What's in a Place?
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With spring approaching, young romantics’ thoughts turn to love, which sometimes leads to marriage. Spring is typically the beginning of the busiest wedding season of the year, which lasts well into the summer.
Traditional church weddings are still popular, as are destination weddings. Some couples, however, choose a different approach, and wish to hold their nuptials in a non-religious venue, where local wedding guests can attend.
Many local venues welcome wedding couples and the whirlwind of decorations, flowers, food and chaos that entails.
For couples who choose a bit less formal wedding, perhaps with a western theme, the Fannie Mae Vernon Rooms at the Navarro County Exposition Center may be just the ticket. Two rooms are available, with the larger room able to accommodate 225 people, with 40 tables. The smaller room can hold approximately 133 people, with 25 six-foot tables.
“We have mostly wedding receptions here, but we do have a few actual weddings,” said Elizabeth Franklin, coordinator of the exposition center. “Those who choose to rent one of our rooms are responsible for all set-up, decorating and clean-up.”
Each room comes equipped with restrooms, and a fully-equipped kitchen, so food may be prepared there, or catered. For more information, contact Franklin at (903) 872-7600.
For brides and grooms wishing for a more formal, elegant affair, the Halbert House at 1250 W. Third Ave. has proven to be a very popular place for weddings in the last year since its phenomenal renovation.
“We rent the facility, and the bridal couple is responsible for food, decorations, caterer, etc.” said Susan Hale Bruce, event coordinator. “We do not have a commercial kitchen, so things can be heated, but there can’t be any cooking.
“We have a limited number of tables and chairs available, and the wedding party may dress there.”
If the wedding is held mainly inside, the old home may accommodate about 225 people, with up to 250 people if the event spills outside. The historic home is booked through June, but inquiries may be directed to Susan Hale Bruce at (903) 874-0607.
“During Hurricane Ike, we had a wedding that weekend, and I offered to personally call all the guests and reschedule,” Bruce said. “The bride didn’t want to reschedule, and we moved the wedding inside. We provided candles, and hoped the electricity stayed on. It was nerve-wracking, and pretty scary!”
For the last 10 years, Magnolia House Mansion at 420 W. Sixth Ave., has been the site of many indoor and outdoor weddings. Though mainly a Bed and Breakfast, Magnolia House offers five different wedding packages to fit any budget.
“As far as weddings, I provide everything but the cake and the groom,” said P.J. Jones, Magnolia House owner. “Everything else is included in our packages. We do inside weddings or garden weddings, and can even have the horse-drawn carriage.”
Magnolia House does catering as well, and can cater your affair at their historic home, or somewhere else. It offers a house photographer, arches, seating, flowers, candelabras, unity candles, taped music, and more.
“Packages range from as simple to as elaborate as the bridal couple wishes,” she said.
The Magnolia House Mansion has recently undergone a renovation, to celebrate their 10th year as a Bed and Breakfast. For more information about weddings and packages, contact Jones at (903) 872-2577.
The Wicklow Inn, at 220 N. 14th St., is also a Bed and Breakfast, and is now serving lunch Wednesday through Friday.
“We have a beautiful, elegant setting,” said Amy Roberts, manager. “We have weddings inside or out. We can comfortably accommodate 60 people, and if the weather is nice, may handle 80.”
Roberts said she met a girl recently who said her parents were married at the Wicklow 20 years ago.
“Our weddings are custom-tailored to each bridal couple,” she said. “We can also accommodate out-of-town guests, since our Bed and Breakfast sleeps up to 14 people.”
To contact Roberts about reservations, call (903) 872-7311.
“We provide seating and tables,” she said. “We can do the catering, or you may have it brought in. With our beautiful antiques, there is often not much need for extra decoration, other than flowers.”
Corsicana Country Club is available to host weddings and receptions, and can accommodate about 200 people. To book the club facilities, there must be a member sponsor.
“The club will cater the event, but we will allow the wedding cake to be brought in,” said Amy Bruce, club manager. “We have a dance floor, and we can either hire a DJ or a live band for your event. The decorations can either be done by us, or brought in by the bridal couple.”
Chairs and tables come with the rental, and the wedding party can either rent the entire club, or just the front half. For more information, contact Dutch Pencis at (903) 874-8288.
“Be sure and give plenty of notice, because we stay pretty busy,” Bruce said. “We do have a bar available.”
This is but a few of the many public venues available in Corsicana and Navarro County, not to mention private homes, beautiful gardens, and unique locations. If you see a place that appeals to you and a wedding is in your future, do some research. It never hurts to ask, and hopefully, you only wed once.