Dos Palomas Ranch is a private ranch in the Sisterdale area outside Boerne, with more than 300 acres along the Guadalupe River and one main building the venue simply calls The Venue. Ceremonies happen outside, either on The Bluff above the river, at The Greenhouse, or on the grounds. It is far enough out that transportation and vendor logistics shape the whole day.
Hero photo: Dos Palomas Ranch
The spaces
The Venue holds up to 250 guests, and the venue says that number already accounts for a rainy day. It has an open floor plan, a built-in bar and an outdoor patio that carries cocktail hour and, later, the dance floor. The Bluff is a three-tiered, amphitheater-style ceremony site over the river. The Greenhouse is a smaller glass and wood structure closer to the building.
On a November wedding we filmed, the ceremony was outside at 4:00 PM, cocktail hour was on the patio, dinner was inside, and then the band moved to an outdoor stage for dancing. That inside-to-outside shift is the thing to plan around.
Photo: Dos Palomas Ranch
Getting ready on site
The venue opened at 8:00 AM and hair and makeup set up in the bridal suite right away. The groom's side came in by bus at 1:00 PM and dressed in the groom's suite. Photo and video started at 1:00 with details, the bride was in her dress at 1:30, and first looks with her father and then the groom were at 2:00 and 2:15.
That left a full hour for wedding party photos and still time to film the ceremony site empty at 3:00, before early guests arrived around 3:30.
Photo: Dos Palomas Ranch
Ceremony and the hour after
The band provided ceremony sound, with a lapel mic on the officiant and a sound check finished by 3:15. The ranch had a golf cart ready to carry older family members to the ceremony site, which is worth requesting if you have anyone who should not walk it.
After the ceremony, the jazz trio played cocktail hour on the patio while we did family photos and then sunset portraits with the couple, finished by 5:30. The planner held one clear moment at 5:00 for a full shot of the reception room before guests came in.
Vendor rules that affect the timeline
Vendors unload at the front valet circle and then move to the adjacent lot. Catering trucks had to be off the kitchen driveway by 3:10 PM because guests walk down that driveway to reach the ceremony, and the band could not park in the staff lot. These are small things, but they decide when your crew can move gear.
- The venue says rideshare is not reliable out here. That couple ran five buses from Fredericksburg for guests.
- Sparklers are allowed outside only; fireworks are not.
- Off-duty officers are required when alcohol is served.
Reception and exit
Guests were seated inside at 5:50 and dinner started at 6:00, with a second PA inside for speeches. At 7:15 the band moved to the outside stage, first dances happened there, and the lawn bar reopened. Last call was 9:30, and the couple left through a cold spark exit at 10:00 PM. All vendors were out by midnight.
A real day here
A November Saturday we filmed here (November 2024)
| 8:00 AM | Venue opens; hair and makeup set up in the bridal suite |
| 12:15 PM | Band arrives to set up ceremony sound and both stages |
| 1:00 PM | Groom's side arrives by bus; photo and video start with details |
| 1:30 PM | Bride gets into her dress |
| 2:00 PM | First look with her father, then with the groom at 2:15 |
| 2:30 PM | Wedding party photos |
| 3:00 PM | Ceremony details filmed before guests arrive |
| 3:30 PM | Early guests arrive; buses park for the evening |
| 4:00 PM | Outdoor ceremony |
| 4:30 PM | Cocktail hour on the patio; family photos, then sunset portraits |
| 5:50 PM | Guests seated inside; couple introduced |
| 7:15 PM | Band moves to the outdoor stage; first dances |
| 10:00 PM | Cold spark exit |
| 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 Dos Palomas Ranch 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 bridal suite; guests arrive |
| 5:30 PM | Ceremony |
| 6:00 PM | Cocktail hour on the patio; 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 | Cold spark send-off |
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 bridal suite |
| 5:45 PM | Ceremony, 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 on the patio |
| 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 | Cold spark send-off |
The venue notes the Greenhouse interior is not suited to warm or hot weather for ceremonies.
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, timed for the last of the light |
| 6:40 PM | Recessional; family photos first, while the light holds |
| 6:45 PM | Cocktail hour on the patio 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 | Cold spark send-off |
For a mid-November ceremony at 4:00 PM, sunset portraits were wrapped by 5:30, and the planner packed blankets in case the ceremony got cold.
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 bridal suite as guests arrive |
| 3:15 PM | Ceremony |
| 3:45 PM | Cocktail hour on the patio; 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 cold spark send-off |
Photo: Dos Palomas Ranch
Common questions
How many guests can Dos Palomas Ranch hold?
The Venue holds up to 250 guests, and the venue says that includes its rainy day setup.
Where do ceremonies happen?
Outside. The main site is The Bluff above the Guadalupe River, with The Greenhouse and the grounds near The Venue as other options.
Can we do a sparkler exit?
Sparklers are allowed outside only, subject to burn bans and venue approval. Fireworks are not permitted. Cold sparks were used on the wedding we filmed.
Do we need a planner?
Yes. The venue requires at least a partial planner and does not allow day-of-only coordination.
Planning a wedding here? Send us your date and we will tell you how we would film it.