Laguna Gloria - The Contemporary Austin

heart of Austin. Emily from Laguna Gloria was our venue coordinator. There's tradeoffs to this venue, which she and our planner worked through. Nothing was a dealbreaker for us — we're thankful that Emily was proactive and communicative. For our date, we could only access the venue starting at 2PM. This meant we had a short setup time before guests arrived, so we had to hire additional staff to set up faster. No pyrotechnics or CO2 machines allowed. There's also only one approved AV vendor, so you have to pay whatever they charge. The indoor space is very small — you need tenting for a mandatory rain plan. Overall, our wedding turned out beautifully. Guests raved about the venue!

emple of Love gazebo and the dance floor on the upper terrace behind the villa ! The string lights and lush landscaping was a dream. Emily was so helpful and always available whenever I needed her to quickly ease all my worries and stress along the way. She even popped by on the day of to help coordinate vendor load in!

joyed getting to know her and she was an absolute joy to work with!

the planning process. I can’t imagine getting married anywhere else.

and everything looked even better than I could have imagined when it came to the big day. My husband and I are so grateful to have found this little piece of paradise in the middle of Austin. Dinner at sunset really added that the extra bit of sparkle that wowed our guests and being right by the water was perfect!

ith plenty of florals and foliage. The art, villa, gardens, and lake make Laguna truly one of a kind, and it was the perfect space for us.

eautiful pictures. Our wedding was 82 degrees at the end of October. It was truly a lovely day and the backdrop and grounds of LG was our favorite of all the venues we looked at. Now, here’s the part I feel caught us off guard and a policy I wish they would amend. LG requires a rain plan, which basically consists of going to a rental company of your choosing, and putting a deposit down for tents. LG requires a rain plan or you’re charged a fine. The rental companies requires 50% down. It cost us $4,000 to have a full tent plan (that was just the deposit, $8k in total. It was the cheapest we found) If you don’t use the tents, you do not get a refund, The weather was perfect so we just ate the $4k because the policy is to use all the tents or none at all. Now, I’m sure you’re thinking this is a rental extortion problem and not LG’s problem, you would be half correct. LG requires this or they fine you. The one thing I noticed about wedding planning is they’re all in bed with one another and take advantage of you. Read ALL the fine print and extra costs associated with LG before booking. The grounds are stunning but you’re almost pressured to put a deposit down right away (because they’ll tell you 5 other brides are looking at your date), but do your homework and make sure you’re comfortable with the hidden costs. Otherwise, it was a lovely place!

us and it seemed like the venue checked all the boxes we were looking for: outdoor, intimate, classy but warm. The venue more than delivered in person. And our guests loved the experience of feeling like they were transported out of Austin and into an Italian villa! It is a museum, so be prepared to arrange for all the things you need vs. signing up for a package deal. We held our ceremony in the amphitheater, dinner on the gravel path, and reception on the terrace. It unfortunately rained the second half of our wedding. The view wasn't as great as a rain-free evening of course, but the white tents actually blended in okay with the building and everything worked out. And the gravel path surprisingly did not get too muddy. Lastly, Shannon was AMAZING to work with. Despite the chaos of the pandemic, she was so available, professional, and kind. And the list of preferred & recommended vendors was super helpful for our planning process. Thank you so much for all you do couples everywhere, especially during this time!

t I was looking for, just that I wanted something outside and at a beautiful venue. When I saw Laguna Gloria I was sold! It's a beautiful venue. My contact at the venue was Shannon and she was excellent. She provided thorough communication and was very helpful answering my questions. She was also there the day of the wedding to provide support! It is an expensive venue, but I think it was worth it. I would just make sure you read your contract that Shannon provides thoroughly before signing. There are a lot of restrictions since it is a museum, and it is expensive compared to other venues, but I think it is worth it. Our guests were blown away by how beautiful it was and we got a sneak peek of our photos and they are gorgeous!

completely transformed the vibe of the space when the sun set. The event coordinators were very easy to work with, and the list of suggested/required vendors is quite expansive. You'll have no problem finding someone great to work with through the list. We really lucked out and had a beautiful 75 degree Saturday in late January, but I had no fear of weather given their pull around curtains. If it would have rained or been really windy I feel like it still would have been comfortable up there. 10/10 would recommend!

