MORGAN COUNTY

Hawks Point Acres is a boutique barn venue in Anderson. PHOTO: BH x Creative

Bowling Green adds a medieval vibe.

Couples are definitely the stars at The Lafayette Theater in Lafayette, Paramount Theatre in Anderson, Fountain Square Theatre in Indianapolis, Indiana Theatre in Terre Haute, Thrall’s Opera House in New Harmony.

Animal lovers can pick the Indianapolis Zoo, Wolf Park in Battle Ground, Wilstem Wildlife Park in French Lick, Heritage Farm in Flora.

“Heritage Farm told me they are open to having alpacas both in the wedding ceremony and in the wedding photos,” says Sherry Matlock, manager of the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau. “They haven’t had any alpacas walk down the aisle – yet – but are not opposed to it.”

Lush gardens provide a perfect backdrop. Garfield Park in Indianapolis, Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart, Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory in Fort Wayne, Friendship Botanic Gardens in Michigan City, Richmond Rose Garden in Richmond, Avon Gardens in Avon.

Water plays a part in some choices; think Lake Michigan, Patoka Lake, the canal in downtown Indianapolis as well as small private ponds, sometimes on golf courses. Possibilities include Abram Farm in Spencer, Wasatch Lake in Poland, Potawatomi Inn in Angola, The Norris Estate in Nappanee, The Edge

The grand staircase at the Indiana History Center makes for a perfect wedding setting. PHOTO: Indiana History Center Golf & Dining in Anderson, and the City of Whiting’s Lakefront Park. Also in Whiting is the Mascot Hall of Fame, another unique wedding venue.

As for the choice of a wedding date, Jordan Richart, PR manager for the Jackson County Visitor Center, says, “I know some people who have moved away from here but came back to have their wedding and planned it around some of our festivals. Kind of a neat thing.”

The bottom line? The sky’s the limit in wedding venues. Ask around.

And in the end, emotions do trump physical surroundings. Karen Robbins, owner of Avon Gardens in Avon, says, “Talking about how brides feel is better than the facts. I wish I could capture their happiness and love in a bottle. That’s what our world needs.”