Deep in the heart: Be rustic yet refined getting married in Texas Hill Country

If y’all want to say “I do” western style, the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Texas has you covered.Their “experiential weddings” are increasingly in demand.Now celebrating its 20th year in business, the resort has seen a 10 percent jump in bookings over the past three years.It’s not hard to see why.

The lush, natural beauty and built-in experiences at this sprawling, 400 plus-acre resort along the Lower Colorado River, just 30 minutes outside of Austin, allows couples to turn weddings into a full weekend or multi-day events for family and friends to cultivate deep connection and lasting memories.“Nature is our love language,” said Allison Jacques, director of events here.Multiple ceremony and reception site options can accommodate intimate-sized festivities and up to 1,000 people.For example, there’s the picturesque Riversong Lawn, with vibrant greenery just outside the hotel’s lobby (tenting optional), which accommodates up to 800 guests.Or, opt for the Wildflower Pavilion (for 150 people) on the golf course.

(Also, “we can activate the 18th hole,” said Jacques.)They also offer the indoor Lost Pines ballroom (up to 700 guests), Baron’s ballroom (up to 350 people), and Pecan Court and Terrace (up to 300 guests), with packages starting at $175 per person.Think ahead, though — most weddings book out a year and a half in advance, with peak dates spanning the spring and fall seasons.New in March last year, the Riverbend Event Barn (for up to 275) offers 6,000 square feet of rustic-yet-elegant indoor space.“Riverbend has been an incredible addition to our property,” said Jacques.

“It’s flexible for an intimate ceremony and reception or smaller weddings.”The space offers a sweeping lawn and cathedral-like ceilings with floor to ceiling windows that frame scenic views of an expansive patio area.Resident animals (longhorns, alpacas and more) are incorporated into “hitching posts,” serving as photo ops for guests whi...