Waco is a joyful place to get married.
Locals love it because it’s home! And visitors love it because it’s centrally located just a short drive from Austin, Dallas, and Houston. That means couples with family from all over the great state of Texas can gather here.
Waco’s wedding venues range from sleek art galleries to vibrant gardens, historic warehouses to hotel ballrooms. There’s something here for a wedding celebration of any size and any price point.
Take a look at some of the city’s best places to say “I do” to help you plan your wedding.
Cultivate 7Twelve
Celebrate the avant-garde with a wedding at Cultivate 7Twelve, a downtown Waco art gallery, event venue, and cultural hub.
Hold your ceremony and/or reception in the Main Gallery surrounded by innovative artworks, with space for up to 180 guests seated theater-style. Use the smaller back gallery for fun extras like a photo booth or a cake table. The light-filled back patio is a perfect place for photos or a cocktail hour. It’s mostly enclosed, so you’ll have shade from the sun and protection from rain.
You could even purchase artwork from their exhibits as a unique memento of your special day.
Nearby hotels:
- Hilton Waco
- Courtyard by Marriott Waco
- La Quinta Inn & Suites Waco Downtown
- Aloft Hotel
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Waco
Earle-Harrison House and Pape Gardens
At the Earle-Harrison House and Pape Gardens, you can say your vows in historic splendor. This Greek Revival-style home was completed in 1858, and has been holding state in Waco ever since.
Over five acres of beautiful lawns, trees, and manicured gardens surround the estate. Hold your ceremony among the greenery, with the house’s grand white cypress columns or the beautiful double gazebo in the background. Then step under the 60’ x 90’ tent for dinner and dancing.
If you prefer an indoor space, the Johnson Taylor Event Hall on the property can seat up to 150 for dinner or hold over 350 for a dance party! The venue also offers optional add-ons like linens, garden chairs, tables, patio heaters, and fans to make planning easy.
Nearby hotels:
East Terrace House
For an intimate wedding in a pristine historic setting, look no further than the East Terrace House. This beautiful Italianate villa-style house was completed in 1874 by John Wesley Mann. Mann’s kiln fired the pink bricks used in the original Waco Suspension Bridge!
Weddings here are exclusively outside, with the lovely Victorian mansion serving as a backdrop. Hold a ceremony for up to 75 guests at the charming white gazebo, followed by a garden-style reception. While the celebration must stay outside, the bridal party can get ready inside the house, and take photos in authentic Victorian splendor.
Nearby hotels:
Art Center Waco
For lovers of all things modern, the Hulse Event Center at Art Center Waco is an ideal wedding venue. This one-of-a-kind space is wide open and painted a crisp white, ready for you to transform into the modern ceremony or reception space of your dreams. At 2,800 square feet, this venue can accommodate up to 200 of your nearest and dearest.
At one end, a garage door opens onto a covered patio and the Brown Sculpture Garden, perfect for a cocktail hour. The space includes a projector, indoor/outdoor sound system, and access to a catering kitchen.
Nearby hotels:
The Palladium
At The Palladium, local history mingles with the charm and energy of downtown Waco. Inside an 1895 building, the refurbished 7,000 square foot ballroom still sports historic brick walls and warm wood on the ceiling for a vintage feel. Two rows of stately columns run the length of the room, and a built-in stage waits for your wedding band or DJ to set the mood.
This space is so pretty, you don’t need to do much to get it wedding-ready. But you can add your own special touch by draping fabric or twinkle lights. Seat up to 300 people in this elegant room.
Nearby hotels:
Castle Heights Bijoux Event Center
The simple hall at Castle Heights Bijoux Event Center is a blank slate for up to 200 guests, ready to be transformed into a wedding venue to suit any style or aesthetic. A small elevated stage at one end is perfect for a DJ or the head table, and 11 chandeliers help to warm up the space.
Flexibility is the name of the game at Castle Heights Bijoux. Choose any caterer you prefer, or bring in your own food if you have a fabulous cook in the family. Design your own decor or use their onsite decorating services. And you can plan your party until well into the night—they are ultra-accommodating when it comes to end times.
Your rental will include tables, linen, and up to 200 chiavari chairs to make planning easy. And bride and groom’s rooms onsite give the couple a place to get ready. At a great price point, this venue is ideal for couples who want a beautiful day without breaking the bank.
Nearby hotels:
Brazos Event Center
The Brazos Event Center has an enviable location just a few blocks from the Brazos River in East Waco. Inside, a wide open hall with double height ceiling can hold up to 300 guests for your ceremony and/or celebration.
An open second-floor mezzanine is packed with possibility. Tuck a photo backdrop up there with props for fun photos, or set up the DJ where he can preside over the dance floor in style. Logistics here are simple—tables and chairs are included in the rental, as well as “get ready” spaces for the couple. And your caterers will love the loading dock and onsite catering kitchen with refrigerator and ice machine.
