How The Pepin Mansion Hosts Your Ceremony and Reception Near Louisville

One of the questions we hear most from couples touring The Pepin Mansion is some version of: "So do we have to leave between the ceremony and the reception?" The answer is no, and the way we handle that transition is one of the reasons couples keep choosing us.

The Pepin Mansion in New Albany, Indiana offers ceremony and reception in one historic 1851 property minutes from Louisville, with indoor capacity for 100 ceremony guests and up to 300 outdoors under a tented event lawn with an elevated ceremony deck. All-inclusive packages include an event planner, day-of coordinator, officiant, gold Chiavari chairs, custom cake, champagne, and four on-site king suites with morning breakfast, while an open vendor policy and BYO bar option can reduce bar costs by 50 to 60 percent.

Built in 1851 and beautifully restored, the Pepin Mansion at 1003 E Main St in New Albany, Indiana, gives couples a historic wedding setting just minutes from downtown Louisville. We offer indoor and outdoor spaces that allow many couples to host their ceremony, reception, getting ready time, and overnight stay in one convenient historic setting.

One Property, Multiple Ceremony Choices

 

Most couples don't realize how much time and stress come from coordinating separate ceremony and reception venues. At The Pepin Mansion, your entire wedding day happens on one historic property in New Albany, with indoor spaces, a tented outdoor lawn, and an elevated ceremony deck all steps from each other.

 

Inside the Mansion

 

Our indoor ceremony capacity is 100 guests. The ballroom and parlors bring guests into the character of the mansion, with original woodwork, historic plaster details, original floors, crown moldings, and painted ceiling details. The result is a ceremony setting that feels rooted in the mansion’s 1851 history without feeling staged or reproduced. 

 

 

For couples who want the ceremony in a church, we also partner with St. Paul's, which sits roughly 50 feet from the mansion. That proximity matters more than it sounds. Your guests walk directly from the church to the reception, and while they do, our team completes the setup without anyone underfoot. For couples who choose St. Paul’s Church, our vintage Rolls-Royce service can also be arranged for photos, ceremony arrivals, or reception departures. This creates a smoother flow for couples who want a church ceremony and a mansion reception. 

 

The Outdoor Tent and Lawn

 

For larger guest counts, our tented event lawn accommodates up to 300 guests outdoors for both ceremony and reception. The elevated ceremony deck gives the outdoor ceremony a defined focal point. The tented event lawn gives couples a covered outdoor setting with draping and lighting. It adds comfort and flexibility for outdoor celebrations while still keeping the ceremony and reception close to the mansion.

 

 

The indoor and outdoor capacity figures are distinct: 100 guests indoors for the ceremony, 120 for the reception, and up to 300 outdoors for either. Knowing those numbers early helps couples make the right call for their guest list before selecting a layout that won't fit their crowd.

 

What Comes with Your Booking

 

Our all-inclusive package, the Elegant Affair, includes 12 hours of venue access from 10 AM to 10 PM. Within that time, you get your event planner, day-of coordinator, ceremony officiant, rehearsal access, ceremony chairs, elegant table settings with gold Chiavari chairs, linens, china, glassware, flatware, a custom wedding cake, and toasting champagne. The package also includes music options, such as live violin and cello or a DJ, along with a catered meal through your choice of caterer.

 

 

Flowers and photography should be discussed during planning, since they may be handled as optional add-ons or arranged separately depending on the package. We want couples to know that clearly, so there are no surprises on the planning side. For everything else, the package covers what most venues charge separately.

 

Your Day, Your Vendors, No Gaps in Between

 

The ceremony to reception flip in the same space is something we handle regularly. Our event planner and day-of coordinator manage that transition while your guests move and settle in. By the time everyone arrives at the reception, the space is ready. That same flexibility extends to catering and bar service. 

 

Our open vendor policy means you choose your own caterer, and our BYO bar option can help couples save 50 to 60 percent compared to standard bar packages, while still requiring the proper licensed caterer for full bar service. That is real money back in your budget.

 

Conclusion

 

The bridal suite is available for preparation and for the wedding night. We have four king suites on the property, which means the wedding party and close family can stay on site. Breakfast is included for overnight guests, prepared fresh and served at the table each morning. The groom's suite provides a separate preparation space. Having the getting-ready rooms, the ceremony space, and the reception all on one property removes an entire category of wedding day logistics.

 

If you want to see the spaces before committing to anything, the best first step is visiting thepepinmansion.com or calling us at 812-725-9186 to schedule a tour.

 

FAQs

 

Do you provide a wedding planner or an event planner? 

 

We provide an event planner and a day-of coordinator. These are included in our all-inclusive packages. An event planner handles coordination across vendors and logistics. We want couples to understand that distinction before booking, so expectations are clear on both sides.

 

What is the BYO bar option, and how does it work? 

 

Our BYO bar service option allows you to bring your own alcohol rather than purchasing through a vendor at a markup. Our team estimates this approach saves couples 50 to 60 percent compared to a standard bar package. A licensed caterer is required for full bar service.

 

Can we bring our own caterer? 

 

Yes. We have an open vendor policy and allow outside catering. This applies to catering and cake suppliers as well. You choose the vendors you want.

 

How early can we access the venue on the wedding day? 

 

Our all-inclusive packages include venue access beginning at 10 AM. The Charming Elopement package includes two hours of venue access, and the Parlor Wedding includes three hours.