Nestled in the heart of Hill Country farmland on ten private acres, The Chapel at Gruene in New Braunfels, Texas has quickly become one of my favorite wedding venues. Its historic charm and sweet vibe create the perfect backdrop for magazine-worthy wedding photography you’ll cherish forever.
The Facilities
For smaller, more intimate weddings, The Chapel at Gruene can comfortably host up to 100 guests on its property. With a charming, classically country open-air chapel for your ceremony and an enclosed reception hall, you’ll have plenty of space to celebrate.
The chapel was designed to resemble a beautiful country barn — white shiplap walls, long white benches, high ceilings with wooden beams, and large barn doors feel both quaint and incredibly romantic. It’s truly an idyllic setting to say “I do” to the love of your life.
Following your ceremony, your guests will be able to enjoy an outdoor cocktail hour with high-top tables and lawn games. Then for dinner and dancing, you’ll have access to the newly-built reception hall. It has a modern French Country aesthetic with exposed wooden beams and gorgeous chandeliers, and can be decorated to suit your personal style.
And the best part for me as a photographer? Each space you’ll spend time in throughout your wedding day is thoughtfully designed to maximize natural lighting. Your photos will look bright and airy, giving you that timeless feel you’re looking for.
Bridal Suite
One of the most special parts of your wedding day is the lead-up to your ceremony. Gathering with your closest girlfriends ahead of your walk down the aisle is a time to reflect on the important friendships you’ve shared and excitedly get ready to start your next chapter.
At The Chapel at Gruene, you’ll have access to one of their stunning cottages for your dressing room, so you can relax and enjoy the morning of your wedding. Let yourself be pampered during your hair and makeup sessions, while I take gorgeous detail shots of your dress and rings, and capture important memories with your best friends.
Lodging
Your booking at The Chapel at Gruene includes all five of their sweet cottages set on the property. While one cottage will be used as a bridal suite, the remaining four cottages are available to accommodate you and up to 25 of your guests.
They can also provide the perfect spot for an after-party once your reception ends—horseshoes, firepits, and a rustic seating area are all available for your use.
Food and Beverage
One of the best parts of hosting your wedding at The Chapel at Gruene is having the ability to hire your own food and beverage team. Not only does this provide you with flexibility in choosing a menu that accommodates your guests’ needs, but it also allows you to search for a vendor that fits your budget.
However, if you’re looking for extra guidance, the venue is more than happy to provide you with a list of recommended vendors to support.
Engagement Sessions
Once you’ve signed a contract with the venue and secured your wedding date, The Chapel at Gruene gives you access to the property for your engagement photo session. The rolling hills and natural beauty of the property will create gorgeous photos for you to celebrate your engagement, and will give you time to become familiar with the space.
A Note on Weather
If you love the idea of an outdoor wedding but are concerned about the potential for inclement weather, this is an ideal choice for your venue. The open-air chapel gives you the same feel while providing shelter in the event of rain, and you have the option of celebrating for the rest of the evening in both indoor and outdoor settings. I love the flexibility of The Chapel at Gruene—I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
In Conclusion
If you’re looking for a romantic, classically country venue to celebrate your wedding with your friends and family, The Chapel at Gruene should be at the very top of your list. The beauty, flexibility, and convenience the property offers are second to none, and is a great option for every couple to explore.
Looking for some more of my favorite vendors? Read through my lists for San Antonio, Texas and Austin, Texas.
Want to learn more about my wedding photography services? View them here.
Ready to start planning your wedding? Read my blog post to learn about the newest wedding trends.
the latest
Planning a wedding is a big undertaking, and the vendors you have supporting you throughout the process can make or break your experience. To help you assemble the best team possible, I’ve compiled a list of all of my favorite wedding vendors in San Antonio, Texas. You can rely on them to help you create the wedding day of your dreams and execute your vision with poise and professionalism.
Venues
The Red Berry Estate
Make your wedding celebration feel like an upscale lakeside getaway at The Red Berry Estate. Its old-world-inspired aesthetic is perfect for couples who are interested in a luxurious, romantic feel for their big day. The venue features a completely reimagined and restored ballroom, veranda, and gardens, so you can create your wedding day your way. I’m already picturing the jaw-dropping photos that will come from having your celebration at this beautifully unique venue.
The Preserve at Canyon Lake
If you want a timeless and elegant feel in the heart of Texas for your wedding, The Preserve is an ideal choice. One of my favorite places on the property is the breathtaking chapel–it features floor-to-ceiling windows and gives the prettiest panoramic view of the Texas Hills (can you imagine the photos?!). The Preserve has the space to accommodate large weddings without feeling cramped and will allow you to create a unique and flawless experience.
The Skyline
If modern and sophisticated is your vibe, look no further than The Skyline–one of San Antonio’s most popular wedding venues. It’s not difficult to understand why couples are so in love with this space. The rooftop overlooking the city’s skyline is enough to book your wedding, but it also features wide-open floorplans, high ceilings, and a sleek design. I know that if you choose this venue, all of your expectations will be exceeded, and your wedding photos will be breathtaking. Learn more about this venue here.
Planning + Coordination
All in the Details Events
All in the Details is a wedding planning company in San Antonio, 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
Olivia Grace Bridal
If you’re looking for a luxurious bridal experience, Olivia Grace Bridal is guaranteed to deliver. As a full-service bridal boutique in the heart of the city, you’ll have the opportunity to explore their curated selection of gowns with the help of a personal stylist. This boutique also prioritizes inclusive sizing and offers a wide range of price points to cater to every bride, so they had to be on my list of favorite wedding vendors in San Antonio, Texas.
Bridal Beauty
Jax Studio
Prepare to be pampered when you choose Jax Studio to be your bridal makeup and hair team. With a focus on luxury and personalized care, your wedding day look will be everything you’ve dreamed of. The studio uses professional products and well-loved brands to create long-lasting styles so you feel confident and beautiful throughout your entire day. Jax Studio is the recipient of many awards and is an amazing choice for your bridal glam.
L’Atelier Beauty Collective
Featuring a team of well-rounded and highly-trained artists, L’Atelier is one of my favorite wedding vendors in San Antonio, Texas. They ensure that each artist can cater to a wide range of skin tones and hair textures, and will have all of the necessary products and tools in their kit to bring any look to life. L’Atelier Bridal Collective emphasizes the importance of not only giving you the best experience possible but also keeping to your wedding timeline to ensure that you stay on schedule. Get your custom quote here.
Florals
Eden’s Echo Floral Design
When you work with Eden’s Echo, you’ll be in the capable hands of Erin McLarty, owner and floral designer. She offers full-service styling for weddings and large events, and emphasizes personalized care and high-touch service throughout the planning process. With Eden’s Echo custom-creating your wedding florals, your ceremony and reception are sure to wow your guests, and will provide the perfect backdrop to Pinterest-worthy wedding photos.
Evember Floral Design
Get ready for your guests’ jaws to drop when they see the stunning florals created by Evember. As a team of passionate and creative floral artists, they are well-prepared to bring your unique vision to life. They always provide outstanding customer service to all of their couples and can help you with simple arrangements, intricate floral installations, and more. Evember’s care for each person that walks through their doors truly makes them stand out, and secures their spot in my favorite San Antonio, Texas wedding vendors.
No matter what you’re envisioning for your perfect day, you’ll be able to find vendors that perfectly suit your style and care deeply about your experience. San Antonio, Texas is a stunning city filled with talented professionals ready to support you during your wedding planning experience. Happy planning!
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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