Move over Virginia. Louisville is for lovers. But not just for those from Louisville. At 21c Museum Hotel Louisville, weddings and commitment ceremonies are happening for lovers from across the country. In September of 2011, the mothership landed when one of Martha Stewart’s own decided to host her wedding and reception at 21c Louisville. Megan Oiler, Assistant Vice President and Design Director for Merchandising at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, chose the space to wed her groom, David Balutanski. Though the pair are both Louisville natives, it took years spent years living and working on the east coast before they finally connected. When planning their nuptials they turned to their old Kentucky home and thought 21c would be the perfect setting for the cocktail party-esque event they were both envisioning.
With it’s wide-open spaces, art filled galleries and catering by Proof on Main (21c Louisville’s acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant), the space is exactly what a lot of couples thinking a little outside of the box are looking for. Not to say that 21c is only for those looking for a “different” sort of wedding experience – Event Manager Terence Hart and his team take the versatile space and create the unique experience couples are looking for, from traditional to ultra-modern.
“Couples choose 21c because of the atmosphere,” says Hart. “One of our biggest draws is that we are both a museum and an event space. We offer space for up to 288 guests in our atrium space and we also have a 2200 square foot rooftop terrace that overlooks the Ohio River and can accommodate up to 90 guests for a wedding ceremony. This is our most popular ceremony space,” adding, “we even had a wedding outside on New Year’s Eve because they loved the terrace so much.”
Hart says another tally mark on the “pro” list is that 21c is literally a one-stop shop, saying “we act as an in-house caterer, providing you with tables, chairs, linens, glassware, plates and the services of the event manager – who also acts as your wedding planner. Having those all in one place is really amazing.” And don’t forget that Proof on Main is literally steps away! Hart emphasizes, “we don’t have your standard banquet food. Our menu is seasonal and includes ingredients from Woodland Farm and other local purveyors. It has the same flare as our restaurant (Proof on Main). This isn’t your typical chicken!” And what if Aunt Betty decides from the time she sent her RSVP card to the wedding day that she no longer wants the beef tenderloin but really wants that atypical chicken? This is where 21c shines again says Hart, “we offer a plated, seated meal with three-courses for parties up to 288 guests. We don’t ask you to get counts ahead of time but rather we take orders from each guest and this feels like you are in a restaurant.”
Those looking to plan their wedding shouldn’t be scared off by the thought of 21c being solely an expensive choice. Hart says that they can work with many different budgets and that he enjoys a challenge. “[I love] the situations where you really to have to problem solve and find a way to make things work in our space. Execution is something that I really enjoy about my job. Using the actual vision of the couple and taking it from paper and conversations to watching it all come together to make it an amazing event. I love my job.”
Terence Hart’s Wedding Tips
– Hire a Day-of-Wedding Coordinator like Weekend Wedding Warrior. They are amazing and will reduce any stress that you have with planning the wedding. The day-of-coordinator will take care of time management and organizing the delivery times for vendors, start time for photographers and cueing the DJ. This is the first tip I give every bride or groom.
– It is all about the photos. Hire a great photographer. I have had lots of weddings where they have hired a friend who is doing it for free. Photos are how you will remember your wedding and how many who couldn’t make it will experience it later. Make sure to hire the professionals, unless your friend is a professional photographer!
> Ready to begin planning your big day? Submit an event inquiry online now
> View more weddings at 21c Museum Hotel Louisville
