Celebrate weddings and more at The Mansion at Laurel

By: ALINE BEHAR KADO 

The city of Laurel purchased the Gude Mansion in 2018 and has worked to revitalize the building while retaining its historic charm. Renamed The Mansion at Laurel, the building is home to the Laurel Parks and Recreation Department. The department is promoting the mansion as a wedding venue. The facility is also used for community events.

“Our job here is to offer recreation opportunities, whether it’s walking in a park, whether it’s coming to a community event,” Divina St. Peter, recreation programs specialist with the Laurel Parks and Recreation Department, said. “Our goal is just offering something for people to do, because recreation is extremely important.” 

Weddings at the mansion come in four different packages, with ballrooms, porches and bride and groom rooms available. Each package can accommodate a maximum of 75 guests. A couple at an open house at the mansion decided to rent the facility for their wedding, the first celebrated at the mansion. 

“We did a lot of preparation for the open house,” St. Peter said.  “We did a lot of staging for it. Just to make sure that everything kind of worked out for what people want to see in their wedding.”

The week before the October wedding was even busier. Workers renovated the roof and planted flower beds, attending to every last detail for the occasion. 

“This first wedding has been a lot,” Jennifer Carmen said.  “It’s a learning process.” Carmen is office manager with the department.

The historic property is an ideal venue for community events, too. “A lot of our events are … not just events, but classes, programs, events are all very affordable. They’re all open to the public,” Divine said.

Music at the Mansion is a popular event  for adults. In October, the Music at the Mansion event  celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with handmade crafts, a live band, drinks and a food truck.

“It’s really nice,” Marce Vermeesch said. “A lot of people came to know about our culture.”Vermeesch owns Krafty Kre8tions and sold handmade gifts at the event.

“It’s enjoyable, there’s good food, there’s drinks, the ambience is cool,” said Laurel resident Jorman Balecia. “We should do this more often.”