LGBTQ+ Friendly Kentucky Wedding Venues
The Louisville Palace & Mercury Ballroom
Founding Members // Louisville, Kentucky
Owner: Live Nation Worldwide, INC
Established: Louisville Palace, 2006 & Mercury Ballroom, 2014
Services: The Louisville Palace boasts the city's finest and most ornate venue to be entertained. The iconic Theatre (built in 1928) is now host to a multitude of touring concerts, comedic performances, and classic films. Additionally, The Palace serves as a unique event destination for weddings, galas, corporate meetings, and cocktail receptions.
Formerly the Wright-Taylor building, Mercury Ballroom is now proudly owned and operated by Live Nation / House of Blues Entertainment. This 900 cap GA room brings to the table a state-of-the-art sound system for a concert experience you'll never forget. Mercury Ballroom is also available for private concerts, banquets, launch parties, networking nights, and receptions.
Member Statement: “The Louisville Palace and Mercury Ballroom support the Inclusive Kentucky Weddings mission because we believe in the equality and fair treatment of all people. Period. As two of the city's largest and most prestigious entertainment venues, we hope to lead by example, share, and spread positive awareness of our IKW membership and dedication to the cause.“
Contact: Sydney Anthony, Director of Special Events
Phone // Email // Louisville Palace Website // Mercury Ballroom Website // Palace FB // Ballroom FB
Mellwood Art Center
Founding Member // Louisville, Kentucky
"Where festivity and creativity meet!”
Owners: The Clark Family
Established: 2003
Services: The Mellwood Art Center offers affordable studio space for artists and event space for weddings, businesses, and organizations. We have over 200 artists in-house and three spacious, unique event rooms that host nearly 300 events each year.
Member Statement: “We have ALWAYS been an LGBTQ-friendly community at Mellwood, now in our 12th year of business. We have had many commitment ceremonies in the past and now weddings between LGBTQ+ couples.”
Email // Phone // Website // Facebook // Twitter
Image 1 provided by Mellwood, Images 2-5 by Sarah Katherine Davis Photography
Patrick O'Shea's
Founding Member // Louisville, Kentucky
Owners: Tom O'Shea (he/him)
Established: 2011
Services: Patrick O'Shea's offers a unique Downtown Louisville venue with three separate and beautiful floors to choose from to host your wedding, rehearsal dinner, or welcome party! Each space contains elements of the original building mixed with updated decor to make for a beautiful space to start your life with your partner!
Member Statement: “Patrick O'Shea's is a place for all people to feel welcomed! We believe that everyone deserves a beautiful and special wedding day, and we support the LGBTQIA+ community!”
Email // Phone // Website // Instagram
Images 1, 8 -10 by Winters Photography Co, 2, 4, & 7 by Frames and Letters, 3 & 6 by Sarah Katherine Davis, 5, 9 , & 11 by Lauren Alexandra
All Peoples
Louisville, Kentucky
"Rentals for All Occasions."
Owner: Ellen S. Wade (she/her)
Established: 1961
Services: All Peoples is an affordable and welcoming wedding venue in Louisville, Kentucky. All Peoples renewed its "Welcoming Congregation" competency training for 2021 to express our ongoing commitment to LGBTQ+ welcome and inclusion. All Peoples offers two venues on its property-either contemporary architecture or a vintage setting. Both are perfect for couples of all faiths and orientations who are looking to have both indoor and outdoor options for engagement celebrations, rehearsal dinners, ceremonies and receptions. All Peoples is a great place for an intimate ceremony or larger celebration. It has been part of the Louisville wedding scene since 1961.
Member Statement: “All Peoples is a community that emphasizes inclusivity, advocates social justice, and environmental conservation. We live our values and welcome all to our venue.”
Email // Website // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Phone
Art Sanctuary
Louisville, Kentucky
"Making Art Happen"
Owner/Owners: Lisa Frye (she/her)
Established: 2005
Description of Services: Art Sanctuary is a 501(c)3 non-profit status community-oriented arts organization supporting visual, literary, and performing arts through events, promotion, and education. Our venue is equipped with over 14,000 square feet of event space which includes a 36x20stage, 25-foot ceilings, PA, lighting, full bar, and staff located in the Schnitzelburg/Germantown area. We are happy to host fundraisers, weddings, musical theater, bands, and any type of creative event that you can dream into reality!
Member Statement: “Art Sanctuary is an inclusive safe place for your artistic endeavors or wedding! We believe in equality and freedom of expression.”
Ashford Acres Inn
Cynthiana, Kentucky
"Making Art Happen"
Owner/Owners: Sonia Kirkman (she/her)
Established: 2016
Description of Services: Ashford Acres Inn hosts weddings for up to 300 guests on 64 acres of rolling Kentucky hills. With numerous ceremony and reception sites on property, the inn provides a unique opportunity for couples to create a memorable wedding weekend. Allowing for rehearsal dinners, guest suites, on-site catering, on-site rentals and strong relationships with local vendors, Ashford Acres Inn wedding planners can assist in stress-free event planning that carries through the morning after the wedding.
