The Best Wedding Venues in Central Indiana for a Small Intimate Wedding
Top 10 Small Wedding Venues in Indianapolis and Surrounding Areas
Planning a wedding that feels personal, stress-free, and truly you often starts with the right venue. For couples searching for micro wedding venues in Indianapolis or dreaming of an intimate Indiana wedding celebration, there are so many hidden gems across the city and beyond. From historic mansions to modern event spaces and garden settings, these small wedding venues in Indianapolis offer the perfect backdrop for gatherings that focus on connection over crowd size. Whether you’re inviting 20 guests or 150, these venues prove you don’t need a massive ballroom to create a day that feels unforgettable.
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.
The Ivory Foundry
Where modern elegance meets intimate celebration right in the heart of Indianapolis.
The Ivory Foundry is a standout among wedding venues in Indianapolis — especially if you’re dreaming of something effortless yet unforgettable for a smaller crowd. Nestled on the old southside, this venue combines modern architecture and soft, romantic details, giving you a clean, customizable canvas (think soaring ceilings, an airy reception hall, and multiple distinct ceremony spaces) ready to match your personal style.
What makes it shine for smaller weddings? Their inclusive micro-wedding packages are made for ease — planning support, décor, catering, florals, officiating, DJ, even bar service — all bundled together so you can enjoy your day without logistical stresses. Whether you're hosting 50 or up to 150 guests, their team treats your day like a joyful collaboration, not just a contract.
If you want a space that feels curated, personal, and beautifully designed without sacrificing heart or calm — The Ivory Foundry is a true treasure.
1899 Events
Historical charm meets modern comfort, conveniently located just minutes from downtown Indy.
1899 Events (sometimes styled “The 1889” in conversation) is housed in a beautifully restored building in Central State Village, with a classic brick exterior, original tile floors, tin ceilings, and crystal chandeliers inside. It’s one of those venues that feels grounded in history but ready for today's celebrations. The large windows let in soft, natural light — perfect for dreamy portraits — while the spacious indoor ballroom and outdoor greenery give you flexibility in how you use the space.
If you want a small to mid-size wedding venue in Indianapolis that has character, adaptability, and a touch of timeless elegance, 1899 Events blends it all into one unforgettable setting.
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.
The Blanton House
A Georgian-Colonial charmer set on 73 acres of tranquility, within an hour drive from downtown Indianapolis.
The Blanton House is one of those rare places that feels simultaneously historic and totally yours. With antique furnishings, open fireplaces, sweeping verandas, and manicured gardens, this venue offers a mix of “storybook mansion” romance and flexibility. It has capacity for everything from tiny intimate elopements to celebrations with up to 250 seated guests — and even more standing room if you need it.
The courtyard, draped beneath an elegant canopy, is a photographer’s dream for receptions, while the stately interiors provide cozy, meaningful backdrops for portraits. Best of all? You’re free to choose your own caterers, planners, flowers, and let your vision shine — simple or lavish, quirky or classic.
In short: if you're looking for a small affordable wedding venue near Indianapolis that brings old-world beauty alongside creative freedom and serene spaces, the Blanton House delivers in spades.
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
Over the past few years, I’ve been lucky enough to not just admire these venues from afar, but to actually photograph weddings in several of them — and they did not disappoint. Each space has its own charm, whether it’s the cozy intimacy of a garden, the grandeur of a historic building, or the laid-back vibe of a local gem. And for the spots I haven’t documented just yet? I’ve attended as a guest or followed along closely, and I can tell you—they’re absolutely worth considering for your celebration.
If one any of these small wedding venues in Central Indiana feels like “the one,” I’d love to help you capture your story there.
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!
Indiana Statehouse
While it’s certainly a larger venue in scale, the Statehouse accommodates intimate ceremonies beautifully. Whether you’re saying your vows beneath its historic dome or gathering loved ones in one of its smaller chambers, the setting makes even the simplest details feel extraordinary. Plus, its central location in downtown Indy makes it easy for out-of-town guests to explore the city before and after the big day.
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.