Top 9 Engagement Photo Locations in San Antonio
January, 1 2021
San Antonio is not only the nation’s fastest-growing city but also happens to be the 7th largest populated city in the United States. Being one of the major names in south-central Texas, San Antonio comes with a rich colonial heritage. Whether you look at the Alamo, the infamous 18th-century Spanish mission preserved as a museum which eternalizes the 1836 battle for Texas independence from Mexico, or at San Antonio River Walk which lies alongside the San Antonio River and displays a wide array of shops and cafes, San Antonio is the titillating mixture of history and beauty which has been tempered to just the right shade of perfect. Whether it's the gorgeous panoramic views of the city painting the most amazing silhouette across the city skyline or the lively and colorful vibe of the city, San Antonio is a treat to the natives and visitors alike.
Known famously for their amazing Tex-Mex food, the gorgeous River Walk, and a distinct heavy metal and hardcore music scene, San Antonio sure carries a whole lot character with itself. If you are a couple who have lost their heart to this amazing city and want it as the setting for your engagement photo session, you are in luck! We have compiled the list of the top few engagement locations in the city. Let’s check them out!
Brackenridge Park
Whether you are a native San Antonio resident or just a visitor, Historic Brackenridge Park is an unfailing favorite when it comes to engagement photography in San Antonio. Spreading over 343 acres, this park covers a vast area and several different backdrops for our photographer’s delight. From the Japanese Tea Garden, Sunken Garden Theater, the San Antonio Zoo to Lambert Beach, this park wraps everything up in the prettiest of the bow. Rich in culture and pretty on the eyes, this location is perfect to tell your love story through! From the most unique bridge shots to the adorable little cubby holes, this location packs a lot of promise when it comes to an engagement photoshoot. Whether you want to go for a cozy picnic-style setting, a romantic walk along the woodsy trails, this location is perfect for everything. From the bright and cheerful frames of different themes to the lush green of the park, there is something fun and heartening about this uniquely refreshing engagement location. It is truly an urban playground for the San Antonio couples and is laden with perfect frames for our engagement photographer to capture.
Website: https://www.brackenridgepark.org/
Address: Brackenridge Park, 3700 N. St. Mary's St., San Antonio, TX 78209
Fees or Permits: No photo permit is required.
Japanese Tea Gardens
Located right in the beating heart of San Antonio, an integral part of the Brackenridge park is the Japanese tea garden. As soon as you step into the location you feel like you are transported to a different world. There is something uniquely serene about this park that welcomes you in with the calming stone bridges and waterfalls. Somewhere between sitting by the koi pond watching the fishes, to the gorgeous bridge, we promise that you will lose your heart to this engagement spot. It is hard to imagine this location as a rock quarry which it previously was, as the attention-to-detail, architectural touches, and the general uncanny calmness about this place will blow your mind in the best possible way! There is no creative slump here for our San Antonio engagement photographer, there are a variety of different settings to enable you and your partner to express in the most charming photographs. From exotic plants to the gorgeous Japanese pavilion, there is no dearth of charming locations for sure. Let the photographer capture the vibe in the most amazing frames, and let this location become a part of your story forever. With its gurgling fountains and cozy corners, this place will make you fall in love with fresh new vigor!
Website: https://saparksfoundation.org/japanese-tea-garden/
Address: 400 N. St. Marys, Suite 101 San Antonio, Texas 78205
Fees or Permits: Photo permit is priced at $20 for 1-5 people.
McNay Art Museum
There is an easy laid-back charm about this place which makes one fall in love with their special one all over again. Broad towering trees which have seen time roll on for decades, romantic mountains to take your breath away, charming little ponds with adorable bridges and log-built gazebos for those romantic shots, this engagement location has it all. Founded in the early 1950s, McNay Art Museum is known to be one of the first modern art museums in the state of Texas and comes with an enchanting Spanish Colonial Revival style. Adorning this gorgeous property is the carpet of green manicured lawn, towering palm trees, and the beautiful Japanese garden. There is something so majestic and beautiful about this location that it will live on in your engagement photo album for years, whispering the beautiful tale of yesteryears. Let our engagement photographer capture the unique vibe of this location in the most picturesque frames.
Website: http://www.mcnayart.org/
Address: 6000 N New Braunfels Ave, San Antonio, TX 78209
Fees or Permits: Admission fee and photo permit both are priced at $20.
Cibolo Nature Center
Let’s take a hike by the endless fields and woodsy trails and we assure you will love the setting this engagement location provides. From the sepia-toned grass fields with endless acres of tall golden grass to the spidery web of branches of a tall canopy of trees, from artistically placed benches to cutesy wooden bridges, there is a beautiful melancholy to this location which makes the most amazing pictures. From gurgling creeks with the clear and relentless flow of water to the romantic walking trails, Cibolo Nature Center is the epitome of peace and calm and will ensure your engagement shoot is tranquil and refreshing rather than being rushed and fussy! The visit to this location is everything that you make of it, and whether you are in the mood for a lovely picnic in the woods, or just want to explore the boardwalks or try some bird watching, the location delivers exactly that.
