Estate weddings have an elegance and grandeur that is second to none. From beautiful backdrops for your photos, to indoor-outdoor plans that are beautiful as well as weatherproof… we are big fans. Browse our list of the best estate wedding venues in your area, and view photos of weddings at each to see how different couples made it their own. Then get in touch with your favorites.
Estate wedding venues are a beloved option for couples seeking a level of polish and privacy on their wedding day. Whether you’re seeking historic wedding venues or have been dreaming of fairytale mansion weddings, the right estate is out there, but sometimes finding it can be a bit tricky. With so many private homes for weddings available, selecting the right venue can seem overwhelming. Luckily, we’re here to help you learn more about event homes for weddings so selecting the private estate wedding destination of your dreams is a bit easier.
If you’re considering an estate wedding, there are a few things you should keep in mind. For one, it’s helpful to get inspiration from past estate weddings in your area to get a feel for which mansion wedding venue suits your aesthetic best. That’s where our library of wedding galleries comes into the picture. You can check out historic wedding venues and private homes for weddings all dressed up for other couples’ wedding days to have a better understanding of their vibe. You can even learn exactly which vendors they used to bring their private estate wedding to life.
Estates are some of the grandest private wedding venues that exist. The term ‘estate wedding venue’ itself is typically used to refer to a mansion or historic building that was, at one point, a private residence. A mansion wedding venue is typically meticulously kept, which makes it an appealing option. And while some event homes for weddings do specialize in indoor or outdoor events, often these private wedding venues will offer the opportunity for both. This is because oftentimes e, private estate wedding venues are located outside of the city and will contain some surrounding grounds that can be used for part of your celebration. However, this is not a hard-and-fast rule—there are certainly plenty of historic wedding venues in cities that were once grand mansions and have now been converted to museums, embassies, or private clubs, all of which may be available to host your big day.
An estate wedding is a popular choice for couples tying the knot for several reasons—and even celebrities have decided to say “I do” at estates, such as the Versace Mansion! Not only will a mansion wedding venue suit a variety of different themes and aesthetics, but an estate wedding also has appeal for its beauty. It is common to find regal decor, like great staircases, and chandeliers and ballrooms at mansion wedding venues, which create a refined, elegant atmosphere for your wedding with little-to-no effort. Many estates are historic wedding venues, so if you’re having a themed vintage wedding this could be an excellent option. Of course, that doesn’t mean that private estate wedding venues can’t be modern too, because they certainly can! It’s all about finding a mansion wedding venue that will appeal to your theme, fit in your price point, and of course, and have availability for your estate wedding on your selected date.
Another reason mansion wedding venues have gained traction is that there are plenty of different types of event homes for weddings distributed throughout the country—and the world. Some estate wedding venues even look like castles! As a result, no matter what type of private wedding venues you’re seeking for estate weddings, you’ll be able to find it.
If you’re considering estate weddings but aren’t sure how they fit into your price range, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it helps to understand the larger context that the average cost of a wedding in the US in 2020 was $20,300. Keeping this number in mind will provide a bit of context for typical private wedding venues' cost. Of course, remember that this is simply an average, and many weddings cost as high as $500,000 for an “ultra luxury wedding.”Estate wedding venues can fall into several categories: private clubs, historic or landmark buildings, museums, and private event spaces. The cost of hosting a wedding at these venues varies significantly and can range from $2,083 at a lower-tier event center to $23,823 for a higher-priced mansion wedding venue. Of course wherever you are having your estate wedding venue will play a huge role in the cost of your mansion wedding venue, because areas where the cost of living is higher also indicates higher wedding venue costs as well.
Keep in mind that while event homes for weddings typically have chairs, tables, and other features for estate weddings, you may end up bringing g in your own if you’re not enthusiastic about the options they’re offering. This will of course mean an additional expense for any rental furniture and decor, not to mention the delivery fees if you rent products from several different vendors.
