The Lofton Destination Venue in Ardmore TN

The Lofton Wedding Retreat FAQs

𖡡

Location

Ardmore, TN

♡

Style

Retreat, Destination

⌂

Exclusive Features

Lodging, Full-Service

𐀪

Capacity

Up to 200

Venue Features & Packages

For over a decade, we’ve been crafting extraordinary wedding experiences on our 36-acre countryside estate. Our venue is renowned for:

All-inclusive weekend retreats from Thursday to Sunday for up to 20 guests onsite

  • Breathtaking natural surroundings
  • Serene pond and elegant fountain
  • Lush forests and open meadows
  • Abundant wildlife, including frequent deer sightings

Versatile spaces for every wedding style:

  • Rustic outdoor ceremonies
  • Enchanting woodland settings
  • Elegant indoor receptions
  • Over 10 years of expert wedding planning experience
  • Stress-free, comprehensive packages
  • Stunning photo opportunities throughout the property

With our decade of expertise, we ensure every detail is taken care of, nothing overlooked, allowing you and your guests to fully immerse in the celebration. From intimate gatherings to grand affairs, we create unforgettable wedding weekends in harmony with nature.

Our All-Inclusive Wedding Packages

We offer two comprehensive wedding packages, each available as a single-day event or a weekend experience.

Weekend packages include Thursday to Sunday venue access and on-site lodging for up to 20 guests.

What’s Included

Essential Elegance Package

  • 4pm Thursday-12pm Sunday venue rental time
  • Ceremony and reception setup and teardown
  • Catering services
  • Basic floral arrangements
  • Photography services
  • DJ services for ceremony and 4-hour reception
  • Wedding cake
  • Day-of coordination
  • Access to our decor inventory

Elevated Celebration Package

  • Includes all features of the Essential Elegance package, plus:
  • Extended DJ services (5-hour reception)
  • Enhanced floral arrangements
  • Videography services
  • Bar service (you provide the alcohol)
  • Additional decor options
  • Upgraded catering menu
  • Special effects (cold sparks and bubble haze machine)
  • Photo booth
  • Additional luxurious touches to elevate your celebration

Both packages are designed to provide a comprehensive wedding experience, with the Elevated Celebration offering additional luxuries and services for couples seeking an extra-special touch.

View Pricing

Absolutely! We understand that every couple has unique desires for their wedding day. While our packages are designed to cover all the essentials and upgrades, we’re more than happy to work with you to customize your experience. Whether you want to add specific services, upgrade certain elements, or incorporate personal touches, we’re here to make it happen. Just let us know what you’re envisioning, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your requests.

We’re quite flexible when it comes to decorations and special effects, as we want you to have the wedding of your dreams. We allow candles, provided they are in contained glass settings for safety. Sparklers are also permitted, adding a magical touch to your send-off or first dance. Many decorative elements, such as uplighting and cold sparks, are already included in our packages, which can save you time and money. However, if you have specific decor ideas in mind, we’re generally open to them. We just ask that you discuss any significant additions or changes with us in advance to ensure they’re feasible and safe. As for other special effects, like smoke machines, please consult with us first. We’ll do our best to accommodate your wishes while ensuring the safety of all guests and the preservation of our venue.

Weekday rentals are from Sunday 4pm-Tuesday 12pm and Weekend rentals are from 4pm Thursday-12pm Sunday. This generous timeframe allows ample opportunity for setup, the ceremony, reception, and cleanup. For our weekend packages, you actually get extended access from Thursday to Sunday, providing even more time for preparation and celebration. This can be particularly beneficial if you’re planning additional events like a rehearsal dinner or a post-wedding brunch.

Weekend Wedding Itineraries >

While our 36-acre property provides ample privacy and space for celebration, we do have some noise restrictions to respect our neighbors and local regulations. On Fridays and Saturdays, music needs to end by 10:30 PM. For Sunday and weeknight weddings, the cut-off time is 9:30 PM. These timeframes still allow for plenty of celebration time, especially considering our generous venue access hours. We find that most couples and their guests appreciate having a clear end time, as it helps structure the event and ensures everyone leaves on a high note. Plus, you can head right back to your onsite lodging!

Catering & Bar Services

Our catering are designed to provide a comprehensive dining experience for you and your guests. Here’s what’s included:

  • Event staff for 6 hours (1 hour prior to the event for setup, 4 hours during the event, and 1 hour after for cleanup)
  • A variety of serving items based on your menu selections
  • Dinner rolls and butter
  • Beverage service including sweet tea, unsweet tea, and water
  • Classy plastic dining ware, including:
    • Rolled linen-like napkins with fork and knife
    • Plastic plates for dinner
    • Clear plastic cups

During the event, our staff will:

  • Continuously refill all food options
  • Maintain non-alcoholic drink stations
  • Assist with cake-cutting
  • Bus guest tables
  • Manage trash throughout the venue

After the event, our team will:

  • Break down all food and non-alcoholic beverage stations
  • Pack up all leftover food for you to take home
  • Clean the catering kitchen

Our goal is to provide seamless, professional service so you can focus on enjoying your special day with your guests.

