The Venue at Murphy Lane in Newnan, GA is on 88 acres of farmland about 60 minutes from the heart of Atlanta. The Big Oak Tree Ceremony Site is one of several outdoor wedding ceremony sites at Murphy Lane. We think the best way to compare the various ceremony sites is to set up a tour and see them yourself. You can see all of the ceremony sites on our website but right now let’s focus on The Big Oak Tree Ceremony Site- an outdoor ceremony site at Murphy Lane.
The History of this Ceremony Site
The Big Oak Tree Ceremony Site is in an area of the farm that was once used for grazing cattle. About 5 years ago we transitioned this pasture to a hay field and began to develop a lawn area in front of a gigantic old oak tree. We keep a pathway cut through the hay field so you can easily walk to the ceremony site from our venue barn. It is easily the longest aisle we have at Murphy Lane! We like to joke about getting to play the “whole song!” as you walk down the aisle. No fade-out required! We have photos of several wedding ceremonies at The Big Oak Tree Ceremony Site. You can see them in our galleries.
The Aesthetic of The Big Oak Tree Ceremony Site
Murphy Lane has gently rolling hills with pastures and hay fields. There are some very meticulous landscape areas and gardens. There are some trees but they are mostly along the property boundaries. The result is a “big sky” effect. You can see so much of the horizon and the sky above because there are no trees to block your view. It is usually very quiet here. Something we hear quite often when people come to Murphy Lane is that “it’s so quiet out here!” There is usually a light breeze blowing across the open fields. There is no shade at this outdoor ceremony site unless you get in the shade under the branches of the tree. The ceremony site is maintained like a grass lawn. Everything else around you is a hay field. It may be cut short due to recent hay-baling activity or it may grow as high as 3-4 feet between cuttings. It has at least a touch of green year-round but is lush green in the spring and summer.
The Pros & Cons of The Big Oak Tree Ceremony Site
The comforting feel of Nature surrounds you at The Big Oak Tree Ceremony Site. The huge tree towers above you and is the focal center of this ceremony site. The officiant usually stands with his back towards the tree. The bridal party stands in front of the officiant as they flank the bride and groom. The family and guests are seated in semi-circular rows facing the bride and groom, the bridal party, the officiant and the tree. There is a warm feeling of intimacy even though you are surrounded by the expanse of pastureland and a wide-open sky. The heavily wooded area behind the oak tree gives a lovely backdrop to this ceremony site.
The Potential Cons
Any outdoor ceremony site calls for a back-up plan. Rain, temperature extremes or other weather conditions might make this site user-unfriendly! We always have at least one back-up plan for any outdoor ceremony. Often, we have two. We will thoroughly discuss other ceremony sites that would be suitable if The Big Oak Tree Ceremony Site is not. The need for a back-up plan due to rain is obvious. But a sneaky issue that can greatly affect this site is the exposure to sun. There is no shade for your guests during the ceremony on a sunny day. If the temperature is warm (about 72 degrees or higher) with clear skies, the sunshine can make it feel at least 10 degrees warmer. It is something to consider, mainly from a guest perspective. It is definitely a topic to discuss if you choose this site for your wedding ceremony. We encourage a venue visit close to the date of your wedding if there is any question. We will talk with you and let you see firsthand how it feels.
The Potential Pros
The long walk to and from the Big Oak Ceremony Site is a plus and a minus at the same time. The distance from the venue barn gives this site peaceful isolation, puts you in the midst of a lovely pasture and under a wide-open sky. But the distance is a bit longer than normal. Most guests easily walk out to this site. We provide golf cart shuttles for anyone who needs assistance. The long aisle presents challenges if not managed properly. We have learned to shorten the distance the bridal party walks separately. We still allow the bride the option to walk the entire distance. It is a beautiful, dramatic entrance to begin the ceremony!
Make it Yours- Personalize the Big Oak Tree Ceremony Site
This outdoor wedding ceremony site features the large oak tree and the lawn area in front of the tree. Other than that this site offers you a blank palette for the vision you have for your wedding ceremony. We have a choice of arbors available that can be positioned behind the officiant and bridal party, closer to the tree. Floral arrangements to adorn the tree trunk or the ground in front of the tree can tie in the colors you choose for bouquets and bridal party attire. A DJ or live musicians can add beautiful music to the Big Oak Tree site. The combination of colors, music, the very special occasion and the beauty of Nature creates a stunning scene. Use your imagination to create your vision or tap into the experience we have as wedding venue owners. We have hosted over 200 weddings and have so many ideas we can share with you!
Final Thoughts about this Outdoor Ceremony Site
The Big Oak Tree Ceremony Site is one of several options here at Murphy Lane. We can offer suggestions, especially regarding weather and time of year issues, but we always encourage you to look at each of the ceremony sites we have. Come see which one “speaks” to you. The Big Oak Tree Ceremony Site is surrounded by natural beauty. Maybe it is the place for you.
To view our ceremony site options at Murphy Lane, click here.
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