Desert Plantation is the perfect destination for the Southern plantation wedding of your dreams. Located in the beautiful Tunica Hills in between St Francisville, Louisiana and Woodville, Mississippi (about 1 mile inside the state of Mississippi). Our historic B&B is the ideal site for your special day. Our lush scenery provides a beautiful and memorable backdrop for your destination wedding. Our outdoor ceremony walkway is located off the pool area and features a pond in the background with ancient live oak trees draped with Spanish moss surrounding the altar. Imagine exchanging your vows, taking gorgeous wedding photographs, and hosting your unforgettable reception at our stunning Tunica Hills plantation.
We can accommodate up to 300 guests (weather permitting).
In case of bad weather, our front porch and central hall can accommodate up to 50 wedding guests. The central hall has a magnificent archway that can be used as the altar. (Indoor weddings only.)
If you're looking for the perfect wedding venue near St. Francisville, contact us at your convenience.
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Desert Plantation can host both the wedding and reception
At Desert Plantation, we offer the following wedding accommodations. Every wedding is unique and prices will vary according to each couple's wishes. We offer a complete Southern wedding package, which includes:
Plantation House
Spacious luxury rooms and indoor event space on-site of your venue
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Grounds
Beautiful scenery and settings for picture perfect weddings
Catering
Delicious gourmet meals and treats
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Floral Arrangements
Special touches of indoor & outdoor floral decor
Music
Enjoy a magical evening of music from a live band or a DJ
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Desert Plantation is truly a beautiful venue. The ceremony area is meticulously groomed and spectacular. The deck and dancing area are divine. If you are looking for a true southern Plantation wedding, this is your spot!!!!
Trip Advisor
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Beautiful setting, friendly folks. Would be a Gawjus wedding venue beautiful setting and house. Has pool and pond, horses etc. went with friends to take car pictures. Owners were super nice, well worth a weekend drive to get to, the oak lined road was breathtaking. -Elisa
Trip Advisor
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The Desert Plantation is a trip back in time to the glory days of the South. The grounds are absolutely beautiful and this B & B will provide you with spacious rooms, excellent service and a friendly welcome. Each year a number of weddings are held on the grounds and the beautiful rolling country side and beautiful Oak trees makes for a very romantic setting.
Trip Advisor
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I have stayed at Desert Plantation numerous times over the last 8 years. It is the perfect place to escape from the stress of everyday life. I love stepping back into time. The home and grounds are breathtaking. Walking the property is one of my favorite things to do while there. The old oak trees, quiet little creeks and ponds are beautiful. If you are looking for a place to go to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature, Desert Plantation is the place to go. I love it there!!! -Frankie
Trip Advisor
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Desert Plantation will take you back in time by staying in this beautiful historic home. It's a super place to have a girls' weekend, a weekend away with your spouse, or celebrate a wedding. I would definitely recommend a visit to Desert!
Trip Advisor
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An overnight visit to Desert is a trip back in time with all the modern comforts. The rural setting is spectacular, the home warm and inviting, and the Perkins are the perfect hosts. Authentic, memoriable hospitality at its best. The Desert Suite was comfortable, quiet, very large with a spacious bathroom. It could not have been more comfortable and inviting.
Trip Advisor
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We highly recommend this beautiful retreat! That's what our stay felt like -
a relaxing retreat from the noisy bustling world back into the splendor of the antebellum past. The home and grounds are absolutely gorgeous and the owners/inkeepers couldn't be more gracious. Will definitely treat ourselves for a return visit hopefully soon and recommend you do the same
Trip Advisor
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My visit to Desert was the most special weekend of my remembrance....a step back in time! The host, Willia and Bill Perkins, were just "real" people that made you feel so at home. The breakfast was great. The rooms were freshly painted, the pool set in the oaks! But the front porch....rain or shine....you could sit and rock forever! I recommend this to anyone...those wanting to slow down or those needing exercise too, lots of walking room and nearby trails
Trip Advisor
5 Star Ratings on Trip Advisor
"One of the most beautiful spots around for weddings"
"Once in a lifetime experience. So if you are well traveled and want something unique and unforgettable, this is it. The hosts are simply amazing and the property is one of a kind."
"I couldn't have chosen a better place to get married! After searching for months to find the perfect place to get married, we decided on Desert Plantation."
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Our History
Colonel Robert Semple bought Desert Plantation in Louisiana in 1808 for $12,000.00 from Daniel Clark, a famous attorney from Louisiana. It was originally part of two Spanish land grants.
Semple was married to Isabelle Turnbull. The Turnbulls, a prominent family in the area at the time, built Rosedown in St. Francisville. Desert Plantation was built by Colonel Semple and Isabelle in 1808. It was completed in 1812. Colonel Semple acted as architect and builder with help only from the on-site slaves. Colonel Semple died one year after Desert was completed in 1812 of Yellow Fever. Isabelle lived in Desert Plantation for 60 years after her husband's death. She used the house over that time as a hospital for yellow fever victims.
Desert Plantation was a cotton plantation of about 1500 acres and consisted of two cotton gins, one and one-half miles of slave quarters, a milk room, a dairy, an outside kitchen, and the main house.
After Isabella died in 1873, the plantation passed to the hands of her heirs: her son Robert, and two grandchildren, Sarah Jane Young and Robert Semple Young, all who are buried in the Semple graveyard at Desert Plantation.
In 1883, Desert Plantation was sold to Robert Norman, who only farmed the land. He put four sharecropper families in the house who did not treat it kindly.
In 1900, Daniel Fielding Merwin bought The Desert Plantation as it was called then. It took the family two years to renovate, for it was in very poor shape. Since then, there have been three generations of the Merwin Family to live in the Desert Plantation house. Guests of our bed and breakfast are invited to come experience the hospitality and southern country charm of this beautiful antebellum home.
