| An historic mansion can be one of the loveliest | | | | instance, a formal seated dinner in a grand ballroom |
| venues for your wedding. Each one will have its own | | | | would be the perfect place for elaborate |
| unique charm and character, making it a far cry from | | | | centerpieces set in tall silver vases. If your room has |
| more generic sites like banquet halls or hotel | | | | a lot of crystal chandeliers, think about echoing that |
| conference rooms. Historic mansions have their own | | | | detail in the candleholders and stemware that you |
| unique set of considerations, and these are some of | | | | select. It is a wonderful way to create a harmonious |
| the things that you should keep in mind to ensure | | | | flow throughout the reception. |
| that your wedding is a grand success. | | | | Your music is another element that can be inspired |
| One of the first things to think about is the size of | | | | by your wedding venue. Graceful string quartets are |
| your guest list relative to the number of people that | | | | a wonderful accompaniment for the bride as she |
| an historic site can accommodate. Many grand old | | | | floats down the aisle. During cocktails, a lovely harpist |
| homes have very large lawns and estates that can | | | | can provide relaxing background music. This is not to |
| easily host hundreds of guests in tents. If you are | | | | say that you must only have formal music for your |
| more interested in having your reception on a | | | | entire reception, but a big band playing the standards |
| covered porch or in an opulent dining room, on the | | | | would seem more at home in an historic mansion |
| other hand, space may be much more limited. This is | | | | than a dj spinning the latest dance hits. You can also |
| why it is a very good idea to have an idea of how | | | | think about having a compromise by hosting an |
| many guests you are planning to invite before | | | | informal after-party in a nearby club for the younger |
| booking with a mansion. | | | | guests. |
| When having a wedding in a gracious old home, it is | | | | Historic sites often have their own particular issues. |
| important that your attire and décor match | | | | There will likely be restrictions on the way that you |
| the surroundings. Some brides even go so far as to | | | | can decorate the site; they certainly are not going to |
| choose bridal gowns and sets of jewelry that are | | | | allow you to put any nail holes in the walls or porch |
| inspired by the era in which the mansion was built. | | | | columns, for example. If there is a hideous old |
| Brides who are not interested in period weddings, | | | | sculpture on a pedestal in the mansion's entryway, |
| certainly need not match their wedding dresses and | | | | chances are that they will not permit you to move it. |
| bridal jewelry sets so exactly to the house, but a | | | | Other issues to clarity with the mansion's event |
| similar level of formality should be achieved. A very | | | | coordinator are: parking, the use of outside caterers, |
| casual dress would look out of place in a very | | | | noise restrictions, and the like. Once you work out |
| opulent setting, and the last thing that any bride | | | | the logistics that are specific to your site, you will find |
| wants is to be overshadowed by her venue! | | | | that an historical mansion can be one of the most |
| Work with your florist on creating centerpieces that | | | | elegant and charming places to host a wedding. |
| really suit the style of the historic mansion. For | | | | |