Bavaria Downs's New Baby
Driving through the rolling hills and white toothed suburban clusters of almost identical homes, you might drive right past the unassuming new Bavaria Downs wedding venue, Equestria West. It is tucked away just so, guaranteeing privacy for the impending nuptials that have been in a long queue since the pending venue was announced. Couples from all corners of the midwestern state have been coveting a spot on this list sight unseen, their trust wholeheartedly based on beauty and grandeur of Bavaria Downs's first wedding venue, the Edward Anne Estate.
The Edward Anne Estate is perhaps the older sister to the new Equestria West - residing behind the forested road, her tastes are more classic and refined. She prefers tea to coffee, and her meticulously planned wedding will allow the historical charm of the venue speak for itself. Equestria West on the other hand, is more out in the open. “Look at me!” she beckons, twirling as she welcomes you onto her shiny new floors. “Isn’t this cool?” she beams, gesturing to the blank slate of a venue, perfect for displaying her modern style. This younger sister undoubtedly uses Pinterest and TikTok for fun new decor inspiration, staying on the cutting edge of trends, and curating the most instagrammable spots for her guests to pose for an endless night of photos that will last a lifetime.
The grand opening for Equestria West was exactly that of its little sister persona’s dreams. From the front entrance of the grand white and black U-shaped building a pink carpet was rolled out, accented by a grand cotton candy colored flower arch that framed the front door under which attendees semi-candidly gazed into the golden hour sunset while being photographed. Just past the front doors, a table of coup glasses were filled to the brim with pinkish sparkling wine, each bubble welcoming you to the party. Just to the right there was immediately a bar (you could practically hear the sighs of relief from wedding guests everywhere) and further right, a large reception room where music boomed and bounced off the white walls and ceiling, beckoning guests to follow the noise. Down the center of the heavily windowed reception space was a bountiful banquet table filled with breads and cheeses, roasted vegetables and fresh fruits, all catered by D’Amico. A ginormous bulb-lit sign displayed the name of the venue in all caps - EQUESTRIA WEST - shadowing the DJ booth with its enormity and light. The room was filled to the brim with various avenues to occupy idle hands - displays of desserts, a station for choice of entrée, a fully stocked bar, and a 360 degree video booth. Not a single space was unoccupied, all guests fully entranced by the glamorous options for entertainment.
The other side of the U-shaped building, in contrast to the bustling party, was dedicated to featuring the glow provided by the floor to ceiling windows, and how it cast gold on the crisp whites, sleek grays, and light blues of the exquisite staged dining area. Each place setting was meticulous, crafted on each table with the proper fork and knifing of formal events, and thoughtfully balanced by the simplistic elegance of the flickering candles and pale roses which formed the centerpieces. The space painted an effective picture of a beautiful-yet-understated wedding dinner that simultaneously appeared perfectly Pinterest-able.
Past the ghost reception, a bold and lively room was snuggled on the side of a long hallway, intended for brides and their loved ones to lounge and beautify prior to the “I do’s.” The black and white tiled floor clacked pleasantly with each stepping foot, which eased the crowd into a room of classic sensibility. The mirrors and metallic gold fixtures adorning the walls and ceilings illuminated the vibrant shock of complementary orange and blue furniture. A far cry from the soft feminine airiness of most bridal suites, the classic space with retro touches was a breath of fresh air. By not taking itself too seriously, the boldness of the room allowed for those inside it to match that energy themselves. I could envision the contemporary and eye catching space empowering brides to feel beautiful and confident as they set out to marry the person they love.
Outside of the windows providing natural light to the bridal suite, the buzz of champagne-fueled mingling consumed the balmy courtyard. The space was set up for a cocktail hour, but even upon the first glance the area presented itself as moldable - capable of suiting whatever the demands of many a wedding. One could easily imagine the table settings from inside looking just as romantic out in the cooling evening’s winds, or even hosting a small ceremony with the happy couple framing the bubbling fountain. But as far as intimate ceremonies go, there was a more private area that dominated the venue, and its beauty was hard to compete with.
Down a gravel path and into the lush green of the woods shared with the Edward Anne Estate, Equestria West’s outdoor ceremony space was lit with bulbed white lights, featuring simple wood benches and a matching geometric altar. The lavish indulgence of the party melted away. The whispers of rustling leaves subtly drowning out the thumping bass and bursts of laughter, allowing one to step into a softer, sweeter realm. The space felt like a moment all to yourself, no matter how many people wandered the same gravel paths. Everyone who milled about the grounds instinctually lowered their voices out of reverence for the picturesque canopy of deciduous trees. It felt almost as if a couple were about to walk down the long, winding aisle to profess their love for each other, and we were waiting with bated breath. The outdoor ceremony area was murmured to be the crowd favorite, I think mostly due to the romantic nature of the space, and partially due to the altar that had been left bare of any decorations so each viewer could imagine their own personal taste enhancing the unaffected area.
Equestria West is a venue that creates adequate space for the joy of weddings, for the celebrations to be exuberant and memorable. The grand opening encouraged guests to partake in revelry reminiscent of realistic but idealistic nuptials - peppered with eye candy that would complement any wedding aesthetic. The stimulation provided by the indoor space was balanced perfectly with the tender quiet of what lay just beyond the tree line outdoors. The building encapsulated the the persona, while the outdoor ceremony peeled back a layer and revealed the soft heart - the wild and romantic side to the fun-loving younger sister.
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