Top of the Rock is one of Big Cedar’s best venues for holding weddings - Gorgeous is an understatement. It is a pinnacle of premier locations in Southwest Missouri - Le Creme de la Creme. And although I totally love the venue and hope to shoot there this next year, I have to give some major props to this alternative “Top of the Rock” experience where you get the same amazing views of Table Rock Lake, but you also get so much more in a unique wedding experience at this private mansion for rent.
One thing about renting a fabulous venue like Top of the Rock is you get the venue for a number of hours on a certain day and there are certain restrictions and limitations that you might not find when renting out a mansion with a full lake view. So if all you really want is that $1,000,000 view , then why not rent out a mansion like Jake and Mariel did on their big day. I want to highlight a few reasons why I totally loved this option and want to recommend it as a possible great fit for you if you are engaged or soon to be engaged. On a personal note, If I were to get married again in 2022, I would actually pick this as my #1 venue to get married. Although I TOTALLY love so many other venues, this wedding location had some incredibly unique things going for it that made it super special and extremely fun.
A Hotel and a Venue - This was a massive house with beds to sleep literally dozens of people. They have a few master suites for the wedding couple and parents, but a ton of other bedrooms and beds on three levels. You may actually save money on hotel costs going this route. I would only recommend this if spending time with your family for a week is a good thing. I know that might be more nightmarish for some, but it totally worked awesome for the families of this wedding.
Private Pool and Personal Kitchen - You get all the amenities of a house and more. Access to an indoor swimming pool, a spa, a tennis court, and a full kitchen makes your wedding week into a stay-cation. And that brings me to my third point.
Rent the place for a week - You can save money and have your location to yourself for an entire week splitting the cost with multiple families. It is a financially brilliant way to both save thousands of dollars, have a week long wedding party, and also keep the Top of the Rock view.
Few Limitations - You can cater whatever you want, bring whatever vendors you want, and plan your wedding any way you want. I will say as far as limitations, that the locations of getting married are limited. An indoor location would be very limited to a very small group, but still possible. The reception area is covered, but will only hold maybe one hundred people, so size would be a limiting factor as well.
Get more for less - I kind of already mentioned this, but why have a one day wedding, when you could make it a week long celebration with friends and family. I have never rented out a giant house and had a big party like Jake and Mariel did, but I was a little jealous while I saw all the fun they were having. It looked and felt incredible!
Those are just a few reasons why I love this option for a wedding day/week. This is definitely not an option for everyone and maybe I just resonated with the Bride and Groom’s decision on this one more so than other weddings, but send me a note if you think this is totally awesome as well. I’d love to hear if you think this sounds great or not so great. I’d love your opinion. Let me show off a few photos from their amazing wedding day celebration.
