Add Fun to Your Wedding Reception With Planned Activities

Incorporating activities into your wedding reception, corporate event or family gathering is an easy way to add to the fun and keep everyone engaged. Participation events are excellent icebreakers that can help guests mingle and get to know one another in a less formal way. Our expansive Swan Manor estate offers the perfect indoor/outdoor setting for playing games, staging hilarious photos and encouraging guest participation.

Need some help coming up with reception games? Here are six great suggestions from a professional wedding DJ that are sure to break the ice and deliver laughs:

Newlywed Mad Libs
Everyone loves giving free advice, and what better way than to hand them your very own custom Mad Libs sheet. This dinner-table activity is also a great way for your guests to get to know each other as they laugh and share each other’s responses. Plus, you’ll get a good belly laugh when you read the responses after the wedding.

The Paddle Game
The Paddle Game is similar to the shoe game except you put pictures of the bride and groom on voting paddles.  This time, you invite the head table to play along. The questions will also be personal in nature: Who is the better cook? Who will get up first? Who will be better at paying the bills? You might also include questions about the head table, “Who helped out more with the wedding, The Best Man or Maid of Honour?” This games offers great comic relief. More ideas from The Piano Playing DJ

Artistic Indulgence

Arts and crafts are a fun way for your guests to express themselves. Plus, they allow everyone to participate regardless of age or mobility. Simply provide the supplies — paints, colored markers, sheets of paper, scissors, glue, glitter, etc. — and encourage everyone to create a keepsake piece for the happy couple. Alternatively, encourage your guests to search the property for a rock or piece of wood to customize. Use the finished pieces to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake mobile or a funky wind chime for the bride and groom. You can turn around the idea of using art to engage by hiring a caricature artist to draw individuals throughout the day.

Evening Ambiance

From candles to tree trunks wrapped in mini lights and everything in between, there are countless ways to creatively use light for your event. One unique way to combine light and group participation at your wedding is with Chinese lanterns. Have your guests make wishes and release lanterns into the night sky for a memorable take away. This idea is based on traditional ceremonies from the Chinese Lantern Festival and Chinese New Year. Learn about the time-honored beliefs connected to the various lantern colors in this article:

Lantern Colors And Their Meanings

During Chinese New Years, you may see lanterns of varying colors and sizes are for sale. Revelers will choose the color that expresses their wishes and then write their corresponding wishes on the lantern.

The most popular lantern color is red. The color red is supposed to welcome good fortune. If you are single and on the lookout for that someone special, pick a pink lantern as pink represents romance. A peach-red color signifies having opportunities and making good decisions. This could be a good color to choose if you are making a career move or are an entrepreneur.

For someone looking to improve their financial situation or to win it big in the lottery, an orange lantern might bring you luck as orange represents money. The color yellow is said to bring success in school. Therefore, students might want to pick a yellow lantern for Chinese New Years. White signifies god health, which is integral for any individual’s well-being.

If you are looking for a change of pace in life, a light green lantern represents of growth–be it personal or professional.If you have certain wishes that you want to come true in the new year, choose a light blue lantern. Light blue signifies hoping something will come true. For the dreamers, a light purple lantern might be the most suitable as light purple mean idealism. Continue reading at ThoughtCo.

Share Your Vision With Us

The Swan Manor staff is committed to helping you plan the wedding and reception you’ve always dreamed of. Sharing your vision during the consultation and booking process will help us bring your vision to life. You are welcome to secure your own vendors for your gathering or ask us for help; we will be happy to make recommendations.

Between our stately manor house, carriage house ballroom and manicured grounds, Swan Manor is the ideal wedding venue for your special day. Contact us today to schedule a meeting and tour and learn more about our prices and packages. Call 704-776-2530 or use the contact form on our website to reach us. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Best Outdoor Photography Shots for Your Swan Manor Wedding

Whether you are bringing your own wedding photographer or would like us to include photography in your wedding package, Swan Manor wants to ensure that you get all the great shots you need to remember your special day forever. Discussing your individual and group photo expectations ahead of time is an ideal way to make this happen. If you need some help getting started on your wishlist, check out these excellent tips:

Don’t have to many

Try to limit your totally number of shots to 6 or fewer . Do you remember when you have been a guest at a wedding, which wedding was the best, the one where you spent an hour being called out for photographs, or the one where you don’t even remember the photos happening. For this reason try to keep your list of group shots to a minimum. Sit down with your fiancé before the wedding and work out who you want in each shot, be realistic, and ask yourself why you want these photos, will they go in the album, the frame, the wall? And if not don’t have it!

