Thorncrown Chapel | Eureka Springs Wedding Venue
Weddings at Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs
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Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is arguably one of the best wedding ceremony venues in the country. What is it that makes it so unique and popular? Designed by architect E. Fay Jones, it is a stunning glass structure, embedded in and embraced by nature. It has 425 windows and a warm atmosphere with wooden beams. Rising to about 48 feet and surrounded by local trees and plants, this architectural masterpiece left me in awe the first (and all the other times) I’ve visited.
How much does it cost to rent?
Price range: $595 to $1695
Max capacity: 100 guests
Intimate weekday elopements start at $595 while a two-hour rental on a Saturday is $1695. They also offer 2-hour weddings on Fridays and Sundays at $1495 or a 90-minute weekday rental at $1095. Saturdays in fall and spring tend to get booked up more than a year in advance while you can usually book a weekday elopement with short notice.
There is a small changing room on the property. I wouldn’t call it a bridal suite or anything like that. It’s okay for putting on a wedding dress and do last minute touch ups. I’d recommend getting a hotel room or and Airbnb if you want getting ready photos before your ceremony.
The Best seasons for a wedding
As previously mentioned, fall and spring dates get booked up first, and for good reason. From mid-April to mid-May and from late September until the first weekend of November, the weather here in Northwest Arkansas is the best. Peak foliage usually happens around the last weekend of October or the first weekend of November. In spring, we usually have greenery all around by the 2nd or 3rd weekend of April.
Reception venues near the chapel
There are a few venues in Eureka Springs that can handle a wedding reception, and many more 45-60 minutes away in the Northwest Arkansas metro area of Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville.
Hotels near the chapel
Eureka Springs is a tourist destination so there is no shortage of accommodation within a short drive from the hotel. Here are a few of my favorites.
Lover's Leap
Lover’s Leap is an awesome portrait location if you run out of time at the chapel or if you are planning to have your reception in Fayetteville or Springdale. It is about 25 minutes south of the chapel and easily accessible, you literally just drive up to this amazing overlook!
Wedding photography timeline
Here is a sample timeline for a 8-hour wedding photography package in mid-October.
3:00 PM Getting ready photos at another location
3:45 PM Detail photos
4:15 PM Arrival at Thorncrown Chapel - optional first look
4:45 PM Photos of guests arriving
5:00 PM Ceremony
5:30 PM Family and group shots
6:15 PM Wedding portraits until 7pm (sunset)
7:15 PM Arrival at the reception venue
7:25 PM Grand entrance
7:30 PM First dance
7:45 PM Dinner and speeches
8:30 PM Cake cutting
8:45 PM Dance floor opens - candid photos
9:30 PM Night time wedding portraits
10:45 PM Private last dance
10:55 PM Grand exit
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