Austin Texas Wedding Venue: Smith Family Chapel

Austin Texas Smith Family Chapel Riverbend Church

Jake Holt Photography

As a frequent guest of weddings, one of the most memorable aspects of the occasion is the ceremony location. For those wishing for an intimate, indoor wedding, the Smith Family Chapel in Austin, Texas is one of the most beautiful I have found. It has a capacity of an approximated 350 guests and services a variety of religious ceremonies from Hindu to Lutheran to Quaker weddings. A part of the Riverbend church on Capital of Texas Highway in Austin, the medium-sized chapel is a wedding favorite. That having been said, make sure that if this is the place for you, you book ahead of time: the church requires a reservation 18 months in advance and you must speak with the wedding coordinator, Bren Puryear, in order to confirm everything! The church provides a liaison between the wedding party and the event department, which all but guarantees the event will both run smoothly and be stunningly beautiful. With it’s tall tower, limestone walls and beautiful stained glass windows, this venue is magical and is sure to make your wedding ceremony truly memorable.

[VIDEO] Carrie+David Smith Family Chapel / Oasis Wedding

the wedding theater austin texasCarrie and David were married on May 29th, 2010 at the Smith Family Chapel.  Their reception was wonderful overlooking Lake Travis at The Oasis.  As the sunset, everyone enjoyed an evening of dancing and seeing old friends and family.

Leslie+Frank – Smith Family Chapel / The Driskill Wedding Trailer

cinematic wedding films austinLeslie and Frank were one of our first “Destination” clients booking The Wedding Theater as their videographers for their Austin wedding though their guests were from all over the world.  Their intimate wedding was at the Smith Family Chapel and their exciting reception was held at the Driskill Hotel in Downtown Austin.  The wedding reception included singing from family members, traditional African dances, and much more as the evening told another great love story.

2010 Austin Wedding Trends (2 of 10)

destination wedding videographerAnother big trend we are seeing from our brides is Austin being a big location for destination weddings. We have booked several clients from out of town, and even out of the country, in the last few months that are having their wedding here in Austin as a destination for their guests. Brides from New York, Seattle, Los Angeles, London, and even as far away as Africa have contacted us about wedding videography for their Austin destination wedding. One of the big appeals to Austin is obviously the weather. While it can get a little warm during the summer, the weather is almost always acceptable for outdoor weddings. Another great thing about Austin as a destination wedding location is that it is unique. There is a certain “feel” to Austin that just cant be found anywhere else in the world. If you have ever watched the sunset at the top of a hill overlooking Lake Travis or been out for a night out on 6th street, you know what I mean. Austin also has several wonderful venues to choose from for your wedding. No matter what your tastes and style are, you can find a place to fit your needs (and your budget!) From lakefront venues like Vintage Villas, Villa Antonia, and Nature’s Point to downtown locations like The Driskill, or even Hill Country style wedding venues like Old Glory Ranch and Red Corral Ranch, there is a wide selection of affordable options.

Lacy+Rhett @ Smith Family Chapel / Barton Creek

I’ve known Lacy since kindergarten, so when she approached us about filming her Austin wedding, I was nothing more than honored. This was our first time filming at Smith Family Chapel at Riverbend Church, but being that this is where I go to church, I knew the area pretty well! The chapel is located on the north side of the large property, along side the beautiful “Remembrance Gardens.” Inside the chapel are large wooden pews and high vaulted ceilings. Overall this is one of the most sought after hot spots for a ceremony in Austin.

Speaking of sought after hotspots, Barton Creek really shines as a place to hold a spectacular reception. With a huge pavilion, draped in lush flowing curtains, surrounded by wonderful place settings and an amazing atmosphere, Barton Creek is one of the best spots for an amazing night. The food was unbelievable, the tastiest “vendor” meal we have had thus far. Please enjoy the cinematic trailer for my very good friend Lacy and her new husband Rhett.