Forest-Inspired Vow Renewal at McKinney Falls State Park
If you're considering a wedding or elopement at McKinney Falls State Park, we hope this gives you a little peek into what a morning here can actually feel like.
By 8 am, the trailhead parking lot was still quiet. Dan and Carolyn met us with their backpack packed and a loose plan to just spend a few quiet hours together at McKinney Falls State Park.
For these two, this wasn't a wedding day, but it was something just as meaningful. A chance to celebrate the marriage they'd built together after a first year that looked nothing like either of them expected.
McKinney Falls State Park Vow Renewal | Dan & Carolyn's Quiet Morning in the Trees
Why They Chose a Vow Renewal at McKinney Falls State Park
We first met Dan and Carolyn back in 2019 when we documented their intimate wedding in Austin.
Like so many couples who got married that year, their first year of marriage looked a little different than they had imagined. The honeymoon they'd dreamed about got postponed, and instead they found themselves starting to build a life together in their “love bubble,” as Carolyn lovingly put it. They spent that first year in their home, around the garden, hanging out with their dogs, and learning how to navigate a season neither of them saw coming.
Then, as their first anniversary approached, they reached out with an idea to create something they'd talked about doing from the very beginning.
We couldn’t have been more excited to work with these two again.
When we were helping these two plan their wedding, Carolyn had shared that a part of her had always been drawn to the idea of exchanging vows somewhere surrounded by nature. Somewhere peaceful. Somewhere green. Somewhere that felt a little like stepping into an enchanted forest.
In the end, they chose to celebrate their wedding day surrounded by the people they love — and honestly, we wouldn't change a thing about that day. Getting to celebrate with the people they love was such a huge part of that season of their lives, and looking back, it felt exactly like the wedding they were meant to have.
This vow renewal wasn't about doing anything differently. It was simply a chance to experience the slower, more private celebration they'd been curious about from the very beginning.
In a year when so much of life became quieter, there was something really meaningful about carrying that dream into their first anniversary. It gave them the chance to celebrate not just surviving a year that looked nothing like they'd planned, but everything they'd built together along the way.
So we planned an easy morning close to home. Somewhere they could keep the morning simple, focus on each other, didn't have to think about travel logistics, wander without a big plan, and celebrate this next chapter of their marriage in a way that felt completely like them.
McKinney Falls ended up being exactly the kind of place they'd been looking for.
Planning an Easy Morning at McKinney Falls State Park
Once we'd settled on McKinney Falls, we started shaping the morning around what mattered most to Dan and Carolyn.
Like starting the day early, before the April sun had a chance to warm up the limestone trails, the cooler temperatures made the hike much more comfortable, and the soft morning light filtering through the trees gave everything this magical glow.
Since it was their first time visiting this park, we also wanted to give them enough time to explore and take it all in at their own pace.
Knowing we'd be crossing Onion Creek later that morning, they packed a backpack with water, their vow books, towels, an extra layer, and a fresh pair of socks. Little things like that might not seem exciting when you're planning, but they're the kind of details that let you stay present instead of worrying about wet socks for the rest of the day (the extra socks absolutely earned their spot in the backpack that morning).
Originally, we'd pictured them exchanging vows near the falls.
But once we arrived, it was busier than we'd expected. Between other visitors and the sound of the rushing water, it didn't feel like the quiet, personal space they'd imagined.
So we kept walking.
A few minutes later, tucked beneath the trees, we found a small clearing that felt like it had been waiting for them all along.
Sometimes the best part of planning a day like this isn't sticking perfectly to the original plan. It's having enough flexibility to recognize when something else feels even more like you.
Their Morning at McKinney Falls State Park
By the time we left the trailhead, it didn't take long for the pace of the morning to settle in.
The skies were clear, the birds were already singing, and every few minutes something would catch Dan and Carolyn's attention. A patch of morning light reflecting across the limestone. Tiny vernal pools glowing in the sun. The sound of the falls growing louder as we made our way down the trail.
Only a few minutes into the hike, the falls came into view.
We spent a little time along the limestone taking portraits while the morning light wrapped around the water. It was one of those spring mornings where everything just kind of glowed. And there was a breeze that made the whole park feel refreshing before the afternoon heat settled in.
Eventually, we crossed Onion Creek and continued farther into the trees.
The creek crossing is fairly short, but it can be a little slippery, especially if the water is running higher. Not long after, we found the quiet little grove we'd been hoping for.
Carolyn slipped off her shoes before pulling out the same leather-bound notebook she'd carried while planning their wedding. Inside were her wedding day vows, planning notes from years before, and now a new set of promises marking everything they'd experienced together during their first year of marriage.
They laughed.
They cried.
They smiled halfway through sentences because the words kept catching in their throats.
One of our favorite parts of editing their film was noticing how many of their wedding day vows had already become part of their everyday life just a year later.
And when the vows were finished, they simply stood there holding each other beneath the trees, letting the moment settle before moving anywhere else.
We didn’t direct a thing here. This was just them. Wrapped up in each other. We just happened to be standing close enough to witness it.