o kind and quick to respond to all of our emails/calls. We could not have kept our sanity without her! The venue is one of a kind and gorgeous beyond words. Our guests complimented us all evening on our venue choice. Planning a wedding during COVID was extra difficult, but in the end, it went perfectly thanks to Shannon and her team!

n is great to work with. My only advice would be to do all of your research on vendors, as there are quite a few things to manage as far as bringing in the things you will need to host the event. Most require late night pick up as well. That being said, I would still highly recommend this venue for a unique, beautiful event.

edding -- something we immensely appreciated. Thank you for helping to preserve and protect our excitement for our special day in the midst of this crisis!

supporting our rain plan, working with our many vendors and being so helpful and responsive as we altered plans due to COVID-19. Thank you, Shannon! Excited to work with you throughout 2021 and have our dream wedding at this beautiful venue.

xperience was positive and exceeded our expectations. We worked with Arin, who was terrific, knowledgeable, professional and fun! So happy and highly recommend!

was still a very natural landscape. You could see the water a bit better since the leaves had fallen which was nice. The sun was very warm during our ceremony even though it was chilly. We tented one of the patios outside the Villa and that was perfect for our small wedding (35 guests) to dance the night away. No complaints at all, our wedding was perfect!

enue of Laguna Gloria was the best choice. Our guests thought the reception dinner was elegant and that the band and dancing was fun and special. The staff at Laguna Gloria, especially Shannon, the rentals manager, were easy to work with and responded quickly to our many questions. They've managed so many events through the years that the staff is well aware of all the details and needs for us to address ahead of time. It was the perfect venue choice for us.

so the location is very sentimental to us. Arin, Shannon, and the rest of the LG staff were extremely helpful and accommodating throughout the entire process, providing us with vendor recommendations, event timing tips, and even opening up Studio 8, a separate space on the grounds, so that our band would have a place to take their breaks. The only negative about LG is the lack of indoor space available in the event of rain, but you know this information going into it and it's just something you have to roll with. The Friday morning before our wedding, the forecast called for rain on Saturday and we struggled with whether or not we should call our rain plan. Ultimately, we decided to tent only the side lawn where the dance floor and band was located so that in case it did rain, our guests would have more coverage. It ended up not raining, but the tent was a gorgeous addition and the peace of mind was priceless. If you're looking to get married at one of the most beautiful, timeless and wonderfully located place in Austin, Laguna Gloria could not be more perfect!

in Austin, the Italian-style Villa, the lush grounds, the art, and Lake Austin in the background. The property is ideal in that it has several different locations for a secluded ceremony, and then the Villa for the dinner and reception. The staff was equally as amazing!....Arin is an incredible coordinator. She is so kind and always immediately answered any questions we had. She made sure everything was perfect. I never once worried about anything during the wedding planning or the day-of, and to me this is priceless. The entire relationship with Laguna Gloria was just so easy and I highly recommend this venue to everyone!

around the villa and the gorgeous art pieces. The Temple of Love ceremony site was breathtaking, and perfect for a small intimate wedding! Shannon was wonderful at answering any and all questions that I asked her both promptly and kindly - she was a huge help in keeping me sane through the wedding planning process. The day-of coordinators, Blythe and Victoria, were great at coordinating with our other vendors and helping the guests with anything they needed. Even when a sudden storm came in during the reception, they did not hesitate to help with getting everything inside the Driscoll Villa (very quickly)! All in all, including the service, the aesthetic of the venue, and the adaptability of the staff in mind, we could not have chosen a better venue to celebrate our love with family and friends! Best wedding venue ever!!

makes this a no-brainer for bridal portraits, engagements, weddings - you name it. The team is professional and is truly dedicated to making sure that the Austin community gets to enjoy and appreciate the arts at The Contemporary. Their events and site rentals team always makes things easy - I would give the property 10 stars if I could. - Paige Vaughn Photo

ay when we came across this venue that this is it. Once we layered in the flower & decor, everything was just beauuuutiful. I think it'll be hard to find another venue like this. Highly recommend!

our contract. The only thing I will say is that weddings here can be deceptively expensive - just because you have to bring EVERYTHING in. I loved it and would not change anything about my wedding though!

rn (seems to be big in TX) with the gorgeous city of Austin surrounding you, check it out. The reason for the 4 stars was a slight lack of urgency and communication from the venue coordinators as they are first a museum, and second a museum that can host a wedding. Brides can get anxious and could use a little extra consoling, compassion, and communication that everything will be in place before the big day.

