Garden Party Wedding at Wahoo Grill | Austin + Madlyn
February 3, 2025
Austin + Madlyn wanted a colorful, outdoor wedding that reflected their love for travel and adventure. They chose Wahoo Grill’s garden patio for its intimate atmosphere and natural surroundings. Their vision was centered around bold colors, bright florals, and an ethereal feel, with the ceremony and family photos scheduled earlier in the day to take advantage of natural light.
My photography approach is documentary-driven with an editorial edge, capturing both storytelling moments and artistic portraits. This wedding was a mix of structured portraits and candid interactions, creating a gallery that feels both dynamic and intentional.
Here’s how they brought their vision to life at Wahoo Grill.
Why Wahoo Grill?
Wahoo Grill in Decatur, Georgia, is a well-known venue for garden party weddings, offering a partially covered garden patio with string lights and seasonal greenery. Ideal for 50-100 guests, the venue provides on-site catering, bar service, tables, and chairs, simplifying the planning process. Its central Decatur location makes it easily accessible, with valet parking and nearby hotels. The space combines indoor and outdoor elements, ensuring flexibility in any weather. Wahoo Grill is a full-service venue, known for its fresh, locally sourced cuisine and efficient event coordination, making it a practical choice for couples seeking a streamlined wedding experience.
Ceremony & Reception Spaces at Wahoo Grill
Wahoo Grill offers a partially covered garden patio, combining outdoor charm with weather protection. The space features string lights, seasonal greenery, and flexible seating, making it suitable for both ceremonies and receptions. The private dining room is available for smaller gatherings or as a backup for rain. With a guest capacity of 50-100, the layout can accommodate plated dinners, buffets, or cocktail-style receptions. The indoor-outdoor flow allows guests to enjoy the garden atmosphere while maintaining comfort. The venue provides tables, chairs, and basic décor elements, reducing the need for extensive rentals
Catering & Bar Options
Wahoo Grill provides in-house catering with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The menu includes plated dinners, buffets, and hors d’oeuvres, offering flexibility for different wedding styles. The venue also offers full bar service, with options for beer, wine, and custom cocktails. Couples can choose from bar packages or a consumption-based setup. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice. Outside catering is not allowed, but wedding cakes from licensed bakeries are permitted. With an experienced culinary team and customizable menu options, Wahoo Grill simplifies the catering process while ensuring high-quality food and drink options.
FAQs About Hosting a Garden Party Wedding at Wahoo
Q: What makes Wahoo Grill a good venue for a garden party wedding?
A: The partially covered garden patio provides an outdoor atmosphere with built-in weather protection, string lights, and seasonal greenery.
Q: Can I have both my ceremony and reception at Wahoo Grill?
A: Yes, the garden patio works for both, with seamless transitions between ceremony and reception.
Q: What are the catering and bar requirements?
A: Wahoo Grill requires in-house catering but allows outside wedding cakes. Bar packages are available with beer, wine, and cocktails.
Q: Is there a rain plan?
A: The private dining room serves as an indoor backup.
Q: Are there noise or event time restrictions?
A: Yes, events must end by 11 PM due to local regulations.
Advice for brides getting married and having their reception at Wahoo Grill: you will still need to have another location for getting ready, as Wahoo is a restaurant, there is nothing more than a small room to put your belongings. I would recommend finding a Airbnb/cute house/hotel in Decatur and have the whole wedding party get ready there.
Something else I strongly suggest is finding a location to take portraits and wedding party photos at. The streets around Wahoo Grill is not the most picturesque, but there are plenty of parks nearby, the downtown is cute, and there even is a parking deck that would be great option for large group photos. Since my couple got married at the chapel the grounds of the college by the chapel was the perfect scenery for Madlyn's garden party wedding aesthetic.
I think one of the trends for 2025 will be that more couple get married at "nontraditional wedding venues" like restaurants, private property, Airbnb’s, etc. It feels so much more personal and unique and I am here for that energy.
How to have your ceremony at Agnes Scott College Chapel
Agnes Scott College Chapel, also known as Julia Thompson Smith Chapel, is available for weddings with an application process and rental fee. The chapel features stained glass windows, wooden pews, and a traditional layout, accommodating up to 140 guests. Rentals typically include two hours for setup, a one-hour ceremony, and a one-hour breakdown. Outside officiants are allowed, and couples must coordinate vendors separately. Parking is available on campus, and the chapel is within a short drive of Wahoo Grill, making it a convenient ceremony option before a garden party wedding reception.
Vendors: planning/coordinating: @thecharmingdetails, florals: @becca.goodall, ceremony: @agnesscottcollege, reception: @wahoo_grill
