Christmas Candlelight Tours

Last night was the first of three Christmas Candlelight Tours at the Alabama Governor's Mansion. A special thanks to Joel Gregory and the Montgomery Youth Chorale for helping us celebrate through carols in the Hill House. The voices of children are so precious and every tour guest was in awe of their talent.

This year designers from around the state were asked to come in and decorate for a traditional Christmas. Each person captured a different sense of tradition and every room is breathtaking. Scot Wedgeworth, who will be starring in an upcoming reality TV show on the Food Network called Bama Glama, was responsible for the Garden Room. He captured the spirit of Alabama and used all Alabama products. He used bales of cotton, apples, live garland, a live tree, and red ornaments to design his space. He said he wanted to show every visitor how "fabulous" Alabama is. He is from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Jerry Thrash from Rosemont Gardens in Montgomery, Alabama, designed the Music Room. He wanted to showcase the natural history of the room and placed the live tree in between the infinity mirrors that are original to the Mansion. He used various shades of gold and silver in his space which enhance the natural beauty of the room. The tree is from Wadsworth Christmas Tree Farms in Wetumpka and is a twelve foot Murray Cyprus.

Vesta Taylor of Vesta Taylor Interiors in Greenville, Alabama, decorated the First Lady's Parlor. Her goal was to give her room a more feminine and light feel. She chose the colors blue, silver, and white. Her room also includes a nativity scene to remind guests of the true meaning of Christmas.

The dining room was done by the designers at Belle Bouquet Florist and Gifts in Saraland, Alabama. They decorated with the reds, greens, and gold of the Christmas season. They highlighted the mantels and buffet with poinsettias and decorated every chair with a wreath. It was important to leave the dining room functional as well as beautiful for all events at the Mansion during the season.

Every room has a different sense of style and every person that came into the Mansion has their own favorite space. The Governor and First Lady hope that many more people will come through during the next two weeks to see the Mansion and pick out their own favorite room.

Tickets are complimentary and can be picked up at the Mansion Gift Shop on 30 Finley Avenue in Montgomery. Tours are for the Hill House and for the Governor's Mansion and will be on December 12th and 19th from 5:30PM- 7:30PM.