Lake Austin. The building itself is also quite historic but mainly served as a back drop as we were primarily outside. There was also a sculpture exhibit that added to the unique-ness of our wedding. We worked with approved vendors which helped narrow down our food, beverage and cake options and made things a lot easier. Also, an approved wedding coordinator, 36th St. Events, has planned many weddings at Laguna, and they knew all the ins-and outs. We had a sit down dinner with buffet stations that everyone was quite impressed with. We were able to have a DJ on site with a very intimate dance floor on one of the porches. We added a lounge on the adjacent lawn for additional seating next to the dance floor. The lighting was also very romantic. For an average size wedding (150 people), Laguna Gloria is a wonderful option! You are in the heart of central Austin, but is quiet and almost feels out of town. Very convenient to MoPac and nearby hotels in North Austin (or South if you wish). Ceremony as well as dinner locations can be designed any way you want and they all would have breathtaking views! Great value and quality!

a ton of extra decor. I prefer more of a natural elegance and this definitely delivered. We chose to have our ceremony in the amphitheater and the reception was out back behind the building overlooking the lake. It was perfect as our guests got to walk through part of the trails when leaving the ceremony to head to the reception. One thing to pay attention to is the total cost of the venue as there are a few extra fees than what you may expect as this isn't your typical wedding venue. Overall it's a beautiful place and also photographs extremely well. What my husband and I love is that we can come back and visit it anytime we want as it's open to the public during the day. We'll have to come back in the future and get a picture, possibly with kids, in the exact spot where we said 'I do.'

r's edge. The sun setting over the lake offered a breathtaking view for our guests while they enjoyed dinner at one large banquet table sprawling the granite path on the lower terrace.

ead to the patio area. The patio area was sufficient for an eight piece band and a dance floor. Even the benches were in the perfect place.

the number of compliments received regarding the venue. It was truly remarkable. Not only was the venue an incredible sight - but Blythe - our Rental and Events Coordinator for Laguna Gloria was great to work with throughout this process. Her personalized attention to my questions and needs helped me feel confident about using Laguna Gloria as a wedding venue. Words cannot describe this venue. It has elegance, grace and is timeless.

nted an outdoor/garden type but many venues we found were far away like driftwood or on the outskirts of Austin. We had several out of town guests, so we wanted somewhere that was close to downtown Austin. As soon as we checked out Laguna we were in love! Not only is it a cool modern art museum, it is an old italian villa that has the most beautiful grounds. And only 15 minutes from downtown! It is absolutely the most perfect place to have a wedding in Austin! First of all, there are several ways to arrange a wedding on that site making Laguna so versatile! The temple of love was perfect for our ceremony! I always wanted a circular formation for our ceremony to make it feel intimate and we were able to stand in the middle of the temple with everyone around us! From the villa leading to the temple is a long pathway of scenic trees. They provide festoon lighting all throughout the pathways, making it such a romantic feeling at night! We had decorated the pathway with candles and photos of us all throughout for guests to enjoy on their way to the temple. At the temple, we were surrounded by the big beautiful trees and hung candles above us in the center. While we were taking pictures at the temple after the ceremony, all our guests enjoyed cocktail hour on a big four seasons lawn where we set up a few corn hole sets. And the bar could be close to them for easy access to the booze. It was fantastic! The upper terrace of the villa was so perfect! We had our dancing there and I really loved how we could enter the villa from there via the sunroom. It felt so open and everyone could watch us from the terrace as we cut our cake! We had dinner on the pathway that overlooked lake Austin! With the festoon lighting, hearing the beautiful water fountain as I looked at the lake, I felt like I was in a dream! And I was....in my dream wedding! I could go on and on about our wedding but here are some important awesome things and a few things to be aware of. 1. Versatile space! Endless wedding layout designablilty! 2. The lush gardens and outdoor areas so beautiful that minimal floral needed. It was nice not having to spend a whole lot on flowers. We just had bouquets, boutonnieres and table flowers. 3. A space that you can have both ceremony and reception. 4. Vendor list they provided. We got the best vendors because of this list! 5. Throughout the planning process anytime I had any questions, the site coordinator, Blythe was extremely helpful and always available to answer me. 1. Even though set up for weddings, you have to find and bring in all vendors. We had to bring in caterer, alcohol, rentals of tables and chairs, added a lot of lighting since we had most of the wedding at night. The festoons cover a little but not if you are having it at night. And they make you choose a caterer on their provided list. No worries though, they bring in the best! 2. Need rain plan. The venue is mostly outdoors unless you have less than 70 peeps. 3. Require a coordinator. I'm glad though because we didn't have to worry about anything the day of. 4. Limited time. We had the space from 4p to 11pm! We had such an amazing wedding and we were so lucky to have been able to have our dream wedding at Laguna.

