How to Have a Country Club Wedding and the 9 Best Venues For One
When it comes to picking a wedding venue, you can't go wrong choosing a country club. If you and your partner belong to one or one of your family members belongs to one, consider looking there since the staff already knows you and you're familiar with the venue.
However, if you're not a member of a country club, it's still a great option for couples looking for a more traditional ceremony or reception location. From the manicured lawns, an experienced on-site catering staff, and well-decorated indoor event spaces, country clubs aren't strangers to hosting well-planned and fabulous events. Having everything in one place will provide a seamless experience for you and your guests and make wedding planning that much easier. For the pros and cons of a country club wedding, how to choose the right venue and a few recommendations, read ahead before you hit the ground planning.
Pros and Cons of a Country Club Wedding
Pro: It's a common type of venue you can find in any city or state.
No matter if you get married on the West Coast or the Northeast or anywhere in between, country clubs can be found anywhere in the U.S. If the geographical location of your wedding is what matters most to you, a country club is guaranteed to located in the area you're committed to getting married in.
Con: There's less room for creativity.
More than likely a country club will have an aesthetic built into the event space. Whether it's a regal or European vibe, or something in between, you likely won't have much say over the overall look and feel over the space. From the tables, chairs, and place settings, the country club likely already has all of that on-hand. When you opt for a more bare space like a barn, you'll have more room for creativity when it comes to your overall wedding look and feel.
Pro: Wedding packages mean less work for you.
Getting married at a country club means a lot of the leg work is done for you. There are likely several wedding packages available for you that come with different options from rentals, linens, place settings, ceremony chairs and an on-site event coordinator and caterer to help you make decisions about food and beverages. While you still may have to handle a few things yourself like the entertainment and florals, the heavy lifting is likely done by the country club.
Con: You may have to follow set guidelines.
A country club likely has a set of rules that you're required to follow. This could be anything from not allowing candles to having an early curfew for your reception. You also might be limited in how loud the sound on your band or DJ could be or if you're allowed to have a sparkler exit or not. Check with the venue on what their restrictions are.
How to Choose a Country Club Wedding Venue
Since there are a plethora of country club wedding venues across the country, you won't be restricted in terms of geographic location. Once you decide on the city or state you want to tie the knot in, the next step is narrowing down your venue. Many country clubs offer wedding packages with different offerings included. Get a rundown of all the things included in each package and make sure it has everything you want. Is there a package that comes with nicer liquor? Or does one of the packages offer access to the club's facilities for a longer amount of time? Be sure to look closely to ensure you pick the one that works best for your needs.
You'll also want to ask about the club's rules. Do they have a curfew of when your wedding has to end? If it's 10 pm, that might feel a bit too early for you and your partner. Are you required to keep the music at a certain decibel level? You'll want to make sure none of their restrictions are your must-haves.
Lastly, find out if your wedding is the only one being hosted at the venue that day. There might be multiple happening the same day as yours, which might mean you don't get as much undivided attention from the staff. Decide if that's an issue for you before committing to the country club. Answers to these questions will help you narrow down where you should celebrate your special day.
9 Country Club Wedding Venues to Consider
From the mountain tops of Georgia to a secluded desert setting in Arizona, there's no shortage of country club wedding venues to choose from.
Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria, Virginia
This historic club has been around since 1924, when it was just a 9-hole golf club along the Potomac River. Now, it's home to an 18-hole golf course designed by a world-renowned architect and a full-service club complete with a seasonal swimming pool, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a steam sauna, and a year-round restaurant, among other top-of-the-line amenities. The ballroom boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the well-manicured lawns, golf course and Potomac River. The elegant event space can accommodate up to 250 people for a seated dinner and dance floor. The lower level patio space is a great space to host a cocktail hour or a romantic wedding ceremony. The club's on-site culinary team offers a lengthy beverage menu, delicious passed appetizers, mouth-watering entrees, and delicious desserts. The Belle Haven Country Club staff is ready to make your wedding day even more special.
The Club at Hillbrook in Chagrin Falls, Ohio
This private 50-acre club sits at the end of a charming country road. From fine dining and tennis to a pool and other fitness offerings, this mansion made of black walnut and maple woodlands is a secluded estate perfect for your special day. The inside of the club is just as breathtaking as the outside, complete with thousands of leaded glass panes in the windows, astounding paneling and woodwork, and mantels hand-carved with wood and marble. There is a secluded courtyard surrounded by manicured grounds and gray stone walls which features a wooden arch, making a perfect place for an outdoor ceremony. Consider an outdoor ceremony behind the wooded mansion in the lush lawn surrounded by romantic gardens. The indoor event space, which boasts wooden floors, exposed beams and floor-to-ceiling glass windows, is ideal for an indoor reception. A babbling creek flows through the property featuring a bridge over part of it, making it an excellent stop for romantic wedding photos. The Club at Hillbrook provides a gorgeous setting to consider for your "I do's".
Marbella Country Club in San Juan Capistrano, California
This mediterranean-inspired country club is nestled in the rolling hills of southern California. This private club in Orange County offers an award-winning championship golf course, fitness amenities, delicious dining options and social events to connect with others in the community. The outdoor ceremony site on the well-groomed property boasts a waterfall backdrop featuring the Marbella crest. Lush greenery and manicured lawns will surround you as you exchange vows in front of family and friends. For an outdoor ceremony there is the tranquil Valencia Terrace, which offers sweeping views of the gorgeous golf course, pristine waterfalls and swimming pool. This multi-level outdoor event space can accommodate 200 guests. If you'd prefer and indoor/outdoor reception there's the Spanish Colonial-inspired Catalonia Room with a magnificent fireplace, which boasts 10-foot French doors that open onto the terrace and seats 240 guests. The experienced event specialists and on-site catering team at Marbella Country Club are well-equipped to make your big day a memorable one.
Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park, Illinois
Just 20 miles south of Chicago is an elegant venue that has hosted special events and memorable celebrations for over five decades. This picturesque setting surrounded by top-of-the-line landscaping, lush gardens and colorful florals is just the place for your special day. There are two outdoor spaces for your wedding ceremony. The first is the Lakeside ceremony, surrounded by 300 acres of rolling hills with a shimmering lake backdrop, you'll have breathtaking wedding photos. The West Patio, another outdoor space surrounded by gorgeous gardens, features an altar and a cascading waterfall. The West Garden room seats 250 guests for the wedding reception and boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping garden views, as well as an outdoor patio space. The East Garden room offers the same but seats 180 guests for a wedding reception. The on-site staff at Silver Lake Country Club are exceptional and are willing to help you with every detail of your wedding day.
Cedar Creek Country Club in Kemp, Texas
On the banks of Cedar Creek Lake is a family-friendly country club complete with an 18-hole golf course, newly renovated tennis courts, a swimming pool, critically acclaimed food and happy hour gatherings. There is also a full-service event staff ready to help you plan your big celebration or intimate wedding. With a maximum of 220 people, the club has several private event spaces for your wedding celebration. The ballroom is the largest event space at the club and can accommodate up to 120 guests. The reception venue features a 20-foot lofted ceiling, floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping golf course views and magnificent chandeliers. The rental of the venue includes access to the championship golf course, where you and your spouse can take breathtaking photos. The wedding package available will help you have the wedding of your dreams. It includes 14 hours of rental time, set-up and tear-down services, rentals such as Chiavari chairs, linens, and centerpieces. Cedar Creek Country Club also offers a getting ready suite for the couple to prepare for your special day.
Blackstone Country Club in Peoria, Arizona
This one-of-a-kind private venue in the Northwest Valley, which features an exclusive clubhouse and award-winning golf course, is a perfect location for your big day. The Hacienda-style 30,000 square-foot clubhouse is surrounded by the Sonoran desert featuring spectacular mountain views. Tie the knot outside surrounded by the enchanting Bradshaw and White Tanks mountain vistas. There are multiple outdoor wedding sites to choose from. The Arbor site offers lush vines and a manicured lawn, whereas the Desert offers panoramic background views of the Sonoran desert. The Hacienda also offers a gorgeous architectural backdrop for an outdoor wedding ceremony, while the Rose Lawn offers gorgeous mountain views. The courtyard provides a warm and intimate vibe featuring fireplaces, water features and romantic lighting, creating the perfect place to celebrate. The executive chef at Blackstone Country Club can create a variety of delicious menu options that will leave your guests craving seconds.
Fiddler's Elbow Country Club in Bedminster Township, New Jersey
New Jersey's only 54-hole country club, which opened in 1965, boasts luxurious and well-manicured grounds and exclusive amenities such as a racquets facility, an aquatic and fitness center and three restaurants under the direction of a renowned executive chef. You'll be captivated by the English Manor clubhouse surrounded by enchanting florals. The rolling green meadows provide a gorgeous backdrop for your wedding day. For the ceremony, exchange "I dos" outside overlooking the Lamington River, and move inside to the luxurious ballroom which seats up to 265 guests and boasts a large dance floor. The adjoining patio is perfect for cocktail hour or for guests to escape and get some fresh air throughout the evening. The property also offers an airy Conservatory and wine cellar as other event spaces to hold your rehearsal dinner. Fiddler's Elbow only hosts one wedding per day to ensure that you and your partner, as well as your guests, are well taken care of and that the highest level of service is provided.
Oldfield Club in Okatie, South Carolina
On the banks of the Okatie River in the heart of Lowcountry is a secluded club where natural beauty takes center stage. Hang out by the riverside docks for a dolphin sighting or the salt marsh for stingrays. There are picturesque fresh water ponds, majestic Live oaks with Spanish moss, and stunning water fountains found throughout the 860-acre property. Say your vows in front of your friends and family on the well-kept lawn with beautiful sunset views of the river. Celebrate your nuptials at the Magnolia Grill or on the porch overlooking the river and enchanting Spanish moss oaks. You'll dine on delicious Lowcountry cuisine and have your every need looked after by the top-of-the-line event staff. If you want to be surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty while you tie the knot, Oldfield Club is just the place for you.
Waterfall Club in Clayton, Georgia
Among the magnificent mountaintops overlooking Georgia's most pristine lake, Lake Burton, is a secluded retreat with unforgettable views and the ultimate romantic setting for your special day. With panoramic views of the Chattahoochee and Nantahala National Forests, it will be a challenge to find the most breathtaking spot for photos. Opt for an outdoor ceremony at the club's romantic wooden pavilion with direct access to sweeping views of Lake Burton. When it's time to celebrate, move inside for an elegant reception in the club house featuring chandeliers and dark wooden ceilings, evoking an intimate vibe. A classically trained culinary team will prepare an outstanding menu complete with ingredients from local farms. Some of the perks of getting hitched at the Waterfall Club include massage services for the wedding party and an award-winning golf course with special packages available for wedding participants.