Columbus Weddings – Spring/Summer 2022 issue

A FLORIST GETS MARRIED

Local Love 2021 was a big year for nuptials, and we have a record number of featured couples to prove it

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GIVING BACK WITH YOUR EVENT

and eSháe Find D wedding 's Warren age 42 on P

42 Real Weddings to Inspire You

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Contents SPRING/SUMMER 2022

41

34

A FLORIST MAKES HER OWN ARRANGEMENTS What happens when a prestige florist gets engaged?

One stunner of a wedding.

REAL WEDDINGS We’re showcasing not six, but 10 local weddings from the last year that are as unique as the couples who planned them.

THIS PAGE: Prema Designs florist Amrta Saliaj and her husband, Leonard, at Revery at North 4th Corridor Photo by Starling Studio ON THE COVER: DeSháe and Warren Ball Photo by Derk’s Works Photography

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COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

SAWMILL ROAD | EASTON TOWN CENTER | DIAMONDCELLAR.COM

contents

SPRING/SUMMER 2022

63 first look

unveiled

in every issue

14 DETAILS Neon is back, baby

24 GUEST EXPERIENCE Dazzling details will set your wedding apart from all the rest.

8 FROM THE EDITOR

28 PANDEMIC PIVOTS This year and last were all about rolling with the punches.

83 THE ESSENTIALS

16 COLOR Pantone’s colors for spring and summer 18 PRODUCT Wedding-day gifts for your partner 20 NEWS The latest happenings in Central Ohio

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14

COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

32 DOING GOOD These vendors will help you leverage your big day to give back.

10 CONNECT 63 VENUE GUIDE 103 ADVERTISER INDEX 104 HAPPILY EVER AFTER

PHOTOS: CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT, NICOLE DIXON PHOTOGRAPHIC; PHOTO 243; JULIA JUSTICE PHOTOGRAPHY

28

from the editor

Welcome to Columbus Weddings you may want to start. Still deciding? Don’t miss the return of our annual Columbus Weddings Show, back at the Ohio Expo Center’s Kasich Hall Jan. 15–16 after a 2021 hiatus. There, you’ll find scores of wedding pros, daily fashion shows, free samples from caterers and bakers, show-exclusive deals and a daily appearance by celebrity wedding planner David Tutera. Find more information and buy tickets at cbusweddings.com.

Also returning is our annual Best of Columbus Weddings reader poll, which asks you to vote for your favorite area vendors in dozens of categories. Select your top picks now through Feb. 4 at cbuswedmag.com/vote.

Yes, the long slog back to normalcy drags on. But with vaccinations readily available for those age 5 and older, vaccine approval for kids ages 6 months to 5 years expected in 2022, and science-backed measures like masking and social distancing continuing to provide an added layer of protection, we can still find ways to celebrate. (Check out our story at cbuswedmag.com/safe for tips on safely hosting or attending an indoor wedding.)

So, continue planning your wedding, in whatever form it may take. Incorporate the latest trends (like the one we highlight on Page 14) or wow-factor details (Page 24). Support local businesses through these difficult times, especially those tackling the challenge of launching amid the pandemic (Page 20). Get vaccinated, if you’re able, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. Columbus Weddings will be here to help you plan the safe, beautiful wedding of your dreams, every step of the way.

Be well, and happy planning,

Emma Frankart Henterly, Editor PHOTO: ROB HARDIN

There was a moment this summer when I, like many others, breathed a sigh of relief: COVID-19 vaccinations were on the rise and cases were on the decline. I looked forward to planning an issue of Columbus Weddings that was relatively free of words like pandemic and super-spreader; an issue without masked couples or guests; an issue that was free of the fear and uncertainty that had plagued the world for the prior 15 months.

Then the delta variant changed everything, again.

Cases rose. Breakthrough infections sent many people—myself included—back into isolation and made large, indoor gatherings a concern once more. Mask mandates returned across the country, including in the city of Columbus. A September spike in daily Ohio cases was almost three-fourths the size of the state’s high point in November 2020. Even as I write this letter, the week after Thanksgiving, the new omicron variant has many wondering not when, but if, this pandemic will ever end.

And yet, somehow, we carry on. We adjust our plans and processes, whether that’s by splitting up a small ceremony and large party across several months, as the couples profiled on Page 28 did, or adjusting existing plans to ensure continued safety, as many of our Real Weddings couples did. Find their stories beginning on Page 41.

Speaking of our Real Weddings section, you may notice that it’s much longer than usual. The wave of postponed weddings in early 2020 resulted in a flood of rescheduled and reimagined events this year, and that’s evidenced in part by the record number of submissions for this issue. As a result, we’ve packed in more weddings than we typically have since before the pandemic started.

This deluge is expected to continue into 2022 and beyond, according to a recent story from The Wall Street Journal. So if you’re planning a wedding and haven’t yet booked all of your vendors,

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COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

COLUMBUSMONTHLY.COM PUBLISHER/GENERAL MANAGER Ray Paprocki

EDITORIAL COLUMBUS WEDDINGS EDITOR Emma Frankart Henterly COLUMBUS MONTHLY EDITOR Dave Ghose CONTRIBUTORS Virginia Brown, Nancy Byron, Rylan Lee, David Rees, Sarah Steimer, Peter Tonguette, Nicholas Youngblood INTERN Tom Hanks

DESIGN & PRODUCTION PRODUCTION/DESIGN DIRECTOR Craig Rusnak ART DIRECTOR Alyse Pasternak

DIGITAL EDITOR Julanne Hohbach ASSISTANT DIGITAL EDITOR Jack Long

PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO EDITOR Tim Johnson ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR Rob Hardin

MARKETING MARKETING MANAGER Lauren Reinhard LETTERS: letters@columbusweddingsmag.com PRESS RELEASES: pressreleases@columbusweddingsmag.com ADVERTISING: advertise@columbusweddingsmag.com CUSTOMER SERVICE Toll Free: 877-688-8009 EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING OFFICES 62 E. Broad St. P.O. Box 1289 Columbus, OH 43216 614-888-4567

VOLUME 23 / NUMBER 1 Columbus Weddings (ISSN 2333-407X), a Columbus Monthly publication, is published semi-annually by Gannett. All contents of this magazine are copyrighted © Gannett Co., Inc. 2022. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited materials.

Photographer, Kayla and Caleb Magness; Flowers, Dannette’s Florist; Cake, Capital City Cakes, Venue, Pinnacle Golf Course

ADVERTISING VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Eugene Jackson MULTIMEDIA SALES EXECUTIVES Tia Hardman, Jackie Thiam PRODUCTION DESIGNER Rebecca Zimmer

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SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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connect Vote for Your Faves The third annual Best of Columbus Weddings reader poll is now open! Vote for your favorite vendors in more than 50 categories through Feb. 4, 2022. We’ve pre-populated the ballots with our picks, last year’s top vote-getters and our advertising partners, but write-in votes are welcome, too. Cast your ballot at cbuswedmag.com/vote, and be sure to check out our fall/winter 2022 issue— coming your way in June 2022—to see who wins.

2022

INSTA-STARS We feel your love! Here are our top Instagram posts since the last issue.

Follow us @cbusweddings for daily #weddinginspo and more.

BTTS Holdings took over our feed for a day in September, and their post highlighting @theedison777 was a big hit.

WANT MORE WEDDINGS? Looking for more tips on planning your perfect day? Or maybe you just can’t get enough of the insider looks at local weddings found throughout this issue. Whatever you’re after, we have it at columbusweddingsmag.com. There you’ll find an expanded Venue Guide database of 200-plus options for your ceremony or reception, an online Marketplace of reputable local vendors who partner with us, web-exclusive content we couldn’t squeeze into the issue and more.

Once again, our new issue announcement made a big splash among our followers … and we can’t say we blame ’em.

Submit Your Wedding

JOIN THE CLUB Don’t forget to join our free membership program, the Countdown Club. Members receive a free subscription to the magazine, our weekly newsletter, access to exclusive events and giveaways, and more! Join now at cbuswedmag.com/countdown.

Closing out the top-three sandwich was this BTTS takeover post featuring another of their venues, @theestatenewalbany.

Still want more? Let’s connect on social; we’re on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Spotify.

ColumbusWeddingsMag cbusweddings columbusweddings 10

COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

PHOTO: LEFT, STARLING STUDIO

Here’s your chance to have your wedding featured in the pages of an upcoming issue of Columbus Weddings! If you got married in Franklin County or any of the six counties surrounding it, consider this your official invitation to submit your event for consideration in a future issue. Learn more at cbuswedmag.com/submit.

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first look

DETAILS 14 COLOR 16 PRODUCT 18 NEWS 20

TIME TO CELEBRATE Despite moving their planned New Year’s Eve wedding to April, Olivia and Jeff Lonchor hosted an event to remember.

“It was amazing to spend the day and night with some of our most favorite people after everything that has been going on in the world,” Olivia says.

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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first look

DETAILS

Find more neon inspo at cbuswedmag.com/neon.

Megan and Drew Miletti

Light Up the Night Inspired by everything from social media to ice cream shops to celebrity weddings, Central Ohio couples are jumping on this wedding trend that doubles as home décor after the big day. But it’s not just the couples on these pages; local neon artist Mike Bowersmith is seeing a rise in the popularity of custom neon signs as décor, too.

The process is simple, he says: A client provides a design or works with him to make one; Bowersmith then colors the glass tubes (“I can actually do just about any color but brown, gray or black,” he says), bends them into the specified shape, fills it with the appropriate combination of neon and argon, attaches the electrical components and mounts it on acrylic so it can be hung as a display.

For an 18-by-30-inch sign, Bowersmith’s pricing runs around $200 or $250, depending on the number of letters in the name or phrase and the complexity of the overall design. That cost goes up if a couple is working with one of the sign companies in and around Ohio—like DaNite Sign Co., Custom Sign Center, Morrison Sign Co. or Advance Sign Group, to name a few—that hire Bowersmith to create neon signage.

Bowersmith does not have a website, as he intends to retire in the next five to six years; couples interested in commissioning a piece from him directly can contact him at glassdragon42@hotmail.com.

—Emma Frankart Henterly 14

COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

Megan and Matt Gall Aisle & Co. helped the Galls source their neon sign, which they placed “so that the photos would capture the Columbus skyline,” Megan says.

Olivia and Jeff Lonchor The Lonchors rented their sign from Prema Designs and made it into a selfie station. “I thought it was a fun and trendy way to add a little bit of flair to our day,” Olivia says.

PHOTOS: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT, JULIA JUSTICE PHOTOGRAPHY (2); KISMET VISUALS & CO.; DERK’S WORKS PHOTOGRAPHY (2)

Megan says her last-name sign, which she ordered from Etsy, “was perfect for an Instagram-worthy spot” that guests took advantage of “more than I could have imagined!”

first look

COLOR

Nice to Meet Hue Twice a year, the Pantone Color Institute releases its Fashion Color Trend Report highlighting the leading authority on color’s predictions for the upcoming seasons. On tap for the first half of 2022 are colors that balance our desire for comfort with the need to try something new and playful, according to the organization’s website.

“Hues for spring 2022 allow us to mix and marry as we please, encouraging the exploration of new chromatic realities, opening the door for personalized style and spontaneous color statements,” says PCI executive director Leatrice Eiseman.

To that end, traditional wedding shades like Spun Sugar, Gossamer Pink and Glacier Lake get zhuzhed up with bold tones that were made for statement pieces, like Innuendo, Skydiver, Daffodil, Harbor Blue and Dahlia. Here’s how Central Ohio couples have been incorporating these shades into their weddings over the last few months.

PANTONE 12-4401 Spun Sugar

16

PANTONE 13-1513 Gossamer Pink

PANTONE 18-2042 Innuendo

COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

PANTONE 19-4151 Skydiver

PANTONE 14-0850 Daffodil

PANTONE 16-4118 Glacier Lake

PANTONE 18-4728 Harbor Blue

PANTONE 18-1019 Coca Mocha

YOUR “TOGETHER FOREVER” DAY! Spotlighting you while bringing your families and friends together for the wedding of a lifetime.

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AZAR Phot hotog ograph hy

The Athletic Club of Columbus in the heart of downtown

TOP ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: THEORY IMAGE, NICOLE DIXON PHOTOGRAPHIC, ARTISANAL JPEG FACTORY, PHOTO 243, KISMET VISUALS & CO.; SECOND ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: ARTISANAL JPEG FACTORY, KISMET VISUALS & CO., DERK’S WORKS PHOTOGRAPHY; THIRD ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: DERK’S WORKS PHOTOGRAPHY, PASTERNACK + CO., NICOLE DIXON PHOTOGRAPHIC, RYAN JONES PHOTOGRAPHY; FOURTH ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: NICOLE DIXON PHOTOGRAPHIC, DERK’S WORKS PHOTOGRAPHY; FIFTH ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: NICOLE DIXON PHOTOGRAPHIC, DERK’S WORKS PHOTOGRAPHY

136 East Broad Street Columbus, OH 614.221.3344 PANTONE 18-3324 Dahlia

PANTONE 18-1564 Poinciana

accolumbus.com/weddings IG: @accweddings

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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first look

PRODUCT

Arm Candy Many couples exchange love letters or gifts the morning before they wed. A watch is a traditional gift from a bride to a groom, but why should the guys be the only ones with wrist adornments? Here are some options for men, women or nonbinary folks who want to sport a little extra sparkle and shine on their wedding day, all from local jewelers.

PHOTO BY ROB HARDIN

Ball Engineer watch, leather, $1,799 from Alexander’s Jewelers

Luvente bracelet with 0.75ctw diamonds, white gold, $4,940 from Worthington Jewelers

Tissot T-Wave watch, two-tone steel, $415 from Alexander’s Jewelers

Kelly Waters cuff with cubic zirconia, rose gold plated, $240 from Worthington Jewelers

Sophia by Design bracelet with 0.14ctw diamonds, yellow gold, $1,480 from Worthington Jewelers

Luvente bracelet with 1ctw diamonds, white and yellow gold, $3,400 from Worthington Jewelers

Pre-owned Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch, steel, $5,200 from Alexander’s Jewelers

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COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

Anna Zuckerman Olivia 46 baguette cuff with 6ctw cubic zirconia, gold-plated sterling silver, $199 from Worthington Jewelers

Midas paperclip bracelet and clasp, yellow gold, $1,505 (for set) from Worthington Jewelers

first look

NEWS

The Sanctuary on Neil

New & Noteworthy Openings, closings and changes in the Central Ohio wedding industry

BY EMMA FRANKART HENTERLY

20

COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

hosted its first wedding in August. Meanwhile, Retreat 21, an all-in-one property with an on-site event venue, cabins, winery/ cidery and more from the folks behind Vue Columbus, is slated to open in late spring 2022 in Marysville. The Sanctuary on Neil, 618 Neil Ave., Columbus, 614-848-4700, thesanctuaryonneil.com; Understory, 2571 Neil Ave., Columbus, understorycbus.com; Edison 777, 777 N. Fourth St., 614-6651698, edison777.biz; Retreat 21, 11437 Industrial Pkwy., Marysville, retreat21.com In similar fashion, two well-known beauty names in the region have each opened rentable suites that are perfect for getting ready the morning of your wedding. Sunup Studios, a new venture from the folks behind

CHANGES The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar, twotime winner in the Local Bachelorette Party category of our Best of Columbus Weddings reader poll, has moved from the Arena District to the University District. 1516 N. High St., Columbus, 614947-0434, thebigbangbarcolumbus.com In September, On Paper announced a rebrand of its custom design and print studio. On Paper Press is located across the street from its retail sister store in the Short North. The new studio is open by appointment only.

692 N. High St. #206, 614-935-9530, onpaper.com

PHOTO: EMMA FRANKART HENTERLY

OPENINGS Portions of the wedding industry continue to defy the challenges of COVID, with many businesses launching or starting new endeavors since our June issue.

Four big names in the local wedding scene—Cameron Mitchell Premier Events, Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, BTTS Holdings and Vue Columbus—have new venues.

The Sanctuary on Neil, the Victorian Village venue operated by Cameron Mitchell’s catering arm, opened this fall, as did Wolf’s Ridge’s Understory in the Old North Columbus neighborhood. Nearby in Italian Village, Edison777 from BTTS Holdings— the folks behind The FIG Room, The Estate at New Albany, Brookshire, WatersEdge, Fiori Florals and Gourmet Fresh Catering—

RENDERINGS: TOP, STUDIO BLACK INK/COURTESY SUNUP STUDIOS; BOTTOM, SIDECAR CREATIVE/COURTESY RETREAT 21

Sunup Studios

The Blowout Bar and now-closed The Bride Bar, opened in New Albany in December 2021. The rentable “beauty prep studio” features lots of natural light, full-length mirrors, changing rooms, beauty-friendly electric setups (read: no blown fuses from too many styling tools), a kitchenette, hair stations and a lounge area. A fourhour Friday or Saturday rental starts at $500; each additional hour starts at $100.

A second location is in the works, says owner Kristin DeJohn. And BeyoutifulCreations Bridal, from on-site hair stylist Denise Chesser, opened in Olde Towne East in August. This cozier option also includes mirrors, bar-height stools, a mini fridge and a lounge area. It’s available to rent for Chesser’s clients and non-clients alike; eight-hour bookings start at $150.

Sunup Studios, 45 Second St., New Albany, sunupstudios.com; BeyoutifulCreations Bridal, 700 Bryden Rd., Ste. 242, Columbus, beyoutifulcreationsbridal.com The new AC Hotel Columbus Downtown opened in June with 150 rooms and six suites, two meeting rooms with 2,400 square feet of flexible event space, and Lumin Skybar, a rooftop cocktail and tapas bar. The hotel is a new build behind an existing, historical façade in the Arena District; the event spaces overlook Goodale Park, while Lumin’s rooftop patio offers views of Downtown and the Short North.

517 Park St., Columbus, 614-227-6100, marriott.com/hotels/travel/cmhad-ac-hotelcolumbus-downtown-oh A slew of Black- and women-owned businesses have launched or expanded in the last six months: Juana Williams opened a second location of J’s Sweet Treats on the second floor of Polaris Fashion Place in July.

Williams’ business originally launched as a cottage kitchen in 2016 and opened its first brick-and-mortar location south of Downtown in early March 2020. Also opening

CLOSINGS Downtown’s Snowden Gray Mansion bade the community adieu via an announcement in its Instagram bio this summer, and, citing myriad challenges brought on by the pandemic and subsequent labor crisis, Sassafras Bakery in Worthington shut its doors for the last time in August. (Owner A.J. Perry told our sister publication, Columbus Monthly, that she’s thinking about ways to evolve the brand, including writing a cookbook.) in Polaris in July was Bridal Beauty Co. x DramaFree Beauty. Bridal Beauty Co. sells makeup from its parent company, DramaFree Beauty, and offers beauty services including makeup application, hair styling, hair extensions, manicures and pedicures, facials, massages, men’s cuts and more. To the south, there’s Genesis Downtown, an event venue that opened in late 2021 in the historic Standard Building. It accommodates around 150 guests and includes 2,700 square feet of event space, a prep kitchen, a ready room and industrial-chic vibes. And then there’s Priceless Moments

by Design, a mobile bridal boutique that launched in August. Owner Liana Beal brings a selection of gowns to the bride’s chosen location, as well as a full-length mirror, mannequins, accessories and necessary undergarments to give skirts their “fluff.”

Beal carries gowns from Omélie Bridal, as well as a few of her own designs; most gowns can be customized for an additional fee. J’s Sweet Treats, 1540 Parsons Ave., 614-906-8888 and 1500 Polaris Pkwy., second floor, Columbus, 614-468-1498, jssweettreats.net; Bridal Beauty Co., 1500 Polaris Pkwy., first floor, Columbus, bridalbeautycompany.com; Genesis Downtown, 174 E. Long St., Columbus, 614-726-7360, genesis.downtown.com;

Other brands’ closings are only partial: Made From Scratch ended its catering services to focus on management and consulting; Igloo Letterpress closed its Worthington storefront but continues to offer custom invitation suites online; and The Smithery left its Grandview storefront and stopped offering most jewelry-making classes, though it will continue offering the Make Your Own Wedding Band Workshop and selling bespoke and limited-collection jewelry online. Igloo Letterpress, iglooletterpress.com; The Smithery, shopthesmithery.com

Priceless Moments by Design, 614-636-4442, pricelessmomentsbydesign.com Finally, Chicago-based Howl at the Moon has opened a location in Columbus. The dueling piano bar concept took over the former Bar Louie space in the Arena District, even as competitor The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar left the area for new digs to the north (more on that on the previous page). If Big Bang’s popularity among bachelor and bachelorette parties is any indicator, Howl at the Moon is sure to be another hot spot for to-be-weds celebrating their final flings.

504 N. Park St., Columbus, 614-568-4695, howlatthemoon.com/columbus

Retreat 21

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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28

Local Weddings to Inspire You

FIVES CAKES AT THE STUNNING COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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PHOTO: PHOTO 243

unveiled

GUEST EXPERIENCE 24 PANDEMIC PIVOTS 28 DOING GOOD 32

DUAL CELEBRATIONS Ashley and Dwight Owen were among the many recent newlyweds who split their big days into an intimate mini-mony and a larger, postponed party. “When we arrived to our wedding day, it was intimate and we were fully present for the whole thing,” Ashley says. “We just felt so overwhelmed by love and gratitude.”

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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unveiled

GUEST EXPERIENCE

Massive floral installations served triple-duty at Erin and Aaron Gutentag’s Jorgensen Farms Oak Grove wedding.

Dazzling Details Unique extras can add flair, wow guests and personalize a wedding.

Guests couldn’t help but marvel at the 8-foot tall, 8-foot wide, pink flower wall that greeted them as they entered the reception at Megan (Marinello) and Drew Miletti’s wedding at The Exchange last June. The couple’s last name was written in an elegant, white neon script across the top of it, drawing guests in for spontaneous selfies and posed pictures.

“I always wanted an Instagram-worthy photo station at my wedding, but I knew I wanted something different that would pop,” Megan says. “It was such a hit, and we were able to save all the photos that were taken for memories.

I still look at them and just laugh at how much fun everyone had.”

Giving guests a memorable, over-the-top experience with extravagant flowers, a nontraditional guest book, striking Champagne display, selfserve cigar bar or surprisingly useful take-home favor has become a growing trend.

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COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

“Those little touches, I think they make it more personalized and, for us, they really brought out our personalities,” says Rachel (Halaszynski) Ward, who, in lieu of traditional escort cards, put carvedwood script cutouts of each guest’s first name at every place setting. She purchased the cutouts from laser engraving shop JDCraftDesignStudio on Etsy.

“I heard a lot of compliments about the name place cards,” says Rachel, who married husband Alex last April at Brookshire. “I liked having the extra little personalizations. They were all worth it.”

Ceremonial Sparkle Like the Milettis, Erin (Wetherby) and Aaron Gutentag also turned to flowers for a “Wow!” factor during their October 2020 wedding at Jorgensen Farms Oak Grove. Flowers in a stunning array of autumn colors hung from the ceiling,

PHOTO: LAUREN ANNE PHOTO

BY NANCY BYRON

PHOTOS: LAUREN ANNE PHOTO (3)

flanked the entrance and lined the entire floor behind the ceremony space.

“The hanging floral installation ran from the entrance of the greenhouse all the way to the back wall,” Erin says. “I wanted to feel like, when you stepped into that greenhouse, that you were stepping into another world. Think ‘Garden of Eden.’ That hanging installation was definitely one of my favorite parts of our wedding.”

Emily (Cobb) and Steven Steffas also went to new heights to enhance their wedding space at the Hilton Columbus Downtown.

The couple stood on a lighted dais with an illuminated white backdrop bearing their first initials during their ceremony last August.

“When I looked at the Hilton, there wasn’t too much that stood out, so I wanted something to help us stand out amongst everything else,” Emily says. “It was little touches like that which helped put us front and center.”

Being elevated during the ceremony also allowed guests to get a better view of the couple. After their vows, the backdrop was lowered and the head table placed in front of it.

A thoughtful touch McKenna (Kaser) and Josh Ryan added to their November

• Comfortable, elegant setting • Groups of up to 200 people • Beautiful gazebo for the perfect outdoor setting

The Gutentags also included a bourbon tasting station and cigar bar at their cocktail hour and reception.

• Plentiful menu options from casual to gourmet • Professional staff to handle your every need • Located minutes off I-71, at the Sunbury exit

1150 Wilson Rd. Sunbury, OH 43074

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Alisha Yoder - ayoder@thenorthstargolfclub.com www.thenorthstargolfclub.com

NorthStar Golf Club SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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unveiled

GUEST EXPERIENCE

2020 ceremony at The Club at Corazón was offering guests a personalized packet of tissues artistically wrapped with twine and flowers “for your happy tears.”

“My mom is a big crier,” McKenna explains. “I knew she’d be crying the entire day, which she did. … They went over really well.” (Find a photo of this and other elements of the Ryans’ wedding on Page 66.)

Spectacular Sign-Ins

Raising the Bar Wedding bars can include anything these days, from signature cocktails named after your favorite pet—both the Walstras and the Steffases had these—to Champagne displays for guests to help themselves on their way into the cocktail hour or reception.

