A historic site is any structure built before WWII, which began in 1939. However, some of the most famous architectural styles — like Georgian and Greek Revival — date back to the 1700s.

If you’re a bride-to-be looking for the perfect historical escape, check out the six wedding venues below.

1. President Lincoln’s Cottage

Abraham Lincoln lived at his cottage in Washington, D.C. for more than a quarter of his presidency, making critical decisions that impact our country to this day. While there, he developed the Emancipation Proclamation and made up his mind to disrupt the status quo.

The cottage is a Gothic Revival home built in 1842, mimicking medieval architecture. The front lawn is ideal for a summer wedding, where guests can walk the grounds and imagine simpler times. You can also choose the ballroom for an elegant winter affair.

2. Marigny Opera House

The Marigny Opera House in New Orleans was built in 1853, initially coined Holy Trinity Church. By 1997, the building closed its doors, and the stained glass windows were removed. In 2011, the building was bought and renamed Marigny.

This authentic piece of architecture will bring old-world charm to your celebration. Say “I do” on the front lawn, the backdrop a centuries-old rustic-chic facade. Then head inside the cavernous interior for a jaw-dropping reception.

3. Château du Grand-Lucé

In 1750, Baron Pineau de Viennay III decided to replace his family’s medieval castle with a modern palace, now known as Château du Grand-Lucé. The structure, situated in a small french village, was completed by 1764.

Today, you can rent the enchanting venue for your special event. Pledge your commitment in one of the grand ballrooms draped in emerald velvet. Then, head outside for a meal overlooking eighty acres of the Loire Valley, complete with a lake, meadows and white oak forest.

4. The Velaslavasay Panorama

The Panorama is a spectacular visual display where art encircles the spectator in a large, 360° space, making it appear three-dimensional. Popular throughout Europe and the U.S. in the 1800s, the pictures were a way for average folk to adventure to new places and times.

Discover this nearly-lost art form on your wedding day at The Velaslavasay Panorama in Los Angeles. Recite your vows under the vintage neon marquee, then head inside for a visual experience. After, host a reception party in the magical gardens.

5. The Bell Tower

The Bell Tower, built in 1874, was one of the first churches erected by freed slaves in Nashville. After World War II, the structure was one of few left in the neighborhood. In the late 1960s, the church relocated, and today, it plays host to concerts and special events.

Get married in one of the few spaces that maintains the city’s authentic history and character. Say your vows underneath the original exposed beams, flooded with natural light. Afterward, head upstairs to the upper-level mezzanine for an elegant dinner beneath strands of twinkling lights.

6. Neuschwanstein Castle

On your wedding day, you deserve to feel like a queen. So why not get married in a real castle? Go all out with a destination wedding in Germany at Neuschwanstein Castle. The structure, which is famously unfinished, has a complex history dating back to 1869 when the castle was designed.

Surrounded by steep mountains, you’ll feel like royalty as you climb the steps and welcome your wedding party. Celebrate on the lawn and allow your guests to explore the gardens and lakes. Don’t forget to serve a traditional Bavarian meal at the reception party.

A wedding is a momentous occasion. Make the event complete with a historic venue that can transport you back in time. Whether you plan to travel abroad or stick to the states, you’re sure to find a venue that meets your wedding day needs.

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We’re All About the Details!

The Dress and Veil

The bride found a picture of it online and dreamed about it for months. When she went to Calgary for the wedding dress shopping trip she visited Cameo & Cufflinks and they had her dream dress there! It was meant to be and when she tried it on they knew it was her perfect dress. She was so excited to wear it on her wedding day and just feel like a princess! It had a beautiful fluffy skirt and train and the veil had swarovski crystals sprayed down it which brought the perfect amount of sparkle to the train. She felt gorgeous in it! She didn’t want to take it off at the end of the day!

The Wedding Cake

The cake! The bride’s sister (a pastry chef and custom cake designer at Crave Cupcakes in Calgary) designed and made it for the couple which made it just that much more special! It was just gorgeous and had the perfect touches of mountain and elegance. They had four layers and each layer being a different flavour. So delicious! She also made a Groom’s pie (apple!) for Dave as he loves a good pie!

The Hot Cocoa and Cookie Bar

The couple had a winter wedding so what goes best with snow and cold? Hot Cocoa and cookies! They wanted their guests to feel cozy and have some fun adding toppings to their hot cocoa!

