The Best Wedding Venues Near Corpus Christi: Officiant Renee Reyes’ Top 5 Picks!

Dreaming of a Texas beach wedding? Searching for Corpus Christi wedding venues on a budget? Wedding Officiant Renee Reyes shares her 5 favorite spots to get married on The Coastal Bend

 

In search of a unique Corpus Christi wedding venue? A magical place to say ‘I do’ along the Texas Coastal Bend? To help you find the perfect spot for your Texas wedding or elopement, we turned to local wedding officiant Renee Reyes.

 

From the towering sand dunes of Mustang Island, to the vibrant nightlife of downtown Corpus Christi, Renee’s seen it all — and is sharing her favorite venues in this unique coastal destination! 

 

 

(Photo:  Sean Pavone / iStock)

 

 

Wedding officiants will tell you that visiting the coolest wedding venues in the country is a big perk of the job. You might perform an intimate wedding on a private boat on Saturday, help a couple renew their vows over brunch on Sunday, then get a behind-the-scenes view of a world class museum during a formal ceremony on Monday. Creative locations are part of what makes officiating weddings a great career, and what makes every couple’s wedding a unique adventure.

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As experts begin predicting the top wedding destination ideas and trends of 2026, we thought it’d be fun to ask experienced wedding officiant Renee Reyes (aka The Love Officiant) about her favorite Corpus Christi wedding venues, as well as nearby locations that offer a great value for the experience.

 

Whether you're planning a destination wedding in 2026, or starting a wedding officiant business of your own, you'll want to see the incredible locations on Renee’s list!

 

 

The 5 Best Wedding Venues Near Corpus Christi

 

Wedding Officiant Renee Reyes reveals The Coastal Bend's hidden gems for weddings and elopements

 

 

1. Chapel on the Dunes (Port Aransas, Texas)

 

A Chapel on the Dunes wedding is truly magical. This historic church located on Mustang Island, less than an hour from Corpus Christi, is considered one of the “Eight Wonders of Port Aransas.” Built by author, astronomer, artist, and Poet Laureate Aline Carter, the venue welcomes all couples and is LGBTQ+ friendly. It’s filled with colorful murals and flowers, and is a true symbol of enduring love. 

 

“Chapel on the Dunes is the crown jewel of The Coastal Bend and my personal favorite place to officiate,” Renee tells us. “This historic chapel has survived hurricanes, floods, and time itself — yet still stands proudly atop a sand dune overlooking the water. It’s intimate, poetic, and feels like a miracle every time I’m there.

 

There’s something spiritual about it. The history, the sunlight, the story of survival, and the intimate way it holds only a small number of people. It represents everything I love about being an officiant: authenticity, love, connection, and the quiet power of a moment shared between two people.

 

Related: Spiritual Wedding Ceremony Script

 

What I love most is that anyone can get married here. You don’t have to belong to a particular denomination. I’ve been officiating ceremonies at Chapel on the Dunes since around 2014, and it still touches my heart every single time. The white stucco, the quiet hilltop, the ocean breeze… it’s timeless. If I could choose only one place to marry couples for the rest of my life, it would be here.”

 

 

Beautiful, unique, poetic, and private - a wedding at The Chapel on the Dunes is truly special. A completely unique ceremony in a one of a kind setting. (Photography by Portraits by Priscilla)

 

 

2. Murph Park & Rockport Beach Pavilions (Rockport, Texas)

 

If you’re looking for wedding venues in Rockport, Texas, check out Murph Park’s stunning views of Copano Bay (Howard Murph Memorial Park), or nearby Rockport Beach Park. Both locations offer incredible views of the water!

 

Related: 5 Seaside Unity Ceremony Ideas for Your Beach Wedding or Vow Renewal

 

For a larger wedding, consider the Rockport Beach Pavilions, nestled in the sand along the Saltwater Lagoon, with private restrooms, catering kitchen, and climate-controlled ceremony spaces for up to 200 guests. The Saltwater Pavilion offers sweeping views of Key Allegro, Leggett Channel, Aransas Bay, and the Connie Hagar Wildlife Sanctuary.

 

“Rockport is full of hidden beauty, and Murph Park is one of its best-kept secrets,” Renee says. “[This spot] offers a peaceful park and clear-water beach, where the sand and water blend together so perfectly that you can’t tell where one ends and the other begins. It feels like your own little piece of heaven.”

 

“The Pavilions provide shade, structure, and great photo spots,” she adds. “Rockport [itself] is quiet, intimate, and naturally romantic, which is perfect for small gatherings, elopements, or couples who want beauty without distraction.”

 

 

 

(Top: Officiant Renee with happy newlyweds following an intimate 'just us' beach elopement at Murph Park Beach at sunset, credit: Photography by Portraits by Priscilla; Bottom: Rockport Beach Pavilions photographed from above at sunset, photo via RockportBeach-Texas.com.)

 

 

3. The Miradores: Downtown Corpus Christi Boardwalk Gazebos

 

Get married in Corpus Christi along the bustling bayfront! The boardwalk offers eight gazebo-like structures called The Miradores del Mar, which you can use for free for your wedding or elopement, on a walk-up, first-come basis. These white, picturesque Spanish-style gazebos are placed along the Corpus Christi seawall, from Bayfront Science Park to McCaughan Park, including one near the Mirador de la Flor, a memorial to Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. These unique structures offer endless photo opportunities, with an up-close view of the water. 

