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Tag: budget

Chapel Dulcinea – A Free Wedding Chapel in Austin?
For couples dreaming of a picturesque wedding ceremony in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Chapel Dulcinea is a magical, budget-friendly option that offers stunning views and a romantic atmosphere. Perched precariously on the edge of a cliff, almost as if it’s floating in air, this charming open-air chapel provides breathtaking panoramic vistas of the Texas Hill Country, creating a serene and intimate setting for exchanging vows.

Rose Haven is proud to be a venue partner for Chapel Dulcinea weddings, and we are the perfect reception venue to celebrate after a romantic wedding ceremony at the Chapel.

The stunning Chapel Dulcinea captured by Matthew Chambers Photography

Amazing views of the Texas Hill Country. Photo by Matthew Chambers Photography

One of the most appealing aspects of Chapel Dulcinea is that it ‘can’ be free to use, on certain days and time slots, for couples who want to get married there. While there is a small refundable deposit required to reserve your time slot, the chapel itself doesn’t charge a rental fee for these times, making it a perfect choice for couples looking to have a beautiful wedding without breaking the bank. Paid wedding slots at the more in-demand days and times are only $500.00 – still a budget-friendly bargain!

Time slots are very tight at one and a half hours each, and they are strictly enforced. The campus does include beautiful getting-ready suites for the wedding parties, which also are a wonderful setting for photographs.

Matthew Chambers Photography

Mercedes Morgan Photography

Peary Photography

Why is Such an Amazing Chapel Free (or incredibly inexpensive)?

From the Wizard Academy website:

“Wizard Academy is a business school, but the first thing we built was a wedding chapel.

Whimsy was a big part of it, because life isn’t worth living without a golden vein of whimsy threaded through it. But it was also born from the desire to give from first fruits and provide something magical for those who couldn’t otherwise afford it. Roy and Pennie have two firm beliefs that drove the creation of the chapel. The first is the importance of commitment and all that marriage symbolizes. The second is that you shouldn’t have to be rich to have your wedding in a gorgeous location.”

What is the Wizard Academy, you may ask? No, you won’t see Harry, Hagrid or Dumbledore here. The Wizard Academy is a non-profit business school based on the owner’s book “The Wizard of Ads”. It does have a bit of a Hogwarts feel as the beautiful self-contained campus includes not only the classrooms but places to stay, as students immerse themselves in the very unique culture and instruction of the Wizard Academy. Chapel Dulcinea sits on the very top edge of the campus.

Peary Photography

Chapel Dulcinea’s Unique Appeal

The architecture of Chapel Dulcinea is very Tuscan in feel, elegant, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings of the Hill Country. An open-air design allows couples to say their vows beneath the vast Texas sky, with unobstructed views of the surrounding Hill Country. The chapel’s iconic bell tower, stone archways, and terracotta tiles add to the romantic ambiance, creating the perfect backdrop for your wedding ceremony. An integral part of the chapel’s charm., the gas lamps are legendary.

The softly flickering gas lamps give a romantic ambiance to evening ceremonies.
Beautiful photograph by Peary Photography.

One thing to keep in mind is the chapel is very small. The benches in the main area seat up to 12 comfortably. The wings of the chapel bring the seating up to about 30-40. A few more can watch from the plaza, bringing the total amount of possible guests up to 60. Chapel Dulcinea has chairs you can rent for the additional seating, and they set them up and break them down for you. It’s wonderful if you want an intimate ceremony and then hold a larger reception afterwards, or if you are eloping or having a microwedding.

Peary Photography

Lydia Teague Photography

The setting is beautiful from ALL angles! Trivino Entertainment Photo.

Every couple is asked to ring the Chapel Bell after their ceremony, to signify that another wedding has occurred at the beautiful chapel.

Photo by Lydia Teague of Lydia Teague Photography

Weather and Other Considerations

Chapel Dulcinea is an open air chapel, and it’s a short 200-yard hike up a hill from the parking area and visitor’s center. Weather is a HUGE consideration, as with ANY outdoor venue in Texas. Clients must accept the risk of less-than-desirable weather for their time slot. They can reschedule, but there are no refunds of fees. Usually the heat is the main concern, but there can also be rain, storms, ice, etc. Despite what Alannis Morrisette says, a little rain on your wedding day can be beautiful! Isn’t it ironic?

Peary Photography

Peary Photography

Peary Photography

If your time slot is late afternoon to evening, some clouds are a good thing, contributing to the amazing Texas sunsets that the Hill Country is famous for. Sunsets and evenings at the Chapel are absolutely breathtaking!

