Amy St. Germain
The City of San Antonio boasts many charms. In addition to great food, the historic Alamo, and top-notch entertainment there is the jewel of San Antonio, the Riverwalk. Local residents and visitors alike are always ready to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of the Riverwalk. All year round there are activities celebrating every season and occasion. In the springtime the San Antonio River is dyed green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, followed in April by the bright, jubilant Texas Cavalier’s river parade. In November the tree lighting ceremony along the riverbanks and the Holiday parade on the barges are a local tradition. With most of the arched bridges, walkways, and entrance steps completed between 1939 and 1941, the Riverwalk blends history with modern convenience. With so much to offer, why not consider planning your wedding on the Riverwalk?
Mary Keene, owner of Angel Weddings here in San Antonio, developed a River Wedding package about four years ago and since then has planned upwards of 70 weddings on the Riverwalk. “Having your wedding on the Riverwalk has many advantages.” “It’s different, serene, romantic, and can be beautifully photographed,” she said. “In addition, your guests will have a wide variety of activities to choose from. It’s not just a wedding, it can become a family vacation.” Mary pointed out that there are also several venues to choose from if you decide to plan your wedding on the river. Couples can choose from Marriage Island, where the first Catholic mass was held in San Antonio, Arneson River Theater, or the Little Church of La Villita. The packages Mary has developed for her cliental are designed to be all inclusive for couples looking for an unforgettable, intimate ceremony. Mary includes the fee for your ceremony site, photography, music, a limousine or horse drawn carriage to take you to your reception. Mary will also provide decorations for your wedding. She mentioned that couples should know most of the restaurants on the Riverwalk offer dinner cruises as well. In addition to being a charming way to entertain your guests after your wedding a dinner cruise may be a perfect rehearsal dinner option as well.
One of the noteworthy advantages to planning your wedding on the Riverwalk is that after your wedding ceremony, one of the San Antonio Cruise (Riverwalk barge) can pick you up and take you to the restaurant of your choice along the riverbank for your reception. There are many restaurants to choose from when looking for a reception venue. Rio Rio, Restaurante Italiano, and Paesano’s, are just a few of the many restaurants along the Riverwalk that serve delicious food and offer a festive atmosphere. After your reception you and your husband have the option of renting a horse drawn carriage to take you to your hotel or having a San Antonio Cruise barge carry you off into the sunset.
San Antonio offers some truly beautiful hotel options for your ceremony or reception. One of the nearest hotels to the ceremony locations mentioned is the new Westin. Located on Market street, the Westin is directly on the river and has outstanding accommodations. Mary Keene also mentioned the Westin has a beautiful heart-shaped rock garden that makes a lovely background for photographs. If you’re looking for something a little different than your standard hotel, take a look at the Plaza San Antonio. Originally a Four Seasons hotel, the Plaza has maintained its unique charm and beauty on 6.5 acres right in downtown San Antonio only one and a half blocks from the Riverwalk. Janet Grun, wedding and catering coordinator at the Plaza, is proud of what her hotel has to offer. “For couples that marry at La Villita, we can help plan the ceremony at the church then have a Mariachi band meet them and promenade down Alamo Street to the hotel and their reception.” The Plaza offers four distinct areas to host your reception or ceremony. They have a beautiful gazebo garden that is kept all year long with fresh flowers and two different cottages on the grounds where couples can host an intimate reception. A grand ballroom for the couple looking for a more formal reception is also available and they offer a courtyard area complete with a fountain and saltillo tile, perfect for a reception on a breezy San Antonio evening. Strolling pheasants and peacocks roam the gardens giving the hotel more of a resort feel. Your guests will be treated to San Antonio oriented gifts in their hotel rooms and the Plaza offers packaged activities for their guests such as a day of golfing for the men in your wedding. Janet will work with the bride and groom to plan an unforgettable event. It’s easy to forget you’re in downtown San Antonio at the Plaza hotel.
The Plaza and the Westin are only two of many options. There are two different Marriotts, the Hyatt Regency, El Palacio del Rio, the St. Anthony, Sheraton Gunter and more. With the prospect of out of town guests for your wedding, be sure to check into discounted room rates. Mary Keene mentions that most hotels give a special rate for weddings with room blocks of ten or more.
With so many options and so much history, planning a Riverwalk wedding can make for a truly memorable day for you and your guests. All of the events surrounding your special day can become a week long or weekend long celebration for your friends and family they won’t soon forget. The San Antonio Riverwalk is the place where your wedding dreams can come true.
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