Venue

Pecan Springs (http://pecanspringsranch.com/) is close to Austin, which makes it a good choice because that allows guests to stay in the city, as a cab ride would not be too outrageous. It features Bride’s house for her and her family, Groom’s house for his party, and pretty folding chairs, as well as a pavilion and nice outdoorsy wooded ceremony area. They have a nice website, and allow all sorts of vendors, which could work out to be cheaper in the long run since I know caterers, pastry chefs, and DJs. Also, Caryn has shot here before, so she’ll have good ideas!

Twisted Ranch (http://twistedranchweddings.com/) is in Bertram, which is close to our house and has a great Hill Country feel. They have lots of neat little buildings, including a super awesome old barn as their reception site (my favorite barn!) They allow decorating the day before, which would be fantastic, and also, the $6000 package includes cabins for people to stay in the night of. The little church is adorable, and very pretty inside, although I would rather an outdoor ceremony.

Old Glory Ranch (http://www.oldgloryranch.com/hillcountryweddings/) has a really pretty outdoor pavilion, and the ceremony site is right on the Blanco River, which would fit us nicely since we enjoy floating the river. However, it is far away from Austin, so we would need to take a closer look before considering it.

The Red Corral Ranch (http://www.redcorralranch.com/default.asp) has the perfect big red barn, and is another bed and breakfast that provides places for the bridal party to stay. Probably too pricy for that, since it doesn’t include a lot of other things, but if the Big Red Barn can be set up for both ceremony and reception, I’d keep it on the list- they have fire pits!

Pecan Grove at The Salt Lick (http://www.txwinecountryevents.com/pecan-grove/) is gorgeous, and the caterers will make anything. I love the rustic pavilion, and the ceremony site is gorgeous as well. They are flexible with other vendors, and the lawn can be set up with games and lights. I’m very interested!

Memory Lane Event Center (http://memorylaneweddings.com/ML/Home.html) is in Dripping Springs, which is not too far away from town. Their packages include space for the bridal party to stay the night, tables and chairs for up to 175, getting ready suites, choice of centerpieces that I would at least look at, and a very pretty ceremony and reception site. About $4200 for a one night stay for everyone, including a Honeymoon suite, a large covered stage, and the other things listed already.

Texas Old Town’s Redbud Hall (http://www.texasoldtown.com/redbud-hall.html) is about $2,950 for the facility, getting-ready rooms, ceremony sites, a DOC, tables and chairs, but no accommodations or other inclusions, and it’s down in Kyle, which is kind of far away, although both families would probably be interested in Cabellas, and there are plenty of affordable hotels around there.

The Flying T Ranch event center (www.flyingtrancheventcenter.com) is in Bertram, which is close to home, and includes an entire weekend (Friday-Sunday) with a house that sleeps 12, a covered wooden deck for receptions, getting-ready rooms, ceremony sites, parking with an attendant, clean-up and break-down, a DOC, tables, chairs, horsehoes, washers, and volleyball, with the option of quail hunting and target shooting, low season is only $3,500, high season is $3,900, which is reasonable for everything included. Ceremony and Reception sites are pretty, but not very “rustic” looking.

Sutton Springs (http://www.suttonspringsaustin.com/) is inside of the Austin city limits, which is nice, and the amphitheatre seating for the ceremony is great because everyone can see. I love the reception pavilion, but I’m not certain it’s big enough for everyone- this may be intended to be a ceremony-only site.

The Heart of Texas Ranch (http://heartoftexasranch.net/) is out in Marble Falls. It includes two pretty houses and an event center- finishing October 2013- is $3,995 for a two-night stay, which includes white chairs, and probably more tables and chairs once the hall is done.