Mercedes Morgan Photography

Mercedes Morgan Photography

Peary Photography

Peary Photography

Peary Photography

Another consideration is guests who may have difficulty with the walk up to the Chapel. Chapel Dulcinea does offer a complimentary wheelchair, but any type of vehicle or golf cart on the path to the Chapel is strictly prohibited. Horse-drawn carriages are also not allowed, with the obvious risk of being on the edge of a cliff!

A wheelchair is available to help guests who have
difficulty reaching the Chapel. Photo by Trivino Entertainment.

The Perfect Austin Wedding Reception Venue After a Chapel Dulcinea Ceremony: Rose Haven Event Venue

Our Chapel Dulcinea couples love to continue their
wedding reception celebrations at Rose Haven, a
perfect Austin wedding reception venue partner.

After experiencing the charm of Chapel Dulcinea’s breathtaking ceremony Chapel, couples often seek the perfect Austin wedding reception venue to continue the celebration. That’s where Rose Haven Event Venue comes in. Less than a ten-minute drive from Chapel Dulcinea, Rose Haven offers versatile and elegant reception spaces that complements the beauty and intimacy of your wedding ceremony. Rose Haven continues the Texas Hill Country vibe, but with a more lush and manicured rose garden and striking diamond-patterned patio. Just one step away is your choice of one of our beautiful climate-controlled, indoor spaces, in case the weather did get a bit dicey, or it’s just……………………..hot. As usual.

Located between South Austin and Dripping Springs, at the Gateway to the Texas Hill Country, Rose Haven is ideal for hosting receptions of all sizes. Whether you’re planning a small gathering or a larger celebration, the venue’s indoor and outdoor spaces offer endless possibilities for creating the reception of your dreams. Our stunning Heritage Rose Hall can accommodate up to 150 guests, while the Antique Rose Veranda provides an enchanting outdoor space surrounded by lush green gardens, filled with antique roses.

At Rose Haven, you’ll also enjoy a range of amenities that will make your reception stress-free and seamless, including a built-in 40-foot bar, ample parking, and the ability to bring in your preferred caterers and vendors. The venue’s flexibility, combined with its timeless charm, makes it an excellent choice for couples who want a beautiful and customizable space for their wedding reception.

Why Choose Rose Haven for Your Reception After Your Chapel Dulcinea Ceremony?
1. Just down the road: Located just a short 10-minute drive from Chapel Dulcinea, Rose Haven allows you to transition smoothly from your ceremony to your reception without logistical headaches. Located on a main road, with no twisty narrow two lane roads to navigate. The Hill Country roads can be treacherous after dark.
2. Versatile Spaces: Our variety of event spaces gives you the freedom to design your reception to match your personal style, whether it’s an intimate gathering or a large celebration. The Tea Rose Room seats up to 30 inside, and Heritage Rose Hall seats up to 150. But you can also combine them with the Antique Rose Veranda and the Rose Reception Room for creative ways to use our entire space for any size of wedding reception.
3. Breathtaking Outdoor Areas: Continue the romance of Chapel Dulcinea’s outdoor ceremony with Rose Haven’s Antique Rose Veranda, perfect for cocktail hours, mingling, or even an al fresco dinner. Surrounded by lovingly tended gardens, all hand-planted by the owner, filled with antique roses that each have their own history. The Pavilion is just steps away from the Veranda, has a small stage, and is wired for bands or DJs.
4. Bring on the Fur Babies: We LOVE animals! Many couples now want to include their dogs in their celebration. Our grounds are fully fenced and safe for your best friends. Thinking of having a Beer Burro, or a Churro Burro? Heck yes! How about Alpacas in costume from Texas Party Animals? Absolutely! Want to really think outside the box and have armadillo races or chicken bingo? I know a guy. A petting zoo from Tiny Tails To You? Yes, please!
5. Customizable Options: At Rose Haven, you have the flexibility to DIY, bring in your own vendors, or choose from the preferred vendors on our carefully curated list of the best vendors we have worked with for over a decade in the Austin area. This freedom allowing you to create a reception that reflects your vision, style and budget.
6. Historic Texas Charm: Once a Texas dancehall, Rose Haven’s Heritage Rose Hall combines its 150-year history with modern Texas farmhouse elegance, creating a unique and memorable setting for your wedding reception. A hidden advantage of being a former bar and music venue is our acoustical ceiling. You can have the music thumping and the party jumping, and you won’t have to scream at each other to be heard. And the tunes sound SO good!
7. High Tea Receptions: Imagine a gorgeous High Tea served on real antique china for your intimate wedding reception! The Tea Room at Rose Haven hosts high teas or more casual tea parties in house, with catering in house also. The popularity of teas has skyrocketed with the phenomenon of Bridgerton. Named one of Austin’s Top Tea Rooms by Culture Map ATX, having a delectable High Tea wedding reception is a feature offered by no other wedding reception venue in Austin. See our options and menus HERE.
8. Half Day Rental Options: Rose Haven offers very affordable half day rentals at a fraction of the price of traditional large wedding venues, which work perfectly when getting ready and holding your ceremony at Chapel Dulcinea before the reception. Many of our Chapel Dulcinea couples also choose a weekday wedding reception, saving even more. We love the weekday weddings!
9. A Great Value: Just being the least expensive venue choice doesn’t mean it’s a great VALUE. Rose Haven adds so much value to your budget by including beautiful white farmhouse tables and white Chiavari crossback chairs, and we set up and break down for you, all included. You get to choose from our extensive collection of unique cake stands to display your beautiful wedding cake and desserts. Our venue is fully climate-controlled or can be opened to the gardens for a seamless indoor-outdoor reception. One of our recent brides’ mother said in a 5 star review: “It was such a great value compared to other venues anywhere close that I researched in the Austin area.”
Beer Burros are always a hit! By Canyonwood Minis

