Wonderful Wayne County wedding venues

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and love is in the air! If a wedding is in your future this year, Richmond and Wayne County are home to a collection of beautiful, memorable — and sometimes even unconventional — venues to consider. Isn’t it romantic?

If your heart’s set on going to the chapel to get married, you’ve got several options to consider. At 150 years old, the Olde North Chapel offers a beautiful vintage church atmosphere for intimate wedding ceremonies and receptions. Meanwhile, The Reid Center’s gorgeous collection of authentic Tiffany stained-glass windows make a stunning backdrop for vows and wedding photos in downtown Richmond.

Outdoorsy types might want to think about tying the knot at the open-air Woodland Chapel in Hayes Arboretum with sloped rows of seating built into the natural wooded terrain, especially beautiful in the summer and the fall. Not far from Thistlethwaite Falls, the new Springwood Chapel provides a nicely landscaped pavilion with bench seating for up to 90 guests.

No need to worry about flowers if you’re getting married in the Richmond Rose Garden at Glen Miller Park — the gazebo here is surrounded by dozens of colorful, fragrant rose varieties (try to book your special day in June or July to enjoy peak blooms). The Cope Environmental Center near Centerville also maintains indoor and outdoor event space suitable for weddings, anniversary parties, birthdays and other special occasions.

With plenty of room to spread out, Shady Nook Farms north of Centerville maintains an airy gazebo and covered pavilion for al fresco wedding ceremonies. A little farther west in Cambridge City, Dougherty Orchards — the oldest family-owned orchard in Indiana — makes wedding planning easy with event space and a lawn that features a gazebo and benches overlooking the fruit trees. There’s even an on-site winery!

In the picturesque Whitewater Gorge, the Starr-Gennett Building serves up a character-rich environment in which to say “I do,” while also appreciating Richmond’s fascinating musical history. For something a little bigger and more extravagant, check out Eight to the Bar in downtown Richmond, another restored Starr-Gennett property that now houses a grand ballroom, ceremony space, and dedicated suites for both brides and grooms.

One last storied suggestion, with a touch of Quaker tradition, the Historic Meeting House at New Garden is a beautiful setting for wedding ceremonies, whether inside its historic walls or beneath the open sky.

To learn more about the unique wedding venue options that are available throughout Wayne County, go to visitrichmond.org. And look for the Richmond/Wayne County Visitor Guide publication on racks with great local trip ideas, itineraries, activities, events and attractions.