Covington Gardens is a venue that was built for unforgettable celebrations! Located just minutes away from Greensboro, this venue offers you a secluded space filled with Southern Charm. With scenic meadow views and covered event spaces, it has everything you could need for your dream wedding. As a Greensboro wedding photographer, I get to go behind the scenes of some pretty amazing celebrations. Here’s everything you need to know about hosting a wedding at Covington Gardens.
About The Covington Gardens Wedding Venue
7119 Racine Road, Pleasant Garden, North Carolina 27313
Covington Gardens is a beautiful space that has been hosting weddings since 1995. The original owners started the tradition over thirty years ago when they bought the property and built a Victorian-inspired home. For years, they spent their weekends planning intricate parties that became legendary around the area. As guests would come from all across town, they would look for the iconic tobacco barn that greeted them as soon as they entered the property. Once they saw that site, they knew they were in for the night of their lives!
The Transformation
In 2021, the owners knew it was time for a change. They listed the property, and before long, they had a hit. The Wilhelm family took over the reins, knowing they wanted to continue the tradition of throwing unforgettable celebrations! But before they could start, they knew they would have to make some adjustments welcoming their guests into the modern age. They quickly went to work upgrading the estate. One of the first things they did was landscape the grounds so guests could have better views of the picturesque lake. From there, it was time to weather-proof things. They constructed the Garden Pavilion so that couples could have the ability to hold their wedding no matter the forecast. They also renovated the Hansen House to give couples a space where they could get ready before their ceremony.
Once everything was completed, the property was handed to the Wilhelm’s daughter, Alexis. While she might be young, Alexis is no stranger to hosting one-of-a-kind events. Throughout her teenage years, she constantly planned parties for her friends and family, and then, following graduation, she worked as an events and promotions specialist at a Fortune 500 company. She brings this expertise to every event she plans, giving you a friend through every step of the process. When you combine her expertise with this stunning property, you have the recipe for the day of your dreams!
Details of the Grounds
Covington Gardens has been constructed to give you the keys to a seamless wedding day. They start out by allowing you to host every second of your celebration directly on the grounds. Your rental can begin as early as 9 AM. When you arrive, you will be shown to the bridal suite on the second floor of the house. This area has been thoughtfully designed to give you a picture-perfect space to prepare for your day. The white walls provide you with a neutral backdrop, while the vintage details and the brass-framed mirror will shine throughout your individual wedding portraits. The venue invites you to take your time getting ready for your ceremony. Once you are done putting on all those finishing touches, be sure to get a picture in the iconic clawfoot tub!
Most couples choose to host their ceremony outside on the lawn, where your guests can be seated in white chairs in the grass. As you will find with much of the property, this space has been carefully designed to ensure comfort and convenience. The grounds have a wide aisle paved in white bricks that takes you up to a small terrace. This front area is covered with a white pergola, and a small stone wall separates you from the neighboring pond. All of these accents look fabulous on their own, but the second you add some wedding greenery, the area is completely transformed into a celebratory yet serene environment. The fountain in the center of the pond only adds to the effect, offering a gentle ambiance throughout your service.
Cocktail Hour And Receptions At Covington Gardens
Once your Covington Gardens ceremony is over, your guests can head inside the house, where they can enjoy a cocktail hour in the foyer. This space is the perfect combination of elegant and rustic. The walls are wrapped in wooden wainscotting while a stone fireplace rests at the front of the room. To the side, there is a bar area where your guests can order signature cocktails. You can have the venue set up high-top tables around the room during this portion.
Then, once it’s time for your reception, your party can head back outside. Most couples choose to place an event tent out on the terrace for hours of celebration. The grounds in this area are completely paved in concrete, giving you an even surface that will be optimal for hours of dancing! While the tent will keep you safe from any unpredictable weather, it adds its very own charm with its cathedral ceilings. Many couples elevate the atmosphere by adding brass chandeliers that illuminate the space. If you choose to enclose the sides, you will have arched windows that let in views of the surrounding nature while keeping the heat and the rain outdoors. With Covington Gardens, you will be able to host up to 250 guests throughout your party.
Photography Opportunities
The grounds surrounding Covington Gardens have a number of photo opportunities you can use for your pics! The circular driveway in front of the house is ideal for candid snapshots of you arriving at the venue. As you get ready throughout the morning, you will have neutral backdrops for action shots. If you feel like cracking open a bottle of champagne with your wedding party, the blush, vintage couch gives you a picture-perfect place to do exactly that!
While the grounds have several options for your first look portraits, the front porch gives you that classic Southern feel. Once you are done soaking up the moment, we can take some portraits as you share a kiss against the railing.
For additional couple’s portraits, I would encourage you to head outside and explore the grounds for a bit. As you walk along, you are going to find the iconic backdrops like the fountain as well as the stone bridge. I am also a huge fan of the lesser-known spots like the quiet walkways and the lush gardens where you can sneak a kiss with your new spouse. If you do decide to head back inside the house, you can use the lounge for editorial-style pictures together. I am always partial to couples’ portraits on the staircase in the back of the room!
Wedding Details
At Covington Gardens, they excel at throwing legendary parties! When you plan your wedding, you will be required to work with an event coordinator at minimum. This is going to simplify the planning process and give you a professional liaison as you iron out all the details. Your coordinator will also keep things going smoothly throughout your day. While the venue does allow you to bring in your own caterer, they will personally handle all the bar services themselves. Before your wedding day arrives, they will help you figure out what you want from your drinks. They offer open bars as well as cash bars, and they can work with you to create your very own signature drink.
The venue offers both single and two-day rentals. If you choose to add an additional day, you gain access to the property on the Thursday before your wedding. This will give you the ability to decorate the grounds and host your rehearsal dinner on-site. If you don’t want the full day, you will be able to add a few hours onto your wedding so your vendors have plenty of time to set up their equipment.
One of my favorite things about this venue is their dedication to ensuring guests have the best time ever! They have customized the space to ensure everyone has a safe space to celebrate even furry friends. Their only requirement is that you have a designated handler on the grounds for those moments when you can’t be with your pup. The grounds are also wheelchair accessible, and they have 100 parking spots on-site. With Covington Gardens, you will have staffers there throughout the day to help with things like set-up and clean-up.
Weekend Lodging
The town of Pleasant Garden is located just 18 minutes away from Greensboro, giving you plenty of options for lodging. While the local hotels are a fabulous option for your guests, Covington Gardens has found yet another way to elevate the experience for their couples. Recently, the venue introduced The Covington Gardens House and put it up on AirBnB. This charming 1930s bungalow is surprisingly spacious with 6 bedrooms and enough space for up to 12 guests.
This house has everything you could need for a seamless stay, including free parking, an on-site kitchen, and two bathrooms. The house is located off the actual venue property, but puts you just minutes away from the site. With modern furniture, an idyllic front porch, and on-site vanities, it’s the perfect spot to get ready for your celebration before taking some pictures with your party. In order to reserve it, you can talk directly to the venue.
Your Wedding Day Will Be Absolutely Magical At Covington Gardens
If you are looking for a wedding venue for your upscale outdoor wedding, Covington Gardens is your spot. Now, you just need the right person to help you capture it. That’s where I come in! I am a South Carolina wedding photographer, and I adore working with couples so they can remember each and every second of their celebration. If you want to see if we’re a match, let’s chat! Send me a message today to find out more.