A tempting tower of tea treats!

High Tea at Rose Haven

Create Your Perfect Wedding Day

If you’re planning a wedding at Chapel Dulcinea and looking for the perfect Austin wedding reception venue, Rose Haven Event Venue offers the beauty, flexibility, and elegance needed to bring your vision to life. Whether you’re envisioning a grand reception or a cozy gathering, Rose Haven provides the ideal backdrop for your love story to unfold.

Contact us today to learn how we can help make your wedding day unforgettable!

Rose Haven is a locally owned and operated business. We sincerely hope to encourage couples to learn more about the value and importance of choosing a locally owned business when it’s time to book your wedding venue & vendors. With locally owned venues you will often see a higher level of hospitality, better communication and a greater desire to truly ensure your wedding exceeds expectations. We are thrilled to support wedding venue owners from around the country with a weekly shout out in our blog. you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.
About Me:

My name is Christy Seguin. I created amazing cakes in Austin, Dripping Springs and the Texas Hill Country for over 10 years as the owner of Cakes ROCK!!!. 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!
October 2, 2024
Engaged in Austin? Your First Steps to Planning a Magical Wedding
What do Austin, Dripping Springs and Texas Hill Country Newly-Engaged Couples Need to Know To Do Next?

You just got engaged! This is an exciting time filled with love, joy, and anticipation for the future. But once the initial euphoria settles, you might find yourself wondering, “What next?” Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming and scary, but taking it step by step will help ensure you enjoy every moment of this beautiful journey.

Here’s How to Crush Wedding Planning in the First 30 Days After Getting Engaged in Austin!

1. Share the News

Before you rush into wedding planning, take a moment to savor the engagement. Share the exciting news with your closest family and friends first. Consider how you’d like to announce your engagement to the wider circle—through a social media post, mailing out cute announcements, sending digital announcements, or even throw a fun engagement party!

It’s a great idea to immediately schedule a professional engagement photo shoot, so you’ll have the perfect pics for your announcements, and later for your Save the Dates.

Get your professional engagement photos taken quickly!
Picture by Naomi Phelps Photography

2. Set a Date (or a Range)

One of the first questions people will ask is, “When’s the big day?” While you don’t need to have an exact date immediately, having a rough idea can help during the initial planning stages. Consider the season, the venue availability, and any special dates that are meaningful to you as a couple.

In Austin and Central Texas, considering the season is VITALLY important! Weather is a huge factor here. It’s HOT. Miserably hot during the summer and into fall. Storms can wreak havoc. Big events like South by Southwest, Austin City Limits, F1 Races, and big Texas home football games can dramatically affect your wedding logistics and planning. Our blog on Fall Weddings offers helpful hints on our–hands down–most popular wedding season.

3. Discuss Your Wedding Budget

The foundation of your wedding planning should be your budget, and must be established first. Sit down with your partner to have an honest and open discussion about how much you’re willing and able to spend. You also may need to have a conversation with your parents or other people who may be willing to help with wedding expenses. Your budget will guide all other decisions, from the venue to the guest list.

