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Twenty-Five Affordable Honeymoon Destinations in Texas
Are you planning a wedding and trying to stick to a budget? The honeymoon is an important part of your wedding planning, too! In this blog post we will explore twenty-five affordable honeymoon destinations in Texas!

Rose Haven Event Venue is an affordable wedding venue serving the Austin, Dripping Springs, and Texas Hill Country areas. We are experts when it comes to helping our clients have beautiful weddings, microweddings and elopements without breaking the bank.

While planning the wedding, don’t forget to plan your honeymoon as well! Sure, everyone wants to jet off overseas for weeks, but that big trip may not be in the budget or the plans right now. My husband and I didn’t get to take our ‘true’ honeymoon until our 19th anniversary, when we spent 9 days in Cabo San Lucas! It’s never too late! We did a little ‘mini-moon’ in South Carolina where we were living at the time.

But you don’t have to fork out a fortune for a beautiful, romantic newlywed vacation, when Texas has SO much to offer for romantic getaways! If you’re getting married here at Rose Haven, or one of our other amazing Dripping Springs venues in the Wedding Capital of Texas, you’re already smack dab in the middle of one of the most romantic honeymoon destinations of all–the Texas Hill Country! But maybe you want to explore further.

So now let’s look at the amazing array of affordable post-wedding trip experiences Texas has to offer!

Big Bend on the Colorado River

The incredible cypress trees on Caddo Lake in their fall glory

Scenic and Outdoor Destinations
- The Hill Country: Explore wineries, breweries, and charming small towns like Dripping Springs (the ‘Gateway to the Hill Country’), Blanco, Wimberley, Johnson City, and Marble Falls. Enjoy Bluebonnet-filled scenic drives in spring and stunning views over every hill.
- Big Bend National Park: Often referred to as Texas’ Gift to the Nation, Big Bend is famous for its natural resources and recreational opportunities. The park is also rich in cultural history.
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Perfect for hiking and enjoying beautiful mountain views.
- Palo Duro Canyon: The second-largest canyon in the U.S., great for camping, hiking, and horseback riding.
- Garner State Park: Enjoy swimming in the Frio River, nightly summer dances and more in a picturesque park setting. Texas most popular park for camping overnight.
- Lake Travis: Just outside of Austin, this beautiful lake is great for boating, swimming, and relaxing in the Texas Hill Country. Amazing views abound, especially from The Oasis.
- Caddo Lake: One of the true natural beauties of the South. The one and only natural lake in Texas, the cypress trees that give the lake it’s signature bayou look have been estimated to be over 300 years old.
- Lost Maples State Natural Area: Visit in the fall for one of the few places in Texas with stunning colorful foliage and great hiking trails.
- Enchanted Rock State Natural Area: Perfect for those into rock climbing, and panoramic views. A challenging hike & climb for sure!
Aerial of the U.S.S. Lexington in Corpus Christi, TX

Galveston Historic district is just incredible

South Padre is spectacular

Beach Destinations
- South Padre Island: The ‘Texas Riviera’! Enjoy beautiful beaches, water sports, beachfront dining, and a lively atmosphere.
- Galveston Island: Offers historic charm with amazing homes showcasing incredible architecture, beaches, and attractions like Moody Gardens and Pleasure Pier.
- Port Aransas: Relaxing beach town with excellent fishing, dolphin watching, and charming shops.
- Corpus Christi: Combines beach fun with cultural attractions like the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington Museum.
Austin has the Hill Country Sunsets

Dallas Skyline is just stunning

Houston, Texas, Aerial Panorama.

The Vibrant, Colorful, Beautiful Riverwalk in San Antonio

Big City Lights
- San Antonio: The Famous River Walk is a must. Remember the Alamo! Historic missions, delicious food and vibrant culture. Check out a Spurs game at the Alamodome.
- Austin: Vibrant music scene with live music everywhere, so many outdoor activities, parks, and great food.
- Houston: Catch an Astros game at the ‘Juice Box’, or maybe the Texans in the fall. Diverse food scene, museums, and nearby beaches.
- Dallas: Known for world-class museums, shopping, and cultural attractions. And of course the ultimate sports franchise, the Dallas Cowboys. “Jerry-World” in itself is a bucket list visit. If you love baseball, catch the defending World Series Champions, the Texas Rangers at Globe Life.
- Fort Worth: Known for its Stockyards, cultural district, and western heritage.
Blue Hole in Wimberley

