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Music is one of the most powerful parts of a wedding day. Whether you picture guests dancing all night to a DJ, swaying to a live band, or listening to a soft string quartet at your ceremony, the right music brings emotion, energy, and unforgettable moments. At Half Moon Empire, we want couples to have […]

Some of the best moments of your wedding weekend happen before the wedding day itself — when everyone’s finally arrived, the energy settles, and you get to exhale under the oak trees with the people you love most. That’s exactly the heart behind our “Under the Oaks” rehearsal dinner setup at Half Moon Empire. 🌙 […]

If you’ve dreamed of saying “I do” surrounded by rolling hills, century-old oak trees, and a sunset that takes your breath away, you’re already picturing the Texas Hill Country. There’s just something about this part of Texas—where rustic charm meets elegant design—that captures couples from all across the state. Whether you’re from Austin, San Antonio, […]

Your wedding weekend should feel like a retreat, not a race. Between timelines, travel, and a hundred tiny decisions, stress can sneak up fast. That’s why choosing a venue that’s built for ease, one that blends beauty, comfort, and coordination—is one of the best decisions you can make. At Half Moon Empire, our couples don’t […]

When you picture your wedding day, you’re probably imagining joy, celebration, and being fully present—not running around with a clipboard or answering vendor questions. That’s where a wedding coordinator comes in. At Half Moon Empire, we’ve seen firsthand how much difference coordination makes, which is why we require either a full-service planning team or our […]

Touring wedding venues is one of the most exciting parts of planning your big day—but it can also be overwhelming. With so many beautiful spaces and so many details to think about, it’s easy to forget the questions that really matter. As a venue owner (and former teacher), I love walking couples through this process […]

When you picture your wedding day, chances are you’re not dreaming of traffic, late-night drives, or scrambling to coordinate hotel blocks. You’re dreaming of being surrounded by your closest people—relaxed, connected, and present. That’s the beauty of choosing a wedding venue with on-site lodging. At Half Moon Empire, we can host up to 42 overnight […]

When we started dreaming about adding on-site lodging to Half Moon Empire, we couldn’t decide: should all the cottages look exactly the same, or should each one have its own story? Honestly, it was stressful during the build and decorating phase—but we are so glad we chose to make them unique. Each of our seven […]

When we first started planning Half Moon Empire, we asked ourselves: What are the most important pieces of a wedding day that we want to get exactly right? The bar quickly rose to the top of that list. Here’s why we chose to create an in-house bar at HME—and why our couples tell us it’s […]

Welcome, friends! We are so excited you’re here. Half Moon Empire has been a dream over 15 years in the making, and seeing it come to life on our land in Shiner, Texas, is nothing short of amazing. This blog is our new space to share wedding tips, behind-the-scenes stories, and inspiration for your big […]