South Texas is a huge place. And with so many wonderful wedding vendors in the San Antonio area, how do you even begin to narrow down the choices as you plan your wedding? My first suggestion is to choose the ones that help make your pictures look amazing! I’m going to share some of my personal favorite San Antonio area Wedding Vendors based on experience and how they treat their clients. Taking some of the guesswork out of planning for ya.
After photographing SO MANY South Texas weddings, I have begun to notice a common trend that among brides – while they all want to feel like a princess on their special day, more than anything else they want to feel heard and supported. They want to be able to relax and live in the moment. Honestly, I think we all want that, every single day of our lives, but at the very least, a bride deserves that on her wedding day! The little things matter because hey- you only have one chance to get this right!
So, without further ado, here are some San Antonio/Hill Country wedding vendors that understand their clients, do a stellar job, and have a smile on their face while they do it!
Venues
To ensure that this blog doesn’t turn into a novel, I’ll only highlight two venues that I absolutely adore. First up, let’s talk about Cherokee Rose, in Comfort, Texas. What. A. Beautiful. Place. It’s a little bit off the beaten path, I’ll admit. In fact, my husband and I had driven past it a few times during our Hill Country drives and I never even noticed it. But the moment I pulled into the drive, I was in love! There’s a peaceful serenity out there. Between all of the gorgeous trees, the rustic barns, several grand chandeliers, and the quaint bride’s cottage, there are so many options for setting up your unique and whimsical Hill Country wedding.
To chat with someone about having your wedding at Cherokee Rose, you can visit their website, call or email them at 830-995-3435 or thevenue@txcherokeerose.com
In another part of the gorgeous Texas Hill Country sits another adorable venue, and once again- it’s off the beaten path. Like, WAY off. But that’s honestly one of my favorite parts of Carriage Hills Ranch. This venue is not only beautiful and magical, but from the moment you arrive, it just feels like home. That might be because it is literally a family owned and operated business, with lots of rich history. The owner, Christine, actually spent her childhood there, and you can see the history in everything from the beautiful trees to the tractor that actually used to be used to plow the land. There are so many options for your ceremony site, including an outdoor, stone patio with fireplace that has the perfect old-world feel for an intimate wedding, or a much larger waterfront space, complete with a beautiful open air dome. Have your reception inside the rustic barn or out under the stars, but whatever you choose, this venue is guaranteed to make your big day a happy one.
To schedule a tour, visit www.carriagehillsranch.com. You can also call or email Christine or Michelle: 512-222-9821 and carriagehillsranchtx@gmail.com
Coordinators/Planners
As much as we’d all like to think that we’re perfectly capable of putting together our own wedding day without the input of anyone else- fiance’s included- we all get by with a little help from our friends. So, I highly recommend enlisting the help of friends and family. However, you can only get so far without a professional. That’s where your new best friends will come into the picture. Get yourself a wedding planner/coordinator. Even if you only hire someone for Day-Of services, believe me- THEY ARE WORTH IT!
Jen is detail oriented, bubbly, and has it all together. She’s on top of things at all times, and has the biggest smile on her face. If you need someone to tackle that “to-do list”, she’s your girl! Check her out: Events By Jennifer Craft
Heather is a team player, laid-back, and honestly a go-getter who has fun! Working with her is like having an old friend by your side. She gets the job done, lightens the load AND the mood whenever she’s around. If you need help putting together your dream day, call her! You won’t regret it. Moments And Milestones
Cakes
Let me just say that sampling wedding cake is one thing that I never get tired of, and as a wedding photographer, I get to try so many delicious flavors- be jealous. Basically, if you’re getting married in the San Antonio area, you’ve got to check out Feathers & Frosting. Not only does Danaë make gorgeous cakes, she makes DELICIOUS cakes. Like, out of this world delicious. She specializes in artisan cakes made from locally sourced ingredients, and if that isn’t enough to convince you, she is a wiz at speciality flavors like Early Grey & Lavender and Cereal Milk Cake. Okay, I’ve got to stop writing about cake or I’m going to call her and place an order right now!
There are plenty of vendors left that I could brag about, and I promise to do a follow-up post including florists, dresses, and more! For now, hopefully this gets you started on your wedding planning journey. In the meantime, check out the latest issue of San Antonio Weddings Magazine. You’ll find me in there, also ;)