It’s a Nice Day for a Blue and White Wedding
August 19, 2011 at 10:19 am Mary Murphy 1 comment
Back in early June, our editor Tina Hay stumbled across a wedding ceremony at the gazebo outside the Hintz Family Alumni Center. The lovely photos of Emily Haworth ’11 and Ben Finch ’10 drew lots of attention—including some from engaged couples who contacted the Alumni Center hoping to book the alumni gardens for their own weddings.
Well, good news and bad news: Weddings aren’t officially permitted on the Hintz lawn (or in the Alumni Center itself), but there are plenty—and we mean plenty—of other spots on campus where lovebirds can tie the knot or hold a reception. A sampling of options:
Tables set for dinner during a wedding reception at the Mt. Nittany Club in Beaver Stadium.
Given Beaver Stadium’s gargantuan size and sentimental appeal, it’s unsurprisingly a popular wedding venue. For receptions, the Mt. Nittany Club is the largest available space in the stadium, seating 176 with a head table and dance floor. The Letterman’s Lounge features high-top tables and leather chairs, suitable for a cocktail reception of about 65 people, with room for a dance floor and buffet table. The President’s Suite, which seats up to 104, is popular for its view of both the field and Mt. Nittany.
When it comes to the ceremony itself, Eisenhower Chapel is an obvious first choice. Thousands of couples have tied the knot at the intimate venue since it was built in 1955. Another popular choice: the newer Pasquerilla Spiritual Center next door, offering more space (capacity of about 750).
A bride's father escorts her through the Joan Milius Smith Esplanade at the Arboretum.
Speaking of photo possibilities, the beautiful gardens of the Arboretum have seen more than 30 outdoor wedding ceremonies in the past two summers alone. “It’s really the perfect outdoor setting,” says Event Coordinator Kate Reeder. There are eight spaces in the botanical gardens available for rental, including the Event Lawn, which can accomodate more than 1,000 guests for ceremonies between April and October (though Reeder recommends renting a tent in spring and fall in case of inclement weather).
Another tip: Reserve any of these venues as far in advance as possible. Many are already booked through most of 2012.
Mary Murphy, associate editor
Entry filed under: Alumni Association, Beaver Stadium, Hintz Family Alumni Center. Tags: Penn State weddings.
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