Website: https://www.cibolo.org/
Address: Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Rd, Boerne, TX 78006
Fees or Permits: Photo permit is priced at $20.
Market Square
The market square situated right in the heart of Downtown San Antonio is a party for your senses. The sights and smell which will envelop you as soon as you walk into this location speak of the rich Mexican culture and the vibrant and fun energy that comes with it. Being the largest Mexican marketplace in the United States, Market Square spreads for over three blocks while giving you a brief stroll through the rich and colorful culture of Mexico. What better than the cheerful and celebratory colors and vibe of this location to dressing up your Market Square engagement photo session? Take a bite of the authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, and walk through the shops selling amazing art effects which speak of the Mexican culture. The places buzzing with activity and will at the era of celebration and a good vibe that will seep into your engagement photograph. The bright colors along with the twinkling bistro lights create the most perfect blur for you and your partner to pose against.
Website: https://www.marketsquaresa.com/
Address: 514 W Commerce St., San Antonio, TX 78207
Fees or Permits: No photo permit is required
The St. Anthony Hotel
Neutral palettes, clean lines, and perfect lighting, there is nothing about this engagement location which makes it fail. All these factors, in fact, are exactly the points that make this hotel a popular choice for engagement photographers in San Antonio. This stunning historic hotel was built in 1909 and was later renovated to make it skip through the timeline and look as good as new. From the clean white walls to the elegant porch, classy windows to the terracotta tiles which steals the show, the gorgeous location speaks of a riveting history but with a bit of contemporary thrown in. Our personal favorite is a gorgeous rooftop with iron fencing. The architectural composition of the background along with the dramatic contrast makes it the perfect backdrop for your portraits and couple shots. Let our San Antonio engagement photographers capture the magic of the open and airy location with just the right amount of character and quirk.
Website: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/satlc-the-st-anthony-a-luxury-collection-hotel-san-antonio/
Address: The St. Anthony Hotel, 300 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Fees or Permits: Prior photo permit is required.
Canyon Springs Golf Club
Give your engagement photo session the special touch of nature with this glorious location. Whether it is the flawless landscaping and gorgeous trees, or it is the tranquil lakes and sweeping waterfalls, there are many reasons to love this location. Situated just north of San Antonio this destination is full of nature’s splendor. Maintaining the perfect contrast between polished golf greens to the unkempt wild shady trees, this engagement location is sure to give your engagement photoshoot a naturally elegant look. The main focal point and the gem of the location is the cascading waterfall which sweeps down from the rocky mountains. Whether it is the architecture of the pavilion or the stylish clubhouse, this engagement location sure has a lot to offer. Let the bubbling water from the waterfall be the perfect background music as you pose with your special one and take in the best of nature. From the lush Texas vibe to the elegant golf clubhouse feel, this engagement location is flexible and accommodating as per your preference.
Website: https://www.canyonspringsgc.com/
Address: 24405 Wilderness Oak, San Antonio, TX 78260
Fees or Permits: Prior photo permit is required
McAllister Park
McAllister Park is a treasure chest that is spread across 976 acres on the northside of San Antonio between Jones Maltsberger and Wetmore Roads. Staying true to the hype, this stunning location gives you a peek at what you can expect in a woodland vacation. Endless lush foliage, refreshing tropical greenery, and the definite feel of ‘vacation’ in the air. Whether you choose a bright sunny day, a moody and cloudy day or you want to catch the area in the infamous golden hour, there is a charm to a woodsy location that is inexhaustible. We love the calming effect that this location provides and the carpet of green grass and the lush unkempt foliage which spread along the hiking making you feel like you flew out to a woodland wonderland, while still being accessible. Many rustic hiking trails will lead you to the raw beauty of the hidden elements waiting to be discovered and if you are lucky, you might get to see peeks of the local wildlife too!
Address: PO Box 839966, San Antonio, TX 78283-3966
Fees or Permits: Prior photo permit is required
San Antonio Botanical Garden
With its 38 acres of the glorious botanical garden, this engagement location is packed to the brim with gorgeous garden beds, romantic walkways, and serene ponds. Add to that a heavy sprinkling of cultural artifacts and you have this gem of an engagement location that will elevate your engagement photoshoot significantly. Romantic and heavily detailed fountains along with bubbling creeks give this place a refreshing and soothing feel. Additionally, the picturesque Japanese garden and the intoxicating smell of the fragrant roses make this location a definite win for the lovers and photographers alike. Displaying over 250 plant species this botanical garden is not only aesthetically yielding but is also educating. We especially love the Lucile Halsell Conservatory which is a piece of art in glass. From the delicate water lilies to the canopy of bowing trees, this location is full of the most amazing spots for your engagement photographer to capture.
Website: https://www.sabot.org/
Address: 555 Funston Place, San Antonio, TX 78209
Fees or Permits: Prior photo permit is required.
Please note that permits and fees are subject to change. Please confirm the policies with the location before planning your session.
