Looking for a rustic venue for your Phoenix-Scottsdale Wedding? Hmmmm… So, you’re newly engaged and now all the little details of creating the wedding of your dreams have come to the surface. This is such an incredible time in your life and while you’re shouting the news from the mountain tops; realize it’s okay to not know where to start or what to do.
Most newly engaged brides start with getting their dress, and then choose a venue, then on to a wedding photographer and so on. When considering a venue, it’s always good to consider what kind of theme your wedding will have. For example–one bride and groom we photographed chose to go with simple rustic elegance for their theme and the venue they chose was nothing short of delivering just that. Below you’ll read about our experience documenting their day at the ASU Kerr Cultural Center, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
I just love learning the history of our area and my husband, Brian and I are huge fans of architecture. Being a Phoenix wedding photographer allows for some interesting locations as wedding venues and I can’t help but share how special the Kerr Cultural Center really is. Named after composer and patron of the arts, Louise Lincoln Kerr (daughter of John C. Lincoln), the center located just south of Lincoln drive, was donated the 2 acre grounds to Arizona State University just months before she passed away in 1977. Being that she studied and was involved in music most of her life, Louise built the center based on her dream of having an artists’ colony and retreat for up and coming musicians to study, network and perform. As a result, there’s a special charm this venue lends to also serving as a location to tie the knot. For one, the acoustics in the building are awesome.
All I can say is “wow.” What an incredible place to get married and have an amazing reception. Brick sidewalks and lush greenery are perfect accents to the landscaping. In fact, the enormous citrus tree right in the front is a perfect place to capture some amazing photographs. With the help of our wedding planner, Denise Nicolette, of What a Day Weddings, we planned their first look on the back side of the building past the adobe archways into a quaint little courtyard where it was peaceful and private.
From the outside, it certainly doesn’t appear to be as large as it is on the inside. There was plenty of room for decorations, especially those that were hung from the ceiling over the dance floor. The couple also made use of the pull down screen for a photograph slideshow that they shared with everyone. The Kerr Cultural Center has a gorgeous, rustic, southwestern, adobe-lodge, type of feel with big wooden beams and a huge brick fireplace. The stunning large staircase leading down onto the pit floor is complete with beautiful wrought iron embellished hand rails that lend personality to the entire space. Serving an intimate dinner for 100 guests can be challenging, however, this venue made it quite easy to pull off due to the split level floor plan. The head tables were placed down on the lower level while tables covered the main floor above. Bethany, the bride mentioned how she loved that everyone could feel part of the dinner and not separated out from each other because of the open view. Later the tables on the lower level were removed so the dancing could start! Also in the photographs, please notice the heavy wooden hand-carved sugar pine doors adorn the buildings and give a sense of warm space to the venue. Looking outside-in at night, it’s warm and inviting. Simple, rustic, elegance.
It was the perfect complement to personalities of Bethany and Mike which also matched the style of their wedding, which was modern-rustic with Mason jar lanterns and large burnt orange Gerbera daisy bouquets, wine corks that served as place card holders and photos of the couple on each candle lit table. Also..simple, rustic, elegance.
It was just perfect with a touch of romance. We were able to capture some great images of this unique wedding venue. Above is an image from the outside of the building of the east facing wall where beer bottles were placed into the wall during construction nearly 53 years ago. To learn more about its history, please click here.
So, to sum up, the theme of the venue plays a huge part in how all the special nuances of your wedding will fall into place. I hope that if you’re in the wedding planning stages that you’ll consider this venue as a possible location for your wedding and reception. Be sure to get in touch with Stacey and the team at Kerr Cultural Center. They are serious about creating a perfect atmosphere for you to incorporate your personal style into your wedding and reception at this venue; they’ll help give you the day of a lifetime utilizing this amazing facility.
Contact: Stacey Bailey
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ASU Kerr Cultural Center
6110 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85253480.213.0997
rental@asukerr.comIf you’re interested in learning more about our wedding photography, please check out our wedding photography website at www.DreamciclesStudios.com. We hope to hear from you soon!
Such a beautiful day!! These are so very pretty!! Cannot say enough about the wonderful Kerr staff! Love that you wrote about how special this venue is!!
[…] and Brian Church, from Dreamcicle Studios ~ such awesome photographers… captured some of the day here ~ all was so, so […]