5 Steps to Plan a European Style Estate Wedding
A growing “style” of weddings in America is European Style Estate Weddings. These weddings are sometimes called Old World weddings or historic venue weddings. With travel being limited for the past few years, many who dreamed of a European destination wedding were forced to look domestically for venues that seem European even though they are in the heart of the United States. These weddings are romantic, timeless, and have a hard to define quality about them. They seem straight out of a fairy tale. Located in a French Style Chateau, it isn’t just a casual wedding day for their guests- it is an experience. Indicators of Old World weddings include fine art photography, lush greens, calligraphy and old world details, and a lush estate you can’t find anywhere else. Since this is a growing niche wedding style, this guide will give you 5 practical and helpful tips to get started planning your European Style Estate wedding and outline the components of the wedding day that make this type of wedding unlike any other you will see or experience.
Step 1: Rent a historic venue
The biggest factor in hosting a wedding that feels like a European destination wedding is the venue. It’s hard to replicate the ornate feelings of European architecture if you are in a basic ballroom or a modern venue. You need to be really specific about what venue you choose. The type of venue you are looking for is called a historic venue or a historic estate. There are many private estates that were built in that “european” style of architecture within the United States that have now been turned into wedding venues. Around the late 19th century/early 20th century, wealthy American families sought to have the grandeur of a french chateau and styled their home to look just like one. If you walk on the property you wouldn’t know you were in America.These venues can vary in architecture style or time period, but most have either been converted into a full time wedding/event venue or are protected by a historical society of some kind and they maintain the building off of the profits of hosting weddings or events there.
It can be a bit daunting trying to find such a specific venue. You will need to be flexible on location and be willing to view it as a ‘destination wedding’ but within the states. Google key phrases such as “historic estate wedding venue in my state” and see what pops up. To save you time- here are a few of my favorite historic estates on the east side of the USA.
The Indianapolis Propylaeum- Indianapolis
The Biltmore Estate- North Carolina
There are of course many more, but these are ones that I have either worked with personally or highly recommend!
A few more things you will want to consider if you are choosing a historic venue:
Historic venues TYPICALLY only rent out the space. Unlike other venues that might be more inclusive and handle catering, rentals, and coordination, oftentimes historic venues only rent out the space. It is up to the couple to bring in catering, coordinating and planning services. These venues typically have recommended vendors that they work with frequently that they can connect you with, but it is an extra step to have to plan all of that yourself. If you have a wedding planner they can handle all those logistics.
Historic venues often have historic status which means some aspects of the venue cannot be changed. That means that there might be some decorating limits or things to consider. Sometimes these venues do not have elevators because they are not allowed to install them, making it tricky for non-able bodied guests to move from floor to floor.
Historic Estates have unparalleled beauty and amazing features. However, many times the venue was not built to accommodate groups of 150+ people. So be prepared to either have a smaller guest list OR be prepared to have the reception in a tent on the lawn of the venue. Some venues have ballrooms or accommodations for that many people so just be sure to ask what the specific limits for each room of the venue are.
The photos from historic estate weddings turn out beautiful. You cannot match the gorgeous mansion style homes anywhere else. If you are looking for an estate that gives you a once in a lifetime luxury experience, you need to check out historic venues!
Step 2: Florals
Frequently if you rent out a historic estate venue, the beauty of the venue speaks for itself and requires very little decoration. However, old world weddings are known for lush florals and greenery. Generally estate wedding ceremonies occur on the grounds, as the whole point of having a luxury wedding is to show off the luxury venue, so an extravagant floral arch is set up to define and establish the wedding ceremony space.
Florals also shine in the reception space. Greenery and florals line the tables and bring that earthy romance to the reception. Historic venues typically have fireplaces in every room, so if the reception is inside, florals can line the fireplaces and add a level of simple elegance to the room. Be sure to account for florals and work with your wedding designer and florist to think of every room/space that needs to be decorated.
Step 3: Fashion
Old world weddings are luxury events and typically very high fashion. You can’t just have any regular wedding dress if you are going all out for an old world styled wedding. Dress style is obviously open to interpretation and personal preference, but there are two main styles that brides go for in an old world wedding: a luxury timeless gown or ethereal fairy tale vibe.
For the timeless luxury gown, think of the modern royals such as Kate Middleton or Meghan Markle. These are gowns that can only be described as royal. Sometimes brides who chose this style of gown will also choose a head piece or other form of decoration. Since you are in your own private castle you might as well go all out with the royal look. Oftentimes these dresses are long sleeved or have a simple ornateness to them. They have a vintage fashion quality to them. Here are a few examples:
Another way you could go in terms of a wedding dress is you could go for an ethereal wedding day gown. These dresses are lighter, usually made out of tulle and lighter fabrics, and give off more of a FAIRY vibe from the fairy tale. Here are a few examples:
Step 4: Tablescape
We touched on the table for the reception being full of florals, but there are many unique components to an old world wedding reception tablescape. The essence of a luxury wedding is that no detail goes unnoticed and all of those little details add up to a romantic fairy tale experience. Here are some of the things to consider for your reception tablescape:
Linens: Regular rented linens from a ballroom don’t cut it. Look for quality linens and nice fabrics. Check out Event Source or another rental company to see what options you have.
Place settings: Again, regular plates won’t sell the experience. Look for fine china or antique place settings and silverware to sell the full old world experience.
Florals and candles: The decor is usually limited to florals and candles, since those are the primary things available to people who had weddings in the early 20th century, which is the look we are imitating. Anything else is distracting.
There are other things to consider as well, but don’t stress too much! Lean on your planner for help in this category. It might be good to consider a wedding designer as well. Wedding planners handle logistics, wedding designers help with aesthetic and design and can be in charge of finding all these things.
Step 5: Calligraphy
The tone of the wedding starts with the invitation. The clearest way to communicate the old world vibe is to invite people with a beautiful invitation suite that includes calligraphy. You can either use a font that has calligraphy on it, or hire a calligrapher who can customize and hand write your invites and place setting cards. Another component that is very popular is a customized wax seal on the invites.
Bonus Step 6: Hire a “fine art” photographer
You thought I was done? Here’s a bonus step for you: Hire a fine art photographer who is familiar with estate weddings. A fine art photographer shoots and edits in a luxury style of film photography. It’s hard to describe, but it is recognizable when you see it. The skin tones and greens of this style of photography are gorgeous. Most people call this style “bright and airy”, and what they are referring to is the gorgeous light that comes through in this style of photography.
Most photographers are used to modern venues. Pick a photographer who is familiar with your venue and can show you a portfolio of their work from that venue. Make sure they know how to use light in the often dark interior rooms of the estate as well as take photos in full light out on the grounds.
European Style Estate Weddings are my specialty and what I love to do. I take a limited amount of weddings each year, so be sure to inquire if this style of wedding is what you are interested in!
As promised, that was the 5 (well, 6!) steps to start planning your European Style Estate wedding. Most people who are planning this style of wedding are very interested in their wedding photos coming back stunning, and that makes total sense! If you are investing that much time and energy into a wedding day the photos should be perfect. If you want to know from a wedding photographer everything there is to know about wedding photography and how to get perfect wedding day photos, check out my FREE downloadable guide “The Ultimate Wedding Photography Guide: Everything you need to know to get perfect wedding day photos.” The guide is free and available for an instant download. Happy wedding planning!