One thing to keep in mind is that estate wedding venues sometimes have in-house catering services—or a pre-approved list of vendors for you to choose from—so there may be less flexibility around your wedding vendor costs than for other options.
A venue typically accounts for about 45% of the overall wedding cost, so your private estate wedding venue will have one of the largest price tags you will see while wedding planning. Of course, working with a wedding planner to craft the private estate wedding of your dreams is extremely helpful, as they have years of experience crafting dream mansion weddings while adhering to clients’ budgets.
Once you’ve decided which estate wedding venues to consider for your big day (and, of course, confirmed that each of the private estate wedding venues are within your price range), it’s time to take a tour—and to begin to envision what decor you might need. If you’re wondering how much decor is necessary at mansion wedding venues, the answer is that it depends. For instance, some estate wedding venues feature gorgeous, built-in features such as decorative wallpaper, fireplaces, chandeliers, ornate staircases, and wood paneling. The fact that your mansion wedding spot has these features already built-in means they will require less “dressing up” on your big day. Of course, you may want to bring some of your own decor for your private estate wedding to transform the space and truly make it your own—but what exactly depends on the look of the venue and aesthetic of your estate wedding.
Typically private wedding venues will have furniture you can use for your estate wedding, so you usually won’t have to source tables or seating for your reception and ceremony from an outside vendor. However, you should always confirm this upfront with your private estate wedding venue so there are no surprises later on in the planning process. You don’t want to suddenly find out that there are more guests than there are chairs! In some cases, couples aren’t fond of the furniture options that estate wedding venues offer, so they may choose to supplement with rental furniture for their mansion weddings. Just be sure that the event homes for weddings you’re considering permit this.
Next, you’ll need to secure your estate wedding’s lighting. Because event homes for weddings were, well, homes, they’ll have lighting fixtures already, such as sconces or even chandeliers. However, you may need stronger lighting for photography—or maybe you’ve always dreamed of string lights, or like the juxtaposition of multicolored washes of light on the walls. If the vibe of your estate wedding day calls for different lighting, there are plenty of lighting rental companies who can provide it.
Next, you’ll want to think about your tablescape. This is an excellent opportunity to add personal touches and flair to your estate wedding venue and convey your wedding theme. Items such as linens, candles, floral arrangements, china and silverware, all help give mansion weddings unique character.
Speaking of flowers, your blooms will significantly contribute to the theme of your wedding day, not to mention help event homes for weddings shine. Florals are an opportunity to add a pop of color and personality to your venue, so work with a wedding florist to curate flowers that will enhance your wedding aesthetic.
Of course, all estate wedding venues have some form of personality, but if you’re seeking a mansion wedding venue that is more dialed down and demure, you can find it. In the case of a more minimal estate wedding venue that is more of a blank canvas—say an ultramodern property in the Hollywood Hills—couples can still add flair with larger installations, such as flower chandeliers. Of course, be sure to ask potential private estate wedding venues if installations are allowed! As a general rule of thumb, asking is always helpful—whether you’re inquiring about lighting or an installation, historic wedding venues may have rules about what’s suitable for your estate wedding to protect the property.
If trying to make estate wedding decor cohesive sounds like a full-time job, that's because it is! The best way to guarantee that the decor at your mansion wedding venue will appear cohesive is to hire a wedding designer to help customize the design and successfully tie it all together. Whether you’re seeking a fairytale-esque estate wedding or a vintage gala, your wedding designer will be a major help.
Now that you have a better understanding of what an estate wedding is, it’s time to source and secure the mansion wedding venue of your dreams. To begin, browse estate wedding venues in your area—or far-away locales, if you’re planning a destination wedding—on our site to get a feel for what you’re interested in. Once you’ve narrowed it down to a shortlist of favorites, you can directly get in touch with the venues and vendor teams behind your favorites to create your own dream day. And, of course, you can peruse pictures of past couples’ big days at a mansion wedding venue to see what the venue looks like adorned with flowers and decor for a wedding—and get inspiration for your own.