Photo by Christopher V Sherman of the Bluebonnet House in Marble Falls

Fredericksburg is magical at Christmas

Charming Towns and Cities
- Fredericksburg: Nationally famous for its wineries, German heritage, restaurants, and scenic Hill Country setting. The Wine Festival in the fall is fantastic. A true Texas gem.
- Wimberley: Quaint town with a thriving historical district with art galleries, boutiques, and delicious restaurants. The Blue Hole Regional Park and Jacobs Well are lengendary swimming holes nearby.
- New Braunfels: Famous for tubing on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers, and historic Gruene, especially Gruene Dance Hall. Enchanting German heritage.
- Granbury: Historic downtown, lake activities, and romantic B&Bs.
- Salado: Historic village with art galleries, shopping, and charming inns.
This amazing art installation in Marfa, Texas, called Giant Marfa, pays tribute to the Giant movie, starring James Dean and Liz Taylor.

Terlingua really has a ghost town!

Unique and Offbeat Destinations
- Terlingua: Ghost town near Big Bend, known for its quirky charm and desert beauty.
- Marfa: Famous for its absolutely amazing quirky art scene, mysterious lights, and unique desert landscape.
Couples have many reasons to choose a frugal honeymoon destination close to home. Maybe it’s just not in the budget for a big trip, but you still want to steal away to enjoy your first few days of marriage together. Maybe you have other financial goals like buying a house, having a baby, investing in other assets, starting a business, paying off existing debt, or just not adding additional financial pressures.

Advantages of an affordable honeymoon

An easily-accessible honeymoon destination has a lot of advantages. You can avoid the stress and high cost of air travel, and enjoy scenic drives to your destination. Shorter travel allows for more time to explore the actual destination, and offers opportunity for some spontaneity and flexibility along the way. Local, budget-friendly destinations often provide rich cultural and natural experiences that can be more immersive and authentic compared to luxury resorts and high-end tourist traps in popular vacation areas. And you can support quaint, unique, local businesses while you’re there!

Choosing an affordable honeymoon destination in Texas doesn’t mean you have to miss out on quality or fun. With some smart planning, you and your love can enjoy a fantastic, memorable trip without going overboard.

Contact us for a venue that helps keep your honeymoon budget intact!

Here is a list of locally-owned wedding venues around the country! We are dedicated to supporting small privately-owned wedding venues, so in every blog we write we will celebrate at least 5 locally-owned wedding venues.
July 22, 2024
Planning the Perfect Rehearsal Dinner in the Austin and Texas Hill Country Area
Let’s talk about planning the perfect rehearsal dinner that fits your style and helps make your wedding day flow smoothly. Over the last decade of creating cakes for weddings in the Texas Hill Country, Austin and Dripping Springs areas, I’ve seen thousands of weddings and been involved in many rehearsal dinners as well. As you start planning for your big day, don’t forget about the many smaller celebrations leading up to your wedding. One of the most important is the rehearsal dinner. This is where you’ll rehearse your wedding ceremony, and then celebrate with your closest family and friends before the wedding.

How to Plan Your Perfect Rehearsal

The first step in planning a rehearsal dinner is to determine the guest list. Typically, the guest list includes immediate family members, wedding party members, close friends, and out-of-town guests. Will it be a small, intimate affair, or do you have a lot of out of town guests you’d like to include? Make sure to send out invitations well in advance to give guests enough time to RSVP. Cute themed invitations help make the occasion even more special and exciting for your guests!

Traditionally, the rehearsal is a walk-through of the ceremony at the actual ceremony site so that all members of the families and wedding party will know their roles in the wedding ceremony and work out any last-minute adjustments to help make the actual ceremony flow flawlessly. Some wedding venues even include rehearsal time in their packages.

In the recent past, it has become more difficult to have the rehearsal at the wedding venue, as many venues are booked for another wedding or event the day before the wedding. In that case, the practice may be done at another location that has enough space to mimic the actual ceremony site. The actual rehearsal can even be on a different day to have access to the wedding venue, and the dinner held the night before the wedding at another venue.

Next, choose your venue for your rehearsal dinner.

First, you’ll want to decide the ‘vibe’ you want for your rehearsal dinner. Do you want it to complement or maybe contrast with the theme of the wedding? Choose a venue that works with the ambiance you want, or one that is so versatile it can be anything you’d like with simple décor accents.

In Austin, Dripping Springs, and the Hill Country, there’s an abundance of fun and funky restaurants, breweries, distilleries and wineries that are popular rehearsal dinner choices. The drawback to many of these venues is they are not private, which can make them crowded, noisy, and cause difficulty finding parking. Downtown Austin venues often have no parking at all. Also many of them are not climate-controlled, and with the Texas weather being so unpredictable–and often very uncomfortable with the typical heat and strong winds for most of the year–as well as sudden thunderstorms which can even bring lightning, hail and tornadoes. Carefully considering a weather plan is mandatory!