The Lofton Catering Co., led by Le Cordon Bleu graduate Amanda Smith, offers exceptional culinary experiences for your wedding. We focus on delivering high-quality, delicious food that’s both affordable and memorable. Our menu balances classic favorites with innovative dishes, all prepared fresh on-site. We believe in simple, yummy food that sparks conversation and leaves a lasting impression on your guests. With years of experience and multiple awards, including Couples’ Choice Awards, we ensure every dish is a masterpiece that fits your taste and budget. Our all-inclusive packages make planning easy, allowing you to enjoy your special day while we take care of the delicious details.

Essential Elegance Catering Menu:

  1. Choose Two Appetizers from: Chips & Salsa, Chips & Queso, Spinach & Artichoke dip with tortilla chips, Fresh Popcorn, Cheese & Crackers, Fresh Seasonal fruit, Pretzel bites with cheese, Charcuterie board, Anti-pasta skewers, Raspberry brie puffs, Puff pastry wrapped asparagus, Beef satay, Beef wellington, Vegetable spring roll, Spanakopita, and Honey & goat cheese pastry puffs.
  2. Choose One Entrée from: Baked chicken breast, Smothered chicken breast, Pulled chicken, Pulled pork, Pork tenderloin, Pork loin, Baked ziti, or Chicken alfredo.
  3. Choose Two Side Dishes from: Tossed Garden salad with ranch dressing, Mac n cheese, Baked beans, Mashed potatoes, Red roasted potatoes, Southern green beans, Buttered corn, Sweet potato casserole, Green bean casserole, Cornbread dressing, Hash brown casserole, or California vegetable blend.

Elevated Celebration Catering Menu:

This upgraded menu includes:

  1. Choose Three Appetizers
  2. Choose Two Entrées
  3. Choose Two Side Dishes
  4. Elevated tablescape presentation with China.

Both catering options include dinner rolls, butter, and our standard beverage service. The Elevated Celebration menu offers more choices and variety, allowing you to create a more diverse dining experience for your guests.

Our culinary team is happy to discuss any dietary restrictions or special requests to ensure all your guests enjoy a delightful meal on your special day.

We have a Bring Your Own Booze (BYOB) policy, which allows you to customize your bar offerings and potentially save on costs. This means you’re welcome to provide your own alcohol for the event. For those who choose our Elevated Celebration package, we include professional bar service. This service covers:

  • Experienced, licensed bartenders
  • All necessary bar equipment and supplies (excluding the alcohol itself)
  • Mixers and garnishes
  • Ice
  • Glassware or plastic drinkware, as per your preference

If you opt for the Essential Elegance package and still want bar service, we can add this on for an additional fee. Either way, we ensure that alcohol is served responsibly and in compliance with all local laws and regulations.

Ceremony & Reception

Absolutely! Many couples choose to host their rehearsal dinner here, especially if they’ve opted for our weekend package. It’s a great way to make use of the extended access time and allows your wedding party and close family to become familiar with the venue before the big day.

How fun would it be to bring in a few food trucks and give your guests a few different options?

183 Weekend Weddings at The Lofton Venue

Please note that rehearsal dinner catering is not included in our packages. The choice of spaces for your rehearsal dinner will depend on the size of your group and your preferences – we have both indoor and outdoor options available.

Is a weekend wedding right for you?

The ideal ceremony time can vary based on several factors, including the time of year, your chosen ceremony location, and your photography plans.

Here are some general guidelines: Winter months (shorter days):

  • Ceremonies typically start between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM

Summer months:

  • For ceremonies in The Barn: typically between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM

For ceremonies in The Meadow: typically between 3:00 PM and 6:30 PM

These times are suggestions based on optimal lighting for photography and comfort for you and your guests. However, we always recommend discussing timing with your photographer. They can advise on the best time based on the sunset, how many photos you want before and after the ceremony, and the amount of natural light needed to capture your memories beautifully. Remember, if you’re having a first look or want to take most of your photos before the ceremony, you might want to start earlier. We’re flexible and can work with you to create a timeline that suits your vision for the day.

We take care of all the setup for you, ensuring that your reception space is arranged exactly as you envision it. About 30 days before your wedding, we’ll have a detailed planning meeting where we’ll discuss your preferences for table arrangements, dance floor placement, cake table location, and any other specific setup needs you might have. During this meeting, we’ll create a personalized layout that takes into account your guest count, the flow of the event, and any special requirements you might have (like extra space for a photo booth or gift table). We have a variety of table shapes and sizes available, including round, rectangular, and cocktail tables, allowing us to create a layout that perfectly suits your style and guest list. If you have any changes in mind on the day of the event, please let us know as soon as possible. While we’re always happy to help, any last-minute adjustments would need to be handled by you or your designated helpers.

