Cool Wedding Venues in Atlanta?
Okay, this is kind of a weird subject, but the topic came up over drinks with the girls Sunday night at Carpe Diem. By the way, this is a great place for low-key, Sunday night drinks with friends. Comfortable couches, plenty of parking and seating, laid-back wait staff, and no blaring music. One of my friends is looking for a place in Atlanta to get married. Her top priority? Get her friends drunk in a cool setting.
For anyone who has planned a wedding before, they know that this is easier said than done. What she is and isn’t looking for: No antebellum homes or Old South wedding crap. She would love a cool, modern and sleek decor. Most of all, it has to be affordable. Ha! To her credit, she is flexible – She is willing to do the wedding on a Friday night, or on a Sunday. This girl is non-traditional and open-minded, and I want to help her find the perfect place. This might be a restaurant, bar, or gallery. It might be something entirely different. I figure I am going to be benefiting from the libations portion of her wedding program, so I would love to do so in a beautiful and unique environment. I owe it to her.
So, Atlanta Metblogs readers, here is your assignment: Please, please, please let me know the coolest and most unusual weddings you have been to in the Atlanta area. Do you know of any hidden gem wedding locations that don’t market themselves as wedding venues? Did you plan a wedding in Atlanta and find some great bargains, or really original wedding venues? Do you know someone who owns or rents a really cool space and who would be willing to rent it out for an evening of romance? What are the craziest or coolest Atlanta weddings you have attended? Help us out here, people. Don’t be jaded. Do it for love.
Try The Atlanta Contemporary Art Center (www.thecontemporary.org). (404)688-1970.
I arranged to have a special birthday party for my wife there, and it was terrific! The vibe is definitely not Old South. They do not do a large number of events, but would like to do more.
Go see the current exhibit, and check out the space; the current show received a highly positive review in Creative Loafing.
If you ignore the Scarlett-O’Hara decor, the Academy of Medicine on West Peachtree is a great space and a bit off the usual. We took the place over for a nine-hour Brazilian wedding last year and had a blast!
This is a great topic, as I have been doing a little bit of research for myself and a friend. The Trolley Barn on Edgewood seems like an interesting venue. Maybe the Solarium in Oakhurst?
Thanks for the great suggestions. I will pass them along. Keep-em coming! I want to hear about the really unique or weird weddings people have been to also!
oh, the trolley barn sounds awesome.
I second the nomination for the Solarium at Oakhurst.
My wife and I went to a wedding there last Summer and really enjoyed it.
http://atlantabridal.com/local/reception/detail.asp?IDNUM=9739
Thanks, Seth!
folks get married in oakland cemetery and apparently it’s pretty awesome.
Lain – good suggestion. do you know someone who has done it there before? Did they have a reception or something afterwards? That would be really beautiful.
Getting married in October and we looked for the same thing..getting drunk in a cool setting. We choose The View at King Plow. There wasn’t even a 2nd choice. Good luck.
http://www.theviewatkingplow.com/
I don’t know if it’s “cool” or “unusual”, but the last wedding reception I went to was held at the Highland Inn’s ballroom in the basement. I thought it was pretty nice, and the couple were definately on a budget, and you can bring your own bartender.
http://www.thehighlandinn.com/ballroomfees.htm
Thanks again! These are great suggestions. Amy, “budget” IS cool and an unusual. :-)
The very best I’ve been to lately was believe it or not in the banquet room at Copelands. The food with many flavorful seafood dishes was fantastic and very festive. I know the bride’s family was value oriented and on a budget but this was an over the top good time. http://www.copelandsatlanta.com if interested …
Copeland’s? That is surprising. What was it like?