
There are some truly unique wedding and wedding reception venues in Wilmington, that range from opulent to adventurous. And many are nonprofit museums or historic sites, so part of your rental fee may even be tax-deductible.
Winterthur, An American Country Estate. For “a few dollars more” (actually a lot of dollars more) the fairytale bride can revel in the enchantment of one of America’s most impressive wedding settings. The 1,000-acre estate with its 175-room mansion, unique special event venues and 20,000 square foot exhibition gallery is more than enough to knock the socks off even the most sophisticated guest. And, their 50-acre naturalistic garden abounds with picturesque wedding sites and unparalleled photo opportunities.
Historic New Castle is just 15 minutes south of Wilmington but centuries away from the America most of us know. A quaint community complete with a “village green,” New Castle is much the same as it was a hundred hears ago, two hundred years ago and in some places even three hundred years ago! Among its most historic properties is the Read House & Garden on “The Strand” overlooking the Delaware River. Owned and operated by the Delaware Historical Society, the Read House was built by the son of one of Delaware’s signers of the Declaration of Independence in the early 1800s. The Read House Gardens provide the perfect setting for an outdoor wedding, and your lucky guests are just a stones throw away from the 200 year-old “Arsenal Restaurant on the Green” where wedding receptions are truly historic.
The Brandywine River Museum is in southeastern Pennsylvania about 25 minutes from downtown Wilmington. The museum overlooks the picturesque Brandywine Creek and there are multiple venues for weddings and wedding receptions that can accommodate 60 to 600 guests. And in their spare time, your guests will be treated to the enormously popular works of three generations of Wyeth family artists – N.C., Andrew and Jamie.
Hagley Museum & Library is a massive estate on the banks of the Brandywine River just minutes from downtown Wilmington. Hagley is the ancestral home of the du Pont family in Delaware and the site of the first Dupont company powder mills. There are several very special event venues, and your biggest challenge will be making sure your guests don’t get lost on the grounds.
The Delaware Museum of Natural History has a unique appeal all of its own. Like so many of Wilmington’s wedding and reception venues, the grounds are beautiful with a plethora of photo opportunities. And the museum provides a wonderful naturalistic backdrop for brides seeking a special setting for their celebration.
I know that the “Blue Ball Barn” doesn’t exactly sound like the perfect wedding venue, but don’t be fooled by the name. The facility is part of the Delaware State Park system, and features the largest collection of folk art in the region in a restored barn and event complex that is truly unique. It’s very convenient to Wilmington’s major hotels, and there are both inside and outside event venues available with lots of parking. For indepth information about the Blue Ball Barn see Kerry Bennett's Examiner article about the Barn in Examiner.com.
For brides with a modest guest list (50 to 75) the Riverboat Queen is a truly unique venue for a wedding reception. There’s nothing quite like caviar and champagne (or better yet a crab feast!) as you drift down the Christina River through the heart of Wilmington. They have modest catering facilities and room for a small band. Talk about being the center of attention…the whole town is your audience!
Hands down! There is simply nothing like a wedding on the Wilmington & Wilmington Railroad. Imagine a trainload of wedding guests ambling through the picturesque Brandywine Valley, serenaded by live musicians. In addition to a wonderful dinner served right on the train, your guests will be treated to some of the most beautiful flora and fauna on the east coast. It’s not just a special event, it’s a “moving” experience the lucky bride and groom will remember for a lifetime.
For the less adventurous, Wilmington also boasts the Gold Ball Room at the historic Hotel Dupont as well as the Chase Center on the Riverfront where you can entertain a small army of guests!
A complete list of articles by the Wilmington Tourism Examiner can be found at
http://www.examiner.com/x-25324-Wilmington-Tourism-Examiner.
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