Landa Park Wedding Photos
Katie and Manuel kept their wedding simple, meaningful, and relaxed—a perfect match for the natural charm and casual atmosphere of Landa Park. From their first look under the shade of the Founders Oak to a ceremony at the gazebo surrounded by ducks and family-made florals, the day was full of personal touches and smart planning. In today’s blog post, you’ll see examples of Landa Park wedding photos that might just inspire a trip to New Braunfels.
Meet the Couple: Katie and Manuel
Katie and Manuel’s journey to the altar is a tale of serendipity and shared adventures. Their story began when Manuel and Katie’s brother, Nick, bonded over French classes in high school. Fate intervened years later at the University of Texas, where Nick and Manuel reconnected and decided to swap housing arrangements—Manuel was heading for a semester abroad, and Nick had a co-op opportunity. Upon their return, Katie moved in, and it wasn’t long before she developed a fondness for a certain roommate.
The proposal was nothing short of magical. In December 2024, during a European escapade, the couple found themselves in Fiesole, a quaint town overlooking Florence. Manuel suggested a hike to a secluded hilltop near a monastery. Amidst the serene landscape, with the city sprawling below, Manuel proposed, and the two spent the day exploring and basking in their newfound engagement.
Landa Park Wedding Photos: First Look
Katie and Manuel had scheduled their wedding from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., when unfortunately, the sun would be at its harshest overhead. To work around the midday light, I planned their first look in front of the venerable Founders Oak in order to take advantage of the shade provided by the tree. This location not only offered relief from the direct sun but also allowed us to stay close to the gazebo, making the most of our limited portrait time before the ceremony.
Landa Park Wedding Photos: Bride and Groom Portraits
After the first look, we seized the opportunity to capture additional portraits under the sprawling branches of the Founders Oak. The journey continued to the quaint bridge leading to the graceful willow tree, and then to the serene banks of the Comal River. The midday sun posed its challenges, particularly with dappled light filtering through the trees. Fortunately, sporadic cloud cover acted as a natural diffuser, resulting in beautifully balanced images.
My recommendation for couples getting married in the Landa Park, since there is very little shade in the area, is to always opt to schedule your portrait either early in the morning or late in the afternoon to take advantage of ‘golden hour’ when the sun is lower against the horizon and not as high overhead. When the sun is directly overhead, then you suffer from shadows under your eyes, uneven lighting, and blown out highlights.
Landa Park Wedding Photos: Ceremony
The gazebo, nestled in full shade, served as an idyllic spot for the ceremony. However, photographers should note the bright, sunlit background, which can lead to overexposed highlights if not metered correctly.
Katie and Manuel’s ceremony was a family affair, officiated by Katie’s uncle, a judge. The unofficial bridal party for the day was a flock of ducks that decided to jump in front of the bride and groom before they headed down the aisle. The floral arrangements were lovingly crafted by the bride and her family, with Katie’s bouquet featuring a cherished rose from her grandmother’s garden.
Best Wedding Photo Locations In Landa Park
If you will be walking down the aisle in Landa Park, then you are in luck as the greenspace offers lots of photo locations for shoots of all different types. Here are my top picks for the best wedding photo locations in Landa Park:
- Founders Oak: This ancient oak provides a dramatic and historic backdrop; be careful, however of the ugly fence surrounding the tree.
- Landa Family Memorial Garden: The quaint little garden is perfect for intimate portraits.
- Bridge Leading to Willow Tree: The rustic charm of this bridge adds a fairytale element, leading to the graceful willow that drapes elegantly over the water.
- Willow Tree and Bench: An intimate spot where the cascading branches create a secluded nook, ideal for romantic shots. Take advantage of the reflective pond, but make sure to use some photo editing magic to take out the signage in the background.
- Riverbank Along Comal River: The beautiful river and large oak tree at the river bend is a picturesque setting.
- Gazebo: The classic structure serves as both a ceremony site and a charming photo locale, especially when adorned with personal touches.
- Comal River (to the left of the Gazebo): This area provides a unique perspective of the river, with opportunities for creative compositions.
- Panther Canyon Nature Trail: For couples who love nature, this trail offers a woodland setting with diverse flora and fauna.
How to Get Married at Landa Park
Planning a wedding at Landa Park requires some logistical considerations. Here is everything you need to know in order to get married at Landa Park:
- Permits and Fees: To reserve the gazebo or other park areas, a permit is necessary. As of this writing, the fee is $75 for a two-hour reservation for New Braunfels residents and $173 for non-residents.
- Application Process: Submit your permit application well in advance. The city recommends a minimum of 14 days for processing, but earlier submission ensures availability and ample planning time. Reservations may be made up to 18 months in advance. Reservations may be made over the
phone by calling the office at 830-221-4350 with a credit card or in person at the Parks and Recreation Administrative Office. You cannot submit an application online. - Guest count and seating: The maximum guest count in the gazebo is 50. The gazebo is a standing area only. Seating is permitted for anyone elderly
or disabled. - Special Use Permits: If your event includes amplified sound, oversized grills, food trucks, or similar features, additional permits are required.
- Parks and Recreation Department Park Rental Guide: A detailed guide to rental facilities — including refund information, at Landa Park is available in this document
- Landa Lake Gazebo Rental Guidelines: a document detailing the rental guidelines is available here
- Amenities: Landa Park offers various amenities, including pavilions, picnic areas, and restroom facilities. Assess these when planning your event logistics.
- Parking: Parking near the Landa Park gazebo is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis. So, warn your guests ahead of time to come early especially if your event is scheduled for a weekend.
Landa Park Rules
The park has an extensive set of guidelines, which includes restrictions on alcohol consumption, decor installations, and event timing. Familiarize yourself with these to ensure a smooth celebration.
- Prohibited items: The following items are prohibited:
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages or the possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in designated parking areas or within 25 feet of a roadway
- Use of confetti, glitter, rice, birdseed, paper lanterns, or candles
- Balloon releases
- Glass containers
- Items staked into the ground
- Loud music, excessive noise, and disturbing conduct
- Littering: This includes confetti, candy wrappers, balloons and other party or event-related trash.
- The use of nails, tacks, staples or tape is not allowed when decorating. No additional signage is allowed to advertise your event and you are responsible for total cleanup of areas. Decorations are not allowed in the trees and may not be staked into the ground.
- Picnic tables, benches, chairs and food are not allowed, and electricity is not provided at the gazebo.
Final Thoughts
Katie and Manuel’s wedding was a testament to the beauty and versatility of Landa Park as a wedding venue. From its historic landmarks to its natural splendor, the park offers countless opportunities for creating unforgettable memories. If you’re envisioning a wedding surrounded by nature’s charm, Landa Park might just be the perfect canvas for your love story.
Vendors:
- Ceremony venue: Landa Park
- Bride’s dress: BHLDN Belize Embroidered A-Line Long-Sleeve V-Neck Gown
Enjoy the images and I will have more photo adventures for you next week!
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If you find this article on ‘Landa Park Wedding Photos’ useful, then check out these articles:
- A Beautiful Boerne Backyard Wedding
- How to Select the Perfect Wedding Venue
- How to Get a Marriage License in San Antonio
Looking to say ‘I do’ in San Antonio? Drop me a line and let’s chat about how I can help you. I have hourly rates, and all photo shoots include editing and high-resolution files.
To view more images from my wedding photography portfolio, please visit my website – KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com