But how about serving a little bubbly on the way into the ceremony? That’s exactly what the Wards decided to do for their out-of-town guests arriving early at Brook26

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A lighted dais, cleverly designed programs, a Champagne tower pour and other elements all set Emily and Steven Steffas’ Hilton Columbus Downtown wedding apart.

shire. As they stepped off explains. “We featured the shuttle bus and into seven premium bourbons Find more photos from the the venue, an impressive that typically range from weddings described here at cbuswedmag.com/details.

Champagne display greet$80 to $150 a bottle and ed them with a photo of also had little place cards the happy couple and a [in holders crafted from sign reading, “But first, Champagne.” antique bourbon barrels] that highlighted “It was a little bit different, but our important features about each bourbon. guests seemed to like it,” Rachel says.

The guests loved this, and it felt almost “People could sit there, sip Champagne, like being at a fancy bourbon tasting.” listen to music and talk while they waited The cigar bar included matchbooks featuring the couple’s dog, which were also for the ceremony to start.” a huge hit.

Guests at the Gutentag reception were “We saw people filling their pockets with treated to a bourbon and cigar bar in addition to the usual beverage offerings. them,” Erin says.

“We have some bourbon connoisseurs The cigars drew people outside later in in the family, so it was important for us to the evening and made for some pleasantly have a high-end bourbon selection,” Erin surprising interactions.

PHOTOS: ROBB MCCORMICK PHOTOGRAPHY (3)

The Steffases didn’t want a simple book of signatures to remind them who was at their wedding; they wanted to toast their guests for years to come. That’s why they bought six bottles of good red wine and replaced the labels with ones their guests could sign as they entered the reception.

“We found number labels for the years one, two, three, four, five and 10, and the rest of the label was a white, blank canvas,” Emily explains. “We had 150 people at our wedding; some signed all of the labels, and some wrote funny messages on them about their own anniversary from that year.”

In a similar vein, Meredith (Zoul) and Nick Walstra decided to have guests sign a bourbon barrel at their May 2021 wedding at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

“A guest book is great for well-wishes, but we knew we wanted something a little bit different,” Meredith says. “We wanted something we could display at our house later.” Nick is a big bourbon fan, so finding a barrel from Jackie O’s on Fourth, which ages some of its microbrews in bourbon barrels, seemed like an appropriate choice.

“We hope to put some finish over it and put a glass top on it and use it as a bar table,” Meredith says.

At the Ryans’ wedding, things got even more personal. Guests were asked to ink up a thumb and “leaf” their print on a large tree illustration instead of signing a guest book.

“We thought it was really neat and it was symbolic that all these people are connected through my husband and me,” McKenna says.

“People who had never met before were standing around, laughing together,” Erin says. “It was a really special way to wrap up the night.”

Clever Keepsakes Sending guests home with a wedding favor may be a tradition, but that doesn’t mean the keepsake has to be traditional.

“Brides should not waste their money on things that cannot be used or appreciated over time,” Erin says. The Gutentags didn’t intend for the custom-cut cigar ashtrays that accompanied their cigar bar to become favors, but the laserengraved accessories quickly did.

“My one regret was not having more of those, because we had multiple guests come up to us and ask if they could keep them at the end of the night,” Erin says.

The couple’s actual favors were giant, chocolate caramel apples—and a creative deconstruction of their elaborate floral displays. The arrangements that had engulfed their greenhouse ceremony were first repurposed as table and bar décor at the reception, then became a “flower bar” where guests selected one of 50 assorted vases and made their own mini bouquets.

“To this day, I know there are guests who dried out their bouquets and [still] display them in their home,” Erin says.

The Walstras went a similar route, giving each guest a small succulent plant to take home.

“We’ve gotten into plants ourselves, so we thought it would be nice,” Meredith says, noting her bouquet, those of her bridesmaids, the wedding cake and the cupcakes made by her sister-in-law also featured succulents.

For the Ryans, a grab-and-go breakfast was the unique guest takeaway.

“We went with Buckeye Donuts,” McKenna says, noting the treats were individually boxed with personalized stickers.

“People got to take as many as they wanted for the next morning. My mom said you have to have some things that make it unique, so we tried to incorporate some different stuff.”

Engaging Entertainment The Steffases added an entertaining element to their ceremony program, which already had the unique look of a newspaper front page. On the back, a word search puzzle with wedding terms like

honeymoon, celebration and kiss offered another form of entertainment, Emily says.

Once guests got to the reception, more amusements awaited: The couple poured bubbly into a tower of coupe glasses in lieu of a traditional cake cutting, and an artist actively captured their first dance in acrylics.

“Guests were able to watch as she painted,” Emily says. “We got to see the painting right before she left, and we loved it.”

The Ryans let guests play photographer with disposable cameras at their reception.

“The biggest thing for me was capturing as much of the day as possible—every single second, every single moment,” McKenna says.

The couple also had a photo booth and a professional photographer at their wedding.

“My husband’s big thing was the party,” she adds, so oversized glow sticks were handed out as soon as the dance floor opened.

“They lit up the dance floor and people were getting down,” she says. “It was a nice touch.”

Emily sums up why intricate and unusual details are so appealing, both for guests and the couple getting married: “The unique touches all added aspects to the day to make it what it should’ve been,” she says. “It made the day special to us specifically.” «

• Exclusive caterer — L.A. Catering • Franklinton’s Premier Venue with beautiful spaces for ceremony and reception • Historic Balcony & Staircase from Railroad Station built in 1895 • Full-service catering with all-day access available • Custom inclusive wedding packages • Marble floors, seating for 200, on-site wedding suites included

379 West Broad St. Columbus OH 43215 Thank you to Larry Miller Photography, Emily Mollineaux Photography

www.la-catering.com 614-358-5252 SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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unveiled

PANDEMIC PIVOTS

Best of Both Worlds Four couples who found a way to keep their 2020 wedding date and still host a COVID-safe gathering

NO-PRESSURE ROUND TWO:

Kaitlyn and Adam Thomas When the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, Kaitlyn (Rohde) and Adam Thomas had already been planning their wedding—set for December that year—for months.

“We thought by December, we’d be in the clear,” Kaitlyn says. But by November, new coronavirus cases were on the rise, and travel was discouraged.

“At that point, our guests had started cancelling, because we were planning to get married two weeks before Christmas,” she explains.

“With the holidays, they didn’t want to jeopardize potentially not seeing family, so we just decided to postpone the party.”

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Their venue, Jorgensen Farms Oak Grove in Westerville, offered to let them keep their original date, if they decided to go ahead with a small ceremony. So on Dec. 12, 2020, with only 16 close family members included, Kaitlyn and Adam tied the knot. Kaitlyn’s uncle officiated, and celebrations included dinner at Vittoria in Powell and a small morning-after brunch.

“Adam would say that he really wanted a small, intimate wedding, but we both come from pretty big families,” making a smaller event impossible under normal circumstances, Kaitlyn says. “He really enjoyed the small, intimate wedding, and I did too. It ended up being really fun.”

But, for Kaitlyn, a few things were missing. “I didn’t get to wear my dress, and I didn’t get to

PHOTO: NICOLE DIXON PHOTOGRAPHIC

BY VIRGINIA BROWN

PHOTOS: TOP LEFT, NICOLE DIXON PHOTOGRAPHIC; RIGHT, ARTISANAL JPEG FACTORY (2)

Opposite page and above, Kaitlyn and Adam Thomas at their 2021 celebration at Jorgensen Farms Oak Grove

do my hair and makeup,” she says. “Doing all that fun stuff was kind of the point of round two.”

That took place on July 26, 2021, when roughly 270 guests showed up at Jorgensen Farms to celebrate. “We thought that by having a summer event, we could at least be outdoors,” Kaitlyn notes.

Despite being on a Monday, the evening followed a traditional schedule: a ceremony at 4 p.m., again officiated by Kaitlyn’s uncle, followed by a cocktail hour, dinner and dancing.

“It was almost like we were acting the second time around,” Kaitlyn says. “The nervousness that goes into your wedding day was missing, because we had already done it.”

After eloping the year before, Sameen Dadfar and Jonathan Groleau hosted a 2021 party, which focused on tradition, family and friends, at Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center.

A SURPRISING BENEFIT:

Sameen Dadfar and Jonathan Groleau When Sameen Dadfar and Jonathan Groleau realized that they weren’t going to be able to safely keep their Aug. 1, 2020, wedding plans, they got creative: They hosted a Zoom wedding in their backyard.

“Not even our parents were there,” Sameen says. “It was completely virtual.”

They invited about 50 to Zoom into their intimate outdoor ceremony, plus two friends to help capture the day on-site through photography and videography, which proved serendipitous. “There were technical difficulties here and there, so we were really

happy that we actually had a film to followup with Zoom,” Sameen notes.

A few things surprised the couple about the small event.

“I’m Persian, and so every wedding I’ve been to has been huge. For me to say, ‘We are doing this big thing,’ and have no people around, at first I was really surprised at how special it was just to focus on John and not who’s in the crowd,” Sameen says.

“It just felt intimate and perfect.”

She was also surprised by the reactions of friends and family. “We were one of the first Zoom weddings for a lot of people, and everybody just thought it was really

cool,” she says. “They said … it helped give them a little bit of hope—that there’s still love, and life is continuing during this pandemic.”

A year later, on July 31, 2021, they tried again, this time in person at Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center. “The Zoom wedding was all about me and John getting married, ticking it off. This one was the show, for our friends and family, to highlight the traditions,” Sameen explains. “In some ways, it was perfect, because I got to kind of focus on two things—both the friends and family supporting us and that intimate moment [the year before] with John.”

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unveiled

PANDEMIC PIVOTS

KEEPING SAFETY IN MIND:

Amy Lipp and Silas Baronda For Amy Lipp and Silas Baronda, Oct. 17, 2020, was supposed to be a special date: their wedding. But with the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic that fall, they decided to move their big day to the following February. “We wanted to keep our guests safe,” Amy says. “We didn’t want to have a super-spreader event.”

But by the new date—Feb. 6, 2021— things on the pandemic front weren’t much better, so they changed tacks, once again postponing their 150-plus person event.

“All of our vendors were amazing, so that made it easy,” Amy says. “No one gave us any issue with the date [change].”

But they didn’t want to delay their marriage, so the pair hosted about 20 guests at Rockmill Brewery in Lancaster for a casual mini-mony, officiated by Amy’s brother, on Feb. 6.

Having a smaller event proved to have a few unexpected perks, including a special guest: “Our dog, who’s like our baby, got to be there the whole day,” Amy says.

Through the process, the couple learned a few things sure to serve them in their future together, namely being flexible.

“COVID in general helped with that,” says Silas, “making sure we were … prepared to make changes if we had to.”

In April 2022, they plan to move forward with a version of their original event—complete with a full guest list, Amy’s wedding gown and more—at High Line Car House. They don’t plan to redo the entire ceremony, though.

“One benefit [of the small event] was that we didn’t have to do a ceremony in front of people; that’s always nervewracking,” Amy says. “We really just want to celebrate with everybody.”

Ashley and Dwight Owen’s 2020 ceremony at Short North Church included just a few loved ones and extra safety precautions.

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FEELING GRATITUDE DESPITE GRIEF:

Ashley and Dwight Owen

Ashley (Martin) and Dwight Owen had planned on a big wedding with 180 people in early May 2020. But with the temporary ban on mass gatherings and the bankruptcy of their original venue (and subsequent loss of their deposit), they pivoted to a scaledback ceremony at Short North Church on Aug. 7, 2020.

Since then, Dwight’s father has passed away, as has the couple’s beloved dog, Bella.

“Part of the reason why we really wanted to go forward with the small ceremony is that we didn’t know how long we could have either [of them],” Dwight says.

To ensure safety at their August event, the couple’s parents and wedding party members quarantined for two weeks beforehand and followed masking and distancing guidelines the day of. Extra precautions accommodated Dwight’s father’s medical needs: They rented a hotel room, sanitized everything and traveled with a HEPA air purifier. “We took that thing everywhere,” Ashley says. “We called him R2-D2.” (R2 makes a cameo on the couple’s wedding crest, along with Bella.)

PHOTOS: BOTTOM LEFT, KISMET VISUALS & CO. (3)

Amy Lipp and Silas Baronda married in a small ceremony at Rockmill Brewery in Lancaster, postponing their reception for more than a year.

PHOTOS: PHOTO 243 (3)

Even with a small crew, the couple wanted to make the day special. “We had a first look; I wore my full dress and did hair and makeup,” Ashley says. After the ceremony, Ashley changed outfits and the party walked to Paulie Gee’s, where they downed pizza and salted-caramel cake, drank beer and danced. “[Our pastor] really made it feel like a day that reflected us. We did not walk away from that day feeling like we missed anything,” Ashley says. It wasn’t the day that she and Dwight had planned, she admits, “but it became a perfect day. … We made it a day that felt like us.”

One year and one week later, on Aug. 13, 2021, the Owens held a Friday-night bash at the Columbus Museum of Art that Ashley says also “felt like us.” They invited 120 people to the ceremony and vow reading, cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. An iced coffee bar honored Dwight’s father and his love of the beverage. “It was really emotional,” Dwight says.

“Anytime I reflect, I feel gratitude,” Ashley says. “The wedding is the least important part. It came down to this: We have a lot of people who love us a whole lot.” «

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Contact: Margaret Butler, Bridal Specialist 614-335-9206 • mbutler@dublincleaners.com SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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unveiled

DOING GOOD

Weddings at Brookshire and other BTTS Holdings venues can support more than one philanthropic cause.

Mission Forward Leverage your wedding to give back.

Since day one as the director of Fiori Florals, Kristen Pulcheon has been advocating for a way to give back. For the past four years, Fiori Florals has been the exclusive in-house florist and design studio to BTTS Holdings, which operates Edison 777, WatersEdge, The Estate at New Albany, Brookshire and The FIG Room. Having reached their 300th wedding of the year by mid-October, Pulcheon and the Fiori team were consistently left with many post-wedding blooms that were still in good shape—and the question of what could be done with them.

Pulcheon found her answer through Food Rescue US – Columbus, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing food waste and insecurity, which began partnering with BTTS Holdings in August to distribute unused food from events at four of its venues. (Leftovers from the 32

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fifth, Brookshire, goes to M.A.S.H. Pantry and Resource Center, a veteran-focused nonprofit in Central Ohio.) BTTS Holdings estimates that in a year, these donations will provide approximately 13,000 meals to those in need.

For the company’s floral arm, leftover product receives a similar treatment: After each wedding, the Fiori team sorts through the arrangements, finds the flowers in good standing and recuts each stem before putting them back into water.

Every Monday, Food Rescue picks up the buckets of flowers and delivers them to Columbus Colony for Elderly Care. “[The residents] are able to get joy out of these flowers post-wedding, and it is wonderful to see the flowers living a second life,” says Pulcheon.

Also bringing smiles to seniors in the Greater Columbus area is LifeCare Alliance, which

PHOTO:JENNIFER SCHAAF PHOTOGRAPHY

BY DAVID REES

PHOTOS: LEFT, COURTESY FIORI FLORALS; RIGHT, AMY ANN PHOTOGRAPHY

provides health and nutrition services to seniors and medically challenged individuals to keep them in their own homes. For the past 18 years, LifeCare has operated L.A. Catering, which invests its profits back into the community through its parent company.

“During an average year, the profits from [L.A. Catering] pay for roughly 500 individuals to get Meals on Wheels for an entire year,” says LifeCare Alliance President and CEO Chuck Gehring.

LifeCare Alliance also owns and operates The Levee Event Center on Harmon Avenue in Franklinton, and L.A. Catering recently began serving as the exclusive caterer for nearby Station 67. The caterer also is a preferred vendor for more than two dozen area venues, including another Franklinton spot: the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

Opened in 2018, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit is a first-of-its-kind tribute to veterans of all U.S. conflicts across all branches of service. The building has been nationally recognized for its architectural design and houses several spaces that are available for weddings.

“Our goal is to lead the conversation, on a national level, about the impact of service and the sacrifices veterans [and their families] go through,” says Lauren Schirtzinger, the museum’s event sales coordinator.

Events such as weddings help fund the museum’s mission, community outreach

A resident poses with Fiori Florals blooms donated to Columbus Colony for Elderly Care in early October.

Say ‘I Do’ to Doing Good Even if a philanthropically minded vendor isn’t in the cards, couples can advocate for their favorite organizations and causes through carefully selected wedding favors. Candles by Eleventh Candle Co. support those vulnerable to human trafficking and addiction; coffee bags from Bottoms Up Coffee help reduce infant mortality; buckeyes from The Buckeye Lady support dog rescues and shelters. Couples can also opt to make a donation to their favorite cause in their guests’ names in lieu of a favor, either by donating directly or through National Charity League Inc., America’s Charities or Charity Navigator.

Guests can also help make a difference through couples who set up a wedding fundraiser in lieu of a traditional gift registry. Resources like JustGive, Changing the Present and Zankyou make creating a charity registry to support a chosen organization or cause simple and easy.

programs and veterans’ services, like health care. While many guests have likely not served themselves, Schirtzinger says that hosting a wedding at the museum helps its mission of spreading awareness and presenting veteran stories and challenges.

“It’s something that’s so easy—if you’re going to pay to rent a space, why not do it in a mission-forward way?” says Schirtzinger. “It’s something that, even as a nonveteran, couples could do to help support our mission.”

Other vendors are getting in on the giving game, too—like Maykell Araica, owner of Peak & Sparrow Creative. Philanthropy has been a part of his business model from day one, he says; originally he partnered with Help-Portrait, a nonprofit that gifted portrait photography to people in need.

When the nonprofit arm of that organization shut down in late 2017, “I started thinking, ‘How can I do [more philanthropy] and make sure that my couples know that the work that I do and the money they pay for this makes a larger impact?’”

The answer, it turns out, was closer to home than Araica realized.

Born in Nicaragua, Araica moved to the U.S. in 2009 at age 19. “I left everything behind; the only family I have here is my dad,” he says. “I have very, very deep, strong connections to Nicaragua.”

Those connections, and his memories of the intense poverty experienced by many in

A reception at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum supports its mission of education about and services for veterans.

his home country, sparked Araica’s current method of giving.

“Even while I was there, I was doing work that was altruistic in a sense,” he says, referring to partnerships he had with missions and orphanages in the country.

“That made me decide: For everyone I book, 10 percent is going to go to helping a family in need in Nicaragua.”

The process is simple: Araica sends that 10 percent, which he likens to a tithe, to his mother, who still lives in the Central American country. She then uses that money to purchase groceries, medicine and other supplies, which she distributes to families in need in the community.

“In Nicaragua, most poeple live on under a dollar a day,” Araica says. “It’s extreme poverty in most cases, so $100 can buy groceries for some people for a couple weeks.

It can be a tremendous help.”

Araica credits his dedication to giving back to something his grandmother used to say. “‘You only receive as much as you give,’ is the closest translation of what she said, because she said it in Spanish,” he says. “I apply that to my business. It’s more than showing up to take pictures of your wedding; it’s taking what you’ve trusted me with and making something bigger out of it.”

Emma Frankart Henterly contributed to this story.

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fxloristx A

MAKES HER OWN ARRANGEMENTS

BY PETER TONGUETTE

PHOTOS BY STARLING STUDIO

What happens when a local wedding pro plans her own nuptials

A

mrta (Kenner) Saliaj—Rita to her friends—spends most of her waking hours thinking about weddings.

As the owner and lead designer of Prema Designs, Saliaj creates floral arrangements for weddings that stun with their originality, beauty and elegance. Although the company has branched out to include corporate events and private parties, about 90 percent of its clientele remain couples seeking to add fresh floral flourishes to their weddings.

“We generally do between 40 to 50 [weddings], max, a year,” says Saliaj, who notes a recent bump in weddings due to waves of postponements in 2020. “This year we’ll be ending at 83 events.”

While envisioning the weddings of others, Saliaj had plenty of time to dream of and gather inspiration for her own.

“I know what I like,” says Saliaj, a native of Virginia who grew up in Puerto Rico and Texas before relocating to Ohio about 14 years ago.

“We grew up where [there] was just a lot of landscaping,” Saliaj says. “I like gardens—anything that’s garden-esque, that’s my jam. I don’t care if it’s a French froofy garden. I don’t care if it’s an overgrown whimsy garden. I’m there for it. I like texture and all of that— getting lost in details.”

When it came time for Saliaj to plan and design her own wedding to now-husband Leonard Saliaj, initially booked for the summer of 2020 but delayed until April 2021 because of the pandemic, she had to avoid getting lost in the sort of details she normally immerses herself in on behalf of her clients.

“The hat that I wear as a vendor [is] making sure everything is done for my client,” Saliaj says. “Now I’m the bride, and I was freaking out, thinking, ‘Was everything done? Is everything done?’”

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But let’s not get ahead of ourselves: After dabbling in fashion, hospitality management and wedding planning, Saliaj founded Prema Designs in 2010. “My mom went to school for fashion, and she worked with this big company in Dallas [that] designed custom gowns for galas,” she says. “I’ve been around that my whole life.” But she had no background in blooms before being mentored by a florist in Columbus. “I’m very creative,” Saliaj says.

“It was pretty easy for things to fall into place once I actually applied [myself].”

Three years later, she met Leonard at a bar in the Arena District. “We went on a date at Bar Louie, across the street [from where we met], for the first time,” she says. “And then, he just kept popping up.” The relationship gradually evolved into something more permanent, and the two teamed to renovate a 1915-built, three-story house near Downtown, which they finally moved into in October 2020. “We put a lot of focus there and didn’t really think about ourselves,” Saliaj says. “[It] finally got to the point where we thought, ‘Oh, well, maybe we should be thinking about solidifying us.’”

But her husband, Saliaj says, is not a “big, showy guy.” She had already made a point to ask him that, if he ever did propose marriage to her, he make an effort in the proposal. Make sure that her family was there and that it was a real surprise to her, she had requested.

What followed really was a surprise: In January 2020, Saliaj hosted a party at Via Vecchia Winery on South High Street to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Prema Designs. She was speaking to the crowd of about 150 friends, clients and family members.

“I had just brought in new designers for the business, which is a huge thing,” Saliaj says. “I thanked [Leonard], and he came up out of the crowd.” Soon, he was standing beside her, interjecting comments. “I did my speech, and he stood next to me the whole time,” Saliaj says. Finally, he revealed why he had intruded: He was going to propose in front of everybody. “He said a lot of nice things, and I was impressed at his delivery,” she says. “And it was a surprise—a complete surprise. He had the ring for a year.”

But, like many couples throughout Greater Columbus, the next year-and-a-half didn’t exactly go as planned.

Initially, the couple planned to get married on property owned by Saliaj’s uncle in Wisconsin. “He rents out kayaks and boats, so we were going to have a wedding weekend and have a good time,” she says. “I’m really big on guest experience. We wanted to let people be able to experience the lake.”

The weekend of July 4 was set. But, when COVID-19 hit, those plans had to be scrapped.

Saliaj found herself in the same shoes as countless couples—including many of her clients. But she understood the situation of having to cancel from both sides. “I lost some deposits,” she says. “But the vendors were really sweet. And, being a vendor myself, I also know that that’s their way of living.”

Saliaj then began planning a wedding in her adopted hometown. Naturally, she tapped the community she had become a part of. Her best friend is wedding planner

Amrta and Leonard Saliaj

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Natasha Churches, the owner of Aisle & Co. “She gifted one of her lead coordinators” to help out, says Saliaj, who already knew who she wanted for her other vendors.

After all, that’s the advantage of being in the business of weddings.

“I have the connections, so I didn’t have to interview,” Saliaj says. “I knew I wanted certain names.

Honestly, in the situation that we were in, so many of my friends who are in the industry all pooled together and then, next thing you know, I had everything.”

Some vendors were already friends and colleagues, such as photographer Tessa Berg of Starling Studio.

“She has always been a big supporter of my business and would come and do behind-the-scenes photos for me, just because she knew I needed that, so I wanted to return the favor [by hiring her],” Saliaj says. In the run-up to her rescheduled wedding, Saliaj began mysteriously messaging Berg asking about her availability on certain dates without explaining why she was asking. Then, when Berg was at her studio one day, Saliaj sprang the question in the form of a present. Recalls Saliaj: “I asked her with a box of cookies: ‘Will you be my photographer?’”

Needless to say, the answer was yes. “She could have her pick from anybody,” Berg says. “I just felt very, very lucky, and very honored, because she’s wonderful and I just knew it was going to be an over-the-top, very detailed-oriented, very Rita kind of wedding.”

It wasn’t just a matter of already having a contact, but also a question of trust. “As a vendor, you’re the person behind the scenes,” Saliaj says. “And now, I’m in the scene. I was so uncomfortable.”

There were other anxiety-inducing moments: Saliaj didn’t want to seem as though she was asking for a favor if she wanted a particular vendor to participate in her wedding, nor did she want to turn off other vendors if she went in a different direction. “I was conflicted, because I definitely felt like I was going to offend somebody, or someone was going to be upset that I didn’t ask them [to work on the wedding] because of our working relationship,” she says.

Naturally, lots of local vendors wanted to be involved, including B3 Events, a décor and event design company. Owner Chanakya “CG” Gandhi, whom Saliaj had never met before, messaged her on Instagram. “He said, ‘I have to be part of your wedding. Please tell me what you need,’” Saliaj says. For Gandhi, it was a chance to work with a colleague he had long admired. “I see a lot of myself in her—a hard worker and a go-getter,” Gandhi says. “The only aim to be a part of her wedding was to unify our efforts and complement each other. The love, warmth and the friendship was all a bonus.”

