Outdoor Weddings
One of the interesting things about owning a venue is the ability to be flexible. Sometimes others see the potential when we don’t. That’s why we’ve been known to traipse the whole family outside through the garden beds and back and forth on the pea gravel path while touring, and explain that brides can come down the front steps across the side lawn so that all the guests get a good look, or sneak out the back and around to the hidden driveway to enter the aisle from a completely different direction with the giant oak as her backdrop. We want to give you a moment to soak in the different views and perhaps have a vision that no one else has had. The gardens and lawn change with every season, always giving a different look and feel. Whether it’s a ceremony on the steps, the front landing, in front of the fountain, in the Ceremony Circle, under a tent, or somewhere completely different - the magic can be created by you. We love your visions. And truthfully, I’m still finding my special spots in the garden. I bet you will too.
The Outdoor Ceremony
There’s something for everyone.
Joe, Lis, and Lis’s mom literally wandered into our fountain circle one afternoon to take engagement photos. I didn’t have my glasses on while gardening, but Joseph recognized me - we had worked on a project together at USM! They had already reserved the Bottling Company for their indoor reception, but really wanted an outside ceremony, and our Ceremony Circle provided a romantic setting for both their ceremony and wedding photos. After their ‘kiss’, guests were able to meander inside and outside with light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments before heading to the big celebration just a few blocks away.
Outdoor Receptions
One of my favorite things is to get a chance to capture moments in the background. Victoria and Mike wanted their June outdoor wedding reception in the front circle, with a full band and a dance floor since they had been taking ballroom dancing lessons downtown. Not only that, but they had their first dance begin on the front landing of the Crawford House, and choreographed their moves down the sweeping staircase and into the crowd! Although Victoria never once claimed a theme and always seemed very relaxed about their plans, once I saw them arrive, it was clear that they were the perfect picture of Old Hollywood with Mike’s full Tail Coat Tuxedo and Victoria’s Sparkling Wedding Gown. I love the way the lawn frames the bucolic beginning of their celebration (and how the band and car revved it up for the departure!)
More Crawford House & Gardens Outdoor Weddings and Outdoor Spaces to spark your own magic….
