Vetting Venues

So you just booked your photographers, now what’s next? At first it can seem overwhelming trying to plan out the details. That’s why you should start simple. However you picture your perfect day there’s one thing you absolutely need, a venue! The place where you and your partner become one. Where your friends and family gather to celebrate you. The place you will remember one of the happiest days of your life. Now that you’ve said yes it’s time to make your dreams come true.

To help narrow down what exactly you’re looking for, ask yourself some of these questions.

What aesthetic am I going for? 

Outdoor or indoor?

What is my budget?

How many guests do we plan on having/ do we need nearby accommodations for our of town guests?

What type of food would we like and do we need a bar? 

Then note anything else that is a must have for your venue. Depending on your answers it could narrow down your search significantly, and also help you figure out what exactly you are looking for on your big day. 

Step one- find your vibe. Contrary to what other people may think, your wedding is all about you and your boo. So stay true to that and tie in details that are true to you guys. 

Step two- find a venue that you both love. A place you think that would fit into what your style vision is, something you vibe with. I understand that you guys have a life outside of trying to plan a wedding so I went ahead and did some of the digging for ya. 

If you’re looking for a black tie modern wedding, you might consider a venue in the city such as a luxury hotel or art gallery. Local to Cincinnati there are venues such as Hotel Covington, The Cincinnati Art Museum, or Music Hall that give you a grand ballroom feel while also bringing their own unique historic touch. With these venues, it's important to note that since they are local to the city you're in close proximity to hotels, which is not only convenient for you and your wedding party, but also family who may be from out of town. 

 On the opposite side, if you’re looking for a less formal scenic view you may be interested in a venue with a beautiful landscape, field of flowers, or even a restored barn. Most likely these venues have multiple sites to pick from with indoor and outdoor options so you're covered no matter the weather. Venues such as Terrapin Hill Farms and Canyon Run Ranch have gorgeous alters fashioned from the woods you are surrounded by. Not to mention Terrapin Hill Farms also has an amazing A frame stage, built from the cedar trees on the property that doubles as not only a ceremony site but also used for receptions if you’d like. Having an outdoor wedding can have many perks. Outdoor venues often have more space, which allows higher guest count, and if there are lots of kiddos in your family there's plenty of space for them to run and play.  Considering we live in the midwest there is an abundance of country style wedding venues for every budget.

Other than your typical city and country venues there are also some hidden gems throughout Ohio, one of which is Mojave East. As soon as I saw this venue I had all the pinterest boho wedding feels. The perfect mix of modern with that classic west coast feel. Pops of subtle color and design along with accents of natural wood create the most dreamy setting. A bit farther upstate towards Columbus is a venue with a stunning greenhouse, Jorgensen Farms. The addition of string lights through the rafters and the greenery surrounding it gives it a sense of warmth and really brings it all together. The last venue I want to tell you about is The Buckeye Barn. The large ceremony and/or reception barn on the property was built in the 1900s, but was completely restored to bring it up to date while leaving the rustic charm throughout. One of the special features this venue offers is their beautiful bridal suite with vanity mirrors and plenty of space for the bride and her bridesmaids. Not only do they have spot for the girls, they also have a dude cave equipt with foosball, flat screens, and a bar for the groom and his groomsmen. This is the perfect all in one to have everyone on location to ensure you're on time before the ceremony.

This is just scratching the surface of all the amazing venues local to Ohio. There are so many beautiful places that you could pick for your big day, but the most important thing to remember is that it's about who is there with you. Your partner, your family, and your friends. Whichever venue you decide on should match who you and your partner are and what you want your wedding day to look like. Don’t be afraid to visit multiple places, maybe even multiple times. Also, ask questions! You can always email the venue, or even email us at meagansphotographs@gmail.com and we would be happy to do what we can to help.

Keep an eye out for more blog posts coming about some of the specific venues listed above that we’ve had the pleasure to shoot at! We can’t wait to help you plan your perfect day, one step at a time. 

Xx Mer