Tis' the season!

Tis' the season for flowers, pictures, diamonds and vows. It is wedding season if you didn't catch my hints and the Auburn-Opelika area would love to provide the backdrop to your perfect day. There are a wide variety of venues in the Auburn-Opelika area that are not only excellent wedding venues, but can also serve your business for meetings, conferences and much more. Below are just a few options, but be sure to check out www.aotourism.com for a complete list of wedding and meeting venues.

The Hotel at Auburn University

Calling all Auburn fans! If you are like me, you live, breathe and cherish everything that is Auburn. If this is you, our first venue will satisfy your craving for everything Auburn. The Hotel at Auburn University is ideal with downtown Auburn being a short walk up the street and Auburn University surrounding the property. They have 22,000 square feet of newly renovated event space that can be customized to your specifications. They also have a partnership with Samford Hall that will allow you to have your ceremony on Samford lawn in front of one of the most iconic buildings in Auburn. For more information, please call (334) 821-8200.

 

 

Auburn-Opelika Marriott at Grand National

The Marriott at Grand National is located on the beautiful Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Marriott Certified Wedding Planners are trained to help plan your perfect day. After completing demanding coursework, each Marriott Certified Wedding Planner is qualified to coordinate weddings of all types, including ethnic and military weddings. They are ready to execute every aspect of your wedding including setting an event budget, deciding on a menu, arranging table settings, finding florists, photographers, a band and other entertainment for the big day. Not to mention, they are centrally located between Auburn and Opelika. For more information, please call (334) 741-9292.

 

 

 

Moore's Mill Club

Nothing says scenery like the rolling hills of a golf course, and Moore's Mill Club offers just that, but mixes in classic, southern elegance. The Pavilion is their largest event space, and extends to a patio and The Lawn, where ceremonies are typically held. The space sits adjacent to the clubhouse and the 18th hole. It is enclosed in the winter with clear, wooden paneled siding, which is removed in the spring and summer months. The pavilion is a popular space used for receptions, seated dinners and functions for large groups. The Lawn sits overlooking the 18th hole and is easily transformed into your ideal outdoor ceremony. For more information, please call (334) 826-3744.

 

             

                                              

The Bottling Plant Event Center

Located in historic downtown Opelika, The Bottling Plant Event Center offers an elegant, yet rustic feel for your wedding or event. The venue is housed in the former Coca-Cola building, and can accommodate functions from 6 to 1,500 people. The center retains much of the building's original charm and character by having a unique warehouse atmosphere with added modern amenities for clients to reserve various areas for meetings or special events. With three ballrooms, two meeting rooms, a roof top terrace, courtyard area, bridal suite and pre-function areas, you are sure to plan one amazing event. For more information, please call (334) 705-5466.

 



Other Wedding Venue Options:

Those are just some of the many options available in the Auburn-Opelika area, but it doesn't stop there! We feel that that the Auburn-Opelika area has something to fulfill any vision. For more information about any of the venues below, please visit www.aotourism.com.

• Auburn Arena, (334) 844-9839
• Fountain View Mansion, (334) 466-2120
• Greystone Mansion, (334) 705-0173
• Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, (334) 821-9921
• Lazenby Farms, (334) 745-0552
• The Reserve at Oak Bowery, (334) 744-0605
• Saugahatchee County Club, (334) 749-3441
• Water Oak Manor, (334) 821-2506

As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have. We are here to help you with anything we can to make your special day everything you want it to be and more. Don't forget that the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau will be happy to provide you with brochures on the area to help your guests navigate, explore and enjoy our area!

 

This week in Auburn-Opelika:

June 8-12: Summer Ecology Camp, Hunger Games at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center
June 11-12: Camp War Eagle at Auburn University
June 11: Float-N-Movie featuring The Lego Movie at Samford Pool
June 12: Bronwynne Brent in Concert at Sundilla from 7:30-8:30 p.m.
June 12: A Pop-Up SummerNight in downtown Auburn

Helpful Hints for Gameday

It’s less than 40 days until football season (not like we’re counting!) and we absolutely can’t wait to open against Arkansas on August 30, 2014, and see Auburn fans from all over the country back in the loveliest village! Whether you’re tailgating, going to the game or even visiting Auburn for the first time, here are some great ways to get the most out of your game day experience.

  

Somewhere to Stay

It’s a common misconception that there’s nowhere to stay in Auburn when it comes close to football season! While certain game weekends fill up quickly, the hotels are never 100% full. However, if you go online to check a certain hotel, sometimes it will say there’s no availability – not true! The staff at the tourism bureau calls all of the hotels every week leading up to football season to check rooms and rates, and there are always rooms available! Go to the aotourism.com homepage and click on the spinning football – you can view the football availability, week by week, including minimum rates for every hotel. 

Here's what the football availability looks like!
If you’re still having trouble, give us a call at 334-887-8747. We can help you find a room!

 Packing the Essentials

It’s easy to remember to pack your orange and blue and your famous chip dip for your tailgate – but here are some items commonly forgotten that can make or break your gameday.

1. Sunglasses and sunscreen: Absolutely essential for games on the plains! Depending on the time of the game, you might be sitting in the sun and/or squinting to see the eagle fly. Don’t get sunburned or miss the iconic tradition – remember to pack sun protection to keep your skin and eyes healthy!

2. Shakers: How many times have you walked into the stadium and realized you didn’t have a shaker? Shakers are essential for cheering, so unless you want to buy one when you get in town, pack your lucky shaker first (next to your Auburn shirt!)

3. Portable phone charger: This is a new addition to the must-have list. Phone batteries die quickly on gameday (between the Instagram photos, checking the scores of other games and even trying to send a text in the stadium.) Pick up a portable one and charge it up before you leave – that way you won’t be hunting around for an outlet when you should be having fun! You can pick them up almost anywhere, including grocery stores and gas stations.

4. Toilet Paper: Do we even have to explain this one?

 

  

Enjoying the Events

The main event on a football weekend is, of course, the football game. But there’s always more to do before and after the game! Check out the calendar here – some of our favorites are Football, Fansand Feathers and AUsome Amphibians and Reptiles!

A turkey vulture at the Southeastern Raptor Rehabilitation Center.

Finding Your Way Around

Auburn is easy to navigate, but when thousands of fans stream in to watch their Tigers play, it can get confusing! Check out www.auburntigers.com for a parking map of where you can park on campus, but there are plenty of off-campus parking options too. Many establishments will sell parking spots, but be sure not to park anywhere you will get towed (like restaurants or apartment complexes).  The tourism bureau also operates shuttles that go to the hotels and other main locations, like TigerTown and the Village Mall. All of that information can be found here! 

And, of course, you can’t forget to eat. If you’re still peckish after your tailgate, check out the Best Bites list to see where to go after the game (or for brunch the next morning!)

One of our favorite "bites" - the crab cake and avocado sandwich from Amsterdam Cafe!