The Piedmont Garden Tent: Wedding Day Tips
Photo by Once Like a Spark
Most of you know that I worked as the event coordinator at Park Tavern for many years. I am so grateful for my time there as I learned much of what I know about the event industry through their busy schedule. The Park Tavern has two event venues (the Piedmont Garden Tent and the Piedmont Room), so they can host up to 7 weddings in one weekend! WHEW! So, when clients ask me "How many weddings have you coordinated?"...there are quite literally too many to count.
As a result of working there, I have long lasting relationships with their staff and they are so kind to refer me to all of their dream clients. The Organized Occasions team is now back at Park Tavern so often that I thought I would write a blog post about all the "tricks of the trade" for you brides who are lucky enough to hold your wedding at this gorgeous venue. Specifically, this post is dedicated to the Piedmont Garden Tent (although I'm sure I'll do another post about the Piedmont Room in the near future!). I wanted to share my top ideas that will ensure your wedding day will go off without a hitch (and your photos will be stunning)!
Tip 1:
The bridal party should come dressed and ready to the venue on wedding day. As the bride, we suggest bringing your dress with you and slipping it on in the bridal suite. With your rental of the Garden Tent comes a beautiful tavern space (aka the bridal suite), which makes for some great photos of your mom helping you into your dress!
Photo by Alea Moore Photography
Tip 2:
The most popular orientation for your ceremony is to have the beautiful willow tree as your backdrop. You really can't go wrong with this setup. BUT...the venue added a cool stone archway within the past year or two, and we also think this makes a really unique ceremony backdrop! Keep your mind open to the different possibilities with your setup, and get creative with the space.
Photo by Tyler with Once like a Spark
Tip 3:
Take advantage of all of the photo opportunities with the Atlanta skyline. I mean...let's be honest. Thats why you booked this venue in the first place!
I usually suggest taking one with the entire bridal party, and then capturing plenty of couple portraits throughout the evening. I love sneaking my couples out to the park during dinner (which is usually the coveted "golden hour") for sunset shots, and then again setting them up in front of the lighted buildings right before their sparkler exit!
Extra hint: ask your venue coordinator about using a golf cart to transport you quickly to different locations around the park. This will help you get the most out of your photo time so you can get back to the party quickly!
Photo by Tyler with Once like a Spark
Tip 4:
Set up an estate table for your bridal party so you can all sit together during the reception. Its a great way to spend more time with your favorite people! The estate table also helps to visually break up the reception space, so it adds some dimension to the sea of tables. The bonus is that the Garden Tent is one of few venues that has true estate tables in house already for your use (at no extra cost)! They have three tables that can seat up to 24-26 people when placed together.
I always like to add some color to the estate table with specialty napkins, table chargers, or repurposing the bridesmaids bouquets as centerpieces. It makes such a great statement!
Photo by Alea Moore Photography
Tip 5:
Set your cake table in front of the stone wall. There is a warm amber uplight that shines on to the ivied wall, and it makes for a really great photo opp! The venue can also provide a silver cake stand, which is the perfect accessory for your cake display. Ask your florist to provide some fresh flowers for the wedding cake, and you're all set!
PS- the venue can also provide toasting flutes and cake cutting utensils for this table at no additional cost to you!
Photo by Tyler with Once like a Spark
Tip 6:
When making your grand entrance into the reception, enter out of the side door of the bridal suite and come in from the brick patio. This usually gives you and your bridal party a direct walking path to the dance floor (and of course, it also makes for great photos with the greenery behind you!).
Photo by Tyler with Once like a Spark
Tip 7:
Save your parent dances until after dinner and toasts. This will help to break things up, and its a great way to open up the dance floor when you are ready to get everyone on their feet!
Photo by Ember Studio
Tip 8:
For your send off, we always recommend having guests line up on the sidewalk that leads out into the park. We usually grab our couples right after the last dance and lead them out to the park. This gives them an opportunity to take some evening skyline shots with their photographer, and it also helps to lead the rest of the guests out of the venue. Who wants to be at the party once the bride & groom have already walked out?? Most people will follow you and then your planner can effectively line everyone up for your grand exit.
This location is also great because it perfectly positions the skyline behind your photos. (Always thinking about the best photos!!)
Photo by Ember Studio
That's all we have for now! Now get to planning!!! (And if you haven't hired us yet, what are you waiting for?!) xo