Most couples have no idea of how much to budget for all the elements necessary to host an event, because they have never hosted one! This is where a wedding planner is so incredibly helpful, as they can give you expert guidance on how to allocate your budget properly.

At the end of the day, a wedding is just an event, with extra elements specific to the wedding that don’t happen at regular parties and other events. There’s a feeling out there that vendors gouge couples just because it’s a wedding, but mostly that’s not true. ALL events are expensive, not going to lie! For example, catering a fajita bar, BBQ, or prime rib buffet will be the same price per person, regardless of what kind of event where it is served. Most other expenses are the same regardless of the event, and are simply based on the amount of guests and costs/work involved.

Some vendors do MUCH more for weddings than they do for other parties–like DJs for example. Their wedding responsibilities are FAR greater and more crucial to the timeline of a wedding than just playing bumping music at a party, so yes the extra work means extra expense. Weddings have some elements that don’t happen at most events, like the bridal and bridesmaid bouquets, the wedding dress and veil, special ceremony floral arches and aisle decor, etc. Those drive the overall cost up more than a similar-sized event, but it is not ‘gouging’.

Remember to account for unexpected expenses (which WILL happen!) by setting aside a small contingency fund.

4. Start a Guest List

Drafting a preliminary guest list will help you decide on the size of the venue and overall scale of the wedding. It doesn’t have to be final, but having a rough estimate is crucial in the early planning stages. Discuss who you’d like to invite and consider any family obligations. Think about who will need to travel in from out of town and how likely they are to attend.

In the Austin and especially the Dripping Springs/Hill Country “Wedding Capital of Texas” area, we have a huge percentage of destination weddings, and our couples are often surprised at how many of their guests will travel for the wedding. But Austin and the Texas Hill Country are a huge tourist draw anyway, so many guests will jump at the chance to come and stay a few extra days to enjoy our gorgeous countryside, fun activities, and amazing amenities!

Does your budget allow for a big bash of a few hundred guests? Or will you need to keep the guest list very small? The absolute best way to save on the budget for a wedding is to limit the guest list, but that can create emotional issues and very tough decisions. Decide whether you will allow children or not, as they do count as a guest for budget purposes.

5. Research Venues

Your venue will set the tone for your wedding day, so start researching locations as early as possible. Do you envision a chic Downtown Austin hotel, a Texas Hill Country retreat, a historical setting, a rustic barn, a Lake Austin view, or a glamorous ballroom?

How many guests will you need to accommodate? You don’t want your venue to be either too cramped or too big so everything looks lost in a giant room.

Does your venue have a rain and weather plan? You may be dreaming of an outdoor ceremony, but that can be very tricky in the Austin area. The heat is no secret, and always the first consideration. We can have terrible storms pop up with no warning. Thunderstorms with huge hail and tornados have been a problem in Central Texas over the past few years. Carefully consider a weather plan.

What does your budget allow? Be sure to thoroughly research what is included with each venue rental, so you’re comparing apples to apples. The venue rental may be just the start, and some have a lot of hidden fees that may cause budget issues later. Some require big food and beverage minimums and that you use only their vendors. Some include tables, chairs, and other rentals, and some do not.

Even with a limited budget, you can still curate a luxury wedding experience. For example, Chapel Dulcinea, a stunning Tuscan-style wedding chapel on a hill with breathtaking views, can actually be FREE if certain parameters are met. Rose Haven is a preferred reception venue partner of Chapel Dulcinea. It’s a perfect combination! Many of our couples hold an intimate ceremony at the chapel, and then a larger reception here at Rose Haven, less than ten minutes away. Or you can enjoy your ceremony in our beautiful rose gardens, then come inside to our comfortable climate-controlled venue and eat, drink, and dance the night away!

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, schedule visits to see them in person. There is no substitute for experiencing the venue yourself. Each one has a different vibe, and you will find the one that resonates with your heart.

Your venue often will have a thoroughly vetted and experienced preferred vendor list to share with you once you’ve booked, and those resources are invaluable to the rest of your planning.

6. Hiring a Wedding Planner

Hiring a wedding planner can save you time and stress, and very often—money. Planners bring expertise, vendor connections, and can ensure everything runs smoothly by knowing how to craft perfect timelines and coordinate vendors. They have seen hundreds of weddings and crazy scenarios that can pop up, and know how to avoid issues before they even arise. They will also think of MANY things that you would never even have thought to consider, because they are well-schooled in the logistics of events as well as the aesthetics.

