If you’re looking for the perfect blend of luxury glamping, tropical wedding vibes, and an unforgettable guest experience, Codie and Matthew’s Walden Retreats wedding is one you don’t want to miss. Tucked into the Texas Hill Country in Johnson City, this venue offered the couple and their guests a full wedding weekend surrounded by nature, creativity, and the people they love most.

A Texas Hill Country Wedding Venue Built for Weekend Getaways with Lodging

Set on a 96-acre private property overlooking the Pedernales River, Walden Retreats is a dream location for couples who love the outdoors but don’t want to sacrifice comfort. Just over an hour from Austin, 30 minutes from Fredericksburg, and nestled right in the Texas Hill Country Wine Region, this venue offers luxury safari-style glamping tents with high-end finishes that feel like a boutique hotel inside and a nature retreat outside.

For Codie and Matthew, the great outdoors is where they feel most at home.  Together, they love to camp, fish, and they even got engaged at Big Bend National Park. So, it made perfect sense to celebrate their love in a space that honors their love of nature.

A Wedding Cake That Inspired the Entire Tropical Design at Walden Retreats

Codie is a professional cake baker in Corpus, so her dream wedding cake set the tone for the entire wedding design. She created a stunning ocean blue cake adorned with white orchids and sugar pearls. It perfectly evoked a day at the beach with its tropical blooms and underwater bubbles. That cake became the design muse for the entire wedding—tropical yet modern, personal yet elevated.

A First Look with a Golf-Themed Surprise at Walden Retreats Wedding

Before the ceremony, Codie and Matthew shared a private first look, where she surprised him with a custom golf putter as a wedding gift. But the real surprise came when she directed him toward the cocktail area. She had secretly arranged for a glow-in-the-dark putt-putt course to be set up for him and their guests! It was playful, personal, and so very them.

My second photographer caught one of the most memorable candid moments of the day: Codie and her mom doing a celebratory shot together before walking down the aisle. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes images that makes the case for having two photographers—it captured the joy, nerves, and friendship of that final moment before “I do.”

Tropical Summer Wedding in the Texas Hill Country

Lush greens and crisp whites made up the color palette of the day.  The colors appeared in the florals, signage, and reception decor. Even the ceremony florals were a grounded tropical arch with white orchids.

Cocktail Hour in Johnson City with Beer Burros & Tropical Touches

Guests were welcomed to cocktail hour by beer burros and a fun, colorful display of tropical wedding details. The cocktail menu, table numbers, and signage were all written in gold calligraphy on oversized tropical leaves, like monstera and banana leaves—bringing that lush, beachy vibe to the Hill Country.

Their signature cocktails featured custom drink stirrers and napkins with illustrated portraits of their pups.

Walden Retreats Wedding Reception Details that Blend Coastal and Camping

The reception space at Walden Retreats is known for its show-stopping living plant wall.  Codie and Matthew leaned into the tropical theme with it as their reception backdrop. Guests explored the full putt-putt course throughout the night—yes, it lit up after dark!

Their seating chart was displayed in buckets of golf balls. The grooms’ cake was shaped like a giant golf ball, a perfect nod to Matthew’s favorite hobby.

A Gift from Grandma & a Toast to the Past

One of the most emotional moments of the evening came when Codie’s grandmother gifted the couple a handmade quilt during the reception. The design? A Big Bend-themed blanket, commemorating where Codie and Matthew got engaged. It was deeply personal and had the entire room feeling the love of generations.

A Surprise Choreographed Father-Daughter Dance

Just when the crowd thought the surprises were over, Codie and her dad took to the dance floor for what seemed like a classic father-daughter slow dance… until they launched into a fully choreographed routine that had everyone cheering! It was a highlight of the evening and so fun to photograph.

Codie later changed into bridal pajamas for dancing! At that point, I captured a sweet candid of Matthew helping her change into more comfortable shoes.  This is a real-life romantic moment in between all the party energy.

To thank their guests for celebrating all weekend, the couple gifted everyone with custom bottles of whiskey to take home. In true camping spirit, they ended the night with a s’mores station by the fire!  Then, they headed back to their safari tent with a streamer exit.

Final Thoughts from Your Walden Retreats Wedding Photographer

Codie and Matthew’s day was full of heart, laughter, adventure, and deeply personal details. As a Walden Retreats wedding photographer, I loved how Codie and Matthew made the entire weekend a reflection of who they are.  It was laid-back, outdoorsy, creative, and totally in love.

It meant the world to me to photograph this day! Codie was one of the first people I ever photographed years ago during my senior portrait days. She told me I was a non-negotiable for her wedding day.  After reading her reaction to the photos, my heart melted all over again.

Planning Your Own Walden Retreats Wedding?

Walden Retreats is perfect for a wedding weekend surrounded by nature and your favorite people. This glamping venue in Johnson City, Texas offers luxury tents and stunning Pedernales River views. It’s an ideal venue for couples who love the outdoors but want comfort and privacy. Every part of the experience invites guests to relax, explore, and truly connect.

If you’re searching for a Walden Retreats wedding photographer, I’d love to tell your story beautifully. Let’s make something unforgettable together.

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