October 31, 2026

The Marquardt Ranch Wedding Venue in Boerne: A Photographer's Guide

wedding photography

The Marquardt Ranch is a family-owned wedding venue in the Texas Hill Country, about 15 minutes north of Boerne on bluffs above the Guadalupe River. The Marquardt family has owned the land since the late 1800s, and Dru Marquardt built the venue himself in 2007. We've photographed weddings here, and every photo in this guide comes from two of them: Julian and Brianna's outdoor ceremony under the oaks and Mark and Katherine's indoor ceremony under the glass cross.

This guide covers the ceremony site, the reception hall, the overlook, the getting-ready suites, the best photo spots and decor ideas. If you're still comparing venues in the area, see our guide to the best wedding venues in Boerne.

The Ceremony Site Under the Oaks

Outdoor ceremonies take place under the ranch's oak trees, with a stone path for the aisle, rows of benches for guests and a wooden cross at the front with the Hill Country behind it. Julian and Brianna dressed the cross with florals and flowing white ribbon, and that was all the decor the space needed.

Outdoor ceremony site with a stone path aisle, benches and a wooden cross under the oaks at The Marquardt Ranch in Boerne

Wooden ceremony cross dressed with florals and white ribbon at The Marquardt Ranch

Guests watch an outdoor ceremony under the oak trees at The Marquardt Ranch

Bride walks down the stone path aisle at The Marquardt Ranch in the Texas Hill Country

Bride and groom exchange vows in front of the wedding party under the oaks at The Marquardt Ranch

Newlyweds walk back up the aisle after their ceremony at The Marquardt Ranch

The Reception Hall and Its Glass Cross

The reception hall has stone walls, a tall wood-beamed ceiling and an 11-foot glass cross set into the rock wall at the front of the room. There's room for round tables, a dance floor and a sweetheart table, and the cross makes a striking backdrop for a first dance.

Julian and Brianna set their tables with gold chargers and white linens and placed their sweetheart table against the stone wall with greenery and candles.

Reception hall with stone walls, a wood-beamed ceiling and the glass cross at The Marquardt Ranch

Reception table with gold chargers and white linens in the hall at The Marquardt Ranch

Sweetheart table with greenery and candles against the stone wall at The Marquardt Ranch

First dance under the 11-foot glass cross at The Marquardt Ranch

An Indoor Ceremony Option

The same hall doubles as an indoor ceremony space, with the glass cross behind the couple. Mark and Katherine said their vows inside, with guests on both sides of the aisle and the cross lit up at the front of the room. It's also reassuring to have if the forecast doesn't cooperate for an outdoor ceremony.

Bride walks down the aisle toward the glass cross during an indoor ceremony at The Marquardt Ranch

Indoor wedding ceremony under the glass cross in the hall at The Marquardt Ranch

Bride and groom embrace at the end of their indoor ceremony at The Marquardt Ranch

The Overlook

A covered overlook with white columns and railings looks out over the Hill Country treetops. It's a beautiful, private spot for a first look, and that's exactly how Julian and Brianna used it before their ceremony.

Bride walks out to the covered overlook for a first look at The Marquardt Ranch

Groom turns to see the bride during their first look on the overlook at The Marquardt Ranch

Bride and groom on the covered overlook with Hill Country views at The Marquardt Ranch

The Getting-Ready Suites

Each of you gets a private dressing suite, and both have big windows with soft natural light for getting-ready photos. The suites are available from the morning of the wedding, so there's time for details, hair and makeup and a few quiet moments before the ceremony.

Bride in her robe by the window in the bridal suite at The Marquardt Ranch

Bride shares a hug in the getting-ready suite before her wedding at The Marquardt Ranch

Groom fastens his cuff by the window in the groom's suite at The Marquardt Ranch

Bride in soft window light in the bridal suite at The Marquardt Ranch in Boerne

Groom buttons his jacket by the window before the ceremony at The Marquardt Ranch

The Stone Entrance

The entrance to the hall has stone columns, a timber gable and a round window, and it's a great frame for wedding party photos. At the end of the night, the stone path out front is where Julian and Brianna made their send-off through a tunnel of their guests.

Bride and groom at the stone entrance with its timber gable at The Marquardt Ranch

Stone entrance with a timber gable and round window at The Marquardt Ranch

Newlyweds walk through a tunnel of guests on the stone path at night at The Marquardt Ranch

Portrait Spots Around the Ranch

The bluff at golden hour, with the Hill Country rolling out behind you.
The benches and oak trees around the ceremony site.
The overlook, for a first look or a quiet moment with a view.
The stone entrance, for wedding party photos.
The Guadalupe River. Guests can't go down to the river on the wedding day, but couples can use it for a first look or portraits with a signed waiver.

Bride and groom under her veil on the bluff at golden hour at The Marquardt Ranch

Bride and groom on a bench under the oaks at The Marquardt Ranch

Bride and bridesmaids in matching robes cheering on the bluff with Hill Country views at The Marquardt Ranch

Bride and groom portrait among the oak trees at The Marquardt Ranch in Boerne

Decor Ideas from Real Marquardt Ranch Weddings

Dress the ceremony cross. Florals and flowing white ribbon on the wooden cross make a simple focal point.
Let the stone and wood do the work. Gold chargers, white linens and greenery stand out against the hall's stone walls.
Use the stone wall behind your sweetheart table. A long garland with candles is all it needs.
Set a framed seating chart near the entrance so guests find their seats quickly.
Display the cake by the hall's stone staircase.

Framed seating chart on an easel at a wedding at The Marquardt Ranch

Reception table with gold chargers and greenery by the stone staircase at The Marquardt Ranch

White wedding cake by the stone staircase at The Marquardt Ranch

The Marquardt Ranch at a Glance

Location: 238 Marquardt Road, about 15 minutes north of Boerne in the Texas Hill Country.
Setting: a family-owned ranch on bluffs above the Guadalupe River.
Capacity: best for about 250 guests or fewer, with a maximum of 310.
Ceremony: outdoors under the oaks or indoors under the glass cross.
Getting ready: a private dressing suite for each of you.
Packages: Venue Only, All-Inclusive and Micro Wedding. Catering is in-house on the All-Inclusive and Micro Wedding packages, and you choose your own photographer and other vendors.
Alcohol: you can bring your own, served by a TABC-certified bartender.

The Marquardt Ranch FAQ

Where is The Marquardt Ranch?

It's at 238 Marquardt Road in Boerne, about 15 minutes north of town and an easy drive from San Antonio.

How many guests can The Marquardt Ranch hold?

The venue recommends 250 guests or fewer for the best experience, with a maximum capacity of 310.

Can we get married indoors?

Yes. The reception hall doubles as an indoor ceremony space with an 11-foot glass cross at the front, which also makes it a good backup if the weather turns.

Can we take photos by the Guadalupe River?

Guests can't access the river on the wedding day, but couples can use it for a first look, bridal portraits or engagement photos with a signed waiver from the venue.

Do we have to use the venue's catering?

In-house catering is required on the All-Inclusive and Micro Wedding packages. Check with the venue about catering on the Venue Only package.

When is the best time for photos?

Golden hour on the bluff is the highlight. Build 20 to 30 minutes into your timeline for portraits as the sun drops over the Hill Country.

Planning Your Wedding at The Marquardt Ranch?

We'd love to help. See more of our wedding photography, browse more Hill Country wedding venues, check our investment page or reach out to check your date.