The prices of wedding planners are often a sticker shock at first, but the value and peace of mind they provide is priceless. And by expertly guiding you on your budget allocation, they may even save you enough money to offset the cost. Even if you choose not to hire one for the full planning process, a month-of coordinator is crucial. The venue coordinator is NOT your day-of coordinator. They are there to ensure everything works well from the venue side, but your timeline, vendors, guests, etc are not their responsibility. It’s important that you have your own planner who knows YOUR wedding inside and out.

Interview several planners, check their references and reviews carefully, talk to former clients if possible, and most importantly see how well you relate to them. They should be like a really knowledgeable best friend with your best wedding day experience at heart.

7. Create a Vision Board

To make your dream wedding a reality, you need to visualize it first. Create a vision board with wedding themes, color palettes, and decor ideas that resonate with your personal style. Platforms like Pinterest can be a treasure trove of inspiration.

8. Book a Photographer

Photographers can book up fast, especially ones in high demand, so it’s wise to start your search early. Look for photographers whose style matches your vision and check their availability for your chosen dates.

Definitely review their portfolios, social media accounts, website galleries, and read reviews. And again, a great photographer will become a good friend during your wedding planning and on your wedding day.

A great photographer can make magic happen! Just LOVE this
incredible ring capture by Studio Galvan Photography

9. Choose Your Wedding Party

Decide on who you want to be in your wedding party. These are the friends and family members you want by your side throughout the planning process and on the big day. Once chosen, you can start discussing responsibilities and involving them in planning.

10. Explore Wedding Insurance

While not the most glamorous part of planning, wedding insurance can provide peace of mind. Look into coverage options that protect against unforeseen circumstances like venue/vendor cancellations, weather issues or travel disruptions. Many venues have started to require it, as it’s so affordable and covers wedding-specific issues that nothing else will cover–like your florals being damaged, or catering not arriving. You should purchase your insurance as soon as you have booked your venue. Rose Haven does require wedding insurance, and we have a specific proprietary link on our website to easily obtain it.

A couple tied the knot at a wedding venue in Missouri that had been
struck by a tornado two days before. (Mindee Malloy Photography)

Enjoy the Process

Planning a wedding is a memorable experience, not just a checklist of tasks. Enjoy this unique time, lean on your loved ones for support, and remember that the ultimate goal is to celebrate your love with those who matter most.

For more wedding planning tips and advice, stay tuned to our blog. We want you to have a beautiful engagement and a wonderful wedding day!

Locally Owned Wedding Venues in Austin, Dripping Springs, the Texas Hill Country….and around the USA!

Before you choose a wedding venue, please consider a locally owned wedding venue! If you love Austin, Dripping Springs, San Antonio and The Texas Hill Country as much as we do, you will consider a locally owned wedding venue because these are small business owners who treasure our community. These small business owners live here (often AT their venue!), invest in our community, and care about their employees and their wedding couples. The experience you get when you choose a locally owned wedding venue is drastically different than the experience you get at a corporate owned or investor group wedding leasing company.

We pledge to support our fellow fabulous locally-owned wedding venues around the country!
About Me:

My name is Christy Seguin. I created amazing cakes in Austin, Dripping Springs and the Texas Hill Country for over 10 years as the owner of Cakes ROCK!!!. 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.
August 26, 2024
How to Plan a Fall Wedding in Austin and the Texas Hill Country
Are you dreaming of a Fall wedding? Fall is the most popular time to get married in the Austin and Texas Hill Country area. October seems to be by far the busiest wedding month. But the season seems to stretch from mid-September til mid-December, before the Christmas craziness kicks into high gear.

The rich autumn colors and natural beauty make it a perfect season for a wedding. The skies are so blue and the sunsets tend to be epic. Central Texas doesn’t usually have as much vibrant Fall color as other areas, as the predominant trees are more evergreen, but many native plants bloom their most beautiful in the Fall, and there is more variation in tree color than in the summer. Many people automatically associate Fall with cooler temperatures, but in Central Texas, that is rarely the case. When a couple says to me, “It will be cooler in the Fall.” I generally joke back at them, “Yes…….in New England! Not here!” Here is more like Summer with Pumpkin Spice.

Lovely Fall Color on the Antique Rose Veranda at Rose Haven

I saw a great meme on Facebook recently where someone had posted in a group saying they were traveling to Texas in August and asked what they should expect the temperature to be like. Someone answered by asking them, “Have you ever been cremated?”

