The Best Wedding Venues in Central Indiana for a Small Intimate Wedding
Top 10 Small Wedding Venues in Indianapolis and Surrounding Areas
If you’ve found yourself planning for a smaller gathering for tying the knot, micro wedding, or just know that you’re wanting a more personal celebration - you’ve come to the right spot! This list of top ten smaller wedding venues in Central Indiana is sure to help you feel confident about booking the best space for your wedding day vision. Once you’ve locked down your venue - I would love to be considered to help document your special day on the photography end of things! Be sure to reach out here so we can get connected.
Indy Hostel
This venue operates as a hostel but also can be fully rented to accommodate a wedding celebration. It consists of a beautiful historic Indianapolis home, built in the 1920s, that sits on the perfect amount of outdoor space to host your sweet nuptials. If you want that backyard wedding feel without the hassle of sprucing up your own property, Indy Hostel is a great option. They have a lovely area complete with a bar and stage setup that will make throwing your small wedding a breeze! The home on the property can host up to 42 overnight guests and up to 150 people can comfortably be a part of the outdoor seating arrangements. Bonus: this venue sits just a block/short walk away from the Monon Trail, which always makes for great photo opportunities.
The Nest Event Center
Just outside of central Indiana, this venue sits right off Greenwood’s Main St. The best part about this space is its versatility. The Nest has several unique rooms where the talented team creates flawless setups to perfectly fit your day. Their more private options include the foyer and the chapel, both of which lend to a cozy environment for a smaller wedding. Although their ballroom can host up to 500 guests, you will fit comfortably in the foyer with up to 125 people and for those extra tiny groups of 20 or less you can tie the knot in the chapel. In the photos above you can see a beautiful long table setup for a close-knit reception as well as the interior of the chapel space that is commonly utilized by small groups.
Mavris Arts + Event Center
Another venue that offers some flexibility in design while staying consistent with its historic charm is the Mavris Arts + Event Center. This location has two indoor levels available for weddings as well as a gorgeous rooftop space that overlooks a part of the Indianapolis skyline. They offer a special micro wedding package that is suitable for up to 100 guests. With this wedding venue your options are limitless; you’ll find countless ways to set up the flow of your day, and arrange the space in a setup unique to your needs. An overall perk of choosing the Mavris as your venue is how inclusive they are in their packages, you will feel confident in your day running smoothly with this highly experienced team behind you.
Indiana State Museum
The Indiana State Museum is in the heart of downtown Indianapolis and offers a variety of options to its couples. Their larger areas can host up to 500 guests, but we’re going to talk about the areas more fit for a smaller headcount. My personal favorite spot is the Canal Overlook, which is a long elegant glass hallway that hangs over the canal. It can hold up to 200 guests and is just breathtaking due to the abundance of natural light that flows into the space. The museum has other micro options such as rooftop terraces, internal exhibits, and dining halls that accommodate smaller groups of 30 - 150 people. Regardless of which area of the Indiana State Museum you decide to hold your event, you will have access to the best skyline views of downtown. Check out another recent celebration documented with LorealMade in the Canal Overlook.
Holliday Park
This park is one of Indianapolis’ oldest, dating back to 1916 when the land was originally donated by the Holliday family. The Ruins at Holliday Park also hold a bit of history - they were rehoused to this central park back in the 50’s after being removed from their original NYC location with the hope of being preserved. The Ruins, made from Indiana limestone, now offer a charming backdrop for smaller weddings. The lawn that sits in front of these historic figures can seat up to 125 wedding guests. Every corner of this historic park offers gorgeous backdrops for your portraits and candid moments.
Indiana City Brewing Company
Operating as a full time brewery, Indiana City Brewing Company also makes an excellent candidate when it comes to wedding venues. An industrial aesthetic meets laid back vibes in this building complete with large garage doors that are easily opened to invite in the downtown Indianapolis ambience. The rentable area of this location can host up to 130 people. Of course your wedding guests will also enjoy overflowing into the bar + outdoor seating areas!
Indianapolis Art Center
Found in the heart of Broad Ripple, the Indianapolis Art Center offers a very private feel even though it sits on 9.5 acres of grounds. The intimate patio area along with the secluded pavilion are perfect options for hosting your wedding day celebrations. The area can comfortably seat up to 150 guests and everyone will have plenty of space as they venture the trails filled with art, sculptures, + nature.
Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens
Indianapolis’s Zoo is able to host larger scale weddings, however there are several areas that are only able to be utilized by smaller groups. One of our favorite spots is this super intimate patio area of the White River Gardens where the artistic metal sculptures perfectly frame the Bride + Groom. Most areas offered by the Indianapolis Zoo can host up to 160 wedding guests or more.
The 1915 Room
Once used as a gymnasium for the original Whitestown school, the 1915 Room now offers a historic space to hosts your small wedding events. The space can hold up to 160 guests or comfortably seat 120 people. Owned and operated by Moontown Brewery, the 1915 Room can be utilized as both a ceremony + reception location but also allows the couple the freedom to choose an outdoor ceremony on their property.
Biltwell Event Center
Ending on yet another venue that offers options for both the larger and smaller scale weddings. The Biltwell Event Center has several rooms to choose from; ranging from outdoor decks to grand halls. The beauty of this space is that you’re able to make it what you wish! A simple intimate setup translates so well in any of the Biltwell spaces.
Additional Venues for Small / Micro Weddings
Here are some spots I’ve not yet been able to document a wedding in, however I’ve attended as a guest or have been following their adventures as a venue and I think they’re definitely worth mentioning! I would love to help you capture your day if you find yourself leaning towards booking any of the venues listed in this guide to small wedding venues in Central Indiana.
Milktooth Restuarant
Milktooth is known for their fine dining options made from good ingredients. They are always a top pick when eating downtown Indianapolis - and they should be a top pick for celebrating with an intimate number of guests for your special wedding festivities. Whether you’re looking for a sweet spot for your wedding rehearsal dinner or even a place to tie the knot, you should consider bringing your party here!
Laurel Hall
Laurel Hall sits on six acres of land and gardens, so of course it has plenty to offer in terms of setups and location options. I think their indoor chapel or the exterior patio could make a perfect setting for smaller wedding groups. Also an intimate long dining table would be breathtaking anywhere you put it on this historic property.
Bash
This venue is a beautiful blank canvas ready for you to make it into whatever best fits your day and wedding vision. I’ve seen some super creative ways of utilizing this open concept floor plan. So here’s to the fun / challenge of making Bash the perfect layout for your maybe tiny wedding.
Bottleworks Hotel
Last, but absolutely not least, we have the newly renovated Bottleworks Hotel. This venue is at the top of the bucket list when it comes to spots for documenting an intimate celebration. A wedding here can be done in a number of ways by utilizing one of the hotels many indoor event spaces or even stepping into their open air Gallery Courtyard. No matter which route you choose, you’re sure to experience a one of a kind event if you choose this revitalized Coco-Cola factory to host your intimate gathering.