From Low-Key to Lavish Weddings: How to Select The Right Walters Venue

Beyond the when and where, there’s another key decision you will have to make when planning your wedding, and that’s “the who” — as in, who you invite to the big day. And in many ways, your guest list (or at least its size) will help determine the where, since not every venue can accommodate every crowd. Think of it as the foundation that guides every other detail to follow. Having a well-thought-out guest list also allows you to decide where you truly want to spend your time and budget. What’s also important to realize is that no matter what anyone tells you, the decision is also a highly personal one.

In other words, there’s no “one size fits all” scale when it comes to weddings. While some couples may prefer lavish celebrations with formal ceremonies, receptions, and all the bells and whistles, others may want to go the intimate route with a smaller gathering for their closest friends and family. The good news? With a myriad of different all-inclusive wedding venues across Texas and Georgia, Walters Wedding Estates is always ready to welcome weddings of all sizes. Here, our experts weigh in on how to select the right venue — whether you’re looking for a quiet and modest fête or an extravagant event.

No. 1

Micro Weddings

The past few years have inspired many couples to rethink what “big day” really means — and for some, it actually means celebrating on a much smaller scale. Enter the micro wedding, which, as the name suggests, is a downsized version of a traditional wedding, with a guest list that hovers between 50 and 100 people. Micro weddings are perfect for couples who want the intimacy that an elopement provides but don’t necessarily want their closest friends and family to miss out on experiencing their special moment.

Another major perk? By trimming down your guest list, your wedding-day dollars can be shifted to creating a more personalized and impactful experience on the aspects that matter most to you. Maybe this means you can allocate a larger portion of your budget toward a more elaborate culinary experience. Perhaps it means you can extend your nuptials into a two-, three-, or even four-day itinerary full of curated experiences and celebrations. (Think: welcome parties, local tours and excursions, and even spa getaways.)

Where to Tie the Knot:

For a micro wedding, you will need a venue that feels intimate and small — but still packs a big visual punch. With its French country-inspired architecture and a picturesque garden, the Wildwood Inn in Denton perfectly fits the bill. The outdoor ceremony area boasts a flagstone path for a scenic walk down the aisle, and strands of string lights illuminate the garden into a wooded wonderland. We’d be remiss not to mention that the venue also doubles as a boutique hotel — so, if you’re looking to stretch out your big day into a big weekend, there’s plenty of room for your guests to stay.

On the aesthetic flip side, there’s The Terrace at Highland Lakes. The venue’s high perch lends itself to some sweeping, bird’s-eye views of Texas Hill Country. After sealing your union with a kiss on the intimate covered terrace, take your festivities inside the contemporary banquet hall — complete with floor-to-ceiling windows which expand the view to the outdoors. Every aspect of your wedding can be customized to your vision and scale, thanks to Walters Wedding Estates’ all-inclusive packages and best-in-class vendors.

No. 2

Mid-Sized Weddings

If a micro wedding feels too small and a grand affair feels like a little bit too much, a mid-sized wedding might be just right. With a guest count between 100 and 150, you have room to expand your inner circle to include more people — while still being intentional about your selections. What’s more, because you’re not stretched thin across hundreds of guests, you’re also able to carve out more time to spend with the ones you do invite — and even more importantly, each other!

A smaller headcount also means you can splurge a little on weaving in thoughtful details and bespoke creative touches. For example, you can lean on the team at The Design Haus to dream up a gravity-defying, hanging flower installation. You can arrive in style with CoHost Luxury Collection’s best-in-class vehicles, shop your dream dress at G&G Bridal, or play up your branding with exceptionally crafted wedding stationery with Lyons Paperie. Our customizable vendor packages offer every kind of finishing touch you need to truly elevate your wedding.

Where to Tie the Knot:

An inviting stone-and-wood chapel and a cocktail-hour courtyard are some of the draws of Hidden Pines Chapel in Hurst. But the venue also stands apart with its intimate reception hall, which features beamed ceilings, warm wood floors, and a wall of windows.

For more European-inspired nuptials, Aristide in Flower Mound offers the perfect backdrop with an on-site chapel that’s tailor-made for more relaxed ceremonies. Complete with a built-in bar and coffered ceilings, the reception hall’s flexible layout ensures your celebration feels perfectly proportioned.

Surrounded by glittering water, The Chapel at Riverwalk’s Romanesque stone exterior and arched windows are a sight to behold. While visually magnificent, the venue’s design creates a surprisingly intimate atmosphere, perfect for a mid-sized affair. A scenic footbridge connects you to the reception hall — a clean and modern blank canvas. Designed with versatility in mind, the space can be easily adapted to the size of your guest list so your celebration always feels full of life and energy.

No. 3

Large Weddings

Can’t imagine leaving anyone off the guest list? There’s no reason you should! It’s rare to have all your favorite people from different chapters of your life in one place — and your wedding is that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring everyone from your extended family to co-workers and their plus-ones under one proverbial roof. If you’re hosting a large wedding, make sure to select a spacious venue with open grounds, which allows your guests to spread out and mingle throughout the day.

A larger venue also means you can let your imagination run wild, dressing it up or down to your liking — and budget. Keep it simple and pared-back, or go all out with every kind of bell and whistle imaginable. Our venues are designed to shine on their own — but they can also be adapted to welcome the most extravagant celebrations.

Where to Tie the Knot:

There’s no shortage of stately venues in the Walters Wedding Estates portfolio, but Iron Manor, The Milestone Montgomery, is one of the grandest in scale — and that’s apparent from the moment you set eyes on its imposing modern-industrial facade and the surrounding sprawling landscape. What unfolds inside: a glass-ceilinged conservatory, a dreamy chapel, and a castle-like reception hall ready to welcome your biggest party. Bonus: the adjacent 600-square-foot space can be used as a lounge or VIP area.

Speaking of drama, you will find plenty of it at Morgan Creek in Dripping Springs. Its statement-making, inky-black facade is undeniably striking — as are the light and airy interiors of the venue’s barn-style chapel and reception hall, both of which are spacious enough to accommodate an extensive guest list. Morgan Creek also boasts expansive grounds, which means even more room for your guests to spread out in nature.

However, if you’re looking to swap vows somewhere just a little closer to the bustle of downtown, look no further than Monroe Pearson in Denton. Once home to a grocery warehouse in the late 1800s, this industrial-chic venue is fittingly vast — offering generous room for a ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all under one roof. There are also luxurious getting-ready suites, a sumptuous lounge, and even a speakeasy-style bar. But this is just a sampling of what Walters Wedding Estates has to offer — there are dozens of venues that our team can adapt to fit your needs, no matter the size of your celebration.