Dreamy Abandoned Mansion Wedding

Are you looking for a place to hold your wedding reception in Birmingham? What better locale than a venue with the vibe of a dreamy abandoned mansion? Gorgeous chandeliers, flooring with just the right amount of wear for warmth, and of course, a lacey tablecloth that drapes just right – these are all components of the dreamiest wedding ever.

Selma Plantation is the venue here. The dresses and floral arrangements are just divine. Imagine your wedding ceremony in a place such as this. We can only say magical!

Details for a Dreamy Abandoned Mansion Wedding

The editorial created by Anne Robert Photography proves that inspiration is all around us. Every bride gearing to walk down the aisle always thinks about ways to make their big day truly special and unique. That's why we love this botanical-inspired shoot against the backdrop of an abandoned mansion because it provides a different perspective for the bride who wants to stand out.

The photoshoot set out to spring the Virginia-based Selma Mansion to life, and along the way, it's given us plenty of wedding ideas. Abandoned mansion weddings are by no means a new trend, only that there are not too many guides outlining how to convert them into idyllic venues for various nuptials.

Colour Palettes for a Dreamy Abandoned Mansion Wedding

The colour palette for a "wedding in ruins" can take any form depending on the specific theme you have settled for as well as the overall tone you want to exude. A love story born out of an otherwise dilapidated location is akin to a phoenix rising from the flames. With that reference, we picture a vibrant colour palette marked by shades of red, yellow, pink, white, and green.

The editorial gives us a further range of wedding colours to explore including blush, orange, and light blue. Details like the lace tablecloth, velvet fabric sofa, crystal chandelier, and metallic bed equally serve as inspiration while also displaying how to play around with texture.

What to Look for in Venue for a Dreamy Abandoned Mansion Wedding

An abandoned wedding venue, much like the Selma Mansion where the editorial took place, is an ideal location for this theme. Stately mansions with sprawling grounds or plantations are also worth exploring. It's also important to note that there are plenty of event spaces decked with modern facilities and amenities that still give off an abandoned vibe.

A few examples include restored warehouses, historic ruins, and old train stations. In your search, look out for locations with details like overgrown greenery and worn-out stones. They capture the essence of "beauty in ruins" which is the perfect ambiance for an abandoned mansion wedding.

Wedding Dresses & Accessories for a Dreamy Abandoned Mansion Wedding

The goal of an abandoned mansion wedding is to show the beauty in forlorn places. That's exactly the impression we get from the gorgeous wedding dresses from Gabriella New York, Jenny Packham, and Reem Acra. We always notice the finer details first and in this case, we love how the gowns exude elegance making them perfect for a modern affair with reference to the past.

For the first gown, it’s the beaded cap sleeve pattern and overall airy feel. The lace gown in a dramatic sweeping length captures the kind of romanticism that aligns with the "beauty in ruins" theme. On the other hand, the breathtakingly beautiful backless gown would suit a bride hosting a modern fairytale.

Groom Style for a Dreamy Abandoned Mansion Wedding

The editorial gives us a visual answer to the question about what a groom would wear to an abandoned mansion wedding. In fact, we get two groom styles that would work for different wedding themes hosted at an ancient venue.

The first is a dark shade of blue paired with a matching tie and white shirt. This option pairs well with the bride's boho-chic look. The second look features a gray suit, white shirt, and a patterned tie. A boutonniere featuring a colourful bloom or pocket squares would be the ideal way to introduce splashes of the wedding colours to the groom's look.

Ceremony Decor for a Dreamy Abandoned Mansion Wedding

An abandoned wedding venue provides plenty of options in terms of where to host the ceremony and set up the reception. Hosting an indoor or outdoor ceremony works either way, with the help of creatively thought out and well-executed wedding decor. Borrowing from the editorial, Holly Chapple decked out the grand piano with what is best described as a floral and foliage overgrowth.

