Amethyst Retreat Center, located in Duncannon, provides an environment that makes an eco-friendly wedding possible. Amethyst provides a wedding tent, ceremony chairs, reception tables and chairs and dance floor. These items are all cleaned following an event and are reusable for the next wedding. A wood pergola that can be moved anywhere on the property to create a natural frame for wedding ceremonies is also available for use.

 

“There are beautiful spots on the property that are favorites for ceremonies such as our stone labyrinth or our grove of white pine trees,” shares Karen Kovacs, member of the Amethyst community council. “Couples are encouraged to create their table scapes from the natural abundance that is growing seasonally on the Amethyst property. 

 

“As couples are considering pandemic restrictions on gatherings, we encourage people to keep in mind the need for physical distance while also enjoying social interaction. Keeping the guest list smaller relieves stress and helps to set up a wedding tent and outdoor areas optimally for wellness. Amethyst Retreat Center is spacious and supports this need,” she explains. “We work with couples to lay out the ceremony and reception sites on paper to make sure we have everything covered. We also offer inside overnight accommodations so families and out of town guests can stay together in a ‘pod’ environment rather than in hotels or larger venues.”  

 

Amethyst Retreat Center specializes in supporting weddings of 100 guests or less. “Many couples don’t realize that smaller weddings, especially those done in nature, are more intimate and bring out the fun for those attending,” notes Kovacs. “Having a wedding tent canopy and lots of outdoor space to spread out is ideal. Ceremonies can be held in beautiful natural areas which reduces the need to ‘dress up’ a room or building. Walking the labyrinth, photos in the forest, and gathering the after-reception crowd around the fire pit brings out a natural vibe for everyone attending.” 

 

The retreat house is offered for the weekend for weddings, and natural camping is included. According to Kovacs, Amethyst Retreat Center is normally alcohol free for public events to protect those in recovery, but beer, wine and champagne are allowed for weddings. 

 

AmethystRetreat Center is located at 44 Buffalo Creek Rd., in Duncannon. For more information, visit AmethystRetreatCenter.org.