DRIPPING SPRNGS, Texas -- In 2015, the Texas House designated Dripping Springs the Wedding Capital of Texas. Weddings and wedding planning drive the picturesque community’s economy, and the COVID-19 pandemic is currently driving it into the ground.

  • Dripping Springs typically hosts 90 weddings every weekend in the spring
  • Leaders say industry "crushed" by COVID-19 fallout
  • More than 35 wedding venues in 15-mile radius

As Texans and people all over the country continue to practice social distancing and many are sheltering in place, couples have postponed or canceled their Dripping Springs weddings.

Dripping Springs has more than 35 wedding venues in a 15-mile radius and more than 50 lodging options. That’s not to mention all of the ancillary businesses such as caterers, florists, bakers, hair stylists, officiants, and musicians that contribute.

“Many people who live in this area do not know why we call Dripping Springs the Wedding Capital of Texas.  The number of weddings that take place every week, especially in the spring, is staggering,” said Pam Owens, CEO and president of the Dripping Springs Visitors Bureau. “It represents a large share of the tourism and travel market in Central Texas.  This terrible virus has hurt us all, but we will regroup and help those who were victims of this unanticipated health issue get together and get married. That’s our business and we will work to maintain and support all the services and businesses that have made us the place to get married.”

During the spring, there are typically approximately 90 weddings every weekend in Dripping Springs.

“The pandemic is having a devastating impact on the wedding and event communities in Hays County. With the cancellation of all public gatherings with very little notice, hundreds of clients’ events have been disrupted or postponed,” said Kim Hanks, Dripping Springs Visitors Bureau board member and CEO and co-founder of Whim Hospitality. “We’ve laid off more than 150 employees. We are very anxious to bring them back to work and return to the normal, crazy life we live in the hospitality industry every day.”