Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

ue. We got married in May and expected a hot, sunny day, but the rain had other plans. Even so, we were able to have a beautiful ceremony in the Great Hall, overlooking the expansive field of wildflowers, and dinner outside in the courtyard. Our guests said the scenery transported them to the European countryside, and we were overwhelmed by the natural beauty around us (all while supporting the mission of environmental education in Texas). This is such a unique place, and we are thrilled with our decision to host our big day here!

some rules given it’s a UT institution - no smoking, no shots, and entry after 4pm, specific insured caterers. But Kyra was so easy to work with, answered all my questions, and was so patient. There’s the heat or rain option built in with the Great hall overlooking the fields. Tables and chairs included. And holy moly some great catering options. It was beautiful, full circle for me (I volunteered here in college and my mom and I visited in grad school - and she passed away in 2015), Texan, romantic, and just the best in every way. We could have rehearsal there as well, walk through, and a year free membership! Thank you LBJ wildflower center for everything!

fell in love ❤️ The staff was also amazing as well! I worked with Kyra from start to finish and she helped soooo much! I was determined to plan it all with just a day of planner but got a little lost at times so I reached out and she was so nice and helped me figure out what to do! So responsive, and always got back to me asap (within like 2 days if busy, but hey 🤷‍♀️ I feel like that's standard) The gardners were also sweet when I came by and asked about some flowers that were around that I thought were gorgeous and wanted for my day. The timeframe scared me at first but everything turned out perfect and I don't know why I was worrying at all! If you want a beautiful garden setting, great price, and awesome people to work with, book your wedding here now!! Thank you Wildflower Center!

till stunning. We received so many comments on how gorgeous the venue was. A plus for those who live in Austin the year-long membership you receive when booking the venue. The event coordinator when we booked the venue was so helpful and responsive, but she changed jobs, and her replacement was very slow to respond to emails. Because of this, we didn’t set our walkthrough date/time until the day before the walkthrough, which caused quite a headache, because I live in Houston and had to drive to and from Austin in one day (and find a place to work remotely in Austin at the last moment) - this also meant that my partner could not attend. We also ended up having to rent space heaters because it was unseasonably cold, but the event coordinator was so slow in responding to our questions about the timing of a third party picking up the space heaters that the third party ended up renting the heaters to someone else (and we had to buy our own). Her lack of responsiveness was frustrating as we were trying to pivot because of the weather change. No one with the wedding can get into the Wildflower Center until 4pm, which is clearly spelled out in the contract, but I would recommend that couples keep this in mind - along with sunset times - when trying to coordinate photos and ceremony timing.

ving a tent, but we were lucky enough to have PERFECT weather on our wedding day. Having the flowers in full bloom helped us save on decorating fees, and we also loved that as a nonprofit associated with UT Austin, our reservation fees were going to a good cause and not just an investment company. It was also very affordable compared to other similar venues, especially because they provide the tables and chairs. There are so many options for where to have the ceremony, cocktail hour, and photos that it allows you to truly make it your day. And now, we can revisit whenever we want to relive some of the magic. We will continue to be members for as long as we live here to support this beautiful place.

to take full advantage of the beauty and uniqueness this venue offers. The staff is extremely professional and easy to work with in spite of some of the understandable restrictions as this a museum (ex: no sparklers for exit). We used the courtyard for our ceremony and dinner; it had an intimate and romantic feel and our guests loved the space. Happy hour was hosted in the amazing themed gardens and dancing was in the hall. While we rented farmhouse tables, it was wonderful to have access to beautiful cherrywood chairs and round tables provided by the Wildflower Center that were set up for seating in the Great Hall so dancers could rest their feet. There are so many spots to take pictures on your own, with your spouse, wedding party, family, and friends, all equally gorgeous and make for great variety in your pictures. The only tricky part about getting married here is the vendors are not allowed to start setting up until 4pm, giving them about 2 hours for setup. Our vendors were able to pull this off flawlessly and the timeline made for a gorgeous sunset backdrop during the ceremony. You are required to hire a planner to coordinate your day, so be sure to book one you trust to oversee setup and any flips and you'll be fine! We're so happy we started our marriage in a such a beautiful place and would absolutely do it again. Thank you LBJ Wildflower Center!

tics to take into account. For example, weddings can only start at 6 pm and the LBJ Wildflower Center has certain vendors it prefers to work with. But the venue is incredibly beautiful, especially in the spring, and we love that we will be able to visit the center in the future. The LBJ staff also led us to our planner, Kristin Catter Events!

venue cost goes to a good cause is a bonus. Our guests LOVED everything, the entire space is stunning and the natural surroundings can't be beat. We'll return back as members to continue to enjoy the space for a very long time.

