Thus, with little fanfare, we give you part one of the BuyCincy Wedding Guide - our favorite Cincinnati wedding reception spots.
This is by no means an exhaustive list (and for any newleyweds looking at wedding spaces, exhaustive is an appropriate word), but focuses on selected sites that we feel reflect Cincinnati's history and culture.
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
301 Western Avenue, 45203
www.cincymuseum.org
This space is easy to write about, mainly
because it's the one we selected (one thing off the list!). The Museum
Center is one of Cincinnati's most recognized spaces, dramatically
decorated in Art Deco murals and detailed tiling.
For receptions, the Center has a few different options depending on size and budget. There's the obvious one: the Grant Rotunda, which is good for you and your 400 closest friends. Then there are two Art Deco-inspired rooms inside the center, the Losantiville Cafe and the Private Dining Room--those can be rented together or separately, for events involving a couple hundred guests. To get the full museum experience, you can also rent spaces in the Cincinnati History Museum and Duke Energy Children's Museum.
Cost & Vendor info*:
-Reception fee is between $800 and $1,750, depending on the space; fee for an outdoor ceremony is $650, including day-of coordinator.
-The Center has an on-site catering company, DECO Dining, that you must use for all food and drink options. You can rent a/v equipment and general linen-type items from them as well.
-As a historic building, there are some limits on the decor (i.e. no balloons or fog machines).
Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike Street, 45202
www.taftmuseum.org
After a couple photos of the site, including a beautiful outdoor area, the Taft made it onto our list of places to check out. The Taft's outdoor reception space includes a 30' by 90' tent on a brick terrace overlooking a large garden and lawn. Capacity is 200 for a seated event.
There's also an indoor space available, in the 30' by 40' Luther Hall in the new museum wing. For a little added culture to your event, guests can tour the museum during the reception. And because it's a National Historic Landmark, there are some restrictions on allowed decorations and length of events.
Cost & Vendor info*:
-Ceremony fee is $1,250; Reception fee is between $2,750 and $3,500
-Additional charges include $500+ for security staff, $250 for museum membership and $450 and up for valet
-The Taft requires use of one of their preferred caterers. Events must end by 11:30 p.m.
Cincinnati Observatory
3489 Observatory Place, 45208
www.cincinnatiobservatory.org
Possibly the only space in town
where your guests can stargaze with assistance of a real-life
astronomer, the Observatory is a unique spot for a reception. One local
couple had their wedding here and featured it in an "$10,000 and
under weddings" article on the knot.com.
As another National Historic Landmark, the Observatory comes with some restrictions, making it ideal for smaller, more intimate events. For indoor events, capacity is 75 for cocktails, fewer for a sit-down dinner. For outdoor events, capacity is 120. There's also some strict guidelines on timing: events have to end by 10, cleanup by 11.
Cost & Vendor info*:
-Depending on the length of your reception and the number of buildings rented, rental cost ranges from $500 - $1,500 (includes one-year membership).
-The Observatory has a list of preferred caterers, but you're free to choose your own or DIY.
-Rental comes with tables and chairs; tents and other items can be rented.
Verdin Bell Centre
444 Reading Road, 45202
www.belleventcentre.com
Thanks to some recently-married
friends, I got my first look inside this Pendleton building before
getting engaged. The former home of St. Paul's Church and current home
to The Verdin Bell and Clock Museum features enormous ceilings,
elaborate stained glass windows and historic bells displayed
throughout. There's also a cobblestone courtyard outside (perfect for cocktail hour) and parking
on-site.
Capacity is 300 people with a dance floor, 350 without. The Centre has its own kitchen and chef on-site and offers several food and bar packages. Tables, linens, service, etc. included in renting the space.
Cost & Vendor info*:
-The Centre has a minimum revenue requirement: $7,500 for a Friday event, $14,000 for a Saturday event (this includes fee, food and bar packages).
-Ceremony fee is $750, set up fee for courtyard is $50
Cincinnati Parks
various locations
www.parkweddings.com
One of my friends has already planned her Cincinnati wedding at Ault
Park. There's no groom yet, but there are elaborate plans involving the
park's restored Italianate pavilion and prominent fountain.
She's not the only one enamored with Cincinnati Parks' spaces--they have eight venues available total, with an entire site dedicated to their features (use the "search" function and it gives you park spaces specific to your event needs). Most of the spaces fit between 100-200 people, though the Ault Park pavilion can fit 600. Not all park events have to be outdoors, though: you can rent the "rustic" lodge at Maple Ridge or the tropical interior of the Krohn Conservatory.
Vendor & Cost info*:
-Reception fees range from $650 to $2,000, based on facility and time of event
-The Parks provide a list of exclusive caterers and rental companies for most of its sites.
