So, you’re deep into wedding planning mode – congratulations! If you’re like most couples I’ve worked with, you’re finding that the “big day” isn’t just one day. It’s a whole weekend of events, especially if you have guests traveling in from out of town.
The idea of hosting multiple gatherings leading up to the main event can feel like juggling a hundred details. Over the past few years, I’ve seen more and more couples streamline this process by merging the rehearsal dinner and the welcome party into a single seamless evening.
Imagine this: you start with a heartfelt, cozy dinner with toasts from your friends and family, and end with an upbeat social vibe where everyone is invited. It’s a perfect way to break the ice, save yourself some logistical headaches, and set a relaxed, celebratory tone for the rest of the weekend.
Austin, Texas has an eclectic mix of modern rooftops, historic spaces, charming gardens, and rustic barns that are ideal for this two-in-one concept. Below, I’ll walk you through some of my favorite picks and share how to execute a smooth transition from a formal dinner into a lively welcome party. I’ll also pass along some insider planning tips and real-life stories from couples who’ve successfully pulled this off. Let’s dig in and make your wedding weekend a highlight long before you even say “I do.”
Rehearsal dinner and welcome party at The Contemporary Austin Jones Center | Images by Sam Hugh
Why Combine Your Rehearsal Dinner and Your Welcome Party?
Traditionally, a rehearsal dinner is a smaller affair, focused on the wedding party and your immediate circle of parents, siblings, and a few close friends. Meanwhile, the welcome party is all about making sure your out-of-town guests feel included and have something fun to do when they roll into Austin. Each event has its appeal, but hosting them separately can mean juggling two sets of timelines, décor themes, and venue logistics in a single night.
Merging these gatherings simplifies your life. Instead of two line items, two vendor crews, and two location changes, you funnel your creativity and budget into one continuous experience. Your guests, who might otherwise be split into different groups, can all enjoy the evening together. The result? By the time your wedding day dawns, everyone already knows each other, making your ceremony and reception feel more like a weekend-long reunion than a formal event.
Cost savings are often a bonus. With one venue and one team of vendors, you’re cutting down on extra fees, travel time, and even décor duplication. And trust me, your guests will appreciate having a single, easy-to-follow invitation instead of juggling multiple addresses and start times.
Rehearsal Dinner at Coopers Old Time Pit | Images by Cory Ryan
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing the Venue
Capacity & Layout:
For a combo event, layout flexibility is everything. You need a spot that feels intimate and special for the rehearsal dinner portion, but is large enough to host everyone cocktail-style following dinner. It’s ideal if you can move your dinner guests to the party area and break down the dining tables. That way the welcome party guests don’t feel like they just walked into a party they weren’t invited to! Consider venues with multiple rooms, indoor-outdoor options, or reconfigurable floor plans.
Location & Accessibility:
If you have guests flying in for your wedding weekend, they’ll appreciate a convenient location. A spot near hotels, downtown hubs, or easily accessible neighborhoods keeps everyone from stressing about transportation. In Austin, Texas, we don’t have a great public transportation system, so your guests will either rent a car or rely on rideshare services.
Amenities & Adaptability:
The best venues for these dual-purpose events come with built-in amenities and staff who understand your vision. Look for places that come with A/V setups for slideshow tributes, have indoor and outdoor bars for easy flow, and offer furniture arrangements that can be shifted quickly. If you’re considering a hotel, they should work with you on combining the food and beverage minimums of both events.
Venue Recommendations by Setting
Austin’s venue scene is incredibly diverse. Whether you’re drawn to chic downtown hotspots or rustic Hill Country barns, there’s a location that’ll fit your style and handle both parts of the evening with ease.
A. Urban Chic: Rooftop Bars and Downtown Restaurants
- The Roosevelt Room:
This downtown cocktail haven is perfect for couples who love a classy, cosmopolitan vibe. Start with an intimate dinner in a private area and then shift to the main lounge space, where expert mixologists can serve signature drinks as the evening’s energy picks up. Conveniently located, it’s easy for guests to come and go. - Parkside:
Famous for its Sixth Street address and creative cuisine, Parkside features a charming private brick dining room upstairs that’s perfect for a seated dinner. Following dinner, invite everyone to the bar and terrace for coffee and cake, while the events team exchanges the dinner tables for cocktail tables and a dessert bar. It’s an easy pivot from polished dinner service to lighthearted mingling. - Eberly:
Eberly’s timeless style is part vintage glam, part modern chic. It’s a great location if you want to begin with a formal seated meal in one room and then meander into the lounge or patio for late-night cocktails. Your guests won’t even realize how seamlessly they’ve shifted from “quiet dinner” mode to “let’s celebrate” mode.