 

“One of the most underrated wedding spots in Corpus Christi is the line of waterfront gazebos near the Selena statue. There are eight gazebos, each offering a different vibe — some by the beach, some near greenery, and some with views of the USS Lexington,” Renee says. 

 

“What makes this location special is its variety and accessibility,” she adds. “You can choose sand, grass, water, or harbor views depending on your ceremony style. And one of the best parts: it’s completely free to the public. Couples can have a beautiful waterfront elopement with no rental fees at all. It’s simple, elegant, and full of charm.

 

 

(Photo: Wirestock / iStock)

 

 

4. The Courtyard at Gaslight Square (Corpus Christi, Texas)

 

If you’re looking for intimate wedding venues in Corpus Christi, consider The Courtyard at Gaslight Square. This woman-owned business provides a private outdoor and indoor event space for 50 to 300 guests. Located in the city’s historic downtown, it’s just blocks from the beach and surrounded by numerous bars and restaurants (including The Hidden Door, a beloved Corpus Christi gay bar just a short walk away).

 

With romantic wrought iron balconies, cobblestone walkways, sparkling chandeliers, and strand lights twinkling from the trees, this is a fairytale setting you’ll never forget! Bring your dancing shoes too – there’s an outdoor dance floor that’s perfect for an evening wedding reception.

 

“Gaslight Square is one of the most elegant and versatile venues in the Coastal Bend,” Renee says. “I’ve officiated many weddings here, and every single one has been stunning. The outdoor courtyard is perfect for couples who want an elegant, black-tie, open-air ceremony, complete with a dramatic oak tree, bistro lighting, and a romantic atmosphere.

 

If the weather changes, the indoor spaces are just as beautiful — perfect for receptions, cocktails, or moving the ceremony inside. The staff is always kind and professional, which makes every event run smoothly. For weddings with over 100 people, this is one of my top recommendations.”

 

 

(Top and Bottom Left: Elegant scenes from The Courtyard at Gaslight Square, gorgeous dining room and outdoor chandeliers set the mood, photos via the venue's online gallery; Right: Cobblestone walkways and wrought iron fill this intimate wedding venue with romance and magic, photo credit: Carrie Nichols Photography.) 

 

 

5. Port Aransas, Texas (The Entire Town Experience)

 

What do you get when you combine a beach vacation with a wedding in Port Aransas, TX? A fun, sun-filled, stress-free celebration! Take it from a wedding officiant, Port Aransas is one of the best beach wedding locations in Texas, with so many scenic locations and friendly venues to choose from. Whether you’re planning a low-key beach elopement Texas-style, or a luxurious resort experience with poolside service, five-star dining, or unlimited golfing, this town’s got it all.

 

“Port Aransas isn’t just a location — it’s a wedding destination. I love marrying couples here because the whole town feels like a joyful getaway,” Renee says. “It’s vibrant, fun, and full of personality. Couples can rent beach houses, book golf carts or buggies, explore local shops, eat amazing food, and enjoy the coast all weekend long.

 

Whether couples want a sunrise beach wedding, a quiet dune ceremony, or a fun boardwalk moment, Port Aransas gives them the perfect mix of energy and romance. I’ve done countless weddings here, and it’s always unforgettable.”

 

 

Take it from a wedding officiant: Port Aransas is one of the best beach wedding locations in Texas, with beatiful views, a fun vibe, and plenty of cute options for a simple elopement or traditional wedding. (Photo: Kanokwalee Pusitanun / iStock)

 

 

Which of these beautiful Texas wedding venues is your favorite? 

 

Whether you're eloping on a budget or planning an luxurious black-tie wedding and reception, there's somewhere special for you to say 'I do!' along The Texas Coastal Bend.

 

This unique area is perfect for a destination wedding, with stunning views, great bars and restaurants, and LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and resorts. And if you're looking for warm, mild wedding venues for winter weddings in Texas, you can't go wrong with friendly stops along this sunny stretch of coastline!

 

Start planning with more Texas wedding ideas & advice from AMM:

 

• How to Get Married in Texas - Planning a Wedding Ceremony in the Lone Star State
   
• How to Elope: The Complete Elopement Checklist
   
• Dripping Springs Will Continue Reign as ‘Wedding Capital of Texas’
   
• How Much Does it Cost to Get Ordained Online in Texas?
   
• How to Plan a Beach Wedding for Any Time of Year
   

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Meet the Expert

 

Wedding Officiant Renee Reyes

The Love Officiant

 

Officiant Renee Reyes is the founder of The Love Officiant, an inclusive wedding officiant business based in Corpus Christi, Texas. Renee proudly serves couples across South Texas, including Corpus Christi, Rockport, Port Aransas, Padre Island, and Mustang Island, and is available for destination weddings and vow renewal  ceremonies across the U.S.

 

In her own words: "Each ceremony I officiate is completely personalized. I believe your ceremony should reflect your love, values, and unique story, which is why I write every script from scratch. To gather all the details I need to make your ceremony a dream come true, I provide free questionnaires to ensure every word is meaningful to you both."

 

Renee also specializes in naturist weddings "for couples who embrace body positivity, freedom, and love without limits." Read more in her interview with AMM:  This Wedding Officiant Wants to Marry You in the Nude

 

Connect with Officiant Renee
The Love Officiant /  Instagram / TikTok
 

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