Congratulations! You have met the love of your life and are ready to set out on your next big adventure: planning your dream wedding. Thankfully, the Hill Country of Texas has all of the components necessary to create a beautiful and memorable day for both you and your guests. Perfect weather, gorgeous venues, and everything you need to complete the most intricate of details can be found right here in the heart of the Lone Star State. However, organizing an event of this magnitude can be a daunting task. That is why we have assembled this planning guide to help you nail down the essential pieces of your special day.
Lifestyle
A Texas Guide to Planning the Perfect Hill Country Wedding
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Essential #1—Choosing the Right Date
Photo Courtesy of Kristin Cochran Photography
Before you can begin assembling the fine details of your wedding, you must first choose a date. While this may seem to be one of the simpler steps in the litany of “to do’s” associated with planning your big day, it could have a dramatic effect on the style of wedding you choose and the number of guests who are able to attend. As you begin searching for the perfect date, here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Weather– The Knot, a well-known wedding planning website, notes the fall season as the most popular time to wed throughout the majority of the state, mostly due to more reliable weather. However, that does not mean that beautiful ceremonies cannot take place at any time throughout the year! For instance, if you have your heart set on a summer wedding, just make sure you take the proper steps to ensure your guests’ comfort. Some ways this can be accomplished are to provide plenty of shade, fans for cooling, and lots of ice water to drink.
- Conflicting Dates– Keep in mind as you browse through the calendar that certain dates are better than others simply because they do not conflict with major holidays. While the thought of a Christmas wedding may sound good in theory, know invitees may not be willing to sacrifice time with their families.
- Cost– Finally, the date you choose to exchange your vows can impact the overall cost of your wedding. In a 2016 study conducted by The Knot, weddings that occurred in central Texas were estimated to cost just under $30,000. According to thenest.com, peak wedding months are from May to Oct. Choosing a date outside of this window may help you save on overall costs.
Essential #2—The Venue
Photo Courtesy Kristin Cochran Photography
Now that you have chosen the perfect date, you must decide where your wedding will take place. Thankfully, the Texas Hill Country is rich with stunning venues all across the region. The location you choose is ultimately going to be a reflection of your ceremony’s theme. With that in mind, here are four venues whose ambiance will fit at least one of the four basic wedding themes.
- Rustic—Hidden River Ranch Weddings and Events, Lampasas Texas
- Classic—Ma Maison, Dripping Springs, Texas
- Outdoorsy—Cypress Falls Event Center, Wimberley, Texas
- Modern—Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, San Antonio, Texas
Essential #3—The Details
Photo Courtesy of Kristin Cochran Photography
Finally, now that you have chosen the where and when of your wedding, it is time to fill in all the details. From choosing the dress of your dreams and selecting members of your bridal party, to planning the reception’s seating chart, the most important thing to remember as you dive in is to choose details that are a direct reflection of you and your fiancé. Years after your wedding is over, guests may not remember what color the napkins were, but they will remember if the ceremony and reception reflected you both as a couple.
Even though wedding planning may have you stressed, we hope this quick wedding planning guide will help you get the basic necessities out of the way so that you can focus on what is really important, making your day special and memorable for you and your special someone.
Originally published in Heart of Texas Magazine, Spring 2018, by Texas Media Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Sources:
The Nest: The Time of the Year When Weddings are Cheaper
The Knot: Everything You Need to Know about Getting Married in Texas