Not only was Saliaj happy with the results—“He has all these beautiful props—gold elephants and all of those gold, scroll-y, tall pieces that were there,” she says—but a new working relationship was forged. “Now we work together a lot,” she says.

On the other hand, Meleka and Kinsey Jolliff, the owners of the rental company Aiden & Grace, were SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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the details

CEREMONY: The Revery at North 4th Corridor RECEPTION: Brick & Mortar at North 4th Corridor and Revery CATERER: Milo’s Catering CAKE: Kuro Neko Cake Studio DESSERT BAR: 2C’s Bakery DAY-OF COORDINATOR: Aisle & Co. FLORIST: Prema Designs and Evergreen Flower Co.; ribbon from The Lesser Bear RENTALS: Aiden & Grace, Got Ya Covered Linens, B3 Events LIGHTING: Neff Event Lighting MARQUEE LETTERS: BurgundyGinger Events

closer to home. “They’re my neighbors and [said], ‘What do you want? What do you need?’” Saliaj says. “It was definitely a collaboration of a lot of beautiful humans, coming together out of care for me. And I’m very grateful for it.”

Naturally, Prema Designs handled the floral arrangements that filled the venue, though Evergreen Flower Co. created the bride’s bouquet.

For her venue, Saliaj selected Revery at North 4th Corridor, an event space housed inside the Smith Bros. Hardware building Downtown that was formerly the restaurant and event space Juniper. Saliaj already had a professional connection to the space.

“I did the very last event at Juniper,” she says. “Then I ended up being the very first wedding that they put on [at Revery]. That was kind of bizarre.”

A happy accident, maybe, but the setting turned out to be ideal for the garden-infused look Saliaj preferred—an aesthetic informed by her roots in Puerto Rico. “My main thing was lots of greenery and organic, overgrown designs that looked like they had been growing there for some time,” she says.

“We accented it with some really ornate, gold-etched and textural vessels and lots of candlelight.”

MUSIC: Singer Eli Fara; DJ services by Plan and Party Columbus PHOTOGRAPHER: Starling Studio VIDEOGRAPHER: Vision To Life Productions PHOTO BOOTH: Weekend Vibes Photo Bar STATIONERY: LupineLetters.com TRANSPORTATION: The BEAT ACCOMMODATIONS: Hilton Columbus Downtown BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Watters gown from La Jeune Mariee with details added by bride’s mother, Gucci Marmont sandals, Marchesa earrings and necklace-turned-hairpiece BRIDE’S HAIR AND MAKEUP: Clean Curl Co., Almaz Faces GROOM’S ATTIRE: Suit from Pursuit, Gucci watch, Gucci Marmont shoes RINGS: Renée James (Huntsville) BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE: BHLDN and Birdy Grey gowns, Hindu jewelry sets FLOWER GIRL’S ATTIRE: BHLDN gown

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Given Saliaj’s background and expertise, those decisions were pretty easy. On the day of the modernized Hindu ceremony, however, she found herself full of emotions. “I didn’t think I would ever have been so nervous and as panicky,” says Saliaj, who had to calm herself and let the vendors do their thing.

Following dinner at Brick & Mortar at North 4th Corridor, a restaurant and event space on the ground floor of the Smith Bros. building, the party of 91 returned to upstairs for dancing, drinks and dessert.

“I finally was able to calm down,” Saliaj says.

Her husband’s Albanian heritage was honored with the presence of Albanian singer Eli Fara—“She’s like the Celine Dion of Albania,” Saliaj says—and a customized “mezze” appetizer menu that had an Albanian flavor, including olives, focaccia and feta cheese.

“It was just such a cool experience,” Berg says. “It definitely felt like a wedding that you would see on a New York City blog. It didn’t feel like any Columbus wedding that I’ve been a part of, that’s for sure.”

It isn’t always easy being the center of attention in a wedding under any circumstances, but especially not when you’re accustomed to being behind the scenes. Yet Saliaj says that everything fell together.

“It did end up being beautiful, and I love it,” she says. It turns out that, in one way at least, she’s just like many other brides: “I wish I could go back and we could’ve stayed even a little bit longer. It was over too fast, once I finally started getting out of my head and just enjoying.”

In the end, the vendor who dreams up other brides’ weddings describes her own this way: “It did end up actually, really being a dream.” « SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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Real Weddings

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A peek inside the wedding albums of 10 local couples

FIT FOR A KING Kevin Mitchell (left) and Austin Hopkins turned heads on High Street (and Instagram) in their custom ensembles— complete with robes and crowns. See more from their wedding on Page 46.

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real weddings

May 29, 2021 |

DeSháe & Warren Ball

BY TOM HANKS | PHOTOS BY DERK’S WORKS PHOTOGRAPHY DeSháe (Nelson) Ball and Warren Ball Jr.’s love story began like many others—the pair met as students at St. Francis DeSales High School on the North Side—but their wedding day was extraordinary.

“We were high school sweethearts, and we were together for six years before we got engaged,” says Warren.

The couple married on May 29 at Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church in the Milo-Grogan neighborhood on Columbus’ Northeast Side.

“We wanted our marriage—our union, our covenant— to be in the house of the Lord,” says DeSháe. “Warren’s pastor married us; it was great to have … someone who knew us do that.”

Personal touches didn’t end with the officiant, either.

Every detail of the Balls’ wedding, from the theme (whimsical and earthy) to the color palette (ivory, champagne and green) to the walk down the aisle was carefully considered.

The pair opted not to do a first look, saving that special moment for the traditional walk down the aisle. Still, DeSháe and Warren tweaked tradition to fit their vision for the day.

“We had everyone remain seated so that when I walked into the sanctuary, Warren would be able to 42

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see me instantly, without any interference,” DeSháe says. “Walking down the aisle with my mom and seeing his face filled me with so many emotions. But I [will] always treasure the moment my mom and grandma gave me away to my husband; it was a moment where I was surrounded by those who mean so much to me, and I could see the love in their faces.”

While the couple no longer lives in Columbus—after college, Warren moved to California and DeSháe moved to New Jersey, where they now live—they felt that holding the wedding in their hometown was a no-brainer.

“We wanted to have family and friends there to bring it all in,” Warren says.

As one of the first weddings to take place after Gov. Mike DeWine lifted COVID-19 health orders in Ohio, there was ample reason for the Balls’ 100 guests to celebrate.

“During the reception, we couldn’t keep people off the dance floor,” DeSháe recalls. “It felt like everyone was so tired of being at home, and this was the first time we were all able to get up and celebrate something good happening, as well as to enjoy one another’s company.” «

real weddings the details

CEREMONY: Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church RECEPTION: North Bank Park Pavilion CATERER: 5 Star Planning CAKE: Kennedy’s Kakes PLANNER: Morgan Taylor’d Events FLORIST AND RENTALS: Prema Designs MUSIC: Lo-Key Entertainment (Valley View) PHOTOGRAPHER: Derk’s Works Photography STATIONERY: Minted.com ACCOMMODATIONS: Hilton Columbus Downtown REHEARSAL DINNER: Family Life Center at Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Liz Martinez gown from Spina Bride (New York City) for ceremony, Berta Bridal gown from L’Fay Bridal (Chatham, New Jersey) for reception, Bella Belle shoes, accessories from Macy’s and Olive + Piper BRIDE’S HAIR AND MAKEUP: Hair by W Style Lounge, makeup by Prince Tempting GROOM’S ATTIRE: Tuxedo from Men’s Wearhouse RINGS: Bride’s rings from Elegant Creations Inc. (New York City), groom’s ring from Jared BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE: Reformation gowns GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRE: Suits from Men’s Wearhouse

Columbus Weddings partner vendor

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the details

CEREMONY, RECEPTION AND CATERER: Jorgensen Farms Oak Grove FLORIST: Prema Designs CAKE AND INVITATIONS: DIY by family and friends CEREMONY MUSIC: Hans Utter and colleagues RECEPTION MUSIC: DJ Mavi (Cincinnati) PHOTOGRAPHER: Theory Image VIDEOGRAPHER: Benjamin Todd, BTPhotography OTHER STATIONERY: Etsy shop VisuallyVee ACCOMMODATIONS: Courtyard by Marriot Columbus New Albany BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Lehenga from Ensemble by Ritu with accessories from India and family friends; Ti Adora wedding gown and a veil from B. Loved Bridal Boutique with accessories from Anthropologie; Badgley Mischka shoes BRIDE’S HAIR AND MAKEUP: Glamour Beauty Care GROOM’S ATTIRE: Sherwani from Koudr’e by Anushka; suit from Indochino with accessories from The Tie Bar RINGS: Feiner’s Ltd. (Philadelphia) BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE: Azazie gowns GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRE: Own suits

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Columbus Weddings partner vendor

real weddings

May 30, 2021 |

Natasha Hede & Sebastiano Porcu

BY SARAH STEIMER | PHOTOS BY THEORY IMAGE Natasha Hede and Sebastiano Porcu watered a small potted tradescantia zebrina during their civil ceremony on May 30, 2021. It had been clipped and propagated from a larger plant, which once belonged to the couple’s friends in Cleveland. But now these small sprigs had made their way from Philadelphia, where Hede and Porcu live, to Columbus, riding shotgun in their car’s cupholder.

“In the pictures, I will admit it looks a little bare,” Hede says. “But now it’s gigantic. It’s not an uncommon plant, but it’s a very happy little plant that grows really easily.”

The clipping was one of many small touches at the wedding that integrated the couple’s loved ones. To them, the weekend was all about involving and engaging their communities.

The couple knew they wanted to represent both their cultures—Hede is Indian and Porcu is Italian—and themselves as individuals on their big day, so they hosted sameday Hindu and civil ceremonies. But more importantly, they wanted to ensure everyone, regardless of their culture, would feel they were part of the event.

The Friday before the wedding, Hede had a traditional bridal shower with the women in her community. Her parents hosted a welcome party at their home in Blacklick the following day with singing and dancing.

The couple’s wedding at Jorgensen Farms Oak Grove began in the late afternoon with a Hindu ceremony, for which both bride and groom wore traditional Indian wedding garments. After this first ceremony, guests were served light refreshments while the wedding party took photos and changed—the bride into a white gown and the groom into a tuxedo—for the civil ceremony, during which they exchanged vows and rings.

“Essentially I got married twice—that’s kind of neat, right?” Hede says.

Sharing with and engaging their guests was one of the most important parts of the wedding for the couple.

Friends and family stepped up to help with tasks big and small, from designing the stationery and baking the cake to picking up flower garlands. “​​One thing I’m very happy that we were able to do is get people involved,” Porcu says. “For us, community is very important.”

During the wedding, the couple placed their wedding bands in a box and passed them around to guests to hold and say a prayer over or give their well wishes—yet another opportunity to involve everyone around them.

“That’s something that we carry with us every single day,” Porcu says. « SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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the details

CEREMONY, RECEPTION, CATERER AND ACCOMMODATIONS: Hilton Columbus Downtown CAKE: Short North Piece of Cake PLANNER: Savvy Events Ohio RENTALS: Got Ya Covered Linens MUSIC: The Naked Karate Girls (Cincinnati) PHOTOGRAPHER: Amy Ann Photography STATIONERY: Julie Hanan Design (Chicago) REHEARSAL DINNER: Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse GROOMS’ ATTIRE: Custom Ottavio Nuccio Gala tuxedos, accessories from Cape & Crown Creations on Etsy GROOMS’ HAIR AND MAKEUP: Brides by Blake RINGS: Swank Metalsmithing on Etsy GROOMSLADIES’ ATTIRE: Vera Wang gowns from David’s Bridal GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRE: Suits from Men’s Wearhouse

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Columbus Weddings partner vendor

June 26, 2021 |

Austin Hopkins & Kevin Mitchell

BY NICHOLAS YOUNGBLOOD PHOTOS BY AMY ANN PHOTOGRAPHY

Austin Hopkins (left) and Kevin Mitchell

There’s never a dull moment between Austin Hopkins and Kevin Mitchell, so it’s no surprise that, from their proposal to their wedding, the couple found a way to make every moment memorable.

After dating for four years, Hopkins decided it was time to propose. He couldn’t just get down on one knee; it had to be a highly orchestrated production. “I am very surprised that nothing went wrong,” Hopkins says. “It was all perfect.”

In 2018, Hopkins booked a cruise for the couple and invited his family along. Shortly before boarding, he began complaining of an upset stomach in an effort to get Mitchell alone in their room. As soon as they were in the cabin, Hopkins admitted to a ruse. He explained that he “had to vent” to his partner. Following a heartfelt speech that Mitchell spent wondering what he had done to get in trouble this time, Hopkins popped the question, much to Mitchell’s surprise. He was shocked yet again when his own family knocked on the cabin door; Hopkins had secretly booked them on the trip, as well.

After getting through COVID-19 delays, Hopkins and Mitchell finally held their wedding—replete with deeply personal touches—in June 2021. Their attire was a statement, to say the least: Italian Baroque-inspired tuxedos, massive capes and shining crowns.

For Hopkins, guests’ reactions to the custom-made ensembles, which took nearly a year to craft, was a highlight of the day. Mitchell, on the other hand, cites seeing the reception space—a vision that he says was years in the making—as among his most memorable moments.

The couple’s unity ceremony was crafted with the same level of care and personalization as the attire and décor.

“We both love to travel and see much of the world and learn from other cultures,” Mitchell says. To honor that, he and Hopkins incorporated wedding practices from around the globe into the ceremony, which Hopkins’ mother officiated. Their spin on the Celtic tradition of handfasting included a rope adorned with symbols that evoked traditions of Asian, South American, African, Australian and Native American cultures.

The grooms maintained their focus on prioritizing their individuality and personal expression over convention in other ways, too: They included songs from the soundtracks of Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, some of their favorite video games, to pay homage to their inner nerds.

“Just because we get married does not mean that we lose ourselves,” Mitchell says. “We gained somebody to share ourselves with, but [we] are still our own people.” « SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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real weddings

July 3, 2021 |

Lindsay & Adam Ingram

BY DAVID REES | PHOTOS BY PHOTO 243 Lindsay (Tsai) and Adam Ingram knew they wanted their wedding to be one thing: simple. But planning during the COVID-19 pandemic led to setbacks they couldn’t have imagined.

The couple met while attending pharmacy school in 2012 and were out with mutual friends when they locked eyes on the dance floor. The pair had an instant attraction and soon learned they shared many interests.

“I knew she was The One very early on, once it was obvious she was not only beautiful and smart but also fun—loved music, dancing and my jokes,” says Adam.

After six years together, they decided to take a lastminute trip to Sedona, Arizona, in December 2019. On the summit of a hiking trail, Adam got down on one knee with a ring. A drone Adam had brought with him was recording the whole proposal, capturing perfect shots with red rocks in the background.

Adam and Lindsay booked their wedding for July 2021; they figured the long engagement would make for hasslefree planning. But once the pandemic began, the couple’s wedding plans became more and more uncertain.

“Every time we paid a deposit, we kept wondering why we were paying so much money when we weren’t 48

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even sure if we could have our wedding,” says Lindsay.

Even with many stressful setbacks—venue closures, DJ cancellations and changing COVID guidelines— Adam and Lindsay were still able to host the summer wedding they had dreamed of. On July 3, the couple wed with friends and family in attendance, reunited for the first time since early 2020.

“It truly felt like the perfect timing for so much celebration, and we felt so much love from everyone,” says Lindsay.

She and Adam both love dancing and wanted to make their first dance unique, so they began taking lessons for a choreographed number a few months before the big day.

“We didn’t tell anyone about our plans, so everyone was so surprised when they heard our song and saw everything,” says Lindsay. “I had chills the whole time, because it was such a production.”

The couple had two celebrations: a traditional party the night of the ceremony and a tea ceremony to honor the blending of their families on July 31. There, Lindsay wore a custom-made cheongsam—a Chinese wedding dress. “It was really special to have both our families together for this,” she says. «

real weddings

the details

CEREMONY, RECEPTION AND CATERER: The Grand Event Center DESSERTS: Cake from Alice’s Piece of Cake, homemade buckeyes from bride’s mother FLORIST: The Bouqs Co. MUSIC AND PHOTO BOOTH: Josh Staley Productions PHOTOGRAPHER: Photo 243 VIDEOGRAPHER: Fuzzy Chi STATIONERY: Minted.com and Etsy ACCOMMODATIONS: Courtyard by Marriott Columbus OSU REHEARSAL DINNER: Grandview Café BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Oleg Cassini gown from David’s Bridal, veil made by Carolyn Fang, Sam Edelman shoes; tea ceremony gown from East Meets Dress BRIDE’S HAIR AND MAKEUP: Shear Hotness GROOM’S ATTIRE: Suit from Pursuit, accessories from The Tie Bar RINGS: Diamond Cellar BRIDESMAIDS’ AND FLOWER GIRL’S ATTIRE: Gowns from David’s Bridal GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRE: Suits from Pursuit RING BEARER’S ATTIRE: Nordstrom

Columbus Weddings partner vendor

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real weddings the details

CEREMONY AND RECEPTION: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens CATERER: Milo’s Catering LATE-NIGHT BITES: Granddad’s Pizza CAKE: Short North Piece of Cake PLANNER: Rachelle Chiarappa FLORIST: Vessel Floral and Event Design CEREMONY AND COCKTAIL HOUR MUSIC: Columbus Musicians LLC RECEPTION MUSIC: Josh Staley Productions PHOTOGRAPHER: Jessica Miller Photography VIDEOGRAPHER: Prodigy Weddings STATIONERY: Invitation art by MeghanTurnerDesign on Etsy, printed via Catprint.com TRANSPORTATION: The BEAT ACCOMMODATIONS: Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel SUNDAY BRUNCH: Valter’s at the Maennerchor REHEARSAL DINNER: Seventh Son Brewing Co. BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Lazaro gown from La Jeune Mariee, Ted Baker shoes, Store 5a accessories from BRIDE’S HAIR AND MAKEUP: The Bride Bar (now closed) GROOM’S ATTIRE: Indochino suit, accessories from Dessy and Fanatics.com RINGS: Engagement ring from Marlen Jewelers (Rocky River), bride’s ring from Gold & Diamonds Inc., groom’s band from Manly Bands BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE: Dessy gowns GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRE: Indochino suits 50

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Columbus Weddings partner vendor

Sept. 18, 2021 |

Rachel & Alex Keller

BY NICHOLAS YOUNGBLOOD PHOTOS BY JESSICA MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY For some couples, the second time is the charm.

Rachel (Smoot) and Alex Keller delayed their 2020 wedding due to (what else?) COVID-19, but it wasn’t the first time they had to take a second pass in their relationship. The two first met in 2011 at an annual post-Thanksgiving party organized by mutual friends, affectionately called “Blackout Friday.” For some reason—who could guess why?—this encounter didn’t stick. They saw one another again in 2016 at the same event and hit it off; three years later, they were engaged.

“What really cemented it for me is, I have a very, very strong friend group and family. So if you’re in with them, then it’s just cake from there,” Rachel says.

Despite their powerful connection, the Kellers live in a house divided: Rachel and Alex are die-hard Buckeyes and Oregon Ducks football fans, respectively. Hearing their officiant recite the entire record between the schools during their ceremony was a true test of their bond. (Thank goodness for Oregon’s firsttime win a week prior.)

Originally, the couple was aiming for a fall wedding in 2020—the weekend after the OSU vs. Oregon game—but COVID-19 forced them to reconsider, and they eventually settled on fall 2021.

Despite having his vows prepared for over a year, Alex says the wedding still gave him game-day jitters.

“As many days as I [had] thought and prepared for it, somehow, I was still shaking-in-my-boots nervous,” he says.

He and Rachel agree that having a first look helped ease the pressure. Seeing each other in private preceremony helped turn what had long been an abstract source of anxiety into a very real cause for celebration.

Another way Rachel and Alex defused the tension was by replacing wedding conventions with more casual alternatives. Instead of a formal rehearsal dinner, they hosted a welcome reception at Seventh Son Brewing Co. And a longtime friend stepped in as a last-minute replacement officiant; his presence added humor and a deeply personal touch to the ceremony.

More than anything, the Kellers say, it was the guests who made the event special. “Having all of those people there definitely is what made that night what it was,” Alex says. Unlike many COVID-era couples who had to slash guest lists to keep up with changing guidelines for large gatherings, the Kellers’ list expanded considerably between initial save-thedates and official invitations, thanks to all the bonds that strengthened during a tough year. « SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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June 26, 2021 |

Leonardia & Jesse Koch

BY NANCY BYRON | PHOTOS BY MACKLERMEDIA PHOTOGRAPHY Their love story involves two proposals and two different versions of when and where they met. But Leonardia (Hardy) and Jesse Koch just smile at inconsistencies in the tale of how they were ultimately united.

“She claims not to remember this, but … Nardia and I met in college [in 2008] at one of my friend’s parties,” Jesse says.

Leonardia insists they met on Tinder in 2016.

Either way, once the couple started dating, they quickly fell head over heels. By the end of 2019, Jesse had proposed—and Leonardia had accepted—not once, but twice. That November, he popped the question with an aquamarine ring after Leonardia had a bad day at work.

In December, he got on bended knee to present her with a diamond just before Christmas.

Despite their charmingly different perspectives on how they first connected, the two were united on everything else leading up to their June 26, 2021, wedding.

“The theme of our relationship is magic,” Leonardia says, noting it felt like a miracle when they stumbled upon the perfect wedding venue in Granville after months of searching.

“One day, after visiting a venue that did not match our vision, we were driving and saw this beautiful mansion in the distance,” Jesse recalls.

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It was the historic Bryn Du Mansion, with its massive front lawn and grand, columned façade.

“We thought it was someone’s house,” Leonardia recalls. They did some research, discovering Bryn Du hosted weddings and one of its available dates was their five-year anniversary as a couple.

“We both looked at each other, and we knew this was the perfect place for our wedding,” Jesse says.

The wedding was held in the garden, with Leonardia’s longtime friend Joe Day officiating.

Leonardia walked down the aisle with her mother and carried a small bouquet of flowers from her late father’s birth month, which she placed on the communion table.

The DJ also played some of her father’s favorite songs throughout the evening.

“Nardia and I wrote our entire ceremony over the course of a few nights, a few drinks and some good music,” Jesse says. They even had a “thumb war” at the altar to determine who got to read their vows first.

“I won,” Leonardia says. “But Jesse admitted he threw it.”

The Kochs’ guest list was pared back to meet COVID19 protocols, but that just made the event more intimate.

“It felt like a big family reunion, because we hadn’t seen each other in literally a year,” Leonardia says. «

real weddings

the details

CEREMONY AND RECEPTION: Bryn Du Mansion CATERER: Berwick Manor CAKE: Dizurts Custom Cakes and More FLORIST: Granville Flower Co. RENTALS: Personal Touch Party Rentals & Events and Bryn Du Mansion MUSIC: Yellowbud Productions PHOTOGRAPHER: MacklerMedia Photography STATIONERY: Minted.com ACCOMMODATIONS: Granville Inn and Courtyard by Marriott Newark Granville REHEARSAL DINNER: Bryn Du Mansion with catering from Berwick Manor BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Bliss by Monique Lhuillier gown and a veil from La Jeune Mariee, accessories from BHLDN and La Jeune Mariee BRIDE’S HAIR AND MAKEUP: Hair by Le Peacock Salon (Blue Ash), makeup by Alea Beauty GROOM’S ATTIRE: Giorgio Fiorelli suit from Ticknors Men’s Clothier, accessories from Ticknors and Amazon RINGS: Diamond Cellar BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE: Revelry gowns GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRE: Suits from Ticknors Men's Clothier

Columbus Weddings partner vendor

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real weddings the details

CEREMONY AND RECEPTION: Crockett’s Run (Logan) CATERER: Russo’s Catering & Events (Zanesville) and Trailer Made Mobile Bar CAKE: The Little GREEN Farm Stand PLANNER: ZenBoogieEvents FLORIST: Passiflora Studio (Marietta) RENTALS: Dahlia Vintage (Loveland) CEREMONY MUSIC: Sound bowls played by Wendy Adaska of Preferred Health Solutions, acoustic music by Erik Urycki of The Speedbumps and his partner, singer/songwriter Gretchen Pleuss RECEPTION MUSIC: Topher Guenther PHOTOGRAPHER AND VIDEOGRAPHER: Grace E. Jones Photography PHOTO BOOTH: Baci Booths STATIONERY: Invitations by AyshaSamrin on Etsy; tarot cards by Lehr Beidelschies of Tusk of Squirrel REHEARSAL DINNER, ACCOMMODATIONS AND SUNDAY BRUNCH: Crockett’s Run BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Gown from Wendy's Bridal BRIDE’S HAIR AND MAKEUP: The Beauty Box Organic Salon & Spa GROOM’S ATTIRE: Suit from Pursuit, Dazi tie, Taft shoes, MBCork watch and suspenders RINGS: Ken & Dana Design (New York City) BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE: Birdy Grey gowns GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRE: Own suits with Dazi ties, Taft shoes, MBCork watches and suspenders

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Aug. 21, 2021 |

Julie & Joe Perkins

BY RYLAN LEE PHOTOS BY GRACE E. JONES PHOTOGRAPHY Coming on the heels of a year when the coronavirus wreaked havoc on social gatherings, Julie (Jackson) and Joe Perkins knew they wanted their wedding to be an all-out celebration.

“We had a theme that was ‘Dance Furiously,’” says Joe. “This came out of the pandemic,” adds Julie.