Not all guests will want to have their photo taken

Not everyone wants their photo taken, at least one guest who will do nothing but try to make the whole thing worse and last longer, so if they don’t want to be in the photo, just go with it and let the photographer know it’s OK for that particular gust to opt out, other wise they will only ruin the photo. Continue reading at Boho Weddings

Inject Your Personality

Photos of your big day will be one of your most treasured wedding keepsakes. While formal pictures are great, be sure you discuss taking plenty of candid shots with your photographer. These images will capture the beauty and pure joy of the day in a very special way. Also, organizing a large group for posed pictures can be an unwieldy task. Taking lots of candids instead makes for an ideal alternative. For some helpful photo suggestions, read the following article:

TIP #3: LET THE GROUP UNFOLD NATURALLY (AKA “HAVE FUN!”)

Formal group photos are tough to pose because people will not remain still. Even shifting their weight from one foot to another can completely change the pose. Posing a group of five or more can be like playing Whack-a-mole. As soon as you get one in place, another one moves and you have to get the other one set! If the group is willing to try something different, you could completely throw the formal group photo out the window and just have fun. Here are a couple ideas for doing casual group photos: (1) have the group run toward the camera, or (2) put the group casually lounging on the couch and the floor like a family would sprawl out for movie night in the family room.

TIP #4: POSE THE SUBJECTS ON UNEVEN FOOTING

One of the best ways to get the subjects heads on different levels is to find a location that will allow for it. For example, you could pose the family or group on a staircase so they are all sitting on different steps. This will easily break up any patterns of head levels so the group looks like one and no pattern distracts the viewer. You could do the same thing by placing the group on fallen down logs or on boulders or any other uneven surface. See Improve Photography for more

Swan Manor: Charlotte’s Private Wedding Oasis

Swan Manor is excited to host your special event. Our exquisite grounds are ideal for weddings, family reunions, graduations, milestone birthday celebrations and more. Our stately manor and manicured grounds will provide the ultimate backdrop for your keepsake photos. If you’re hoping to get some great shots from your guests to add to your professional images, these tips for amateur photographers will come in handy:

Write a shot list of exactly what you’re going to do at every location. Feel free to be as specific as possible and then try and memorize it. Also, I feel that writing it with pen and paper actually helped me to remember everything a lot more than just typing it out.

I literally used to write the following info down the day before every wedding:

Groom Coverage Shot List

Details

• Flower
• Tie
• Cufflinks
• Rings
• Cologne
• Watch?
• Ask the groom if there is anything else he wants

Boys Getting Ready

• Boys helping groom with cufflinks
• Boys helping groom with tie
• All boys putting vests on
• All boys helping adjust the back of each others vests
• Slap each in the ass shot!
• All boys grab jackets and do the Roger David shot
• All boys put on jackets
• Hero shot of all the boys fully dressed looking awesome
• Serious and gangster!
• Big smiles
• Hugging and ruffing up the groom! More details at 500px

Between our beautiful manor house, carriage house ballroom and landscaped grounds, the wedding and reception of your dreams is possible at Swan Manor. Contact us today to schedule a meeting and tour. Call 704-776-2530 or use the contact form here on the site. Information about our wedding packages can also be found on our website. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Incorporating Wedding Traditions at Your Swan Manor Ceremony

At Swan Manor, our idyllic setting offers couples the perfect backdrop for creating a magical ceremony and reception. Between the manor house, carriage ballroom and manicured grounds, there are numerous locations on the estate that are perfect to keep your event flowing from indoors to out.

Here are some fun wedding facts on origins and traditions compliments of The Knot:

Good Luck and Bad Luck

1. Hey, brides, tuck a sugar cube into your glove—according to Greek culture, the sugar will sweeten your union.
2. The English believe a spider found in a wedding dress means good luck. Yikes!
3. In English tradition, Wednesday is considered the “best day” to marry, although Monday is for wealth and Tuesday is for health.
4. The groom carries the bride across the threshold to bravely protect her from evil spirits lurking below.
5. Saturday is the unluckiest wedding day, according to English folklore. Funny—it’s the most popular day of the week to marry!
6. Ancient Romans studied pig entrails to determine the luckiest time to marry.
7. Rain on your wedding day is actually considered good luck, according to Hindu tradition.
8. For good luck, Egyptian women pinch the bride on her wedding day. Ouch!
9. Middle Eastern brides paint henna on their hands and feet to protect themselves from the evil eye.
10. Peas are thrown at Czech newlyweds instead of rice. Learn more at The Knot

Musical Options and Personalized Rules on the Day Of

Swan Manor is a popular wedding destination for couples from all across the Charlotte metro area. Enjoy the flexibility of hiring a local band, string quartet or DJ to enhance the mood at your wedding reception; we have plenty of space for entertainment.

