Villa Antonia Wedding with Persian Traditions

Looking for an Austin wedding venue with Old World charm? A Villa Antonia wedding will be full of romantic, golden hour moments and amazing architecture in one of the prettiest spots in Texas hill country. Nick and Bebe’s connection-filled wedding included beautiful Persian traditions.

A Villa Antonia Wedding in Austin

Villa Antonia is an Austin wedding venue in hill country right outside the city. Walking onto the property feels like entering into another world. There are endless backdrops and historic architecture. The property includes a chapel, indoor spaces, gardens, and staircases to explore. It’s a really romantic place.

A bride and groom walk through a brick courtyard at a Villa Antonia wedding in Austin.
A bride and groom stand at the foot of a stone staircase looking in opposite directions.

Given how large Villa Antonia is, you can imagine that they can accommodate large guest counts. A weekend wedding costs around $10,000. If you’re interested in a weekend wedding, you can pay about half the price to rent it.

Family members hold a lacy cloth over a bride and groom during a Persian wedding ceremony.
A bride and groom sit at a sofreh at their Villa Antonia wedding.

Colorful Persian Wedding Traditions

Nick and Bebe, like many of my beloved clients, found me while on vacation in New Orleans. I took their engagement photos in the French Quarter, and we got on so well that they asked me to photograph their Villa Antonia wedding in Austin!

Nick dips Bebe in a kiss at the end of the aisle after their Austin wedding ceremony.
Family members stand behind a seated bride and groom after a Persian wedding ceremony.
A mirror reflects a bride and groom kissing at their Villa Antonia wedding.

This wedding featured really incredible Persian traditions. Nick and Bebe’s families were so expressive and celebratory! It was impossible not to get swept up in the joy. Two of my favorite moments from the wedding were the sofreh table and the knife dance.

Bebe leans forward to talk with her sister during a toast.
Family members laugh and wipe away tears during a wedding toast.

The Sofreh table is a literal work of art laid out by family members in the ceremony space. Everything set up has a different blessing and intention behind it. Nick and Bebe’s sofreh featured fruits, flowers, honey, and a mirror, among many other things. During this part of the ceremony, family members also took turns grinding sugar over the nearly weds’ heads to sweeten their union.

A groom throws a dollar bill at a laughing family member during a Persian knife dance.
Wedding guests watch a dancer beside a cake table at a Villa Antonia wedding reception.

Nick and Bebe’s Villa Antonia wedding reception really got started with the knife dance. I had a blast photographing the guests dancing while Nick threw money in an effort to get the cake knife. It was way more lively than the typical cake cutting in a quiet corner.

Nick laughs with his mother in law in a crowd of wedding guests.
Wedding guests gather for cocktail hour in an Austin wedding venue.

A Focus on Connections

As great as these traditions were, Nick and Bebe’s family members made the wedding truly unforgettable. They flew in from around the world to help the couple celebrate, and they welcomed me every step of the way. At the end of the night, one of Bebe’s family members came up to thank me. I only know a few words of Farsi but was able to thank her in return. When we hugged, I felt luckier than ever to be Nick and Bebe’s photographer for this Villa Antonia wedding.

A groom smiles at a New Orleans wedding photographer from across the dance floor.
A groom dips a bride for a kiss during a sparkler exit from their Villa Antonia wedding.
A bride and groom kiss in the back seat of their vintage car at a wedding exit.

Would you like me to photograph your wedding? I’m a wedding photographer based in New Orleans and Pittsburgh, and I’m ready to travel. Let’s connect!



Thank you to the vendors who made Nick and Bebe’s Villa Antonia wedding amazing!
Venue: Villa Antonia 
Wedding Planner: Lindsay Blackwell of In her Shoes Coordination  
Photographer: Ashley Biltz Photography
Caterer: Chef Harvey, Sterling Events
Florist: Visual Lyrics
Baker: Sweet Treets

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