Overall, you want the venue's original beauty to remain intact as an ode to the symbolism of enduring romance. The best approach is to soften up time-worn spaces with a coat of vibrant flowers and climbing foliage.

Reception Decor for a Dreamy Abandoned Mansion Wedding

Everything comes full circle when friends and family gather at a reclaimed structure or ancient ruin to celebrate a lovely beginning. The reception decor that comes to mind for an abandoned mansion wedding involves wildflowers, layered textures, raw-edged linens, and long reception tables paired with minimalistic chairs.

The beauty is brought about by striking the right balance between allowing certain ancient aspects to reign supreme and figuring out what elements are best covered up with modern touches. Go for a tablescape setting that includes candelabras, crystal-cut glassware, and decadent cascading floral centrepieces. A vintage table setting with mismatched seats equally works.

Bouquets & Boutonnieres for a Dreamy Abandoned Mansion Wedding

Holly Chapple and her team are simply put, floral design maestros. They went all out with the floral arrangements by creating posies made of buds, wildflowers, and lots of lush greenery. An explosion of white, coral, yellow, pink, and red-coloured blooms spring the bouquets and centrepieces to life. Sweetpeas, zinnias, sunflowers, baby's breath, and foxgloves are some of the befitting flowering plants for such a theme.

Throw in some rice flowers, mountain daisies, black-eyed Susans, sprigs of lavender, and violets into the mix, depending on your wedding colour palette. Pairing the wildflowers with traditional wedding favourites like ranunculuses, roses, and peonies is also a great idea.

Outdoor Wedding Ideas for a Dreamy Abandoned Mansion Wedding

There are so many exciting details included in the editorial, and it also gives us plenty of outdoor wedding ideas. Something Vintage Rentals supplied some of the furnishings used for the editorial, including the pink tufted loveseat. Set against the backdrop of the house's gray exterior,  it looks like a cozy space that could easily work for an outdoor reception.

The swing can't go unmentioned and it not only serves as a lovely portrait prop but it could easily double up as a focal point if the ceremony was set up in that area. Imagine setting up classic farm tables outside and topping them with gold flatware!

Wedding Photo Shoot Ideas for a Dreamy Abandoned Mansion Wedding

The editorial works as a detailed map filled with wedding photo shoot ideas for a festivity hosted at an abandoned mansion. It's easy to use already existing features like the radiator, indoor staircase, and outdoor steps as backdrops for the photo shoot. Adding details like the floral arrangements, vintage brass bed, and Spanish chandelier introduce touches of modern glamor.

The editorial also reminds us that black and white photographs are classic, timeless, and have a way of capturing the romantic tone of the occasion. The chipped floral print wallpaper in the bedroom is yet another lovely touch that equally translates well in photos.

Dreamy Abandoned Mansion Inspiration Shoot

In my other life I want to be a florist so I can learn how to create complete magic like today’s botanical inspired shoot from Anne Robert Photography.

With some of the most incredibly romantic floral design ever from Holly Chapple & gorgeous vintage details from Something Vintage Rentals – this shoot isn’t just an inspiration shoot – it’s an attempt to breathe new life into an abandoned Virginia mansion that during its heyday used to host some of the prettiest weddings around.

Despite being abandoned for over a decade, Selma Mansion is still breathtakingly beautiful. I just adore how Holly utilized the piano she found still there – filling it with flowers from her own garden and local growers.

From Holly Chapple – “I was 25 years old when I did my first wedding at Selma Plantation… it was very moving to sweep out the dust and bring the pretty back into the house. I seriously had flashbacks in the mansion – I could remember hanging garlands on the grand staircase 20 years ago…”

Credits: Photography & Design: Anne Robert // Floral Design & Styling: Holly Chapple // Vintage Rentals & Design: Something Vintage Rentals // Hair: Hair by Jewels // Makeup: Amie Decker Beauty // Invitations: Ink Lemonade // Wedding Dresses: Gabriella New York, Reem Acra, and Jenny Packham // Venue: Selma Mansion in Loudoun, Virginia