Venues

Local venues with a twist

Traditional wedding isn’t your vibe? From farms and public parks to distilleries and museums, there’s no shortage of unique venues in Owensboro to ensure your wedding screams “you.”

Green River Distilling Co.

Why not host your festivities in a place steeped in history — and whiskey? The site of the Green River Distilling Co. has been crafting whiskey off and on since 1885, and while many of the buildings are newer, its sense of tradition is as timeless as its recipes. With the distillery covering 28 acres, there is no shortage of spots that can host wedding ceremonies and receptions of any size. The main event space, known as the Bottling House, holds up to 300 people for seated dinners and live entertainment. The facility also comes with a 700-square-foot, event-ready kitchen and private security for the duration of the event. And don’t forget the unique part that Green River’s bourbon can play in your event. As an active distillery, the site can host tours and tastings for wedding guests.

Photos courtesy of listed venues

Owensboro Convention Center

Almost nowhere in the area offers as stunning a view as the Owensboro Convention Center. The convention center remains one of Owensboro’s most elegant venues, capable of hosting weddings and receptions of all sizes. Perhaps hold a scenic wedding ceremony overlooking the Ohio River on the Kentucky Legend Pier, and then enjoy unparalleled riverfront views from window-lined walls while enjoying dinner in one of the facility’s ballrooms. The venue also offers everything from decorating services to catering, putting most of the event planning under one roof. A bonus: The convention center’s proximity to Owensboro’s bustling downtown makes it easy to access guest accommodations as well as the shops, restaurants and entertainment venues that Owensboro is famous for.

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Located in downtown Owensboro with sweeping views of the Ohio River, The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum is a one-of-a-kind wedding venue. Rehearsal dinners can be held in the Gallery Room on the second floor, which can seat up to 100 guests. The Independence Bank Event Room offers a walk out balcony, and guests can enjoy a private cocktail hour in the lobby. The Green Room is available as a bridal suite. For a truly unique experience, get married on the stage win Woodward Theatre, or make it an outdoor tented event in the Outdoor Pavilion.

Home Builders Association of Owensboro

The HBAO’s facilities are perfect for hosting affordable small-to-medium events in a comfortable setting. Kitchen facilities are available for onsite meal preparation, and its location just off Carter Road and U.S. 60 is easily accessible no matter which direction you’re traveling from.

White Chateau at Cecil Farms

This French country-style facility west of Owensboro sits amongst rolling farmland and evokes timeless charm. The glamorous former barn provides a rustic-yetclassy aesthetic that can transcend any wedding vision and make it a dreamlike reality. The team at White Chateau helps couples plan their festivities, using their expert knowledge of the facility and farm to make each wedding unique. The team can handle everything from vendors to decor, catering to a backup plan. Employees also help decorate, flip rooms and restock restrooms during the event. White Chateau also goes a step further, offering the adjacent Robinette Farmhouse for overnights related to onsite weddings. The 2,000-square-foot brick ranch has two baths, a full kitchen and a terrance, can sleep six and commands generous views of the surrounding farmland. The location is perfect for a bridesmaids’ sleepover or couple’s retreat, or to house wedding guests.

Many couples are turning to the great outdoors to host their big day. Moving outside doesn’t only expand your venue options — it can create flexibility in terms of number of guests and social distancing. Whether your outdoor wedding is a dream come true or done out of necessity, be sure to keep these important points in mind.

LET YOUR BACKDROP SET THE AESTHETIC An awe-inspiring backdrop, like the natural beauty of a local park or botanical garden, can make for great photos and a ceremony couples and their guests will never forget.

HAVE A PLAN B Even a mild day can turn rainy, so having a backup plan is recommended for any couple planning to wed outdoors. Look for sites that have a readily accessible indoor option just in case Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate. Many reception venues are capable of hosting indoor and outdoor ceremonies, so this might be the best option for couples who want to have outdoor weddings.

BE MINDFUL OF LIGHTING What’s awe-inspiring in person may be hard to capture on film, particularly if the lighting doesn’t compliment. Couples may want to bring their wedding photographers along as they search for outdoor ceremony sites. Photographers can help couples determine which sites will make for great photos and which ones might make it hard to capture the beauty of the site’s surroundings.

CHOOSE ACCESSIBILITY Before choosing an outdoor venue, consider those guests who may have mobility issues and find out what they’ll need to move about easily, such as ramps, accessible restrooms or shorter distances between destinations. Also keep in mind that the more accessible a site is, the easier it is to get away and get indoors if the weather takes a sudden, unexpected turn for the worse.