If there’s one thing I love about being a Louisville wedding photographer, it’s getting to see a variety of venues and how people choose to utilize the spaces for their wedding. Wedding venues can eat up a huge portion of the wedding budget, but they don’t have to! Many couples are opting for smaller and more intimate celebrations, and I have really enjoyed this refreshing trend.

Smaller weddings don’t equal less fun, in fact they can mean MORE fun for the couple getting married. Why? Couples are more intentional about who they invite and avoid inviting people that they feel like they “have to” invite, and as a result they enjoy themselves even more on their wedding day! Cutting the guest list also greatly reduces the expense of a wedding, allowing couples to stretch their budget further or splurge on other vendors like the wedding photographer of their dreams or save for the honeymoon!

Louisville’s best intimate wedding venues:

Nouvelle 

A popular wine bar in Lousville’s NuLu district, you can rent out Nouvelle for a brunch wedding or a classy evening affair. Outdoors, it’s got a lush green area with romantic string lights and patio seating. Guests can eat and drink inside at the bar for drinks or a buffet set-up. Everyone loves the gallery wall and curated decor. Nouvelle makes a great option for weddings or elopements under 30 guests.

Peter Dumesnil House

The historic Peter Dumesnil House has 4-hour rental options as low as $250 in the winter, going up to $1500 for Saturdays in peak season. This is a STEAL as far as wedding venues go! Get ready in the historic upstairs rooms, enjoy cocktail hour on the porch, and walk into the garden for a romantic ceremony setting.

Conrad Caldwell House

Another of Louisville’s historic homes, Conrad Caldwell House is located in Old Louisville’s St. James Court. Take your pick of colorful, wallpapered rooms for photo ops throughout your wedding day. Choose from indoor or outdoor ceremony options, with a below ground reception hall for the celebration. Pricing ranges from $800-1700 with a capacity of 35-125 guests. The St. James Court Fountain and nearby Central Park are also great spots for newlywed and wedding party photos. If you love period dramas, you will LOVE this venue!

First Unitarian Church

If you’re searching for an inclusive wedding space with remarkable architecture, try First Unitarian Church! The church is located in the heart of Old Louisville, just blocks away from Central Park. The indoor ceremony space has beautiful high ceilings and arched windows with natural light. However, they also have an outdoor patio with seating space for couples wanting to be outdoors. This is a perfect option for elopements and intimate weddings.

Sawyer Hayes Community Center

Sawyer Hayes can hold around 200 guests with both indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception options. The lobby of the building is an inviting, open space that leads into a large reception area with a great dance floor and large glass windows.

Gheens Foundation Lodge

Gheens Foundation Lodge is located in one of the most stunning parks in Louisville – Parklands of Floyd’s Fork. Get married on the outdoor lawn and maximize the spacious indoor rooms for the reception! As a wedding photographer, I recommend this venue because it’s conveniently located near many photogenic spots with wildflowers, a creek and picturesque winding paths.

Waterfront Botanical Gardens

Finally, Waterfront Botanical Gardens is a brand new facility and has become a popular option for weddings! On weekdays, you can rent out the space for $425/hour from 8 AM – 4 PM. On weekends, the investment for 10 hours ranges from $4,500-$6,000. Many couples opt to get married in the gardens and their reception inside the beautiful Graeser Center.

I hope this post has been helpful to guide you towards some unique Louisville wedding venues for your celebration. Fill out a contact form below if you’re still looking for a photographer for your elopement or intimate wedding!

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Johanna Hribal is a wedding photographer based in Louisville, Kentucky. She enjoys traveling to other states and countries for weddings and elopements whenever possible! People love her colorful and vibrant edits and the way she captures their love in a natural and non-intrusive way. Click here to visit her website to learn more about current wedding collections.