In a departure from most wedding venues that require much higher minimums, the luxurious Portland’s White House will now offer small parties of 25 or fewer a top notch place to hold their nuptials and receptions. The popular venue, which recently underwent a $1 million renovation, is introducing its Small Wedding Package that includes cake, Champagne (light hors d’oeuvres are optional) plus a one-night stay at the historic bed & breakfast, announced owner Frank Groff.
“We’ve had so many couples who want an intimate wedding with just close friends and family in a fabulous space, but many venues have minimums so they’ve been turned away,” said Groff, who with his partner, David Krause, own and operate the inn and event venue in the northeast neighborhood of Irvington. “We want to accommodate those folks and the Small Wedding Package does just that.”
Groff and Krause took possession of Portland’s White House in January of last year and went about undertaking an extensive remodel of the main house to restore it to its former glory.
The main house features 6 bedrooms each with an ensuite bath while the carriage house offers three additional bedrooms with adjoining bathrooms. The main level of the home has a grand foyer distinguished by a hand-painted mural and sweeping staircase that leads to the upstairs bedrooms. Also on the main floor is a living room with grand piano, a game room, commercial kitchen, private office and the dining room where breakfast is prepared each morning by John Paulk, a Cordon Bleu-trained chef who operates his critically acclaimed Mezzaluna Catering out of the1910 mansion.
Downstairs is an 85-seat ballroom that is an ideal space for larger events including wedding rehearsals/receptions, family reunions, corporate meetings other events. Chef Paulk has earned a stellar reputation among Portland’s elite with a client list that includes Nike founder Phil Knight, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, world-renowned anthropologist Jane Goodall, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, Pink Martini founder Thomas Lauderdale and many others.
Portland’s White House is set in an imposing 1910 Colonial Revival mansion that was built for an Oregon timber baron, Robert Lytle, who spared no expense in its construction. He made it fireproof with metal lath and plaster and tile roofs then carefully installed the very best materials, including Povey Bros. stained glass, known as “The Tiffany of the Northwest.”
For more information about the Elopement Package or staying at Portland’s White House, visit portlandswhitehouse.com or call (503) 287-7131. It is located at 1914 NE 22nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97212.