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March 2023 by Y'shua Stokes
My fiancée and I were supposed to tour sanctuary events for our wedding. We were sent a Google calendar event, we rsvp’d, but when we showed up (10 minutes early), the doors were locked and no one showed up. They wasted our time driving through Austin traffic. At least we didn’t have to think too hard about crossing this venue off our list.
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October 2022 by Julie Meacham
A beautiful and serene environment with the hundreds year old tree, Emily, providing shade over it all. Walking onto and into the space brings an almost immediate sense of safety and calm. It is the home I would love to create for myself and family. The humans there are pretty amazing, as well. Going back in a week for part 2 of a training. I can't wait ❤️
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July 2020 by Doctor Xyoracle
I went here and tried my best to make friends in the beginning. After a while people started caring less and less when i became more sad. Do not send your kid here if they're depressed. They'll only come out more depressed and with even less friends than before
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June 2019 by K S.
This space is beautiful and affordable. It was the first venue we considered when planning our wedding and we never bothered to visit any others. It's perfect for an outdoor wedding or event. There's a lot of shade, so even summer events are comfortable.
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October 2018 by Ellen J.
I may be the only naysayer but this venue was literally the worst I have ever experienced. Rocks and steps and uneven dirt surfaces, no place to relax with a drink at all, very sectioned off, basically we sat with two other people and I had to hold on while eating as my chair kept sinking. It was a horrid buffet, pasta mixed with chicken, very dry no sauce, salad with no dressing. No one served wine or waters at the tables. I had to go to the kitchen and ask for salt. No wait staff at all. Now, not the venues fault but oddly the bride and groom ate alone upstairs, didnt appear til after dinner. Dancing was in the yoga room, id had enough by then and we went back to hotel. Honestly, if you have an event here wear shorts or jeans and sneaks. It is not meant for semi formal wear and if its hot you are out of luck, no fans to move air around. Cant write a review without a star, but id not give one if i had my choice!
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May 2018 by Lauren E.
We chose Sanctuary Event Space for our small wedding in May 2018 because we wanted to throw a Lord of the Rings-themed ceremony/ reception. The moment we stepped over the threshold and saw the massive old oak, the treehouse loft, the intimate and well-maintained grounds, we fell in love. No other venue stood a chance. Sanctuary is both close to downtown and the South Lamar bar/restaurant scene, and somehow completely nestled away into its own little world- the thick canopy really cuts down on a lot of the noise in the area. While parking there isn't great (mostly street parking), it's location makes easily accessible by Uber/Lyft for out-of-towners staying downtown or other hotels in the area. There was a train that went by periodically, but it didn't effect our ceremony or the reception in any way. Our wedding was only 45 people, and honestly I wouldn't try to squeeze 150-200 folks in there (as the website suggests this is the max occupancy), but it was more than enough space for our small group. Unfortunately Sanctuary is not wheelchair accessible, but three older family members with mobility issues didn't have any trouble getting around. Not only was Sanctuary the perfect location for us and convenient for guests, but it was super reasonably priced compared to other venues in the area! All proceeds from the venue cost go to the Amala Foundation, which hosts youth programs, volunteering projects and scholarships for disadvantaged children, and it was gratifying to know that we were putting our money towards something meaningful, as frivolous as wedding expenses can sometimes feel. I definitely recommend shelling out the extra cash to rent the upstairs loft for the bridal suite- it was the perfect place to relax and get away from the insanity of everything on the wedding day, and coming down the stairs post-ceremony makes for a really sweet "grand entrance." Although we didn't end up going there for our after-party, the Gibson Street Pub and the Highball cocktail bar are both within 1-2 minutes walking distance (not to mention Luke's Inside-Out for late-night munchies...). Special thanks to Jessica Ryan of 3 of Cups Collective, who works intimately with the Sanctuary and the Amala Foundation, was an outstanding wedding planner. The moment we told her about our theme-- worried that she might roll her eyes or put on a fake smile and say "oh, greeaat..."-- she grinned from ear to ear and said "HELL YES!" We knew right then that she was the wedding planner for us! Not only did Jessica work with us on our budget- which was stupidly low due to our total inability to visualize how expensive weddings are!- but she hooked us up with the greatest vendors ever! Sanctuary has a close relationship with a long list of incredible caterers, bartending services, etc, so interested couples have no shortage of options. She was 100% organized and on top of every possible issue, making sure the wedding ran smooth as butter, and never missed an opportunity to remind the Bride and Groom to just relax and let her handle it already! By the end, Jessica was just as much a part of the family as all our guests, with the added bonus of having kept us from going insane from stress. In short, the Sanctuary is a magical, beautiful place and it was an honor to get married there. Thanks to Jessica, Maureen and the Amala Foundation for making the most perfect wedding we could ever ask for come true.
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December 2017 by Tony D.
