Updated Pictures of the Pavilion

We have been hard at work to bring back the soul of the Artisan Ballroom, and put it into the new Pavilion. Here are some pictures to keep you updated on the new improvements.

First, we added 2 football fields of curly willow garlands and wrapped twinkle lights around them to the beams of the Pavilion in order to emulate the wooden timbers of the ballroom. The twinkle lights add that charming glow that the ballroom had.

We also added two artfully arranged hanging baskets of multiple types of greenery inspired by the trees lost in the Ballroom that bring the beauty of the outside gardens, inside. These provide a beautiful, natural frame for indoor ceremonies as well.

The floor is improved! We have laid down a more permanent look of laminate wood flooring. It is definitely a more polished look and creates a more "building" appearance. We added a wooden stage as well, that has the same wooden flooring. Plenty of room for bands, or to display the cakes, or for head tables depending on your desire.

COLOR is an option we didn't really have in the Artisan Ballroom. In the Pavilion, if you like, you can do colored uplighting around the perimeter—the color choice is of course up to you.

An amber or white light provides an elegant, more candlelit look if you do not want to go with a more modern look.

We are excited about these new additions, and we hope you are as well! While we love the new structure and we're happy with the amount of things we have been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time—reimbursements are being given to all wedding receptions that take place in the Pavilion before the ballroom can be rebuilt.

However, we are rebuilding FAST! We will keep sending out updates as we receive them about the progress of the rebuild. We are still striving to have our Fall weddings inside the newly built Artisan Ballroom. Plans are being drawn up as we speak. The plans will still be very, very similar to the original ballroom you fell in love with. The most major change is that we have made the decision not to go with a thatch roof, for obvious reasons... But we loved the Artisan Ballroom just as it was and plan to rebuild in basically the exact same fashion—you will love the new ballroom too!!

Again, we are here for you. Don't hesitate to ask any questions. If you want to come out and see the structure, we are still giving tours as requested. Let us know if you need anything!

Barr Mansion Staff

Photos courtesy of Stella Alesi—THANK YOU!!

Candace and Michael—First Testimonial

I will probably never be able to suffice in words just how unbelievably amazed I was on Saturday night. It was perfect and I could not have asked for a better wedding night or venue (even without the ballroom)! You both have been absolutely wonderful during this whole planning process from day one. I have some of the best memories from my wedding and when I look back, while I will remember the lightning striking and burning down the ballroom, the most vivid memories will be of the night itself and how from something so disastrous came a spectacular night! It would not have been possible without everyone from Barr Mansion. You are all truly very special people and I will cherish getting to have known you. Every guest on Saturday night commented on the beauty of everything and how incredibly delicious the food and cakes were. In fact, it was "the best wedding food" ever tasted! I just wanted to let you know that perfection was definitely reached! Thank you so so so much for everything!

Candace and Michael, June 12th 2010

The Show Goes On

To our valued clients, guests, and community,

As you likely know, our business just recently suffered a major fire to our magnificent ballroom. Even amidst the shock of such an event, there is no question that we will rebuild - and quickly. Our clients are our first priority: we are working to ensure that every client's wedding is as perfect as we all originally intended.

We have built our business over the past thirty years with passion, dedication and caring commitment to our community. During this short interim, we are operating successfully as we always have in the last twenty years with our historical home, catering kitchen and lush gardens. In addition, we will have a climate-controlled tent with professional lighting.

Our original barn craftsmen, Homestead Heritage, plan to have a new, reclaimed frame raised within a matter of weeks.

Thank you to those who have shared your best thoughts, kind words, working hands and friendship in support of us.

The Barr Mansion Family

Cody and Brandon

Brandon and Cody - {million moments} from Allen Doberenz on Vimeo.

Thank you Allen Doberenz Photography for this original and inspiring video!

Abby and Kurt

Abby and Kurt were married the day before Valentine's Day. They created a romantic and vintage look for their wedding.

Ranunculus, anemones, and dusty miller foliage were featured in the bride's bouquet. The bridesmaids carried bright bouquets with pinks, oranges, and yellows. The boutonnieres also featured ranunculus and dusty miller with seeded euchalyptus. A guitarist provided romantic music for the ceremony and cocktail hour that followed. The bride walked down the aisle to the traditional... "here comes the bride..." song, but the guitarist transitioned into "here comes the sun...." as she walked down the aisle.

A super sweet couple—they had great fun planning the wedding and carefully thought out lots of beautiful details. Their escort cards were vintage Valentine's day cards hung with close pins on a clothes line between two cedar posts, a very unique touch.

Guests mingled and dined to appetizer stations of Baby Bayou Burgers, Baked Paprika Yam Sticks, Seasonal Vegetables with Molasses, a cheese board, Indian pancakes with a chickpea masala, red cabbage salad with almonds and sweet and sour dressing, and lamb sausage in flatbread topped with yogurt-dressed greens. The bride's cake was a beautiful Valentine's Day pink cake with delicate buttercream details. The groom's cake was chocolate with swirls of chocolate on top.

The bride and groom left to guests waving sparklers. Truly a great couple, and everyone had such a great time at the wedding. Come back to see us Abby and Kurt!

Thanks to Katherine O'Brien for these beautiful images!!!

Cheryl and Rob

February Open House

Barr Mansion hosted a beautiful open house on February 11th. It turned out to be an extremely cold and rainy evening, and for the few that braved the weather... it was worth it. Guests enjoyed passed appetizers, appetizer stations, cake, truffles, drinks and a signature cocktail. Andrew Sigler provided lovely ambient music throughout the evening.

Being so close to Valentine's Day, we couldn't help ourselves... we had a field day with a romantic Valentine's Day theme. Pink and red roses, romantic words on the cake, truffles, shockingly pink hummus dip... all very fitting to the occasion and time of the year.

In addition to the hummus with cracker shards, guests enjoyed winter greens pizza, baby rueben burgers, a crab cocktail station, and passed prosciutto wraps.

As the evening went on and the sun went down, the candles began to flicker and the ballroom transformed into a candlelit twinkling affair. A vase in the middle of the bar with submerged white cymbidium orchids were lit up from the bottom of the vase by LED lights covered in crystals, letting the orchid centerpiece stand out from across the room.

A good time was had by those who came. Many, many thanks to the wonderful Lisa Shepard of aimage photography for braving the weather with us and providing these beautiful images!