A true private, climate-controlled, affordable rehearsal dinner venue with free, adequate parking, is rare in the Austin, Dripping Springs and Hill Country areas. That’s one major reason I wanted to design a venue that was perfect for the rehearsal dinners, showers, and other events leading up to weddings that eliminated the drawbacks associated with the public venues. I saw so many of my former wedding cake clients and favorite wedding planners struggling to find affordable, versatile, well-designed venues for the smaller events. Thus the idea for Rose Haven was born, and it took me over three years to find the perfect venue for these types of events.

Choose Your Cuisine

Most couples want the cuisine at the rehearsal dinner to be different from the menu of the wedding, to allow the wedding catering to shine on its own with no redundancy.

Is your wedding going to be a fancy plated dinner? Maybe you want to have a true Texas Barbecue in contrast. Or are you going with traditional barbecue at the wedding? Maybe consider Italian, Mediterranean, or Asian cuisine for the rehearsal dinner. Is the budget tight and you’re looking for an affordable option? Some of the most cost-effective catering options are fajita bars, pasta bars, pizza, and spaghetti.

Consider a theme and match the cuisine to it:
Having a fiesta? Tacos would be perfect.
Hawaiian luau? Make it a tropical treat!
Nautical theme? Seafood is the natural catch.
Mardi Gras? Cajun would be perfect, I GAR-ON-TEE!
Love to Travel? Around the world samplings of ethnic cuisines
Breakfast at Tiffany’s? Who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner? Omelet stations, French toast, waffles……
Bridgerton? Let’s have afternoon tea, or a feast fit for a king!
Lord of the Rings? “Meat’s back on the menu, boys!” (Sorry, couldn’t resist!)

Will your venue allow family to bring in their own food? At Rose Haven, one of our couples’ theme for their rehearsal dinner is ‘Family Recipes’. They are asking each guest to bring a homemade dish of their favorite recipe and to gift a written recipe of that dish to the couple, who will compile a cookbook of family recipes for them to cherish forever. I LOVE that idea!

Many restaurant locations have mandatory food and beverage minimums, and lock you in to one type of cuisine. That’s great if it’s your favorite restaurant anyway! But if your favorite restaurant doesn’t have an ideal space, another alternative is to have them cater the meal at another venue that has an open vendor policy for catering, like Rose Haven does. This can be more affordable than dining at the actual restaurant as well. Look for a private venue that will allow you to cater in any cuisine you would like. Don’t forget to consider any dietary restrictions or preferences when selecting the menu for the evening!

A big consideration is the beverage package. Bar tabs can add up quickly, and minimums are commonplace at most venues. Many couples are looking for venues where they can BYOB to help control costs, and that can be very difficult to find. Also, please be considerate of your guests that avoid alcohol (as well as any underage guests). Offer ‘mocktails’ or other popular non-alcoholic selections so that they have plenty of choices as well. Water and iced tea are a must! Rose Haven allows BYOB and also has an in house bartending partner, Peak Beverage, who provides outstanding service at very reasonable pricing, and awesome mocktails too.

Next, plan the details of the rehearsal dinner.

When it comes to decorations and ambiance, how do you want it to feel and look? You can use floral arrangements, candles, string lights, or personalized signage to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Balloon sculptures are wildly popular and create big impact at cost-effective pricing. Consider incorporating elements from your wedding theme into the decor to tie everything together seamlessly and save money by repurposing decor.

Entertainment is also an important aspect of planning your perfect rehearsal dinner. This is the time to have some fun, as the rehearsal dinner is meant to be relaxed and enjoyable for everyone involved. You can hire live musicians or DJs for energy and engagement, or curate your own playlist for the perfect background music.

There will likely be lots of toasts and speeches, so be sure you have an adequate sound system and microphone so everyone hears and enjoys every word. Consider the acoustics of your venue and the ambient noise you may have to overcome if in a public venue. Rose Haven was formerly a historical Texas dancehall that featured many types of bands and performers, so we have an acoustical ceiling that enhances both speeches and the music!

Cornhole on the Antique Rose Veranda following a delicious rehearsal dinner. The Best Man custom made the cornhole boards for the couple as a gift, with his own hands! How thoughtful and impressive!

Ideas for an Epic Rehearsal Dinner

Definitely plan some fun activities like games or photo booths to keep guests engaged throughout the evening. Think outside the box, like maybe having a karaoke night after dinner, arcade games, a cornhole tournament, bouncy house for the kids (and big kids), lawn games, trivia and more! Make sure your venue has enough space and privacy to accommodate your ideas. Choosing a venue with both climate-controlled and outside spaces makes it much easier to plan epic activities.

