Spring is a beautiful season to get married in Mississippi. The trees turn green again, flowers come into bloom and the evenings are pleasant enough to spend outside. Because so many couples love a spring date, the best time to start planning is now, during the winter months. If you are searching for spring wedding venues in Mississippi, here is how to plan a fresh, easygoing spring day at Alvastage Acres, home of Hopewell Chapel and the Reception Barn at 3140 Alvastage Rd in Duck Hill.
Why Plan Your Spring Wedding Now
Spring Saturdays tend to fill up early at venues across the state. Starting your search in the winter gives you more dates to choose from and more time to line up the vendors you really want. It also leaves room for the fun parts, like picking colors, tasting cakes and planning the details that make the day feel like yours.
A good first step is to settle on a rough guest count and a short list of dates. Once you have those, you can tour venues with a clear picture of what you need.
Choose Your Ceremony Setting: Inside, Outside or Both
Spring weather invites couples outdoors, and the countryside around Alvastage Acres makes a lovely backdrop for an outdoor ceremony. Seating can be set up in front of Hopewell Chapel or elsewhere on the property, so your guests can enjoy the fresh air and green views while you say your vows.
If you love the idea of a chapel ceremony, Hopewell Chapel dates back to the 1800s and has been completely renovated, with its original heart pine floors and historic character still in place. Spring light through the windows makes it an especially pretty setting.
You can also have both. The chapel doors can be opened for a mixed inside and outside ceremony, so some guests sit in the pews while others enjoy the ceremony from the lawn.
Have a Plan for Spring Showers
Mississippi springs can bring a surprise shower or two, so it pays to think ahead. At Alvastage Acres, Hopewell Chapel and the Reception Barn give you a covered plan for both your ceremony and reception. If the forecast turns, you can move inside without changing locations or sending guests across town. Read more in our rain plan guide.
Bring the Party to the Reception Barn
After the ceremony, the celebration moves to the Reception Barn, which holds up to 250 guests between the seating inside and the seating outside. Spring evenings are perfect for letting the party spill out onto the outdoor patio area.
The Reception Barn comes ready to go, with tables and chairs, a sound system, an ice machine and a bar area. That means you can spend your planning time on the spring touches instead of rentals.
A few spring reception ideas:
Fresh florals in soft colors like blush, lavender, butter yellow or white.
Potted greenery and herbs as centerpieces that guests can take home.
A lemonade or sweet tea station for guests to enjoy outside.
Lawn games on the grass while the sun goes down.
String lights for a warm glow once evening sets in.
Spring Decor That Lets the Season Shine
Spring does a lot of the decorating for you. Green trees, blooming flowers and soft light are hard to beat. Alvastage Acres is DIY friendly, so you can bring in your own decor and set up the space your way, and we also have decorations on site to help you pull it all together.
Keep it light and natural. A few blooms on the chapel pews, greenery along the tables and seasonal flowers in simple vases can carry the look from the ceremony to the reception.
Plan Your Photos Around the Light
Spring days are longer, which gives you more time for photos in natural light. Hopewell Chapel is a great spot for portraits both inside and out, and the open property gives your photographer plenty of room to work. Talk with your photographer about the time of sunset on your date so you can plan a few minutes for golden hour portraits together.
Keep Everything in One Place
One of the easiest ways to keep a spring wedding relaxed is to keep it all on one property. At Alvastage Acres, every package includes Hopewell Chapel, the Reception Barn and the Alva House living area and kitchen. The ceremony, photos and the reception can all happen in one spot, and your guests can simply walk from one moment to the next.
A Spring Wedding Planning Checklist
Pick your guest count and a few possible spring dates.
Tour venues and book your date as early as you can.
Decide on an indoor, outdoor or mixed ceremony, and plan for rain.
Book your photographer, videographer, caterer and florist.
Choose a spring color palette and seasonal flowers.
Send save the dates a few months ahead so guests can plan.
Build a simple timeline that leaves time for golden hour photos.
Easy to Reach From Across North Mississippi
Alvastage Acres is about 20 miles from Grenada, about an hour from Starkville and about 1 hour 15 minutes from Oxford. Couples come from all across North Mississippi and beyond to celebrate here.
Come See Alvastage Acres This Season
The best way to picture your spring wedding is to walk the property yourself, sit in Hopewell Chapel and stand in the Reception Barn. Spring dates go quickly, so now is a great time to visit. Contact us to schedule a tour and check your date.