In all seriousness, you do still need to be very cognizant of the heat in the Fall, although it definitely is not nearly as bad as July and August, and there is a bigger chance of rain. There is little relief from the heat in September, but it does tend to mitigate more and more as it gets later in the year. It truly is hit or miss. Some Christmases we are in shorts and sweating while drinking a margarita on the Riverwalk, and sometimes we are in sweaters enjoying the cold. You need to be prepared for everything!

Weather is Still a Huge Consideration for a Fall Wedding

You may get very lucky with comfortably warm, beautiful weather! And it will definitely be cooler at night as Fall progresses. But preparing for the heat is still just as important, as is having a rain plan. Here are some tips to ensure your guests are comfortable:
1. Timing: Consider scheduling your ceremony and reception for the late afternoon or early evening when temperatures are more likely to be pleasant. This is also the most popular time for capturing those epic Golden Hour and sunset photographs.
2. Venue Selection: Choose venues with indoor and outdoor options. This allows flexibility in case of unexpected weather changes. If at all possible, choose a venue that has at least a climate-controlled reception area. Preferably one that could also be a backup ceremony location.
3. Beating the Heat: Provide fans, parasols, or misting stations to keep guests cool. Renting tents or canopies can also provide much-needed shade.
4. Stopping the Shivers: If there is a rare Fall cold snap, provide comfy blankets, throws, or shawls for guests to wrap in during the ceremony. Rent outdoor heaters, such as propane or electric patio heaters. Offer disposable hand warmers that guests can tuck into their pockets or gloves.
5. Rain Plan: Work with your planner and venue to develop a rain plan that can be executed quickly if necessary.
Planning Around Football Season

In Texas, football is not a matter of life and death. It’s far more important than that!

Here’s how to plan around the busy football season:
1. Check the Schedule: Consult the college football schedules (especially the Texas Longhorns, since their games affect Austin the most) and avoid scheduling your wedding on major game days. This will ensure better attendance and avoid traffic issues with home games.
2. Accommodations: Book accommodations very early. Hotels fill up quickly during football weekends, so securing room blocks for your guests well in advance is crucial. Hotels in the Dripping Springs and Hill Country area are sparse, so it’s even more important. Consider Air B&Bs and venues that have onsite lodging to avoid lodging issues.
3. Additional Conflicts: There are other major events in the Austin area in the Fall. For example, this coming Fall one of the biggest football games in the NATION is October 19th, when the Texas Longhorns host the Georgia Bulldogs. But guess what? That’s not the only huge event! The F1 race is the same weekend! It’s pure insanity. Hotel rooms and other lodging have been booked up for months already. Also, take a hard look at the Austin City Limits schedule.
4. Game Day Alternatives: If you can’t avoid a game day, consider incorporating a viewing area at your reception for football-loving guests. Ask if your venue has televisions in the reception area and getting ready suites.
Regardless of where your loyalties lie, check the Longhorns schedule to avoid lodging and traffic problems in Austin and the Hill Country, because the 100,000+ crowds definitely affect everything. Check YOUR team’s schedule to be sure you don’t directly conflict with the game of the year, no matter where it is!

Holidays and Events

Fall is also packed with holidays and local events that can impact your wedding planning:
1. Holiday Conflicts: Avoid dates around major holidays like Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, and New Year’s to ensure more guests can attend. It may also be very difficult to book vendors during major holidays, and some have higher rates.
2. Local Festivals: Austin and the Hill Country host numerous Fall festivals and events. Fredericksburg Oktoberfest, WurstFest, Pumpkin Patches, Wine Festivals and the aforementioned Austin City Limits are examples. Check local event calendars to avoid date conflicts and potential logistical challenges.
Advantages of a Fall Wedding in Austin and the Texas Hill Country

Despite the potential challenges, Autumn offers numerous benefits for a wedding:
1. Scenic Beauty: The Texas Hill Country is breathtaking in the fall, with intensely blue skies and some color in the hills, providing a stunning backdrop for your wedding photos.
2. Pleasant Weather: Cooler temperatures in the evenings allow for more comfortable outdoor ceremonies and receptions, making it an ideal time for alfresco dining and dancing.
3. Sunsets: With the shorter days and the time change, sunset ceremonies are easier to schedule. And the sunsets tend to be very intense. Cooler receptions after sundown under the stars are magical.
4. Seasonal Décor: Fall offers a rich palette of colors and seasonal decorations. Think pumpkins, autumn leaves, rustic elements, and cozy accents that add warmth and charm to your Fall wedding.
Decor and Fall Color Palettes

