Planning a destination wedding in Texas? You have come to the right place. As a San Antonio wedding photographer, I have photographed countless out-of-town couples who were drawn to the magic of San Antonio, Austin, or the Texas Hill Country. Read on for some insider tips about planning a destination wedding in Texas, along with some of my venue and vendor recommendations to create a seamless, fun, and unforgettable wedding day.
Oh, and some photos of the coolest out-of-town couples I’ve had the honor of photographing.
Why You Should Have a Destination Wedding in Texas
Texas might not be the first place you think of for a destination wedding. But it is a perfect location for any kind of wedding. Am I biased? Absolutely. But between San Antonio, Austin, and the Texas Hill Country, everyone can find a piece of the state that fits their personal vibe.
San Antonio is perfect for couples who love small-town charm but want the energy and convenience of a city. Blending old-world architecture with modern amenities, San Antonio weddings feel historic and vintage while being convenient and accessible. The Texas Hill Country, on the other hand, is ideal for couples who want to escape into nature! Sweeping vistas with idyllic sunsets make for jaw-dropping golden hour photos. If you’re looking for a different vibe entirely, Austin is home to the most unique and interesting venues. Give your guests an out-of-this-world experience in one of the most beautiful cities!
No matter what vision you have for your wedding, we have something for you here in Texas.
Things to Consider When Planning a Texas Destination Wedding
Hire a Local Planner
My first piece of advice is the most important. Hire a local planner. I cannot tell you what a big difference it makes to have someone local planning your wedding. A local planner ensures that you have someone on the ground, working on your behalf, even while you’re miles away. Plus, they know the area. They’ll help you find vendors, suggest local attractions, and ultimately create a cohesive event without you needing to worry about a thing.
There are dozens of incredible planners in San Antonio, Austin, and the Hill Country, but I cannot recommend Rust and Relics enough. They do everything from design to coordination, and they are damn good at it. You can find more planner recommendations (plus other vendors, like florists, makeup artists, and more) on my recommended vendors page!
Consider Venues with On-Site Lodging
The best part about destination weddings is getting to be somewhere new and exciting. The worst part is often managing the logistics. Minimize logistical stress by booking a venue with on-site lodging! And, contrary to popular opinion, this does not necessarily mean a hotel. There are dozens of venues (particularly in the Hill Country) that offer lodging for families and bridal party members that aren’t your typical hotel.
I will always be excited to return to South Congress Hotel in Austin, and The Lodge at Country Inn Cottages and Camp Lucy in the Texas Hill Country. These are some of my favorite venues with lodging, but there are so many to choose from! Pick any Hill Country venue from the list below, and you’re sure to have an incredible Texas destination wedding:
- Camp Hideaway Retreat
- Elm Pass Woods
- Cactus Moon
- Contigo Ranch
- Onera
- The Preserve at Canyon Lake
- The Lodge at Country Inn Cottages
- Ingenhuett on High
Transportation
Whether you choose a venue with on-site lodging or not, you’re still going to need a way to get around. This is another reason I recommend a local planner! Let your planner coordinate details so you can just show up and be whisked away to where you want to go! I also recommend having transportation options for your guests, especially if your venue does not have lodging.
Plan Local Activities For Your Guests
You can’t have a destination wedding in Texas and not explore the area, right? I highly recommend putting together some local activities for your guests before or after your wedding. Many couples choose to host a welcome party the night before the wedding. This is a great opportunity for everyone to meet, mingle, and immerse themselves in everything Texas has to offer. These laid-back events typically happen after (or in place of!) a rehearsal dinner, and remove the pressure of needing to greet everyone during the wedding itself.
Bonus! Hire Vendors That Know Each Other
Okay, this advice applies to all weddings, destination or not. When your vendor team has worked together before, your wedding just flows. This is another great reason to hire a local planner, since they likely have a team of preferred vendors who work well together!
Common Concerns about Hiring a Local Photographer for a Destination Wedding
Destination weddings are amazing. But they can also be really stressful. I want you to feel as relaxed and excited about your day as possible. I’ve shot dozens of destination weddings in Texas for couples from all over the country. Here are a few common questions that pop up around destination wedding photography!
How early should we schedule our engagement, bridal, or boudoir sessions?
If you will have time to visit Texas before your wedding, I recommend scheduling things like your engagement session as early as you can! And you can always ask about combining sessions. I often offer engagement sessions, bridal portraits, or boudoir portraits all on the same day for out of town couples.
What happens if we can’t make it to a scheduled session?
If an additional session can’t be scheduled—or fall through due to extenuating circumstances—we can incorporate the time from that shoot into additional coverage or even put it towards print credit! Planning a destination wedding often means that things happen outside your control. My goal as your Texas destination wedding photographer is to put your mind at ease. No matter what happens, we can work it out to be better than you even imagined.
What if we can’t schedule an engagement session at all?
Let me be the first to tell you that it’s okay not to have an engagement shoot with your wedding photographer. If you’re coming into town and want one, we will absolutely schedule one! But if you’re planning from afar and have no time to visit the San Antonio area before the wedding day, that’s okay, too.
This is why my photography is all about connection. And I don’t just mean hopping on calls and answering texts (though I do that too, don’t worry!) When I talk about connection, I mean getting to know one another as people, making sure we get along and, for lack of a better word, vibe. You need to feel comfortable meeting your photographer on your wedding day!
That might feel really intimidating. I totally get it. I go above and beyond in every phone call and email to make sure you feel like you know me ahead of time. By the time your wedding rolls around, we’re going to feel like best friends.
“Leah was very friendly and easy to communicate with from the moment I reached out to her. Prior to the wedding, I felt like she really went above and beyond to get to know us and learn about what we were looking for and most excited for her to capture about our big day! The day of the wedding, she was PHENOMENAL. Not only are the pictures stunning and everything we hoped for, Leah helped with every aspect and was great at helping direct us throughout the entire day. My husband and I were both super thankful for this because we were nervous and it makes such a difference to feel comfortable with the ones you choose to document these big life moments!”
Emily and Matthew
If you’re looking for a photographer for your Texas destination wedding, I would love to connect! Explore my wedding photography packages and reach out to learn more. I can’t wait to hear about your vision and help document the best day of your life.