o much meaning, from the connection to UT Austin and all the wonderful things this institution has done. Working with Kristin Catter, we had the most incredible wedding here. Ceremony in the main courtyard, dancing in the great hall and cocktail hour in the tx garden. You really don't have to do much here to make a wonderful event - chairs and lighting came with the space and was perfect. No need to worry about insurance or anything else like that. I love it here so much.

as in October 2021, and with covid still a concern, we were able to have the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all outside...with the great hall available as a backup. Our wedding was originally planned for Oct 2020 at the height of the pandemic and the staff graciously allowed us to move the date one year to the right at no additional cost. The lighting in the courtyard once the sun goes down is bright, but not too bright, and romantic. There were mosquitoes in the central garden during cocktail hour, but that issue was resolved with some bug spray. I'd recommend that you get married under the arch in the courtyard if your outdoor ceremony is scheduled during sunset. We had our guests face the pond, which was beautiful, but they were blinded for the majority of the event. Overall, our wedding was just perfect. The guests loved it, and so did we!

ng to be gorgeous and just what we wanted. We had both our ceremony and reception in the courtyard area and it was stunning during the day and under the lights at night. We were lucky to have bluebonnets to take pictures with as well (late March). If you want beautiful outdoor garden vibes close to Austin- look no further!

s find a new date when we decided to postpone. Couldn’t be happier! Also our guests couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful the venue is :).

s perfect. There was so much for people to walk around and see and enjoy before the ceremony and during cocktail hour and so many options for where to have all the events of the evening. It rained most of the day, just clearing before the ceremony and that made all the blooms and plant life that much more lush. It was exquisitely beautiful and felt like a fairy tale. We also had to reschedule our wedding because of COVID and they couldn't have been more accommodating and helpful during the whole process.

ons around the facility for activities, both indoor and outdoor. Every turn is picturesque and we couldn't be happier with the location. We look forward to coming back just to enjoy the park!

each part of the evening - family lawn for the ceremony, display garden for the cocktail hour, courtyard for the dinner and great hall for dessert and dancing. Each was unique, each was beautiful. Very little "decorating" is needed as it is already filled with flowers and greenery, tended by LOTS of professional gardeners and volunteers! The staff was helpful all during the planning process and for the wedding. We rented the Library space for the day which was very helpful in getting things to the venue early and hanging out before the ceremony. Can't imagine a better venue in Austin!

aid she'd never seen such a beautiful venue for a wedding. We had a gorgeous ceremony and dinner in the courtyard, and the lighting was perfect in the evening after dark, plus there were literally thousands of good places for photographs. We also liked having the option of an indoor ceremony and seating, which was also beautiful, though luckily we got to be outside instead amongst the wildflowers!

n Wildflower Center was one of the first places I thought of and boy, am I glad I did! The gardens couldn't be more beautiful - they have perfected the tamed wilderness vibe. The natural beauty of the gardens and the fields is complemented by the Center's mission to preserve native plants and the wild creatures who call those plants home. We were overjoyed to get the wedding venue of our dreams and know that our money was going towards such a noble cause. Speaking of cost, the price for renting the space was very reasonable compared to other venues we considered. Caitlyn, the venue coordinator, was a joy to work with from day one. She was always super responsive, flexible, and willing to work with our schedules and requests over the course of a year. All the great vibes leading up to our big day. She also gave me great recommendations for other vendors -- one of which was Kristin Catter Events who I literally can't stop raving about. Come wedding day, everything was perfect. Although it was opening day of Fortlandia (one of their big family events of the year), and we started our photos 2 hours before the center closed to the public, we didn't feel crowded or stressed. The venue is so big and encompasses acres of land so we had plenty of space to do our photos without impeding on the public experience. We had the ceremony in the courtyard, cocktail hour in the Theme Garden (the most GORGEOUS place at sunset), and our dinner and reception in the Great Hall. I couldn't have asked for anything more perfect. Truly! One minor hiccup we experienced that I think future Brides will want to know: For the morning of the wedding, we rented the Library for the whole day and it was the perfect place for all the ladies to spread out and get ready. One thing, though, is you cannot bring any open alcohol into the Library -- whether or not you purchase it from the WFC cafe. I was super bummed because what Bride doesn't want to sip some bubbly with her 'maids while they get ready? When we booked the venue, we were told that we could purchase alcohol from the cafe, but not bring our own. Turns out, you cannot leave the cafe with the drinks. So, we could buy glasses of champagne but we would have had to sit in the cafe in our robes, crowded with members of the public, to drink it. Not ideal. Honestly, that is such a tiny downside to what was otherwise the absolutely perfect venue. Overall we had THE BEST experience and I would highly recommend the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to any Bride with a wild side and a love of nature.

