Couples looking for rustic but elegant wedding venues often find vineyards and wineries to be the perfect solution. Many North Texas brides will be happy to learn that you don’t have to drive all the way to the Texas Hill Country to host the vineyard wedding of your dreams.  There are a growing number of wineries located close to the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex.  The “North Texas Hill Country” located in the Red River Valley is only about 90 miles north of DFW, and the area looks very similar to Napa.

Venues operating under winery permits issued by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission follow a specific set of instructions.  Here are some questions to ask as you compare vineyard and winery wedding venues located near Dallas/Ft. Worth TX:

  • What dates are available to book the venue?
  • How many weddings are booked per day?
  • Can I hold my ceremony here too? Is there an additional charge? (Is the ceremony site close to the reception site?)
  • Is there a bride’s changing area?
  • What is included in the rental fee? (Is there a discount for booking an off-season date or Sunday through Friday?)
  • Is the site handicap accessible?
  • What’s your weather contingency plan for the outdoor space?
  • How long will I have use of the event space I reserve?  (Is there an overtime fee if I stay longer? Is there a minimum or maximum rental time?)
  • Do you provide a coat check service?  (Or is there an area that can be used and staffed for that purpose?)
  • Can the outdoor space where my guests can mingle be heated and/or protected from the elements if necessary?
  • Is there a separate indoor “socializing” space?
  • Do you have an in-house caterer or a list of “preferred” caterers, or do I need to provide my own?  (If there is an in-house caterer, do I have the option of using an outside caterer instead?)
  • Can I hire my own vendors (coordinator, DJ, florist, etc.), or must I select from a preferred vendor list?  (If I can bring my own, do you have a list of recommended vendors?)
  • If I hire my own catering company, are kitchen facilities available for them?
  • Are tables, linens, chairs, plates, silverware and glassware provided? (Or will I have to rent them myself or get them through my caterer?)
  • Are you licensed to provide alcohol service other than wine?   (Is there a minimum purchase of wine required? Can I bring my own wine, beer or champagne?  Can I bring in other alcohol? )
  • Is there parking on site?  (Do you offer valet parking?  For guests that stay offsite, are cabs easily accessible from the venue?  If a shuttle service is needed, can you assist with setting it up?)
  • Are there restrictions on what kind of music I can play or a time by which the music must end?  (Can the venue accommodate a DJ or live band?  Are there noise restrictions?)
  • Do you offer on-site coordination?  (If so, what services are included and is there an additional charge for them?  Will the coordinator supervise day-of?  How much assistance can I get with the setup/décor?)
  • What overnight accommodations do you provide?  (What are the nearest hotels to the venue?  Do you have a preferred hotel list?)