Micro-wedding
Cake & Punch
- Ceremony in the parlor or among the roses
- Classic Southern cake and punch reception
- Dressing room for the couple
- Portraits on the porch and staircase
An Alabama destination wedding venue
Weddings at VanCleave Hall
Intimate weddings, micro-weddings and elopements at a National Register-listed Gothic Victorian home in Marion, Alabama. Just 12 a year.
Married in Marion
A destination wedding in Alabama's Black Belt
VanCleave Hall is a private Gothic Victorian home in Marion, the historic county seat of Perry County. Couples come from Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery and well beyond for a wedding that feels unhurried and personal: vows in the parlor, on the lawn among the historic roses or at the Gothic church across the street, then cake, punch and toasts on a wraparound porch.
We host only 12 weddings a year, one at a time, so the whole house is yours for the day.
- One wedding at a timeExclusive use of the house, porch and lawn for your event.
- A National Register homeBuilt c. 1834 and moved to Marion around 1904 on 25 mule-drawn wagons.
- A garden of historic rosesA Southern-inspired garden taking root around the house.
- Historic churches nearbyMarion Methodist is across the street, and other historic churches in town host weddings too.
Wedding collections
Micro-weddings to full weekends
Every collection includes exclusive use of the house, a day-of house coordinator and a vendor walkthrough.
Signature
Parlor & Lawn
- Ceremony, cocktail hour and reception
- Parlors, porch, turret and lawn
- Your caterer, or our local list
- Rehearsal walkthrough the day before
Destination
Full House Weekend
- Welcome or rehearsal dinner evening
- Full wedding day at the house
- Farewell brunch the morning after
- First access to overnight stays from late 2027
Rates vary by season and day of the week. Inquire for availability and pricing.
A Cake & Punch afternoon
Two hours, start to send-off
A classic Southern micro-wedding, the way it might unfold at the house.
- 2:00 pmGetting ready upstairs
- 3:00 pmGuests gather on the wraparound porch
- 3:30 pmDown the staircase and into the parlor for the ceremony
- 3:50 pmCake cutting and punch-bowl toasts
- 4:30 pmPortraits on the porch and a send-off from the steps
Photo sessions
Engagement & special occasion photos
With a turret, a wraparound porch trimmed in gingerbread and a garden of historic roses, VanCleave Hall makes a backdrop few places in Alabama can match. Couples and families can reserve the porch and grounds for a private photo session.
- Engagement photosBefore the big day, wherever you marry
- Bridal portraitsGowns on the porch and the steps
- AnniversariesMark the years in a historic setting
- Family & holiday cardsAutumn porches and Christmas decor
- Graduation & milestonesSenior portraits and birthdays
- MaternitySoft light on the wraparound porch
Bring your photographer VanCleave Hall provides the setting, and you bring the photographer of your choice. Need one? Ask us for a local recommendation.
Sessions are by appointment, on the porch and grounds of this private home.
The Church Across the Street
Vows under the spire
Marion Methodist Church, a High Victorian Gothic landmark of about 1887 with a four-story tower and slate spire, stands just across the street and is available for weddings. Marry there, then walk your guests across to the reception on the porch.
Church ceremonies are arranged directly with the church. Several of Marion's other historic churches also host weddings, and we're glad to point you toward them.
Plan a church + house weddingGetting here
Easy to reach, worth the drive
Marion sits in west central Alabama, within an easy drive of the state's largest cities. Overnight stays at VanCleave Hall open in late 2027, and couples booking a Full House Weekend get first access.
- Selma35 min
- Tuscaloosa1 hr
- Montgomery1 hr 30 min
- Birmingham1 hr 45 min
- Birmingham airportabout 2 hr
Drive times are approximate.
Wedding questions
Frequently asked
How many guests can VanCleave Hall host for a wedding?
Cake & Punch micro-weddings host up to 25 guests, Parlor & Lawn weddings up to 60, and the Full House Weekend up to 100 with the lawn in use.
Why do you host only 12 weddings a year?
So every couple has an unhurried day with the whole house, the historic home gets the care it needs, and the calendar stays open for the house's own traditions: an annual garden party, a fall festival and Christmas events.
Can we marry at the church across the street?
Yes. Marion Methodist Church, across the street, is available for weddings. Ceremonies there are arranged directly with the church, and your guests can walk over to the house for the reception.
Are other historic churches in Marion available for weddings?
Yes. Several of Marion's historic churches host weddings. Each is booked directly with the church, and we're glad to point you toward them.
Can we bring our own vendors?
Yes. Bring your own officiant, planner and photographer. Licensed, insured caterers are welcome, and we keep a short list of trusted local vendors.
What if it rains?
Every lawn ceremony has a parlor plan set up in advance, so you can decide the morning of.
Can we take engagement photos at VanCleave Hall?
Yes, even if you are marrying elsewhere. The porch and grounds can be reserved by appointment for engagement photos and bridal portraits with your own photographer.
How far is Marion from Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery?
About an hour from Tuscaloosa, an hour and a half from Montgomery and about an hour and 45 minutes from Birmingham. Selma is about 35 minutes away.
Can we tour VanCleave Hall before booking?
Tours are coming soon. VanCleave Hall is a private home, so please don't stop by unannounced. In the meantime, send an inquiry and we'll answer any questions about the house.
Let's begin
Request your date
With only 12 weddings a year, dates go to the couples who ask first.
Request a dateTours coming soon