How Romantic! 10 Wedding Venues Here Comes The Guide Has

How Romantic! 10 Wedding Venues Here Comes
The Guide Has Fallen For!
How do YOU define romance?
What types of wedding venues conjure up romance? The answers are as varied as wedding
couples themselves. A venue that showcases an unspoiled setting—redwood forest, lush garden
or rolling meadows—puts nature-lovers in the mood to be wooed. For others, a luxurious resort
or grand, historic mansion sets the stage for love. Romance is often tied to a personal
experience, and some couples get starry-eyed when recalling their first walk along the beach at
sunset, or the time they sampled a winery’s finest vintage while gazing out
at sprawling vineyards.
Choosing your romantic wedding venue
First, try and zero in on the kind of atmosphere that makes your hearts go pitter-patter (rustic?
modern? classic? historic?). Next, think about what venue types might echo a special
time you shared as a couple (was your first date at a museum? did he propose at his parents’
country club?). At Here Comes The Guide, we have the lucky “job” of scouring the country for
the most unique, sought-after, and yes, romantic wedding venues. Get ready, because here
comes some inspiration!
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Location: 3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami FL
Style: Italian Country Villa
Interesting Tidbit: Commissioned by millionaire James Deering, Vizcaya was built between
1914 and 1922 and involved the work of around 1,000 people, not to mention the construction
of a railroad and the dredging of a channel to transport material, supplies, furnishings and
artworks. Today, you and your guests can tour the 34 opulently appointed rooms and explore
the Secret, Maze and Fountain Gardens.
Event Space Highlights: Ceremonies take place in the gardens, or in the Courtyard of the
Main House. Cocktail parties and receptions can be held in the Courtyard, the gardens, or on
the terraces that overlook Biscayne Bay (area availability depends on the size of the event).
Notable Amenity: 125 parking spaces are included in the evening rental fee.
Catering: Select from list or BYO
Accommodations: Nearby hotels
The Barn at High Point Farms
Location: 263 Parrish Lane, Flintstone GA
Style: Warm, welcoming, country
Fab Feature: At this family-owned, working farm you’ll find a wealth of photo ops, from the
weathered barn and vintage farmhouse to the horses and goats grazing in surrounding
pastures.
Event Space Highlights: Ceremonies are usually held outside in a grove of trees or on the
lawn overlooking the scenic landscape, while the large pole barn hosts receptions. It’s been
decorated with lights and draped with flowing white curtains, a captivating mix of rustic and
elegant.
Notable Attractions: With Chattanooga just a short drive from the farm and plenty of things
to see and do in the area (like Ruby Falls, Rock City, the Tennessee Aquarium, and riverboat
rides), your guests will love staying the whole weekend.
Catering: Select from list or BYO
Accommodations: Guest house sleeps 8; nearby hotels (20 minutes away)
The Hay-Adams
Location: 800 16th & H Streets N.W., Washington, D.C.
Style: Gorgeous 1920s architectural gem
Fab Feature: The 21 suites, all of which lodge you in luxury and afford views of the White
House, Lafayette Park and St. John’s Church depending on which one you reserve.
Event Space Highlights: An express elevator takes you to The Top of the Hay, where
wraparound French doors and windows overlook an amazing panorama of D.C., with the best
view in town of the White House. The Concorde Room’s Belle Époque styling is highlighted by
hand-painted wallpaper and crystal chandeliers, while the Windsor Room showcases ornate
ceiling details, silk-covered walls, brass chandeliers, and an ornamental fireplace.
Wedding Package Perks: Their packages include a custom wedding cake and complimentary
suite (100-guest event minimum required), as well as linens, china, glassware, votives, dance
floor and more.
Catering: Provided in-house
Accommodations: 145 guest rooms and suites
Ashford Estate
Location: 637 Province Line Road, Allentown NJ
Style: Upscale, European-inspired Country Estate
Fab Feature: The grounds are stunning and include “30 park-like acres of sculpted property,
complete with sparkling fountains, waterfalls, a floating gazebo, stone ruins, garden arbors and
sprawling views.”
Event Space Highlights: The Barn Wedding Chapel is unique, with its painted wood rafters,
floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and tilt windows lining the walls. Even more sensational is the
Grand Ballroom, where a vaulting ceiling designed in a series of carved wood arches soars over
an expansive room filled with light thanks to multipaned windows throughout as well as
chandeliers and sconces.
Notable Services: They offer Intelligent Lighting Packages that include a trained lighting
designer who can custom program mood lighting, spot lighting, and high-energy effects
specifically for your event.
Catering: Provided in-house
Accommodations: Nearby hotels
Barr Mansion and Artisan Ballroom
Location: 10463 Sprinkle Road, Austin TX
Style: Ornate Victorian mansion and gardens
Interesting Tidbit: The mansion has serious “green” credentials—their food, gardens and
linens are all organic and they’re also a zero-waste facility.
Event Space Highlights: In the ballroom, a 40-foot glass façade looks out onto the grounds.
Outdoors, you can say “I do” in the shade of a tree decorated with sparkling chandeliers or
other accents.
Wedding Package Perks: The venue, rentals, catering, cakes and coordination services are
included.
Catering: Provided in-house. You can customize your menu or go with the seasonal Harvest
Menu. All dishes are made with the best local and organic ingredients available.
