(Friends reference)
When we left off, we had found three venues that we loved, but none of them worked out. So, we started over and narrowed it down to two potential venues—not our first choices, but maybe better. (That happens sometimes!)
I’m going to spoil this post and just let you know that this story has a happy ending!
Announcing…Luttrell Lodge at the Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center, the location for our laid-back family wedding. It’s perfect!
Image via Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center / Photo by Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center
We toured the lodge and I took pictures—unfortunately, the quality is so, so awful that I won’t post them and ruin your impression of our venue, since it’s really very nice. Instead, here’s a few more pictures from the website. Trust me, it’s better this way.
Image via Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center / Photo by Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center
This is the inside of the lodge all set up for a wedding. I love that there is a fireplace with a mantel—I’m so excited to use that as the background for the ceremony (what would be the alter if it was a church).
Image via Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center / Photo by Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center
Here is another shot of the inside of the lodge. This one is taken from the kitchen and serving area looking out onto the entire seating area. The lodge technically seats 200 people—there’s plenty of space. We’re doing both our ceremony and reception in the same room (more on this later), so I wanted to make sure guests didn’t feel cramped.
Image via Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center / Photo by Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center
This is the outside deck area of the lodge. The glass doors open into the lodge so guests can enjoy being outside if it’s a nice day. May in South Carolina can go both ways—it could be beautiful and pleasant or it could be humid and everyone will want to stay inside with the air conditioning. This is one of the main reasons I didn’t want an outdoor wedding. If the weather is nice though, it will be great to have the extra room.
Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center is also the home of Camp Spearhead and Camp Courage—two really great ministries for kids with special needs and illnesses. I was very impressed with the camp director and his passion for the camps, as well as the space itself and everything that they’ll be providing for us—and for much less expensive than we found elsewhere.
How did you choose your venue? Any other brides decide against an outdoor ceremony because of the weather?
That is so pretty! Plus I love when a venue is affiliated with a good cause.
What a gorgeous venue!! I love the fireplace and the outdoor space–very cool.
What a beautiful venue, the porches are just lovely!
oh wow, the pictures of the venue are just gorgeous. love it
I LOVE that fireplace, it will be perfect as a ceremony background.
Aww that looks so cozy! I love the earthy aesthetic, it’s going to make such a gorgeous venue!
Mrs. Lemur, Greenville, South Carolina Age and Occupation: 22, Graduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 22, Security Officer Engagement Date: October 9, 2012 Wedding Date: May 2013 Venue: Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center About Me: I may fancy myself a doctor after too many episodes of House—but in reality I'm finally almost done with my degree in business administration (less than three months left!). My fiance and I met at school in undergrad hundreds of miles away from either of our hometowns and have been happily running and hiking together ever since. We're undertaking a long distance relationship as I finish school and we plan our casual wedding for a day after graduation—needless to say, it will be the busiest and most exciting weekend of our lives so far!
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