Planning something like this? See how elopement photography with me works.
Athens has plenty of wedding venues, but nothing quite like this one. A tree room wedding means saying your vows inside a building built around an actual living tree, one that grows straight up through the floor of the space. Tucked into an industrial building just off downtown at 159 Oneta Street, it’s the kind of venue that changes completely depending on what you bring into it. I shot a styled elopement here to get a real sense of what a wedding or intimate ceremony could look like inside, and I wanted to put together an honest guide for anyone considering it.
About The Tree Room
The tree isn’t a design feature or a nod to the venue’s name. It’s the actual centerpiece, rising up through the floor and through the room itself. Around it: exposed brick walls, metal railings, a couple of koi ponds, and a small garden tucked outside. The combination gives the space a strange, good kind of duality. It’s industrial and untamed at the same time, which makes it one of the more interesting rooms I’ve photographed in.
The venue tops out at 80 guests, whether you’re doing ceremony, reception, or both, indoors or out. Renting it runs $715 to $1,315 depending on whether you book a 6-hour slot or the full 13-hour day. You’ll need to bring your own alcohol, and catering comes through a preferred vendor list. It’s open all year and welcomes LGBTQ+ couples.
My advice for this venue: check on accessibility before you fall in love with it. A few listings mention the upstairs area only being reachable by stairs, so if that matters for your guest list, get it confirmed directly with the venue first. Also worth knowing: amplified music has to stay indoors, so if your reception plans include an outdoor dance floor with a DJ, this isn’t going to work the way you picture it. Plan the music around that restriction from the start.
Ceremony Locations at The Tree Room
Getting married indoors here means standing in front of a living tree instead of a floral arch, which is honestly hard to top for a backdrop. If an outdoor ceremony is more your speed, the garden and koi ponds just outside offer something quieter and more intimate, a real change of pace from the industrial interior.
Reception Venues at The Tree Room
Your reception happens in the same indoor space as your ceremony, with room for the full 80-guest capacity. Because amplified music is restricted to indoors only, most couples end up keeping their dancing, DJ, or band inside the building rather than trying to move the party out to the garden.
Photography Opportunities at The Tree Room
When I shot here, I started inside, right up against the details that make this place so different: the tree, the brick, the koi ponds. Those elements are doing so much visual work on their own that you really don’t need heavy florals or styling to get photos that feel rich and considered.
From there, we moved into downtown Athens, which is one of the underrated perks of booking this venue. You’re minutes from a mural-heavy stretch of the city, big, colorful street art that gives you a completely different backdrop without traveling far.
FAQs About The Tree Room Weddings
How many guests can The Tree Room hold?
Up to 80 guests total, for ceremony and reception, indoors or outdoors.
How much does it cost to rent The Tree Room for a wedding?
Between $715 and $1,315 per event, depending on whether you book the 6-hour package or the full 13-hour day.
Is The Tree Room BYO for alcohol?
Yes, you’ll bring your own.
Is The Tree Room accessible for guests with mobility concerns?
Worth confirming with the venue directly. Some listings note the upstairs area requires stairs.
Is The Tree Room available year-round?
Yes, it’s open for bookings all year.
Is The Tree Room LGBTQ+ friendly?
Yes.
Whether The Tree Room is right for you comes down to a few things: you want something Athens doesn’t have anywhere else, your guest list fits comfortably under 80, and you like the idea of a venue that does most of the visual heavy lifting without a big decor budget. It’s especially strong for elopements, micro-weddings, and anything where you want the focus to stay on the space and the people in it rather than elaborate styling.
Vendors: Hair & Makeup by Courtney Musick, Dress from Lael Collection.
Thinking about eloping or getting married at The Tree Room? Get in touch, I photograph weddings and elopements all over Georgia and would love to help plan yours.
