1.Garden Charm
Vintage-loving brides look no further. Say “I do” at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Hold your ceremony in the tropical Palm House—a glass and stone structure with seasonal blooms and a Venetian-style fountain.
2.Through the Grapevine
No need to travel to France to wed in wine country. Couples can marry at Vinoklet Winery in Cincinnati, a working state-of-the-art vineyard, under a hillside gazebo overlooking acres of grapevines and sloping hills leading down into a valley.
3.Hot Hotel
Dramatic opulence unfolds at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. Fit for royalty, this space can accommodate ceremonies in the Versaille-inspired Hall of Mirrors.
4.Chapel of Love
Traditional brides wanting something unique should check out the outdoor chapel on the grounds of the Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum in Hamilton. A fave of Joyce C. Smith of Weddings Unlimited, the space is a perfect contrast of monumental art and an intimate, garden feel.
5.Nostalgic Nuptials
Looking for a ceremony site rich in history—and kitsch? Ann Kelly of A Cherished Event led us to The Depot Conference Center in Brice, a renovated 1880s train depot where a 1/3 scale steam locomotive regularly encircles the property. What’s more, you can exchange vows in front of a vintage 1909 caboose.
6.Museum Magic
Rich history and Italian Renaissance architecture combine at The Dayton Art Institute. Get married in the Gothic or Italian Cloisters—the perfect romantic hideaway for a cultural couple.
7.Outdoor Splendor
Cincinnati’s Mt. Airy Forest and Arboretum: It’s a little bit rustic and completely picturesque. Exchange vows beneath an arbor situated atop a hill in Vasey Garden or in a gazebo on Meyer Lake—Vasey Garden is a top pick of Heidi Pasqualetti of I Thee Wed. (513) 357-2604
8. Estate Grandeur
If the phrase “the bigger the better” could describe your theme, look no further than Manor House in Mason. Kathy Piech-Lukas of Your Dream Day in Dayton suggests this plantation-style property trimmed in mahogany and accented with crystal chandeliers.
9. Animal Kingdom
At The Toledo Zoo, pick your favorite species to witness your nuptials: giraffes and zebras near the Nairobi Events Pavilion, or, for the couple who doesn’t mind a little monkey business, the African Lodge, which is connected to the zoo’s Primate Forest.
10. City Sites
Wow your guests with urban style at Windows On The River, located in the century-old Powerhouse in Cleveland. Two elegant rooms offer beautiful views: the Cityview Room has floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views of the city’s skyline; the Bridgeview Room has arched windows with views of the water and bridges.
Photo: Erlina Kim Photography
-- Christa Vagnozzi
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