At Collingwood, Wedding Season Kicks Into Overdrive

The Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism has booked a wedding for nearly every weekend from April through July.

Events Development Manager Kristen Golden said Collingwood hosts about 25 weddings each season, but this season they’re on pace to surpass that amount.  She said the increase could be a product of tough economic times.

“In this economy people are doing weddings on Fridays and Sundays because they are less expensive,” Golden said.  “Based on the numbers, we’re having more weddings this year than last.  A lot of that has to do with Friday and Sunday weddings.  Couples are getting creative.”

Stacy Dellinger said Collingwood was an easy choice to host the 138 people who attended her wedding.

“We specifically wanted to have an outdoor wedding in a really natural setting that really left an impression on people,” said Dellinger who married Steve Wiener in May.  “We found that perfect setting in Collingwood.  They were really flexible and had several backup plans in case of bad weather.”

The ceremony was held outdoors by the river and the reception was an indoor/outdoor fete.  Stacy and Steve used the ALC reception room for their buffet and DJ but also had tables on the outdoor porch and the patio by the mansion.

Stacy and Steve were thrilled by the venue, but they also couldn’t say enough about the employees who helped realize their dream wedding.

“They had all bases covered.  The staff was truly, truly, wonderful,” Dellinger said.

To get ready for the season, staffers at Collingwood have to put a lot of work into maintaining the grounds. The venue boasts nearly nine acres.  Because Collingwood is a non-profit business, employees hosted a community spring clean-up day this year to kick things off.

“Collingwood is really great.  You can rent different pieces a la carte, but a lot of brides will rent the whole thing,” Golden said.

Collingwood doesn’t work with in-house vendors, so couples choose their own caterers and musicians.  But bridal parties can rent tables, chairs and projectors from Collingwood.

Based on the variety of services available, a couple can spend anywhere from $4,000-$7,000 at Collingwood.

In terms of trends, Golden says Collingwood has hosted a lot of blue weddings, but they’ve also seen a lot of people leaning in a budget savvy direction.

“There’s been more buffet weddings than plated and a lot of homemade favors like cookies and truffles,” said Golden.

Dellinger said she trimmed her budget by using non-floral centerpieces, and she can’t believe how beautifully everything turned out.

“The location was very unique with the historical mansion in background,” Dellinger said.  “Family and friends loved the venue and said it was the best wedding they had ever been to.”