“Because in hard times, what else can you do? Dance furiously. So that was our hashtag.”

The pair, encouraged by the pandemic’s apparent decline earlier this summer, looked to leverage their shared love for hosting events to curate an experience for their guests that didn’t just celebrate their coming together as a married couple, but also the community of people coming together for the weekend.

“I think we immediately were like, ‘We want to throw a weekend.’ Not just a Saturday night wedding, but we want to create an experience for our guests.” Joe says.

He and Julie went to their venue, Crockett’s Run in Logan, near Hocking Hills, with an odd request: Could they take over the woods around the venue to host an outdoor party the Friday before the wedding?

Energized by an affirmative response, the couple organized an all-out(door) bash, building a stage to host a band, running electricity from the main building and coordinating with Crockett Run’s event planer on how to get a food truck down into the woods.

“It took us two days to get set up for everything.

We brought a U-Haul down [full] of furniture and anything you can imagine to throw this party,” remembers Joe. The couple also carried the event experience into the wedding morning, offering an a.m. yoga class for their guests and then leaving the day open for them to hike on the property and swim in the pond. Then came the wedding proper, no less unique to the couple than the events leading up to it.

The pair leaned on friends to host sound therapy, smoke cleansing and group meditation during the ceremony. And, ever celebrating the community of people there to celebrate, the pair wrote communal vows—vows dedicated not only to themselves, but to their family and friends.

“It was a ceremony [for] the union of Julie and I, but was [also] the entire community coming together to support us and join us on this journey as we enter this next chapter in our lives,” says Joe. « SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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real weddings

Sydnee (left) and Jasmine Roberts-Crews

June 19, 2021 |

Sydnee & Jasmine Roberts-Crews

BY RYLAN LEE | PHOTOS BY RYAN JONES PHOTOGRAPHY As celebrations of two people coming together, weddings are often a showcase of what is unique to and special about a couple. For Jasmine Roberts and Sydnee Crews, who met at a National Urban League conference and who each took the new last name Roberts-Crews, celebrating their individuality undeniably meant celebrating their Black, queer love.

“We wanted to be really intentional about celebrating Black love, specifically, knowing that that’s what people see with us first, and then it’s also how we were socialized first.

And being Black is very important to us,” explains Sydnee.

The pair prioritized this from the beginning, intentionally choosing vendors that were Black- and/or queerowned and scheduling their wedding for Juneteenth.

Indeed, it seemed nothing short of kismet to the couple that the day celebrating Black liberation during Pride Month fell on a Saturday, and that the day was available at their dream venue.

On their wedding day, they also integrated Black American and West African traditions, such as jumping the broom, a practice believed to bless the marriage, and having Sydnee’s dad give a blessing. For their table 56

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centerpieces, the couple framed pictures of famous Black creators, ranging from Dorothy Dandridge to James Baldwin to Kendrick Lamar.

“We believe in emancipation through love. That was kind of our thing,” reflects Jasmine. “I don’t know how the words came to me, but I just felt—I don’t want to say ‘freedom,’ because it’s really cliché, but I did feel that our wedding could provide a space of celebrating humanity.”

And a celebration it was. The joy of the day seemed to spill out in every moment—from Jasmine’s tearful exchange with her mom at the altar to typically spotlightshy Sydnee taking over the dance floor during Rihanna’s “Work.” And as a celebration of their love, Jasmine and Sydnee’s wedding wouldn’t have been complete without two critical components: brunch for the midday meal and a last dance to Prince’s “Take Me With You.” Now just shy of six months since their wedding, Jasmine still finds herself reeling from the experience.

“I still just am like, ‘Was that my wedding?’ ” she says.

“I’m just honored. I’m honored to have lived long enough to experience finding a life partner and understanding why people want to do this. … She’s my best friend.” «

real weddings the details

CEREMONY, RECEPTION AND CATERER: The Kitchen CAKE: Kennedy’s Kakes PLANNER: Andréa’s Occasions FLORIST: The Flowerman and Expressions Floral Design Studio CEREMONY MUSIC: Stephen Spottswood of the Columbus Cultural Orchestra RECEPTION MUSIC: Plan and Party Columbus PHOTOGRAPHER: Ryan Jones Photography STATIONERY: TheKnot.com ACCOMMODATIONS: Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph REHEARSAL DINNER: Martini Modern Italian BRIDES’ ATTIRE: Madi Lane Bridal gown from Luxe Redux Bridal and Bella Belle shoes (Jasmine), gown from David's Bridal and shoes from DSW (Sydnee) BRIDES’ HAIR AND MAKEUP: Hair by Tamika Taylor of Salon Lofts (Jasmine) and Che Guy (Sydnee); makeup by Almaz Faces (Jasmine) and Makeup by Sali K (Sydnee) RINGS: Engagement rings from Jared (Jasmine) and Diamonds Direct (Sydnee); wedding bands from Jared BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE: Gowns from David's Bridal

Columbus Weddings partner vendor

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Aug. 1, 2021 |

Linda & Steve Selby

BY PETER TONGUETTE PHOTOS BY HOLLY ANN PHOTOGRAPHY In Rodgers and Hammerstein’s much-loved musical Carousel, not even death can dilute the love between heroine Julie Jordan and her beau, Billy Bigelow.

As high school students in Mansfield, future couple Linda Miller and Steve Selby performed in a local production of Carousel. They fell in love but, within a few years, went their separate ways. They each got married to others, with whom they have grown children.

Yet, like Julie and Billy, Linda and Steve discovered that their love for each other endured. In 2019, after being out of touch for nearly 40 years, the couple reconnected. Two years later, in August 2021, they tied the knot. Despite the time that had elapsed, their eventual reunion had the sort of inevitability of a plot line in a classic show.

In their youth, the couple experienced what can only be described as a natural rapport and attraction. “I remember reading back in my journals about how gorgeous he was,” says Linda, whose career in technology eventually took her to California.

Years passed. Then, after the death of his father late in 2018, Steve contacted Linda. They rediscovered why they’d been drawn to each other and found new things to appreciate, too.

“By the time a person has graduated high school, their core values have been pretty much locked in,” says Steve, who stayed in Central Ohio and also works in the technology field. “I loved what that was [for Linda]. I said, ‘Now it’s going to be the fun part of getting caught up with the rest of you.’ ”

By November 2019, Linda moved back to Central Ohio to be with Steve and, a year later, they were engaged. Contemplating various venues in a state she had not resided in for decades, Linda was drawn to the Darby House. “I wanted a rustic, botanical feel to the wedding, and I think the farmhouses and the land really provided that for us,” she says.

Other touches were informed by the couple’s background: Linda, who had studied fashion merchandising, handcrafted her light gray, silk satin gown and a “unity quilt,” which she presented to Steve during their ceremony. In a nod to the early roots of their relationship, the wedding included 1980s-era music, including the processional. It all points to a shared history that has turned into a shared future.

“We were raised in the same place; we have all the same references—music, movies,” Linda says.

“Those things make a difference ... when you meet someone again.” « 58

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real weddings

the details

CEREMONY AND RECEPTION: Darby House CATERER: Cameron Mitchell Premier Events CAKE: Capital City Cakes COFFEE BAR: Latté 2 A Tea FLORIST: Arch, bouquets and boutonnieres

by Flowers by Jill Stember; DIY centerpieces by a friend MUSIC: Turn Up Columbus PHOTOGRAPHER: Holly Ann Photography STATIONERY: Minted.com TRANSPORTATION: Dublin’s Best Limos ACCOMMODATIONS: Cloverleaf Suites Columbus - Dublin REHEARSAL DINNER: Tucci’s BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Bride handmade her own gown; shoes from Zappos GOWN CLEANING/ PRESERVATION: Dublin Cleaners BRIDE’S HAIR: PENZONE Salons + Spas GROOM’S ATTIRE: Hart Schaffner Marx suit from Von Maur, tie and shirt from Macy’s RINGS: Timothy A Fleming and Associates Columbus Weddings partner vendor

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real weddings

June 26, 2021 |

Megan & Brett Sparks

BY EMMA FRANKART HENTERLY | PHOTOS BY MICHELLE JOY PHOTOGRAPHY Megan (Erwine) and Brett Sparks’ love story is a modern classic: In 2016, at the start of their junior year at Canton’s Walsh University, Megan’s roommate Bridget introduced her to her boyfriend, JP, and his roommate—Brett, of course. The four were a natural friend group—“We pretty much talked almost every day, hung out all the time,” Megan recalls—and by the start of their senior year, Brett and Megan were official.

“I think we were always a little bit ‘something more’ [than just friends],” she adds, turning to Brett, who nods with a grin. The group went separate ways the summer after their junior year—Brett to Italy and Megan to New York City. “When we came back, we just realized … this could work,” Megan says.

Brett proposed atop a peak in the Great Smoky Mountains in August 2019, and the pair set about planning.

After touring several venues, the couple visited Swan Lake Event Center in Powell and immediately knew they’d found “the one.”

“I was like, OK, this one just feels like ‘us,’ ” Megan says.

“I’d always wanted an outdoor ceremony, and we loved that spot between the two trees.” Swan Lake ticked all their other boxes, too: an on-site body of water, a semi-remote location with little traffic, an open floor plan with a modern aesthetic.

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They set their date for summer 2021 and had a surprisingly easy time preparing, given the chaos of planning a wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the final days of their wedding countdown, Gov. Mike DeWine announced an end to Ohio’s state of emergency; it was lifted just eight days before the Sparks’ wedding.

Family played a major role in the couple’s big day; together with a florist from Megan’s hometown of Zanesville and the venue coordinator, Megan and her mother styled “the outdoor ceremony of my dreams,” Megan says. “It looked even better than I was hoping; it was just beautiful.”

Megan also honored her late great-grandmother by incorporating a brooch that had belonged to her in her bouquet as the “something old.” And Brett included his grandmother in his mother-son dance to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.” “She’s my only grandparent who could make it out [for the wedding],” says Brett, who grew up in Washington. His mother’s mother “loves dancing, so she was excited.”

And the former roommates, Bridget and JP? They’re still together, too, and had a front-row seat to the union they helped facilitate: They served as the couple’s bridesmaid and best man. «

real weddings the details

CEREMONY AND RECEPTION: Swan Lake Event Center CATERER: Creative Cuisine CAKE: Cakes by Cecile FLORIST: Florafino’s Flower Market (Zanesville) RENTALS: Got Ya Covered Linens CEILING DRAPERY: Serendipity Designs MUSIC AND PHOTO BOOTH: Josh Staley Productions PHOTOGRAPHER: Michelle Joy Photography STATIONERY: Invitation design from Etsy, printed via PrintsOfLove.com TRANSPORTATION: Xtreme Limo ACCOMMODATIONS AND REHEARSAL DINNER: Hilton Garden Inn Columbus/Polaris BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Allure Bridals gown, a veil and a hair accessory from Henri’s Bridal, shoes from David’s Bridal; gown preservation by Dublin Cleaners BRIDE’S HAIR AND MAKEUP: The Color Pallet Salon & Spa (Zanesville), Mary Kay consultants Brittany Jenks and Hayley Small GROOM’S ATTIRE: Joseph Abboud tuxedo from Men’s Wearhouse RINGS: Jared BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE: Gowns from David’s Bridal GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRE: Tuxedos from Men’s Wearhouse

Columbus Weddings partner vendor

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PHOTO: NICOLE DIXON PHOTOGRAPHIC

venue guide

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY Kaitlyn and Adam Thomas hired The Conspiracy Band to play at their Jorgensen Farms Oak Grove wedding.

“The energy they brought was immeasurable,” Kaitlyn says.

“Our guests have not stopped raving about the band, the venue and the food.”

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KAITLYN AND ADAM THOMAS | July 26, 2021 After postponing their December 2020 wedding for safety, the Thomases gathered with family and friends to celebrate in July at Jorgensen Farms Oak Grove. Read more about their wedding on Page 28.

venue guide We’ve got you covered with details on more than 170 Central Ohio venues.

Visit cbuswedmag.com/Venues for additional information on these and other facilities.

COMPILED BY EMMA FRANKART HENTERLY

Arena District, Brewery District, Downtown, Franklinton, German Village, Olde Towne East AC Hotel Columbus Downtown 517 Park St., Columbus; 614-227-6100 marriott.com/cmhad With some of the hottest new venues in Columbus, their 2,400 square feet of event space boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the city and Goodale Park, where 700 trees provide a dreamy backdrop. !! = + $ ' The Athletic Club of Columbus 136 E. Broad St., Columbus; 614-221-3344 accolumbus.com/weddings An exquisite wedding venue in the heart of Downtown Columbus !!!!! = $ ' > The Bluestone 583 E. Broad St., Columbus; 614-884-4646 liveatthebluestone.com The Bluestone is a newly renovated, 120-year-old church that boasts three 64

COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

diverse levels, seven bars, soaring stained glass windows and a gracious outdoor patio. !!!!! = + $ ' >

The Boat House at Confluence Park 679 W. Spring St., Columbus; 614-469-0000 boathouserestaurantoh.com With over 20 years of experience catering to the needs of clients in the Greater Columbus area, this vendor has the skills and knowhow to help create your picturesque wedding day. !!!!! = + ' ( > Columbus Athenaeum 32 N. Fourth St., Columbus; 614-222-6338 columbusmeetings.com Striking architecture and vintage charm make this a historic venue for historic occasions. In-house catering, customizable bar, event design and on-site coordinator are provided. !!!!! = $ ' > Columbus Museum of Art 480 E. Broad St., Columbus; 614-629-0325 columbusmuseum.org

The CMA mission is to create a curated experience for all. Dramatic architectural details, access to 15-plus galleries, a secluded outdoor garden and a world-renowned art collection make this an ideal wedding location. !!!!! = + $ ' ( > COSI 333 W. Broad St., Columbus; 614-629-3135 cosi.org/host-event/weddings Treat your guests to an out-of-this world experience under the starlit sky in COSI’s Planetarium, followed by cocktail hour in an exhibit and dancing the night away in one of the many reception spaces. !!!!! = + $ ' >

Cultural Arts Center 139 W. Main St., Columbus; 614-636-3278 culturalartscenteronline.org This venue features a beautiful garden courtyard and art gallery space for an intimate summer wedding that you may customize to fit your dreams; ceremonies available indoors or out. Not only is it artsy, it is urban-modern. !!! = + $ ) #

PHOTOS: NICOLE DIXON PHOTOGRAPHIC

CENTRAL

ABOUT THE VENUE GUIDE

The information in these listings is based on details provided by the venues involved and staff research. A listing does not necessarily mean that Columbus Weddings recommends the venue. Submit listing updates and corrections at cbuswedmag.com/VGsubmit.

FIND VENUES BY REGION CENTRAL..........................................................64 Arena District, Brewery District, Downtown, Franklinton, German Village, Olde Towne East

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NORTH (NEAR)...............................................69 Clintonville, Italian Village, North Side, Old North Columbus, Short North, University District, Victorian Village, Worthington

NORTH (FAR).................................................. 72 Delaware, Lewis Center, Polaris, Powell and beyond

NORTHEAST.................................................... 74 Easton, Gahanna, New Albany, Westerville and beyond

NORTHWEST....................................................77 Dublin, Marysville, Plain City and beyond

EAST................................................................... 78 Bexley, Granville, Reynoldsburg, Whitehall and beyond

WEST..................................................................80 Fifth by Northwest, Grandview Heights, Hilliard, Upper Arlington and beyond

SOUTHEAST.....................................................81 Canal Winchester, Groveport, Lancaster, Lockbourne, Pickerington and beyond

SOUTHWEST...................................................82 Galloway, Grove City and beyond Columbus Weddings partner vendor Maximum reception size (seated): ! 99 people or fewer !! 100 to 149 people !!! 150 to 199 people !!!! 200 to 249 people !!!!! 250 people or more = + $ '

Ceremony space available Outdoor space available Rental fee Caterer on-site/exclusive off-site caterer ( Choose caterer from approved caterer list ) Outside caterers allowed/ negotiable > Minimum spend/guest count required # May bring outside alcohol < No alcohol allowed [no symbols] Information not available

H A P P I LY E V E R A F T E R S TA R T S H E R E You do the dreaming. We’ll handle the details.

Our skilled and experienced team will help bring your vision to life, creating an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.

Visit our website to start planning your forever, today.

614.848.4700 l CameronMitchellPremierEvents.com

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venue guide

MCKENNA AND JOSH RYAN | Nov. 7, 2020 A number of details, like customized tissue packets “for happy tears,” an artistically interactive guest book and grab-and-go breakfast from Buckeye Donuts at the night’s end, made for an elevated guest experience at the Ryans’ wedding at The Club at Corazón. Their unity ceremony involved mixing materials to create a glass paperweight.

Due Amici Restaurant 67 E. Gay St., Columbus; 614-638-6884 due-amici.com Enjoy exceptional Italian cuisine with smart, contemporary style in their simple but modern rooms, which can easily be transformed for any type of private event. Hardwood floors, exposed brick and low lighting all accent this distinctive restaurant. !! = + $ ' >

Flat 51 79 Thurman Ave., Columbus; 614-558-1404 flat51.com A large, naturally lit, white brick space in a 130-year-old building in historic German Village with modern kitchen and restrooms and free, on-site parking; white tables, chairs, couch and mobile bar are included in the rental fee. ! = $ ( #

choose their own caterer, and setup/teardown are included in rental.

Evermore Studios 1007 S. High St., Columbus; 614-226-8513 evermorestudiosllc.com Evermore Studios is a microwedding and small event space that focuses on bringing weddings back to the basics: Celebrating the love between two people, rather than how cool of a party they can throw. ! = $ ' ( > #

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus; 614-715-8100 fpconservatory.org Four unique venues, including gorgeous indoor and outdoor garden settings, create timeless memories of your wedding. !!!!! = + $ ) >

!!!! = + $ ' #

Try to keep the flow going. A lot of couples are doing the first dance immediately after they make their entrance to the reception. This allows for everyone to watch while in their seats.

—Christy Baker, Worthington Hills Country Club

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Genesis Downtown 174 E. Long St., Columbus; 614-726-7360 genesis-downtown.com This new Downtown venue features an industrial-chic aesthetic, seating for up to 150 and an on-site ready room. Couples can

Graystone Wine Cellar 544 S. Front St., Columbus; 614-228-2332 graystonecolumbus.com Visit Columbus’ most unique wedding venue, located in the hand-hewn vaults of the historic Schlee Brewery. It offers fair and straightforward pricing, with quality menus and attentive service. !! = * > The Hickory Room at Wolf’s Ridge Brewing 215 N. Fourth St., Columbus; 614-429-3926 wolfsridgebrewing.com Beautiful Downtown event space with an urban vibe !! = $ ' > High Line Car House 550 S. High St., Columbus; 614-882-7323 highlinecarhouse.com Historic brick walls, high-beam ceilings and

PHOTOS: ANDREW AND CHRISSY PHOTOGRAPHY

Pro Tip

Galbreath Pavilion at Ohio Theatre 39 E. State St., Columbus; 614-469-1045 capa.com/venues/venue-rental Outside catering is welcome with no additional cost; tables and chairs are available for an additional rental fee. !!! = $ ( >

Grange Insurance Audubon Center 505 W. Whittier St., Columbus; 614-436-6369 grange.audubon.org The Audubon Center is a warm, open space with spectacular Downtown views located in the gorgeous Scioto Audubon Metro Park.

It’s a perfect setting for your special event.

windows create a setting you’ll love. Its team ensures that every detail is thoughtfully considered, so your whole event is just as beautiful as your venue. !!!! = + $ ' > Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection 50 W. Broad St., Columbus; 614-224-9500 hotellevequecolumbus.com Let the stars bear witness to your wedded bliss. At Hotel LeVeque, your level of sophisticated radiance is limited only by the boundaries of your imagination. ! = $ ' > Huntington Park 330 Huntington Park Ln., Columbus; 614-722-1147 facebook.com/clippersbaseball This beautiful venue offers 15,000 square feet of event space, views of a minor league ballpark and the Columbus skyline, several included amenities and first-class service within walking distance of the Greater Columbus Convention Center. !!!!! = + $ ' The Ivory Room 2 Miranova Pl., Sixth Floor, Columbus; 614-221-2347 cameronmitchellpremierevents.com/venues/ the-ivory-room Located in Downtown Columbus, The Ivory Room is a chic, modern space with a stunning, panoramic view of the city. !!!!! = $ ' > Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse 89 E. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus; 614-686-7800 jeffruby.com/columbus Charming private dining spaces for intimate receptions or pre-wedding celebrations

Subscribe to Subscribe or renew your annual subscription to Columbus Monthly for $18.

Go to columbusmonthly.com or call 877-688-8009.

Kelton House Museum & Garden 586 E. Town St., Columbus; 614-464-2022 keltonhouse.com This historic venue offers two perfect spots to host that intimate ceremony: outside under the beautiful pergola or in front of the roaring fire in the Carriage House. !! = + $ ' ) # The Kitchen 231 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus; 614-225-8940 thekitchencolumbus.com The Kitchen’s event spaces are romantic and versatile, offering a stunning backdrop for your celebration. Its team takes care of each detail for everything from bridal showers and rehearsal dinners to wedding ceremonies and receptions. !!! = $ ' > The Levee 670 Harmon Ave., Columbus; 614-358-5252 la-catering.com This beautiful facility is named after the levees that were built on the historical site to protect the city as the Scioto River breached its banks in the early 1900s; located in Franklinton. !!!!! = + $ ' > Lincoln Theatre Ballroom 769 E. Long St., Columbus; 614-719-6696 lincolntheatrecolumbus.com Newly renovated and restored ballroom in the historic Lincoln Theatre; outside catering welcome with no additional fees !!!!! = $ ) > #

Voted Best Golf/Country Club Venue by Columbus Weddings readers two years in a row Voted Best of Venue by Columbus Weddings 2 Years in a Row Voted Past 10 10 Years Years Voted Best Best of of The The Knot Knot for for Past

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venue guide

MEREDITH AND NICK WALSTRA | May 22, 2021 The Walstras’ wedding was among the first to be held at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. They included their pups, Sebastian and Brantley, via signage at the venue, in sugar form on the cake (made by Break Away Cakes, owned by Nick’s sister) and in the names of signature cocktails.

!$'>

National Veterans Memorial and Museum 300 W. Broad St., Columbus; 614-427-2564 nationalvmm.org Recognized internationally for its innovative design, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum offers a truly unique venue for a variety of occasions and special events. !!!!! = + $ ) #

North Bank Park Pavilion 311 W. Long St., Columbus; 614-645-3337 columbusparkrentals.com Located in the Arena District with a premier riverfront location on the bank of the Scioto River, this venue offers contemporary design and breathtaking views of Downtown. It’s fully customizable to make your big day unforgettable. !!!! = + $ > # Ohio Statehouse 1 Capitol Sq., Columbus; 614-466-2251 ohiostatehouse.org The Ohio Statehouse is available to serve as your perfect wedding location. The package includes a wedding coordinator, security, parking, tables, chairs and equipment. Make 68

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a statement­—make your wedding historic at the Ohio Statehouse. !!!!! = + $ ' ( Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel 50 N. Third St., Columbus; 614-228-5050 renhotels.com Indoor and outdoor space refreshed with a modern new look; beautiful city-view terrace located on the fourth floor !!!!! = + $ ' ) >

Schmidt’s Banquet and Meeting Haus 240 E. Kossuth St., Columbus; 614-449-4038 schmidthaus.com Two beautiful banquet rooms are located above Schmidt’s Restaurant. Meals are served buffet-style; four individual menus and a single chair lift to the party rooms are available. You’ll find a professional, yet personal, atmosphere. !! = $ >

Station 67 Event Center 379 W. Broad St., Columbus; 614-564-9530 facebook.com/station67oh This beautiful, historic venue combines an old train station with a modern space that’s perfect for a ceremony and reception with views of the Downtown skyline. !!!! = + $ ' > Strongwater Events 401 W. Town St., Columbus; 614-928-3170 events.strongwatercolumbus.com This multiroom space exudes an urban warehouse aesthetic. The venue includes private event entrances, day-of coordination support, wedding suites, ample parking, indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces, and exposed brick around every corner. !!!! = + $ ' ) >

Sheraton Columbus Hotel at Capitol Square 75 E. State St., Columbus; 614-365-4513 sheratoncolumbuscapitolsquare.com This beautiful Downtown venue is located in the heart of the city, overlooking the Ohio Statehouse. !!!!! = + ' ) >

The Vault 35 E. Gay St., Columbus; 614-225-1000 vaultbanquets.com The Vault is truly one of Columbus’ bestkept secrets. Your guests will depart knowing they have experienced something very special. !!!!! = $ ( >

Southern Theatre 21 E. Main St., Columbus; 614-469-1045 capa.com/venues/southern-theatre Historic 1896 theater available for ceremonies and receptions; outside catering welcome with no additional fees !! = $ ) >

Via Vecchia Winery 2108 S. High St., Columbus; 614-893-5455 viavecchiawinery.com A fully functional winery and industrial chic event center with large, private garden/ courtyard and paver-stone patio, where you

PHOTOS: AMY ANN PHOTOGRAPHY

Lindey’s Restaurant 169 E. Beck St., Columbus; 614-228-4343 lindeys.com Featuring elegant, private rooms for dining, it’s perfect for small wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners or bridal showers.

can host your ceremony, enjoy a drink or play outdoor games. !!!!! = + $ ) > Vue Columbus 95 Liberty St., Columbus; 614-454-1877 vuecolumbus.com Vue is located near Downtown in the heart of the quaint yet hip Brewery District, with a beautiful outside patio space featuring inspiring views of historic buildings and Columbus’ skyline. !!!!! = + $ ( # The Westin Great Southern Columbus 310 S. High St., Columbus; 614-228-3800 westin.com/columbus Elegant, timeless and iconic—enjoy the historic ballroom, intimate hotel, locally sourced and artfully prepared cuisine, and premier service. Staff will handle every detail to make your day perfect. !!!!! = $ ' >

food/beverage restrictions. ! = $ ( # Annunciation Banquet and Conference Center 555 N. High St., Columbus; 614-224-9020 downtownreceptions.com Couples can choose from four preferred caterers and bring their own alcohol. !!!!! + $ ( # Antrim Park Shelterhouse 5800 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus; 614-645-3337 columbusparkrentals.com With a quaint park setting, two fireplaces and a customizable space, this location is perfect for smaller weddings with up to 85 people. ! = + $ ) > #

Clintonville, Italian Village, North Side, Old North Columbus, Short North, University District, Victorian Village, Worthington

The Blackwell Inn 2110 Tuttle Park Pl., Columbus; 614-247-4000 theblackwell.com On the campus of Ohio State University, The Blackwell Inn is an ideal wedding venue.

