Wedding reception in a historic setting

Come along behind the scenes at Vapenmagasinet in the deep forests of Småland – and discover their wealth of experience in organising wedding receptions! Vapenmagasinet, a twenty-minute drive from Växjö, is a stunning log house dating from 1875. It used to belong to the Swedish Armed Forces. Today, it’s a beautiful venue – rustic yet stylish – run by mother and daughter: Lena and Linnéa. Having organised nearly a hundred weddings, they know everything there is to know about wedding planning.

What do you think are the key things to bear in mind when choosing a venue?

– That the venue feels right in your heart. That it suits your style, the number of guests and your practical needs – but also that you feel confident with us as the owners and the packages we offer.

What’s your best advice for planning the wedding reception itself?

– Plan well in advance and don’t be afraid to ask for help from people you trust. Spend most of your time on what matters most to you – and let go of the need for perfection; it’ll be a magical wedding anyway!

Tell us – what sort of help do you provide?

– We provide support from the very first contact right through to the last dance, if the bride and groom so wish. We can help with planning, table settings and putting you in touch with various suppliers, amongst other things.

You have a strong focus on sustainability – tell us more!

– We want to reduce the consumption of wedding items that most couples want but which can be reused. We have a large stock of decorations, so couples don’t need to buy unnecessary decorations, multiple candlesticks, vases and so on. The only things the couples are responsible for are the food, drink and flowers. At the same time, we don’t want couples to have to worry about, for example, how many string lights they need for the ceiling beams or how much fabric is needed to hide the ceiling lights. That’s why much of this is included in our wedding packages, so that the couple can focus their energy on what really matters. We have therefore chosen to exclude food and drink from our concept, though of course we have many excellent partners whom we’re happy to recommend!

Is there any accommodation near Vapenmagasinet? And wedding venues?

– Just 500 metres away there’s a hostel with space for 36 beds, which can be expanded if necessary. Weddings can take place in one of the beautiful churches around Vapenmagasinet, or alternatively at our lovely outdoor wedding venue. If the weather’s bad, it’s perfectly fine to get married indoors.

How far in advance should we contact you?

– Ideally 12–18 months in advance for the peak season, especially if there’s a specific date that’s important to you.