Why Host Vinyard Wedding at a Vineyard Wedding Venue?
Realistically, we think the question should be – why not host a vineyard wedding? But we’ll get into that in a bit. Truth is, there are so many reasons a vineyard wedding is nothing short of amazing that this could be a whole series of posts. But from a venue’s perspective, these are the reasons a vineyard wedding separates itself from all other venue types.
Ambiance
It’s hard for us to describe the exact feeling we get being at The Vineyard – but it’s just a general feeling of “I’m about to have a great time”. When we first partnered with the awesome folks at 12 Corners Winery they explained that they were used to happy clients. People come to a winery to have fun – plain and simple. Rarely do you see a curmudgeon angrily sipping wine. And we think this feeling flows over into the weddings hosted out there. Wineries bring a sense of relaxation, spirit, laughter, sophistication, and on & on that you and your guests can’t help but notice at your wedding.
Inspiration
For all of you Pinterest-ers, if you haven’t looked up winery weddings yet, you are missing out (and our Pinterest Page is a great place to start!). The sheer amount of amazing ideas that are the direct result of having your wedding at a winery/vineyard can be overwhelming. From decor featuring wine barrels to wine infused menu items, you can bring the environment into your wedding so easily. And often, the ideas that bring the winery feel to your wedding aren’t a level 10 on the DIY complication scale. (whew!)
Elegance
We know rustic weddings are still hugely popular. But that doesn’t fit everyone’s style exactly. We have worked with so many couples who love the outdoors and the natural simplicity that a vineyard wedding offers but don’t want to overdo the rustic feel. A vineyard wedding is a great balance between the elegant event you want your guests to experience and the laid back feel of an outdoor wedding.
Uniqueness
There are so many ways to personalize a vineyard wedding. The obvious addition is to serve wine hand selected for your menu that is created from the grapes you are surrounded by – and that’s just cool. But there are other things that can make your wedding experience different from the others your guests have had. Couples we have hosted have come up with some great ideas like; small plate servings paired with beer/wine to really savor the dining experience or wine tasting as guests arrive and make their way through the grapevines to the wedding location. The gorgeous rentals above (chalkboards & lounge furniture) can be easily secured through our friends at 1928 Planning Co..
Of course, in an attempt to not write a totally biased post – I must mention the cons of hosting a vineyard wedding.
Cost
Planning an event that takes place in the middle of a vineyard is not without its difficulties. So in most cases, you will see costs being above what a standard wedding venue would charge. But if the venue is doing it right – the reasons it is more expensive will be apparent in higher quality offerings and inclusions.
Availability
In our experience, there just aren’t a lot of wineries that host weddings. To most wineries, the wine is their sole focus, as it should be. However, there are a select few that have found ways to host weddings without it negatively impacting their main business. Outdoor Michigan weddings only happen a few months out of the year, and with so few vineyards participating in weddings, those dates are limited. So if you find an open date you probably want to move quickly!
Although there are some considerations in hosting a vineyard wedding – the benefits can far exceed the downfalls. So begin looking into hosting your vineyard wedding options now and have a glass or two – for research purposes of course!
Cheers!
Photography by: Matt Pratt Photography, Joshua Nowicki, 430 Studios
Rentals: 1928 Planning Co. (wine barrels, lounge furniture, chalkboards)