Imagine this group on horseback as a well dressed wedding party and you have an idea of how beautiful and unique a wedding with Horses on the Beach can be. Photo by Nickie Snow Stillman
The wedding experience at Horses on the Beach often starts with a knee dropping in the sand as the sun’s setting rays in the west reflect off the eastern horizon over the Gulf. According to owner Brennan Wells, proposals take place two to three times a week during scheduled rides.
“At a stopping point during the ride, the guide will request the couple to climb off so the horses could be checked for whatever reason,” Wells said. “While the lady is facing the water, we have one of our guys taking photos as the gentleman is kneeling in front of her proposing. Sometimes, we’ll even arrange for the family to already be at the turnaround point as a surprise.”
While there might have been a few “neighs,” so far, there have haven’t been any “nos,” Wells said. Positive responses have led many a newly engaged couple to inquire if Horses on the Beach hosts weddings. The answer to that is a resounding “yes!”
Horses on the Beach offers non-traditional wedding opportunities for couples looking for something a little more informal with smaller groups of about 30 guests. Larger parties can be accommodated as well.
Typically, weddings start with a sunset ride that ends at a gazebo on the beach. Couples arrive to the ceremony by horseback. After the ceremony, facilities are available for a reception with champagne toasts and a cookout of shrimp, steak and other items.
While popular for weddings, Horses on the Beach is also a favorite venue for corporate events, which can be as large as 200 people.
“Our typical event will have a horseback ride at sunset that will end up at our location with outdoor lighting and two fire pits,” Wells said. “One (fire pit) has bench swings for people to relax, and another has chairs set around it for people to gather and socialize.”
Catering options include a Cajun-style shrimp boil that includes sausage and new potatoes as well as fajitas, hamburgers and hot dogs. Horses on the Beach also provides games and activities for families with children such as horseshoes, giant Jenga and corn hole. A moonwalk or bounce house can also be added.
“If the kids are too young to ride full-grown horses, we have pony rides and a petting zoo,” Wells said. “For those unable to get on a horse due to injury or whatever reason, we also have hay rides along the beach.”
With the growing interest in beach weddings, Wells has future plans to build an arbor area at the facility. The company is in the beginning stages of providing a larger venue area specifically for weddings to comfortably house 50-100 people.
“We can have it to where the ceremony will take place on the sand dunes with the Gulf in the background,” he said. “ And when they come back, have a champagne toast at the venue where tables and chairs are set up, for however many they need. And we can tailor the menu however they want. It could be lobster, shrimp, steak or fajitas. Or they can bring their own caterer if they prefer.”
To plan a wedding at Horses on the Beach, call and discuss all the options available.
“If they want to come in and bring their own food provider or rental company to set up tables and chairs and use Horses on the Beach as a facility, that’s fine,” Wells said. “We would love to accommodate them.”
Whether it’s proposals, prenuptial photo shoots or the actual wedding itself, the Gulf Coast during sunset makes a beautiful and romantic backdrop for riding horses.
Horses on the Beach is located at 16562 South Padre Island Drive. Call (361) 949-4944 or visit horsesonthebeachcorpus.com for more information.
