It is truly a magical time, and there are countless top-notch businesses that would love to help you create your unforgettable wedding here in Eureka Springs. Whether youรขยยre planning a grand traditional wedding in an elegant locale, want to pledge your love in a picturesque outdoor setting, or desire a unique and unusual wedding site, Eureka Springs has a multitude of exceptional options.
Lovers love Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and vice versa. Itรขยยs been this way as long as anyone can recall. Itรขยยs difficult to put your finger on just exactly why that is true. But thereรขยยs no denying it.
Is it the abundance of picture-perfect wedding locales, the way the city caters to the unique needs of each bride, or the fact that itรขยยs a great getaway for wedding guests? Could it be the intimate setting? (Less than 2,500 people live here; there are no stop lights, malls or giant discount stores.) Perhaps itรขยยs the lush scenery, the Victorian, old-world feel, or the many classy, upscale reception offerings. Maybe itรขยยs the townรขยยs artsy flavor รขย” it was named a Top 25 Arts Destination in the U.S. and one of Americaรขยยs Dozen Distinctive Destinations.
Itรขยยs all of the above. And much more.
Over 4,000 brides a year choose the city called The Extraordinary Escape. Also known as the Wedding Capital of the South, Eureka Springs is second only to Las Vegas in annual weddings per capita.
Located in the heart of the Ozarks, the city is famous for Victorian homes and inns painted every color of a spring bouquet. The entire downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places and contains unique shops, historic hotels, and a multitude of B&Bรขยยs, spas and award-winning restaurants. There are literally hundreds of unforgettable wedding locales. Chapels of all sizes abound.
One is the magical, stunning, stone and glass Thorncrown Chapel in the woods outside Eureka Springs. A creation of Frank Lloyd Wright disciple Fay Jones, it is perhaps the most well-known wedding site in the South. Fourth on the American Institute of Architects’ top 10 buildings of the 20th century, it stands 48 feet tall with 425 windows and 6,324 square feet of glass surrounded by forest, giving weddings an outdoor feel. The Thorncrown Worship Center, next door, accommodates an even larger number of guests. Also designed by Jones, it boasts elaborate trusses, cascading steps leading to a 50-foot glass window, and a spectacular view of the hillside overlooking the valley below.
Traditional weddings and receptions, small and large, also take place in Victorian parlors, romantic B&Bรขยยs, and in a myriad of outdoor settings.
The cityรขยยs historic hotels are especially popular — the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa, Grand Central Hotel, 1905 Basin Park Hotel, New Orleans Hotel and Palace Hotel and Bathhouse. Modern hotels with adequate size to accommodate events of any proportion are also available.
Eureka Springs is famous for the quality and quantity of its B&Bรขยยs, including BedandBreakfast.comรขยยs choices for the Most Romantic B&B in America and the Best B&B in America for Fall Foliage. But weรขยยre just scratching the surface. B&Bรขยยs in all price ranges line the historic district, are spread out on the hillsides and mountaintops, and are perched near scenic rivers and lakes. They all offer weddings and will arrange all the details or simply assist where needed.
The diverse amenities at other properties round out the offerings for brides seeking a ceremony or reception space, bridal suites or family lodging. Treehouse cottages, wooded cabins, picturesque lodges and quaint motels are plentiful.
For outdoor weddings, favorite locales include the townรขยยs many meticulously manicured springs, dozens of breathtaking vistas, or the lush gardens at Blue Spring Heritage Center. The stunning fall Ozark foliage, charming trolleys, and romantic horse-drawn carriage rides provide additional spice and flair.
Amanda and Matthew Lee, of Ozark, Missouri, married here on Oct. 20, 2007. “Eureka Springs was the first trip we took together as a couple,” she explained. “Then we went back there a year later and Matt proposed. So it held special significance — and itรขยยs gorgeous!
Weddings are a large part of the Eureka Springs economy and proprietors cater to brides. Many lodgings bundle services with other businesses to make wedding planning easy, even including spa services and salon bridal studios.
Lee said her wedding and reception were reasonably priced, especially compared to St. Louis. She purchased the cake, flowers and photography from local professionals. “People here really go out of their way to be as helpful as they can,” she said.
Henyretta Tyler, of Lynn, Arkansas, agreed that packaging of services was very convenient. She married Doyce Tyler on Aug. 11, 2007 at the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa. The reception followed at the 1905 Basin Park Hotel. “I didnรขยยt have to buy a lot of flowers because the East Garden is beautiful and all the flowers were already there. They do everything – provide the cake, music, servers,รขยย she said. รขยยIt was just absolutely gorgeous and the package was very affordable,” She added that the guests, who came from Arkansas, Nebraska, Florida and Texas, loved the local winery and the shops downtown.”
Bob Davis, father of bride Whitney Davis, had a similar experience. His daughter wed Brian Alvarez in 2007 at Thorncrown Chapel with a reception at the Inn of the Ozarks. Bob wrote to the inn, “We continue to receive raves from all who attended about how elegant and special the reception was. Each of the vendors that you recommended was as good as advertised. Thank you, thank you. You made our daughter’s wedding special. You took so much work and worry off of us that we were able to enjoy the entire event.”
Penny and Borys Amiet of Joplin, Missouri also married here in 2007. She praised the effortlessness of her Eureka Springs wedding. “Everything was just so put together for us!”
For honeymooners as well as wedding guests, the main attractions here include The Great Passion Play (worldรขยยs largest outdoor drama and largest statue of Christ on the continent,) Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (worldรขยยs largest Big Cat sanctuary,) ESNA Railway, Ozark Mountain Hoe-down, Blue Spring Heritage Center, Pine Mountain Music Theater and three local show caves. Nightlife is abundant. Dress up for an evening on the town or go casual รขย” itรขยยs up to you.
But again, weรขยยre just scratching the surface. Plan a leisurely walk along a trickling stream, enjoy the shady porch of a cozy log cabin, or sail a 40,000-acre lake. During your time in Eureka Springs you can do as much or as little as you like!
This is a charming, unique, and very friendly town. Itรขยยs a town with a magical and mystical quality, a place where love is always in the air. Perhaps now you can see why Eureka Springs is called the Wedding Capital of the South.
More information on Eureka Springs is online at www.eurekasprings.org.