Event Venue

Located in the heart of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the world famous Fairmont Banff Springs hotel stands as a landmark in the picturesque alpine town of Banff, Alberta. Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies”, has been providing legendary hospitality to our guests for more than 125 years. The perfect place for a winter wedding in the mountains.

Take this Advice

From the bride: I think the best advise that I received that I would pass along was to not lose focus of what the day is about and not get too hung up on the little details of things you can’t control when it comes to the planning. Also, video your ceremony. It’s nice to watch after the wedding to relive the moment and you’ll never remember everything that was said! And another is to invest in a good photographer, it’s worth every penny! Those photos will be with you forever and a good photographer will capture all the special moments amazingly! From the groom: Make sure to marry the right person. Explore all options, because you never know what dream venue or vendor that you think you can’t afford is actually within your reach. Get a wedding planner, even just for the day of. It allows you to actually just enjoy your wedding without having to worry about the logistics through the day. And if you already have children, include them in the ceremony/reception. Having the kids join our sand ceremony and be part of our first dance was one of the best parts of the day. ~Kim Payant/Photographer

Money Matters

$20,000 – $45,000

About the Photographer
I’m a wedding photographer based out of Banff, Alberta, Canada! I love mountain weddings, from romantic to adventurous, I love them all! My goal is to showcase my couples love story with fun, bright and natural images that they will cherish forever has a family heirloom. I offer small elopement packages all the way to full-day coverage. I’m currently booking for 2018 and 2019 and you can reach me via my contact form on ym website or directly via e-mail.

Vendors

Event Venue: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Photographer: Kim Payant Photography
Bridal Gown: Sophia Tolli/Cameo & Cufflinks
Wedding Cake: Crave Cupcakes
Wedding Planner: Signature Weddings
Hair and Make-up: The Pretty Haus
Flowers: Willow Flower Co
Stationary: Vistaprint

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We’re All About the Details

Saxon Executive Luxury Room

The Saxon Luxury Villa provides a sense of quiet retreat. The single storey stand-alone Saxon Luxury Villa offers seven Villa Luxury Suites furnished in contemporary African style.

Saxon Executive One Bedroom Suite

Luxuriously elegant Villa and Suites furnished in contemporary African style. Drenched in warm African sunlight, and luxuriously furnished in the Saxon’s signature African style, the Luxury Suites exude an atmosphere of elegant tranquillity.

Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite

Enter the magnificent Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite via a glass-enclosed elevator and experience unequalled luxury. Truly a wonderful place of grandeur- rich with South Africa’s culture and tradition.

The Saxon Spa

Step into the Saxon Spa, an oasis nestled in its unique surroundings. Cascading water features, a signature fireplace and influences of copper and Himalayan salts set the backdrop for a restful journey. This metropolitan Spa offers holistic disciplines of a spa journey, giving our guests time to rediscover a healthy and discerning lifestyle.

Shambala Zulu Camp

The Shambala Spa

The Shambala Spa is a unique, intimate wellness retreat situated in a secluded bush clearing along the riverside. A warm welcome awaits you at the Spa, with individualised Spa treatments for relaxing, revitalising and rejuvenating the senses. Each unique therapy is created using pure, natural ingredients, aromas and textures to enhance a holistic sense of wellbeing. After your revitalising Spa time you can sit back and relax on the Spa deck and bask in the warmth of the African sun. Enjoy a light refreshment while taking in the views of the river and the surrounding bush, with the sound of the water adding a magical theme. This is the most unforgettable Spa experience in a truly amazing bush setting.

The Shambala Private Game Reserve

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What You’ll Need

Purchase bouquets of silk flowers (any type you want) as well as fishing line, a large sewing needle and a hot glue gun with sticks. This is all you need to create these beautiful hanging flower strands. It’s attractive with just one type or color of flower, but you can also use a variety of colors for a charming and whimsical look.

How to Do It

Remove the blossoms from the stems of your artificial flowers. If the blossom is just one piece of fabric, you’re fine but if it’s more than one, you may need to hot glue them together so they don’t fall apart. Next, thread your sewing needle with a long strand of thin fishing line. You’ll want to think about the length from the floor to the ceiling when measuring out your fishing line.

Tie a knot in the end of the fishing line (opposite end of the needle) and then thread the flowers over the fishing line by inserting the needle in the middle of the flower and pulling it through the other side. If you want the flowers to sit directly on top of each other, don’t tie knots. However, if you want the flowers spaced out, tie knots every few inches in the fishing line before putting a new flower on.

