The Essentials for Planning a Northeast Ohio Wedding
Planning a wedding in Akron or Cleveland is completely different than planning one in San Francisco, Baltimore, or Charleston. The budget, style, trends, and vendors are all completely different! Reading a blog from a New Yorker interviewing a Manhattan bake shop may not benefit you. Check out the essential tips you need to plan your wedding in Northeast Ohio.
Shop Local
One of the best parts of Today’s Bride (not to toot our own horn) is that we are solely focused in Northeast Ohio. We are not a national company based somewhere else. Nor do we have separate offices throughout the country. We have one office, located in Akron, Ohio and employ Northeast Ohio natives. Our magazine and website showcase photos from local real weddings and connect you with local wedding vendors. Instead of falling in love with a photographer’s photos and then finding out they’re located in Texas, you’ll rest calmly knowing that every vendor you love on our website is located nearby.
Shop local by investing in local companies rather than national conglomerates for your wedding – like hiring an invitation specialist rather than using Minted or Shutterfly. Not only does it help our economy, but you’ll support someone’s dream job and personal business rather than adding a few extra dollars into a millionaire CEO’s bank account.
Choose your Style
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Black Dog Photo Co. -
Karen Menyhart Photography
Before choosing your venue and location, consider the style you’re going for. Like our weather patterns, Northeast Ohio has nearly every landscape within our radius, too. Do you want to get married in an industrial warehouse in Downtown Cleveland, or on a farm in Amish country? Imagining a waterfront yacht club reception or celebrating on the estate of a historic mansion? Do you want to ride a carriage through the snow or race along a dirt path in a pick-up truck? Ohio offers it all!
Have a Backup Plan for Outdoor Weddings
If you’ve decided to have an outdoor ceremony or reception in Northeast Ohio, we salute you. While they can be the most beautiful weddings, it’s just impossible to tell what the weather will be like in Northeast Ohio at any given time. Will it be snowing in June? Could be! Tornados in October? Who knows! We’re not telling you to NOT to have an outdoor wedding, because really, we want those photos. No matter what season, outdoor wedding photos ARE GORG. It is best to have a backup plan, though, even for summer weddings. Ask your venue if they have an indoor space you could use in case of rain, wind, or snow and if it is an extra cost.
For a full-proof plan no matter the season or problem, rent a tent! Not only do tents have roofs that protect you from the rain and snow, but you can add walls to protect you from the wind and bugs! Tent companies typically have heaters and air conditioners, too, for chillier weather or those humid July and August afternoons.
Add a Touch of Ohio
Whether it’s rooting for the Browns for a 635 day losing streak, dealing with a snowpocalypse, claiming LeBron James no matter what team he’s on, or shouting “I-O!” whenever someone says “O-H,” we are proud to be from Ohio. Don’t deny it; incorporate your Ohio love into your wedding! Take your wedding party to one of the Cleveland script signs for a photo op or stop by one of these other Cleveland photo destinations! Have buckeyes as favors, play Hang On Sloopy at your reception, or include red carnations into your bouquet. Your out-of-state guests will love these personal touches, and it will make your wedding unique!
As winter comes to a close, it seems like we’ve been living in a frozen tundra forever. It’s times like this when it can be hard to see Ohio for the blessing it is. But Northeast Ohio has a variety of landscapes, ethnicities, religions, backgrounds, and styles. There are experts in every field, beauty in every season, and something for everyone. How will you embrace your home state on your wedding day?