at Laguna for different parts of our wedding and this made it even more special. The team at Laguna Gloria was super helpful and informative. I would not hesitate to recommend Laguna Gloria to anyone looking for a unique and beautiful venue for their wedding day.

bo,and sculpture garden were an amazing backdrop for our family and friends to socialize and celebrate. The staff could not have been more helpful and were intent on seeing our vision come to life. My only regret is that we did not start the wedding day party earlier and stay longer.

g, and we did not even have to use our heaters! It is an open venue so you can really get creative with it. They have a list of vendors that are perfect and have worked the venue before, so they are professionals. They really know how to set the perfect tone for a wedding. We will definitely be having our anniversary there! I HIGHLY recommend it.

s abroad, had for her big day. Our guests, many from Europe visiting the US for the first time, and many who work in art related fields, were enchanted with the property and the fact that it's a working gallery by day. The Temple of Love gazebo at the end of the peninsula offered the guests a beautiful stroll along the water and was the perfect spot for cocktails, appetizers, a single acoustic guitarist, and photos. The back lawn was the site of the reception dinner. Originally planned with one very long banquet table along the the path, the threat of a rare Texas rain caused us to switch to plan B utilizing open walled tents on the side lawn. Had we only known not to worry! The new setup took the ambience and beauty to a level we couldn't have imagined! Very intimate and romantic! The patio provided a ready dance floor and location to cut the cake. And when the magic hour arrived for outdoor sound to cease so as not to disturb residents in the beautiful nearby homes, our DJ expertly switched decks to the inside and the villa itself became a spectacular dance club. There is a beautiful room upstairs that is often used as the bridal dressing room for those who have their ceremonies on site but for our event, it served as the perfect Kiddy Club manned by professional sitters for our smallest guests. In the end, it was a gorgeous night. The rain stayed away and we enjoyed a stunning Hill Country sunset over the lake. Bottom line….there is no way not to have a gorgeous wedding at The Contemporary.

s the LG staff unbelievably helpful from start to finish, but our guests could not stop talking about how special the venue was... and I agree! We had our ceremony overlooking Lake Austin and then ate at farm tables on a beautiful gravel path as the sun set. Our guests danced on the villa patio and also were free to roam multiple romantically lit paths. 5 stars all around!

they don't provide anything but it's worth it given the service and memories/pictures. I also recommend going through the approved catering list and picking a company that will give you the flexibility to bring in your own food. We had Peached Tortilla bring their truck but also serve all the dinner. They book up 1+ years in advance for Spring and Fall so lock in your March/April or October/November dates - ours was March 29th and it was a perfect 74 degrees and sunny!

anced upstairs, ate downstairs and had cocktails on the veranda. This place is extremely special - a quiet haven in Austin that is elegant, romantic and classy. You can't go wrong. The catering by Rosemary's Catering was superb and the whole venue was perfect.