GroovyTip: Our Favorite Wedding Venues
As Columbus wedding photographers, we shot a lot of weddings in 2010. We traveled to destinations as grand as Las Vegas, as exotic as Jamaica and as cool as Niagara Falls. And while we do love to travel and will happily discuss the benefits of bringing your own trusted photographer along on your destination wedding, we’ve gotta say that we really love some of the wedding and reception venues in and around our own backyard.
So with that in mind, here are our top (totally unsolicited) picks for Columbus wedding locations:
The Bluestone (formerly Bar of Modern Art (BoMA))
The Bluestone has been one of our favorite venues for quite some time. In addition to featuring literally thousands of square feet including 3 separate rooms on different levels, 2 dance floors, a large stage, 7 beautiful bars created by nationally acclaimed artists, a multi-million dollar light system and in-house catering, you get the benefit of The Bluestone’s original purpose – cathedral church – complete with a fantastic stone exterior, amazing hardwood surroundings in the main room, cathedral ceilings and stained glass windows. This is a really elegant venue with a staff who seem to understand the level of service you should receive on your big day. Not to mention, we’re one of their preferred wedding photography vendors. Any Bluestone wedding clients who also book their wedding photography with GroovyDoodle receive an awesome discount on our services!
Graystone Wine Cellar This little wine cellar was new to us in 2010, and what a little bonus find it was! The venue occupies the hand-hewn limestone vaults of the 1875 Bavarian Brewery in Columbus’s historic Brewery District. While they no longer produce any wine on-site, they do offer catering and a historic, intimate setting for either your wedding or reception. And, like GroovyDoodle, they’re GLBT-friendly.
Grange Insurance Audubon Center
Ok, we weren’t sure what to think either when we first heard the name of this place. But we’ve got to say, we were pleasantly surprised. The non-profit center is located just south of downtown Columbus, and serves as a model for sustainable design with 18,000 square feet built with recycled construction materials – it is surprisingly beautiful with a modern, open feel. Their main purpose is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats. So, by holding your reception at the Audubon Center, you’re helping to support these objectives. Obviously, they don’t offer catering themselves, but they do have a list of pre-approved caterers (which includes our beloved City Barbeque). Their pricing is very reasonable, and they allow you to bring in your own alcohol if you are planning for cocktails or a nice local wine to be available to your guests.
Bonus Venue – Grand Pacific Junction Looking for something really unique and don’t mind a bit of a drive (or perhaps you are looking for Cleveland, Ohio wedding venues)? Grand Pacific Junction in Olmsted Falls, Ohio is like walking back in time 100 years. This campus of historic buildings is essentially a small town that will go all out for your wedding. It features a wedding chapel (with a fantastic, balconied bride room), a banquet facility, a wine cellar, a local stable for hiring a horse-drawn carriage and a variety of other services you’re sure to find useful. There’s also a beautiful park with a covered bridge within walking distance of the chapel for your formal wedding photos.
Was this article helpful to you? Do you have another Columbus or Ohio wedding venue where you’ve had a stellar experience? Drop us a line in our comments and let us know!
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