If you’re envisioning a quintessential Texas engagement session, consider taking your photos in the stunning bluebonnet fields throughout our state. Coleman and Camila wanted a beautiful outdoor setting that featured bluebonnet flowers, and the recreation area at Muleshoe Bend was the perfect fit.
After meeting at University of Texas in 2017, Coleman and Camila became friends which slowly blossomed into their forever. They enjoy so many activities together, from cozy movie nights at home and cooking, to swing dancing, and even to rockclimbing!
During their session, we focused on taking photos that not only showcase their love for one another, but also their playful and sweet personalities. I loved spending time with them and soaking in the joy that they felt about their upcoming marriage.
Bluebonnet Season
Bluebonnets are wildflowers, and in wide open spaces all over the state of Texas. If you’re dreaming of frolicking in bluebonnet fields for your engagement photos, it’s almost the ideal time of year to get the most gorgeous blooms. Late March and early April is the peak of bluebonnet season where you’ll find the fullest fields throughout the area. This is also a great time of year to take outdoor photos because the temperature is still manageable without being too overwhelming or hot.
Local Bluebonnet Fields
There are many options for taking photos nestled in the Texas bluebonnets around San Antonio and Austin, but some of the best fields do require a little bit of a drive. Read through to learn more about my favorite local spots.
Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area
The Muleshoe Bend Recreation area is one of my favorite spots to take photos surrounded by bluebonnets—you can see from Coleman and Camila’s engagement session that there are flowers as far as the eye can see! There are also water views at this location which create gorgeous images, but due to the water levels, there is a possibility that it may be hit or miss depending on the season.
Brushy Creek Lake Park
This park is located in Cedar Park, Texas, and it’s one of my absolute favorites for finding lush bluebonnet fields that are the perfect backdrop for photos. Brushy Creek Lake Park is extremely popular with locals and tourists alike to see the beautiful bluebonnets, so traffic volume is important to keep in mind when planning your visit. It’s a free park and right on the water, so after your photo session, you can have an afternoon of enjoying the scenery and exploring the property.
McKinney Falls State Park
This park is one of my favorites because it offers so much in a convenient location. It has water views, bird watching, hiking trails, scenic views, and a beautiful wildflower field (including bluebonnet flowers!). One thing to keep in mind is that this park fills up quickly since it’s located so close to the Austin, Texas airport. If you’re planning on choosing this spot, make sure you book a reservation ahead of time.
Lady Bird Johson Wildflower Center
This botanical garden is one of the best places to take photos with the bluebonnets, but it does require a fee for formal photography. That means if you want to visit and snap a few photos for your social media, there’s no charge. However, if we want to hold your engagement session on their property we need to pay in addition to the entry fee. On weekdays, the fee is $100, but on weekends and during off-hours the fee is $250.
There are plenty of beautiful parks and bluebonnet fields that are either free or having a low-cost entry fee, so unless your heart is set on the Lady Bird Johnon Wildflower Center, it doesn’t land in my number 1 spot.
Circle C Ranch Park
During peak bluebonnet season, Circle C Ranch Park is one of the best places to visit. There are a ton of bluebonnets throughout the park, so you’re sure to get a good spot for your photo session. This park is also free to enter, so there will be a higher volume of parkgoers to keep in mind.
Mission Reach
To find Texas bluebonnets close to San Antonio, Mission Reach is a great choice. Featuring historical landmarks, hiking, canoeing, and hot springs, it offers a full day of activity that you can enjoy following your session. It’s an 8-mile linear park that is truly a hidden gem in San Antonio, and will a serene and romantic location to celebrate your engagement.
Notes
While there are beautiful bluebonnet fields in our area, there are also many other places to explore if you’d rather go farther from home. I’ve also discovered a few other locations I’d love to share that are my go-to spots for taking photos surrounded by a variety of colorful wildflowers, including bluebonnets.
To capture the best images, prepare for your session by choosing clothing that will complement the bluebonnet colors rather than compete with them. More muted shades of blue can look beautiful, as well as pops of warm colors or a neutral palette. Just make sure that your clothing choices are coordinated to each other so all of the images look cohesive!
If you want to learn more about planning the perfect wedding, read my post featuring my favorite Austin and San Antonio wedding vendors.
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It’s no secret that wedding planning can be stressful–there are a million decisions, big and small, to make in such a short time. It’s vital that create a wedding vendor team that is not only capable of creating your vision but is also supportive and encouraging throughout the process. To help you choose the best vendors for you, I’ve compiled a list of all of my favorite wedding vendors in Austin, Texas. Happy planning!
Venues
Wish Well House
Are you in search of a venue that’s the perfect combination of modern and historic charm? Look no further than the Wish Well House, located a short distance outside of Austin, Texas. With high ceilings, exposed beams, beautiful windows, and an expansive outdoor courtyard, this venue is a photographer’s dream. There are so many amazing benefits to choosing the Wish Well House that I had no choice but to include it on my favorites list.
