You only get married once, and if you’re looking for the best venue to host an elegant, upscale wedding – look no further than Gardencourt, a historic venue that is part of Louisville Seminary’s campus off of Lexington Avenue. 

Overview

Gardencourt is the only wedding venue in Louisville with European-inspired elegance, designed in the Parisian Beaux-Arts style architecture. This is an ideal venue for a black-tie or formal wedding that feels like you’ve been transported to a French Chateau.

The garden

The outdoor space of Gardencourt features tall white columns, ivy covered trellises, a fountain and a spacious lawn for outdoor ceremonies. The lawn is well-manicured, making it a fantastic spot for couples wedding portraits, wedding party photos, and cocktail hour photos of guests enjoying the outdoor spaces.

It’s possible to have your wedding ceremony outdoors in the Rose Gardens (up to 600 guests) or the South Lawn (between 200-250 guests), making this a great option for a large wedding. You can view pricing and guest count info for each space here.

As a professional wedding photographer, I believe the South Lawn works well for most weddings, leaving the rose gardens open for guests to roam during the cocktail hour, as well as leaving them open for couples photos after the ceremony. 

Inside Gardencourt

Inside, you’ll find several grand rooms for your reception. The historic rooms are decorated with gilded mirrors, vintage wallpaper, marbled fireplaces, and intricate woodwork. Rather than one large room that feels overwhelming, the interior of Gardencourt is separated in to distinct rooms that feel luxurious, yet comfortable. One of the rooms is more modern, and also has a small stage – typically where the couple will share their first dance and the band or DJ can set up to start the festivities.

Best spots for photos

This wedding venue is a photographer’s dream, because it has indoor and outdoor spaces that are absolutely gorgeous for photos.

Indoors, there is a glass sunroom with beautiful natural lighting for bright photos – even on a rainy day. The drama and color of the decor in the rest of the building make for beautiful getting ready photos.

Venturing outdoors, the back patio that leads to the South Lawn is stunning and leads out to the rose garden and colonnade. The covered walkway has brick walls that are covered in ivy, with pillars on the front side and more roses in the front. 

This is one of my favorite spots for couples portraits, as well as in front of the columns with the house in the background. Wherever you look, Gardencourt has ample options for both indoor and outdoor photos that feel upscale and romantic.

Add luxurious touches to elevate your Gardencourt wedding

Picture frames

To decorate this space to its maximum elegance, try what recent newlyweds Erica and Juston did for their wedding – they brought a number of decorative pictures frames with their engagement photos to place on the mantel in one of the interior rooms where guests sat. 

Bringing wedding portraits from grandparents or relatives who have since passed on is a beautiful tribute that also adds an elegant and personal touch to the venue.

Dress code

This is the perfect venue for a black tie or formal dress code, as it’s the closest you’ll get to a European chateau without leaving Kentucky! Erica and Juston’s wedding party donned all black dresses and suits to match the elegant occasion.

Textured linens and ornate glassware

Choosing textured linens and napkins will elevate the aesthetic of the tables in each room. Details like crystal glassware and gold chiavari chairs are worth the splurge for the added elegance. I recommend local event rental company Empru Lou for elegant details your guests will love.

Delicate and abundant florals

The fragrance and dramatic effect of abundant florals are stunning in a venue like Gardencourt. Since the outdoors already features a rose garden and an ivy-covered trellis, you can focus on using florals creatively indoors to adorn the mantelplaces, tables, and more.

Local florist Daily Farm Indiana curated the all-white florals to pair with the white and black theme of this elegant summer wedding at Gardencourt.

Envision your wedding at Gardencourt

Make your wedding an elegant event to remember with your dream wedding photographer to capture it. Once you choose your wedding date at Gardencourt, click here to visit my wedding website to get in touch with me about availability for your wedding day.

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Meet your Wedding Photographer

Johanna Hribal is a wedding photographer based in Louisville, Kentucky. She enjoys traveling to other states and countries for weddings and elopements whenever possible! People love her colorful and vibrant edits and the way she captures their love in a natural and non-intrusive way. Click here to visit her website to learn more about current wedding collections. Follow me on Instagram to see more engagement sessions, weddings I’ve been photographing!