A slideshow of the couple and their friends and family is always a big hit, and can be playing on a continuous loop during dinner. This brings many smiles, laughter, and memories. And it’s a great way to honor those who are no longer with you. Check to see if the venue has available TVs or screens you can access.

Another idea is to have a fun, themed, Food-Network-worthy cake at the rehearsal dinner instead of the wedding. You’re paying for some kind of dessert anyway, so that budget could be reallocated to an ‘impact’ cake that also doubles as a décor centerpiece, plus it frees up some of the wedding day budget. ALL of your guests watch and enjoy the cake TV shows, so it’s often the biggest hit of an event that guests talk about for years to come!

One of our recent rehearsal dinners used a wild, lit-up limousine service from Limos On Demand for the bride, groom, and wedding party to go out after the dinner for more time on the town! It was so crazy cool and different!

RELAX and have fun!

Rehearsal dinners are a great opportunity to have a blast and work out some of those pre-wedding jitters. Planning the perfect rehearsal dinner doesn’t have to add more stress to your wedding planning. If you have a wedding planner, they will help you plan the rehearsal dinner as well. Look to your venue for help in planning. Lean on their preferred vendor lists and trust their expertise. Your vendors want you to be ecstatically happy with their services, and to help you create memories to last a lifetime!

Here is a list of locally owned wedding venues around the country! We are dedicated to supporting small owned wedding venues, so in every blog we write we will celebrate at least 5 locally owned wedding venues.
About Me & Contact info

I created amazing cakes in Austin, Dripping Springs and the Texas Hill Country for over 10 years. But I recently retired from cakes and am now passionately working on my new venture–the most unique and charming event venue in Central Texas, Rose Haven Event Venue!

For Rose Haven Event Venue Information, please contact us HERE.
July 17, 2024
Unboxing Kitty Teapots!

UNBOXING!!! What do we have here? Join me in discovering the treasures I found in an online garage sale.

I scored a box of cat-themed teapots, and knew they would be perfect for our Tea With Kittens fundraiser coming up later this year. So I bought them, and then had fun unpacking the box to see what we got!

If you’ve known me for more than 5 seconds, you know I’m obsessed with cats. I LOVE cats, everything about cats. And cat rescue is the cause most near and dear to my heart. I try to support as many wonderful, deserving rescues as I can.

Last year, my dear friend Kyla, who is a neo-natal kitten foster, approached me with the idea of doing a fundraiser in a Tea With Kittens theme. The neo-natal kittens are tiny, many only hours or a few days old, and are some of the most vulnerable and fragile cases in rescue. They have very special medical needs. We wanted to raise money to purchase desperately-needed medical supplies to help save these precious, tiny little lives. Kyla works MIRACLES in saving the kittens in her care. Sadly, there is much heartbreak, as some just can’t be saved despite heroic efforts. But she’s an angel, enabling many kittens that would have died within hours to grow up to live happy, healthy lives blessing their furever families with their love.

Our inaugural Tea With Kittens fundraiser last year, on September 10, was a huge success! Yes! You actually got to pet kittens while enjoying High Tea! We not only raised over $2200 in funds, but also had many generous people donate medical supplies and other needs through our Amazon Wish List. Guests adopted cats on the spot and new people signed up to foster cats!

We learned a few things about logistics the hard way, as we had issues with too many people showing up for certain time slots for the teas, and got crushed for a while there. We were thrilled at the amazing turnout! But we definitely need to spread things out a bit more, so we’ll have a better schedule this year. We are working on bringing a VERY special guest to our fundraiser this year, so the date is currently not set. We are hoping for the late summer, early fall timeframe. If we are successful, then we’ll have a BIG announcement. Stay tuned!

A sweet scene from last year’s Tea With Kittens fundraiser at Rose Haven Event Venue.

Yes, I had just gotten home from the gym, so pardon the workout clothes. I did this at home so my husband could film it. And sweet Blossom, our big chonk of a cat, got in on the action.

