The Allan House is an 1883 Victorian home on San Antonio Street in downtown Austin, with wide verandas and a stone courtyard under old oaks. It is one of the few places downtown where a wedding feels like a garden party. The tradeoff is sound: you are in the city, and the city has rules.
Hero photo: The Allan House
The spaces
The courtyard is the main event space, rated for 200 for a ceremony or reception. Indoors the parlors seat about 60 to 65, and the veranda works for small ceremonies. There are two private changing suites and an outdoor sound stage with its own lighting.
On the day we filmed, the ceremony and the reception shared the courtyard. Cocktail hour ran on the porch while caterers flipped the courtyard, and a cigar roller set up for that hour.
Photo: The Allan House
Soundcheck before the ceremony
The band arrived at 1:30 PM with courtyard access only, and the full band soundchecked at 4:00, alongside a family member who sang during the processional. The officiant did a sound check and got a lapel mic at 4:30.
Ask for that same order. When the band's engineer and the officiant are checked thirty minutes before guests sit, we get clean vows and a clean song in one take.
Photo: The Allan House
Photos and portraits
We arrived at 3:00 with the photographer and florist for getting ready and details. The dress zip was at 3:40 and a first touch at 3:45, so the couple did not see each other before the aisle. Group photos with the couple apart ran at 4:00, then they were tucked away while we shot the venue empty at 4:30.
After the 5:00 ceremony, remaining group photos ran at 5:30, couple portraits at 5:50, and the couple had private time with appetizers in the suite at 6:15.
Sound limits and the end of the night
The venue says the City of Austin caps amplified sound at 85 decibels measured at the four corners of the property, and staff take readings during events. Outdoor amplified sound must be off by midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, 11:00 PM on Thursdays, and 10:30 PM Sunday through Wednesday. Indoor music has no time limit.
Our band played its last song at 10:20, mariachis came in at 10:27, last call was 10:30, the formal exit was 10:55 and vendors were out by midnight.
- A professional coordinator is required for every event.
- For rain, the venue suggests reserving a courtyard tent from its preferred tent companies.
- A clear, heated tent covers the courtyard in December, January and February.
A real day here
A wedding day we filmed here
| 1:30 PM | Band arrives with courtyard access only |
| 2:00 PM | Wedding party, coordinator, rentals and caterer arrive |
| 3:00 PM | Florist, photo and video arrive; getting ready and detail photos |
| 3:40 PM | Dress zip, then first touch at 3:45 |
| 4:00 PM | Full band soundcheck; group photos with the couple apart |
| 4:30 PM | Officiant sound check and lapel mic; couple tucked away |
| 5:00 PM | Ceremony |
| 5:30 PM | Cocktail hour on the porch while the courtyard is flipped; cigar station opens |
| 5:50 PM | Couple portraits |
| 6:30 PM | Introductions, first dance and family dances |
| 6:45 PM | Dinner service |
| 7:50 PM | Toasts |
| 8:15 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 10:55 PM | Formal exit |
Sample timelines by season
Sunset in Austin moves by three hours across the year, and it decides almost everything else on the timeline. Here is how we would shape a day at The Allan House in each season. Times are a starting point; your planner and venue will tune them.
Spring
| 2:45 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 3:45 PM | Bride with her bridesmaids, groom with his groomsmen, separately |
| 4:15 PM | Each side's family photos, still apart |
| 4:45 PM | Guests arrive; couple hidden in the suite |
| 5:15 PM | Ceremony, first sight at the aisle |
| 5:45 PM | Family photos at the ceremony site |
| 6:00 PM | Wedding party photos, then couple portraits while guests enjoy a long cocktail hour on the porch |
| 7:00 PM | Grand entrance straight into the first dance |
| 7:10 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30 PM | Golden hour portraits between courses |
| 8:00 PM | Toasts and parent dances, dance floor opens |
| 10:45 PM | Send-off |
Summer
| 4:45 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 5:45 PM | Separate portraits with the wedding party; no first look |
| 7:00 PM | Guests arrive to live music |
| 7:45 PM | Ceremony, timed for the last of the light |
| 8:10 PM | Recessional; family photos first, while the light holds |
| 8:15 PM | Cocktail hour on the porch into dusk |
| 8:25 PM | Golden hour couple portraits, about 20 minutes |
| 9:05 PM | Grand entrance, first dance, then dinner |
| 9:55 PM | Toasts and parent dances |
| 10:25 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 11:30 PM | Send-off |
Fall
| 2:00 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 3:00 PM | First look with dad, then a bridesmaid reveal |
| 3:15 PM | Groom's portraits with his parents and groomsmen |
| 4:00 PM | Wedding party tucked away in the suite as guests arrive |
| 4:45 PM | Ceremony |
| 5:15 PM | Cocktail hour on the porch; family photos first, then the wedding party |
| 5:45 PM | Couple portraits, about 20 minutes |
| 6:15 PM | Grand entrance and dinner |
| 6:30 PM | Quick sunset portraits, about 10 minutes |
| 7:15 PM | Toasts, cake cutting, first dance and parent dances |
| 7:45 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 10:05 PM | Private last dance, then send-off |
Winter
| 12:00 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 1:00 PM | First look, then couple portraits |
| 1:35 PM | Wedding party portraits, then immediate family |
| 2:20 PM | Couple tucked away in the suite; guests arrive |
| 3:00 PM | Ceremony |
| 3:30 PM | Cocktail hour on the porch; extended family photos |
| 4:30 PM | Grand entrance and dinner |
| 4:55 PM | Couple slips out for golden hour, about 15 minutes |
| 5:30 PM | Toasts, then first dance and parent dances |
| 6:00 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 8:30 PM | Send-off |
From December through February a clear, heated tent with draping and chandeliers covers the whole courtyard and is included in the rental.
Photo: The Allan House
Common questions
Are there sound limits at The Allan House?
Yes. Amplified sound must stay under 85 decibels at the property corners, and outdoor amplified sound ends at midnight Friday and Saturday, 11 PM Thursday and 10:30 PM Sunday to Wednesday.
What is the rain plan?
The venue recommends reserving a courtyard tent from one of its preferred tent companies. In December through February a heated clear tent is included.
Do we need a coordinator?
Yes. The Allan House requires a professional coordinator on site for the full rental period.
Planning a wedding here? Send us your date and we will tell you how we would film it.