With recently renovated guest rooms and chef-customized menus that illustrate your love story, staff will create the day of your dreams. !!!!! = + ' >

Ampersand Flowers & Events 5594 N. High St., Worthington; 614-601-6445 ampersandflowers.com This flower shop and event space is perfect for showers, rehearsals and microweddings. For $595, the Elopement Package includes officiant, custom ceremony, bouquet/boutonniere and two hours’ venue rental. No minimums, no

Brick & Mortar at North 4th Corridor 580 N. Fourth St., Columbus; 614-224-0272 cateringbymilos.com/north-4th-corridor Brick & Mortar features exposed brick, dark wood beams and a manicured courtyard perfect for ceremonies and cocktail receptions. The intricate history of the Smith Bros.

Hardware building is showcased in this oneof-a-kind urban space. !!! = + $ ' > #

NORTH (NEAR)

Columbus Weddings partner vendor Maximum reception size (seated): ! 99 people or fewer !! 100 to 149 people !!! 150 to 199 people !!!! 200 to 249 people !!!!! 250 people or more = + $ '

Ceremony space available Outdoor space available Rental fee Caterer on-site/exclusive off-site caterer ( Choose caterer from approved caterer list ) Outside caterers allowed/ negotiable > Minimum spend/guest count required # May bring outside alcohol < No alcohol allowed [no symbols] Information not available

Edison 777 777 N. Fourth St., Columbus; 614-776-0017 edison777.biz Edison 777 is a modern-industrial event venue situated in the heart of Italian Village near Downtown Columbus, featuring an open floor plan and an outdoor courtyard. !!! = + $ ' ) >

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venue guide Fawcett Event Center 2400 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus; 614-292-7200 fawcettcenter.com This venue offers reception facilities for up to 250, beautiful outdoor spaces and outstanding catered specialties. The professional wedding coordinator can work with your tastes and visions to create the day of your dreams. !!!!! = + $ ' > The FIG Room 17 Brickel St., Columbus; 614-963-8998 figroom.biz The FIG Room was created to be versatile for any small event needs. The combination of natural light and brick walls creates an ambiance that truly makes your event one your guests will never forget. ! = ' ( > # Goodale Park Shelterhouse 120 W. Goodale St., Columbus; 614-645-3337 columbusparkrentals.com Conveniently located close to Downtown in historic Goodale Park, this facility has the option to reserve an outdoor ceremony location at the picturesque gazebo situated next to a peaceful pond. ! = + $ ( > # Graduate Columbus 750 N. High St., Columbus; 614-484-1900

graduatecolumbus.com Prepare to be inspired: In this hotel, little moments of surprise and discovery meet you around each corner. !! = + $ ( Greater Columbus Convention Center 400 N. High St., Columbus; 614-827-2500 columbusconventions.com Beautiful facility featuring three ballrooms divisible into various configurations and with colorful LED ceiling lights; outdoor plaza, spacious atriums, 75 meeting rooms, catering by Levy, on-site production company, plentiful parking, connected to hotels, entertainment nearby !!!!! = + $ ' Hilton Columbus Downtown 401 N. High St., Columbus; 614-384-8600 columbusdowntown.hilton.com Located in the Short North Arts District, Hilton Columbus Downtown will feature 1,000 rooms when its newly built expansion is unveiled in fall 2022. Collectively, the two towers will boast 75,000 square feet of meeting space. !!!!! = $ ' ) > J. Liu Restaurant & Bar 6880 N. High St., Worthington; 614-888-1818 jliurestaurant.com From formal and extravagant receptions to laid-back, casual affairs, staff can make your

day a reality. They will translate your personal and unique vision to an event that will mark the memory of every guest. !!!! = ' ( > Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph 620 N. High St., Columbus; 614-456-7844 lemeridiencolumbus.com Celebrate your vows while expressing individuality at Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph.

Experience art-inspired, chic design with impeccable culinary options from The Guild House. Discover the center-stone gem in a community of beauty and vitality. !!! = $ ' > Marriott Columbus University Area 3100 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus; 614-477-9777 marriott.com/cmhcn The gorgeous new ballroom is the perfect setting for the wedding of your dreams. Let the venue’s seasoned event professionals take the stress out of wedding planning and exceed your expectations for your special day. !!!!! = + $ ' Mozart’s Catering & Events 4784 N. High St., Columbus; 614-268-3687 mozartscafe.com Mozart’s elegant venue is perfect for hosting your wedding and reception. Staff will make your special day stress-free with in-house

PHOTOS: JENNA POWERS PHOTOGRAPHY

JORDAN AND JEFFREY BLOSSER | July 24, 2021 The Blossers turned to Auburn + Ivory to style their Pinnacle Golf Club wedding, where Eleanor’s Ice Cream’s camper-turned-catering-cart served their favorite treat. Their DJ, Brad McPherson of Josh Staley Productions, kept the dance floor full all night, Jordan says. “We have had so many guests ask for his information,” for their own or their family members’ weddings.

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Pro Tip

When planning your wedding, don’t forget it is your wedding. You can try to make everyone happy, but the one who should be the happiest is you.

Don’t forget that it is your day.

—Christy Baker, Worthington Hills Country Club catering, a handmade European wedding cake, bar packages and ample parking for guests. !!!! = + $ ' ( Ohio Stadium 411 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus; 614-247-1739 go.osu.edu/sgv Host your special day inside one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of college athletics. From beautiful ceremony sites to large reception rooms, this is a unique venue that will provide a remarkable experience.

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Big House House Ho u Ph us Photo otto oto

!!!!! = + $ '

Ohio Union at The Ohio State University 1739 N. High St., Columbus; 614-292-5200 ohiounion.osu.edu Perfect for weddings of all sizes, this venue has one of the largest ballrooms in Central Ohio, as well as multiple intimate rooms to accommodate and personalize a couple’s special day. !!!!! = + $ ' Ohio Village 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus; 614-297-2300 ohiohistory.org Several historically accurate event spaces can accommodate intimate weddings and larger gatherings alike. The nondenominational Ohio Village Church offers a dramatic, Gothic-style setting for your ceremony.

Choose from the preferred caterers or bring your own. !!!! = + $ ( OSU Faculty Club 181 S. Oval Mall, Columbus; 614-292-2262 ohio-statefacultyclub.com The staff’s commitment to hospitality and excellence will touch each one of your guests while bringing together the rich history and tradition of the university. Come experience the unique phenomenon that is the Faculty Club. !!!! = + $ ' > Post 4 at North 4th Corridor 580 N. Fourth St., Columbus; 614-224-0272 cateringbymilos.com/north-4th-corridor Post 4 is a multilevel, industrial venue that easily transitions outside through an oversized glass garage door. Vintage elements give this space a cozy, intimate feel while still allowing plenty of space for large groups. !!! = + $ ' > #

Revery at North 4th Corridor 580 N. Fourth St., Columbus; 614-224-0272 cateringbymilos.com/north-4th-corridor Revery, a beautiful, glass-enclosed rooftop venue, boasts incomparable Downtown skyline views. Guests will be swept away in the airy, dreamlike atmosphere complete with a retractable glass rooftop. !!!! = + $ ' > SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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DANA AND BEN HARTMAN | May 21, 2021 Personalized art played a big role in the Hartmans’ wedding: Their invites included a sketch of them and their dog, Tucker, by freelance illustrator Kira Reed, and artist Emma Miller live-painted their ceremony. Dana’s engagement ring is also deeply personal: It contains a diamond from Ben’s late mother’s ring.

The Terrace 711 High St., Fourth Floor, Columbus; 614-848-4700 cameronmitchellpremierevents.com/venues/ the-terrace Located in the Short North Arts District, The Terrace is a versatile, intimate event space just steps from High Street. !! = + $ ' > Understory 2571 Neil Ave., Columbus; 614-429-3936 understorycbus.com Understory is a new experience from the team at Wolf’s Ridge Brewing that roots the community to the natural beauty and history of Columbus. Visit to refuel and re-energize beneath the canopy of the Olentangy Trail.

Worthington Hills Country Club 920 Clubview Blvd. S, Columbus; 614-885-9516 worthingtonhills.com The banquet room is lined with windows, allowing for plenty of natural light. It overlooks the golf course. Staff are happy to customize your wedding. !!!!! = + $ ' >

NORTH (FAR)

Delaware, Lewis Center, Polaris, Powell and beyond The Barn at Stratford 2690 Stratford Rd., Delaware; 844-369-2276 thebarnatstratford.org Built in 1848, this venue is owned by the Delaware County Historical Society and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This venue boasts 6 landscaped acres, a dressing suite and an on-site museum. !!! = + $ ) # Bridgewater Banquet and Conference Center 10561 Sawmill Pkwy., Powell; 614-734-9800

!! = + $ ' >

Whetstone Park Shelterhouse 3901 N. High St., Columbus; 614-645-3337 columbusparkrentals.com Connected to the Park of Roses and featuring gorgeous garden views and two fireplaces, the venue is customizable to fit your every need and has options for outdoor ceremonies in the rose garden. !!! = + $ ) > # 72

COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

Pro Tip

When searching for vendors, consider their experience level, not just their pricing.

—Bruce Cramer, Bryn Du Mansion

bridgewaterbanquetcenter.com Bridgewater’s spacious ballroom is the perfect setting for a wedding reception of any size. Its dedicated event coordinators will assist you with every step of the planning process. !!!!! = + $ ' ( Brookshire 405 Greif Pkwy., Delaware; 740-548-8188 brookshire.biz Featuring all-inclusive wedding packages, beautiful architecture, a garden, a vineyard, a fire pit and an indoor ballroom; catering, bar, linens, DJ, cake, floral centerpieces and coordinator are included. !!!!! = + ' > Camp Mary Orton 7925 N. High St., Columbus; 614-885-1023 campmaryorton.org This historic lodge features original wood floors, a high-beamed ceiling and a 14-footwide stone fireplace; the terrace overlooks the expansive lawn, ideal for outdoor ceremonies. !!!!! = + $ ( # Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell; 614-724-3679 columbuszoo.org Beautiful indoor and outdoor facilities accentuated by the exotic backdrop of the world’s wildlife; a truly unique wedding experience !!!!! = + $ ' >

Glenross Golf Club 231 Clubhouse Dr., Delaware; 740-657-3752 glenrossgc.com

PHOTOS: DERK’S WORKS PHOTOGRAPHY

The Sanctuary on Neil 618 Neil Ave., Columbus; 614-848-4700 thesanctuaryonneil.com Housed inside a 130-year-old church, The Sanctuary on Neil is centrally located in the heart of Victorian Village, within walking distance of the Short North Arts District’s dining, shopping and nightlife. !! = $ ' >

newsletter

Columbus Weddings partner vendor Maximum reception size (seated): ! 99 people or fewer !! 100 to 149 people !!! 150 to 199 people !!!! 200 to 249 people !!!!! 250 people or more = + $ '

Ceremony space available Outdoor space available Rental fee Caterer on-site/exclusive off-site caterer ( Choose caterer from approved caterer list ) Outside caterers allowed/ negotiable > Minimum spend/guest count required # May bring outside alcohol < No alcohol allowed [no symbols] Information not available

This lovely, open and airy venue features stone walls and views of the golf course. !!!

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Vow to be remembered

Something bold | S o m e t h i n g y o u

=+$'(>

Henmick Farm & Brewery 4380 N. Old State Rd., Delaware henmick.com The brewery grounds include a stunning 1860s barn with original hand-hewn beams; a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace; beautiful tiered chandeliers; doors opening up to a courtyard; and The Fields at Henmick, the land surrounding the farmhouse. !! = + $ ( Hilton Columbus/Polaris 8700 Lyra Dr., Columbus; 614-885-1600 columbuspolaris.hilton.com The on-site wedding specialist is happy to help you design a perfect event. The hotel also provides a variety of cuisine options, so everyone can enjoy dinner regardless of personal taste. !!!!! = + $ ' ) > The Jessing Center 7625 N. High St., Columbus; 614-985-2215 boscandbrie.com The Jessing Center is located on the beautiful campus of the Pontifical College Josephinum, featuring stunning barrel vault ceilings, a dance floor and catering by the award-winning Bosc + Brie. !!!!! $ ' # Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club 3737 Village Club Dr., Powell; 740-881-6500 golfkinsale.com The main room has hardwood floors, a large marble fireplace and French doors leading to a patio that overlooks the 18th green. A new outdoor event space overlooks the 18th hole and clubhouse. !!!!! = + $ ' ( > Meekers Venue 385 E. William St., Delaware; 614-975-3441 meekersvenue.com An elegant, affordable and flexible event venue in a renovated 1873 stained-glass church !!!! = + $ ( #

Weddings that truly stand out take place in the heart of Ohio Wine Country. Here, you can host all the events of your lakeside wedding, including the rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception. Your union is destined to last a lifetime—and guests will be talking about your wedding for nearly that long.

TheLodgeAtGeneva.com 866.387.9907 4888 North Broadway Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH 44041

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venue guide

EMILY AND STEPHEN “SAM” MOYNIHAN | Oct. 3, 2020 Muirfield Village Golf Club has special meaning to the Moynihans, but not the one you might think. The couple chose it for their wedding venue because it brought Sam to Ohio (the turf industry pro moved to Dublin to work at the golf club), which led to his and Emily’s meeting.

Additionally, Emily’s parents were married there in 1989.

Ohio Wildlife Center Bonner Barn 6131 Cook Rd., Powell; 614-407-7825 ohiowildlifecenter.org This beautiful, recently reclaimed barn from 1891 is nestled among 20 acres of wooded seclusion in Powell. !! = + $ ' # Scioto Reserve Country Club 7383 Scioto Pkwy., Powell; 740-881-9082 sciotoreserveweddings.com This modern and elegant wedding venue boasts on-site suites, inclusive packages and indoor/outdoor ceremony options. !!!!! = + $ ' >

Swan Lake Event Center 5900 Liberty Rd., Powell; 740-833-6024 swanlakeeventcenter.com This campus-style venue offers a secluded environment with a neutral colors, natural 74

COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

light and a romantic feel. It features multiple indoor and outdoor ceremony locations, spacious on-site bridal suites and 20 acres for photos and exploration. !!!!! = + $ ( > Wedgewood Golf & Country Club 9600 Wedgewood Blvd., Powell; 614-793-9600 wedgewoodgolfcc.com The finest facilities, a friendly and attentive staff and events to suit every taste—it is all waiting for you at Wedgewood Golf & Country Club. It promises to be your exclusive, all-in-one event venue. !!!!! = + $ ' > The Wenbeck at Little Bear Golf Club 1940 Little Bear Loop, Lewis Center; 740-953-7085 littlebeargolfclublewiscenter.com Beautiful waterfront property without a country club membership or price tag !!!! = + $ ( > York Golf Club 7459 N. High St., Columbus; 614-885-5968 yorkgc.com Situated on 140 acres of rolling terrain on the Olentangy River and conveniently located just north of Worthington, this event space overlooks the 18th hole of the golf course and can comfortably hold 200-plus guests. !!!! = + $ ) >

NORTHEAST

Easton, Gahanna, New Albany, Westerville and beyond Ariel-Foundation Park 10 Pittsburgh Ave., Mount Vernon; 740-501-9293 arielfoundationpark.org This stunning, 250-acre park with indoor and outdoor spaces was built on the grounds of a former plate glass factory and sand quarry.

Its unique landscape pays homage to its industrial heritage. !!!!! = + $ ( Bent Tree Golf Club 350 Bent Tree Rd., Sunbury; 740-965-5140, ext. 3 benttreegc.com Offering all-inclusive wedding reception packages; the banquet room features a beautiful golf course view and can accommodate up to 150 guests. !!! = + $ ' The Beverly Mansion 6681 State Route 229, Marengo; 614-332-4470 thebeverlymansionmarengo.com This estate’s breathtaking acres offer the ideal setting for weddings and celebrations.

Its stunning views in the spring, summer and fall and its arched footbridge, pond, trees and landscaping make for a perfect wedding venue. !!!! = + $ ' #

PHOTOS: NICOLE DIXON PHOTOGRAPHIC

Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center 100 Green Meadows Dr. S, Lewis Center; 614-880-4169 nwhotelandconferencecenter.com The classic, timeless, Georgian-style wedding venue sets the standard for romantic wedding venues in Central Ohio. Its villagelike setting provides event spaces with endless possibilities and stunning outdoor locations that beg to be photographed. !!!!! = + $ ' >

Bloomfield Meadows 650 State Route 314, Centerburg; 614-354-8468 bloomfieldmeadows.com An eco-friendly venue on a working berry farm in Centerburg; have your ceremony outside by the pond with the heart-shaped island, then dance the night away under the café lights with your family and friends. !!! = + $ ( # The Brook 3480 Benedict Rd., Marengo; 740-361-6348 thebrookvenue.com The property’s 180 acres include lush forests, tranquil groves and, of course, a stunning brook winding throughout. It offers a range of on-site lodging options and activities guaranteed to leave you with lifelong memories. !!!!! = + $ ( # Clover Valley Golf Club 8644 Johnstown Alexandria Rd., Johnstown; 740-966-5533 clovervalleygolfclub.com Enjoy country charm and darling ceremonies in front of the small barn and silo next to the clubhouse. Columns, a wraparound patio and water provide stunning photo opportunities. ! = + $ ' ( > Creekside Event Center 101 Mill St., Ste. 300, Gahanna; 614-416-8188 creeksidecec.com Creekside Event Center includes over 9,000 square feet of sophisticated and breathtaking space with a touch of metropolitan flair.

It is an ideal setting for weddings, receptions, and corporate and social events.

Pro Tip

Don’t forget to feed your vendors! Ask the vendors who will be there for the entirety of your wedding (photographer, DJ, etc.) if they require a meal and if they would like an assigned seat to enjoy their dinner.

—Nicole McCrate, Darby House

The perfect place for your perfect day.

The Golf Club at Little Turtle 5400 Little Turtle Way, Westerville; 614-625-2934 littleturtlegolf.com The Hawthorne Ballroom is a stunning space with high ceilings, modern chandeliers, a stone fireplace, rustic beams and floor-toceiling windows. Also included are bridal and groom’s suites and a patio overlooking the lake and golf course. !!!!! = + $ ' > Hilton Columbus at Easton 3900 Chagrin Dr., Columbus; 614-414-5000 hiltoncolumbus.com Newly renovated hotel with ballrooms accommodating 50 to 700 guests; contact the catering team to discuss your wedding reception. !!!!! = $ ' > Irongate Equestrian Center 12298 Croton Rd., Croton; 740-893-8001 irongateequestriancenter.com Award-winning, luxury, rustic, private wedding and special event venue located just 20 minutes northeast of New Albany !!!!! = + $ ( >

!!!!! = + $ ' >

The Estate at New Albany 5216 Forest Dr., New Albany; 614-423-5314 theestatenewalbany.biz A secluded, premier event venue on more than 5 acres of beautiful landscape, ponds and outdoor spaces, all easily accessed off SR-161. Staff make the wedding of your dreams customizable with all-inclusive options. !!!!! = + ' ) > Everal Barn & Homestead 60 N. Cleveland Ave., Westerville; 614-531-3313 parks.westerville.org/facilities/everal-barnand-homestead This historic, 19th-century barn and homestead is the perfect location for any type of event.

It features indoor and outdoor spaces with a brick patio, pond and fire pit. !! = + $ ) Gahanna Sanctuary 82 N. High St., Gahanna; 614-578-1237 gahannasanctuary.org This historic and affordable nonprofit wedding ceremony center is located in a safe neighborhood with ample free parking. !!!!! = $ ( # Glass Rooster Cannery & Old Hen Guest House 1673 S. State Route 605, Sunbury; 614-499-2958 glassroostercannery.com A magical farm offering a restored historic dairy barn, two dressing areas, indoor bathrooms and a guesthouse 20 minutes from Columbus !!!! = + $ ' ( #

Jorgensen Farms Historic Barn 5851 E. Walnut St., Westerville; 614-855-2697 jorgensen-farms.com Elegant, charming and spacious, this yearround organic farm and wedding venue is a one-of-a-kind experience for you and your guests, from the sunset porch to the flower field and gardens. !!!!! = + $ ' > # Jorgensen Farms Oak Grove 7500 Harlem Rd., Westerville; 614-855-2697 jorgensen-farms.com This historic, 40-by-60-foot Lord and Burnham greenhouse provides an open-air experience that feels both spacious and intimate.

The adjacent Main Hall is climate-controlled and features Wi-Fi and a warm glow from the candles and lights. !!!!! = + $ ' > # La Navona 154 N. Hamilton Rd., Gahanna; 614-532-5711 lanavona.com This perfect venue to tie the knot features a breathtaking setting with picturesque outdoor ceremony space and versatile interior space, which can have rustic, bohemian, vintage or classic themes. !!!! = + ' > The Lakes Golf and Country Club 6740 Worthington Rd., Westerville; 614-882-2582 lakesclub.com Sprawling, Augusta-style clubhouse !!!! + $ ' >

Your day, your way.

Worthington Hills Country Club 920 Clubview Boulevard South Columbus, Ohio 49295

614.885.9516

www.worthingtonhills.com

Contact us today to book your dream wedding!

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venue guide Magnolia Hill Farm 6665 Johnsville Rd., Centerburg; 740-480-1885 magnoliahill-farm.com A modern, all-white farmhouse venue that’s been intentionally designed to fulfill the desires of classic, romantic couples seeking a breathtaking venue close to home, as well as the needs of their wedding creative team. !!!! = + $ ) #

The Medallion Club 5000 Club Dr., Westerville; 614-794-6987 medallionclub.com Situated amid a lush golf course with fountains and lakes dotting the landscape, the Medallion Club offers an ideal location to host anything from an intimate ceremony to a lavish reception. !!!!! = + $ ' > The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue 22650 Vess Rd., Glenmont; 740-599-9030 themohicans.net This breathtaking indoor/outdoor venue is the perfect backdrop for couples looking for a unique and private location in the country surrounded by beautiful natural landscape, rustic design and touches of elegance and luxury. !!!! = + $ ) New Albany Links 7100 New Albany Links Dr., New Albany; 614-855-8532 newalbanylinks.com Beautiful indoor and outdoor venues for both ceremony and reception; spacious event tent outside seats 200; vaulted ceil-

ings and mahogany bar with seating for 115 inside !!!! = + $ ' ( > NorthStar Golf Club 1150 Wilson Rd., Sunbury; 740-965-3663 thenorthstargolfclub.com NorthStar will provide you with the perfect atmosphere for your big day. The full-service facility offers first-class service at an affordable value. !!!! = + $ ' > Renaissance Columbus, Westerville-Polaris Hotel 409 Altair Pkwy., Westerville; 614-882-6800 facebook.com/renwesterville Customize an unforgettable experience for your wedding weekend with an intriguing blend of elegance and comfort. The hotel will gift you with memories that last a lifetime. !!!!! = + $ ' >

Royal American Links 3300 Miller-Paul Rd., Galena; 740-965-1215 royalamericanlinks.com Offering the feel of a destination wedding close to New Albany, this venue is reminiscent of a Scottish castle. Your guests, on approach of the winding lane, will know a decadent evening is about to transpire! !!!! = + $ ' ) > The Rural Society at Warwick Farms 16620 Wells Rd., Mount Vernon; 740-507-6663 theruralsociety.com The Rural Society at Warwick Farms offers an architectural salvaged glasshouse, historic barn, beautiful gardens and borders, charming

Pro Tip

Build centerpieces as much as you can ahead of time. Put all the items needed for each table in a paper grocery bag with a photo of the arrangement and table number stapled to the outside of the bag. This makes set-up quicker and allows others to easily lend a hand.