Decorating for a Fall wedding offers endless opportunities to embrace the season’s natural beauty and warmth. Here are some ideas to inspire your decor choices and color palettes:

Gloria Goode Photography

Color Palettes
1. Rich Autumn Hues: Embrace deep, rich colors such as burgundy, burnt orange, mustard yellow, and forest green. These colors evoke the essence of fall and create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
2. Elegant Neutrals: Combine warm neutrals like cream, taupe, and caramel with metallic accents in gold or copper for a sophisticated and timeless look.
3. Jewel Tones: Deep jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, and amethyst add luxury and opulence to your decor.
4. Rustic Charm: Incorporate earthy tones like terracotta, rust, and olive green to enhance the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country.
Fall Wedding Decor Elements
1. Seasonal Florals: Use seasonal flowers like dahlias, chrysanthemums, and sunflowers, complemented by autumn foliage. Incorporate these into bouquets, centerpieces, and floral arches.
2. Rustic Accents: Integrate natural elements like wooden signage, barrels, crates, and lanterns to create a rustic, cozy atmosphere. Consider using hay bales for seating or decor.
3. Pumpkins and Gourds: Decorate with pumpkins, gourds, and squash in various sizes and colors. These can be used as table centerpieces, aisle decor, or even carved with intricate designs. One of our weddings last year used white pumpkins touched with gold and silver leaf. Gorgeous, unique and elegant!
4. Twinkling Lights: Add a magical touch with string lights, fairy lights, and candles. These create a warm and romantic ambiance, especially for evening weddings.
5. Cozy Textures: Incorporate cozy textures like wool blankets, plaid table runners, and velvet cushions. These elements not only add warmth but also enhance the rich fall aesthetic.
6. Vintage Touches: Utilize vintage furniture and decor pieces such as antique mirrors, lace tablecloths, and brass candlesticks to add a touch of elegance and charm.
Absolutely GORGEOUS Fall decor at Pecan Springs Ranch in Austin, Texas. Photo by Jona Christina Photography.

Personal Touches
1. Seasonal Favors: Give guests seasonal favors such as mini jars of local honey, homemade jams, or small potted succulents. These can also double as adorable table decor.
2. Signature Fall Cocktails: Offer a selection of signature fall cocktails like spiced cider, mulled wine, or pumpkin spice drinks. Consult your bartending company for creating custom concoctions.
3. Comfort Food: Serve comfort foods that reflect the season, such as butternut squash soup, roasted vegetables, pumpkin pie and apple cobbler.
Halloween

This deserves its own category. If you’re like me, and LIVE for spooky season, go ahead and embrace the Halloween vibe. Whether it’s subtle decor or a full-fledged haunted house or costume party, having a ‘Hallowedding’ is a lot of fun. Chances are, your guests love Halloween also, and will get into it. Look for a venue that lends itself to a Halloween aesthetic and find vendors that love to create the vibe.

Halloween doesn’t necessarily mean all black and orange. Deep purples and burgundies are excellent.

When I was creating cakes, Hallowedding cakes were my specialty. I absolutely LOVED Hallowedding cakes and was sought out by many clients just for that style. I even competed on Food Network’s Halloween Wars…..a dream come true for me.

I ain’t ‘fraid of no ghost! Slimer is hitting the bottle and dug into the wedding cake! Yes, he is all cake except the real bottle!

(OK, so the above is a not-so-subtle plea to have your Hallowedding at Rose Haven. Please. Shameless Plug. I want Halloween weddings. Indulge me. I have so many ideas………….)

The Joys of A Fall Wedding

Planning a Fall wedding in Austin, Dripping Springs, and the surrounding Texas Hill Country can be so much fun if you avoid the issues. By planning for the unpredictable weather, working around football and holidays, and embracing the advantages of the season, you can create a personal and enchanting celebration. With careful planning, attention to detail, and thoughtful decor choices, your Fall wedding will be a stunning reflection of your love and the natural beauty of Central Texas.

When you are considering a venue for your corporate or personal event, please choose a locally owned venue! If you love Austin, Dripping Springs, and The Texas Hill Country as much as we do, support a locally owned venue. These are small business owners who treasure our community. They live here (often AT their venue!), invest in our community, and care about their employees and their clients. The experience you get when you choose a locally owned wedding or event venue is drastically different than the experience you get at a corporate owned or investor group wedding leasing company.

