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Hosting a wedding is certainly not an inexpensive undertaking. From the venue selection to the attire costs, it can all add up to an ungodly amount. If you’ve been reading this site for any length of time, you know we are always sharing ways to shave down your wedding costs without sacrificing your vision. We make it our mission to help our readers realize their wedding dreams without going bankrupt!
In addition to the number one budget hack to save on your wedding budget, we’ve identified an additional wedding budget tip that could save you thousands of dollars on your catering costs. Most couples want to provide their wedding guests with amazing food and drink to celebrate their big day. And we’ve discovered that alcohol costs, not food costs, are the real culprit behind rising catering costs. One way to greatly reduce your alcohol costs is to choose a venue that allows you to bring in your own booze (BYOB).
Venues licensed to serve liquor at their facilities typically mark-up the liquor they serve by 70-80%. Yes, you read that right---70-80%! Thus, finding a venue that allows you to bring in your own alcohol, could reduce your alcohol costs by 50-80%. Purchasing the liquor you want to serve at your wedding at a liquor store and then hiring a licensed bartender to serve the liquor to your guests could be a game-changer in your overall wedding budget.
We’ve identified 7 venues in the greater San Antonio area that allow couples to bring in their own alcohol to serve to their wedding guests. The fact that these venues are BYOB makes them affordable wedding venues. The fact that we’ve identified them makes them stunning venue options for couples looking to save on their wedding costs.
Related Content: How to Save on Your Wedding Budget without Sacrificing Your Vision
1. McNay Art Museum | 6000 North New Braunfels Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78209 | 210.805.1782
The McNay Art Museum is the first museum of modern art in Texas and it provides a stunning backdrop for weddings and special events. The McNay is located in a Spanish colonial revival house built in 1926 by an heiress. The museum’s priceless collection includes works by Renoir, Monet, and O'Keeffe.
The fact that you and your guests can enjoy a private viewing of the museum’s collection as part of your reception is enough to want to book this unique property for your wedding. But the stunning artwork is just the beginning. The venue boasts stunning manicured grounds and patio areas that make a beautiful setting for an outdoor ceremony or cocktail hour. And couples can choose from a variety of indoor and outdoor venues to hold a reception their guests are bound to remember.
The fact that the venue allows you to bring in your own alcoholic beverages is the cherry on top. You’ll have a truly breathtaking wedding experience while saving significantly on your catering costs.
Pricing: Available on website.
Capacity: 250 - 300 maximum capacity (indoor and outdoor spaces available).
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2. Jack Guenther Pavilion at the Briscoe | 210 West Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205 | 210.507.4849
The Jack Guenther Pavilion at the Briscoe is a breathtaking event venue located on the banks of the San Antonio River Walk. This spectacular oasis located in the heart of downtown San Antonio boasts a three-story venue with stunning views of the surrounding River Walk. The adjacent McNutt Sculpture Garden offers a host of customizable options flanked by majestic canopies of oak trees, colorful beds of native plants, a grand Italian pergola, and Western sculptures.
The options for the space are endless. And as an added bonus, proceeds from venue rentals support the Briscoe Western Art Museum, a nonprofit charitable organization, which serves to preserve and present the art, history, and culture of the American West.
Add this benefit to the fact that the venue allows you to bring in your own catering, including alcohol, and you’ve got a recipe for a successful event.
Pricing: Contact venue for details.
Capacity: 350 - 4000 maximum capacity (indoor and outdoor spaces available).
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3. Gruene Estate | 532 Rock Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130 | 830.609.8664
The Gruene Estate is truly an outdoor wedding lover’s dream! The venue’s open-air chapel is a ceremony site like no other. This charming vintage church boasts a beamed ceiling, classic bell tower, and tall stained-glass windows on each end. However, the chapel side and back wall panels have been removed, leaving the chapel guests to experience breezes, sunlight, and views of the surrounding historic homestead.
Guests then transition to the venue’s rustic pavilion. The reception space is accented by large, basket-style chandeliers and handmade tables and chairs of reclaimed Iowa barn wood, and outfitted with state-of-the-art AV equipment.
