With so much natural beauty in the Texas Hill Country, it’s no wonder couples are drawn to the outdoors when planning a wedding. The landscape changes throughout the year, offering a variety of outdoor wedding venue options. Wildflowers bloom in the early spring, the lakes provide relief during bright, sunny, summer days, and fall sunsets look like paintings in the sky on cool evenings. Some people even prefer the bare trees and cold temperatures of the winter.
While planning an outdoor wedding in Central Texas, keep the seasons in mind. Many venues charge a premium during their busiest months: April-May and October-November. (If you want to explore an indoor wedding in the Highland Lakes, you’ll also find plenty of options, too.)
Keep in mind that May is typically the wettest month of the year. If making plans for May, consider some of the indoor-outdoor wedding venues noted below. Most outdoor wedding venues have larger indoor areas for versatility. The ceremony can be held outside with the reception inside, or vice versa.
Let’s look more closely at these five Texas Hill Country outdoor wedding options:
1. Luxury Lodges, Resorts, and Inns
Many of resorts and lodges in the Highland Lakes specialize in outside wedding venues. Not only do they offer beautiful views, the staffs are experienced, helpful, and a great asset to your planning.
- Cedar Skies Event Center at Log Country Cove holds weddings with up to 275 guests on Lake LBJ. Its coordinators make sure you are taken care of throughout the planning process.
- View sunsets over Lake Buchanan at Canyon of the Eagles. Up to 200 people can attend a wedding at Sunset Point. More intimate ceremonies can take place at Overlook Deck.
- Say “I do!” on Lake Buchanan’s shore at Willow Point Resort with up to 100 people in attendance. Backdrops include the lakefront deck, the beach, and cedar or willow trees.
- History surrounds you at The Antlers Inn on Lake LBJ in Kingsland. Opened in 1901, The Antlers now offers traditional hotel rooms, cabins, or unique train cars for overnight guests.
- Up to 80 guests can see a beautiful Hill Country wedding at Moriah on 3 acres of Lake Travis. Restored log cabins and a barn from the 1800s have been remodeled for a truly Texas ceremony.
2. Castles and Ranches
A Texas ranch or castle on a hill are both available for weddings in Central Texas. Dedicated Hill Country event venues serve as the perfect location for large weddings or couples looking for a unique way to share their day with close family and friends. These venues provide views galore that will make everyone jealous when they see your wedding photos.
- Look upon miles and miles of the rolling Texas Hill Country on the 6,000-square-foot cedar deck of Heart of Texas Ranch. Prefer to keep the deck open for tables and a dance floor? Then Sunset Grove near the Hilltop Deck is a favorite for ceremonies. Arched oak trees frame the setting sun.
- The Retreat at Balcones Springs offers multiple outdoor locations. The aptly named Rose Garden is popular for weddings of all sizes. The Pavilion is the largest outdoor covered space at The Retreat, while the Hillside Gazebo provides an intimate setting. The Amphitheater with its ample seating is another unique and popular venue at The Retreat.
- Have a fairytale wedding at Smythwick Castle & Lodge, located east of Marble Falls. The castle sits near a creek on 10 acres of pristine Hill Country property. The versatile venue accommodates all types of wedding parties and styles.
3. Bed, Breakfast, and Wedding
These two Highland Lakes B&Bs offer couples the chance to get married, have a party, and honeymoon — all in one package. While providing inside spaces in case of rain, the outdoor wedding venues at these Texas Hill Country facilities
are marvels of nature.
- Bella Vista Bed and Breakfast sits on 35 acres of farmland near the Colorado River. It’s an escape to the country yet only 4 miles from Marble Falls. Up to 75 guests can be accommodated on the property.
- The creekside lawn at the appropriately named Creekside Camp & Cabins can hold up to 100 people for a Highland Lakes wedding. The property has 3½ acres of property for guests to celebrate an outdoor wedding.
4. Wine Country Wedding
Wineries continue to sprout up in the Highland Lakes each year. Two local wineries don’t just produce award-winning vino, they also serve beautiful weddings.
- You don’t have to know the meaning of Torr Na Lochs to get married on this vineyard’s expansive patio looking toward the sunset and lakes. Up to 200 people can enjoy the views, food, wine, and ceremony at the winery, located about 7 miles west of Burnet.
- Perissos Vineyard and Winery does have a large indoor hall, but many couples choose to hold their ceremonies outside among the vines. Schedule a private tour to taste its wines and discuss the endless possibilities for your wedding.
5. Ceremony in City Park
City parks in the Highland Lakes can be reserved for all kinds of functions, including weddings. Make a reservation and invite friends and family.
- In Marble Falls, covered pavilions at Westside and Johnson parks are popular for weddings in the spring and fall. The waterfall feature at Johnson Park is a particularly popular location for smaller weddings. The online facility reservation walks you through the process with ease.
- In Burnet, the online reservation calendar lists which facilities are reserved in the coming weeks and months. Make an online reservation or call the Parks and Recreation Department at (512) 756-2402.
- In Llano, the pavilions at Robinson City Park and Badu Park can be reserved online. Fees are listed on the page.
- In Granite Shoals, open-air pavilions can be reserved at Bluebird and Crockett parks. View the city’s Parks and Facilities page for a map of its parks, and call the city office at (830) 598-2424 for park reservations.