Anhthy Harris, Casana Fink and Paige Luczkowski. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

The Heritage Center on 14th Avenue in Downtown Vero Beach has been a venue for social gatherings for nearly 90 years, a place where families, friends and the community have met for everything from family reunions and weddings to crowning Miss Hibiscus at pageants or welcoming in the New Year.

Built in 1935 as the city’s first community building, the Heritage Center served as a USO during World War II before later taking a turn, among other things, as a Physical Arts Center for the Recreation Department. Today, the Indian River Citrus Museum, which chronicles the history of the citrus industry, is housed in a space adjacent to the rental venue.

After being fully restored in 1993, the Heritage Center was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. While still a city-owned property, the two buildings are maintained and managed by the nonprofit Vero Heritage Inc.

The Heritage Center recently received another makeover thanks to the generosity of donors, and to showcase the updates, hosted an ‘Unveiling’ as a historic wedding venue.

While numerous nuptials and receptions have been celebrated at the Heritage Center over the years, the bridal lounge and groom suite, aka the Honeybell Room and Gentlemen’s Lounge, which were in need of repair, were restored to their former glory.

Robyn Berry, the newly installed executive director, explained that with more and more event venues popping up around town, they needed to make some changes to stay competitive, and discovered that having a bridal suite is especially important.

“The girls need to have a space to get ready. They like to be there all day with their bridesmaids so they can be pampered,” said Berry.

For the unveiling, the venue was set up as if a wedding were taking place, with catering, flowers, a dessert table, entertainment, a photographer, bar service and a vintage Volkswagen photo booth.

“Everything you would need for a wedding,” said Berry. She noted that the models wearing bridal gowns and gentlemen’s apparel were employees of several local businesses.

The stage was set for an exchanging of vows, with chairs lined up for guests and draping that separated the spaces where the ceremony and the reception would take place.

Berry explained that couples have the option of getting married in front of the fireplace, on the patio, or on the lawn of the park outside. They can also marry at another location altogether and use the Heritage Center for the wedding reception.

“It’s really up to them,” she added.

Attendees could also take a field trip across the green for a complimentary drink at the recently opened 21st Amendment Distillery, billed as a convenient option for bachelor parties and rehearsal dinners.

“The Heritage Center is centrally located in the heart of Downtown Vero. People come here because they love the history of this building, and they want to be a part of it,” said Berry.

For more information, visit veroheritage.org.

Photos by Joshua Kodis