Are you dreaming about floating down the aisle to the traditional wedding chorus or are you into something more unique? If you’re interested in updating your wedding traditions, check out the following:

Old-School Rule: You should walk down the aisle to Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus.”

The New Twist: Sure, it’s a great standard, but it’s not the only option. Have a bluegrass band play an acoustic banjo version of your favorite pop song. You can also look to your cultural heritage to inspire your music: Caribbean steel drums, Scottish bagpipes or a Mexican mariachi band are all great ideas. They don’t have to stick to playing the classics either — anything from The Beatles to Beyonce will do!

Old-School Rule: The ceremony program has to be formal.

The New Twist: Programs should include important info, like who’s in the bridal party and the meaning behind your cultural traditions, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a bit of fun with the design. Turn your programs into a playful Mad Lib, crossword puzzle with clues about your relationship or even make fortune-tellers with fun facts about your childhood. Guests will love the idea — and they’ll appreciate having something to do while they wait for the ceremony to start.

Old-School Rule: You can’t see each other before the ceremony.

The New Twist: This superstition has long been proven false, so there’s really nothing stopping you if you don’t want to wait until your walk down the aisle to see one another. Schedule a first-look photo shoot (you and your groom meet with just the photographer before the ceremony). This frees up more time after the ceremony so you can actually enjoy your cocktail hour — and it can also help with pre-wedding jitters. Additional info at Huffington Post

When Two Worlds Unite

Regardless of whether you hail from across town or around the globe, Swan Manor is thrilled that you decided to us a part of your wedding. Our team is friendly and flexible; we will always do our best to accommodate your unique wedding traditions, wants and wishes. To learn more about different wedding customs from around the world, read this post:

Congo: Are You Serious?

While most about-to-be marrieds brim with excitement and anticipation, Congolese brides and grooms must keep their happiness in check — during their entire wedding day, from ceremony to reception, the two are not allowed to smile. If they do, it would mean they weren’t serious about marriage.

Scotland: The Way to Wed

Centuries ago England restricted marriage to couples who were 21 and over. But that didn’t stop young lovers from finding a loophole, or in this case a nearby Scottish town without such limitations. Today that village, Gretna Green, is still popular for couples who want to elope.

Czechoslovakia: Oh, Baby!

Before the ceremony, an infant is placed on the couple’s bed to bless and enhance their fertility. Once they’ve wed, guests shower them with rice, peas or lentils to also promote fertility. Keep reading at Brides.com

Schedule a Tour Today

Between our stately manor house, carriage house ballroom and manicured grounds, the wedding and reception of your dreams is possible at Swan Manor. Contact us today to schedule a meeting and tour. Call 704-776-2530 or use the contact form here on the site. Information about our wedding packages can also be found on our website. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Swan Manor is Your Graduation Party Headquarters

With spring around the corner, many special celebrations are about to be be planned to mark graduations from high schools, colleges and universities. Family and friends from near and far will be gathering to celebrate this epic milestone together. If you are putting together a party to celebrate a loved one’s graduation, remember that Swan Manor is an ideal venue for your event. Our spectacular estate (manor house, carriage house ballroom and manicured grounds) is just a short drive from Charlotte. We have the space and the experience to help you throw an unforgettable event.

For inspiration to get started, check out the cool party theme ideas from Purple Trail:

High School Graduation Party Activities: Karaoke

Do you love to sing? Celebrate high school graduation with close friends at a nearby karaoke place or purchase a karaoke machine and celebrate at home.

High School Graduation Party Activities: Caricature Portraits

Hire a caricature artist for your high school graduation party. Friends and family will love having their portraits drawn. You can even have the artist do a group portrait so you have a unique keepsake of your high school graduation party.

High School Graduation Party Activities: Murder Mystery Graduation Party

Celebrate high school graduation with costumes, suspense, and a murder to solve by hosting a graduation murder mystery party.