Member Statement: “Ashford Acres Inn was built as a wedding present in 1858 and has hosted numerous weddings on-site through the century-and-a-half of its existence. We have continued that tradition on our property since opening in 2016 and have welcomed all couples who wish to exchange vows, as we believe love is is always to be equally celebrated among all who are lucky enough to have found it.”
Email // Website // Instagram // Facebook // Phone // Tiktok // Pinterest
Photos by Sarah Katherine Davis
Copper and Kings American Brandy Company
Louisville, Kentucky
"Making Art Happen"
Owner/Owners: Constellation Brands
Established: 2014
Description of Services: Copper & Kings American Brandy Company is a brandy, gin, absinthe, and liqueur distillery in the heart of bourbon country. Located in Butchertown in Louisville, KY., Copper & Kings is home to daily tours and tastings, a spectacular rooftop bar and restaurant, and unique event rental spaces. The rooftop space, along with our Art Gallery, and gorgeous Outdoor Courtyard are all available for rental. Copper & Kings can be your host for everything from engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, wedding ceremonies and receptions, post-wedding brunches, birthdays, and many other celebrations and events. Enjoy our in-house culinary team, led by Executive Chef Josh Lehman, with locally and sustainably sourced fare. We're truly one of a kind and so are you, and that's something to celebrate!
Member Statement: “&”
“Inclusion & Acceptance”
“Copper & Kings-- the ampersand is one of our core brand icons and it has always stood for inclusion. We believe in all people and honor the truth residing in everyone. We believe in love and we believe everyone should be loved for exactly who they are. We will always stand up against the face of discrimination. We want to welcome you with open arms and ensure you and your loved ones feel accepted and appreciated.”
Oak Hill Gardens
London, Kentucky
Owner: Josh Samples (he/him)
Established: 2012
Services: We are a full-service event venue and work closely with each couple to create their perfect day. We include wedding planner, wedding coordinator, wedding photographer, two lounges for getting ready, ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner for twenty with photography, music coordination, marrier bouquet, wedding party bouquets & boutonnières, centerpieces, floral arch, reception catering, custom wedding cake and day of lounge snacks and refreshments, all tables for reception, chairs for ceremony and reception, props for ceremony and reception.
Member Statement: “I want people searching for a wedding venue to feel comfortable and accepted. I dream of a time when couples don't have to worry if wedding vendors will serve them. Oak Hill Gardens is gay-owned and operated and I want people to know that they can be themselves here and we are all very welcoming here. Me and my team will work closely with you to find other affirming and/or LGBTQ+ vendors as well. In short, your experience will be customized to each of your specific needs/wants and you’ll be able to focus on enjoying the process without worrying about bigotry the entire time.”
Email // Website // Instagram // Facebook
Images by Amanda Muse of Soulful Studios
Peterson Dumesnil House
Where Happy Ever After Begins
Louisville, Kentucky
Owner: Steve Clements (he/him)
Established: 1869
Services: Every event is unique, as it should be! Whether you’re planning a casual barbecue or an elegant wedding, the Peterson-Dumesnil House and grounds offer the perfect setting for your celebration. Located in Crescent Hill, the House was built in 1869 in the asymmetrical Italian villa style and sits on 31 acres. The home boasts 14 feet tall ceilings, a 3-story spiral staircase, a stunning façade and wrap-around porch, and of course the distinctive cupola. The 2nd floor bathrooms often used by the wedding party to get ready have been recently remodeled. The events garden is a beautiful place for ceremonies and photo shoots, as is the front steps and entryway to porch and House. There is ample space for large, tented events during all seasons. We celebrate and support all forms and expressions of love!
Member Statement: “The Peterson-Dumesnil House Foundation is proud to be committed to a policy of inclusion as related to board membership, volunteer participation, renters and community partners who use the premises. We believe in fairness and equality and we celebrate and support any and all forms of love.”
Email // Website // Instagram // Facebook
Photos 1-4 by Crystal Ludwick Photo, Photo 5 by Erin Trimble Photography
The Stonehouse at Silver Creek
“We foster belonging, environmental safety, and equality in all spaces.”
Richmond, Kentucky
Owner: Megan Bloomer (she/her)
Established: 2020
Services: We offer indoor and outdoor wedding/event space for all humans. This is a queer-owned venue located on a 51-acre farm in Richmond, Kentucky. We are radically inclusive and prioritize environmental safety for all of our couples. From our restored tobacco barn to our sprawling front lawn and massive two-story mansion, there's room here for everyone and every type of event or wedding.
Member Statement: “We have been in your literal shoes, looking for wedding and event spaces to accept us as we are. We have faced the cold, hurtful rejection from spaces that did not welcome us. It is our mission to make sure no one ever has to experience that hurt ever again. From the moment you step foot onto the property until the very last moments of your wedding or event, we want you to know you are welcome, accepted, and celebrated exactly as you are.”
Email // Website // Instagram // Facebook // Phone
Photos provided by The Stonehouse at Silver Creek