e wedding in Austin, I do recommend a morning service as the weather is pretty warm even with the cover of the many trees on the property. Get ready to take amazing pictures among some of the most beautiful meadows and flower gardens.

y friendly! The event manager and staff we worked with were helpful and well-versed on how best to use the space. We had our entire event there (ceremony, cocktail, and reception), and all of our guests loved exploring the grounds. Thanks for being awesome, y’all!

una are what make it so beautiful, this place could function solely as a wedding venue and never open its doors to the public again. The fact that it is open to the public is one of the factors that we loved about it because we can visit for years to come and take our kids to show them where "mommy and daddy got married". The professionalism of the staff, layout of the facilities and grounds, ceremony site options, rain plan options, and maintenance of the property are what ultimately drew us to select this property as our wedding venue. We loved the natural, earthy feel of the outdoor spaces and the facilities. The Wildflower Center embodies the spirit of Austin, Texas and what the city, surrounding areas, and the state of Texas build their pride and beauty on. Our springtime wedding ceremony was held outside in the main courtyard area with our cocktail hour immediately following in the Butterfly Garden next to the greenhouses. Our reception was indoors in the Gallery/Great Hall. My bridesmaids and I got ready in the Library room which we booked for the entire day for convenience. The festoon/bistro lighting in the courtyard and Butterfly Garden were beautiful and added to the ambiance of the space. The courtyard is a great ceremony space for a larger wedding or a smaller wedding. We were worried initially about it being too large for our wedding size but with 60 guests, it was very intimate and beautiful both for the ceremony and the reception. While pricing has increased since we booked our date, we believe that it is worth it to pay more because the Wildflower Center is a beautiful place to get married and we would highly recommend it to anyone. They are constantly making improvements to the property to continually enhance the space and cater to more events and weddings. Their preferred vendor list is amazing and we'd also highly recommend that you follow that list as you won't be disappointed.

w have a year-long membership. Highly recommend.

lpful and accommodating. In addition, we were able to have THREE separate plans in case of varying levels of rain! We had our ceremony and dinner in the courtyard with dancing in the visitor's center. It couldn't have gone better! If you want a garden wedding in Austin, there's not a better spot!

that our special day was truly special. We would recommend this venue to anyone that is wanting an inviting, family friendly venue with the benefits of having versatile ceremony and reception areas. Best Regards, A.J. and Victoria Yowler

ny, pictures, etc. I will warn summer brides--that courtyard can get a little hot! We got lucky though and had some cloud-cover that cooled everything off a little (obviously the venue can't control that). Our guests loved the venue and the opportunity to stroll through the gardens during cocktail hour. We also paid a little extra to have the library to get ready in the morning, which was really nice--huge windows, natural light, the works. The only downside is that the closest restrooms to the library are in the admin building, which we didn't realize until we started our hair and had changed into dressing robes! Overall, we were thoroughly impressed with the beautiful venue and can't wait to get our pictures back!

so pretty that I saved a lot of money on flowers and decorations. Not much is needed when there is naturally beautiful scenery all around you! The venue had a rain plan in place already so I didn't have to rent a tent just in case it rained. It was all so great- the tables and chairs they provided were also perfect. The only thing is the rules on the exit-- we couldn't have sparklers, but I still give it five stars because it was so incredible!

ly any need for decorations. The recommended list of caterers are a must to choose from. They all know the best way to arrange the tables and chairs, and have a good relationship with the staff. The contact at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center was always professional and ready to assist with any questions that we had. Everyone at the ceremony raved about the venue days after the ceremony. It is very picturesque and your photos won’t disappoint!

s!). Even in the off seasons before there is much blooming it still makes for amazing photos. There are lots of options for ceremony, cocktail hour and reception spaces throughout. Everyone onsite was helpful throughout the planning process and on the day of as well.

our big day. All in all, it's a great option.

veryone was super helpful and easy to work with. Highly recommend this versatile venue!

s were perfectly accommodating for our guests (130), and the bluebonnets in bloom made for some amazing photos. This was the first and only place we visited before booking, and we are so happy with our decision! Many of our guests were from out-of-town, and we received countless compliments on the venue.

nfortunately had to use part of our rain plan, but the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center staff was so helpful and accommodating. Our guests all loved the venue and raved about how beautiful it was. I would definitely recommend this venue to any future bride and groom!

here, but you should know on the front end that there are a lot of rules (I've been told by vendors and coordinators that the WC has more than the norm!). That being said, it's absolutely stunning in photos! Also, they do offer price breaks for Friday and Sunday weddings (which is what I did...Friday night worked great!)

