Our First Forest Wedding: An October Evening Under the Pines

This October we hosted our first wedding at Forest Springs. We had planned the forest venue for months, but nothing tells you more than a real couple, a real guest list and a real evening in the woods. These are the photos from that night, and what we learned about hosting a wedding under the pines in Eureka Springs.

One long table in the forest

The reception was set as a single long table among the trees, dressed in white linen with rust napkins, a greenery runner, burgundy ranunculus and dozens of candles in tall glass. Strings of lights ran overhead from tree to tree. As the sun dropped, the candles took over and the whole table glowed against the dark forest.

Cocktail hour in the tent

Before dinner, guests gathered in the event tent for drinks and passed appetizers. The tent comes with every wedding package, so it works as the cocktail space on a clear evening and as the rain plan on a wet one. Nobody has to watch the forecast for weeks.

The head table and the toasts

The couple sat at the head of the table, close enough for family to lean in for a word or a photo. There was no stage and no dance floor between them and their guests, which kept the night feeling like a long dinner among family and friends.

Guests stay on site

Forest Springs has 50 rooms, so guests can walk back to their rooms at the end of the night instead of driving home. The morning after can be slow too, with coffee, the sauna and the cold plunge before anyone has to leave.

What we learned from our first wedding

• Plan dinner for golden hour. The light through the pines in late afternoon does most of the decorating, and candles carry the table after dark.
• Keep it to one long table if you can. It photographs beautifully and puts every guest in the same conversation.
• Use the tent for cocktail hour, not just as a backup. It gives the evening a second space without anyone walking far.
• Book the rooms early. Guests who stay on site make the night longer and the morning after part of the wedding.

Planning your own forest wedding

We host intimate weddings for up to 25 guests on any day, weekday celebrations for 26 to 50 guests, and full property buyouts with all 50 rooms. Every package includes up to eight hours of venue time, the event tent, tables and seating, and setup and takedown by our team. See the packages and request a quote on our weddings page, or read about a small wedding or a full buyout.