With a history of hospitality, Meadow Brook Hall is Michigan’s most beautiful wedding venue. The entire estate was built with an eye for entertaining, from its 16 lush gardens to the two-story Gothic-inspired Ballroom. This special blog series showcases the unique areas and entertaining spaces that have played host to breathtaking weddings and unforgettable celebrations across the years.
With its gorgeous carved plaster ceiling, airy bay windows and golden chandeliers, Meadow Brook Hall’s Christopher Wren Dining Room is a showpiece of the estate—and one that is particularly beloved by brides, grooms and spouses-to-be on their wedding day.
The exquisite dining room encompasses some of the estate’s most masterful features and original artwork, yet gives an air of simple elegance.
Meadow Brook’s legacy is filled with luxe weddings, parties, celebrations and soirees, many of which took place in the spacious, graceful and versatile Christopher Wren Dining Room. Read on to learn more about this beautiful space.
A Feast for the Eyes
Of its 110 grand rooms, the Dining Room is surely one of the most extraordinary. Light and shadow make an elegant play across the room’s immense carpets, fine furnishings and delicately detailed ceiling.
From the exquisite chandeliers to the incredible suspended plaster ceiling, the Christopher Wren Dining Room is a feast for the eyes. Designed in the neoclassical style of famed 17th century architect Sir Christopher Wren, who was best known for Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London. Meadow Brook’s dining room features Greek and Roman elements such as symmetry, fluted pilasters (flat grooved columns) and doorways with pediments.
Rich walnut-paneled walls and bright bay windows let in the light beneath the elaborately carved plaster ceiling–which took artisans six months to complete under the direction of gifted architectural sculptor Corrado Parducci.
Parducci was an Italian born Detroit artist whose local works include the interior of the Detroit Masonic Temple and many decorative aspects of notable Detroit buildings including the Penobscot, Guardian and David Stott buildings—along with Meadow Brook’s barrel vaulted ceiling in the Upper Gallery, stone carvings and grotesques throughout the historic mansion’s exterior.
Built for Entertaining
Meadow Brook’s matriarch Matilda Dodge Wilson wanted her manor estate to be built for entertaining. Matilda told the architect that she wanted Meadow Brook designed to host parties for over 250, seated dinners for 40 and comfortable living space for a family of four.
She got her wish – the specially built dining room table was the scene of countless family meals and fine dinner parties. It extends from chandelier to chandelier and comfortably seats 40—and is frequently used at special events today. Most modern events use the beautiful historic table and several other tables to seat 80.
Meadow Brook’s Dining Room is now available to rent as a venue for weddings, corporate events, celebrations and more. It is most often used for formal dinners, baby and bridal showers, corporate meetings, as well as for a delectable dessert table or cocktail hour location. Guests will feel transported to a more elegant age as they admire the magnificent carved ceiling and beautiful paintings this room has to offer.
A Grand Setting for Grand Moments
Life’s grandest moments deserve a grand setting to match, and Meadow Brook’s Dining Room is exactly that.
Modern couples often choose this space for a romantic first look before their wedding. The sheer white curtains and bay window form a dreamy silhouette, while the ivory ceiling harmonizes beautifully with a classic white gown.
For couples hosting their wedding ceremony at the iconic Pegasus Fountain, the Christopher Wren Dining Room is an emotional place for their last moments before stepping out the door and down the aisle. The bridal party gives last kisses and fathers and daughters share an embrace before embarking on the start of a whole new life.
Whether you’ve dreamed of a fairy tale wedding, an outdoor garden wedding or anything in between, Meadow Brook is sure to deliver the entertaining spaces, inspired cuisine and first-class service for an incredible event. For more information about being married at Meadow Brook, contact our events team at mbhevent@oakland.edu.
