Austin Wedding Photography » Mercury Hall http://www.erichegwer.com Real weddings by Eric Hegwer, an Austin Wedding Photographer Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:06:06 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Weddings at Mercury Hall http://www.erichegwer.com/austin-wedding-venues/mercury-hall/weddings-at-mercury-hall http://www.erichegwer.com/austin-wedding-venues/mercury-hall/weddings-at-mercury-hall#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:03:43 +0000 Eric Hegwer http://www.erichegwer.com/?p=2550 One of the most popular wedding venues in Austin is Mercury Hall. It’s only a few minutes drive south of downtown. Just head down First St until you get to Cardinal Lane. If you get to Ben White, you’ve gone too far. It’s the perfect place for a wedding – a blank canvas if you will – they have kitchen space, a great outdoor area for tables, chairs, tents, and of course the inside hall is fantastic with crystal chandeliers, and rustic wooden floors.  There are only a few minimal decorating restrictions so if you are planning a DIY wedding in Austin, this is a great place for you.

Ideally situated for 150 guests there is a getting ready room in the back for the bride, and tons of easy parking for the guests.  Did you know that originally the building was a bit smaller.  About 15 years ago was an actual Baptist church from Mercury Texas that was used in the movie Waking Life, then it was relocated to it’s current site on 4 acres in south Austin.

Every year I get to photograph 3-5 weddings here, and I absolutely love it.  There are places inside and outside for formals, bridals, and relaxed portraits of any group size.  Just scroll

Be sure to listen to this great podcast if you want some more insider info about Mercury Hall Austin.

As you enter the grounds from the parking lot, this is the view. The main building is on the right, and you can see past the gravel area perfect for outdoor seating to the green grass where most wedding ceremonies are held

As you enter the grounds from the parking lot, this is the view. The main building is on the right, and you can see past the gravel area perfect for outdoor seating to the green grass where most wedding ceremonies are held

One of the key features of Mercury Hall are the stained glass windows.

One of the key features of Mercury Hall are the stained glass windows.

At this particular wedding there wasn't any wedding cake. It was a cupcake wedding!

At this particular wedding there wasn't any wedding cake. It was a cupcake wedding!

The bar area at Mercury hall can be accessed from both inside and outside, so guests have easy access.

The bar area at Mercury hall can be accessed from both inside and outside, so guests have easy access.

Dad needed a little help tying his bow-tie. The thank-you was the best photo of the sequence, don't you think?

Dad needed a little help tying his bow-tie. The thank-you was the best photo of the sequence, don't you think?


As the bride was getting ready, she was assisted by her man of honor (her best friend was a guy).

As the bride was getting ready, she was assisted by her man of honor (her best friend was a guy).

This bride had a classic 1940's hollywood look with her hair and makeup, but then added her own modern twist with a custom wedding necklace made by her friend.

This bride had a classic 1940's hollywood look with her hair and makeup, but then added her own modern twist with a custom wedding necklace made by her friend.

Weddings are a great time for some fast family portraits. Just be sure to remember that this is the brides day, and that your family photo shouldn't interrupt the flow of the day. I grabbed this shot of the bride's brother as he was entering the building.

Weddings are a great time for some fast family portraits. Just be sure to remember that this is the brides day, and that your family photo shouldn't interrupt the flow of the day. I grabbed this shot of the bride's brother as he was entering the building.

The wedding started when the groom was escorted down the aisle by the minister.

The wedding started when the groom was escorted down the aisle by the minister.

The proper way to escort the bride is to offer your right elbow, and let your left hand swing naturally as you walk

The proper way to escort the bride is to offer your right elbow, and let your left hand swing naturally as you walk


After the bride walks down the aisle holding her bouquet, she needs to hand it off so she can put on the wedding ring. The duty of the maid of honor (or Man of Honor in this case) is to accept the flowers. If you don't have any attendants you can hand it to your parents in the first row.

After the bride walks down the aisle holding her bouquet, she needs to hand it off so she can put on the wedding ring. The duty of the maid of honor (or Man of Honor in this case) is to accept the flowers. If you don't have any attendants you can hand it to your parents in the first row.

The bouquets were simply 3 white callas lilies tied together with a ribbon

The bouquets were simply 3 white callas lilies tied together with a ribbon

Sometimes I find that I need to postpone the timelines and just go with the flow. Today, the families came up to congratulate the couple on their wedding, and we had to wait a few moments for formals. That's OK, I kept shooting, and got some great stuff.

Sometimes I find that I need to postpone the timelines and just go with the flow. Today, the families came up to congratulate the couple on their wedding, and we had to wait a few moments for formals. That's OK, I kept shooting, and got some great stuff.


Instead of asking the couple to pose for me, I prefer to just let them do their own thing. This makes for much more authentic portraits.

Instead of asking the couple to pose for me, I prefer to just let them do their own thing. This makes for much more authentic portraits.


The couple is announced for the first time at Mercury Hall in Austin

The couple is announced for the first time at Mercury Hall in Austin


After the sun goes down, and the drinks are flowing and the music is pounding, the dancing begins. I love to shoot dancing pictures. Such expression and freedom!

After the sun goes down, and the drinks are flowing and the music is pounding, the dancing begins. I love to shoot dancing pictures. Such expression and freedom!

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