Voila – you can create your own hanging flower strands for an elegant, beautiful wedding and you can save a ton of money in the process.

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When you think of tropical wedding favors, you may automatically picture a beach wedding or a wedding on the coast somewhere. While tropical themes are definitely ideal for waterfront weddings, they are not limited to waterfront locations.

Many brides and grooms opt to host a sleek, chic tropical-themed wedding indoors, whether it’s at a local resort or a restaurant. The trick is to pick the right kind of décor and enhance it with subtle, stylish details, like tropical wedding favors. Favors are tiny details, but they make a big difference when it comes to your wedding’s décor.

If you’ve opted to host a tropical wedding this summer, then you’ll need some fun, fashionable ideas for tropical wedding favors to go with it. There are countless different types available, and many can be personalized, but some are more versatile than others.

If you want to send your guests home with tropical wedding favors that they can actually use, consider any of the following suggestions. All of these favor ideas are either subtly or overtly tropical looking, so you can choose one that best suits the overall theme of your occasion.

“Seashell” Gel Tealight Holder

You can never go wrong with candle wedding favors. Place these charming gel candles around your reception tables and light them up for the party, and place them with your place settings so your guests can take them home.

Ocean-Themed Place Card Holders

Place card holders are necessities, and they are the perfect little extras to use if you want to spice up the look of your reception. These pretty silver holders come in fish, starfish, and shell shapes; designed to make your guests feel like they are under the sea.

Stylish Beach Bag Favors

These mini-tote bags are the perfect favor bags for a tropical feel. Clear with handy drawstrings, they are decorated with cruise-related designs, such as ships, starfish, and palm trees. Fill them up with sweet treats and leave them with your place settings so your guests can take home the tropical romance when they leave the party. Bag favors such as these are definitely some of the most versatile types of tropical wedding favors.

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Planning your dream wedding can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. From choosing the perfect venue to finalizing the guest list, there are countless details to consider. However, amidst all the hustle and bustle of wedding preparations, it’s crucial not to overlook important aspects like financial security for your future together.

When thinking about safeguarding your new life as a couple, one often overlooked option is life insurance without a medical exam. This type of insurance can provide peace of mind by offering coverage without the need for extensive health assessments. It’s a convenient way to ensure that your loved ones are protected financially in case the unexpected happens.

Consider looking into this hassle-free insurance option early on in your wedding planning process. By addressing this aspect sooner rather than later, you can focus on creating beautiful memories on your big day without worrying about unforeseen circumstances. Remember, a little preparation now can go a long way in securing a bright and worry-free future together.

Every couple wants to avoid wedding planning nightmares, but in reality, they can sneak up at any time during the planning process. Some planning flubs might not classify as full-blown catastrophes, but they can still throw a wrench in your plans. To make sure your wedding planning process runs as smoothly as possible, keep the following tips in mind as you arrange plans for your big day:

Invest in professional coordinating services—It’s not uncommon for couples to try and bypass the expense of a professional wedding coordinator. While it’s true you can do much of the planning on your own, a professional wedding planner really is a must no matter how large or small your wedding will be. Why? Because they can handle and organize your plans in ways you cannot, and they have all of the resources you need at their fingertips, making booking appointments and finding the best deals much easier on you. Although a wedding planner is an additional expense, it’s one of the best you can make for your wedding day.

Be proactive—The number one tip for avoiding wedding planning nightmares is to be proactive. Whatever you do, don’t procrastinate—especially when it comes to the small tasks! Those small tasks turn into big responsibilities when you’re down to the wire and have a huge list of to-dos to take care of at the last minute. Plan ahead, take care of the small details as soon as you can, and try to streamline your task list to avoid missing important details.

Know when to say no—Much of the stress and frustration that brides deal with as the big day approaches stems from taking on too much during the planning process. Don’t stretch yourself thin. If you load up your schedule too much, you’ll end up cutting corners or forgetting key wedding planning elements. Managing your time well while you plan your wedding is crucial to avoid wedding planning nightmares.

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When couples think of easy ways to make the wedding day memorable, they immediately think of typical services like photography and videography. While a professional photographer and videographer can certainly capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments through video and pictures, there are other ways to make your wedding day memorable. If you have the cash for those services, by all means—take advantage of them! However, here are three simple, additional ways to preserve your wedding day memories and make your wedding day memorable:

Time Capsule Keepsake Boxes—The time capsule trend has been around for a while and is used by employers, teams, and scientists around the globe to store goods or certain communication pieces that are to be opened years later and shared with later generations. To make your wedding day memorable, save some items from your wedding day and create your own time capsule when the reception is over. Seal it up and then set a date to reopen it in five or ten years (whenever you’d like) to relive the memories.