In every blog we write, we will include 5 locally owned wedding venues who support their colleagues and the wedding industry in essential ways. If you are searching for a venue, please consider a locally owned venue. You can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.
My name is Christy Seguin. 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.
August 7, 2024
Transforming Rose Haven to Alice in Wonderland
A Magical 50th Birthday party Immersed in Alice in Wonderland

The Photobooth Backdrop by Events by Poppy & Co in the Photobooth by Bat City Beats welcomes guests to fall down the Rabbit Hole into Wonderland.

An Adventure at Rose Haven: A Johnny Depp-Inspired Wonderland Bash

Our directive for this dramatic 50th birthday party was to transform Rose Haven into the ‘Johnny Depp’ version of Alice in Wonderland. Naturally we called upon several of our go-to favorite Austin events vendors and went down the Rabbit Hole into creating the curious ambiance of Wonderland. Everyone understood the assignment!

Events By Poppy & Co conjured the vision and design of the party, inspired predominantly by the Johnny Depp version of the Mad Hatter, and the enigmatic Cheshire Cat.

DJ A-Wall of Bat City Beats provided the awesome lighting that just MADE the atmosphere for the whole event, and the fun and interactive photo booth experience.

La Boujee Housewife created an incredible charcuterie clock on a 60-inch round table!

Salt Lick BBQ provided delicious brisket, sausage and ribs with all the fixins’, and The Tea Room at Rose Haven catered the tea party with delicious tea sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit salad, savory pinwheels and bite-sized dessert towers. The amazing custom cake with its gravity-defying playing cards was created by Dennis Van, and Well Yeah Cakes added adorable ‘Eat Me’ cake truffle bites and beautifully detailed sugar cookies.

Behind the scenes, decorating Heritage Rose Hall and transforming it into Wonderland.

Curious and Curiouser: Inside the Enchanted Alice in Wonderland Party

Shall we peer into the Looking Glass to the surreal Alice in Wonderland experience?

The front entrance beckoned guests to fall down the rabbit hole of the hallway beyond….

Dramatic lighting and oversize flowers created an immersive experience as guests walked down the hallway into Wonderland

As guests stepped through the glass doors, they found themselves tumbling into Wonderland. The centerpiece was the stunning print of the Cheshire Cat underneath the neon sign at center stage, and an incredible floral display dripped from the beautiful exposed rafters. The table decor was an endless array of delights: whimsical floral displays, glass and moss mushrooms, picture frames with Alice In Wonderland prints, tiered tea towers of treats, tiny keys, gold chargers, diamond-patterned runners, and china teapots. Melissa of Events by Poppy & Co is a tornado of creativity and energy! Her designs are always epic.

Special Effects

A 60-inch Charcuterie Clock by La Boujee Housewife offered a delicious welcome to the party.

Look at the amazing detail of the showstopping centerpiece cake by Dennis Van. Notice Alice’s legs at the top of the teapot! The stunning cake was surrounded by cookies created by Well Yeah Cakes, which also were placed at each guest’s table setting.

The beautiful, fun, interactive bubble tent was a big hit! This was absolutely perfect on Rose Haven’s Antique Rose Veranda. With its stunning diamond pattern, many people say that it has an Alice In Wonderland look every day! And of course the roses are the quintessential addition to the theme!

Dancing with the Drag Queens of Hearts

Adding to the night of fantasy and fun in Austin, drag queens Maxine LaQueene and Michelle delighted the guests with their fun dance routines. Maxine absolutely LOVED the Bubble Tent by Events by Poppy & Co, resulting in awesome videos and photos.

Whimsy and Wonder: A Wonderland Party Brought to Life by Austin Vendors

All of the elements came together through this amazing Austin vendor team to create the perfect Alice In Wonderland party! From the charming and unique venue, located conveniently between South Austin and Dripping Springs, to the immensely talented and experienced event vendors, the resulting party was truly epic!

Before you choose a venue for your corporate or personal event, please choose a locally owned venue! If you love Austin, Dripping Springs, and The Texas Hill Country as much as we do, support a locally owned venue. These are small business owners who treasure our community. They live here (often AT their venue!), invest in our community, and care about their employees and their clients. The experience you get when you choose a locally owned wedding or event venue is drastically different than the experience you get at a corporate owned or investor group wedding leasing company.

In every blog we write, we will include 5 locally owned wedding venues who support their colleagues and the wedding industry in essential ways. If you are searching for a venue, please consider a locally owned venue. You can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.
My name is Christy Seguin. 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.
August 5, 2024