A destination wedding in the Texas Hill Country. The Retreat at Balcones Springs is the perfect place for an extraordinary wedding. From the moment you arrive at our 250-acre property, our dedicated staff and on-site wedding coordinator will ensure your families and friends will have an experience they’ll never forget. With an abundance of gorgeous spots for the ceremony, cuisine from our award-winning chef and a variety of fun, outdoor activities for the entire family, your dream wedding can become a reality at The Retreat at Balcones Springs. Just tell us what kind of wedding you’d like and our expert coordinator will take care of all the arrangements.
To learn more about weddings here at The Retreat, take a look at our Wedding Packet.
The Retreat has perfected the art of the weekend wedding experience. With multiple venues to host all aspects of a wedding celebration, on-site accommodations for you and your guests to stay, and numerous activities nestled in the Texas Hill Country there is no better setting where lasting memories can be made as two people and their families come together. Whether it be sharing stories over an intimate bonfire after the rehearsal dinner, playing a spontaneous game of family versus family kickball, making vows in in one of our idyllic venues, or going all out on the dance floor of the reception, Balcones Springs has just an innate way to create those special moments that make bonds that last a lifetime.
If a weekend wedding isn't the right fit for you, Balcones Springs also offers day wedding packages that can include:
- Custom menu planning and private tasting
- Head, gift and cake tables with white linens
- Complimentary cake cutting and plating service
- All available tables, wedding chairs, white linens, china, flatware and glassware
- Three hours of coordination by our on-site wedding coordinator on the day of the event
Balcones Springs’ 42 refined, rustic cabins are situated across our rolling, 250-acre property. Cabins can accommodate one to six guests per cabin, set with either twins or a king size bed. All cabins have have high ceilings, yellow pine interiors, private bathrooms, individual work areas and striking views of the Hill Country. Each room provides basic comforts including warm country comforters, cotton percale sheets, individual temperature controls, a private telephone, and wireless internet. Accommodation charges for weddings are inclusive of meals and are typically paid by individual guests.
Our professional chefs require only the highest quality ingredients and service for your unique culinary experience. The Balcones Springs chefs come from all over the world and offer experience as diverse as classically trained Culinary Institute of America graduates, to long-time corporate catering and restaurant chefs, all with an undeniable passion for food. They are uniquely qualified to design and prepare an extensive customized menu based on seasonal ingredients that offers something to delight every culinary taste, from Thai-style crabcakes and sesame-crusted salmon to chicken-fried rib-eye and handmade empanadas. For our health conscious guests, please enjoy these and other fine dishes prepared in "heart-healthy" manners (i.e. low-fat, low salt, low-sugar, low cholesterol). Furthermore, our chefs have extensive experience and are happy to accommodate any special dietary restrictions including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, organic, and plant-based. It is our pleasure to prepare a menu especially for YOU!
Sample Menu available for view.
Rose Garden Courtyard
The Rose Garden Courtyard is a grassy area hosting large oak trees and a rose archway amidst a beautifully natural landscape, perfect for an outdoor ceremony or dinner at sunset.
{ 175 Ceremony / 250 Reception }
Rio Grande Dining Hall
Our largest dining hall with a 30-foot cedar vaulted ceiling adorned with wrought iron chandeliers, distressed concrete flooring, and a limestone fireplace. A floor length wall of windows provide the perfect ambiance for a ceremony overlooking the Hill Country at sunset, a cocktail hour, or evening reception.
{ 300 Ceremony / 150 Reception }
Longhorn Room
A comfortable, friendly room with vaulted ceilings, lounge furniture, distressed concrete floors, and a fireplace. Perfect for smaller dining, a guest lounge, bride’s dressing quarters, or a bridal luncheon.
{ Accommodates 50 people }
Rose Garden Courtyard
The Rose Garden Courtyard is a grassy area hosting large oak trees and a rose archway amidst beautifully natural landscape, perfect for an outdoor ceremony or dinner at sunset.
{ 150 Ceremony / 250 Reception }
Hillside Pavilion
This small pavilion is perfect for more intimate ceremonies and provides a serene view of the Texas Hill Country. The adjacent grove of oaks is romantically lit for reception dining.
{ 75 Ceremony / 75 Reception }
Lakeside Terrace & Amphitheater
Our serene limestone terrace overlooks our private 10-acre spring-fed lake with benches, perfect for an intimate ceremony at sunset.
{ 400 Ceremony }
Lake Travis Waterfront
Have our chairs set up along the north shore of Lake Travis for your ceremony overlooking the lake at sunset or enjoy a beachfront bonfire along the water.
{ Unlimited Capacity }
Bluebonnet Room
Our game room hosts a pool table, a cabinet full of board games, a computer station with high speed internet access, a lounge area, large screen satellite television, a comfortable stone fireplace and bar, perfect for the grooms dressing room.
{ Accommodates 50 people }
Live Oak Room, Stone Patio and Deck
The Live Oak Room flows onto the Live Oak Deck and Stone Patio and overlooks the Grand Pavilion. These venues can accommodate a wide range of guests for cocktail receptions, rehearsal dinners and brunch each morning.