—Melissa Stroupe, The Barn at Stratford and carefully restored buildings, and unique outdoor spaces that enhance the wedding experience and provide amazing photographic opportunities. !!!!! = + $ ' ) Urban Oasis Community Events Center 2016 Minnesota Ave., Columbus; 614-934-5671 urbanoasiscommunitycenter.com This affordable event space has great amenities, such as on-site decoration services and balloon boutique, a spacious outdoor area with fire pits and an intimate tented area. It’s perfect for family gatherings. ! = + $ ( # Valley Dale Ballroom 1590 Sunbury Rd., Columbus; 614-441-1907 valleydaleballroom.com A landmark venue with iconic flavor for your wedding; the spacious balcony overlooks the largest dance floor in Columbus. Your love glows through the ballroom with the spectrum light package; brides adore the dressing room. !!!!! = + $ (

PHOTOS: WILDHONEY PHOTOGRAPHY

RANI AND CHRISTOPHER SHIELS | June 12, 2021 While Rani cites the moment Christopher first saw her come down the aisle at Royal American Links as one of her favorites, another vies for the top spot: Her son’s reaction to seeing her for the first time that day. “You spend a year planning this day and boom, it’s over,” she says. “But we wouldn’t change a thing.”

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Villa Milano 1630 Schrock Rd., Columbus; 614-882-2058 villamilano.com Beautiful, ornate, elegant décor with no view obstruction; a beautiful, built-in stage and a huge dance floor are perfect for ceremony and reception. Staff pay close attention to detail with homemade recipes made on-site. !!!!! = ' >

The Woodward Opera House 107 S. Main St., Mount Vernon; 740-501-9293 thewoodward.org Showcasing the perfect blend of vintage style with modern amenities, The Woodward is ready to make your event memorable. Its packages and space support outings from a few hours to a few days. !!! = $ ' (

NORTHWEST

Dublin, Marysville, Plain City and beyond Brookside Golf & Country Club 2770 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., Columbus; 614-889-2581, ext. 802 brooksidegcc.com The vintage feel of Brookside’s Tudor-style clubhouse and beautiful grounds provides a romantic ambiance for any occasion. !!!!! = + $ ' >

Curated Experience for All

Capriella Castle 6665 Eagle Creek Ln., Ostrander; 614-800-5704 capriellacastle.com A must-see unique and magical property with space for garden ceremonies or indoor events. Book a tour by going to the website.

Also pefect for corporate events, private parties and fundraisers. !!!!! = + $ ) # The Club at Corazón 7155 Corazon Dr., Dublin; 614-504-5250 clubatcorazon.com This gorgeous, Tuscan-style venue, surrounded by winding vineyards, fountains, terraces and cozy fireplaces, is a scene sure to make your special day unforgettable. !!!!! = + $ ' ( >

Columbus Marriott Northwest 5605 Blazer Pkwy., Dublin; 614-791-1000 marriott.com/cmhnw From rehearsal dinner to ceremony to reception and overnight accommodations, allow the experienced staff at Columbus Marriott Northwest to handle all your wedding details.

It features a newly renovated ballroom and guest rooms. !!!!! = ' ( > The Country Club at Muirfield Village 8715 Muirfield Dr., Dublin; 614-764-1714 tccmv.com This spacious banquet facility can accommodate up to 175 guests, with space for entertainment and dancing. The certified executive chef and professional service staff will attend to your every need. !!! = + $ ' >

Columbus Museum of Art 614.629.0325 | events@cmaohio.org

“If you can dream it, we can do it.”

Elegant & Affordable Full menus including Food Stations, Antipasto Spreads, Buffet, Family Style, and Butler Service

Crago Farms 18701 Raymond Rd., Marysville; 937-303-1155 cragofarms.com Rustic barn venue on a family-owned and -operated farm in Marysville

Alcohol & Facility Location Services Available

CD-AT210528_111125

Email catering@carfagnas.com or visit us at carfagnas.com SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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venue guide Dorral Farm 11101 Hinton Mill Rd., Marysville; 614-889-9128 dorralfarm.com Central Ohio’s best-kept secret is whimsical Dorral Farm, where the blue Midwest sky meets lush green lawns. Rustic yet chic, Dorral Farm sets an idyllic backdrop for your countryside wedding. !!!!! = + $ ' ) # Dutch Mill Greenhouse 18443 State Route 4 N, Marysville; 937-642-0511 dutchmillgreenhouse.com We provide a unique, spacious and picturesque setting for all your celebrations: bridal showers, weddings, ladies nights, graduation parties, birthdays, holidays and more! ! = + $ ( # The Exchange 6520 Riverside Dr., Dublin; 614-793-2263 cameronmitchellpremierevents.com/venues/ the-exchange A contemporary, open event space with hardwood floors and raw stone details in the

Pro Tip

Communicate! Open and respectful communication is key, whether it is between the clients, the clients and their families, or the clients and their vendors.

—Gina Cristofani, Columbus Athenaeum

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Dublin Bridge Park neighborhood; the venue offers stunning views of historic downtown Dublin and the majestic Scioto River. !!!!! = +$'>

French Hen Farm 14458 Fladt Rd., Marysville; 614-306-6349 frenchhenfarm.com French Hen Farm has a beautiful red barn filled with vintage chandeliers that overlooks a pretty pond, willow trees and gardens on 100 acres in Union County. The perfect place to say, “I do!” !!! = + $ ( # Golf Club of Dublin 5805 Eiterman Rd., Dublin; 614-792-3825 golfclubofdublin.com Enjoy stunning views at this lovely, Irishinspired manor that features beautiful window views, lovely wooden interior décor, decadent food and friendly service. Make many special memories with family and friends! !!! = + $ ' ) > Retreat 21 11437 Industrial Pkwy., Marysville; 614-454-1877 retreat21.com This scenic winery and event destination, nestled in the woods just minutes from Columbus, is an escape waiting to be discovered. It will open in late spring 2022. !!!! = + $ ) >

The Silo 138 W. Main St., Plain City; 614-504-5500 thesiloplaincity.com

Tucked away in the attic of a historic downtown Plain City building, The Silo has been brought to life. Its team is ready for you to experience the space and all it has to offer. ! = + $ ' )

EAST

Bexley, Granville, Reynoldsburg, Whitehall and beyond 1883 Locale 7345½ E. Main St., Reynoldsburg; 614-282-6828 1883locale.com A bohemian-industrial loft venue with 3,000-plus square feet and 20-foot exposed brick walls in the heart of downtown Reynoldsburg !!! = + $ ( Bryn Du Mansion 537 Jones Rd., Granville; 740-587-7053 bryndu.com Elegant mansion, landscaped patio areas and lawn site for tent; 7,200-square-foot, lodgelike facility; may bring in alcohol !!!!! = + $ ( # Buckeye Lake Winery 13750 Rosewood Rd. NE, Thornville; 740-246-5665 buckeyelakewinery.com Buckeye Lake Winery offers an atmosphere of elegance to celebrate the most magical day of your life. Whether you are planning an intimate gathering or an extravagant affair, its staff will transform your vision into reality. !!! = + $ ' >

Pro Tip

If you are planning for an outdoor wedding with floral arbor décor and it needs to be moved inside due to weather, you should always ask both the ceremony location and florist how you can incorporate the same look/ feel with what you have purchased and how far in advance you need to make these types of decisions.

—Ann Marie Orren, Scioto Reserve Country Club

Buxton Inn 313 E. Broadway, Granville; 614-260-4261 buxtoninn.com A unique setting in beautiful Granville for small to large private events !! = + $ ' > Cherry Valley Hotel 2299 Cherry Valley Rd., Newark; 740-788-1200 cherryvalleyhotel.com Choose your space: large, elegant ballrooms, intimate spaces or an outdoor area straight out of a fairy tale. The property is renowned for its dreamy weddings curated by professional planners and a culinary team. !!!!! = + $ ' > Columbus Country Club 4381 E. Broad St., Columbus; 614-300-5199 columbuscc.com With beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces bathed in natural lighting, the Columbus Country Club is a perfect setting for your special day. !!!! = + $ ' > Combustion Brewery & Taproom Private Event Space 80 W. Church St., Pickerington; 937-360-7797 combustionbrewing.com/private-events Situated above Combustion Brewery & Taproom, the 7,200-square-foot space features an abundance of sunlight, plenty of room to accommodate your group and the unique character of the Historic Pickerington Creamery Building. !!! = $ ( > Granville Inn 314 E. Broadway, Granville; 740-587-3333 granvilleinn.com Nestled in the heart of Granville, the warmth and charm of the historic Granville Inn creates a one-of-a-kind setting for a memorable wedding weekend. Request a tour and experience its ambiance and stunning restoration yourself. !! = + $ ' > Jefferson Country Club 7271 Jefferson Meadows Dr., Blacklick; 614-759-7500 jeffersoncountryclub.com Jefferson is a prestigious country club offering spectacular views. It’s available to nonmembers for weddings, showers and rehearsal dinners. !!!!! = + $ ' > Jeffrey Mansion 165 N. Parkview Ave., Bexley; 614-559-4300 bexley.org/facility-rentals The Bexley Recreation & Parks Department

offers facility reservations for Jeffrey Mansion in Jeffrey Park. Reservations must be made in person weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Bexley Recreation & Parks Department. !! = + $ ( > Orchard House Granville 4058 Columbus Rd., Granville; 740-651-1850 orchardhousegranville.com This artistic boutique inn, country manor and wooded area are very popular, but it only hosts 16 weddings each year. The pine forest chapel and reception lawn with the 1850s estate as the backdrop is a setting like none other. !!!! = + $ ) # The Peak at Edison 781 Science Blvd., Gahanna; 614-660-4866 thepeakedison.com This modern venue features a rooftop patio with a beautiful view of Downtown Columbus; other amenities include bridal and groom’s suites, as well as Edison Brewing located next door to host after-parties. !!!! = + $ ) Phenix Banquet Center 2101 Noe Bixby Rd., Columbus; 614-260-8691 phenixeventvenuecolumbusoh.com Phenix Banquet Center offers beautiful indoor and outdoor venues, complimentary parking, no service fees and a choice of four distinctly different spaces: the Athena Ballroom, Apollo Lounge, Atlas Hall and an outdoor area. !!!! = + $ (

Marry at the Mansion Our historic Granville mansion is perfect for intimate gatherings.

The Fieldhouse can accomodate hundreds of guests.

52 acre estate with outdoor gardens and great lawn.

BrynDu.com Granville, Ohio (740) 587-7053

The Robert C. Walter Student Commons 2010 E. Broad St., Columbus; 614-252-6714 stcharlesprep.org Multipurpose space inside Saint Charles Preparatory School featuring high ceilings and brick details; Catholic affiliation not required Seek-No-Further Cidery & Bancroft Cottage 120 E. Elm St., Granville; 513-461-1782 bancroftcottage1824.com Located in a beautifully renovated, two-story

Columbus Weddings partner vendor Maximum reception size (seated): ! 99 people or fewer !! 100 to 149 people !!! 150 to 199 people !!!! 200 to 249 people !!!!! 250 people or more

STAY & PLAY ON Celebrate in YOUR Style BIG DAY Signature Sips & Bites • Free WiFi • Live Music • Complimentary Champagne & Strawberries with Suite Aloft Columbus Westerville •614 899 6560 aloftcolumbuswesterville.com

= + $ '

Ceremony space available Outdoor space available Rental fee Caterer on-site/exclusive off-site caterer ( Choose caterer from approved caterer list ) Outside caterers allowed/ negotiable > Minimum spend/guest count required # May bring outside alcohol < No alcohol allowed [no symbols] Information not available

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venue guide barn on the property of the historic Bancroft Cottage, this venue features an English-style courtyard and is located just steps from the lodging, restaurants and shops of Granville. !=+$(

The Trout Club 2250 Horns Hill Rd., Newark; 740-366-2770 thetroutclub.com Your ceremony will overlook some of the most beautiful scenery in Licking County.

The Trout Club offers a truly unique setting with the perfect atmosphere for your wedding day. !!!!! = + ' > Wolfe Park Shelterhouse 105 Park Dr., Columbus; 614-645-3337 columbusparkrentals.com Conveniently located close to Downtown, just outside all the hustle and bustle, the venue features lots of natural lighting, a fireplace and a bridal suite. It’s customizable to fit your needs. !!! = + $ ) > #

Gregory Lashutka Event Center 3479 Riverside Dr., Upper Arlington; 614-645-3337 columbusparkrentals.com Located on Griggs Reservoir, this venue is perfect for intimate weddings. The Dam Tender’s House, built in 1816, was just renovated to include a cozy event space and outdoor patio. Enjoy beautiful views of the reservoir. ! = + $ ) > # Griggs Reservoir Boathouse 3033 Thoburn Rd., Columbus; 614-645-3337 columbusparkrentals.com Located on Griggs Reservoir, this gorgeous and unique building has the perfect view.

With windows surrounding the Scioto Room and a patio overlooking the reservoir, this facility gives you a warm feeling year-round. !! = + $ ) > #

Heritage Golf Club 3525 Heritage Club Dr., Hilliard; 614-684-7112 heritagegc.com

Heritage Golf Club is the perfect place to celebrate your special day. It offers beautiful private rooms and outdoor spaces with a picturesque setting for your wedding ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner and/or bridal shower. !!!! = + $ ' > Makoy Center 5462 Center St., Hilliard; 614-777-1211 makoy.com The Makoy Center’s experienced staff is dedicated to taking care of its couples and creating their design, from linens and centerpieces to the food and beverage. A day-of coordinator will assist throughout the day. !!!!! = + ' > The Ohio State University Golf Club 3605 Tremont Rd., Columbus; 614-514-3663 ohiostategolfclub.com Featuring a spectacular veranda with a beautiful view of the course; menu options include a large selection of hors d’oeuvres, dinners and even gourmet desserts. !!! = + $ ' >

WEST

Fifth by Northwest, Grandview Heights, Hilliard, Upper Arlington and beyond Amelita Mirolo Barn 4395 Carriage Hill Ln., Upper Arlington; 614-583-5330 amelitamirolobarn.com Located in Sunny 95 Park, this unique facility blends the historic beams of one of the community’s oldest farm structures with an airy, modern space perfect for weddings and other special events. !!! = + $ ( > Bloom Room Event Venue & Studio 1266 Goodale Blvd., Ste. 2, Columbus; 614-785-9690 bloomroomcolumbus.com From the people behind Petals & Leaves comes the Bloom Room, a chic, intimate space for microweddings of up to 40 people.

The Fives 550 Reach Blvd., Columbus; 614-882-7323 thefivescolumbus.com Surround your event with stunning views of the city’s skyline. The rooftop terrace and large social hall are flexible and modern and include a team of experts to bring your vision to life. !!!!! = + $ ' > The Grand Event Center 820 Goodale Blvd., Columbus; 614-453-4300 thegrandeventscenter.com The Grand blends desired amenities, functionality and modern style in one of Columbus’ most vibrant areas for a unique experience. Wedding packages and chefinspired menus are created with every detail of your celebration in mind. !!!!! = + $ ' > 80

COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

ASHLEY & DREW EVANS May 29, 2021 For their wedding at The Lakes Golf and Country Club, Ashley and Drew opted for a photo-based guestbook using their Instax mini camera. They made a DIY backdrop where guests could take photos, complete with their wedding hashtag: #HappilyEvansAfter.

The pair tied the knot almost exactly 10 years after they were introduced by mutual friends.

PHOTOS: GABRIELLA SUTHERLAND PHOTOGRAPHY

Courtyard by Marriott Columbus OSU 780 Yard St., Columbus; 614-453-4420 marriott.com/cmhwg The Courtyard by Marriott Columbus OSU is connected via an indoor corridor to The Grand Event Center. It’s an ideal location for your wedding reception and guest room needs. !!!!! = + $ ' >

MORGAN AND ANTHONY RASCHILLA | May 14, 2021 COVID-19 forced the Raschillas to postpone their April 2020 wedding by more than a year, but that didn’t put a damper on the day when it arrived. “Our vendors and loved ones made our actual wedding date … better than we ever could have imagined,” Morgan says. She and Anthony were married by Morgan’s brother at Jorgensen Farms Historic Barn.

The Reception House by Schmidt’s 3860 Trabue Rd., Columbus; 614-276-6127 raymondreceptions.com Located at Raymond Memorial Golf Course, this renovated facility is beautifully accommodating and priced for the cost-conscious family. Your event will be managed by Schmidt’s, one of the most reputable hospitality names in Columbus. !!!! = + '

PHOTOS: DERK’S WORKS PHOTOGRAPHY

WatersEdge 4643 Trueman Blvd., Hilliard; 614-876-2200 watersedgeevents.biz All-inclusive wedding venue located on 9.5 acres, four ceremony spots available (two indoor and two outdoor), open ceiling with exposed beams and two-story fireplace in center of main space !!!! = + $ ' ) >

The Clock Tower Premier Banquet & Conference Center 4500 Eastland Dr., Columbus; 614-759-9371 columbusclocktower.com This unique, 7,000-square-foot venue features a blend of European-influenced architecture and Hollywood ballroom elegance. !!!!! = $ ' ) >

The Hitching Post Ranch 4904 Hamburg Rd. SW, Lancaster; 740-808-2604 thehitchingpostranch.com A wedding at the Hitching Post Ranch is an unforgettable moment in time, ready to capture the unique magic of your pairing and story. The HPR Experience awaits you. !!!! = + $ ( #

Crockett’s Run 9710 Bauer Road, Logan; 800-472-8115 crockettsrun.com Situated on 55 acres and surrounded by rock walls, pine trees and waterfalls, Crockett’s Run is a premier Hocking Hills wedding destination. From intimate celebrations to 200-plus-guest receptions, it offers an ideal backdrop for your day. !!!!! = + $ ) #

Lancaster Country Club 3100 Country Club Rd. SW, Lancaster; 740-653-5150 lancastercc.net Founded in 1909 with an emphasis on outdoor activities, the club originally featured a nine-hole golf course and a clay tennis court.

Today, it has an 18-hole golf course, a junior Olympic swimming pool and a clubhouse. !! = + $ ' )

SOUTHEAST

Groveport Town Hall 648 Main St., Groveport; 614-836-3333 groveport.org Great place to have a quaint wedding and reception !! = $ ) <

The Berwick 3250 Refugee Rd., Columbus; 614-235-7100 the-berwick.com The Berwick has been a family-owned and -operated company since 1955, specializing in homemade Italian goodness and offering full-service banquet services, including all of the linens, china, silverware, glassware and service staff. !!!!! = '

The Henry Manor 1755 Cedar Hill Rd., Lancaster; 740-243-0718 henrymanorevents.com This 150-year-old, Victorian-style property is located on 9 acres of beautiful, parklike surroundings. Guests may choose from single-day or weekend packages. Outside vendors are welcome. !!!! = + $ ( #

Canal Winchester, Groveport, Lancaster, Lockbourne, Pickerington and beyond

Laurel Run Farm 21541 Laurel Run Rd., Nelsonville; 614-848-4700 cameronmitchellpremierevents.com/venues/ laurel-run-farm Located in the Hocking Hills, Laurel Run Farm features a charming and luxurious event space. Positioned on 140 acres, the venue offers breathtaking views and privacy, perfect for your special day. !!! = + $ ' > Little Brook Meadows 100 Edgewood Dr., Lancaster; 740-215-8004 littlebrookmeadows.com SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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venue guide

ALEXIS AND MATTHEW FERRY | May 29, 2021 Alexis and Matthew were already married when they exchanged vows at High Line Car House, having held a mini-mony in Youngstown in May 2020. They shared wine from their 2020 unity ceremony with their parents during the 2021 iteration. “We almost let our families talk us out of having our [second] wedding in Columbus,” Alexis says. “We stuck to our hearts and … it was the best decision we ever made.”

!!!!! = + $ ( #

740-215-5874 rockmillbrewery.com Enjoy your ceremony in front of the vintage chapel before retiring to the warm and welcoming farmhouse for dinner, drinks and dancing. Choose from preset package options or customize your own day.

The Loft at Peck’s Hall 101 W. Main St., Circleville; 740-720-8999 theloftatpeckshall.com The Loft is a beautiful piece of history. With massive original windows highlighting the character and natural beauty of this building from 1855, it’s the perfect place for weddings, parties, photography and corporate events. !!! = $ ( #

The Wagnalls Memorial 150 E. Columbus St., Lithopolis; 614-837-4765 wagnalls.org This Tudor-Gothic-style library venue offers four unique sites (Outdoor Courtyard, Front Lawn, Auditorium and the Upper Loft), providing you and the love of your life with the chance to be immersed in the Medieval Revival period. !! = + $ ( #

The Mill Event Center 431 S. Columbus St., Lancaster; 740-777-9200 themilleventcenter.com The Mill Event Center’s facility dates back to the 1800s. It’s in Lancaster’s historic downtown district, but it’s unlike any other event space in the area: beautiful, with a touch of industrial elegance, and customizable. !!!! = + $ ( Retreat at Turnberry 11680 Refugee Rd., Pickerington; 614-645-3337 columbusparkrentals.com The perfect location for a rustic wedding feel; open space, a very large kitchen and a private park setting set this facility apart.

This location is customizable to fit your every need. !! = + $ ) > # Rockmill Brewery 5705 Lithopolis Rd. NW, Lancaster; 82

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SOUTHWEST

Galloway, Grove City and beyond The Annex at 801 801 Harrisburg Pike, Ste. D, Columbus; 614-270-1604 theannexat801.com The Annex at 801 is a multiuse, industrial event venue with the flexibility for clients to bring their own caterer and alcohol. !!!!! = $ ( # Darby House 801 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway; 614-878-4527 darbyhouse.com This private, gated, 1,200-acre estate features a tree-lined lane, wooden bridges over tranquil creeks, open farmland, wooded paths and creek-side views. No matter what

your dream indoor/outdoor wedding looks like, you’ll find it at Darby House. !!!!! = + $ ) >

Flora and Field 21748 Deer Creek Rd., Mount Sterling; 614-600-7819 floraandfield.com This storybook, 30-acre flower farm and venue offers full-service coordination, floral design, premium décor, executive home with bridal salon, luxury groom’s quarters and more elevated services. It provides a pampered destination experience for nature lovers. !!!! = + $ ( # Pinnacle Golf Club 1500 Pinnacle Club Dr., Grove City; 614-539-0722 discoverpinnacle.com Beautiful and unique spaces, breathtaking views, exceptional service and outstanding cuisine !!!!! = + $ ' > Rustic Beauty Wedding and Event Venue 11933 Scioto Darby Rd., Orient; 614-578-4289 rusticbeautyevents.com New facility on an 125-acre farm with two ponds and a shelter house Westgate Park Shelterhouse 3271 Wicklow Rd., Columbus; 614-645-3337 columbusparkrentals.com Updated facility with a fireplace, bridal suite and plenty of space to host your large wedding. Offers a beautiful patio with a gorgeous view of the recently renovated pond and mature trees. !!! = + $ ) > #

PHOTOS: LAURA MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

This beautifully renovated, 80-year-old, 20-stall horse barn provides an event coordinator, bridal suite, handicapped-accessible restrooms, bar, photo stall, children’s stall, food prep area and numerous props. The house accommodates 20 overnight guests.

the essentials

PHOTO: WISE PHOTO CO.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS “Our wedding was by no means super fancy or expensive,” says Amelia Boehmer, who married Joseph VanHorn on June 12, 2021, “but everyone was so excited to finally celebrate something and be around people.”

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AMELIA BOEHMER AND JOSEPH VANHORN | June 12, 2021 Amelia and Joseph aimed for classic and timeless in planning their wedding at the Columbus Athenaeum. “[We] chose a theater, because we both love going to see whatever shows go through Broadway in Columbus,” Amelia notes.

the essentials

More than 350 area vendors comprising Columbus Weddings partners and editorial picks COMPILED BY EMMA FRANKART HENTERLY

AlphaSuit 629 N. High St., Fourth Floor, Columbus 6605 Longshore St., Second Floor, Dublin (inside Brick House Blue) 1733 W. Lane Ave., Upper Arlington (inside CoHatch) 1554 Polaris Pkwy., Ste. 325, Columbus (inside CoHatch) 614-333-0034, alphasuit.com Suiting rentals and custom suiting Andi B Bridal 614-698-9848, andibridal.com Plus-size bridal gowns American Commodore Tuxedo 1500 Polaris Pkwy., Columbus (inside Polaris Fashion Place) 614-436-2889, actux.com Suiting rentals and sales Arne Boutique 2704 Billingsley Rd., Columbus 614-806-5613, arneboutique.com Indian attire and accessories for men and women 84

COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

Attelé Bridal 3219 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington 614-707-2284, attelebridal.com Bridal gowns B. Loved Bridal Boutique 36 W. Gay St., Columbus 614-395-4437, blovedbridal.com Bridal gowns

By Vesna 91 S. High St., Dublin 614-726-9477, tailoredbyvesna.com Alterations and suiting rentals Columbus Alteration Co. 396 S. Washington Ave., Columbus 614-641-0377, columbusalterationco.com Alterations Delana Formals 614-859-9631, delanaformals.com Bridal gowns and custom designs Designer Dream Collection designer-dc.com Indian attire and accessories for women

Dublin Bridal Wedding Boutique 313 W. Bridge St., Dublin 614-553-7146, dublinbridal.com Bridal and wedding party gowns, accessories and suiting rentals Gilded Social 65 E. Gay St., Second Floor, Columbus 614-430-9659, shopgildedsocial.com New and consignment bridal and wedding party gowns and accessories Godfrys Men’s & Women’s Clothier 8801 Lyra Dr., Columbus 614-433-0101, godfrys.com Suiting and accessories sales and custom suiting Henri’s Bridal 8597 Sancus Blvd., Columbus 888-823-9880, henris.com Bridal and wedding party gowns and accessories Joan’s Bridal Couture 7374 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg 614-856-9848, joansbridalcouture.com Bridal and wedding party gowns, custom designs and suiting rentals

PHOTOS: WISE PHOTO CO.

