Ashley & Drew Rio Frio River Wedding

This love story starts way back in 2004 when Ashley and Drew met on a camping trip at Garner State Park, Texas.

Their paths would cross each summer as both of their families camped at the same time every year. They would float away the days and dance late into the night but it was young love and fleeting. A few run-ins in college and failed relationships in between led them back to each other in 2015 to once again dance the night away at one of their favorite bands shows.

There love led them to engagement and planning a destination adventure wedding at the Rio Bella Resort, on the Rio Frio River, just minutes away from where they first met and spent their summer vacations.

Ashley and Drew are both easy-going, adventurous and outdoor-loving which reflected their wedding design of a simple ceremony next to the river, and soft sunset colors mixed in everywhere.

Photography was a big factor in their wedding aesthetic and as you can see the photo gallery Jackie Willome Photography captures the romantic elements that make up this fun couple as well as keeping the river landscape in the background. This was the perfect touch for this “river rat” couple.

 

From the sunset reception above the water to a dance floor filled with their favorite tunes from middle school, and even a groom’s cake of a river floating inner tube, this wedding was the perfect mixture of romantic outdoor adventure with a touch of party.

For three days and two nights, the wedding guests enjoyed celebrating with Ashley and Drew as they floated the rivers, ate barbecue, and relaxed by the fire pits. A must for adventure weddings by the river!

Don’t miss the photo of Drew with the rust-colored smoke bomb and the imaginative video that captures the elements of the wedding.

 

About the venue

Rio Bella Resort offers the best accommodations for any adventure wedding, retreat, or vacation.

The resort offers 13 cabins and sleeps approximately 100 people, including a big Rio Grande Cabin that sleeps 18 (where we wined and dined a barbecue rehearsal dinner for all the guests) and a little casita for two (a great place for the couple to spend their wedding night.)

 

Rio Bella sits above the river with beautiful landscapes and has its own private access to the river bank. The resort offers a load of river fun for guests including paddle boarding, kayaking, and tube rentals. And if you wanna stay closer to your cabin they have volleyball, tetherball, rock painting (see the pics of some rocks), and firepits for late-night snuggles and smores by the fire.

I could go on about what a treat this adventure destination wedding was but for now, I will leave with the photos and some inspiration for your own adventure wedding.

 

Talented Wedding Vendors:
Photographer: Jackie Willome Photography
Venue: Rio Bella Resort
Partial Planning + Styling: Social Planner Events
Floral Design: Foxglove & Grace
Videography: Lux Vinci
Hair & Make-up: Artistee Lane
Invitations + Signage: Minted
Cakes: Oh Yeah Cakes and Sweet Sunrise Cakes
Catering: Bill Miller BBQ
DJ: DJ Connection
Bride’s Dress: Allure
Tambourines: Hand-painted by bride and family
Ribbon: Moonlight & Moss
Hat: Lack of Colour
Rings: Robin Brothers
Bridesmaids Dresses: Show Me Your MuMu
Groom’s Attire: Ben Sherman, MuMu, Wrangler, Tony Lama

If you loved this adventure wedding at the Rio Bella Resort, check out my Modern Pioneer Wedding Inspired shoot on Junebug Weddings. If your feeling inspired by this wedding and all that goes into a destination wedding I would to go over the details with you, contact me here.