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Weddings

About

The Hotel Contessa is a hotel in the downtown San Antonio, Texas area. Located right on the city’s famed riverwalk, this wedding venue combines modern elements with traditional 20th-century Spanish style. The hotel is located a two-minute walk down the riverwalk from the Briscoe Western Art Museum.

Facilities and Capacity
This venue welcomes weddings in a range of sizes, with a guest maximum of 200. Couples can marry on the distinctive Marriage Island, just steps from the hotel. Guests can watch from the riverwalk or from comfortable terraces at the Hotel Contessa. Indoor event spaces range from the grand Contessa Ballroom, with its iron chandelier and wooden accents, to the intimate Cypress Room, with the bold Spanish tile and romantic fireplace. Other rooms, such as the Anaqua, Palm and Laurel Rooms, bear terraces overlooking the riverwalk. These rooms are perfect to accommodate guests during a ceremony on Marriage Island or during a reception that makes the most of the indoor and outdoor space available. This venue is also open to hosting bridal showers, engagement parties and rehearsal dinners in its many versatile spaces.

Services Offered
Staff takes care of couple’s needs for their big day, providing services such as event planning, setup and cleanup for the wedding. They can also assist with lighting and sound services, or supply the cake, at the couple’s request. This venue also provides:

  • Accommodations
  • All-inclusive packages
  • Bridal suite
  • Event rentals
  • In-house bar
  • In-house catering
  • Liability insurance
  • Outside vendors
  • Parking
  • Pet friendly
  • Valet
  • Wireless Internet


Cuisine
Full in-house bar service awaits couples at the Hotel Contessa. Delicious cuisine crafted by the venue’s chefs can be served in the following catering styles:

  • Buffet
  • Cocktail reception
  • Dessert
  • Family style
  • French service
  • Hors d'oeuvres
  • Outside cake
  • Plated
  • Servers
  • Stations
  • Tastings


Accommodations
Modern and urban design meets comfortable accommodations in the hotel’s 265 guest suites. Southern artwork and exposed brick are just some of the unique decorative touches at the hotel. Each room also comes with a separate private living room area with a sofa bed for added occupancy and intimacy.

Other Services
The hotel also offers spa services to couples and the wedding party before the big day, or for guests at any point during their stay at the hotel. The Woodhouse Day Spa includes spa treatments and packages to refresh or relax visitors. The Hotel Contessa also provides event rental items for a couple’s wedding. This may include items such as:

  • Aisle markers
  • Aisle runners
  • Altar/arches
  • Audio equipment
  • Centerpieces
  • Chair covers
  • Chairs
  • Dance floor
  • Decor
  • Drapery
  • Lighting
  • Tables
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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$500

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$500

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$500

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
China
Clean Up
Event Planning
Flatware
Glassware
Lighting/Sound
Linens
Parking
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Cake Cutting
Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$10

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Bartender(s)
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Limited Bar
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

10

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

10

Describe your venue:

Hotel

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Accommodations
Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Liability Insurance
Outside Vendors
Pet Friendly
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Family Style
French Service
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Limited Bar
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Aisle Markers
Aisle Runners
Audio Equipment
Centerpieces
Chairs
Chair Covers
Dance Floor
Decor
Drapery
Lighting
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Valet
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

March
April
May
June
September
October
November
December

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
July
August
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Any other questions?

Reviews of Hotel Contessa

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
4.6 out of 5 rating
4.6 out of 5 rating
16 reviews
91% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.6 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.4 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.5 out of 5 rating
E
Eva P. Sent on 12/22/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect wedding venue!

I fell in love with the Hotel Contessa 5 years before my wedding when my cousin toured it while searching for venues. When it was my turn to choose a venue, we looked at quite a few other places, but I kept coming back to the Contessa with it’s gorgeous lobby, patio, access to marriage island, view of the river, and river level reception room.

We were treated wonderfully by the staff at every step of the process, even though they were going through the process of adjusting to new ownership and staff changes. I can’t even begin to express my gratitude to all the wonderful staff members who were so kind and treated us like family. Monica, Rosa, Victor, Mauricio, Joe, Luz, Elise, Patricia, Toribio, & Natalia were all so wonderful. I’m sure I’m missing some names!

Setting up the hotel block was incredibly easy and flexible, and the rooms are gorgeous. Our wedding suite had a living room area with plenty of room for getting ready, and the staff delivered some champagne and chocolate covered strawberries to our room after the wedding. When we got there, one of our guests needed to change rooms to be closer to us because they had a toddler with them, and the front desk was so quick and gracious with moving them into a new room.

The staff worked so hard to make sure everything was exactly as I imagined it and set up the reception room and patio so beautifully. The river level reception room was the perfect size for 70 people and a DJ, and it’s so pretty on its own that we barely had to do any decorating.

Because it’s a hotel right on the river, it was also a perfect hub for hanging out all weekend. Guests would use the river level lobby to hang out, get drinks and catch up, and then explore the riverwalk. It was so easy to spend more time with guests individually as they came and went through the lobby, and it made getting ready the day of so simple because we didn’t have travel between getting dressed and the ceremony.

We had live music for the ceremony and cocktail hour, and it was an easy process to get our guitarist set up on the patio. The drinks and food were all delicious, and given how prices have been going up for so long now, it was honestly a pleasant surprise at how affordable it was compared to other venues/caterers given how fancy everything felt. We had an open bar for cocktail hour and dinner, appetizers, and a complementary vegetarian option, so we didn’t have to worry about making sure our guests had options. The staff also went out of their way to make sure we ate because you so often hear about how the bride and groom missed out on food during the wedding (shout-out to Victor and Mauricio!).

Honestly, everything was so perfect, and I can’t recommend them enough! If you have the opportunity to have your wedding at The Hotel Contessa, you definitely should.
C
Cassaundra Sent on 11/18/2017
5 out of 5 rating
Everything was perfect, better than I expected. The entire staff was extremely professional and seemed genuinely pleased to help us with anything we needed. Angela was amazing! She responded very quickly, answered every question and made sure the reception was better than I envisioned. Food was delicious. Best service I've ever seen at any wedding.
R
Rob Sent on 11/25/2017
5 out of 5 rating
We had an incredible wedding experience. One the many Contessa highlights was the incredible brunch buffet. Guests are still raving about the entire experience. Our thanks for helping to make our wedding event so perfect.

Professional Network & Endorsements

4 Endorsements
San Antonio Wedding Violinist San Antonio Wedding Violinist Wedding Musicians

I have performed for weddings and wedding ceremonies at Hotel Contessa and this is a lovely place with excellent client service. I have also performed on Marriage Island which is just outside the Contessa Hotel on the San Antonio Riverwalk. The City of San Antonio owns Marriage Island so you must book weddings on the Island through the City of San Antonio. Please note that the minister needs to bring a portable amplifier and microphone in order to be heard on Marriage Island. I can supply these things if I am performing there for a wedding. Fred Masinter, violinist 210 215 6297

Walstonphoto Walstonphoto Wedding Photographers

Looking for a wedding that is uniquely San Antonio? Hotel Contessa can provide a beautiful and unforgettable wedding experience for you and your spouse. From the fantastic hotel staff to the incredible River view Hotel Contessa is one of the premier downtown venues for your big day.

Future Sounds DJ Service Future Sounds DJ Service Wedding DJs

It is always great to work with the Event Staff and Catering Staff at Hotel Contessa. It does take teamwork to have a successful event. Working with others who take great pride in their work and the end result for each person in attendance, makes me as the outside vender feel propelled to reach the bar they have set. Five Star service means your more than a number to be counted, you are family!

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