Camp Lucy is a resort property in Dripping Springs with several wedding venues on it. Ian's Chapel is the one we filmed: a restored French Colonial chapel, an open reception pavilion, a lawn and a stone arch overlook. On an April day the couple used almost all of it, and the walk between spaces became part of the story.
Hero photo: Camp Lucy
The spaces at Ian's Chapel
The venue lists indoor and outdoor ceremony sites, a historic open reception pavilion, an enclosed events hall with a fireplace, a stone arch with a terrace, and a wedding party lounge with separate quarters. Capacity is up to 300 depending on setup.
Our couple said their vows at the overlook by the arch, held cocktail hour in the pavilion, and used the chapel twice: once for a quiet first touch and prayer before the ceremony, and again for the send off at the end of the night.
Photo: Camp Lucy
Before the ceremony
The bridal party was on site from 9:00 AM with breakfast served, and hair and makeup ran until 2:00. The groom arrived at 2:00 with lunch. We started at 3:00 with the groom's party and family photos while the bride got dressed.
At 3:45 the couple met at the chapel for a first touch and prayer without seeing each other. That kept the first look for the aisle and still gave us a real moment on camera. The bride's first look with her father followed at 4:30, then family photos.
Photo: Camp Lucy
Ceremony and the sunset window
Guests arrived around 5:00, with a shuttle drop off at the same time. The ceremony started at 5:30 at the overlook, with cocktail hour in the pavilion at 6:00 while post ceremony photos happened.
Sunset that day was at 7:57 PM, so the planner pulled the couple out for sunset photos at 7:45, right after the buffet opened. If you want golden light on the overlook, build that 15 minute gap into dinner on purpose.
Reception, band and send off
With a live band, the toasts were set for the first band break at 8:15 and the parent dances for when the band came back at 8:35. That is a good pattern for audio, because speeches do not compete with an amplified stage.
The cake was cut unannounced at 9:00, late night snacks came out at 10:00, and the bar closed at 10:30. The send off was at the chapel with bubbles at 10:55, the event ended at 11:00, and all vendors were out by midnight.
A real day here
A spring wedding we filmed here (April)
| 9:00 AM | Bridal party on site; breakfast served |
| 2:00 PM | Groom arrives; lunch served |
| 3:00 PM | Groom's party and family photos; bride gets dressed |
| 3:45 PM | Couple's first touch and prayer at the chapel |
| 4:00 PM | Groom hidden; bridal party photos |
| 4:30 PM | Bride and father first look; bride's family photos |
| 5:00 PM | Guests arrive; shuttle drop off |
| 5:30 PM | Ceremony at the overlook |
| 6:00 PM | Cocktail hour in the pavilion; post ceremony photos |
| 7:10 PM | Couple introduced; first dance at 7:20 |
| 7:45 PM | Sunset photos (sunset at 7:57) |
| 8:15 PM | First band break and toasts |
| 10:55 PM | Send off at the chapel with bubbles |
| 12:00 AM | All vendors out |
Sample timelines by season
Sunset in Austin moves by three hours across the year, and it decides almost everything else on the timeline. Here is how we would shape a day at Camp Lucy in each season. Times are a starting point; your planner and venue will tune them.
Spring
| 2:30 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 3:30 PM | First look, then couple portraits |
| 4:05 PM | Wedding party portraits, then immediate family |
| 4:50 PM | Couple tucked away in the suite; guests arrive |
| 5:30 PM | Ceremony at the overlook |
| 6:00 PM | Cocktail hour in the pavilion; extended family photos |
| 7:00 PM | Grand entrance and dinner |
| 7:25 PM | Couple slips out for golden hour, about 15 minutes |
| 8:00 PM | Toasts, then first dance and parent dances |
| 8:30 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 11:00 PM | Bubble send-off |
In mid April sunset was at 7:57 PM, which put sunset portraits at 7:45 during dinner after a 5:30 ceremony.
Summer
| 3:15 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 4:15 PM | Bride with her bridesmaids, groom with his groomsmen, separately |
| 4:45 PM | Each side's family photos, still apart |
| 5:15 PM | Guests arrive; couple hidden in the suite |
| 5:45 PM | Ceremony at the overlook, first sight at the aisle |
| 6:15 PM | Family photos at the ceremony site |
| 6:30 PM | Wedding party photos, then couple portraits while guests enjoy a long cocktail hour in the pavilion |
| 7:30 PM | Grand entrance straight into the first dance |
| 7:40 PM | Dinner |
| 8:05 PM | Golden hour portraits between courses |
| 8:30 PM | Toasts and parent dances, dance floor opens |
| 11:15 PM | Bubble send-off |
Fall
| 3:15 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 4:15 PM | Separate portraits with the wedding party; no first look |
| 5:30 PM | Guests arrive to live music |
| 6:15 PM | Ceremony at the overlook, timed for the last of the light |
| 6:40 PM | Recessional; family photos first, while the light holds |
| 6:45 PM | Cocktail hour in the pavilion into dusk |
| 6:55 PM | Golden hour couple portraits, about 20 minutes |
| 7:35 PM | Grand entrance, first dance, then dinner |
| 8:25 PM | Toasts and parent dances |
| 8:55 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 11:15 PM | Bubble send-off |
Winter
| 12:30 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 1:30 PM | First look with dad, then a bridesmaid reveal |
| 1:45 PM | Groom's portraits with his parents and groomsmen |
| 2:30 PM | Wedding party tucked away in the suite as guests arrive |
| 3:15 PM | Ceremony at the overlook |
| 3:45 PM | Cocktail hour in the pavilion; family photos first, then the wedding party |
| 4:15 PM | Couple portraits, about 20 minutes |
| 4:45 PM | Grand entrance and dinner |
| 5:00 PM | Quick sunset portraits, about 10 minutes |
| 5:45 PM | Toasts, cake cutting, first dance and parent dances |
| 6:15 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 8:35 PM | Private last dance, then bubble send-off |
Photo: Camp Lucy
Common questions
Where do ceremonies happen at Ian's Chapel?
The venue offers indoor and outdoor ceremony sites, including the 19th century French Colonial chapel and a stone arch with a terrace. The couple we filmed married at the overlook by the arch.
How many guests does Ian's Chapel hold?
Camp Lucy lists capacity for up to 300 guests, depending on the room setup.
What time did the night end?
On the day we filmed, the send off was at 10:55 PM, the event ended at 11:00 PM and vendors were out by midnight.
Planning a wedding here? Send us your date and we will tell you how we would film it.