Wedding Venue Tours 101 | Luxmore Grande Estate

Let’s face it, planning a wedding can be overwhelming. But fear not, lovebirds! Whether you’re a Type-A personality who has color-coded spreadsheets for the big day or you’re just winging it (hey, it happens), we’ve got your back. We know choosing the perfect venue is a big decision, so we’ve come up with a few tips to help you get the most out of touring with us:

1. Discuss Details & Budget.

The elephant in the room when it comes to wedding planning – 💵💵💵

We get it; talking money can be stressful, but it’s important to know your max budget before touring. Have an honest conversation with your partner and whoever’s pitching in cost-wise to figure out how much you’re willing to spend on the venue. Keep in mind, we also have in-house catering, so you’re really working with two parts of the budget.
 
Ask yourself – if I really love this venue, how much am I willing to spend on it? Is there another category I can save on to get my dream venue? 

When it comes to food, costs vary based on the meal service and bar. Buffet is most cost-effective at Cypress Grove, and plated entrees are priced based on the protein. Bars vary in price; we have five levels to choose from so there’s a good fit for just about every budget.

Pro tip: Check out or handy budget calculator here! You can play around with different guest counts and meal types to see what works best for your budget. 

2. Schedule an appointment.

It’s always best to schedule a time to stop by. Not only does it guarantee your slot, but we’ll have everything prepped for you: info on your date availability, packages that work best for your budget, and we can make catering recommendations best suited for your event. If you choose to pop in without a heads up, there’s a chance we’ll be hosting a photoshoot, another tour, or an event. Yes, we host events seven days a week 😉

You’re probably wondering – can we schedule a tour on the weekend?

The short answer – it depends! There’s a good chance we’re booked for an event, but if that’s the case, we may be able to get you in before the bride arrives. We try our best to accommodate weekend tours, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Keep that in mind when scheduling, especially if you’re coming from out of town.App

3. Get Smart About Your Wedding Venue.

Ask questions and take notes! We can’t read your mind, so please ask us any questions you have. No question is a silly question! We’re the experts and want to help you get the most out of your tour.
 
Jot down a few essential questions and amenities you want in a venue before heading to your appointment. It’s the best way to ensure you get the information you need to make an informed decision.

One of the perks of Luxmore is that it’s an outdoor AND indoor venue, so no need to worry about a reception tent!

4. Have Fun.

Don’t forget the most important part of wedding planning – HAVE FUN! Sure, it can get stressful, but keep your eyes on the prize and remember why you’re doing this in the first place: throwing the best party to celebrate you and your partner 🎉🥂 

Happy hunting, and if you need a hand or have questions before your tour… holla at us!

April Showers | The Rain Plan at Luxmore Grande Estate

A Gorgeous Alternative

Rain on your wedding day is apparently good luck.  While that’s up for debate, one thing we know for sure is that the rain plan spaces at Luxmore Grande are equally as gorgeous as our outdoor ceremony spaces! After all, weddings are stressful enough without having to feel the disappointment of having a not-so-photo-worthy ceremony spot as your only option.

Couples at Luxmore have two stunning, indoor ceremony locations to choose from:

The Estate Room

The Estate Room accommodates up to 80, and has a stunning {faux} fireplace, serving as the perfect spot to add florals and greenery. This room also features two sets of bay windows, another great backdrop for ceremonies!

Grande Ballroom

For groups over 80, the Grande Ballroom is the perfect space. Featuring three chandeliers and more bay windows {can you say great lighting!?}, the ballroom makes for a stunning indoor space. Post ceremony, guests exit for cocktail hour and our team flips the room for the reception. The addition of entryway draping ensures guests don’t see the set up and breakdown and also adds a touch of elegance to the space.

Ceremony facing the bay windows.

Photos: Ashley Jane Photography      |     Florist: Flowers by Lesley 

Ceremony facing the wall adjacent to the bay windows.

The Flip

Cocktail hour on rainy days is located on the front patio and in the foyer, library and parlor. Guests stay dry and get to enjoy the unique rooms inside the Estate!

Of course we’re biased and think our indoor spaces are the best, but would you believe that lots of couples choose to host an indoor ceremony regardless of the weather? One of the perks of a Luxmore wedding is not having to worry about a tent: you’ll know the wedding will be gorgeous no matter what!

Real Talk // Kristina + James

This sweet couple met about three and a half years ago; Kristina was looking for a roommate and James turned out to be the perfect match in more ways than one ?

Photos: Vine & Light Photography

How did you meet?

“We met in New York in January of 2016. I was looking for a roommate to rent the second bedroom of my apartment in Chelsea. I posted an ad for a roommate on Craigslist and James answered the ad. He was moving from London to New York and needed a place to stay. We met up and I gave him a tour of the apartment. He loved the place and we got along instantly. Less than a year later, we were together and not too long after that, we were engaged! If you ask him how we met, he would simply say Craigslist, which has definitely gotten us some strange looks along the way!”

Images captured in the Estate Room, the Library, and the Parlor

What made you choose Luxmore as your venue?

“We loved the venue the moment we stepped inside. It sold itself. Our ideal venue was an outdoor wedding and the space outside was perfect. With Florida weather being as unpredictable as it is we needed to feel good about getting married in the backup space the venue had. The room the Luxmore presented to us was just as beautiful as the outdoor space which made us feel it was the perfect place for us.”

Rentals :: Gold Rimmed Chargers | Mahogany Chiavari Chairs
Cake ::

What was your design inspiration?

“We both had the same idea for the wedding decor which made things much easier. White and ivory with touches of silver and gold. Simple, elegant, classic! It turned out to be everything we envisioned. “

What was your favorite part of the event?

“When my new husband sang to me! And also the cake! He would say the open bar lol.”

Image captured in the Library

What factors did you consider when choosing your vendor team?

“Reviews, reviews, reviews! It was important for us to hear what other couples had to say. It really influenced our decisions when we chose our team. I would also say communication. Since we had to plan the wedding remotely, it was extremely important to us that our vendors were able to help us via phone and face time. “

Want to read more from our couples? Click here to check our all of our Real Wedding features!

Portraits | Southern Wedding

It’s the final week of our mini-series on a luxurious southern wedding inspired shoot we hosted at Luxmore Grande Estate. Our little hearts are so excited to share the final details with you! So far, we’ve talked about welcoming your guests with a fun station, the aesthetics of the ceremony, how to deck out the reception space, and all about the little details. To finish us off, we’re sharing about the beauty of portraits!

Photos: JP Pratt, Floral: Flowers by Lesley, Fashion: Solutions Bridal, Beauty: Laura Reynolds Artistry

As essential as a well designed ceremony + reception are, it’s just as necessary for the bridal styling to encompass the overall theme; the look featured in our southern styled shoot is an embodiment of Luxmore Grande Estate!

The beautiful gown from Solutions Bridal Designer House was the perfect fit for the clean and elegant atmosphere of the Estate. The dress and bridal style melded perfectly into the rest of the décor & details. The unique floral print of the dress also brought in a chic and sophisticated new age air to the overall look.

The curated spaces, and details as a whole provided so many gorgeous opportunities for bridal portrait shots. It was hard to pick which ones were our favorites!

Xoxo,
Lacie