Eventually, Carolyn couldn't help herself.
She asked Dan to twirl her around, laughing as her dress caught the morning light, before the two of them wandered back toward the creek for one last adventure.
As the day began to warm up, they traded hiking boots for bare feet and stepped into the water together, ending the morning exactly the way it started, taking their time and enjoying every little bit of it.
Planning Your Own McKinney Falls State Park Wedding or Elopement
If Dan and Carolyn's morning has you dreaming about your own McKinney Falls State Park wedding or elopement, there are a few things worth knowing.
This park is one of our favorite spots near Austin for couples who want a wedding day that feels adventurous without a difficult hike.
With its scenic limestone falls, quiet wooded trails, and plenty of places to take it easy together, it's obvious why it's become such a popular location for intimate weddings and vow renewals.
Do I need a permit to get married at McKinney Falls State Park?
Yes. Whether you're planning a private elopement with just the two of you or inviting a handful of your favorite people, you'll need both the daily park entrance fee and a Special Event Permit.
As of writing this, daily entrance fees are $6 per person, and the park asks couples to submit their Special Event Permit application at least four to six weeks in advance. During busier seasons, it's always a good idea to apply even earlier. (We can help with this part too.)
Your application will need to include things like:
Your preferred ceremony location
Your ceremony date and timeline
Guest and vehicle count
Any decor or equipment you're planning to bring
Once your permit is approved, you’ll want to be sure to bring a copy with you on your wedding day.
Of course, Leave No Trace principles are incredibly important. Staying on durable surfaces, respecting wildflowers and fragile vegetation, and leaving the park exactly as you found it helps keep places like McKinney Falls beautiful for everyone who visits after you.
What time of day is best?
If we had one recommendation, it'd be to start early.
Not only does the morning light look magical coming through the trees, but the cooler temperatures make exploring the trails much more enjoyable, especially during the spring, summer, and fall months.
You'll also have a better chance of finding quieter pockets throughout the park before the busiest part of the day.
That said, don't count out sunset.
When we scouted the park a couple of weeks before Dan and Carolyn's vow renewal, the evening light was just as stunning. Golden hour brings a completely different feel to the park, and depending on the day, it can be a wonderful option too.
How busy/private is it?
The truth is, McKinney Falls is a popular public park, so it's helpful to go into the day expecting to share the space with other visitors.
You’ll probably get at least one stranger yelling "Congratulations!" from across the trail, and honestly...we kind of love that.
That's part of what makes getting married somewhere like this so special. You're celebrating your relationship in a place that people genuinely love spending time in. And most folks love getting to be honorary wedding guests for a couple seconds.
That said, the good news is that even when some of the main overlooks are busy, there are plenty of quieter pockets tucked throughout the park where you can exchange vows, take in a moment together, or simply enjoy a little privacy. Sometimes all it takes is wandering a few extra minutes down the trail.
Is the hike difficult?
For most folks, not at all.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that crossing Onion Creek is part of reaching some of the quieter areas of the park. The limestone can get slick, and depending on the water level, your shoes may get wet.
We always recommend shoes with good traction, and if you're planning on exploring beyond the main overlooks, bringing an extra pair of socks (or waterproof shoes) can make the rest of the morning much more comfortable.
And maybe throw an extra towel in the car, just in case.
Can I invite guests?
Absolutely. McKinney Falls also offers options for larger gatherings.
The park's Group Hall can accommodate up to 75 guests and provides a great option for couples who want to celebrate with family while still enjoying everything the park has to offer. You can personalize the space with decorations that won't damage the facility, and we've also seen couples use the nearby outdoor area for intimate ceremony setups before gathering inside to celebrate together.
Why We Love McKinney Falls for Intimate Weddings & Elopements
McKinney Falls isn't the kind of place where you'll have the entire park to yourselves. It's a place where you'll pass hikers wishing you congratulations, families exploring the trails, and people spending a slow afternoon outside.
And honestly? We think that's part of the charm.
For couples who want complete seclusion, there are other places we'd recommend. But if you're drawn to the idea of exchanging vows somewhere that's easy to get to, feels connected to nature, and invites you to slow down for a few hours together, McKinney Falls State Park is such a special option.
One of the things we love most about this park is how much variety it offers in a relatively small area.
You can wander across limestone shelves, read your vows beneath a canopy of trees, cool off in Onion Creek, or end the day sharing a quiet moment by the falls. You won’t feel like you need to rush from place to place here, because every little corner of this park offers something worth stopping for.
That's exactly what made it such a perfect fit for Dan and Carolyn.
Their morning wasn't about checking off a list of must-have photos or recreating someone else's wedding day. It was about giving themselves space to celebrate the life they'd built together. McKinney Falls gave them the perfect place to do just that.
Been picturing yourselves somewhere like this?
Hey, we’re Nora & Kevin
Your McKinney Falls State Park Photographer & Videographer Duo, we'd love to help you dream up a day that feels just as intentional.
Whether that ends up being beneath the trees at McKinney Falls or somewhere completely different, we'll help you build a day with enough room to wander, breathe, and actually be present with each other.
