Rhiannon and Michael - From Just Friends to Forever Together!
- hiddengemofgruene
- Jul 29
- 6 min read
Rhiannon and Michael got married at the stunning Hidden Gem this June, surrounded by their loved ones. After coming on multiple tours and meeting with the staff, they knew the Hidden Gem was the place they wanted to start their story as Mr. and Mrs Torres! We are beyond honored to host their big day. Now, over a month after their wedding, Rhiannon and Michael come back to see their Hidden Gem family every month for Wedding Wednesday, where they promote Rhiannon's travel business as a team! (P.S. If you are looking for someone to plan the perfect honeymoon, contact Rhiannon! @raidantlyrhiannon) They were gracious enough to share their love story. Make sure to show them some love in the comments!
How did you meet?
Our love story began in 2012 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lubbock, Texas, where we met while volunteering for Vacation Bible School. Over the years, our friendship stayed strong—even through college and long-distance. In 2020, that friendship turned into love, and after almost two years of dating long-distance, Michael moved to Austin in 2021 to be closer to Rhiannon—marking the start of an even sweeter chapter.
How was the proposal? We want all the details!
Rhiannon had a feeling the proposal was coming, but the moment was still magical. After a fun evening with friends at Huisache Grill in New Braunfels, we walked toward Sidecar for cocktails, stopping at the Main Plaza bandstand to snap some photos. That’s when Michael got down on one knee and proposed. After a heartfelt "yes," we celebrated with friends at Sidecar. The next day, the celebrations continued in Fredericksburg, one of our favorite Hill Country getaways.
Rhiannon, did you plan your wedding since you were a little girl?
I’ve dreamed of my wedding since childhood—from the dress to the flowers to the feeling of the day. While some details changed over time, others, like the inspiration from my parents’ timeless wedding, remained constant. I cherished their photos, rings, and paper goods, all filled with love. When Pinterest arrived, it opened up a world of inspiration, and over a decade, I was able to shape what would eventually become the most special day of our lives. Although the vision evolved, the heart of it remained the same—a meaningful celebration of love, family, and tradition.
How did you find your dream venue?
Our journey to finding The Hidden Gem of Gruene was unexpectedly serendipitous. We first visited the venue during the New Braunfels Jaycees Christmas Soiree in December 2023 and admired its beauty, never imagining it would one day host our wedding. Months later, while searching for venues with on-site lodging for the wedding party, The Hidden Gem resurfaced—and it checked every box. It truly felt meant to be.
With so many beautiful wedding venues to choose from, what attracted you to this venue?
What truly drew us to The Hidden Gem of Gruene was its ideal location and the convenience of on-site lodging. Being just a short walk from historic Gruene, it offered the perfect blend of Hill Country charm and accessibility for our guests. The beautiful setting, combined with the ability to have our wedding party stay on property, made everything feel effortless and connected—exactly what we were looking for in a venue.
Who were your favorite vendors to work with?
We truly couldn’t have asked for a better vendor team—every single one went above and beyond to make our day flawless. From breathtaking florals to unforgettable music, they each brought their talent, professionalism, and heart, and we’re so grateful for them. Emerald Whisk created the most beautiful and delicious cakes, while Poppy Layne captured our vision with florals that looked like they were pulled straight from a dream. JoAnna Robertson Photography documented every moment with such warmth and artistry—we’ll cherish her photos forever. Our glam squad, Southern Tease, made getting ready so much fun, and Southern Standard kept the drinks flowing smoothly all evening long. At Your Service provided a reliable and friendly shuttle service for the bridal party, and we kicked off the wedding weekend with an incredible rehearsal dinner at Noli’s Vite. As for food, Rabels Roadhaus BBQ and Grate Graze Boards served up unforgettable bites that our guests are still raving about. Married by MA, our day-of coordinator, kept everything running effortlessly behind the scenes, and At Last Entertainment had everyone on the dance floor—all night long. We’d recommend this slate of vendors to any couple in a heartbeat!
What did you love the most about the Hidden Gem of Gruene?
What made The Hidden Gem of Gruene so special was how it felt like a quiet, countryside retreat—even though it’s right in the middle of town. That perfect mix of seclusion and convenience created the warm, personal atmosphere we had always hoped for. And the team there was incredible. From start to finish, they were so attentive and supportive, making sure everything went off without a hitch. We truly couldn’t have asked for a smoother, more stress-free experience.
Did you stay at our on-site lodging? If so, what did you think about it?
Yes, we stayed at the on-site lodging—and we absolutely loved it! Having our wedding party and family together in the cozy cabins made the weekend even more special. The accommodations were spacious, comfortable, and gave us all a chance to relax and soak in the joy of the celebration without having to worry about driving or logistics. We loved it so much, in fact, that our family has already booked a return trip for Thanksgiving! It truly felt like a home away from home.
What was the best moment that you will always remember from your wedding?
It’s so hard to choose just one favorite moment, but two moments that truly stand out were the first looks—first with my dad, and then with Michael. Sharing those intimate, emotional moments before the ceremony allowed us to take it all in and connect before the rush of the day. The look on my dad’s face is something I’ll never forget, and seeing Michael for the first time that day made everything feel so real and perfect. A close second would have to be the after-party at the cabins. After the reception formally ended, we weren’t ready for the night to be over, so we kept the celebration going back at the on-site lodging surrounded by our closest friends and family. It was relaxed, spontaneous, and full of laughter; the perfect ending to an unforgettable day.
10: What is one piece of advice that you would give a future bride when booking a venue?
Take the Monday off from work after your wedding weekend! Between the excitement, emotions, and late-night celebrations, you’re going to need an extra day to rest, reflect, and just breathe. It’s a whirlwind in the best way, but giving yourself that time to decompress and soak it all in makes a world of difference before jumping back into real life.
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.
Thank you so much for stopping by our blog. We hope you found this information helpful. We want to use our blog to increase awareness and support for locally owned wedding venues. Locally owned wedding venues tend to provide a higher level of expertise, service, and dedication. They also have far less turnover than corporate-owned or investor-owned venues. As you plan your wedding, we hope you will consider a locally owned wedding venue like ours. You can find locally owned wedding venues on this wedding venue map. Below is a shout-out to fellow locally owned wedding venues around the country!
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