You and your new spouse can even stay on the property the night of your wedding in the venue’s quaint farm cottage. Talk about a one-stop shop. The natural beauty of the venue requires very little additional decoration. Add this to the fact that the venue allows for outside food and alcoholic beverages and you’ve got a recipe for a beautiful, yet economical wedding celebration.
Pricing: Contact venue for details.
Capacity: 200 maximum capacity (exclusively outdoors).
Related Content: How to Buy a Stunning Wedding Dress Without Breaking the Bank
4. San Antonio Botanical Garden | 555 Funston Place, San Antonio, TX 78209 | 210.536.1409
Wow your guests with a wedding celebration at the San Antonio Botanical Garden! Conveniently located minutes from downtown San Antonio, the gardens are a 38-acre urban oasis that offers you and your guests an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life to a peaceful world of beauty and wonder.
Your guests will enjoy incredible gardens and breathtaking contemporary architecture as they celebrate your love on your big day. You’ll have up to six venues to choose from for holding your wedding ceremony and/or wedding reception.
You can bring in all of your own alcohol, which will create a significant savings in your overall wedding budget. Be sure to learn more about your wedding options on the venue's website, where you can view images of its breathtaking venues.
Pricing: Contact venue for details.
Capacity: 400 maximum capacity (indoor and outdoor spaces available).
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5. The Oaks at Boerne | 1244 FM 474, Boerne, TX 78006 | 210.410.7300
The Oaks at Boerne is a rustic wedding venue nestled in the Texas Hill Country just 45 miles from San Antonio. The venue’s large barn, with its roll-up sides and reclaimed wood lounge furniture gathered around a rustic stone fireplace, provides the perfect shabby-chic backdrop for your wedding ceremony or reception.
Adjacent to the barn is a shady outdoor area hung with market lights that is screaming for an outdoor ceremony or country, cocktail hour. The space provides you with limitless options for your big celebration.
The venue is completely BYO, which means you can bring in your own catering and your own alcohol. For a couple looking for that country-chic vibe, this place hits all of the right notes.
Pricing: Contact venue for details.
Capacity: 250 maximum capacity (indoor and outdoor spaces available).
Related Content: 7 Most Dangerous Planning Mistakes Couples on a Budget Make
6. The Ingenhuett on High | 731 High Street, Comfort, TX 78013 | 210.415.8998
Looking for a unique wedding venue option--then look no further than The Ingenhuett on High! Nestled in the gently rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country, this unique venue boasts one of the oldest buildings in Texas with an unforgettable atmosphere of industrial chic mingled with timeless elegance. The venue ensures stunning wedding photography with a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, gorgeous natural lighting and striking architecture.
The Ingenhuett on High features several venue spaces that couples may choose from for their ceremony and reception: the Main Hall, the Courtyard, and the Back Lawn provide endless possibilities for the couple looking for an eclectic wedding experience.
The venue allows for outside food and beverages. So if you’re looking for a wedding venue that your guests will be sure to remember, be sure to check out The Ingenhuett on High as it can provide both a unique and affordable experience.
Pricing: Available on website.
Capacity: 170 maximum capacity (indoor and outdoor spaces available).
7. The Gardens at West Green | 21650 Milsa Drive, San Antonio, TX 78256 | 210.698.9191
The Gardens at West Green is a boutique event venue that offers intimate garden weddings at affordable prices. If you’re planning a wedding of fewer than 100 people, then look no further than the peaceful and serene locale of the Gardens.
Located on two and a half acres, the Gardens are surrounded by centurion oaks and natural vegetation, making it the perfect backdrop for a breathtaking wedding celebration. With so many ways to personalize the venue space, you can create original and holistic themes that bring beauty and joy to your wedding day.
The venue maintains extremely affordable rental pricing and allows you to bring in your own catering and alcohol. You can’t get any better than that! Be sure to check out The Gardens at West Green’s website to view their extensive gallery of wedding images.
Pricing: Available on website.
Capacity: 120 maximum capacity (exclusively outdoors).
If you do decide to go with a BYOB venue, make sure you understand all of the rules for serving alcoholic beverages at the venue (e.g., if you’ll need a licensed bartender to serve the alcoholic beverages) and factor in any additional costs these regulations may require. Happy planning!
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