{ Accommodates 100 people }
Our property is home to a plethora of activities to partake in while you enjoy your stay on the property. We have a combination of facilitated and non-facilitated activities.
Facilitated Activities
Are you an avid rock climber? Have a passion for shooting? What about exploring the Hill Country on horseback? Ask your coordinator for more information about scheduling one of our facilitated activities below:
Rock Climbing
Challenge yourself on one of on the three faces on our 45-foot high rock wall. Follow a route or create your own and give the cowbell a ring at the top to let those below know you conquered the wall.
The Screamer
Go as high as you would like while holding onto your release on this big human swing. Once you let go, you will see where we get the name.
Zipline
Zip across our 903-foot long cable which spans the width of Lake Ted. The climb up to the platform from which you jump is just half the fun. This exhilarating ride sheds new light on taking your breath away. Gliding across the beautiful lake is a view you can get only from Balcones Springs.
Quick Jump
Put gravity to the test and you take a step off the edge of our newest high ropes element tower.
Rainbow Serpent
Dive headfirst into the colorful netting as you descend 45 feet from our new tower.
Lake Ted
Lake Ted is our private, spring-fed lake. If you enjoy swimming, fishing or canoeing, Lake Ted provides a tranquil, secluded area for these activities. There are two points to launch from: the floating dock (or Lowline Bridge) that connects the main property to Balcones Beach and the blob dock just below the Big Thicket. We also have water toys such as: the Blob, a water trampoline, Bermuda Triangle slide, a rope swing, and our 75-foot long, 30-foot drop water slide that we lovingly have called "The Wedginator"
Take Aim
If you would like a challenge in marksmanship we have a riflery, skeet, and archery range where you can test your accuracy (equipment provided).
Riding
We provide trail rides throughout the rolling hills of wilderness on our property to the shores of Lake Travis. Whether you're an experienced equestrian or a first-timer, our trail rides are for anyone who likes to adventure in the great outdoors.
Outside of the facilitated activities, you and your guests have access to numerous other activities that include: Tennis Courts, Sand Volleyball Courts, a covered and lit Basketball Pavilion, Baseball Diamond, Soccer/Football Field, 18-Hole Frisbee Golf Course, Fishing, Ping Pong, Tether-ball, Gaga Ball Pits, Canoes, Kayaks, and Paddleboards - all of which equipment is provided on-site.
A professional, detail-oriented staff is essential to the success of your wedding. We want your experience at Balcones Springs to be fun and relaxing, and we strive to provide as much attention as you and your guests desire. Our experienced staff facilitates activities throughout your wedding day or weekend and serves as the wait staff during the rehearsal dinner, reception and other meals.
Staff pricing is based on the needs of you and your guests.
Please contact us directly for additional details and information.
The following services and amenities are available for an additional charge:
Amenity Gift Baskets
Allow us to design a welcoming gift for your guests to enjoy. We can also deliver amenity baskets that you have designed yourself.
Custom Spa Services
Let us pamper you with a soothing massage, manicure, pedicure or other relaxing services on the Terrace, in the Bridal Rooms or in your own private cabin.
Movie Under the Stars
Enjoy watching your favorite movie under the Texas stars on blankets spread in one of our several outdoor locations. It includes popcorn, sodas, and your favorite movie candy.
Bonfire
Have a bonfire at the Catfish Pond complete with s’mores and hot cocoa. We can also arrange to have an acoustic guitarist play some sing-a-longs around the fire.
Meal at the Beach
Have your guests enjoy a meal at our private Balcones Beach on Lake Ted. You can lounge in our Adirondack chairs; play a friendly game of sand volleyball, canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddle board. Your guest can change in our renovated air stream, and use our adorable solar powered restroom right there at the beach. Arrange for one of our buses to take your guests to and from the beach.
Meal at the Thicket
Have your guests enjoy lunch on Saturday at our Thicket where they can play badminton, tether ball, ping pong, Gaga ball, and hang out in our tree house and watch people go down Ted’s Dread.
Childcare
We have CPR-certified, professional nannies trained in children’s programs that we can schedule to take care of the little ones at any point of your stay. We have even set up a "Kid's Lounge" for children to be entertained during the reception with a movie, board games, or crafts.
On-Site Transportation
Arrive on time for all big events! Have one of our staff members escort you and your guests on our camp buses around our 250-acre property.
Hay Ride
The most fun way to shuttle around property or arrive at a bonfire by our Catfish Pond.
Other Ideas?
Have something else in mind that you do not see listed? Maybe a poker night? Wine or beer tasting? Painting or cooking class? Armadillo races? We're always up for new challenges and love helping to create your dream weekend. Let us know your ideas and we will see if we can make them come true.
Pricing available upon request.
Established in 1993. The Retreat at Balcones Springs grew out of the desires of Christine Baskin to provide her legendary hospitality year-round in a secluded getaway to local business and churches. Since then, The Retreat has grown into a luxury Hill Country venue for corporate events, weddings, and retreats.