Music Playlists—Making a music playlist from your reception and ceremony is a quick, easy way to hang on to memories from your special day. Speak to your live band or DJ beforehand to go over the list of songs that will be played during your event, and then make a compilation CD of all the songs. You can listen to them in the car on the way to work or pop the tunes on for a romantic dinner after you’re married.

Gown and Tux Preservation—Paying to have your gown and tux preserved is one of the easiest ways to make your wedding day memorable. It is relatively inexpensive and can keep your wedding wardrobe from fading or tearing over the years.

Try these three easy ways to make your wedding day memorable if you want to keep the wedding spirit alive and strong!

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Not sure of how to find your wedding style? Feeling stuck by not knowing what works for you? Don’t worry! Every bride has a style and you are sure to find yours. Here we’ll review some of the various wedding styles and show you how to channel those styles into a wedding that suits you and your personality. Be sure to examine your favorite clothing, music choices, and what makes you “you” in general to find your signature look.

The Casually Elegant Bride

You’re elegant, but in a natural way. To you, the most beautiful things in the world can’t be bought. You’d like nothing more than to have a wedding by a beach, in a botanical garden, or at a national park. You gravitate towards browns and greens and the dresses that appeal to you most are simple but beautiful—simply beautiful.

Sound like you? Then it sounds like you didn’t have to work hard at learning how to find your wedding style. Now you just need to channel it. Set your wedding in a natural location. Avoid listening to friends or family members (as well as their intentions may be) when they tell you something is too simple or plain. Just remember to add a touch of bright color to your wedding, such as using colors that occur in nature but are brighter than your rich earthy tones.

The City Bride

Shopping, fine dining, spas, and lush surroundings excite you more than anything. Your dress is sleek but highly sophisticated. You’re attracted to shiny, bright colors – even your hair accessories are shiny. A wedding location overlooking the city lights would take your breath away.

If this sounds like you, then you’ve found your wedding style. The problem is putting it all together. For you, dear bride, the city is your scene, so why not indulge? Just be careful to not get too carried away. Features in your wedding may be a little costly. If you plan a budget and stick to it, though, you should be fine.

Still don’t know your style? That’s okay! Now that you know how to find your wedding style, you can investigate a little more and find that perfect wedding style you’ve been dreaming of.

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Unique and personalized thank you cards can give you just the inspiration you need to present your guests with a thank-you gesture that they will love and cherish for years to come. But if you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, you may be tempted to just purchase stock thank-you cards. Or you may be stressing because you really do want to offer something unique. Not to worry! These unique thank-you card ideas can help you find just what you’re looking for.

Want to give your wedding guests a thank-you card they will cherish for years to come? Try some of these unique thank-you card ideas for your wedding.

Unique thank-you cards can give you just the inspiration you need to present your guests with a thank-you gesture that they will love and cherish for years to come. But if you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, you may be tempted to just purchase stock thank-you cards. Or you may be stressing because you really do want to offer something unique. Not to worry! These unique thank-you card ideas can help you find just what you’re looking for.

Photo Album Thank-You Cards

Photo album thank-you cards are probably the most time-consuming yet unique thank-you cards to put together. To use this idea, ask your guests for photos that they took during your wedding and reception. If you had a destination wedding, you may even be able to collect photos from your actual honeymoon. Once you have the photos, upload them on-line or take them to a photo shop and create a thank-you card template. If you had a small wedding, try to include pictures of all of your guests so that everyone can feel special when they receive their thank-you card. If you had a large wedding, however, you may find it impossible to include all of your guests.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Instead of trying to involve all of your guests in your unique thank-you cards, try taking a picture of you, as a couple, in a special place on your honeymoon holding a thank-you sign. You can have the sign specially made if you like. You may even want to make the photo a little more romantic by kissing in the photograph. Guests are certain to love these unique thank-you cards!

Taking a Different Direction

Another option is to create a thank-you card that is directly on your wedding website. Using e-cards to thank your guests can cut down on the cost of your thank-you cards if you are on a budget, while still giving everyone a way to view your wedding photos, making these the most frugal, unique thank-you cards.

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