Wedding Venue: Dunsmuir Historic Estate an Indian Affair

Photography by: Geoff White

Ceremony

The Dunsmuir Hellman Estate is a stunning piece of living history nestled in the Oakland hills. The estate offers countless design opportunities, allowing you to dive deep into your imagination but not necessarily your wallet. Dunsmuir is ideal for a classic outdoor garden wedding. Whether you choose the Pond, the Meadow, or the Carriage House, you are assured a fabulous backdrop.

For the ceremony, I Do Venues recommends exchanging the venue's garden-style chairs for rented white wood or chiavari style chairs. A traditional white chiavari chair with a richly colored cushion accented by a cascade of flowers or ribbons is a great way to create a feeling of classic elegance. Imagine the statement made by Victorian lilac, plum, or chartreuse. If the Southern Gothic mansion acts as the backdrop for your ceremony, consider using white as your main color choice. This tactic will help to complement and accentuate the elegance of the estate without overwhelming the eye. If your wedding ceremony will be held at the Pond, you can incorporate the gazebo and water plants into your designs. The natural staircase leading from the Pavilion is an obvious place to start your processional. Remind your florist to give this area extra attention, as it will come alive with whimsical floral garlands or fabrics.

Reception

Playing into the mansion's historic garden setting is the ideal choice for your reception - think of Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" or a romantic theme straight out of Gone with the Wind. Regardless, creating a naturally elegant atmosphere is easily accomplished with the estate's gorgeous surroundings. The Pavilion and adjoining terrace present numerous opportunities for adding a dash of color to your party. I Do Venues suggests enhancing your formal bar with dark contrasting colors, using tall cocktail tables with richly textured linens and lots of candles to create a warm, inviting haven for both the cocktail hour and after-dinner drinks. The terrace is dotted with several architectural lighting fixtures, creating a perfect location for floral hints, twinkle lights, or even whimsical ribbon. These simple touches add just the right amount of elegance to the outdoor space.

The Pavilion features hardwood floors, traditional wainscoting and blond wood paneling. Create warmth on this blank canvas with washes of patterned light as well as pin spots. Your linen choice and table design make a significant impact on the room, so choose colors and textures that will add depth and interest. Consider a Cabernet pin-tuck, a plum brocade, or a coffee-colored floral damask for the tables. We recommend renting chairs for a finished look, and mahogany, walnut or gold chiavari chairs create quite an impact. The high cathedral ceilings and unique beam architecture will require embellishment, so opt for floral arrangements with height to lead the eyes up to this beautiful focal point.

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Bringing in lighting is a must, since the Pavilion’s high ceiling and strong wall lines demand to be filled with glowing color. We have seen some amazing light patterns transform this room, even on very modest budgets. I Do Venues recommends bringing in a few large potted trees and stringing them with twinkle lights or placing them under spotlights to create dramatic natural accents.