The Hummingbird House is a garden venue in Manchaca, in South Austin, on five and a half acres of tropical planting. The ceremony happens at an English gazebo covered in jasmine, cocktail hour runs through the gardens, and the reception moves into a glass walled hall. Everything sits close together, which makes it an easy day to cover.
Hero photo: The Hummingbird House
The spaces
The venue lists a garden ceremony site at the gazebo, a courtyard, a 400 square foot cocktail tent with a limestone bar, and a 3,200 square foot climate controlled reception hall with glass panel walls, silk draping and chandeliers. The timeline we worked from called that hall the pavilion.
There are two suites. The VIP Party Suite is 1,750 square feet with a salon, dressing room and covered patio. The Clubroom Suite is 1,000 square feet with a TV and a foosball table.
Photo: The Hummingbird House
Load in and access
On our September day everyone, including the couple, arrived at 2:00 PM when venue access began. Rentals and alcohol could come earlier that morning, but only with advance approval from the venue.
Vendors drive through the white wall to the right of the LOVE planters to reach the pavilion, then clear the loading driveway right away. The coordinator asked every vendor to text on arrival and before leaving.
- The rehearsal was 10:00 to 11:00 AM the day before at the gazebo; the suites are not open during rehearsal.
- Guests could leave cars overnight and pick them up from 9:00 to 11:00 AM the next day.
Photo: The Hummingbird House
Ceremony and cocktail hour
The DJ brought a lavalier and speaker for the outdoor ceremony, and the officiant soundchecked with the DJ at 4:10 PM. Guests arrived at 4:30 for a 5:00 ceremony, and the officiant asked them to put phones away until it was over. We like that request at a garden ceremony, where the aisle is short and every raised phone ends up in frame.
Family photos happened in the lounge area right after the recessional. Cocktail hour opened in the gardens at 5:45, and the couple went to the bridal suite for the bustle and drinks before rejoining. The plan also allowed for moving the schedule up if cocktail hour had to come inside.
Reception and send off
At 7:00 the DJ moved guests into the pavilion. The introduction and first dance came at 7:15, toasts ran during dinner, the cake was cut at 8:40, and the dance floor opened at 8:50. Last call was silent at 10:30. Guests gathered on the cocktail patio with bubbles for the send off at 10:57, and the venue closed at midnight.
A real day here
A late September Saturday we filmed here (September 2026)
| 2:00 PM | Venue access begins; couple, wedding party, florist, DJ, caterer and photo and video arrive |
| 2:50 PM | Wedding party changes; bride into her gown |
| 3:00 PM | First look and wedding party photos |
| 4:10 PM | Officiant soundcheck with the DJ; couple back to the suite |
| 4:30 PM | Guests arrive; pre ceremony music |
| 5:00 PM | Ceremony at the gazebo |
| 5:30 PM | Recessional; family photos in the lounge area |
| 5:45 PM | Cocktail hour in the gardens; photo booth opens |
| 7:00 PM | Guests move into the pavilion |
| 7:15 PM | Introduction and first dance; dinner follows |
| 8:40 PM | Cake cutting |
| 8:50 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 10:57 PM | Private last dance; bubble send off on the cocktail patio |
| 12:00 AM | Venue closes |
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 Hummingbird House in each season. Times are a starting point; your planner and venue will tune them.
Spring
| 2:30 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 3:30 PM | First look, then couple portraits |
| 4:05 PM | Wedding party portraits, then immediate family |
| 4:50 PM | Couple tucked away in the suite; guests arrive |
| 5:30 PM | Ceremony at the gazebo |
| 6:00 PM | Cocktail hour in the gardens; extended family photos |
| 7:00 PM | Grand entrance in the pavilion and dinner |
| 7:25 PM | Couple slips out for golden hour, about 15 minutes |
| 8:00 PM | Toasts, then first dance and parent dances |
| 8:30 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 11:00 PM | Bubble send-off |
Summer
| 3:15 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 4:15 PM | Bride with her bridesmaids, groom with his groomsmen, separately |
| 4:45 PM | Each side's family photos, still apart |
| 5:15 PM | Guests arrive; couple hidden in the suite |
| 5:45 PM | Ceremony at the gazebo, first sight at the aisle |
| 6:15 PM | Family photos at the ceremony site |
| 6:30 PM | Wedding party photos, then couple portraits while guests enjoy a long cocktail hour in the gardens |
| 7:30 PM | Grand entrance in the pavilion straight into the first dance |
| 7:40 PM | Dinner |
| 8:05 PM | Golden hour portraits between courses |
| 8:30 PM | Toasts and parent dances, dance floor opens |
| 11:15 PM | Bubble send-off |
Fall
| 3:15 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 4:15 PM | Separate portraits with the wedding party; no first look |
| 5:30 PM | Guests arrive to live music |
| 6:15 PM | Ceremony at the gazebo, timed for the last of the light |
| 6:40 PM | Recessional; family photos first, while the light holds |
| 6:45 PM | Cocktail hour in the gardens into dusk |
| 6:55 PM | Golden hour couple portraits, about 20 minutes |
| 7:35 PM | Grand entrance in the pavilion, first dance, then dinner |
| 8:25 PM | Toasts and parent dances |
| 8:55 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 11:15 PM | Bubble send-off |
In late September we had a 5:00 PM ceremony at the gazebo and a garden cocktail hour, with a plan to move things up if it had to come indoors.
Winter
| 12:30 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 1:30 PM | First look with dad, then a bridesmaid reveal |
| 1:45 PM | Groom's portraits with his parents and groomsmen |
| 2:30 PM | Wedding party tucked away in the suite as guests arrive |
| 3:15 PM | Ceremony at the gazebo |
| 3:45 PM | Cocktail hour in the gardens; family photos first, then the wedding party |
| 4:15 PM | Couple portraits, about 20 minutes |
| 4:45 PM | Grand entrance in the pavilion and dinner |
| 5:00 PM | Quick sunset portraits, about 10 minutes |
| 5:45 PM | Toasts, cake cutting, first dance and parent dances |
| 6:15 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 8:35 PM | Private last dance, then bubble send-off |
Photo: The Hummingbird House
Common questions
Where is The Hummingbird House?
It is at 12805 Arroyo Doble Drive in Manchaca, in South Austin.
Where do ceremonies happen?
At a garden gazebo covered in jasmine vines. Receptions are in a climate controlled hall with glass panel walls.
How much time is included?
The venue lists 10 hours of venue access, plus an hour for rehearsal and a complimentary hour for bridal photos.
Planning a wedding here? Send us your date and we will tell you how we would film it.