How to Plan a Romantic Garden Wedding Near Austin, Texas
- hiddengemofgruene
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
A garden wedding at the Hidden Gem of Gruene is like stepping into a real-life fairytale, lush greenery, towering oak trees, and the soft sound of birdsong creating the perfect backdrop for saying “I do.” Romantic, elegant, and deeply personal, a garden wedding is ideal for couples who want their big day to feel intimate and enchanted. Crafting the perfect garden wedding involves careful planning, creativity, and a love for the outdoors. In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to plan a romantic, lush wedding, from picking the right time and guest count to curating whimsical decor, and everything in between.
Choose the Perfect Venue
The foundation of any garden wedding is, of course, the setting. The location will influence your guest list, design, and logistics. At the Hidden Gem of Gruene, we have both indoor and outdoor accommodations to prevent any issues when it comes to weather or other mishaps. Have your ceremony and dinner under the oaks, and then party all night inside! A venue that has a stunning outdoor space for your ceremony and reception, but also boasts a stunning indoor setup, is ideal. Make sure the venue you book includes suite spaces! At the Hidden Gem of Gruene, we have luxury, climate-controlled getting ready rooms for families and wedding parties.
Things to Consider
Season & climate are a huge part of a successful garden wedding. Spring and early summer are ideal for blooms, but make sure to check local weather patterns. To achieve an ideal outdoor wedding experience, opt for months where the Texas weather is more predictable. You also want to ensure there are clear paths for all guests, especially elderly attendees or those with mobility issues. Always have a rain plan. Whether it's a tent or an indoor alternative, weatherproofing is key. Visit the venue during the same month you’re planning your wedding. That way, you’ll know what it will look like and can plan your colors and floral arrangements accordingly.
Curate a Dreamy Garden Wedding Aesthetic
Garden weddings practically beg for soft, romantic details. Let nature be your inspiration, and build your aesthetic around the landscape. For a soft and romantic feel, go for blush, sage, ivory, or cream tones. For a more ethereal and whimsical feel, make sure to include some lavender, dusty blue, and cream. If you want more terracotta, peach, and olive green tones, maybe lean more towards an earthy chic vibe!
Be Specific with Your Decor
Floral Arches or Natural Ceremony Backdrops always complement the space, and make sure to use local blooms and greenery to frame your vows. At the Hidden Gem of Gruene, our garden has string lights and chandeliers, which would be perfect for a magical glow post sunset. Consider adding elements of vintage furniture, which can increase the charm! We recommend Accents and Events. Think light linens, overflowing floral centerpieces, and candlelight. Use natural textures like wood, linen, and glass to complement the surroundings.
Plan the Ceremony with the Garden in Mind
Your ceremony is the heart of your day, and in a garden setting, it’s already halfway to perfect. Choose a spot with natural framing like under an array of oak trees, in front of a tree, or alongside a flower bed. Think about sun placement for photos and guest comfort. Shade is a bonus! Wooden chairs, vintage benches, or even hay bales (for rustic themes) look beautiful in a garden. Arrange chairs to face a central aisle lined with petals or greenery.
Navigate Outdoor Logistics Like a Pro
While garden weddings are gorgeous, outdoor events come with their planning quirks. Tents are non-negotiable if there’s a chance of rain, unless you choose the Hidden Gem of Gruene with its spacious indoor space. Make sure it’s large enough for both the ceremony and reception. If the weather is warm, offer parasols, handheld fans, or even a hydration station with infused water for guests. Enjoy yourself under soft ambient lighting with string lights and chandeliers hung from the oak trees.
Select the Right Garden-Inspired Attire
Although it commonly gets overlooked, your guests' attire is a huge part of your decor! Your outfits should reflect the romantic, nature-inspired setting. For the Bride, consider light fabrics like chiffon, tulle, and lace are dreamy and breathable. Fun accessories include floral crowns, loose waves, or botanical hairpins to add a garden fairy-tale touch. For the Groom, linen or lightweight suits in neutral tones complement a garden aesthetic. Add a floral boutonniere or pocket square for subtle flair. Recent trends have shown bridesmaids in mismatched pastel dresses look elegant and effortless. Groomsmen can mirror the groom with relaxed, coordinated suits or suspenders.