Nearby hotels:
Carleen Bright Arboretum
For a garden wedding, there is no place like the Carleen Bright Arboretum in Woodway, just a short drive from central Waco. With 16 acres of trees, botanical gardens, butterflies, and fountains, it’s the perfect place for a pair of nature lovers to say “I do.”
Choose the Grandy Gazebo & Event Lawn for an outdoor ceremony or a summery reception in front of the quaint white gazebo. Or select the 10,000-square-foot Pavilion Event Center with space for up to 350 guests. Large floor to ceiling windows bring garden views inside, while exposed beams overhead highlight the airy ceilings.
Nearby hotels:
- TownePlace Suites Waco South
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Waco South
- Homewood Suites Waco
- Hilton Garden Inn
The Hall at DiamondBack’s
Weddings at the Hall at DiamondBack’s in downtown Waco are elegant affairs. Adorned with historic brick, handsome wainscotting, and a rustic wood plank ceiling, this classy space can hold up to 240 guests for a cocktail reception, or up to 180 for a seated dinner. You could hold both your ceremony and reception in vintage style here. Just step into an adjoining room for cocktail hour while the room is flipped.
The Hall is owned and operated by acclaimed Texas steakhouse DiamondBack’s, using the same kitchens and chefs. They work with their couples to customize menus to your taste and budget. Wow your guests with their award-winning cuisine, and cross “find a caterer” off of your to-do list.
In fact, The Hall is basically a one-stop-shop with tables, chairs, linens, and certified event planners to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Nearby hotels:
Anthem STORIES
Say your vows inside a piece of Waco history—the 1922 Stratton-Stricker Building. Originally a furniture showroom, this Neoclassical Revival-style space has been reimagined into beautiful event space Anthem STORIES.
The main floor is light and airy, with white walls, warm wooden floors, and oversized windows overlooking downtown Waco. A second-floor mezzanine creates a lookout down on the main level, and has a built-in bar. The grand staircase to the mezzanine also serves as a fantastic photo op. In the basement, The Brasserie™ provides another 6,500 square feet of space with a sleek mid-century design. You could use this hideaway for cocktails or a speakeasy-themed reception.
Also coming soon—a Rooftop Terrace with 360° panoramic views of downtown Waco. With gardens and waterscapes, this will be a stunning site for ceremonies and cocktail hours.
With in-house dining available, plus tables, chairs, linens, and glassware for rent, Anthem STORIES just about does it all—and does it in style.
Nearby hotels:
Hotel Ballroom Wedding Venues in Waco
Choosing a hotel ballroom for your wedding can make it easy to keep the whole crew together on your special day. Consider one of these options…
Lover’s Leap Ballroom at Cambria Hotel
Just north of the Brazos River, the Lover’s Leap Ballroom at the Cambria Hotel in downtown Waco will put your guests at the heart of everything.
This modern ballroom can accommodate up to 350 guests for dinner, with space for a dance floor. You can reserve the entire conference center, including the ballroom and two meeting rooms where the wedding party can get ready.
For wedding-related events, the Bonnie & Clyde area in the lobby can be roped off just for you. It has comfortable seating, televisions, and a grand piano to set the vibe. With space for up to 25 people, it’s perfect for a bridal shower! You can also book a table at onsite fine dining restaurant BLVD Steakhouse. Enjoy a luxurious dinner with your family, or a private meal for two before the guests arrive.
Outside, the Cambria Hotel shares a resort-style leisure area with Hotel Eden, its sister hotel. Your guests will love the two outdoor pools, hot tub, and full-service bar. Plus, it’s just a short walk to the Magnolia Silos, Waco Suspension Bridge, and the food, drinks, and shopping of downtown.
Three Rivers Ballroom & Brazos Ballroom at Hilton Waco
The Hilton Waco on the banks of the Brazos River holds two handsome ballrooms for weddings and large events. Both the Brazos Ballroom and Three Rivers Ballroom offer a blank slate with walls painted a clean eggshell white. Each can hold up to 200 guests for a seated reception.
There are also two outdoor spaces to give you plenty of options on your big day. Gather up to 100 guests at the Courtyard Pavilion surrounded by fresh greenery. And the Pool Pavilion can be used for ceremonies, receptions, or as a breezy cocktail hour area before the party begins in earnest.
Hilton Waco is located downtown, within walking distance of breweries and cocktail bars, the Waco Riverwalk, and plenty of boutique shopping. Onsite, your guests can splash in the outdoor pool, visit Brazos Grill for American-fusion cuisine, or stop by the lobby bar for cocktails in between wedding events.
Hotel Accommodations and Room Blocks
Wherever you hold your Waco wedding, there is bound to be a great hotel nearby. Browse area hotels and inquire about hotel blocks that can save money for your guests during their stay.
