When planning your wedding, location is one of the most important elements (aside from who you marry of course.) A great location creates the framework for the ceremony and reception, setting the tone for the next stage in your life.
How many people to invite, what kind of food is available to you, what kind of decor you might need (or can forgo) all of these components are easier to put in place once you have found the perfect place for your extra special day. Luckily, Center City has a few venues that offer couples a unique spot to tie the knot.
History and Flexibility at MUZEO
If you love history but also crave the cutting edge MUZEO museum and cultural center on might be the right spot for your wedding. With both indoor and outdoor options and plenty of parking, the venue will accommodate mid-size to larger weddings. The original Carnegie Library building is steeped in history, while the newer gallery offers a blank slate for the modern nuptials with 5,000 square feet of space, LCD projectors, track lighting, and sound.
Back in 2015, a pair of local Anaheim lovebirds tied the knot at the MUZEO. For Jennifer and Kevin, the MUZEO was their perfect venue. “We both grew up and still live in Anaheim, so being in our home was important. We used to ride by the MUZEO in the school bus on their way to junior high and high school.” For Kevin, “it was so close that I was able to walk to the wedding with my groomsman.”
Not only was the location convenient, but it proved flexible for couple. When the temperature reached 100 degrees, the party moved from outdoors to inside the gallery. And because both the bride and groom are into their local roots, they said every time they pass by the historic Carnegie building, they will remember their special day.
Muzeo provides tons of options for top wedding photographers as well. Orange County-based D Park Photography featured a wedding shot at Muzeo back in 2012. The gorgeous photos show off the venue’s natural and gallery lighting.
Quirky and Fun at Cooks Chapel
Tucked away in a corner of the BXCR wine bar on the lower level of The Packing House is a door that opens into a brightly beautiful hall with a cozy industrial feel. Cooks Chapel is named after a rumored onsite chapel used by workers in the old packing house. The quirky locale has hosted both ceremonies and receptions from weddings as small as 10-14 people up to a 98-person guest list.
Stephanie Hassan, Venue Manager for the one-of-a-kind location says the spot appeals to locals and tourists alike. Only three years old, the expertly designed space attracts couples who want something a little different.
“I feel like a lot of the people we attract here are Packing House devotees; that maybe their first date was here, you know, they live close by and they just walk over here, and we get a lot of people from out of town as well, it’s a destination wedding…we have east coasters and people from Canada coming down and it’s just a really cool space.”
Unique opportunities come with a wedding at Cooks Chapel. BXCR is on hand to offer higher-end wines or catering for appetizer-only, wine and cheese tastings. Cocktail hour takes place in The Packing House, oftentimes with couples contracting with vendors like Popbar to offer treats and drinks to guests. Ceremonies can take place at nearby Farmers Park with reception moving to inside the venue.
Short and Sweet at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder
Shudder at the thought of planning a wedding? A civil ceremony might be the right choice. And as of early this year, it can take place right in Center City because the Orange County Clerk-Recorder opened a branch office inside the Wells Fargo building on South Harbor Blvd.
Far from cold, the civil ceremony room is attractive and charming. You’ll need to secure a marriage license in advance of the ceremony, however, with license in hand, you don’t need an appointment—couples can have a ceremony performed on a first-come, first served basis. Make it light and fun: Stop by RARE by Goodwill to whip up a unique ensemble, get married and take FRAN to the Packing House to toast over IPAs—but Whatever your tie-the-knot style, Center City has the spot.
For more information on hosting your wedding at Center City:
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