Couples planning a wedding in Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) in 2011 have an exciting journey ahead. Businesses that provide them with the locations, services, and items needed to make the day just perfect can also look forward to a fun and prosperous ride.
 On the business side, in 2010, couples spent 23% more than they did in 2009 and the average cost of a wedding increased 22.9%, from $19,581 to $24,066 (Wedding Market Review, © 2011, The Wedding Report, Inc.). On the consumer side, brides and grooms have the time and resources right here in NEPA to make their wedding day dreams come true without breaking the bank.
After the date is set, the most important decisions facing couples are where to have the wedding, where to have the reception, or where to have both at the same location. The venue is the conduit through which the wedding magic happens.
A quick glance into the world of entertainment shows that the selection of the venue can make a simple wedding truly memorable. In the movie Braveheart, William Wallace courts the beautiful Murron, and the two marry in secret in the middle of the night in the Southern Scotland countryside. Outcasts Kris Kringle, voiced by Mickey Rooney, marries school teacher Jessica, voiced by actress Robie Lester, among the snow-covered pine trees in Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.
A glance into the world at-large shows that wedding venues can also be grand– congratulations William & Kate! According to hubpages.com, the current Top 10 Most Unusual Wedding Venues are:
10. Sub-zero Temperature Locations like the Absolut Ice Bar in London
9. McDonald’s
8. Local Zoo
7. On a Plane
6. Under Water
5. North Pole
4. At Zero Gravity
3. Mount Everest Peak
2. On the Outside of a Plane
1. In Space (No couple’s done it yet, but Billionaire Richard Branson is working on it.)
Somewhere in-between are the couples reading this article. In addition to promoting creativity, culture, and change, IndependentNEPA features more than 50 small, locally owned businesses that offer services and products the betrothed need.
In the Advertiser Index of our business directory on page 65, you’ll find our advertiser listing, coordinated into groups of: Great Homemade Food; Salons, Health & Fitness; Professional Services & More; and Unique Shops, Gifts & More. Visit this page then visit your neighbors for all of your wedding wants.
Now back to the venue. NEPA abounds with endless possibilities for couples seeking a unique experience. We have come upon a few of the “in-between” venues and why they may be the right option for your special day.
The Colonnade
401 Jefferson Avenue | Scranton, PA 18510
(570) 342-6114
Built in 1873, the former Blair Estate mimics a smaller version of the White House. In 2006, Co-owners Joshua Mast and Paul Blackledge purchased the mansion, undertaking a two-year, $2 million renovation before opening its doors in October 2008. The building features a music room, parlor, billiard room, library, and grand ballroom, complete with two sets of French doors leading to a large terrace. The ballroom comfortably accommodates 120 guests and the terrace offers the option of tented outdoor space for an additional 80 guests. This versatile area has been used for cocktail hour, buffet area with food stations, dance floor, and actual wedding ceremonies.
Situated in the heart of downtown Scranton, the building has three suites that include a private sitting room and bath, Egyptian cotton sheets, and minibar. With an on-site florist and full-service kitchen, the Colonnade can easily host dinner parties for small groups of 10, showers of all sizes, and full-scale weddings and receptions for 200 people.
One of the most spectacular weddings recalled by Co-owner Joshua Mast was a full-scale, traditional, Indian wedding, when the grand ballroom was filled with oriental rugs, sofas, and tents. In keeping with its high standard of personal customer satisfaction, every minute detail from developing the menu to the décor in the facility was meticulously planned to tie the theme together.
“At the Colonnade, you will receive our personal attention to every detail, allowing for a most memorable event in a most memorable space,” said Mast.
Hillside Cottage
65 Hillside Road | Shavertown, PA 18708
(570) 690-0745
The Lands at Hillside Farms, a 412-acre, nonprofit, educational, sustainable dairy farm, is the last remaining processing dairy farm in Luzerne County. Nestled in a private country setting, Hillside Cottage was built in 1881 as the summer home of William Lord Conyngham.
A 34-room historic estate residence, it boasts an opulent Victorian foyer, sitting room, dining room, unique butler’s pantry, full kitchen, and wrap-around screened-in porch.
This lavish property, which can comfortably accommodate up to 160 guests, offers unusual options for ceremonies. Couples can chose from The Cottage, the Summer House Pavilion behind the Cottage, The Greenhouses, or the Adirondack gazebo for an intimate outdoor ceremony. Guests can relax and enjoy the scenery from the wrap-around screened-in porch and wander the wondrous grounds that wind around The Cottage.
The greenhouses at the Lands at Hillside Farms were designed and built by internationally recognized Lord & Burnham. Built more than 150 years ago, they are currently undergoing restoration, so by late spring they will once again nurture flowers and plants of brilliant colors and varieties.
Supporting the regional economy, Hillside features the ability to provide a “Farm to Table” event, using food grown or raised by the farm or other local farms. The self-contained venue also provides fresh floral arrangements from the property and arranged by the greenhouse staff.
Preserved in its natural state, The Lands now welcomes more than 350,000 visitors annually to its Dairy Store, historic barns, pristine grounds, and hiking trails.
Scranton Cultural Center
420 N. Washington Avenue | Scranton, PA 18503
( 570) 346-7369
Originally an active Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral, this building is an example one of the most unique architectural structures in Scranton. Designed by Raymond Hood, whose most famous work is NYC’s Rockefeller Center, the Scranton Cultural Center was inaugurated on January 2, 1930. At approximately 180,000 square feet, the building is three times the size of the White House and boasts two theaters, numerous meeting rooms, and a grand ballroom. Designed with performance hall lighting, stages, and balconies, this venue offers couples limitless opportunities when planning their weddings. Various-sized rooms in multiple spaces can be arranged to comfortably accommodate parties ranging anywhere from 25 to 500 guests.
Event Planner Erin Speicher recalled that one of the most memorable events held at the Center was a multi-cultural Pakistani wedding that included a Henna party. The history of henna, or rather that of applying mehendi, dates back nearly 5,000 years. The earliest written artifact that mentions henna being used specifically as an adornment for a bride or woman’s special occasion is in the Ugaritic legend of Baal and Anath, inscribed on a tablet from about 2100 BC. The henna plant holds special significance in many countries including India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Persia, Syria, Egypt, and Morocco. Intricately woven henna designs adorn most Asian brides, and Indian women traditionally apply henna patterns to their hands and feet.
Speicher explained that no detail was omitted. The Center was adorned with posh sofas, elegant oriental rugs, and even tents on the stage, creating an “absolutely spectacular” event.
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