For any bride or groom that is looking for a unique place to say "I do," they now have one more option available. Auburn University has recently opened Samford Lawn for business as a wedding venue.
"As Auburn University, we are very proud to be able to offer yet another thing to make this experience special," said Teresa Whitman-McCall, director of campus and community events.
Although the lawn is a public park, the University has previously not allowed weddings because there was not a committee to oversee it.
Whitman-McCall said the University really started to look into allowing weddings after Auburn won the National Championship. Since then, Whitman-McCall's office has received a record number of requests.
Whitman-McCall isn't sure what the correlation between football and wanting to get married on the lawn is, but she said she couldn't ignore the growing interest.
Once the University decided to take the next step and allow weddings to take place, they began creating ads. After only a couple months of work, Whitman-McCall said news began travelling fast, mainly by word of mouth.
"We sat down with the hotel and decided they would handle the booking and packages," Whitman-McCall said. "They know our rules and regulations. They do the set up and the clean up."
Whitman-McCall said there is a portion of the rental fee offered by the hotel that goes directly to the University for grounds maintenance and also a scholarship fund for students.
Terri Lynn Beasley, sales manager for the hotel, said the first scheduled wedding complete with chairs and arrangement will take place this August. Beasley said the couple is extremely excited and plans on completing the wedding day with a reception at the hotel.
Hans Van Der Reijden, managing director of the Auburn Hotel, said the trusted partnership between the University and the hotel made the handoff of responsibilities seamless.
"We have the resources and all the software," Van Der Reijden said. "We are handling inquiries from the University and starting to book now."
If you are a frantic bride and have heard rumors that the lawn has already been booked for the next three years, you can take a big sigh of relief. Van Der Reijden said the lawn is currently booked through the spring and summer of next year.
The hotel is currently working on creating a complete list of packages deals. These packages range from just renting the space to having the hotel provide chairs, music, flowers and light drinks. Prices of the packages range from $1,000 to $2,500 and vary depending on the number of guests.
Van Der Reijden said the hotel's aim is to offer one-stop shopping to couples. Having the reception at the hotel is not included in the package deals but Van Der Reijden said the convenience is something they will emphasize to couples when they book a date on the lawn.
There are just a few rules couples have to follow if they want their special day to take place on Samford lawn. Whitman-McCall said no tents or food are allowed.
Also, if you are thinking about having your wedding on a game day, it's just not going to happen. Other than when the University has planned events out on the lawn, game days are the only times that are currently blocked off from booking weddings.
All those worries aside, the only aspect the hotel has no control over is the weather, but sleep easy knowing that back-up space is available if mother nature decides to butt in and causes you to change your plans on your big day.
Van Der Reijden said that the hotel as well as the chapel are available if the weather conditions prevent the wedding from taking place on the lawn, so there is no need for the bride and groom to worry.
Any bride or groom who wants their special day to take place on the lawn should also not forget that Samford lawn is a public park. The University can not tell anyone to leave, even during a wedding.
"More than anything, it is the ambience, but brides have to know there may be a few guys throwing a Frisbee around them," Whitman-McCall said.
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