Logistics & Planning

Yes, absolutely. Since our weekend packages give you access to the venue for three nights (Thursday to Sunday), guests are welcome to leave their vehicles overnight if needed. This can be particularly convenient for out-of-town guests or those who may not wish to drive after celebrating. We have ample parking space, with 90 spots on our gravel lot and additional overflow parking available on our grass lot.

For guests who do leave their cars overnight, we recommend they pick them up by the end of your rental period on Sunday. Please note that while we do our best to ensure the security of all vehicles left on the property, we cannot be held responsible for any damage or theft. We recommend guests take normal precautions, such as not leaving valuables in their cars.

No, you don’t need to worry about setting up or tearing down tables and chairs. We handle the full setup and teardown for up to 200 guests. This service is included in both our Essential Elegance and Elevated Celebration packages. We plan all the details of your setup during your 30-day-out meeting. At this time, we’ll discuss your preferred layout, including table placements, chair arrangements, dance floor location, and any other specific setup needs you might have. Our team will have everything set up before your arrival on your wedding day, allowing you to focus on getting ready and enjoying the moments leading up to your ceremony. After your event, our staff will take care of breaking everything down and cleaning up. If you decide you want to make changes to the layout on the day of your event, you or your designated helpers will be responsible for making these adjustments. We recommend finalizing your layout during the planning meeting to avoid any last-minute stress or work on your big day.

Yessssss! We love snacks. We’re quite flexible when it comes to outside snacks, especially for the wedding party while they’re getting ready. Both The Cottage and The Quarters, our designated areas for the wedding party to prepare, are equipped with a refrigerator and microwave. You’re welcome to bring in snacks, breakfast items, or any other refreshments you’d like for these spaces. We do include snacks in our Elevated package. This can be particularly nice for creating a relaxed atmosphere as you and your wedding party prepare for the big event. Whether you want to have a light breakfast, some fruits and pastries, or even a champagne toast while getting ready, you’re free to do so. For the main event, our catering team will handle all the food service as outlined in your chosen package. If you have any specific dietary requirements or special snack requests for the reception, please discuss these with us during the planning process, and we’ll do our best to accommodate them.

We schedule your final meetings and décor planning approximately 30 days prior to your event. This timeline allows us to ensure you have access to our most up-to-date inventory while still giving you plenty of time to finalize your vision. During this meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to view our current décor options and select the items that best fit your wedding style. Our inventory includes a wide range of items such as centerpieces, candle holders, signage, and other decorative elements. We regularly update our décor collection to stay current with wedding trends, which is why we wait until closer to your date to make these selections. This approach ensures that you have the most choices available and can create a look that’s fresh and perfectly suited to your tastes. If you have any specific décor ideas or items you’d like to incorporate, this is also a great time to discuss how these can be integrated with our in-house options. We’re always happy to work with you to create a cohesive and beautiful overall design for your wedding day.

Absolutely! We encourage you to make full use of our beautiful 36-acre property for your wedding photos. Our venue offers a diverse range of stunning backdrops that can create truly memorable images. Some popular photo locations include:

  • The serene pond area perfect for romantic reflections
  • Our elegant fountain, which adds a touch of classic beauty
  • The lush forest areas offering a natural, enchanted woodland feel
  • Open meadows that provide sweeping views and beautiful natural light
  • The charming Bradford tree lines along the drive, which are particularly stunning in the spring when they’re in full bloom

Throughout the seasons, our property offers different looks:

  • Spring brings beautiful blossoms and fresh greenery
  • Summer offers lush, verdant backdrops
  • Fall paints the landscape in warm, rich colors
  • Winter can provide a serene, minimalist beauty and even snowy scenes in the right conditions

Our beautiful views can serve as a dramatic backdrop for your photos. You’ll love the variety of settings available, allowing your photographer to capture a diverse range of images that truly tell the story of your day. We recommend discussing the various photo locations with your photographer in advance. They can plan a photography timeline that makes the best use of the different areas and the changing light throughout the day. And don’t forget – you might even get some surprise appearances from our local wildlife, adding a touch of natural magic to your wedding album!

Payments & Booking

Yes, a 35% non-refundable retainer fee is due at the time of contract signing to secure your date.

The payment schedule is as follows:

  • 15% due 9 months prior to your event
  • 25% due 6 months prior to your event
  • 25% due 30 days prior to your event Additionally, a $1,000 security deposit and proof of event insurance are required 30 days prior to your event.

Yes, we’re happy to split your payments into equal monthly installments from the time of booking until 30 days prior to the event.

To reserve your date, sign the contract online and pay the 35% retainer fee. Contracts can be signed electronically, and payments can be made online, mailed, or dropped off at the time of contract signing.

Take the Next Step

Love what you see so far? Explore our pricing and full package details, then check out our FAQs to answer any lingering questions. Your dream wedding weekend awaits!

Download Pricing
Schedule a Tour