-Parking is free and security can be provided
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
301 Western Avenue, 45203
www.cincymuseum.org
This space is easy to write about, mainly
because it's the one we selected (one thing off the list!). The Museum
Center is one of Cincinnati's most recognized spaces, dramatically
decorated in Art Deco murals and detailed tiling.For receptions, the Center has a few different options depending on size and budget. There's the obvious one: the Grant Rotunda, which is good for you and your 400 closest friends. Then there are two Art Deco-inspired rooms inside the center, the Losantiville Cafe and the Private Dining Room--those can be rented together or separately, for events involving a couple hundred guests. To get the full museum experience, you can also rent spaces in the Cincinnati History Museum and Duke Energy Children's Museum.
Cost & Vendor info*:
-Reception fee is between $800 and $1,750, depending on the space; fee for an outdoor ceremony is $650, including day-of coordinator.
-The Center has an on-site catering company, DECO Dining, that you must use for all food and drink options. You can rent a/v equipment and general linen-type items from them as well.
-As a historic building, there are some limits on the decor (i.e. no balloons or fog machines).
Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike Street, 45202
www.taftmuseum.org
After a couple photos of the site, including a beautiful outdoor area, the Taft made it onto our list of places to check out. The Taft's outdoor reception space includes a 30' by 90' tent on a brick terrace overlooking a large garden and lawn. Capacity is 200 for a seated event.
There's also an indoor space available, in the 30' by 40' Luther Hall in the new museum wing. For a little added culture to your event, guests can tour the museum during the reception. And because it's a National Historic Landmark, there are some restrictions on allowed decorations and length of events.
Cost & Vendor info*:
-Ceremony fee is $1,250; Reception fee is between $2,750 and $3,500
-Additional charges include $500+ for security staff, $250 for museum membership and $450 and up for valet
-The Taft requires use of one of their preferred caterers. Events must end by 11:30 p.m.
Cincinnati Observatory
3489 Observatory Place, 45208
www.cincinnatiobservatory.org
Possibly the only space in town
where your guests can stargaze with assistance of a real-life
astronomer, the Observatory is a unique spot for a reception. One local
couple had their wedding here and featured it in an "$10,000 and
under weddings" article on the knot.com.As another National Historic Landmark, the Observatory comes with some restrictions, making it ideal for smaller, more intimate events. For indoor events, capacity is 75 for cocktails, fewer for a sit-down dinner. For outdoor events, capacity is 120. There's also some strict guidelines on timing: events have to end by 10, cleanup by 11.
Cost & Vendor info*:
-Depending on the length of your reception and the number of buildings rented, rental cost ranges from $500 - $1,500 (includes one-year membership).
-The Observatory has a list of preferred caterers, but you're free to choose your own or DIY.
-Rental comes with tables and chairs; tents and other items can be rented.
Verdin Bell Centre
444 Reading Road, 45202
www.belleventcentre.com
Thanks to some recently-married
friends, I got my first look inside this Pendleton building before
getting engaged. The former home of St. Paul's Church and current home
to The Verdin Bell and Clock Museum features enormous ceilings,
elaborate stained glass windows and historic bells displayed
throughout. There's also a cobblestone courtyard outside (perfect for cocktail hour) and parking
on-site.Capacity is 300 people with a dance floor, 350 without. The Centre has its own kitchen and chef on-site and offers several food and bar packages. Tables, linens, service, etc. included in renting the space.
Cost & Vendor info*:
-The Centre has a minimum revenue requirement: $7,500 for a Friday event, $14,000 for a Saturday event (this includes fee, food and bar packages).
-Ceremony fee is $750, set up fee for courtyard is $50
Cincinnati Parks
various locations
www.parkweddings.com
One of my friends has already planned her Cincinnati wedding at Ault
Park. There's no groom yet, but there are elaborate plans involving the
park's restored Italianate pavilion and prominent fountain.She's not the only one enamored with Cincinnati Parks' spaces--they have eight venues available total, with an entire site dedicated to their features (use the "search" function and it gives you park spaces specific to your event needs). Most of the spaces fit between 100-200 people, though the Ault Park pavilion can fit 600. Not all park events have to be outdoors, though: you can rent the "rustic" lodge at Maple Ridge or the tropical interior of the Krohn Conservatory.
Vendor & Cost info*:
-Reception fees range from $650 to $2,000, based on facility and time of event
-The Parks provide a list of exclusive caterers and rental companies for most of its sites.
-Parking is free and security can be provided
* Vendor & Cost info are based solely on our experiences and may not apply to all weddings - time of year and day of the week are two of many options that may change a venue's price. This information is given only as a general reference.
Don't forget to mention the Cincinnati Art Museum. The nicest wedding I've ever attended was held there. The ceremony was held in the Great Hall. Then, guests moved to the Main Lobby for hors d'oeuvres, champagne, and a toast led by the best man. While that was going on, the Great Hall was reset for dinner. Seating was limited, but there was still room for a bar and live band. It was a very well executed event.
Someone over on Cinplify.com also mentioned the Hall of Mirrors at the Hilton Netherland - can't go wrong there either.
Nice job, saves a lot of time, and these places are CLASSY!!!!!
Mecklenburg Gardens does receptions and all you have to buy is food or beer and the Bier Hall is FREE!!! Holds about 100 people and stays open until 2am!! We had a great reception there - great bartenders and food!!! And there is a stage for live music.