After 36 weddings last year, I felt like I should start a new series for couples who are in the midst of their wedding planning. This series of posts will highlight some of my favorite wedding trends, spaces, locations, vendors (etc) that I worked with last year. My hope is that the positive experiences I’ve had can help couples make the best decisions possible when it comes to their wedding day. So to kick off this series, I want to talk about my favorite all in one wedding venues from the past year. What I mean by all in one is that the ceremony, photos, and reception were all held at one location.
Before I dive into my favorites, I’d like to mention some of the perks that come with an all in one venue. In my opinion, all in one venues take a lot of pressure off of a couple during the wedding planning process. It basically eliminates dealing with an extra vendor from your communications and planning. It means you don’t have to pay for a party bus or limo. When there is no traveling from venue to venue this also means that family members are less likely to leave a venue before family photos happen. It also allows for greater flexibility when it comes to taking portraits because we are still at the venue and can make it back to the reception in a matter of minutes. Finally, it can save you hours on your photography collection. A lot of times I find that couples who choose an all in one venue only need 8-9 hour collections instead of 10 to 12 hour collections. This could save you a good chunk of change when hiring your photographer!
Now, let’s get into my favs!
fyi - These are in the order at which I photographed them. This is not a top 7 list.
White Rose Barn - North Lawrence, OH
White Rose Barn is absolutely stunning. Without decor, it’s an entirely blank canvas to let your imagination run wild, not to mention it’s aesthetically beautiful. Located in open farm country, North Lawrence, its scenic outdoors is picture perfect. The option to be able to have an outdoor or indoor ceremony is huge when it comes to planning a Spring or Fall wedding and the bridal suite is perfect for even the largest of wedding parties. I could see a couple using White Rose Barn to throw the country wedding of their dreams or converting it with decor and having a beautiful modern wedding as well.
Highfields Event Center - Hudson, OH
Located at the end of a business parkway is an all in one venue you’d never expect. In my hometown of Hudson, OH is Highfields Event Center. Highfields is a perfect all in one venue for every couple. Highfields has two suites for couples to get ready in, a gorgeous courtyard for outdoor ceremonies and cocktail hour, and is surrounded by a small pond, beautiful wildlife and plenty of photo ops. If you’re lucky enough to get a sunset on your wedding day, a short walk down the driveway will make for unforgettable golden hour photos.
Gervasi Vineyard - Canton, OH
Arguably my favorite venue in Northeast Ohio is Gervasi Vineyard. Mainly because as soon as you drive onto the Gervasi property, you’re transported out of Northeast Ohio and into a small Tuscan world. The grounds are immaculate, but your access to them will depend on the part of Gervasi you book. I must commend the staff at Gervasi because they have been on top of things every time I have been there and are extremely accommodating. One incredible feature of Gervasi is that you can also reserve and stay the night in one of their luxurious villas the night before or the night of your wedding. You’ll wake up in the morning to a view of the waterfront and their beautiful grounds. Delicious food and wine help as well! You can find Gervasi in Canton, OH and even if you don’t get married there, it’s an amazing place for a date night!
Stone Water Golf Club - Highland Heights, OH
This past year was the first time I ever photographed at Stone Water Golf Club, but after one wedding, I was impressed. Again, I must praise their staff and owner as they were extremely helpful to my team and I, the bride and groom and the family on one of the hottest wedding days of last year. From a photography and video perspective, we were able to capture everything we needed with minimal walking and the golf course itself made for a lot of variety when it came to the photos. Golden hour there was perfect and left us so many opportunities to create romantic memories for my couple! Stone Water is located in Highland Heights which is great for all your Cleveland East-siders.
To see the video from there, you can click here.
Shangri-La Event Center - Garrettsville, OH
Want to host a party that everyone will remember? Shangri-La is where it’s at! It may also be one of the most unique venues I photographed this past year for several reasons. 1. There is a beach. 2. The bar is a tiki bar. 3. The ceremony took place on what felt like an island. 4. The couple and the wedding party arrived at the reception on a boat. 5. The dance floor moved out to the dock half way through the reception. For being just one venue, the wedding felt like it took place at 5 different places, which made for a cool guest experience. It also allowed us the ability to get so many different looks for the couples photos. If you’re near Garrettsville, OH don’t sleep on Shangri-La!
Walden Inn and Spa - Aurora, OH
Walden has a special place in my heart. It was the first wedding venue where I actually worked as the lead photographer. Not this last year but some time ago. Walden is a luxury inn and spa located in Aurora, OH and attached to Topline Stables. Their suites are immaculate and have every amenity you could ask for. The venue is laid out in such a way that your ceremony in one location, you then move to another room for cocktail hour, head to the dining room for dinner, and then walk down the hall to the reception room for dancing where you have a view into the stables and access to an outdoor courtyard. Your entire wedding day will be an event as guests go room to room to experience what each room is designed for. On the outside of the venue, you can find open fields, intricate landscaping, and various courtyards to accommodate all of your photography needs.
Rivercrest Farm - Dover, OH
Rivercrest Farm
Unfortunately, my wedding this past year at Rivercrest Farm was an extremely bleak and rainy day, so I didn't get to experience it to it's fullest, but it still makes the list. Despite the rain, we were able to get everything we needed and still keep the bride and groom dry. Rivercrest Farm in Dover, OH is a unique barn style wedding venue for different reasons than White Rose Barn. Rivercrest is most definitely a barn and houses horses on the bottom level. Outside the barn they have more horses, donkeys, and even long haired cows. One of the coolest features I thought was the tractor/trailer that transported guests to the ceremony area and back. It felt like a fall hayride! The ceremony area looked out over the most beautiful fall foliage for what seemed like miles. Upon returning to the barn we were able to get all of the footage for the video we needed either inside the gorgeous barn or under the covered canopy attached to the barn.
These venues made it so easy for not only me and my team, but for my couples to coordinate all of their wedding plans. I highly recommend checking out these businesses if you’re looking for a no-travel wedding venue.
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