Second Helpings: Wedding Venues
Chronicle Cuisines editor Virginia B. Wood surveys local wedding venues.
Fri., June 16, 2000
The weekly Chronicle feature "Second Helpings" offers readers the opportunity to sample tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week's entries were compiled by Chronicle Cuisines editor Virginia B. Wood. When you need quick, reliable information about Austin eateries, check here.
The Barr Mansion
10463 Sprinkle Road, 926-6907
Hours by appointment only
For years, brides who chose the Barr Mansion could marry inside the gracious turn-of-the-century country manse among period antiques or outside in the beautifully landscaped gardens. Now there's a third option. Owners Mark and Melanie McAfee purchased an 18th-century barn in the Hudson Valley and had it reconstructed here, thatched roof and all. The barn provides yet another location for brides to consider. Regardless of which area of the property brides choose, the divine culinary creations of chef Kevin Quinn and master pastry chef Alain Braux will make their wedding a special event. No outside caterers allowed.
The Abbey Mansion
801 Rio Grande, 477-6685
Hours by appointment only
The slogan here is "for weddings made in heaven," and this restored downtown Victorian mansion is the perfect choice for smaller weddings (25-75), featuring both a chapel and lovely gardens. The Abbey is a full-service facility, offering everything from invitations to food, service and decorations, to the expert wedding photography of popular longtime Austin wedding photographer Bette Mayfield. Most menu choices are of the traditional variety (cakes, punch, nuts, mints, fruit trays) but a selection of hot appetizers is also available. No outside caterers allowed.
Vintage Villas
4209 Eck Lane, 261-0142
The Pyramid on Lake Travis
6420 Comanche Trail, 261-0142
Office hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am-6pm; Sat, 10am-2pm
Both Vintage Villas and the Pyramid are located off RR 620 near Lake Travis and are serviced by Sterling Affairs Catering. Vintage Villas, an elegant new hilltop facility, is a great spot for large weddings (100-400 guests) while the Pyramid accomodates smaller groups (50-80), providing the same breathtaking sunset view of Lake Travis enjoyed at the Oasis. Sterling Affairs offers a full range of menu packages (bronze, silver, and platinum prices) with amenity options and essential service added. Menu options include everything from Texas barbecue and fajitas to continenal, Italian, or pasta buffets plus carving stations of turkey, ham, or beef. Sterling Affairs also does extensive off-premise catering but no outside caterers are allowed at Vintage Villas.
Old Pecan Street Cafe
310 E. Sixth, 478-2491
Hours by appointment only
Pecan Street bills itself as the "home of the Italian Cream wedding cake," and it is certainly the restaurant that's made that particular confection a favorite of Austin brides over the past 25 years. They'll sell you an Italian Cream wedding cake whether they cater the wedding or not. The restaurant and upstairs banquet facility can accomodate parties of 10-300 with cakes, coffee, and punch, or full menus for brunch, lunch, or dinner. It's also a popular spot for bridal luncheons and rehearsal dinners. They work off-premise and can bring the entire wedding, complete with their signature Italian Cream, to the location of your choice. Contact Bob Woody.
Green Pastures
811 W. Live Oak, 444-4747
Hours by appointment only
For more than 50 years, Austin brides have chosen to be married in the parlor or on the grounds of this stately historic Southern plantation, boyhood home of famed Texas humorist John Henry Faulk. Opened as a restaurant by Faulk's sister Mary Faulk Koock, Green Pastures offers a definitive elegant Southern wedding experience. A third generation of the Koock family is involved with the operations, maintaining the gracious service and noted Southern cuisine of the founder. Off-premise catering services are also available.
The Caswell House
1404 West Avenue, 472-0779
Office hours: Mon-Fri, 11am-1pm; Tue-Thu, 5:30-7:30pm
The Austin Junior Forum bought and restored the former Daniel Caswell home in 1979, providing Austin with a very much needed wedding facility. Located at 15th and West Avenue with a great hilltop view of downtown Austin, the Caswell House offers several options for brides. It's possible to rent the entire house, which includes the downstairs parlors, upstairs ballroom, and veranda, plus kitchens on both floors, or simply rent the floor of your choice. The house is decorated in period antiques and boasts a lovely dressing room for brides on the second floor. There is a full hot kitchen on the ground floor with a smaller service kitchen upstairs accessible by elevator. Bring the caterer of your choice or select from their handy list of preferred caterers.
Mercury Hall
615 Cardinal Lane, 236-1226
Hours by appointment
Mercury Hall is the second incarnation of the Mercury, Texas Baptist Church, moved to Austin and lovingly restored by the husband-and-wife team of Anne and Clark Hall. The 1,700-square-foot, air-conditioned building sits on three oak-shaded acres, giving it a country feel not far from the central city. There are 13 simple stained-glass windows, hardwood floors, and bead-board lined, longleaf pine walls and ceilings. The small catering kitchen is just off the main room. The facility can accomodate at least 200 inside and many more if both indoor and outdoor spaces are used. Manager Mary McBay makes reservations. Bring the caterer of your choice.