About Rose Haven:

Rose Haven Event Venue is the most unique little wedding and event venue in Texas, nestled at the gateway to the Hill Country between Austin and Dripping Springs. Our historical building began its life in the 1860’s as the area’s first post office and general store, and it’s been added onto over the years to create a beautiful, unique, sprawling venue with a versatile floor plan. We are not only a wedding venue, specializing in microweddings and elopements, but also a versatile event venue perfect for everything from small showers and birthday parties, up to corporate events, fundraisers, and more. We have multiple event spaces, and a gorgeous outdoor event space–the Antique Rose Veranda–surrounded by antique rose gardens, and featuring a Pavilion with a stage wired for live music or DJs, lovely lawn areas, and our Rose Haven Cottage where our clients can relax and get ready before their wedding. For pricing and rental information, visit https://rosehavenvenue.com/services/

We love supporting locally owned wedding venues across the country. For fun and inspiration, check these out!
https://www.cornerstoneranchevents.com/

https://www.shfweddings.com

https://www.grandholland.com/

chttps://www.redgatefarms.com/

chttps://www.chezfelicite.com/

July 2, 2024
Enchanting Wonderland: A Dark Alice in Wonderland Styled Shoot Perfect for Austin’s Most Memorable Events

In the heart of Austin, where creativity knows no bounds and events are celebrated with flair, a whimsically dark Alice in Wonderland styled shoot unfolded, bringing together some of the city’s top talents in event design and decor. Whether you’re planning a birthday celebration, a rehearsal dinner, a wedding shower, a baby shower, or even a corporate event, this enchanting journey through Wonderland, featuring decor by Austin Enchantment, design by RosePop Parties, a mesmerizing venue at Rose Haven Bakery and Event Venue, and a wicked Cheshire Cat cake by Cakes ROCK, will spark your imagination and inspire your next memorable gathering.

The Wonderland Venue: Rose Haven Bakery and Event Venue

Situated at the Gateway to the Hill Country, just minutes from Austin, Rose Haven Bakery and Event Venue is a hidden gem, offering a picturesque backdrop for all your special occasions. From birthdays and wedding showers to corporate events, this charming historical venue boasts lush gardens, versatile event spaces, and timeless elegance. It’s the perfect canvas for transforming any event into a Wonderland adventure.

Designing Wonderland: RosePop Parties

For those seeking to create an unforgettable experience, RosePop Parties has masterfully blended Victorian opulence with Wonderland’s whimsy. Their design concept is versatile enough to suit a variety of events, from sophisticated weddings to playful baby showers. Think rich velvets in deep reds and blacks, paired with ornate gold accents. Tables adorned with vintage teacups, candles and moody florals set the stage for an event filled with enchantment and intrigue.

Enchanting Decor: Austin Enchantment

Austin Enchantment, renowned for their ability to turn ordinary spaces into magical realms, provided the enchanting decor that transported guests into Wonderland. Imagine twinkling fairy lights casting a starry glow overhead, oversized flowers dotting the gardens, a giant throne suitable for the Queen of Hearts. With Austin Enchantment, your event can become a mesmerizing wonderland, no matter the occasion.

A Grinning Spectacle: Cakes ROCK!!!’s Cheshire Cat Creation

For a birthday, wedding shower, or any special celebration, Cakes ROCK!!!’s Cheshire Cat cake adds a touch of wicked whimsy. This delectable work of art is sure to become the centerpiece of your event, with its mischievous grin and photo excerpts straight from the book, capturing the essence of Wonderland’s most enigmatic character. Notice the ‘blood’ dripping off of the white roses, all completely created in sugar. Each slice is as enchanting as the world it represents, making it a delightful addition to any occasion.

Capturing the Magic: Photography for All Occasions

Photography is a crucial element for documenting your event, whether it’s a baby shower, a corporate gathering, or a rehearsal dinner. Our talented photographer, Heather Wise Photography, skillfully captured every moment of this enchanting journey, creating images that are reminiscent of a storybook come to life. From dreamy portraits to close-ups of the intricate decor, these photos serve as timeless memories for all your special occasions.

In the end, this “Dark Alice in Wonderland” styled shoot transcends any single event type. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a rehearsal dinner, a wedding shower, a baby shower, or a corporate event, the enchantment and elegance of this Wonderland theme will spark your creativity and ignite your imagination. Austin’s dynamic event scene is the perfect backdrop for bringing your unique vision to life, and with the help of these talented vendors, your special event will become an unforgettable journey down the rabbit hole. As Alice herself once said, “Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” Embrace the impossible and create your own Wonderland in Austin.

Behind the Scenes: Decorating for the Shoot

Details

The Tea Rose Room at Rose Haven Venue

The Antique Rose Veranda and Pavilion

So many visitors have commented that our striking diamond pattern on our Antique Rose Veranda is “SOOOO Alice in Wonderland!” We didn’t plan it that way, as we designed it inspired by a gorgeous historical garden, but we can certainly see why they see it that way! So how perfect for this theme?

September 8, 2023