The Arlo
With the rental of The Arlo, you and your guests will enjoy the stunning landscape surrounded by a classic and elegant space. With a light and bright design, the venue will complement any vision you may have to celebrate your wedding day. The indoor spaces are full of large windows and modern touches, and the outdoor spaces showcase beautiful views of Texas Hill Country providing a picturesque background for your wedding photos.
Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa
If your wedding vision is a mix of Southern hospitality and total luxury, Omni Barton Creek is the perfect choice for your special day. The resort caters to both intimate weddings and large-scale celebrations with up to 400 guests in attendance and offers a variety of available spaces to explore. Not only are the grounds and event spaces beautifully designed, but the on-site staff is extremely professional and highly trained, making Omni Barton Creek one of my very favorite wedding vendors in Austin, Texas.
Planning + Coordination
All in the Details Events
All in the Details is a wedding planning company serving Austin, Texas that will help you to produce a beautiful, custom celebration. Specializing in event design and flawless execution, you can trust their team to effortlessly bring your wedding vision to life. With a variety of services and wedding packages available as well as their commitment to reflecting each couple’s personal style, they’re my go-to choice for planning and event coordination in San Antonio.
Three Strand Cord Weddings by Marie Miller
If you need a helping hand with wedding planning and coordination that can also make you feel confident and relaxed, look no further than Three Strand Cord Weddings. Marie offers a variety of packages from month-of coordination to full-service planning — as well as à la carte options — so there’s something for every bride. Confidently and comfortably bring your wedding vision to life with an expert by your side.
Bridal Boutique
Blue Bridal Boutique
Located in South Austin, Texas, Blue Bridal Boutique will provide you with a seamless and fun wedding dress shopping experience. Women-owned and operated, the boutique offers a collection of hand-picked gowns from both well-known brands and up-and-coming designers. They embrace inclusivity and will support you in the search for your perfect dress with kindness and positivity. If you book an appointment at this boutique, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Bridal Beauty
LUX Beauty and Bridal
Whether you’re hosting a small wedding or you have a huge bridal party needing hair and makeup, LUX Beauty and Bridal is a fantastic choice. Their team includes over 60 professionals and offers a wide variety of services to people of all skin tones and hair textures. LUX Beauty and Bridal is a four-time winner of the Wedding Wire Couples’ Choice Awards and it’s not difficult to see why. Their team is perfect for couples who are looking for a high-touch experience and are looking for support throughout the planning process.
Blush N’ Bangs
Another one of my favorite wedding vendors in Austin, Texas is Blush N’ Bangs, an award-winning bridal hair and beauty salon. As a talented team of hair and makeup professionals, they can offer services to bring any look to life, and can also help you with pre-wedding beauty services as well! They will come to your venue so you can stay put and enjoy your day and even offer mobile tanning if you’re looking for a beautiful bridal glow.
Videographer
Reverent Wedding Films
As a photographer, I believe that telling the story of your wedding day is invaluable. When I came across Reverent Wedding Films, I loved that they felt the same way. Capturing every moment of your wedding day is special, and their cinematic style will perfectly showcase your love story on film. Their award-winning team creates a highly personalized experience for each couple with dedicated wedding film coordinators and customizable videography packages.
Florals
Reverie Floristry
Whether you’ve found floral inspiration on Pinterest or you’re looking for an extremely unique design, Reverie Floristry can bring your vision to life. They specialize in contemporary and romantic floral design, making every event space they work with truly impactful. You can line your ceremony aisle with gorgeous blooms, create large-scale floral installations for your reception, or focus on one stunning bridal bouquet–they’ve got you covered.
Native Bloom Floral and Design
If you’re interested in distinctive florals for your wedding that are unlike anything you’ve seen before, Native Bloom is the vendor for you. As owners of multiple wedding venues in the area as well, their team is well-versed in creating well-rounded designs to complement large, modern spaces. They emphasize working closely with couples and take their inspiration from the breathtaking native surroundings in the Texas Hill Country.
Music and Entertainment
Exodus Sound Co
There’s nothing that sets the tone for your wedding more than your entertainment. Exodus Sound Co is one of my favorite wedding vendors in Austin, Texas because they combine live music with a DJ to create well-rounded events that offer variety to the guests. Their team loves to create interactive experiences throughout each wedding so there’s never a dull moment and the party keeps going until the very last moment.
The great city of Austin, Texas offers so many amazing vendors that are highly professional and ready to take on your wedding. No matter who you choose, you’ll be supported throughout the entire planning process and will have the perfect team to create your once-in-a-lifetime wedding experience.
Looking for vendors closer to San Antonio? Read about them here.
Need to check “hire wedding photographer” off your list? See my services.
In need of engagement session inspiration? Find it here.
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