Wedding Photography at The Blanche
The Blanche is an historic hotel-turned-wedding-destination built in 1902. It seamlessly blends early 20th century luxury with a modern aesthetic. From the beautiful staircase, to the balconies overlooking the streets of the city, there's no shortage of stunning backdrops for photos.
The Blanche Wedding Photography in Lake City, Florida
The Blanche is one of the more unique wedding venues I’ve photographed in North Florida. Located in the heart of downtown Lake City, it’s a historic building that’s more than 100 years old and originally operated as a hotel.
What makes The Blanche different from a lot of other wedding venues is that almost everything happens indoors. You’re not going to find sprawling lawns or tons of greenery here, but that’s not really what this venue is about. Instead, you get beautiful historic architecture, elegant interiors, and some really interesting places to take wedding photos.
The building itself is beautiful inside and out, and the grand staircase immediately stands out when you walk through the doors.
My Favorite Wedding Photo Locations at The Blanche
The Grand Staircase
The staircase is probably the most recognizable feature of The Blanche, and it’s one of my favorite places to take wedding portraits here. It’s an elegant architectural feature that makes a beautiful backdrop for couples. Whether we’re taking formal portraits or something a little more relaxed, the staircase is definitely a location I recommend setting aside time for.
If you’re getting married at The Blanche, I’d make sure we have a few minutes specifically dedicated to photographs here. It’s one of the main features of the building, and you’ll definitely want to take advantage of it.
The Front Entrance and Exterior
I also love taking pictures outside the front entrance of The Blanche. The building’s exterior architecture is beautiful, and it makes a great backdrop for wedding portraits.
Even though this is primarily an indoor venue, I definitely recommend planning a little time to walk around outside. There are some good photo locations around the building, and depending on the timing, we can capture some really nice sunset portraits.
Wedding Photography and Lighting at The Blanche
One thing I appreciate about The Blanche is how much natural light comes through the windows. You might expect a historic indoor venue to be pretty dark, but there are windows throughout much of the building, providing plenty of natural light for photographs.
The groom’s getting-ready room is a little darker than some of the other spaces, although it’s still manageable. One thing I’d suggest is taking at least a few of the groom’s getting-ready portraits outside that room, where we can take advantage of better natural light. It’s a small adjustment that can give us some additional variety in those photographs.
Tips for Planning Your Wedding at The Blanche
My biggest recommendation for couples getting married at The Blanche is to make time for portraits in the staircase. It’s such a beautiful feature of the building, and I wouldn’t want to rush through photographs there. I’d also recommend setting aside a little time to explore outside, particularly later in the day when the light is getting softer.
While most of your wedding photography can happen indoors, the historic exterior and surrounding downtown area offer some nice opportunities for additional portraits. The combination of elegant indoor spaces and a few outdoor locations means we can create a good variety of images without needing to travel to a completely different venue.
Looking for a Blanche Wedding Photographer?
The Blanche is a beautiful choice for couples who love historic architecture and want something different from the typical outdoor wedding venue. Between the grand staircase, elegant interiors, balconies, and downtown surroundings, there are plenty of opportunities for beautiful wedding photographs.
Having photographed weddings at The Blanche, I’m familiar with the building, its lighting, and the locations that work well for portraits. If you’re planning a wedding at The Blanche in Lake City, Florida, I’d love to hear about your plans! Get in touch to check my availability.
