Looking for a dreamy, modern wedding venue with tons of natural light? We know just the place.
Osage House, located in Cave Springs, is a brand new venue in northwest Arkansas. Owners Ashley and John Starnes wanted to go in a different direction when it came to building their venue and spent six months meticulously planning each and every detail. What they dreamed up was a modern, timeless style that speaks to John’s background as an architect.
“Our initial inspiration started with more of a modern cottage look, but quickly evolved to something more unique,” Ashley says. “For the chapel, we knew we wanted a lot of glass, but not completely glass like many of the other chapels. Natural light was very important, but we wanted to be specific on the views we had, and how the light affects photography. When John showed me the sketches for the chapel with the stacked roof line with skylights, and glass doors on each side, I knew that was it!”
The couple chose the name, Osage House, because Osage Creek runs along the south part of the property. Ashley loved the personal feel that the word “house” brings to it, even though it’s not an actual house. John and Ashley wanted it to be a place that families and friends would gather for all of life’s celebrations – just like a house.
The Space Itself
Osage House is still being built, but the design renderings are swoon-worthy. Ashley says she wants the venue to be a comfortable space that you want to have your friends and family hang out at and have a great time together.
“While our chapel and reception hall are more modern, our grounds are beautiful with many different settings possible for outdoor ceremonies,” she says. “You really feel like you are tucked away from it all in a magical place, with the convenience of being minutes from all NWA has to offer.”
What Brides Can Expect
Brides looking to book their wedding day with Osage House can expect to spend anywhere between $3,500-$6,500. The venue also offers custom elopement packages for weddings with 20 or fewer guests. The venue boasts many areas on the property that can be set up for a ceremony or reception in addition to the chapel and reception hall. Brides can tie the knot on the hillside, in a wooded area, outside with the chapel as a background or even by the picturesque pond. There’s also a covered, open space that sits below the reception hall for those uncooperative weather days.
What sets Osage House apart is the barrage of support brides get the moment they book with Ashley and John. Right off the bat, couples will receive a custom gift from Osage House as well as a great support system from health and wellness to other married couples. This creates a network that extends well after the wedding day. Ashley and John also make a contribution to a local non-profit of the couple’s choosing, in their honor.
“If they have a cause that they are passionate about or involved with, that’s great!” Ashley says. “If they don’t at the time, we hope this will encourage them to get involved with something local together.”
The venue also offers plenty of perks for couples including:
- A stunning bridal suite, complete with an area for the bride and her girls to get ready, a dressing area, lounge seating area, kitchenette and private restroom with a shower.
- Groom’s quarters that will have a dressing/getting ready area, lounge area with a pool table, bar area and a private restroom with shower.
- A separate vendor lounge will be located in the basement. This will allow each vendor a place to store their belongings, and a space to go when they need to take a break.
- The chapel seating is moveable, to allow for customized seating based on the guest count, so that your wedding doesn’t look empty if you have a ceremony below the 299 max capacity.
- There will also be a space for nursing mothers.
- Osage House will have a circle drive that goes up to the reception hall and near the chapel, which is great for drop-off and pick-up.
- The venue provides tables and chairs for 200 guests and can offer vendor rental contacts if additional seating is needed.
- Osage House also has two custom, movable bars that can be placed in different areas to accommodate your reception layout.
Now Booking
The venue has started booking weddings after June of 2019 (when the venue is set to open). Although the property isn’t quite finished yet, Ashley and John are happy to do property tours and 3D walkthroughs to help couples visualize the venue. In preparation of the debut of Osage House, Ashley says she’s excited about so many things.
“Mostly, I’m excited to meet so many amazing couples, and to hear their stories and be a part of them starting a life together,” she says. “Our goal is to be more than a venue. We want to stand behind our couples as they start out, and help them plan for a marriage, not just a wedding.”
The Starnes are currently taking bookings for dates after June 2019. For more information, email info@osagehouse.com.
