Honoring Pride Month — The Barn at Reynolda Village

The Barn at Reynolda Village is proud to be a LGBTQ+ Friendly wedding venue and we enjoy working with a wide range of diverse couples who are planning their heartfelt celebrations. As a wedding ceremony venue, there are two questions we at The Barn at Reynolda Village are asked frequently:

“How do couples make use of your dressing rooms?

and

“How does the processional work for a same sex ceremony?”

During this joyful Pride Month, we are happy to share our suggestions and what we have learned from our couples about these two popular considerations.

The Reynolda Loft and The Village Loft

Getting Ready

Long before The Barn at Reynolda Village became a premiere wedding venue, it was a working dairy barn for the Reynolds family. Designed by renowned architect Charles Barton Keen in 1916, the New Dairy Barn as it was called then, was one of the most state-of-the-art dairies of its time.

When The Barn was repurposed as an event venue in 2016, we were respectful of the original footprint of the building. As a result, our two charming and well-appointed loft spaces on the second floor are not equal in size. That said, both The Reynolda Loft and The Village Loft offer charming architecture, comfortable and attractive furniture, stocked Keurigs, and a small refrigerator. The difference in size always leads to jokes about flipping a coin to see who gets the larger space.

But what about two brides or two grooms? How can these enchanting areas serve the needs of non-traditional couples? Here’s a summary of what we have learned from our recent same-sex newlyweds:

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On a day that is being customized for two people in love, who says you can’t enjoy each other’s company while getting all gussied up for the big day? The Village Loft can accommodate up to 30 people so it is certainly roomy enough for a couple and the members of their bridal party and family to enjoy time together before the ceremony. In this scenario, The Reynolda Loft down the hall can serve as an ideal spot to take a break for lunch!

Flip A Coin

OK, not really! Instead have an honest conversation about which of you needs more space to spread out. Perhaps one of you might prefer an intimate space with just a couple key people spending time helping you prepare? The Reynolda Loft, with its large picture window overlooking The Meridale Room below, is the ideal place to spend your prep time.

Photo courtesy of Arial Kaitlin Photography.

One Here, One There

Perhaps on your wedding day, you plan for two completely different get-ready experiences? One of you might like to take advantage of the entire second floor at The Barn at Reynolda Village and one of you might enjoy preparing in a completely different venue. We have several options from which to choose.

The Graylyn Estate, conveniently located just down the road from The Barn at Reynolda Village, offers a wide array of stunning accommodations. The Estate is an easy 10 minute drive to a variety of hotels, VRBOs, and Inns in downtown Winston-Salem. Have fun! Keep your photographer busy by planning fabulous “morning of” photos in various picturesque locations!

Getting Down the Aisle

In Keeping With Tradition

For those who have always dreamed of that center-of-attention moment being alone as you walk down the aisle, or of being the person who waits for their beloved at the end of the aisle, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with sticking to the traditional wedding procession. In this order, the officiant and either the bride or groom are at the altar, while the attendants from both sides of the wedding party walk down the aisle together in pairs. The bride or groom who wants “the walk” enters last, often escorted by one or two people.

Take Turns

A slight twist on tradition for a wedding procession is to give each member of the couple a turn to walk down the aisle separately, allowing each to capture the audience’s attention. And there are several options for how to make this style work. Some partners choose to stop halfway down the aisle and wait for their fiancé to walk down the aisle. The couple then take the final steps together to where the officiant is standing. If you choose this route, it’s important to inform your officiant as to when you would like the audience to rise—before the first partner, before the second, or at some other time.

Two Aisles Are Better Than One

Whoever said there can only be one aisle? Talk to your venue about creating two distinct aisles. Each partner can walk down their own aisle and then meet at the center in front of their officiant. If you and/or your partner are escorted, that person would leave at that point. Another option would be to enter from separate sides of the ceremony venue, with wedding attendants marching behind, and everyone meeting in front at their designated places. If your ceremony will be held in our Reynolda Gardens, there are multiple entry points and options. The magnificent landscape architecture offers multiple opportunities to create a picturesque processional!

You’re In This Together

Take simplicity and romance to the next level at your wedding by walking down the aisle together. Depending on the size of the venue, your escorts can walk down the aisle with both of you, or simply share one escort between the two of you. Or don’t.

Walk in together, hand in hand, faces beaming with joy on the day that was always meant to be yours!

For more wedding planning inspiration and ideas, visit us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and enjoy a virtual tour at our website! Or give us a call at 336.758.BARN.