I've been a regular member at Sanctuary Yoga for years, and my fiancé (now wife), and I were so excited to have our wedding in the space. It is an incredibly special, beautiful place and means the world to me and my wife - before our wedding and after. Jessica and all the staff were terrific. Thank you Sanctuary Event Space for an absolutely perfect day!!! We love you!
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December 2017 by Ali P.
We had our wedding at The Sanctuary in November and it was the perfect place for our special day! The location is amazing, it's so close to some of the big Austin spots, while feeling so secluded and private. One caution is there is a train that passes nearby and can cause some interesting sound effects. ;) Jessica was very helpful during the planning process and provided a detailed handbook that outlined all the venue policies. We opted to reserve the bridal suite as well which provided such a unique experience for me - I could see the ceremony from there before I walked down the stairs! If you're looking for a venue that allows you to customize your event, would definitely recommend The Sanctuary.
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November 2017 by Megan D.
The Sanctuary Event Space was everything we wanted and more! Jessica Ryan from 3 of Cups helped answer all our questions and ensured we had a best day! The venue is absolutely breathtaking. The giant oak trees and whimsical grounds make you feel like you stepped into a fairy tale. The venue is conveniently located in the heart of South Austin. Many of our guests came from out of town so we loved that the venue would not require an expensive cab to or from our wedding. All of our guests were simply blown away that such a beautiful space exists right in the center of such a busy area. We had a smaller wedding and had a difficult time finding a venue that wouldn't feel ridiculous with a small number of people. I would recommend renting the upstairs loft. It was a wonderful space to get ready as well as have some alone time after the ceremony. If you're looking for a beautiful and unique space for your wedding I would definitely recommend checking out The Sanctuary. It will take your breath away!
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November 2017 by Megan P.
The venue is an absolute dream. We gambled on an outdoor ceremony and reception for the day after Thanksgiving. I spent the last two months debating on getting a tent or changing our rental agreement to get more indoor space. Ultimately, I decided I would leave things alone. Mainly because our party was small enough and we could move the entire operation if the weather was that bad. The temperature was perfect, the lighting was amazing, and it was the best night ever! We met with Jessica, the site coordinator, once. But she answered every email and returned every call. I had a slight miscommunication issue with another vendor two days before the holiday and she still came through helpful as heck. Every review on here praising her is on point. She is the best part about booking with this venue. Some of the many reasons why I loved our venue so much: * The outdoor space was dog friendly, so our little guy got to be there for the whole day. * Close to downtown, but not impossible to find parking for. * Lots of great places for pictures onsite, and within a short walking distance from the venue. * There was an excellent list of recommended vendors, but no obligation to use them. Things to consider: * Friday events can't start before a certain hour because the venue operates as a yoga studio. * If you are looking for a loud dance party, you should definitely rent the downstairs studio so your DJ can set up in there. They are in a neighborhood and sound can be an issue. * Parking spaces close to the venue fill up fast, so keep spots open for guests that have issues walking long distances.
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November 2017 by Mikey Gross
Such a beautiful venue. My new husband James & I had such a dreamy wedding on October 1, 2017. This venue was everything we ever wanted. So whimsical and breathtakingly beautiful. Every single person that attended our wedding gave nothing but love for the beauty of the venue. Jessica Ryan is such an amazing person. She helped us along the way and it was very affordable and very easy to tell her our needs. I can’t get over the beauty of this place and I can go on and on and on about it. You will not have any regrets if you choose this as your venue. We had little decorations due to the natural beauty that The Sanctuary exudes. Thank you to all involved in our wedding. It made all our dreams come true. Xoxox James & Mikey 10.01.2017
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October 2017 by James & Mikey
Such a beautiful venue. My new husband James & I had such a dreamy wedding on October 1, 2017. This venue was everything we ever wanted. So whimsical and breathtakingly beautiful. Every single person that attended our wedding gave nothing but love for the beauty of the venue. Jessica Ryan is such an amazing person. She helped us along the way and it was very affordable and very easy to tell her our needs. I can't get over the beauty of this place and I can go on and on and on about it. You will not have any regrets if you choose this as your venue. We had little decorations due to the natural beauty that The Sanctuary exudes. Thank you to all involved in our wedding. It made all our dreams come true. Xoxox James & Mikey 10.01.2017
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June 2016 by Brian S.
I'm giving five stars simply because I can't give 50. A Yelp review cannot possibly encompass the deep healing that Amala foundation is for this world. The openness and deep connections that are cultivated and demonstrated among this Foundation and it's projects will undoubtedly bring ripples of beauty and peace in this world for generations to come. There are few things that I can imagine being clearer healings in this world. Thank you for all you do.
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June 2015 by Mark F.
We just had our most amazing wedding and party here. Jessica from Amala helped us with everything. It was perfect. This is the heart of south Austin. It's truly a sanctuary !!
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November 2013 by david mcgovern
its reputation reaches for and wide, praise be to alla, praise be to ama
