A bride and her father walk down the aisle. In front of them, framed against a backdrop of stained glass and polished wood, is the nervous groom. This shy couple is lucky enough to be exchanging vows in the same building where they first met, shyly looking at each other in a quiet room. Is this a church?
No. It’s a library! If you’re looking to become a wedding planner, or are in the process of planning your own wedding, libraries are a place not to be overlooked.
Libraries are iconic structures, anchor schools, universities, communities and urban centers, but in recent years they have taken on a new role: as places and inspiration for modern brides and grooms. And why not? A library can be found in almost every town and city and they are fundamentally easy to use.
For couples looking for a lot of drama, vintage libraries are the way to go. Often found on college campuses or in the heart of a city or town, old libraries are landmarks from another era. Built as cathedrals to the intellect and curiosity, neoclassical and beaux-arts libraries often feature architectural details such as vaulted ceilings, stone columns, ornate motifs, wood paneling and furniture, and elegant bookcases. These elements combine to create an incredibly elegant setting for a wedding celebration.
The New York Public Library in Manhattan, guarded by its iconic stone lions, is a perfect example. Brides at NYPL can choose from three distinct event spaces, each with exquisite architectural details: Corinthian columns, a soaring glass vaulted ceiling, a grand white marble staircase. Couples would be hard-pressed to find a comparable impressive drama slot.
Private libraries in historic homes or museums are equally elegant but more intimate. This makes them perfect for smaller matters. Often the library is so beautiful that little is needed for decoration, a fact that appeals to couples on a budget.
These days, another aspect of libraries adds to their appeal: nostalgia. Technology has altered methods of research and study, resulting in pedestrian library paraphernalia becoming collectibles. Library stalwarts like tabbed card catalogs and date-stamped loan stickers, and sadly, even the books themselves have a sweet, retro, and somewhat nerdy appeal.
Even brides and grooms who opt for a different venue can easily be inspired by a library theme. As this trend intensifies, bookish wedding details are appearing on everything from invitations to centerpieces. Save-the-Dates fashioned from bookmarks, slider invitations for loaner cards, garlands of flattened pages, and book centerpieces are inventive and undeniably charming.
The writer Rodolfo Anaya once said that “a library is also a place where love begins.” He was referring to the love notes he used to write while studying in his high school library, but the sentiment is appropriate for brides and grooms inspired by the sweeping romance of a quiet, elegant library.
For those interested in a career in wedding planning, or taking a course for fun or for the purpose of planning their own wedding, a wedding planning school is a great place to learn the fundamentals of the art while learning in a interactive environment and get real life experience.