e gardens before, but had to trust in internet pictures to visualize my wedding there while planning from Seattle. Wade was very helpful and responsive to all my questions. And for the actual wedding day the wedding was perfect and the Center was gorgeous! We were able to keep the decorations very simple and just allow people to enjoy the natural beauty of the courtyard.

a fun evening!

in fact, rain unexpectedly on my wedding day and we had to hurry to change everything. If it had been anywhere else we would've had to pay for a tent so that saved us. The only thing I wished it had was a better changing room for the girls. We were stuck in a tiny underground classroom that didn't even have a mirror. We had to go searching for one and all we found was a tiny, half-length one that we propped up on a table. It also totally depends on who you choose to run the show at this venue - they don't provide any vendors. They have some good recommendations though but you should be prepared to do some research and leg work.

wedding mid-May and the weather was perfect. Just keep in mind that the center is pretty much uninvolved and the booking fee only covers rental of the space. And you are restricted to certain approved caterers, but the caterer I chose (Catering by Rosemary) was super awesome and affordable! Just do a little research and budgeting before booking the wildflower center and you won't be sorry. All of our guests raved about our beautiful wedding!

the dinner and dancing in the Gallery. It was wonderful and so beautiful. Perfect!!!

ly provide a handful of chairs for older people, everyone else will have to stand but if you are doing a short ceremony it shouldnt be an issue. There is a bit of a walk down to the different sites but they had a golf cart available to help take down anyone who couldnt make it on their own. The sites are beautiful, green grass, green trees, and beautiful blooming flowers every where. We had our meal in their main room and they set up the tables and chairs for us ahead of time.

cause they do not let you tent, but there are a few 'PLAN B' options. The set up worked perfectly for what we wanted. We had 200 guests at tables, 2 buffets, 2 bars, and a band. For this site here our my 3 recommendations: First, I HIGHLY recommend you use a wedding planner. Our wedding planner was Aimee Villa from Lizzebelle Events, and we could not have done it without her!! She is AMAZING, accessible, and very helpful. http://www.lizzebelle.com/ Secondly, use the onsite caterer! It is a time crunch to get in, and an outside caterer would have to bring in their own food. Not to mention, CIRCLE C is AMAZING and they own the kitchen on site. They cooked everything the day of so it was fresh, and MOST importantly DELICIOUS!! Julie Arevalo and her husband, Jamie were simply fantastic. Julie knows the ins and outs of hosting an event there, and was EXTREMELY helpful through out the whole process. AGAIN, the food was awesome. We wanted a modern Italian theme, with a rustic flair. They served chicken picatta, eggplant Parmesan, tomato + mozzarella salad, Italian sausage empanadas, and roasted veggies. They use all local ingredients, and for us it was important to have a vegetarian option that did not feel 'vegetarian.' Besides the fact we begged for leftovers for our 'MINI-moon,' it just simply would not have been the same wedding without them. http://www.circleccatering.com/ Lastly, they do not let you throw anything for the exit. Aimee, with LIZZEBELLE EVENTS found these metallic streamers that stay attached to your hands: http://www.favorsyoukeep.com/streamers.html The metallic streamers looked awesome in my friend's photos, and CANNOT WAIT to see my professionals!!!

h. The setting was perfect, and the people, though they changed during the process, were generally easy to work with and responsive. You definitely need a good caterer to make a wedding here work, and I whole-heartedly suggest Kurant Events off their list.

but the rental of the venue itself) and there are way too many "rules" relating to the use (particularly in light of the significant expense). I will note, however, that I rented the space in peak season (October) and on a Saturday night. I know the fees are lower for Fridays or Sundays and during different months. But the whole purpose (at least for me) was to have everything outside, and in Austin, Texas, the only reasonable months for that are October, November, March and April (which are the most expensive months to rent the place). With respect to the rules, vendors can't get in until 5:00p.m. to start setting up. So the earliest I was able to start my wedding was 6:30, leaving little daylight for pictures (which, again, at such a beautiful venue that you want to capture in your photos, is a huge issue). Also, you can't throw flowers during your exit, and there are rules relating to sound decibels for bands/music. The huge fee you pay doesn't give you anything but the space - no day of coordinator, etc., and with the all of the rules, you really have to go with experienced caterers, bands/djs, and wedding planner in order to make sure it goes off without a hitch. If you're willing to take on all of these things, however, it is an absolutely gorgeous venue, and my guests still haven't stopped telling me how beautiful everything was. So if you can get great vendors (as I did) who are familiar with the nuances of hosting an event there, and if you are okay with some of the silly little rules, then I highly recommend this place.

asy to work with. There was an event 2 days before my sunday wedding and they allowed me to keep the tent and decor for free! saved me thousands!