This vendor spotlight is on the 7Co, a gorgeous wedding venue in East Austin, Texas. We were excited to get to know this new venue, especially what makes their venue a good value for clients, what it’s like to be a restaurant turned event venue, and what they wished all clients would ask. 7Co spans an entire block just east of Downtown Austin. The property has a small indoor space accompanied by a large outdoor space with a dreamy “tunnel” of string lights. This venue is definitely one to check out for its ability to be both small and intimate, as well as to hold a bigger party. 7Co has a beautiful, understated combination of modern qualities and elegance!

Luxe Photography http://www.photographyluxe.com/

What is your favorite wedding to date at your venue? Why?

We’re a new venue so we haven’t done a ton of weddings yet, but I’d have to say my favorite to is probably one that used both the outdoor space and indoor venue. We have a large outdoor lawn right on east 7th street, so it’s perfect for couples who want to have an outdoor wedding in the city, and don’t mind the city background noise (i.e. traffic). The couple contracted a Sperry tent for the dinner reception, and chose to have an open air ceremony in front of our large pecan tree. They had an elegant plated meal and did their first dances under the tent, but then moved inside the venue for cocktails and dancing. The couple was open minded and made perfect use of each of our spaces.

What is your favorite current wedding trend?

I love string light tunnels. I’m not sure that that’s what they’re actually called, but Intelligent Lighting Design, also based out of Austin, designed one specific to our venue and called it a “tunnel of LED twinkle lights.” They will forever be a “tunnel” to me.

What makes your venue a good value for couples?

We are a restaurant-turned event space. Imagine having a whole restaurant space and team dedicated just to you and your guests for one evening – no interruptions, no other guests walking in or seated nearby, since we are not a restaurant in service. There’s also no need to figure out how existing furniture will work for the event; we offer a blank slate so clients can bring in their own aesthetic if they choose. We’re under the Parkside Projects umbrella (restaurants include Parkside, Olive & June, Backspace, Vamonos [formerly Bullfight]) so we have a great culinary team onsite. We provide tables, chairs, basic linens, glassware, dinnerware, silverware, all in-house. Beyond that, the interior venue has amazing statement pieces like the custom globe lights in the foyer (this was originally the wine tasting room and those lights were designed to mimic the bubbles in a champagne flute), the velvet curtains hanging at the entrance of the venue and entrance of the main dining room, and the twenty foot bar. The interior venue is great for small weddings and receptions of about 50 or less, and is well suited for rehearsal dinners of up to 120 and even larger welcome parties.

Kristen Kilpatrick https://www.kristenkilpatrick.com/

What are three things you would recommend a couple to ask when booking a venue?

1) What planners/vendors the venues recommend.

The wedding network in Austin is small but there are a lot of talented vendors and planners here. More often than not, venues are going to recommend those vendors who work in the space often and know it well. It makes things a lot easier for everyone involved.

2) Is a planner required?

Most people assume that the venue manager or coordinator will act as their planner. This is a common misconception and may be a big mistake assuming that this is the case. While some venues do have onsite planners/coordinators to work through all logistics, many only handle the venue details (particularly if they don’t handle food and beverage). Our managers and coordinator gather details and assist with finalizing layouts and make sure that things go according to plan on our end, but they do not plan out the overall timeline, create the floor plan, manage the vendors, budget, or design.

3) How much time is given to review and sign the contract.

Couples think that once they have a contract in hand, the date is theirs, but nothing is guaranteed until the contract is signed and the deposit has been received. Contracts expire, and some venues might even increase their prices once the contract has expired.

If you had to describe your venue's vibe in 3 words, what would they be?

Modern, understated, and elegant

What are the most common events you see being held in your space?

The space is great for engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, or groups that want to have a more intimate wedding ceremony but a larger wedding reception. We’ve had couples host just close friends and family for the ceremony and open up the reception to more guests. We’ve had some groups host rehearsal dinners for about 50-100 guests, but then invited another 100 or so guests for desserts and cocktails on the lawn. Or better yet, we’ve had just a couple clients contract 7Co for their rehearsal dinner and our sister venue – 800 Congress – for their wedding. This is fun because they become like family to our staff.