ceremony venue is fantastic, but they have limited catering options and only one alcohol catering option all of which are waaaaay out of our price range.
i came very close to getting married at the Barr mansion. I loved it but it was a little more then I wanted to spend. its so darn pretty!
Your venue is gorgeous. I really love the ballroom, it will be so magical!
oh wow! that’s magical!! lovely place and such a pretty garden!
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Mrs. Mouse, Austin
Age and Occupation: 25, Attorney
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Civil Engineer
Engagement Date: December 19, 2007
Wedding Date: September 2009
Venue: Barr Mansion
About Me: I just graduated from law school and will be taking the bar, getting married, going on a honeymoon with my guy, and then trying to figure out what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. I was born and raised in a small East Texas town, but I'm no country girl! I'm obsessed with British accents, fantasy (including Harry Potter, of course), and classic rock. My fiance and I consider ourselves both music and beer snobs--but every once in awhile we love to hear a crappy band and drink a cheap brew or two. We're planning an eco-friendly, casual, English garden affair for the end of summer, and we can't wait for it to get here!
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