Plan a Nature-Loving Menu
Outdoor weddings call for fresh, seasonal food and drinks that complement the surroundings. Some fun appetizer options could be mini caprese skewers, seasonal veggie platters, bruschetta, and cucumber sandwiches. For a more elegant main dish, go with grilled chicken with herbs, salmon, or vegetarian pasta with garden veggies. For dessert, recent trends have been naked cakes with fresh fruit, floral cupcakes, or a dessert table featuring lemon bars, macarons, and lavender shortbread. Don’t forget special drinks, think lavender lemonade, rosemary gin fizz, or elderflower spritz. Consider family-style dining or a relaxed buffet for a more intimate, garden-party feel.
Garden-Friendly Entertainment Options
Keep guests entertained with touches that match the laid-back, elegant tone of your garden wedding. One of our favorite guests in our garden is Beer Burros. These sweet mini donkeys come decked in floral wreaths, ready to interact with your guests! They also have little satchels full of the beverage of your choice! Live acoustic sets, jazz trios, or harpists are perfect for creating a relaxed and romantic mood. Lawn games like croquet, bocce ball, or giant Jenga during cocktail hour. Check out local vendors like 2 Burrachos and Cloud 9 NBTX and see what they offer as far as fun outdoor games!
Send Off Your Guests in Style
Wrap up your magical evening with a romantic and memorable exit. The classic sparklers are always a hit, and you can get them through us! For a more fun, kid-friendly version, go with bubbles! A beautiful, biodegradable alternative to confetti is dried floral petals. Offer thoughtful favors like seed packets, mini succulents, or homemade jam to match the garden theme. Our favorite is ending the night in a classic car, for a quick drive around Gruene, and off into the sunset!
A Celebration That Grows With You
A garden wedding is more than a celebration—it’s a love letter to nature, romance, and the quiet beauty of growing something beautiful together. With the right planning, attention to detail, and a little flexibility, your romantic garden wedding can be everything you’ve imagined and more. From the scent of fresh flowers to the glow of sunset dancing through the trees, your garden wedding will be a moment suspended in time—natural, heartfelt, and unmistakably you.
The Hidden Gem of Gruene 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.
Thank you all so much for reading our blog. As a locally owned wedding venue, we take great pride in creating an experience for all of your guests. That’s why customer service and attention to detail are amongst our top priorities at the Hidden Gem of Gruene. From our friendly and knowledgeable Venue Hosts to our Security and Vendors that represent our venue, we strive to always give you the best of the best. Our venue hosts are more than just hosts; they are actually professional and experienced wedding planners who truly understand the logistics of how a wedding and event should flow. Our team comes with a lot of experience in local & destination weddings. Our vendors are vetted and only make the vendor list after completing 30 plus successful weddings here at the Hidden Gem of Gruene. Because we understand the “how to” in weddings, we know what the couples are truly looking for. When it comes to guest experiences, we understand how important safety and convenience are for our couples’ guests. Most of our couples have family traveling from hours away to states away. That is where our onsite resort makes the Hidden Gem of Gruene the perfect destination wedding venue in the Texas Hill Country. The convenience of having your wedding and lodging in the same place is why couples love saying their “I Do’s” at the Hidden Gem of Gruene. To book your next tour of our Texas Hill Country Wedding Venue, make sure to contact us today. For all your wedding inspiration for your dream destination wedding venue, make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, & Pinterest! Keep an eye out for our stories! Lots of behind-the-scenes & your perfect chance to get to know the entire team!
Creating unforgettable moments, one beautiful wedding at a time. Your dream wedding starts here, Joey and Katie Medellin, Hidden Gem of Gruene