ATTIRE

ABOUT THE ESSENTIALS GUIDE

The information in these listings is based on staff research. To submit listing updates and corrections, or to inquire about getting your business listed here, email editor Emma Frankart Henterly at ehenterly@columbusweddingsmag.com.

FIND VENDORS BY CATEGORY ATTIRE...............................................................84

WWW.DERKSWORKS.COM @derksworks

BARBERS AND SHAVE PARLORS............86 BEAUTY SERVICES........................................ 87 CAKES AND DESSERTS...............................89 CATERING.........................................................91 DANCE LESSONS...........................................92 DRY CLEANING AND GOWN PRESERVATION...............................92 ENTERTAINMENT..........................................92 FLORISTS AND EVENT DESIGNERS.......94 GIFTS AND FAVORS.....................................96

JEWELERS........................................................98 OFFICIANTS....................................................98 PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS.........................................99 PLANNERS AND CONSULTANTS...........100 RENTALS AND DÉCOR............................... 103 STATIONERY AND CALLIGRAPHY......... 103 TRANSPORTATION..................................... 103

Columbus Weddings partner vendor

Koudr’e by Anushka 4020 N. Hampton Dr., Powell 614-806-1056, koudre.com Indian attire for men and women La Jeune Mariee 139 E. Main St., Columbus 614-228-2700, lajeunemariee.com Bridal gowns and accessories Luxe Redux Bridal 642 N. High St., Columbus 614-787-2930, luxereduxbridal.com Consignment bridal gowns and accessories Marc White Bespoke 4449 Easton Way, Second Floor, Columbus 614-356-9650, marcwhitebespoke.com Custom suiting and accessories Off White 15 N. High St., Dublin 614-726-9445, offwhiteofdublin.com Consignment bridal gowns, wedding party gowns and men’s accessories

• Now Exclusive at Station 67 • LA Catering Event Center with 300+ seats, fullservice facility • Preferred caterer at many premier Central Ohio venues • Full-service plated, customized & buffet options • Inclusive wedding packages available

(614) 358-LALA (5252) or visit our website: LA-CATERING.COM SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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the essentials

OLIVIA AND JEFF LONCHOR | April 30, 2021 The Lonchors put a personal twist on their first dance, to Quinn XCII’s “Good Thing Go,” at their Athletic Club of Columbus wedding: Olivia’s brother, a musician, performed it on guitar. A fashion industry pro, Olivia gifted her bridesmaids with faux-leather jackets—which her brother also helped with by customizing them—as a “thank you.”

Threadwell Clothiers 614-284-7468, threadwellclothiers.com Custom suiting and accessories

Pursuit 937 N. High St., Columbus 614-321-7848, pursuityourself.com Suiting sales and accessories

Ticknors Men’s Clothier 1500 Polaris Pkwy., Columbus (inside Polaris Fashion Place) 614-888-8668, ticknors.com Custom suiting and accessories

Romanoff’s Classic Tuxedos 6387 Sawmill Rd., Dublin 614-336-9247, dublinohiotuxedostore.com Suiting rentals and sales and accessories

Twirl Bridal & Prom Boutique 101 N. Detroit St., Kenton 419-674-4878, twirlbride.com Bridal and wedding party gowns, accessories and suiting rentals

Samson Men’s Emporium 772 N. High St., Ste. 101, Columbus 614-504-8038, samsonmensemporium.com Suiting sales and accessories SGE Bridal 1020 N. Hamilton Rd., Gahanna 614-649-6939, sgebridal.com Consignment bridal gowns and accessories Sofyano 344 S. High St., Columbus 614-804-1978, sofyano.com Suiting sales and accessories 86

COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

Wendy’s Bridal 6339 Sawmill Rd., Dublin 614-336-9100, wendysbridal.com

Pro Tip

Look at the pros’ records and reviews so you won’t spend the most important day of your life worrying if a vendor is going to come through for you.

—Gary Baisden, Capital City Cakes

Bridal and wedding party gowns White of Dublin 23 N. High St., Dublin 614-791-2600, whitebridalboutiques.com Wedding gowns and accessories Worn Once Bridal Boutique 694 High St., Worthington (inside Bendora Wedding Gallery) 614-436-8400 bendoraweddinggallery.com/worn-once Consignment wedding gowns

BARBERS AND SHAVE PARLORS Bates & Brown 6562 Longshore St., Dublin; 614-450-1080 5033 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus; 614-981-7930 batesandbrown.com The Cut Columbus 275 S. Fourth St., Columbus 614-826-1956, thecutcolumbus.com Goodfellow’s Tonsorial Parlor 860 S. High St. 614-754-1116, goodfellowscolumbus.com Columbus Weddings partner vendor

PHOTOS: DERK’S WORKS PHOTOGRAPHY

Original Alterations 2676 Billingsley Rd., Columbus 614-203-6784, originalalterations.com Alterations

Modern Male 24 Darby St., Dublin 614-588-0550, modernmalespas.com Also offers spa services Moses Barber & Groom 746 S. High St., Columbus 614-914-8282, mosesbarber.com The Mug & Brush 2433 N. High St., Columbus; 614-263-5518 153 N. High St., Gahanna; 614-414-6544 themugandbrush.com Royal Rhino Club 993 N. Fourth St., Columbus 614-396-2199, royalrhinoclub.com Travis Men’s Grooming 5583 N. Hamilton Rd., Columbus 614-532-5952, travismensgrooming.com

Turner’s Barber & Co. 405 E. Mound St., Columbus 614-560-1891, turnersbarber.co

ARC Artistry 941-224-8798, arcartistry.com On-site makeup services

Turner’s Barber Shop & Shave Parlor 1249 N. High St., Columbus 614-560-1238, turnersbarbershop.com

Beyoutiful Creations Bridal 700 Bryden Rd., Suite 242, Columbus beyoutifulcreationsbridal.com On-site and salon-based hair services; also offers rentable beauty prep space

BEAUTY SERVICES 614 Beauty 614-563-7141, 614beauty.com On-site hair and makeup services Alea Beauty 614-721-9609, aleabeauty.co On-site hair and makeup services Angie Warren Makeup Artistry 614-226-1940, angiewarrenartistry.com On-site makeup services

The Blowout Bar 1378 Grandview Ave., Columbus; 614-732-0965 3910 Townsfair Way, Columbus; 614-532-6918 6792 Perimeter Loop Rd., Dublin; 614-389-2798 theblowoutbar.com Salon-based hair and makeup services B-Rose Beauty Bar 50 S. Liberty St., Suite 116, Powell 614-846-7673, brosebeauty.com Salon-based hair services Bridal Beauty Co. 1500 Polaris Pkwy., Columbus (inside Polaris Fashion Place) 614-468-1250, bridalbeautycompanyllc.com Salon-based hair, makeup, hair removal and spa services Columbus Wedding Makeup & Hair 614-594-3140, columbusweddingmakeup.com On-site hair and makeup services Design by Anne 614-381-9691, designbyanneclegg.com On-site hair and makeup services Glow Nail Bar 5077 N. Hamilton Rd., Columbus 614-532-8558, glownailbarohio.com Salon-based nail services Goode Beauty 614-578-6941 goodebeautyhairandmakeup.com On-site hair and makeup services J Bentley Hair Studio & Day Spa 8882 Moreland St., Powell 614-790-8828, jbentley.com Salon-based hair, makeup, nail, hair removal and spa services

PHOTOS: JULIA JUSTICE PHOTOGRAPHY

Kenneth’s Hair Salons & Day Spas 10 Central Ohio locations 614-538-5800, kenneths.com Salon-based hair, makeup, nail, hair removal and spa services MEGAN AND DREW MILETTI | June 12, 2021 The Exchange in Dublin’s Bridge Park development hosted the Milettis’ wedding, which was officiated by a family friend. In addition to an uber-trendy neon sign that doubled as a totally Instagram-able backdrop, the college sweethearts surprised guests with a sundae bar alongside cake for dessert.

Lacquer Gallery 444, 448 and 453 W. Third Ave., Columbus; 614-230-2589 1117 Michigan Ave., Columbus (inside The Gold Room Tattoo + Esthetics); 614-264-0696 lacquergallery.com Salon-based hair, makeup, nail, hair removal, spa and spray tan services Lauren Wolff Hair Design 920-680-7750, laurenwolffhairdesign.com On-site hair services Le Rêve Makeup & Hair 740-703-3116, lerevemakeup.com On-site hair and makeup services SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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the essentials

CHI’MERE AND JONAH THOMPSON | July 4, 2021 The Thompsons met at Chi’Mere’s college job, so it’s only fitting that the OSU grads included a subtle nod to their alma mater in their reception at the Annunciation Banquet and Conference Center. “To close out the night, we played Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believin’, the same song they [play to] close out bars on campus,” Chi’Mere says.

MakeYou614 614-460-1784, makeyou614.com On-site makeup services MM Creative Studios 5131 Post Rd., Suite 103, Dublin 330-412-3400, mmcreativestudiosllc.com Salon-based makeup services

REFeyeANCE Makeup & Hair 937-550-3034 bestweddinghairandmakeup.com On-site hair and makeup services Replenish Society 124 S. Washington Ave., Columbus 614-429-3165, replenishwith.us Salon-based makeup, hair removal and spa services

5485 New Albany Rd. W, New Albany; 614-775-0505 squareonesalon.com Salon-based hair, makeup, nail, hair removal and spa services State of Face 614-296-0123, stateofface.com On-site makeup services

Simply Makeup & Hair simplymakeupartists.com On-site hair and makeup services

Sunup Studios 45 Second St., New Albany sunupstudios.com Rentable beauty prep space

Mukha Spa 980 N. High St., Columbus 614-294-7546, mukhaspa.com Salon-based and on-site makeup, hair removal, spa and spray tan services

The Spa at River Ridge 5555 Wall St., Dublin 614-766-9946, thespaatriverridge.com Salon-based and on-site hair, makeup, nail, hair removal and spa services

PENZONE Salons + Spas 2260 W. Henderson Rd., Columbus 967 N. High St., Columbus 548 S. Third St., Columbus 6645 Village Pkwy., Dublin 1356 Cherry Way Dr., Gahanna 771 Polaris Pkwy., Lewis Center 614-418-5350, penzonesalons.com Salon-based and on-site hair, makeup, nail, hair removal, spa and spray tan services

Square One Salon and Spa 275 S. Fourth St., Columbus; 614-365-3333

TruGlam 2999 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Ste. 206, Columbus; 614-259-7119 truglam.com Salon-based hair, makeup, hair removal, spa and spray tan services

Posh! Nails 202 S. High St., Columbus 614-456-7265, poshdowntown.net Salon-based nail services 88

COLUMBUS WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2022

Pro Tip

Always include sunset photos in your timeline. These can be as short as 15 minutes, and besides wanting the actual photos, the escape from your reception with your partner is worth it on its own!

—Jessica Love, Jessica Love Photography

Virtue Salon 3282 N. High St., Columbus 614-725-2329, virtuevegansalon.com Salon-based hair and makeup services W Nail Bar 946 N. High St., Columbus; 614-299-9587 216 Thurman Ave., Columbus; 614-928-3488 3704 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., Columbus (inside DSW); 614-689-6047 3710 Easton Market, Columbus (inside DSW); 614-715-6059 1200 Polaris Pkwy., Columbus (inside DSW); 614-468-1993 Columbus Weddings partner vendor

PHOTOS: COMFORT PHOTOGRAPHY

Makeup by January 2590 Columbus St., Grove City 614-753-0441, beautybyjanuaryalicia.com Salon-based and on-site makeup, hair removal, spa and spray tan services

16 Crossing St., Unit D, Columbus; 614-659-7144 160 W. Main St., Ste. E, New Albany; 614-289-3338 thewnailbar.com Salon-based nail and hair removal services

CAKES AND DESSERTS 2C’s Bakery 482 S. Yearling Rd., Whitehall 614-662-0066, 2csbakery.com Egg-free 108 Delectable Delights 614-315-0746, 108delectabledelights.com Lacto-vegetarian, gluten-free Alice’s Piece of Cake 740-917-9031, alicespieceofcake.com Bakes by Lo 5354 Center St., Hilliard (inside Center Street Market) 614-641-6931, bakesbylo.com Bake Me Happy 106 E. Moler St., Columbus 6750 Longshore St., Dublin (inside North Market Bridge Park) 614-477-3642, bakemehappygf.com Gluten-free Bakle the Baker 5516 Stockton Way, Dublin 614-619-8484, baklethebaker.com Belle’s Bread 1168 Kenny Centre Mall, Columbus 614-451-7110, bellesbread.com The Cake Studio 9117 Francine Ln., Powell 740-881-6400, thecakestudio.net Cakes Creatively by Crystal 194 W. Church St., Pickerington 614-783-4830, cakescreativelybycrystal.com Capital City Cakes 4009 Broadway, Grove City 614-277-9338, capitalcitycakesoh.com Carrie’s Sugar Buzz 614-348-7684, carriessugarbuzz.com The Cheesecake Girl 5354 Center St., Hilliard (inside Center Street Market) 4345 Dublin-Granville Rd., Dublin 614-787-1753, thecheesecakegirl.com

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Cherbourg Bakery 541 S. Drexel Ave., Bexley 614-725-4560, cherbourgbakery.com Gluten- and nut-free Cookie Lady Columbus cookieladycolumbus.com Donna’s Delicious Dozen 5322 N. Hamilton Rd., Columbus 614-245-4859, donnasdeliciousdozen.com

Bridal & Prom Boutique 101 N. DETROIT ST. KENTON • 419-674-4878

Schedule Your Appointment Online - twirlbride.com SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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RACHEL AND BEN WILFORD | May 14, 2021 For the Wilfords, the third time really was the charm.

They originally planned to marry in Florida in April 2020, but rescheduled to November of that year before eventually landing on a wedding that worked: Their May 2021 event at Pinnacle Golf Club, where their son served as Ben’s best man.

Duck Donuts 7717 Sawmill Rd., Dublin; 614-726-9399 5043 Tuttle Crossing Blvd., Dublin; 614-389-4673 825 Polaris Pkwy., Westerville; 614-896-6450 duckdonuts.com Enticing Icings 740-363-1470, enticingicings.com Fate Cakes 1360 Cherry Bottom Rd., Gahanna 614-219-9429, fate-cakes.com Happy Little Treats Vegan Bakery 1203 N. High St., Columbus 614-372-5655, happylittletreatsbakery.com Vegan J’s Sweet Treats and Wedding Cakes 1540 Parsons Ave., Columbus 1500 Polaris Pkwy., Columbus (inside Polaris Fashion Place) 614-906-8888, jssweettreats.net Jan Kish La Petite Fleur 614-841-9794, jankish.com 90

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Kelly’s Cakery 614-321-9866, kellyscakery.com Kennedy’s Kakes 65 S. Fourth St., Columbus 614-600-2253, kkakes.com Kittie’s Cakes 495 S. Third St., Columbus; 614-754-8828 2424 E. Main St., Bexley; 614-929-5000 kittiescakes.com Kuro Neko Cake Studio kuronekocake.com Lavender & Honey Wedding Cakes 614-547-9851 lavenderandhoneyweddingcakes.com Le Gateau 614-306-2594, legateau.net Miam Cake 614-306-1700, miamcake.com Mjomii mjomii.square.site Moonflower Bakery moonflowerbakery.com Vegan

Our CupCakery 54 S. High St., Dublin 614-659-1555, ourcupcakery.com Pattycake Bakery 3870 N. High St., Columbus 614-784-2253, pattycakeveganbakery.com Vegan Pistacia Vera 541 S. Third St., Columbus 614-220-9070, pistaciavera.com Plenty O’Cookies plentyocookies.com Sadie Baby Sweets 1171 W. Third Ave., Columbus 614-723-9323, sadiebabysweets.com

Pro Tip

Do not wash your hair the day of your wedding; it will style better and hold longer.

—Laura Belle, Square One Salon and Spa

Columbus Weddings partner vendor

PHOTOS: NICOLE DIXON PHOTOGRAPHIC

Dough Mama 3335 N. High St., Columbus; 614-268-3662 dough-mama.com

Short North Piece of Cake 772 N. High St., Ste. 104, Columbus 614-421-0399, shortnorthpieceofcake.com

L.A. Catering 670 Harmon Ave., Columbus 614-358-5252, la-catering.com

Steven’s Catering 1221 Chesapeake Ave., Columbus 614-486-1221, stevenscatering.com

Slice of Heaven Bakery 614-500-3974, sliceofheavencbus.com

Metro Cuisine 6185 Huntley Rd., Ste. C, Columbus 614-436-6369, metrocuisine.com

Sweet Carrot 1417 W. Fifth Ave., Columbus 614-313-8092, sweetcarrot.com

Milo’s Catering 980 W. Broad St., Columbus 614-224-0272, cateringbymilos.com

Tasteful Occasion 1655 Old Leonard Ave., Columbus 614-414-6120, tastefuloccasion.com

PC Events Catering 50 S. Liberty St., Ste. 100, Powell 614-792-3993, pceventsinc.com

Together & Company 550 S. High St., Columbus 614-882-7323, togetherandco.com

Short & Stout Mobile Bar 740-407-6015, shortandstoutbar.com

Trailer Made Mobile Bar 614-809-4732, trailermademobilebar.com

SOHO Sugar Co. sohosurgarco.com The Suisse Shop Bakery 2119 Polaris Pkwy., Columbus 614-846-5102, thesuisseshop.com Tupelo Doughnuts 2672 Billingsley Rd., Columbus 614-226-2417, tupelodoughnuts.com WallFlour Bakery wallflourbakerycbus.com Vegan

CATERING A Catered Event 4654 Groves Rd., Columbus 614-863-9281, acateredevent.biz Alco-Haul Mobile Bar 614-953-1053, alcohaulmobilebar.com The Berwick 3250 Refugee Rd., Columbus 614-235-7100, the-berwick.com Bleu & Fig 4622 N. High St., Columbus 614-348-3328, bleuandfig.com Bosc + Brie 7625 N. High St., Columbus 614-985-2215, boscandbrie.com Cameron Mitchell Premier Events 7619 Huntington Park Dr., Columbus 614-848-4700 cameronmitchellpremierevents.com Carfagna’s Catering 1440 Gemini Pl., Columbus 614-846-6340, carfagnascatering.com Catering by Chani 2942 E. Broad St., Columbus 614-235-8070, chanicooks.com

PHOTOS: HAILEY LAUREN PHOTOGRAPHY

Catering by Design 6465 Busch Blvd., Columbus 614-436-7391, cateringbydesign.com Creative Cuisine 839 Busch Ct., Columbus 614-436-4949, creativecuisinecolumbus.com The Gourmet Touch 614-512-1193, thegourmettouch.com Great Point Kitchen & Events 112 E. High St., Mount Vernon 614-274-8996, greatpointkitchen.com Hudson’s Edge Catering & Events 3121 Spring Valley Rd., London 740-490-5591, hudsons-edge.com

HANNAH AND CHRIS FOX | June 26, 2021 A Miami University legend about kissing your sweetie under Upham Arch at midnight to ensure a lifetime together is proving true for Hannah and Chris, who married at Pinnacle Golf Club.

Hannah, a teacher, carried a bee brooch that her students gave her so they could “bee” with her in spirit on the big day.

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the essentials Typsy Gypsy Traveling Bar 937-935-6161, typsygypsycolumbus.com Vedic Table vedictable.com

DANCE LESSONS Arthur Murray Dance Studios 5371 N. High St., Columbus 614-847-7541, ohiodanceinc.com Columbus DanceSport 1091 Eastwind Dr., Westerville 402 E. Wilson Bridge Rd., Ste. A, Worthington 614-759-0502, columbusdancecentre.com DanceEdge 1156 Dublin Rd., Ste. 102, Grandview Heights 614-321-2348, mydanceedge.com

DJ services, lighting and enclosed photo booth; also offers photography, planning and officiant services

Columbus Musicians LLC 423-284-2290, columbusmusicians.com Live musician ensembles

The Columbus Photo Booth Co. 614-961-8648 thecolumbusphotoboothcompany.com Enclosed, open-air and mirror photo booth; also offers caricature artists, henna artists, lighting, décor and equipment rentals, DJ services, photography and videography

Columbus Pro DJs 614-224-1945, columbusprodjs.com DJ services, lighting, and enclosed and digital photo booth; also offers videography

Caricatures by Sean Platt 740-398-6604, seanplatt.com Caricature artist Class Acts Entertainment 614-358-1888, class-acts.com Live musician booking agency

Columbus String Quartet columbusstringquartet.com Live musicians The Conspiracy Band 614-203-0140, suttonentertainment.net Live band D&M DJ Entertainment 614-705-0678

Danceville, U.S.A. 610 Neil Ave., Columbus 614-223-1774, dancevilleusa.com Emerald City Ballroom 2809 Festival Ln., Dublin 614-726-9700, emeraldcityballroom.com Fred Astaire Dance Studios 8885 Basil Western Rd., Ste. F, Canal Winchester; 614-833-3400 1089 Bethel Rd., Columbus; 614-459-8079 3499 Market St., Powell; 740-368-9040 1091 Eastwind Dr., Westerville; 614-890-9790 fredastaire.com

DRY CLEANING AND GOWN PRESERVATION Columbus Lace Dry Cleaners 49 Greenlawn Ave., Columbus 614-444-7847, columbuslace.com Dublin Cleaners 6845 Caine Rd., Columbus; 614-764-9934 5772 Frantz Rd., Dublin; 614-761-1551 7112 Muirfield Dr., Dublin; 614-760-1992 9711 Sawmill Pkwy., Ste. A, Powell; 614-791-1552 dublincleaners.com New Albany Cleaners 4778 Morse Road, Columbus 614-532-5050, dublincleaners.com

Arch City Lights archcitylights.com Live band Baci Booths 614-450-0883, bacibooths.com Open-air photo booth Beat Squad Entertainment 614-385-2799, beatsquadentertainment.com DJ services, lighting, and enclosed and openair photo booth

RACHEL & ALEX WARD April 25, 2021 After a three-year engagement that included two postponements, the Wards were relieved to finally arrive at their big day. “When I walked into Brookshire … and saw all of our décor, it finally hit me: It was our wedding day,” Rachel says. “It was truly the best day and worth waiting for.”

PHOTOS: JENNIFER SCHAAF PHOTOGRAPHY

ENTERTAINMENT

Buckeye Entertainment 614-707-7671, buckeyeentertainment.com 92

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Columbus Weddings partner vendor

MEGAN AND MATT GALL | Aug. 28, 2021 Washington, D.C., residents Megan and Matt chose Columbus for their wedding because of Matt’s status as an OSU grad; Revery ended up being a perfect venue, Megan says, because it has an urban vibe that made them feel right at home. Fittingly, the rehearsal dinner featured a special guest: Brutus Buckeye!

dandmdjentertainment.com DJ services, live trios and enclosed photo booth Daze Entertainment 614-636-3293, dazeentertainment.com DJ services, karaoke and enclosed and openair photo booths Diamond Entertainment 866-616-8742, diamond-entertainment.com DJ and band booking agency; also books lighting, transportation, photography and videography DJ AXCESS 614-723-9805, djaxcess.com DJ services DJ Charlo 614-716-8949, djcharlomusic.com DJ services and open-air photo booth

PHOTOS: KISMET VISUALS & CO.

DJ Flair 614-300-0622, musicwithflair.com DJ services, lighting and enclosed photo booth; also offers photography and videography Emma Miller Art 937-624-2378, emmamillerart.com Live event painting Encore Entertainment 614-871-6003, yourencoredj.com DJ services, lighting and open-air photo booth The Floorwalkers thefloorwalkers.com Live band

The Foto Bar thefotobar.com Open-air, enclosed and video photo booth

Jill Wright Crist, Cellist 614-330-8033, jillcrist.com Cello soloist

FunFaces by Steve Campbell 614-279-0950, funfaces.com Caricature artist

Josh Staley Productions 614-310-5860, joshstaleyproductions.com DJ services, open-air photo booth, lighting, live video mixing, event livestreaming

GluckArt 614-849-6649, tomgluckart.com Caricature artist H&H Luxury Event Rentals 614-300-0314, hhluxuryevents.com Mirror photo booth iShine Music Production 614-490-2110, ishinemusicpro.com DJ services Jazz Arts Group 614-294-5200, jazzartsgroup.org Live musician booking agency

Pro Tip

Your last name doesn’t change the minute you get married. The name on your airline ticket and the name on your passport must match, so book your airline tickets with the last name on your passport! You can change your name on your passport once you’ve returned from your honeymoon.

—Laura Frazier, Bliss Honeymoons

Kurt Dreier Caricatures and Illustration 740-221-2480, kurtdreier.com Caricature artist Mark Dantzer Productions 614-329-7042, markdantzer.com DJ services and lighting Megabeat Entertainment 614-545-8810, megabeatdj.com DJ services, enclosed photo booth, lighting; also offers floral design MojoFlo mojoflomusic.com Live band Party Pleasers 614-396-7017, partypleasersservices.com DJ services, enclosed photo booth, lighting, décor rentals PhotoSnap Photo Booth Rentals 614-951-9416, photosnaprentals.com Open-air photo booth Platinum Music Productions 614-407-6935, platinummusicdj.com DJ services, mirror photo booth and lighting SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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RACHAEL AND ERIK HEINMILLER | July 10, 2021 After marrying in a mini-mony on July 11, 2020, the Heinmillers celebrated their first anniversary with a vow renewal and a reception at the Columbus Museum of Art. At their 2021 event, they loved “just being able to finally celebrate with our family and friends,” Rachael says. “We had the best day, and it truly felt like our wedding day.”

