By: Dina M. Cortez
Whether you envision waltzing in an elegant ballroom at a Riverwalk hotel, sipping sweet tea under a barnyard pavilion at a Hill Country ranch, or you prefer a venue that allows you to merge both old and new, the city of San Antonio offers couples plenty of options when it comes to celebration spaces. In fact, with lots of great places in and around the city begging for brides to put their personality into play, the choices can be overwhelming.
Simply knowing that you desire a historic site bursting with vintage flair or a banquet hall where you are in charge of the theme for the evening is a good place to start. But, to select the supreme spot to make merry with your family and friends, you must decipher the dynamics of nuptial sites. Before you venture out to see any locations, ponder the potential of spaces that may truly set the stage for you and your groom.
A MENU OF VENUES
Parish and Community Centers
If making your wedding day as stress-free as possible is high on your agenda, then a banquet hall or community center associated with the church where you will be married can be the ideal place to celebrate your union. Located throughout the city and able to accommodate a number of budgets, a parish or community center can keep you and your guests from having to drive to another location for the reception, a big plus if you plan on inviting a lot of out-of-towners. Sites are usually spacious, perfectly private and can accommodate many more guests than the average hotel ballroom. As a result, parking is usually ample and the site will most likely have special requirements like security, handicapped access and separate areas for kids covered.
Still, many couples believe that church or community centers don’t have the panache they are looking for in a reception space. Not so says Diane Covert, banquet hall manager of the St. George Maronite Center, an impressive 13,000-square-foot complex that features two ballrooms and is located on twenty-five acres of manicured land in northwest San Antonio. “Our center was designed with brides and grooms in mind,” says Covert. “All of the elements of our rooms—fifteen-foot ceilings, decorative columns, crystal chandeliers, lush window treatments and architectural molding—are details that make extraordinary backdrops to a wedding affair.”
Country Clubs
For brides who must accommodate a man who has golf in his blood, a country club just may fit the bill. Located within the city limits as well as in surrounding areas, country clubs offer a unique combination of city convenience and country charm, making them a popular choice for nuptial couples who want a little of both.
Brenda Rodriguez, director of event sales at Canyon Springs Golf Club, believes that their prime location and relaxed Hill Country setting makes wedding planning easy for their brides and grooms. “From our elegant pavilion with vaulted ceilings and rock walls to our romantic waterfall and pristine landscape, our club is all about helping brides mix indoor sophistication and outdoor beauty to create an event that is truly personal,” she says.
And, if you thought golf clubs were only about birdies and bogeys, you may want to think again. Many local country clubs offer amenities that go way beyond golf and include great extras like arrangements for comfortable accommodations and plenty of activities such as swimming and tennis—features that will keep everyone smiling.
Hotels
From ultra-affordable to very high–end and from traditional to trendy, hotels can offer brides and grooms a lot of bang for the buck. Perfect for those who want it all, hotels win points for their ability to accommodate a number of requests—spacious ballrooms, attractive décor and plenty of guest rooms. A strategically located hotel can be a comfortable home away from home for your out-of-town guests, a gateway to nearby entertainment, dining and night life (perfect for those who crave an active wedding weekend), and also serve as a hub of all things nuptial on the day of your event since rooms can be reserved for everything from bridal day dressing to babysitting services.
Amy Trench, director of sales and marketing for the Hotel Valencia Riverwalk, one of the city’s newest luxury downtown hotels, says that couples will benefit from a hotel’s expertise at multi-tasking when it comes to a wedding affair. “A hotel makes a total commitment to a wedding celebration when it is booked,” says Trench. “From the logistics of ensuring your affair is a big success to ensuring that everyone who stays on-site will be taken care of, your hotel will help you host an event that everyone will remember” she says.
Historic Buildings
When ‘something old’ is what you desire, a historical site may suit you well. With a wealth of castles, chapels, inns and clubs, historic sites around the city can take you back in time with period architecture, furniture and décor.
