Today we’d like to introduce you to Swanee Browning.
Hi Swanee, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Nearly three decades ago, my husband and I arrived in the heart of the Texas Hill Country with a dream and a deep appreciation for community. Back then, I was known as Mrs. Browning to generations of students. As an educator, I was devoted to shaping young minds for 31 years. But when the final bell rang on my teaching career, a new chapter began, one that would transform the local wedding industry and celebrate the spirit of small-town entrepreneurship.
Stepping out of the classroom and into the world of bridal bliss, I launched New Braunfels Wedding Guide, now known as The Hills Wedding Guide. What started as a passion project quickly blossomed into a trusted resource for couples planning their big day and a lifeline for local vendors seeking visibility in a competitive market.
My mission is simple. Every day, every decision I make is about championing the incredible talent we have right here in the Hill Country.
From florists and photographers to caterers and venues, The Hills Wedding Guide has become a beacon for small businesses, many of which are family-owned, that pour their hearts into making wedding dreams come true. Through curated listings, vendor spotlights, and heartfelt storytelling, I’ve built more than a business; The Hills Wedding Guide is a community.
My journey, my testimony, is one of reinvention, resilience, and the power of local love. While I may no longer be grading papers, I am still teaching, only now, my lessons are about collaboration, creativity, and the beauty of supporting one another.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In 2018, just weeks before our launch, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the months to follow, I underwent multiple surgeries and treatments. My team at the time did an amazing job of pushing forward. We did meet our launch date and other obligations during that fall. It was March of 2019 that everything was behind me, and I was about to step in and really take the reins.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Hills Wedding Guide?
The Hills Wedding Guide is your trusted companion for planning a heartfelt, stylish celebration in Texas Hill Country. We connect couples with the region’s most inspiring venues and vendors, a guide curated with care, guided by values, and designed to make your planning journey joyful and authentic.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Oh, absolutely! We’ve recently undergone an exciting rebrand—from New Braunfels Wedding Guide to The Hills Wedding Guide. This evolution reflects our growing vision and allows us to better serve and spotlight our incredible vendor community across the Hill Country.
Each December, we host our signature bridal expo, Bridal Jubilee, at the iconic Wurstfest grounds in New Braunfels. And in 2026, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be expanding with a second Jubilee! In addition to our December event, we’ll be hosting a spring Bridal Jubilee at The Bevy Hotel in Boerne, Texas.
This expansion gives us the opportunity to showcase our current vendors in a fresh setting while welcoming new talent from the Boerne area. We can’t wait to celebrate love, creativity, and connection in both locations!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thehillsweddingguide.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehillsweddingguide/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newbraunfelsweddingguide/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nbweddingguide
Image Credits
Erin Marcin Photography
1836 Photographie
Jesse Crozier Photography
