By the time most couples find me, they usually already know where they're getting married. But if that key detail is still up in the air, here are some of my favorite Ohio wedding venues at which to perform ceremonies.
Gervasi Vineyard, Canton
It's hard to overstate how rad Gervasi Vineyard is. Aside from the numerous exquisite spaces to hold ceremonies and receptions of all sizes, the food and wine are top notch, the planning staff are amazing, and the grounds are immaculate. It's a one-stop venue for both ceremony and reception, but don't let the sprawling (and immaculate) 55-acre campus fool you - there are multiple small, intimate spaces all over that lend themselves to elopement ceremonies. The exquisitely appointed Tuscan villas are the perfect place to stay when your wedding day is done.
Peacock Ridge, North Lawrence
If rustic chic is your style, look no further than Peacock Ridge. This family-owned 85-acre farm, flanked by forests and cornfields, boasts a pond-adjacent ceremony space, an eclectic outdoor reception area and an air-conditioned, masterfully restored barn space. And yes, they totally have peacocks!
Brookside Farm, Louisville
It's more than just a farm! Nestled in the middle of 120 verdant acres and with dedicated indoor spaces for both ceremony and reception, there's a lot to love about Brookside Farm. The 1884 barn features modern conveniences like updated bathrooms and a 120-inch-high definition screen for displaying photographs and videos.
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, Akron
Having grown up in Akron (and having been on many a school field trip and family visit there in my youth) Stan Hywet will always be one of my favorite places. Both the hall and the gardens radiate elegance and tell the story of a rich cultural history. One might assume that weddings here are all lavish affairs that break the bank, but Stan Hywet offers surprisingly affordable elopement packages for runaway couples on a budget. (And did you know it's pronounced HEE-wit?)
Glidden House, Cleveland
It'll make you glad and it'll make you giddy! Glidden House is a wicked cool historic, boutique hotel in the heart of Cleveland's University Circle. With 60 luxury suites for you and your out-of-town guests and a host of amenities, it's the perfect venue for larger elopement ceremonies. If you're planning to flee to the Cleve to tie the knot, stay here!
Windows on the River, Cleveland
The FirstEnergy Powerhouse was built in The Flats in Cleveland in 1892. It's now Windows on the River, and it's the perfect ceremony and reception space for couples with modern tastes and a love of rehabbed industrial spaces. Do you also happen to love fish? The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is right downstairs. You and your guests can take a post-ceremony tour.
Greystone Hall, Akron
Say what you will about Freemasonry - those cats knew how to build and edifice. The monolithic, seven-story Greystone Hall was built in 1917 by the Freemasons and is now one of Akron's most celebrated wedding venues. If you're looking for a venue with a vibe steeped in ancient tradition, look no further. Greystone Hall also features multiple ceremony and reception spaces to accommodate ceremonies and receptions of any size.
The Oaks Lakeside Restaurant, Chippewa Lake
The Oaks Lakeside Restaurant is a late-1800s estate and one of Medina County's finest wedding venues. There's a majestic processional walkway leading to a serene, lakeside ceremony pagoda, a one-of-a-kind portico with a latticed roof and Tuscan columns, and some really delicious food for your reception. And when your guests leave, you and your partner can stay at the Coop, just a stone's throw from the ceremony space.
Williams on the Lake, Medina
The toughest thing about having your wedding at Williams on the Lake is choosing between two immaculate ceremony spaces - Lakeside South with its gazebo and courtyard, or Lakeside East, with its lakeside view framed by the beautiful stone Moon Gate. Enjoy the relaxed setting surrounded by natural beauty, as well as a varied menu of fine food.
The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue, Glenmont
The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue is set on 75 acres of pristine forest in the heart of Ohio's Mohican Country. This rustic yet modern venue and the surrounding treehouses are like something out of a Tolkienian elven forest. The outdoor patio offers a panoramic view of the valley, the amenities are top notch, and those treehouses? Way cooler than the one you clambered around in as a kid!
If you need some more ideas for your ceremony venue, get in touch with me and let me know your criteria. I know I can point you in the right direction!