Accommodations: Nearby hotels
Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Location: 11 East Walton Street, Chicago IL
Style: Sophisticated, AAA Five Diamond hotel
Fab Feature: The hotel is like a swank art gallery, displaying photography, paintings,
drawings, fiberworks and sculptures from over 30 international contemporary artists.
Event Space Highlights: Reminiscent of 1920s Paris, the Sinclair Ballroom boasts silkcovered walls, coffered ceilings, hand-blown glass-and-crystal chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling
windows. It also comes with an intimate outdoor terrace overlooking the neighborhood below.
The Faulkner and Hemingway Salons host smaller events.
Notable Services: The award-winning Waldorf Astoria Spa & Health Club offers a full range
of customizable treatments. Men can get a facial or massage tailored just for them, and there’s
even a fun Ice Cream Manicure for kids.
Catering: Provided in-house
Accommodations: 189 guest rooms and suites
Calamigos Ranch Malibu
Location: 327 South Latigo Canyon, Malibu CA
Style: Rustic, elegant, and pastoral
Fab Features: You can rent a ferris wheel or a merry-go-round for your event. And for a truly
western-style celebration, reserve The Barn—there’s sawdust on the floor, bales of hay
scattered about, and it’s painted bright red!
Event Space Highlights: There are four different outdoor ceremony options, each with its
own reception site. The Garden Patio is paired with the sun-filled Lodge; the Oaks Deck for
intimate ceremonies works well with the nearby Dining Room; the Cottage and Pavilion
combine a secluded meadow with a white reception tent; and the Secret Garden offers a grassy
field bordered by roses, trees and a waterfall for exchanging vows, followed by a reception on a
private multilevel deck.
Wedding Package Perks: All the basics are included for both your ceremony and reception,
and you have your choice of a formal sit-down dinner or station buffet. Calamigos is
environmentally minded, using local and organic products and eco-friendly supplies and
tableware as much as possible.
Catering: Provided in-house or BYO
Accommodations: Nearby hotels
The Cliffs Resort
Location: 2757 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach CA
Style: Quintessential California coastal oasis
Fab Feature: They have over 300 days of sunshine a year!
Event Space Highlights: After a glorious oceanfront lawn ceremony, you can keep the party
al fresco with champagne toasts on the Waterfall Terrace and dinner in the Oceanside Tent
Pavilion (endless sea views!) or move indoors into the sophisticated Grand Ballroom.
Wedding Package Perks: All of their packages offer a long list of amenities, and if you
choose the all-inclusive Platinum Coastal Reception Package you’ll enjoy an upgrade to a
custom 6-course menu with pre-event private menu consultation and tasting as well as a 1night stay in an oceanview room on your anniversary date.
Catering: Provided in-house
Accommodations: 160 guest rooms and suites with ocean, coastal, or mountain views
James Leary Flood Mansion
Location: 2222 Broadway, San Francisco CA
Style: Classical blend of Italian Renaissance, Rococo, Tudor and Georgian architectural
influences
Interesting Tidbit: After his Nob Hill home was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake fire, James
Leary Flood used the gold and silver mining fortune he’d inherited to rebuild a more robust
home, promising his wife “a house of marble on a hill of granite.” True to his word, it was
completed in 1915.
Event Space Highlights: 11,000 square feet of the mansion are available for your event. The
140-foot-long Grand Hall ends at a spectacular bow-windowed belvedere overlooking a
panoramic vista of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, and the Marin County hills.
Imitating a room in the Vatican, the Reception Room boasts a magnificent coffered ceiling,
painted murals , and a parquet floor. The Cortile, a pretty enclosed courtyard off of the Grand
Hall, is available for outdoor gatherings, weather permitting.
Notable Amenities: Rental includes exclusive use of the mansion, and pianos are available in
the Reception Room and Grand Hall by prearrangement.
Catering: Select from list
Accommodations: Nearby hotels
Belle Fiore Estate and Winery
Location: 955 D Indian Memorial Road, Ashland OR
Style: Graceful French château and grounds
Fab Feature: You can savor Belle Fiore’s Reserve Wines at a private wine tasting in the
Château Tasting Room or on the château’s patio on Fridays and Saturdays (reservation
required).
Event Space Highlights: Outdoor celebrations on the terrace and in the gardens overlook 50
acres of vineyards with sweeping views of the Rogue Valley. The Wine Pavilion, with its
Italianate architecture and vineyard and mountain views, offers both indoor and al fresco event
options.
Notable Services: Their on-site Events Coordinator will help you plan the wedding you
envision.
Catering: Provided in-house or select from list
Accommodations: Nearby hotels with round-trip shuttle service
Author Bio:
Jolene Rae Harrington couldn’t be more proud to
share some Tips & Trends with YWE couples. My
title goes beyond Director of Creative Content
and a Venue Specialist
at HereComesTheGuide.com—I’m also a real-life
Guide Bride! More than 19 years ago, Here
Comes The Guide helped me track down my own
dream wedding venue, and today I’m still happily
wedded to both Mr. Harrington and HCTG! David
Tutera and I actually go back a ways too: About 5
years ago, we had a one-on-one interview that led
to sharing wedding planning advice. More
recently, we met again at a trunk show where he
helped one of my besties select a gorgeous David Tutera by Mon Cheri gown!
Tip from David:
“Venue selection is important, so take your time. Your venue will be your home for over six
hours…the most memorable six hours of your new lives together; choose it wisely and try not to
settle!”