“A historic site adds an entirely unique element to your wedding,” says Nancy Adame, special events coordinator at The Guenther House, a 5,000-square-foot space that once served as the home of Carl Hilmar Guenther, founder of Pioneer Flour Mills. Indeed, the appeal of this home, built in 1860, includes classic details like porcelain tile floors, stained glass, ceiling lanterns and sconces. “There is something profoundly distinct about celebrating in a structure built with such care,” says Adame. “There is certainly an air of romance present and you can’t help but feel at home in this atmosphere.” In addition to its celebration spaces, the Guenther House stays true to its history and includes a Victorian parlor, restaurant, mill store and museum.
Ranches/Inns
If rustic is more your style, a ranch or country inn may just do the trick. Ideal for couples who want Mother Nature to provide the scenery, a ranch or country inn can offer prime access to a marriage celebration aside a babbling creek or under the branches of majestic oak trees. For the ultimate in convenience, many rural sites unite indoor and outdoor facilities that can accommodate several hundred guests and place the ceremony and reception within walking distance. And, inns, of course, have the added feature of offering charming Western homesteads for overnight guests. Finally, considered by many to be destinations in themselves, ranches and inns can often make entertainment easy since wagon rides, trick ropers and petting zoos are often part of the atmosphere.
At Rio Cibolo, a family-owned ranch that covers 130 acres in east San Antonio, marketing director Craig Christopher says not to rule out a ranch if you are planning a traditional and elegant event. “Having a ranch wedding is more about including natural surroundings in your event than being completely rustic. Our three reception facilities offer couples lots of sophisticated choices when it comes to décor as well as completely worry-free planning since we can accommodate a group no matter what the weather is like outside.”
Restaurants
For couples whose love for food comes in a close second to their love for one another, a favorite restaurant is a spectacular reception option, especially if your courtship began at table #9. Restaurants are, of course, all about the cuisine, and, as a result, as long as you bring eager eaters, they typically don’t charge extra fees for the room or accessories like tables, chairs and linens. The best of spaces have separate rooms to accommodate private parties and boast dynamic indoor and outdoor alternatives. Best of all, most restaurants are decorated in some kind of theme—a significant advantage for brides who don’t want to fuss with transforming a space.
Danny Straus, general manager of his family’s restaurant, The Barn Door, a popular Texas-themed steak house that offers two outstanding locations and an array of seated and buffet-style fare, believes that nuptial couples will be happy with their options at an eatery. “Everyday we are in the business of mixing food and family; so, we are naturals at hosting a wedding event that the bride and groom can be proud of,” Straus says.
None of the Above
When your personality is bold and daring, pick a place with a twist. Great unconventional choices may include The Witte Museum, where guests may stroll among current exhibits or explore the H.E.B. Science Treehouse; The Empire Theatre, where guests can be served a seated meal on stage amid extraordinary Spanish Mission, Baroque and Mediterranean architecture; or the Rio Plaza, formerly known as the Presidio Plaza, which features three stories of newly renovated spaces, from hip and retro to casual and classic, and all with an energetic vibe.
BRIDAL BEHAVIOR
Whichever venue suits you and your beau best, keep your enthusiasm in check with these fine points:
Try before you buy. Be sure to visit sites you are interested in when they are in use. Spaces that look grand when they are empty may feel confining when filled with wedding guests. Pay special attention to particulars like parking, room layout, attendant service, lighting (inside and outside) and restroom cleanliness. It is also wise to apply this rule to the food you will be serving and the table dressings you have selected for your wedding day. If something is not right, don’t hesitate to ask the manager if and how your concerns will be addressed. And, be ready to walk if he or she does not provide you with an answer that pleases you.
Be an early bird. Living in San Antonio, a city considered by many to be a top-ten wedding destination, means that reception sites go fast. If you and yours will be a wreck without your dream celebration site, be sure to book early. While six months leeway may be recommended for scheduling most of your other wedding day vendors, it is not uncommon for popular locations to be booked from one year to eighteen months in advance.
Get it in writing. Just as with everything else having to do with your wedding, signing a contract is a must.Read it carefully and make sure it addresses specific details about your event including the day, time and room your affair will take place. Also, be sure the contract specifies exactly what items or services (tables and linens, security, valet parking) are included in the rental fee as well as what the policy is on wedding cancellation or postponement. Finally, verify the full name of the person who will be responsible for handling any issues on the day of your wedding.
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