I’ve always been drawn to The Veranda’s unique blend of Southern charm and modern sophistication. The venue’s architecture is absolutely stunning, the gardens are filled with beautiful flowers and trees, and the city skyline shines from the venue’s outdoor spaces. The entire property creates an incredibly romantic atmosphere, making it the perfect backdrop to celebrate your big day.
As a wedding photographer in San Antonio, I’ve had the pleasure of capturing the love stories of many couples at The Veranda. Every wedding has felt magical so it’s no wonder that this venue has become a popular choice for couples prioritizing both the style and service of their wedding day.
The Facilities
The Veranda isn’t just another wedding venue—it’s a breathtaking estate with multiple spaces to choose from for your celebration. The estate includes:
- Estate House
- Pavilion
- Terrace and fountain courtyard
- South lawn
- Covered veranda
- Cottage
Or, if you’re dreaming of a really epic wedding reception, you can rent the entire estate for up to 700 of your closest friends and family.
You can host your guests in the beautiful Four Seasons pavilion or you can choose the stunning stone arch on the South Lawn for your wedding ceremony; you can’t go wrong with any spot on the property. And because there are so many options, your wedding day will feel extremely customized and personal to you and your partner.
The Estate House
The Estate House is truly one of the best features of The Veranda. It gives both the bride and groom the chance to relax in comfortable (and separate!) spaces while preparing to walk down the aisle, which adds to the ease of your day so you don’t have to travel from an outside location.
The Bridal Suite in the house offers a well-lighted makeup counter for getting ready with your girls, plush and comfortable couches to lounge on during your downtime, and a private restroom so you don’t risk being seen by your soon-to-be husband.
The Groom’s Suite offers a different vibe that’s guaranteed to impress any group of guys prepping for the wedding day. It features a wet bar that the guys can use throughout the day, a big screen TV to catch up on whatever game they want, as well as their own private restroom.
I truly don’t believe that any other venue can compare when it comes to the getting-ready areas for the wedding party, so if that’s important to you, The Veranda might be your ideal venue.
Food and Beverage
The Veranda has an exclusive relationship with Spice of Life Catering for all of their special events. With decades of experience in San Antonio’s vibrant food scene, Spice of Life offers thoughtful menus crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
From classic Southern cuisine to contemporary dishes, their team can tailor a menu that perfectly reflects your unique taste and style for your wedding reception. Your guests will be amazed by the innovative presentations of each dish, so you can expect them to keep talking about the food at your wedding for years to come. It honestly might be the best wedding food they’ve ever had. With a commitment to exceptional service and a passion for creating high-end culinary experiences, Spice of Life Catering will ensure that your wedding reception is truly unforgettable.
In Conclusion
I recently photographed a wedding at The Veranda in San Antonio, Texas, and the entire night was straight out of a dream. I absolutely loved everything this venue had to offer, and it looked beautiful for the bride and groom. Lauren, the bride, did a lot of DIY projects for their wedding with her mom, and everything turned out perfectly. They had 190 guests in attendance, and The Veranda offered more than enough room for everyone to eat, dance, and celebrate in comfort.
I cannot recommend The Veranda enough for your wedding venue. I think it’s not only lovely but truly feels like Texas as soon as you walk onto the property. So if you’re currently in the process of touring venues and planning your Texas wedding, make sure to add The Veranda to your list—you won’t regret it!
Looking for what’s next?
See more photos from Lauren and Lars’ wedding experience. You can check out their misty engagement session at The Pearl here.
Read about my other favorite wedding venues in San Antonio, Texas.
Learn more about my wedding photography services here.
the latest
The ornate Renaissance Revival structure of Hotel Emma isn’t the only cool thing about it—its history is an extremely unique piece of San Antonio, Texas. Built in the 1800s, Hotel Emma was once a brewery. When Prohibition took hold in the 1920s, thanks to the brewery’s innovative leader and namesake, Emma Koehler, it was the only one to survive.
If you’re looking for stunning and impressively decorated event rooms, an expansive courtyard, an exhibition kitchen for your guests to get a behind-the-scenes experience, and more, Hotel Emma is the perfect venue for you.
The Facilities
Hotel Emma offers an exquisite setting for couples with up to 250 guests seeking a memorable wedding experience. With a range of event spaces tailored for weddings, the hotel provides the convenience of hosting both ceremony and reception on-site. With multiple reception spaces available, you can select the perfect ambiance to complement your wedding vision, whether it be the elegant Emma Koehler Room or the intimate Elephant Cellar.
However, it’s the hotel’s stunning courtyard that truly steals the spotlight, offering a picturesque backdrop for exchanging your vows or dancing the night away. The outdoor space is beautifully landscaped, featuring lush greenery and charming architecture for you and your guests to enjoy.
Located within Hotel Emma, the Sternewirth and Swiggle Key are two areas that you can also use for your celebration. Sternewirth is a historic space reimagined as a tavern and club room and offers a cozy yet sophisticated ambiance. While your guests enjoy the atmosphere of exposed brick walls and vintage decor, they can also savor craft cocktails, fine wines, and artisanal beers. Swiggle Key is another one of my favorite spots because it sits adjacent to Sternewirth and features a wall of windows and a thoughtfully decorated space. It also has a charming outdoor patio that overlooks the river and Pearl’s amphitheater—these spaces combined will allow your guests can unwind while enjoying the overall experience.
Food and Beverage
If you’re a foodie and want the culinary experience to be top-notch for your wedding, look no further than Hotel Emma. It’s as exceptional as the venue itself and makes the entire wedding experience truly unforgettable. The hotel’s food options are a highlight, featuring the unique exhibition kitchen where guests can enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the skilled chefs working throughout your reception. They offer a wide variety of delicious hors d’oeuvres and gourmet entree selections, so you can’t go wrong when creating your menu.
The bar offerings are equally impressive, with the ability to craft signature cocktails and choose from an extensive selection of wines and spirits. They focus on quality, creativity, and amazing service, so I guarantee that you’ll be ecstatic with your choice to celebrate at Hotel Emma.
Accommodations
By choosing a venue that offers on-site accommodations, your wedding planning experience will become that much more seamless and stress-free. Hotel Emma has a variety of beautifully decorated rooms and suites, which provide an air of luxury to your hotel stay. As the bride and groom, you can book a special bridal suite for both your pre-wedding prep and post-celebration relaxation.
Your guests can choose from a range of accommodations including both cozy guest rooms and spacious suites if they are traveling in a group. Each room has modern amenities and is sure to provide the perfect experience for your guests from the moment they arrive through checkout.
Special Considerations
When considering Hotel Emma as your wedding venue, it’s important to note a few things. The hotel’s popularity as a wedding destination means that early booking is key to securing your desired date and overnight accommodations.
The hotel is committed to excellence, so coordinating with their experience planning team will ensure that every detail of your wedding will be flawlessly executed. However, pricing may be at a premium compared to other ensues in the area because they offer so much in their wedding packages and provide a truly unforgettable wedding experience.
Are you ready to choose your wedding venue? Read about my other favorite venues on the blog.
Want to check “hire photographer” off of your wedding to-do list? Learn more about my available packages here, and get in touch or fill out the inquiry form below!
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