Behind The Scenes: Starting a Wedding Venue
What's it really like to start a venue from scratch
The saying goes, “Pictures are worth a thousand words” and it could not be more true when it comes to describing someone’s wedding day. It’s not just the couple being described, but their surroundings as well; The where is just as important as the who. With that in mind, it becomes a driving force in the development of any venue. You want the space you provide to be captured in the best light and talked about for generations to come. For us, we wanted this space to say you matter. Any bride should be able to have a beautiful wedding without all the compromise. While the vision was simple, the production has been quite a process! Here’s what the journey looks like so far.
While every detail is important, the most important was finding the perfect spot for the ceremony site. With many acres to cover, this meant walks through the woods with machetes in hand, searching for that awe-inspiring backdrop. Paying attention to the placement of the trees, where a bride might enter in from, is there enough shade, or too much shade. These are meaningful questions if you want to offer the opportunity for great photos. Both lighting and placement are key to getting the shot. Once the right spot presented itself, it was really time to go to work!
It's no secret that Redwicks is in the woods, and finding the balance of keeping it that way, while still maintaining elegance is no easy task. The right trees had to be cleared for the ceremony area, walk-ways, and even parking. Months of machines paved the way for progress. From there the right material needed to be put down for the different purposes. For the ceremony area, cedar mulch and sand were brought in which help keep the presence of bugs away and makes for a beautiful and natural aisle. There’s no jumping over tree branches or stumbling over debris, just a smooth transition from one place to the next.
Keeping with the cedar, benches were built to hold up to 250 guests. Bench style seating is great for several reasons. You can accommodate many guests this way, which gives the couple more for the price. Benches also mean less set up time for the staff, which allows them to prep other things rather than setting up chairs. In a natural space, chairs could take away from this element, bringing in that commercial element. Again, the goal is to strike a balance. New Paragraph
Electrical and lighting are two other key features that required a lot of preparation. You want the capability of having speakers and other items that need to be powered up, while not losing the allure of the woods. Dropping the lines underground gave us the opportunity to have both. When it comes to the lights, its one of Redwicks greatest surprises. Cascading lights have been intentionally drawn up over 80 ft above to provide that romantic ambiance while avoiding becoming a distraction. Additional down-lighting makes it bright enough for any gathering.
There’s so much more to be desired and the property is full of surprises! From bridges to bathrooms, you can expect comfort in unlikely places. If there’s one word to describe the venue, its intentionality. Any space should be designed so that it welcomes and inspires, and we are excited to be welcoming couples very soon! For more updates, you can check out our social media or follow up here on the blog.
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We can't wait to meet you!
Look for
Wedding in the Woods
and Redwick Films
at an event near you
