Places to Stay

Make Heart of Texas Ranch and Retreat Your Wedding Destination

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Photos courtesy of Heart of Texas Ranch and Retreat

You’ve been dreaming about this day for as long as you can remember. The day that kicks off the first day of the rest of your life with your one true love. The moment the engagement ring is slipped onto your finger, you begin planning. You want your wedding to be perfect. And why wouldn’t you? This is the day that the two of you will remember for the rest of your lives and you need a venue that will offer not just a place to say your vows or twirl around the dance floor. You need a venue that will offer you a fairytale. Enter Heart of Texas Ranch and Retreat.

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Do you want to remember your wedding day as a day of chaos, shuffling from one venue to another? Probably not. Many times brides spend their time getting ready at the hotel, drive to the church, get married, rush to the reception venue, then after a few hours, the newlyweds, family, and friends go their separate ways. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Why not hold your wedding at a true wedding destination from start to finish? The Heart of Texas Ranch and Retreat can offer a place to make your wedding a truly memorable event all at one place.

The Venue

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Calling the Heart of Texas Ranch and Retreat a venue is an understatement. The retreat is nestled in amongst the breathtaking hills of the Texas Hill Country and is situated on over 50 acres of bliss. If the amazing setting wasn’t enough for you, this destination hot-spot consists of two vacation houses.

The Issac Millsap House is equipped with five bedrooms, two “pocket” bedrooms, and a 6,000 square foot deck wrapped intricately with white decorative lights. This house can sleep up to 16 people. The Mary Millsap House is located just down the hill from the Isaac House and can sleep 12-14 people. Both houses offer a relaxed, comfortable experience that will allow you, your spouse-to-be, and your closest family and friends a place to gather and have fun.

Settling In

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Often times, the family of the bride and groom meet for the first time at the wedding. By booking your wedding at the Heart of Texas Ranch and Retreat, the couples’ family will have the opportunity to meet under more relaxed, less chaotic circumstances. Book your accommodations a day or two in advance, and everyone gets a chance to get to know each other on a more intimate basis. Guests can lounge on the 16′ long curved sofa, enjoy a meal at the dining table, play a game of pool or foosball, and congregate on the large deck. The beds are incredibly comfortable, which will keep you well rested for your big day. Karaoke machines are welcome as is fido.

The Big Day

Heart of Texas Ranch Wedding Grove

The biggest decision you will have to make at the Heart of Texas Ranch and Retreat is where on the property you will tie the knot. Will it be under the majestic grove of live oak trees or with a backdrop of rolling hills on the beautiful deck? According to owner Dale Fortenberry, half of all couples say their vows under the oak grove and the other half on the deck. And if the weather refuses to cooperate, the rustic barn is offered as a back-up.

The Reception

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The 6,000 square foot deck makes for the perfect setting for your reception. There is plenty of room to set up your beautifully designed tables, the wedding cake, and for dancing. Shaded by towering live oaks, there is no worry of a sunburn ruining your big day, and if you hold your reception in the evening, be ready to be wooed by the romantic setting these trees wrapped in oodles of pretty decorative lights create.

The Honeymoon

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Just because you said your vows and danced to a few songs, it doesn’t mean your wedding is over. Let’s not forget the honeymoon! Heart of Texas Ranch and Retreat is located near many of your favorite Hill Country cities. Marbles Falls is close by offering beautiful sight-seeing opportunities. Take a walk along Lake Marble Falls or through any of its scenic parks or plan a kayaking adventure. A little bit further away, but definitely close enough to explore, is the city of Fredericksburg where you will enjoy unique shopping opportunities, delicious eateries, amazing wineries and breweries, and entertainment. Not sure where to start? Schedule a wine tour with Heart of Texas Wine Tours, also owned and operated by Dale, and discover what Texas wineries are all about.

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The Heart of Texas Ranch and Retreat is one of the few venues in the Texas Hill Country that offers overnight destination weddings. Your big day doesn’t have to be just that – a big day. It will become so much more than a wedding! Create a weekend (or a week) full of magic, memories, and romance.

Need some help with finding vendors? No problem! Visit Heart of Texas Ranch and Retreat’s vendors page to get started. To book this amazing wedding destination, call Dale Fortenberry at (512) 755-7937 or email him at [email protected]. Visit them on Facebook for more photos and amazing guest stories.