 High School Graduation Party Activities: Backyard BBQ

Hold a backyard BBQ and invite all of your loved ones to celebrate your high school graduation while enjoying nice weather, good food, and good company. Spice up your high school graduation BBQ with favorite family recipes or cater your event for easy cleanup! Check out Purple Trail for more

Perfect Family Photos

When was the last time you had your loved ones together in one gorgeous setting? If it has been a while, you need to capture your reunion in pictures. Take your own photos, bring a photographer with you, or we can recommend individuals we have worked with for weddings, graduations and milestone birthdays. Our stunning grounds boast a variety of trees and flowers to add natural beauty to your images. Our picturesque pond (complete with swans) makes a gorgeous photo backdrop.

Whether you are an amateur photographer or a pro, the following tips from digitalphotographyschool.com are excellent to remember:

Never select all of the focus points for portraits, pick one.

When you pick the autofocus option that allows the camera to select focus points, you are doing your portraits a terrible disservice. This feature of a camera is usually designed to pick whatever is closest to the lens and focus there. In some cases, like with my 1DS Mark III, the camera will choose a cluster of focus points and make a “best guess” based on averaging the distance between all of the chosen points. Using one focus point gives you, the photographer, ultimate control.

Always focus on the eyes.

The eyes are the windows to the soul, and should be the focal point of any good portrait. Not only are the eyes the most important part of a good portrait, but they are the sharpest element on the face and should be left that way. When you are shooting with a wide aperture value focused on the eyes, the lens’s bokeh will aid in softening the skin as well.

Learn the sunny ƒ16 rule.

Why? So you have a baseline for proper exposure in your mind to work with if no other tools are present. The sunny ƒ16 rule states that on a sunny day, with your aperture value set to ƒ16, your shutter speed will be the inverse of the current ISO speed. For example, if your camera is set to ISO 100, and your aperture value is ƒ16, your shutter speed will be 1/100th of a second. On a cloudy day (or when in the shade) you simply use ƒ8 instead. If you own either an incident light meter, or gray card use either for the most accurate exposure instead. (Note: the procedure for metering exposure with a gray card is not the same as a custom white balance.) Additional details at Digital Photography School

Delicious Celebration Foods

There are many great catering companies we have had the pleasure of working with over the years. We are happy to make recommendations, along with cake vendors, florists, caterers and more to make the most of your graduation celebration. Or, if you prefer to organize your own potluck style get-together to enjoy family recipes, that is an excellent option too. Our kitchen is available if you’d like to prepare your culinary delights on-site.

Bonappetit.com has an article on outdoor party foods you might want to check out. Here’s an excerpt to whet your appetite:

Tomato, Onion and Roasted Lemon Salad

Sugared, roasted lemons are edible from rind to flesh and give this salsa-like mix a bracing jolt of sourness.

Mexican Corn Salad

The only thing better than Mexican corn on the cob is Mexican corn off the cob. This riff on esquites goes heavy on the cotija and lime.

Pomelo Salad with Chile, Lime, Peanuts and Coconut

A palate cleanser packed with sweet, sour, and salty flavors; taste and tweak the seasonings as you go. Get more menu ideas at Bon Appetit

Between our stately manor house, carriage house ballroom and manicured grounds, the graduation party of your dreams is possible at Swan Manor. Contact us today to schedule a meeting and tour. Call 704-776-2530 or use the contact form on the site and we’ll get back to you.

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Something Blue for Your Swan Manor Wedding

Celebrate your wedding in style at Swan Manor and enjoy the natural beauty that North Carolina has to offer. Our private, expansive estate is the ideal place to host your wedding and reception or any large gathering. Along with our beautiful grounds you will find luxury indoor appointments in our stately manor house and carriage house ballroom. We are the perfect venue for your nuptials any time of year.

Old, New, Borrowed & Blue

Let’s turn our attention to one of the most well-known wedding traditions: The bride wearing something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Have you ever wondered why this is even a thing? If so, you’re in luck because we have the scoop right here:

Q: What is the meaning of “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”?

