Wedding Venues

The Powel Crosley Estate Wedding Venue

August 25, 2023

Weddings at the Powel Crosley Estate

Nestled amidst the coastal beauty of Sarasota, Florida, the Powel Crosley Estate is a timeless wedding venue that perfectly encompasses the culture and history of Sarasota. As a wedding photographer, I can say this venue is truly one of the most magical, rich in history buildings in our city. It’s an honor to be part of the history of the Powel Crosley Estate by photographing their wedding days at the beautiful estate!

A Glimpse into Powel Crosley Estate’s History

Before booking the Powel Crosley Estate, I always encourage my couples to understand the history of the Powel Crosley Estate, because this building is so full of stories to tell. The beauty of marrying at the Powel Crosley Estate is that you too become part of the history that is so dear to Sarasota. Originally built in the 1920s by Powel Crosley himself, a pioneer in broadcasting and automotive industries, this Mediterranean Revival mansion is a unique blend of grandeur and intimacy.

After Powel Crosley’s dabbling in technology in the early 1900s, he turned his attention towards real estate where in 1929 the Powel Crosley Estate was finished. Powel Crosley prided himself on the Mediterranean architecture of the Powel Crosley Estate, while also including modern luxuries such as a swimming pool and a yacht basin to keep his yacht safe when he wasn’t cruising the Sarasota Bay.

While Powel Crosley was a wealthy man with many accomplishments in life, he recalled that the home truly was built for his beautiful wife, Gwendolyn. If you are lucky enough to marry in the Powel Crosley, you will most likely find yourself putting your wedding dress on in Gwendolyn’s room. More on this room below.

While eventually the Powel Crosley Estate became owned by Sarasota County, who still owns it to this day, the estate had multiple private owners after Powel Crosley’s passing in 1961. The last private owner before the estate was acquired by Sarasota County was my beautiful friend Cat Pennenga’s grandparents. Cat spent her early childhood running around the grounds of the Powel Crosley Estate and married her husband there in 2009. Cat tragically passed away in June 2023, but every time I see the Powel Crosley I am reminded of her beautiful legacy. One of the many legacies this building holds for those of us who grew up here in Sarasota and love it so much.

The Grounds on a Wedding Day

The Powel Crosley Estate’s gardens, bay views, and historical architecture are the perfect backdrop to your wedding day.

The 1st and 2nd Floor Guest Suites

When it comes to getting ready there are two separate guest suites, one on the 1st floor and the other on the 2nd floor, where the bride and groom typically hang out with their wedding parties. Downstairs in the mansion there is a room for the bride and her bridesmaids, while upstairs is a room for the groom and his groomsmen. In addition to these areas, there is Gwendolyn’s room and the ship room which I will share more detail on below.

Gwendolyn’s Room

As I mentioned above, Gwendolyn’s room was Powel Crosley’s wife’s room and is available for use on your wedding day for an additional fee. I always encourage my couples to rent this room as it’s architecture and the natural light in this room make for a truly ideal location for “getting ready” photos, putting on your wedding dress, and even the intimate sharing of vows if you would like. Gwendolyn’s room is only available to rent for 45 minutes, so I always work with my couples to decide when we can make the best use of the time on their wedding day.

The Ship Room

Another location that is popular for getting ready at the Powel Crosley Estate is the ship room. Often times while the ladies get ready in Gwendolyn’s room, the guys head to the ship room for a more masculine backdrop. This room is open for use on the wedding day, they just ask no drinks or food be carried into this room, which is an easy rule to follow.

The Wedding Ceremony Spaces

For your ceremony, there are four locations couples typically opt for – at the back of the mansion by the Bay for a coastal backdrop, on the estate’s patio with guests facing the estate, at the pavilion by the bay, and inside of the estate. My personal favorite is the bay backdrop, as it allows for some coastal breeze while still being outdoors. However, all of the locations for ceremonies at the Powel Crosley are lovely.

The Wedding Reception Spaces

When it comes to your reception space, if you have a smaller guest list you may be able to fit into the foyer of the Powel Crosley Estate, which gives you the benefit of air conditioning. This space gets tight, so I really only recommend this if you have 50 or less guests.

The reception space most Powel Crosley Estate couples opt for is the back of the estate, which boasts beautiful bay views and the bay breeze, as well as twinkle lights and puts your guests directly next to the dance floor, which is the back patio of the estate. If you’re marrying in the wet months (which here in Sarasota is June to September) you will want to have a reception tent booked and ready in case of inclement weather. For those hot months you might also opt to have a sided tent with air conditioning.

An Ideal Venue for Your Wedding Day

What sets the Powel Crosley Estate apart is its ability to host small gatherings, as well as larger events, while still feeling intimate. Unlike larger venues, this estate offers a cozy ambiance that allows couples to truly connect with their guests. While the venue’s capacity is up to 300 guests, the Powel Crosley Estate has multiple locations for both your ceremony and reception ensuring that both small and large gatherings are comfortable.

The estate’s various event spaces provide flexibility, whether you envision an outdoor ceremony overlooking the water or an indoor reception with vintage glamour. I find that this intimacy lends itself to capturing genuine emotions and candid interactions, resulting in a beautiful and authentic wedding gallery.

Your Wedding at The Powel Crosley Estate

For more information about pricing, availability, and reserving the Powel Crosley Estate for your wedding day, check out the Powel Crosley Estate website here.

Are you planning a Powel Crosley Estate wedding? Contact me for more information about my wedding photography experience.

Contact me for more information about photography at the Powel Crosley Estate

meet kenna

BEHIND THE LENS

Photographer, dreamer, traveler.
Inspired by the beauty our natural world offers and the people we get to share it with.

My approach on a wedding day is to turn your moments into art which you’re proud to display in your home and pass down to generations. We strive to be in the balance between capturing moments as they’re happening, and stepping in to direct and pose when needed. The end result is a gallery that feels like fine art and brings you right back to the best day of your life.