Rehearsal dinner at Eberly includes both seated dinner and cocktail-style party | Images by Franny Pullin
B. Rustic Elegance: Barns, Dance Halls, and Breweries
- Brodie Homestead:
If you envision a scene with wooden beams, glistening chandeliers, and vintage charm, Brodie Homestead delivers. The venue comes with a tall white curtain so that you can section off the barn. It’s easy to host a picture-perfect dinner under massive barn chandeliers, and then invite your guests to the front of the barn for cocktails. Close the white curtain while the staff remove dining tables and replace them with lounge furniture or cocktail tables, and then open the curtain back up to make room for the additional guests. - Mercer Dancehall:
Want a casual, kicked-back atmosphere? Mercer Dancehall features a big dance floor, live music, and comes with all the tables and chairs needed for your event. It’s a little slice of Hill Country authenticity that’ll put everyone at ease. - Treaty Oak Brewery:
Several of my Dripping Springs wedding clients have hosted events at Treaty Oak Brewery. They are used to helping couples with both rehearsal dinners and welcome parties, providing an easy turn-key experience.
C. Urban Oasis: Hotels with Private Event Spaces
- South Congress Hotel:
South Congress Hotel is one of my favorite spots for dual rehearsal dinners and welcome parties. The outdoor courtyard can comfortably accommodate 100 guests seated under party lights and the main indoor event space is ideal for a cocktail-style welcome party with a band. The wall of glass comes with a thick curtain, so you can block the view of the courtyard while the staff remove the dining tables, and then open it up for the larger party to spill out into the courtyard as the festivities continue. - Colton House Hotel:
With a boutique feel and various indoor-outdoor areas, Colton House offers the flexibility you need. The primary suite upstairs is a blank canvas, allowing you to bring everything in. I can imagine an intimate dinner on the patio overlooking downtown, and then inviting a larger group into the suite for cocktails and confections. - The Austin Proper:
The cocktail area bar adjacent to the main event space is absolutely stunning. I can imagine an intimate dinner in this space. You wouldn’t need any additional decor at all. Then, when it’s time to invite additional guests, the small ballroom works great for a band, DJ, and lounge.
D. Outdoor and Scenic Spots: Gardens, Patios, and Terraces
- Jacoby’s Restaurant & Mercantile:
The warm, homestyle interior makes for a lovely dinner setting, while the riverside patio beckons guests outside when it’s time to unwind. You can transform the vibe from intimate toast-giving to open-air mingling simply by inviting everyone to step onto the lawn. - Mattie’s:
There’s a reason so many couples fall in love with Mattie’s. The food is consistently excellent, everyone adores the peacocks, and the historic home feels private and intimate. Where you host your dinner depends on your party size. Hosting a small dinner upstairs is super turn-key. They provide everything you need, and your guests can spill out into the upstairs bar area following dinner. However, you can also host a large rehearsal dinner in the event space, and then invite your guests outside to enjoy cocktails beneath ancient oak trees.
Festive and casual rehearsal dinner outside at Jacoby’s | Images by The Edges
E. Unique and Creative Spaces
- The Cathedral:
This space is perfect for couples who crave a space with personality and an artistic edge. The Cathedral can help you host a meaningful dinner among beautiful local art and then shift gears to a cocktail party that feels fresh, fun, and personal. It’s a guaranteed conversation starter. - Justine’s Secret House:
If you love intimate, slightly whimsical settings, this is your spot. The indoor dining areas are perfect for dinners of 60 or less. Justine handles the bar, catering, and all the tables and chairs. By the time dessert rolls around, invite guests into the courtyard where you greet the additional guests invited to the welcome party. The property can accommodate 100 guests throughout the inside and outside event spaces. - Easy Tiger:
Casual, playful, and full of good brews, Easy Tiger lets you scale up or down depending on your guest list. A sit-down meal can easily give way to mingling around picnic tables, sharing pretzels, and testing everyone’s ping-pong skills. It’s a perfect option for couples who want to keep things friendly and low-key.