A: This tradition comes from an Old English rhyme (“Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe”), and the four objects that the bride adds to her wedding outfit or carries with her on the big day are just good luck charms. Don’t stress too much about them — they are the little tokens of love your mother, sister, other relatives, and attendants will give you at the eleventh hour (although you can give them to yourself, too). Something old represents continuity; something new offers optimism for the future; something borrowed symbolizes borrowed happiness; something blue stands for purity, love, and fidelity; and a sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity, although this remains largely a British custom. More details at The Knot

Incorporating Something Blue Can Be Fun and Unique

There are numerous ways you can add your “something blue” to your wedding. As one of the most popular colors for 2017, decor ranges from Robin’s egg blue to rich navy and covers every shade from cobalt to turquoise in between. Of course, flowers — including roses, hydrangeas and hyacinth — are simply stunning options. Some brides have utilized their fancy footwear to bring the tradition to life, while others use a sentimental blue piece of fabric to wrap their bouquets.

The Huffington Post has more info about making your special day a little bit blue.

Blue has been connected to weddings for centuries. In fact, in ancient Rome, brides wore blue to symbolize love, and fidelity.

For modern brides that want their something blue to pop on their big day, try pairing your gorgeous wedding gown with royal blue Louboutin pumps.

A new take on an old tradition: Use blue stitching to have your wedding date and initials monogrammed on the inside of your veil or dress. Additional info at Huffington Post

Delicious Blue Food Options

Blue foods can be a whimsical and tasty way to incorporate tradition into your special day. There are a plethora of edible flowers that look amazing on wedding cakes and desserts which can be fun to utilize. Fresh, organic blueberries and ice cream are sure to please your guests’ palates. If a candy bar is in your plans, it will be easy to add some blue peppermints, chocolates or delicious dessert items.

Add Some Blue Into Your Accessories

Make the  most of your photos by having some of them feature your fun, blue items. You can have blue sunglasses for the wedding party, blue makeup highlights such as eye shadow, nail polish or mascara, a family heirloom piece of blue jewelry incorporated into your bouquet or opt for a handmade floral crown to complete the look. Other fun and simple ways to maintain your traditional “purity and fidelity” vibe include:

Shoe Clips

Set on wearing white heels? Shoe clips add a splash of color, says planner Ana Skidmore of Two Foot Creative.

Ruffled Petticoat

“A blue ruffled petticoat looks darling under a wedding dress,” says planner Heather Balliet of Amorology.

Temporary Tattoo

“I had a bride tell me that she used our ‘Okay let’s do this’ temporary tattoo as her ‘something blue,'” says Tattly founder Tina Roth Eisenberg.

Nautical Rope Bracelet

According to event stylist Desiree Spinner, nothing says nautical like a navy rope bracelet. Read more at Brides.com

Have Fun Dealing With the Blues

Outdoor or indoor decor, including candles, signage or even lovely wind chimes, can easily add a touch of blue. Have fun with the process. Some of our Swan Manor couples use their gift favors as their “something blue.” The only thing limiting your options is your own imagination, so go for it. The main thing is to have a good time and never stress. This is your dream day so enjoy every moment of it.

Between our stately manor house, carriage house ballroom and manicured grounds, the indoor/outdoor wedding and reception of your dreams is possible on our estate. Contact us today to schedule a meeting and tour. Call 704-776-2530 or use the contact form here on the site. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Swan Manor Celebrates 2017 Spring Wedding Trends

It may not seem like it at the moment, but spring is around the corner, and Swan Manor is the perfect setting for your spring nuptials. We cater to the individual needs of the couples we serve, taking great pride in the fact that we are flexible and accommodating. You can purchase a wedding package from us that will take care of your most important event details, or you can use your own vendors. You will enjoy having the best of both worlds at your disposal with the luxurious interior spaces in our manor house and carriage ballroom plus the beautiful grounds of our impressively manicured property. Needless to say, you will have plenty of room to eat, drink and be merry at your Swan Manor wedding.

With the arrival of spring comes the full return of wedding season and some hot trends are already shaping up for 2017. Bridal Guide has been discussing some of the most prevalent ones they’re observing based on a survey of Pinterest boards. Here’s what they’ve noticed:

Pure Romance

Another popular theme in your Pinterest boards was simple, pure romance. From candlelit ceremonies to receptions lit by crystal chandeliers, this beautiful trend will melt your heart.

Vintage

The vintage wedding trend is still going strong! It’s no surprise — there’s just something that feels so romantic about adding old-world items and antiques to your big day. Many couples opt to include family heirlooms within their décor, giving a personal touch to their vintage wedding.

