Outdoor venues catch bridal couples' attention
If the heavy uptick in the number of weddings this year at The Stables at Connoquenessing are any indication, Butler County brides and grooms are following a national trend.
Since 2009, black-tie weddings have decreased from 20 percent to 16 percent, and ceremonies hosted in a religious institution have dropped from 41 percent in 2009 to 22 percent in 2017, according to The Knot, Weddings for the Real World, one of the world's leading wedding media and services companies.
Outdoor wedding ceremonies increased from 39 percent in 2009 to 52 percent in 2017. Farm, barn and ranch reception venues increased from 2 percent in 2009 to 15 percent in 2017.
The Stables, at 856 Evans City Road in Renfrew, has hosted 36 weddings in 2019, about four times more than last year, according to Jaclyn Pavlinsky, the venue's event coordinator.
Most couples Pavlinsky works with who are set on outdoor ceremonies love nature and want those feelings translated to their guests.
What makes The Stables unique is its structure — it originally was built in 1928 as part of the Spang Estate — that lends a rustic and elegant charm.
The renovations in 2017 gave the barn venue modern upgrades, such as climate control capabilities. Rain, snow and heat are no longer issues for guests, which has increased demand, Pavlinsky said.
“Fall is the new trend,” Pavlinsky said, adding from the end of August to October are now popular times for couples to tie the knot.
Although summer weddings are beautiful, the changing leaves and pumpkin spice lattes attract people to fall, she said.
Another trend being followed by county couples are those who want to schedule the ceremony and reception at the same venue, said Sherry Lynn, owner of the The Atrium, 1031 New Castle Road, Prospect.This allows couples to incorporate the outdoors into their ceremony and step outside the traditional ceremony and reception space, she said.Lynn noted too that fall hits a note with engaged couples, adding that September and October are the busiest months for weddings at the Atrium.The facility is open year-round and has a climate-controlled environment. A gazebo offers couples an outside wedding option.Lynn's Pinehall at Eilser Farms, open May to October, on 517 Dick Rd., Connoquenessing Township, was converted to a wedding venue four years ago. It is open on both sides of the structure and has a wraparound porch, heaters and ceiling fans.The barn location offers couples a country vibe with its greenery, while the Atrium presents an elegant touch, Lynn said.
Keep the ceremony before September, Pavlinsky said — a tip for couples planning an outdoor wedding because of the unpredictable Pittsburgh-area weather.Additionally, have a backup plan and monitor weather conditions.When planning an outdoor wedding, be flexible, Lynn said, adding weather could cause changes. In the event of changes, events in the ceremony could be adjusted, such as cocktails before the ceremony during the rain.Another benefit of outdoor weddings is the photos, she said. The outdoor area offers natural light against a greenery backdrop.For a wedding, the venue is more than a space, Pavlinsky said.When a couple plans a wedding, the venue is an extension of the day that encompasses the way they feel about each other, she said.