Tips for Planning a Seamless Transition Between the Rehearsal Dinner and Welcome Party
Map Out a Gentle Timeline:
Rather than a strict schedule, think about gentle cues that guide guests from dinner to after-party mode. Maybe you plan for speeches and a slideshow at the start, and then, once dessert is served, your planner dims the lights, a new playlist starts, and the bartenders open a different station. The idea is to give guests subtle signals that they can get up, move around, and enjoy a more free-flowing atmosphere.
Use Lighting & Music to Your Advantage:
Lighting plays a huge role in setting the vibe. Start with a warm, well-lit dinner space. After the plates are cleared, have your DJ or band change the color of the stage and uplights to something more festive. You will also want to switch the music from mellow background tunes to something livelier. If your budget allows, consider a local Austin band or DJ to really get the party going!
Add Something Interactive:
Give guests a reason to roam. A photo booth, late-night snack station, or hands-on cocktail bar can prompt people to leave their dinner tables and mix. They’ll naturally start chatting with those they haven’t met yet, which is exactly what you want before the big day.
Consider Food & Beverage Transitions:
After a plated meal, try offering simple bites during the party portion, think mini tacos, sliders, or even an artisanal cheese board. Shift from served drinks to a self-serve station or craft cocktail menu. This change in how people enjoy food and drink can help them realize, “Okay, we’re in the next phase of the night.”
Real Couples’ Experiences: Success Stories
The Vineyard at Camp Lucy: One of my favorite rehearsal dinners started with a beautiful cocktail hour and dinner in a vineyard. Olivia and Damon were getting married at another Camp Lucy venue the next day, so the guests simply took golf carts from their cabins to The Vineyard, located on the back side of the property. Following dinner, we walked to the Savannah tent for coffee and desert stations, where we met up with other guests to continue the fun.
Outdoor rehearsal dinner at The Vineyard at Camp Lucy | Photos by Julie Wilhite
Mattie’s Green Pastures:
Another pair kicked off their evening with a multi-course meal in the events hall at Green Pastures. This space is ideal for larger rehearsal dinners. Susan and Graham really wanted a space that worked well for toasts and felt private, but it was the food that was the show-stopper. You can’t leave this place without trying the fried chicken, which Mattie’s restaurant is known for. Toasts went smoothly, guests felt cared for, and there is plenty of room on the wrap-around veranda to mingle with guests after dinner.
Beautiful garden party rehearsal dinner inside at Green Pastures | Photos by Jenny DeMarco
El Mesón Tequileria:
I will never forget Carlotta and Austin’s vibrant rehearsal dinner at El Meson. They picked this location based on their love of the strawberry margaritas, which did not disappoint! We did bus their guests to the event, but ride share is also easy and convenient. Best of all, the space needed very little decoration. It’s already bright and festive, with colorful ribbons hanging from the ceiling. It’s the ideal spot for those who want Tex-Mex in a private and festive atmosphere.
This restaurant comes with colorful ribbons and papel picado hanging from the ceilings | Images by Cory Ryan
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are guests expecting a separate rehearsal dinner and welcome party?
A: Times are changing, and guests are often relieved to have one main event rather than several smaller gatherings. It reduces confusion, keeps everyone together, and feels more inclusive.
Q: How can I make sure the event still feels special if everything is combined?
A: Personal touches go a long way. Start with the more intimate “dinner” where you share stories, give gifts, or watch a family photo slideshow. Then shift into the casual phase where guests can kick back, enjoy a signature cocktail, and chat. By varying the atmosphere and activities, you ensure both elements still feel meaningful.
Q: Does merging events cut down on costs?
A: Often, yes. Instead of paying for two venues and two sets of vendor fees, you’re focusing on one space, one set of staff, and one décor scheme. It also frees up your budget to invest in elements that enhance the experience, like quality food or a great band.
Conclusion
Merging your rehearsal dinner and welcome party into a single, beautifully orchestrated evening can transform your wedding weekend into something truly special. Guests get the benefit of connecting early on, you get to streamline your planning, and everyone arrives on your wedding day feeling like old friends.
With Austin’s wide range of venues each offering its flavor, flexibility, and charm you’re practically guaranteed to find a spot that can pull off both vibes with ease. From rustic barns to chic rooftop bars, these spaces are all about helping you create a warm, inclusive environment. Add a few personal touches, adjust the lighting and music, and incorporate interactive stations, and you’ll have the perfect setting for a night your guests will remember long after you’ve tied the knot.