Whimsical

We were blown away by all of the super creative themes we saw in your boards, from weddings inspired by the movie Up to a festive carnival. See more at Bridal Guide

Back To Nature & Relaxation

If you want to get married at the trendiest downtown hotel amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, go for it! However, many couples in 2017 plan to trade the concrete jungle for a more natural setting. Wedding locations and themes that connect with the outdoors are very big this year. If this is something that interests you, having your wedding and reception at Swan Manor is ideal. Here are some nature wedding theme ideas from Bridal Guide to get your creative juices flowing.

Butterflies & Birds

As the butterflies leave their cocoons and the birds return home, many couples opt to include nods to these fluttering creatures in their spring wedding décor — from bridesmaids dresses to cake toppers to centerpieces to place cards.

Embrace the Rainy Season

You know what they say — “April showers bring May flowers.” Be prepared for a rainy day, or add some creative touches to your décor, like upside-down umbrellas suspended from the ceiling.

Cherry Blossoms

One of the most anticipated times in our nation’s capital this season is when the cherry blossoms begin to bloom – and the blooming period only lasts up to 14 days. Incorporate these spectacular flowers in your décor, recreate them on your cake or, if you’re getting married in DC during the blooming period, be sure to take a few photos under the cherry blossoms!

Open-Air Transportation

Take advantage of the season’s warmth by riding from your ceremony to reception on a bike — either motorized or built for two. Keep reading at Bridal Guide

Come Visit Swan Manor Today

A picture can say a thousand words, but even that’s not enough to communicate the natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere of our stately manor house, carriage house ballroom and manicured grounds. The spring wedding and reception of your dreams can be realized at Swan Manor.

Contact us today to schedule a meeting and tour. Call 704-776-2530 or use the contact form here on the site. Information about our wedding packages can also be found on our website. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Swan Manor Is Ideal for Outdoor Weddings

If natural beauty is one of your wedding venue musts, Swan Manor is the ideal place for your outdoor nuptials. Manicured grounds, beautiful trees and space to breathe are all part of our expansive property. You can dress up the campus for a glamorous affair or treat your guests to a rustic vibe. Whatever your vision, Swan Manor can provide the perfect setting for your dream wedding and reception. Our dedicated team will help you create the memories that will last a lifetime.

The major perks of an outdoor wedding include the limitlessly high ceilings at your reception and the naturally beautiful backdrops for your ceremony. The trick is to define that open space into areas that still feel intimate and inviting. A decorated gateway leading to the ceremony seating or twinkling bistro lights over the dinner tables break up the great outdoors into manageable areas for guests.

• Line your aisle with petals, potted plants or fabric.
• Elevate your ceremony altar.
• Hang unique decor in various sizes around your outdoor reception space (like dreamcatchers!) Read more at The Knot

Our Experience Works For You

One of the benefits of working with an established wedding venue such as Swan Manor is the advice we can offer when needed. We have been blessed to host a multitude of weddings and social events on our gorgeous property. This gives us valuable experience for working with you to create your perfect day. Our talented team can answer any questions and help transform your wedding wishes into reality. If you need direction on the best places to set up your serving stations or want the sunlight to fall on a particular spot at a particular time, we can tell you where to position everything. Creating the ideal setting for your wedding, reception, serving and dining areas, bar space, dance floor and more is simple and stress-free when you work with Swan Manor.

The Knot has collected some expert tips to help turn a large outdoor wedding into a more personal affair. Here are two suggestions, and you can see more by following the link.

• Ceremony Setting

“Create a more intimate outdoor ceremony by setting up a circle with your chairs around the chuppah to include all of your guests. It makes a 200-plus wedding seem much more intimate this way.” — Paige Hiller Photography

• Meal Mingling

“One way to make a large wedding feel intimate is through food stations. Guests will have an opportunity to interact with one another while selecting their food rather than staying seated through the entire reception.” — Andrea Leslie Weddings & Events Additional details at The Knot

Swan Manor: Charlotte’s Year-Round Wedding Venue

Our stately manor is available for your convenience every month of the year. If a white winter wedding speaks to you, let’s get busy planning. Springtime is always popular and summer or fall ceremonies are equally ideal. We invite you to bring in your own vendors or use one of our convenient packages. The perfect setting and a stress-free environment is what we offer here at Swan Manor. We are always happy to help you plan and stage your wedding, family reunion or social event. Call us today to check availability. We look forward to hosting your next memorable occasion.

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