Pulse Entertainment Ohio 614-674-9191, peohio.com DJ services Reflections Event Group 614-394-8800, reflectionseventgroup.com DJ services and enclosed and open-air photo booth; also offers photography and videography Shutterbooth 888-780-8837, shutterbooth.com Enclosed photo booth, video booth and GIF booth Street Players Band 614-818-1718, streetplayers.net Live band

T.E.A.M. DJ 614-798-8794, teamdj.com DJ services, open-air photo booth and equipment rentals Tiffany Jones, Harpist 423-284-2290, tiffanyenvid.com Harp soloist Traveling Sound Entertainment 614-905-2322 travelingsoundentertainment.com DJ services, lighting and mirror photo booth VIP Events Management 614-823-8300, vipeventsmgmt.com DJ services and décor rentals; also offers photography and videography

FLORISTS AND EVENT DESIGNERS

Studio Von 419-367-2116, facebook.com/studiovon Live event painting

Adrienne Ruff Event Co. 614-219-9041, adrienneruffeventco.com Event styling and design

SWAGG swaggmidwest.com Live band

Alchemy Styled 614-636-0320, alchemystyled.com Event designer

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Ampersand Flowers & Events 5594 N. High St., Worthington 614-601-6445, ampersandflowers.com Full-service florist and retail shop with DIY flower bar; also offers event space and officiant services B3 Events 614-219-9354, b3event.com Event design specializing in Southeast Asian and Indian weddings; also offers décor rentals, full-service planning, month-of coordination and destination wedding planning Battiste LaFleur Galleria 825 E. Long St., Columbus 614-253-8000 battisteflowers.com Full-service florist and retail shop Bear Roots Floral bearrootsfloral.com Full-service florist; also creates living botanical jewelry Bloomtastic Flowers & Events 2136 Arlington Ave., Columbus 614-538-1010, bloomtastic.com Full-service florist and retail shop Columbus Weddings partner vendor

PHOTOS: CARRS AND CO. PHOTOGRAPHY HOUSE

Picture Perfect Photobooth Rentals 855-664-2425, pictureperfectohio.com Enclosed, open-air and mirror photo booth

Pro Tip

Do not use club soda to try to remove a stain on your wedding day; it may set the stain in certain fabrics. Blot the stain with a clean cloth instead. If your gown has stains like wine or tomato sauce, bring it in for cleaning as soon as possible after the wedding.

—Margaret Butler, Dublin Cleaners Blühen (formerly Brian Coovert Floral Atelier) 1149 Goodale Blvd., Columbus 614-607-0523, bluhen.florist Full-service florist Blümen blumencbus.com Full-service florist

Indelible Affairs & Floral Design 614-636-0311, indelibleaffairs.com Full-service florist

Old Slate Farm 740-398-1279, oldslatefarm.com Full-service florist

Inspired Settings 614-795-1860, inspiredsettings.co Full-service florist and event designer; also offers stationery services

Orchard Lane Flowers 3378 Indianola Ave., Columbus 614-262-0880, orchardlaneflowers.com Full-service florist and retail shop

Jewelweed Floral Studio 291 W. Rich St., Columbus 614-204-5825, jewelweedshop.com Full-service florist and retail shop

Petals & Leaves 1266 Goodale Blvd., Columbus 614-785-9690, petalsandleaves.net Full-service florist and retail shop; also offers DIY pricing and décor rentals

Madison House Designs 614-561-0135, madisonhousedesigns.com Full-service florist Natural Designs 614-395-3466, naturaldesignflorals.com Full-service florist

Prema Designs 125 S. Yearling Rd., Columbus 614-747-6224, prema-designs.com Full-service florist and event designer; also offers décor rentals, lighting and draping

Connells Maple Lee Flowers & Gifts 3014 E. Broad St., Columbus; 614-237-8653 2033 Stringtown Rd., Grove City; 614-539-4000 8573 Owenfield Dr., Powell; 740-548-4082 cmlflowers.com Full-service florist and retail shop Dahlia Occasions 5805 Chandler Ct., Ste. B, Westerville 614-893-9888, dahliaoccasions.com Full-service florist and event design; also offers décor, event planning and coordination services, lighting packages, linens and more Dalay Ket Event Design 614-270-1604, dalayket.com Full-service florist and event designer; also offers lighting, draping and hourly design consulting Dashing Designs 614-382-2077, dashing-designs.com Full-service florist and event design; also offers décor rentals Evergreen Flower Co. 3477 N. High St., Columbus 614-558-0502, evergreenflower.co Full-service florist Fezz & Hazel 614-329-7302, fezzandhazel.com Full-service florist

PHOTOS: NICOLE DIXON PHOTOGRAPHIC

Florish 614-686-0408, loveflorish.com Full-service florist Flourish Bespoke Floral & Event Styling 1147 Goodale Blvd., Columbus 614-581-5752, flourishbespoke.com Full-service florist; also offers décor rentals The Flowerman 614-935-5832, flowermanflowers.com Full-service florist; also offers DIY pricing Hilliard Floral Design 4120 Main St., Hilliard 614-777-7795, hilliardfloral.com Full-service florist and retail shop

CAITLIN AND WESLEY GRAHAM | June 19, 2021 After meeting while coaching football and track and field, respectively, Wesley and Caitlin got engaged during a weekend getaway that Caitlin had planned, “not knowing I was planning the perfect moment for him to ask,” she says. The pair married at Scarlet City Church and celebrated with family and friends afterward at Brookside Golf and Country Club.

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the essentials Rose & Berry 215 King Ave., Columbus 614-372-5537, roseandberryfloral.com Full-service florist and retail shop Rose Bredl Flowers & Garden 664 N. High St., Columbus 614-222-0930, rosebredl.com Full-service florist and retail shop Shaffer Creative Co. 614-390-0093, shaffercreativeco.com Full-service florist Stem Floral Studio 614-301-8015, stemfloralstudio.com Full-service florist Vessel Floral and Event Design 539 S. Fifth St., Columbus 614-795-0936, vesselevents.com Full-service florist and retail shop

GIFTS AND FAVORS Al’s Delicious Popcorn 5354 Center St., Hilliard (inside Center Street Market); 614-451-9671 1500 Bethel Rd., Columbus; 800-396-7010 or 614-451-7677 alspopcorn.com Locally made flavored popcorn

Pro Tip

When buying a diamond, prioritize the cut. The better the cut, the more your diamond will sparkle.

—Kathryn Givens, Worthington Jewelers

614-471-6446, celebratelocalohio.com Locally made apparel, foods, candies, chocolates, jewelry, décor, bath and body products, and more Glenn Avenue Soap Co. 1166 W. Fifth Ave., Columbus 614-706-7221, glennavesoap.com Locally made bath and body products

American Nut Co. 59 Spruce St., Columbus (inside North Market) 614-535-8200, americannutcompany.com Locally made nuts, flavored popcorn and more

Krema Nut Co. 1000 Goodale Blvd., Columbus 614-299-4131, krema.com Locally made nuts, nut butters, candies, chocolates and more

Anthony-Thomas Candy Co. 13 Central Ohio locations anthony-thomas.com Locally made chocolates, candies and nuts

Pam’s Market Popcorn and Windy City Eats 955 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna 614-222-1850, pamspopcorn.com Locally made flavored popcorn

Breckenridge Candle Co. 614-603-4990 breckenridgecandlecompany.com Locally made bath and body products, scents, candles and more

Penn & Beech Candle Co. 1255 Grandview Ave., Columbus; 614-488-2009 751 N. High St., Columbus; 614-949-1458 646 High St., Worthington; 614-433-9940 pennandbeech.com Custom candles and bath and body products

Cascata Gifts 614-638-1006, cascatagifts.com Pre-made and custom gift boxes Celebrate Local 3952 Townsfair Way, Columbus

Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn Co. 15 N. State St., Westerville 614-800-4642, shirleyspopcorn.com Locally made flavored popcorn

PHOTOS: PASTERNACK + CO.

KAITLIN AND KEVIN DAVIS | Aug. 14, 2021 Aisle & Co. helped the Davises realize their dream aesthetic at the Columbus Country Club.

“Seeing it all come to life after 13 months of planning was pretty darn cool,” Kaitlin says. “I had a vision of what I wanted the space to look like, and seeing all the little things turn into one big thing still gives me goosebumps.”

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the essentials

DEBBIE AND NATE WAKEFIELD | Oct. 10, 2020 “It was stressful planning a wedding in 2020,” Debbie says. “Everything was uncertain. … We definitely wanted to make sure everyone felt safe and comfortable.” To that end, instead of a typical cocktail hour, the DJ asked trivia questions. “It was a fun activity and a way for our family and friends to get to know us better,” Debbie says.

Alexander’s Jewelers 689 N. High St., Columbus 614-233-6666, alexanderscolumbus.com

Diamond Cellar 3960 New Bond St., Columbus; 614-923-6633 6280 Sawmill Rd., Dublin; 614-336-4545 diamondcellar.com

Argo & Lehne 3100 Tremont Rd., Columbus 614-457-6261, argolehne.com

Dublin Village Jewelers 251 W. Bridge St., Dublin 614-726-9944, dublinvillagejewelers.com

Carioti Jewelers 175 Cleveland Ave., Columbus 614-221-8588, jewelercolumbusohio.com

Jack Seibert Goldsmith & Jewelers 1741 W. Lane Ave., Columbus 614-486-4653, jackseibert.com

Denig Jewelers 677 High St., Worthington 800-601-2801, denigjewelers.net

Jeff Johnson & Co. 5025 Arlington Centre Blvd., Ste. 130, Columbus 614-459-8890, jjandcompany.com

As You Wish Wedding Officiant 614-759-0450 asyouwishweddingofficiant.weebly.com

Koulian Jewelers 861 N. High St., Columbus 614-817-1772, koulianjewelers.com

Columbus Wedding Officiants chasewaits.com

Pro Tip

If you work in the medical field, look for rings that are lower in profile so you can wear yours with gloves.

—Shane Hampton, Alexander’s Jewelers

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Leo Alfred Jewelers 4115 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., Dublin 614-889-5888, leoalfred.com Meyers Jewelers 1494 Stringtown Rd., Grove City 614-594-0230, meyersjewelers.com

Store 5a 3985 Morse Crossing, Columbus 614-454-4565, store5a.com Worthington Jewelers 692 High St., Worthington 614-430-8800, worthingtonjewelers.com

OFFICIANTS Amy F. Aurore Weddings 617-990-7330, amyfaurore.com

Run to an Elopement 614-495-6207, runtoanelopement.com The Uncommon Officiant 614-499-5802, theuncommonofficiant.com United Marriage Services 614-546-9634, unitedmarriageservices.com Columbus Weddings partner vendor

PHOTOS: MORGAN WHITNEY PHOTOGRAPHY

JEWELERS

Wows and Vows 937-243-8144, wowsandvows.com

Angela Woolridge Portrait 614-745-4710, angelawoolridge.com Boudoir photography

Capstone Cinema 614-746-5459, capstonecinema.com Videography

PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS

Ashley Wallace Photography 614-746-3043, ashleywallacephoto.com Photography

Chris Bowman Photography chrisbowmanphotography.com Photography

Be Still Film Co. 740-364-8189, bestillfilmco.com Videography

Cinemachine Studios 614-206-6165, cinemachinestudios.com Videography

Abigail Reeder Photography abigailreederphotography.com Photography

Blue Skies HD Video 614-890-4045, blueskieshd.com Videography

Columbus Boudoir 614-653-8114, columbusboudoir.com Boudoir photography

Amy Ann Photography 614-245-5311, amyannphoto.com Photography

Boudoir by Erica 614-582-8872, boudoirbyerica.com Boudoir photography

Columbus Wedding Videos 614-725-0169, columbusweddingvideos.com Videography

222 Photography 614-940-9592 twotwentytwophotography.com Photography

Comfort Photography 614-668-7609, comfortphotography.com Photography Derk’s Works Photography 614-887-7502, derksworks.com Photography, videography and open-air photo booth Eldon Wedding Films 614-623-3750, eldonweddingfilms.com Videography Emma Parker Photography 614-397-5664, emmaparkersphotography.com Photography Erica Kay Photography 513-502-9495, ericakayphotography.com Photography Gabriella Sutherland Photography 614-602-2562 gabriellasutherlandphotography.com Photography Grace E. Jones Photography 614-954-0187, graceejones.com Photography, videography and stop-motion GIF-ideography

PHOTOS: JENNA MCCARTY PHOTOGRAPHY

J. Hannah Photography jhannahphotography.com Photography and boudoir photography

HAYLEY AND ERIC PETRO | July 31, 2021 Hayley cites spending time with Eric preceremony as a major highlight of their wedding at WatersEdge. “I originally was against a first look, but the photographer encouraged it to help with time,” she says. “It ended up being so special having some time [together], just [the two of] us, before everyone arrived.”

Jonah Epps Films 614-390-6486, jonahepps.com Videography Josh Dyer Films 740-816-4773, joshdyerfilms.com Videography Joslyn Crowl Photography 740-972-9891, joslyncrowl.com Boudoir photography Kismet Visuals & Co. 614-578-3705, kismetvisuals.com Photography Kodjoarts Videography & Photography 614-226-1762, kodjoarts.com Photography and videography SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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JENNIFER AND COLE MORELAND | June 19, 2021 The Morelands’ ceremony incorporated both of their heritages: Their Celtic handfasting honored Cole’s Irish ancestry, while the Italian-made cord they used was a nod to Jennifer’s lineage.

Jennifer happened across Granville Inn one day, pre-engagement, and immediately called Cole to say she’d found the place where they should wed. He agreed, and the pair began planning.

Magical Minutes Photography magicalminutesphotography.com Photography Michelle Joy Photography michellejoyphoto.com Photography Nathan Peppers Films 614-981-6874, nathanpeppersfilms.com Videography Nicole Dixon Photographic 614-718-0892, nicoledixon.com Photography Olivia Doerfler Photography oliviadoerfler.com Photography Peak & Sparrow 937-578-8340, peakandsparrow.com Photography and videography Photo 243 614-804-5336, photo243.com Photography Prodigy Weddings 614-321-9350, prodigyweddings.com Videography 100

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Rachel Joy Barehl racheljoybarehl.com Photography Red Gallery Photography 614-794-1113, redgalleryphoto.com Photography Seth and Beth Wedding Photography 614-300-5050, sethandbeth.com Photography Sound + Light Creative 614-859-2457, soundandlightcreative.com Videography; also offers DJ services Starling Studio 614-423-9094, starling-studio.com Photography Style & Story 614-401-6462, stylestorycreative.com Photography and open-air photo booth Your Wedding Creatives yourweddingcreatives.com Photography and videography

Aisle & Co. 614-735-3656, aisleandcompany.com Full-service planning, month-of coordination and event design Andréa’s Occasions 614-259-8045, andreasoccasions.com Full and partial planning services and day-of coordination Ashley Stephan Weddings & Events ashleystephanweddings.com Full-service and partial planning, day-of coordination and destination wedding planning Auburn & Ivory auburnandivorycreative.com Full-service wedding planning and event design; also offers à la carte design and handlettering services Berlyn Events 614-468-3595, berlyndesign.com Event design, full and partial planning, and day-of coordination

PLANNERS AND CONSULTANTS

Bliss Honeymoons & Destination Weddings 614-286-7799, blisshoneymoons.com Travel planner/adviser and destination wedding planner

Active Travel 5064 Cemetery Rd., Hilliard 614-771-6200, activetraveldeals.com Travel planner/adviser

BurgundyGinger Events burgundygingerevents.net Full-service and month-of wedding planning; also creates balloon garlands

PHOTOS: ROBB MCCORMICK PHOTOGRAPHY

Little Tree Studios 614-886-3329, littletreestudios.com Photography, videography and open-air photo booth

Send us your real wedding submissions for our fall/winter 2022 issue at cbuswedmag.com/submit.

the essentials

AMANDA AND KEVIN LUNSFORD | June 12, 2021 The Lunsfords’ love started as a slow burn: The pair met at Ohio University in 2009 but remained “just friends” until 2017, when they realized their relationship was much more than that. Kevin, a local musician who performs as Luns, surprised Amanda at the Crago Farms reception with a song he’d written just for the occasion, called “Better Half.”

Camela Lynn Weddings & Events 614-467-0510 camelalynnweddingsandevents.com Full-service and partial planning, month-of coordination and hourly consulting services; also offers dessert table design Compass Travel 4182 Worth Ave., Columbus 614-454-1442, compasstravelagency.com Travel planner/adviser Devoted Columbus 5251 Norwich St., Hilliard 614-717-7526, devotedcolumbus.com Full-service and partial planning and day-of coordination; also offers self-serve resource center Dina Hill Events 646-580-7740, dinahillevents.com Full-service planning and event design Distinct Event Planning 614-577-1844, distincteventplanning.com Full-service and partial planning and month-of coordination Emilie Duncan Event Planning 614-678-6320, emilieduncan.com Full-service and partial planning, event design, month-of coordination and hourly consultations 102

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Events Held Dear 740-816-9541, eventshelddear.com Full-service planning, event design and day-of coordination

Red Letter Day Events 614-551-7594, redletterdayevents.com Full-service and partial planning; also offers hourly consultations and officiant services

The Finer Things Event Planning 614-330-8583 thefinerthingseventplanning.com Full-service planning

Silver Confetti Events 614-924-0555, silverconfettievents.com Full-service planning and event design; also offers decoration-only services and sweets table design

Inspired Settings 614-795-1860, inspiredsettings.co Coordination; also offers floral design and stationery services Joie de Vivre Events 740-825-0027, jdveventsllc.com Full-service, partial and destination planning; also offers honeymoon/travel planning Meggie Francisco Events 972-765-3828, meggiefranciscoevents.com Full-service and partial planning, event design, destination wedding planning and hourly consultation services; also offers engagement shoot styling MMJ Events 614-579-1092, mmjevents.com Full-service planning, event design and day-of coordination Reagan Canaday Events 614-638-6622, reagancanadayevents.com Full-service planning and day-of coordination

STR Events 614-300-0139, strevents.com Full- and partial-service planning and monthof coordination Thyme & Details Sustainable Event Planning 614-747-3262, thymeanddetails.com Full-service planning, month-of coordination and à la carte services Uniglobe Travel Designers 614-237-4488, uniglobetraveldesigners.com Travel planner/adviser Wanderlust Travel & Tours 614-595-6532 facebook.com/wanderlusttoursco Travel planner/adviser Z Creative 614-946-0128, zcreative.events Full-service planning and event design Columbus Weddings partner vendor

PHOTOS: SAMANTHA ADAMSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Calyco Travel 614-266-0917, calycotravel.com Travel planner/adviser

RENTALS AND DÉCOR A Vision of Elegance Event Rentals 900 Bunty Station Rd., Delaware 614-915-6159, envision-elegance.com ACC Party Rental 3996 Columbia St., Hilliard 614-876-0762, accpartyrental.com Advantage Events 7923 Station St., Columbus 614-743-8120, advantageeventsdecor.com Aiden & Grace 2000 S. High St., Columbus 614-407-8551, aidenandgrace.com All Occasions Party Rental 147 N. High St., Columbus 614-619-0885, allparty.com

How Inviting!

34 Dillmont Dr., Columbus 614-259-7082, howinvitingltd.com Igloo Letterpress 614-787-5528, iglooletterpress.com Ink and Ivory 326 E. Sycamore St., Columbus 740-501-1245, inkandivory.com JesMarried jesmarried.com Lovely Arrows Designs 614-512-4783, lovelyarrows.com Lumaca Paper 400 W. Rich St., Columbus 419-889-8324, lumacapaper.com

Ballooncasions 614-695-4567, ballooncasions.com

On Paper Press 692 N. High St. #206, Columbus 614-935-9530, onpaper.com

Design Exchange 88 Richards Rd., Columbus 614-946-0128, dexrentals.com

Paper Betty paperbetty.com

Event Source / Panache Events 614-431-3000, eventsource.net

Paper Occasions 55 S. High St., Ste. 104, Dublin 614-381-9297, paperoc.com

Field Day Rentals 614-368-6177, fielddayrentals.com

The Paper Vault 272 S. Drexel Ave., Bexley 614-859-5538, thepapervault.com

FlowerWalls of Columbus 614-783-4180, flowerwallsofcolumbus.com Got Ya Covered Linens 7227 N. High St., Worthington (inside The Shops at Worthington Place) 614-396-9612, gotyacoveredlinens.com Lasting Impressions Event Rentals 5080 Sinclair Rd., Columbus 614-252-5400, lirents.net Light Up Columbus 614-832-3139, lightupcolumbus.com Main Events Party & Event Rental 1015 Brice St., Newark 740-322-6355, maineventspartyrental.com Marbella Event Furniture & Décor Rental 147 N. High St., Columbus 614-745-0564, marbellaeventrental.com Personal Touch Party Rentals & Events 1540 Hubbard Dr., Lancaster 740-689-6991, personaltouchparty.com

STATIONERY AND CALLIGRAPHY Avant-Garde Impressions 34 Dillmont Dr., Columbus 614-259-7082, agimpressions.com BB Letters 614-582-5453, briannabarnard.com Calligraphy by Keri 614-214-2610, bykeri.com

The Paper Vow thepapervow.com Peabody Papers 1261 Grandview Ave., Grandview Heights 614-485-9855, peabodypapers.com

Advertiser Index Find more information on these vendors at cbuswedmag.com/ Marketplace Alco-Haul Mobile Bar...........................22 Aloft Columbus Westerville...................79 Ampersand Flowers & Events...............40 The Athletic Club of Columbus.............17 Bryn Du Mansion..................................79 BTTS Holdings......................................15 Cameron Mitchell Premier Events.........65 Capital City Cakes..................................9 Carfagna’s Catering...............................77 Columbus Museum of Art.....................77 COSI Events & Hospitality...................71 D&M DJ Entertainment.......................17 Darby House.........................................11 Derk’s Works Photography...................85 Diamond Cellar.......................................5 Dublin Bridal Wedding Boutique....... Inside front cover Dublin Cleaners/ New Albany Cleaners..........................31 Flora and Field......................................12 Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens........................69 Hilton Columbus Downtown................19

Signatures by Sheri signaturesbysheri.com

Jan Kish La Petite Fleur.........................89 Jorgensen Farms......................................1

You’re Invited 614-989-0255, youre-invited.net

L.A. Catering........................................85 The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake........73

TRANSPORTATION The BEAT 614-237-4216, bexleybeat.net Cardinal Transportation 614-274-2500, cardinaltrans.com

Magical Minutes Photography..............22 New Era Golf.................Inside back cover Nicole Dixon Photographic...................31 NorthStar Golf Club.............................25 On Paper Press......................................40

Columbus Coach & Supreme Limousine 614-944-9920, columbuscoach.com

The Peak at Edison................................78 PENZONE Salons + Spas........................7

Columbus Trolley Co. / Coach Quarters 614-738-8889, columbustrolley.com

Run to an Elopement............................22

Fun Bus 740-653-4600, funbus.com Grandiose Limousines 614-787-1409, grandioselimousines.com Short North Trolley 614-710-0082, shortnorthtrolley.com Xtreme Limo 614-483-3300, xtremelimocolumbus.com

Scioto Reserve Country Club................67 Station 67 Event Center........................27 The Suisse Shop Bakery.........................40 Sweet Carrot...........................................9 Twirl Bridal & Prom Boutique..............89 Wanderlust Travel & Tours...................62 Worthington Hills Country Club...........75 Worthington Jewelers...............Back cover SPRING/SUMMER 2022 COLUMBUS WEDDINGS

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happily ever after

ELOPEMENT IN THE HILLS Kara (Johnston) and Zach Barnard eloped in Saltpetre Cave State Nature Preserve in the Hocking Hills on April 2, 2021, and received a belated April Fools’ Day prank from Mother Nature: 20-degree temperatures. They warmed up with their coffee-based unity ceremony, which was officiated

by Windi Noble of Run to an Elopement. They were joined on their Hocking Hills honeymoon by their dog, Luna. Find more photos from their wedding at cbuswedmag.com/cave.

Photo by Elizabeth Nihiser Photography

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New Era Weddings NEW ALBANY LINKS

- Beautiful indoor venue seating up to 120 - Stunning ceremony patio, complete with trellis - Gorgeous mahogany bar and majestic skylight

GLENROSS GOLF CLUB

- Ornate ballroom seating up to 150 - Exposed brick & detailed woodwork - Outdoor ceremony area with charming gazebo

ROYAL AMERICAN LINKS

- Charming indoor venue seating up to 200 - Wood beam accented cathedral ceilings and fireplace - Picturesque balcony with French doors and garden views

GOLF CLUB OF DUBLIN

- Elegant indoor venue seating up to 150 - Chandelier accented vaulted ceiling and hardwood floors - Exquisite bridal suite complete with vanity & dressing room

BENT TREE GOLF CLUB

- Intimate indoor venue seating up to 150 - Outdoor ceremony area and patio overlooking perfectly-groomed fairway - All-inclusive packages available for your convenience

CLOVER VALLEY GOLF CLUB

- Banquet room capable of accommodating up to 100 guests - Beautiful setting overlooking the golf course

VISIT NEWERAGOLF.COM