TOP 10 MICRO WEDDING VENUES IN COLUMBUS, OHIO
This last year has been wild! The emergence of the pandemic has given way to the rise of the micro wedding. And with it, a whole new set of needs from those looking to get married in a different way!
In the past several months, I’ve had so many couples reach out asking for recommendations for venues fit for micro weddings and elopements. As a Columbus wedding photographer who has shot many micro weddings and elopements lately, I’ve compiled a quite a list over time, and I would love to share some of my favorites! The venues on this list are all over town, offering a variety of backdrops and styles. Many of these are smaller spaces off the beaten path, but I also threw in some non-traditional larger venues that have pivoted to offer micro wedding packages!
Pro tip: Many traditional wedding venues can accommodate a tiny wedding too, all you have to do is ask! But typically Saturdays, and sometimes Fridays and Sundays, are reserved for full day bookings. If you can consider another day of the week, you can probably get in just about anywhere, and on shorter notice too! And weekday weddings are the best, by the way.
If you think your venue is a good fit for this list, please feel free to reach out!
1. The Kitchen
Location: German Village
Website: https://www.thekitchencolumbus.com/
What I love: Intimate space, downtown location, great food
There are so many things I love about The Kitchen! I fell in love with the space when I first shot Ashley + Bethany’s wedding there a few years ago! The space is unique in that it is a restaurant that also happens to be a venue. But its smaller size lends itself perfectly to more intimate and cozy celebrations. The venue has an ideal location, right in German Village – a quick walk around the block provides charming backdrops for portraits. As it’s also a restaurant, they’ll handle the food for you, and it’s fantastic! Finally, an added plus for me – it’s LGBTQ-owned. I can’t sing the praises of The Kitchen enough!
See more from this Columbus wedding at the Kitchen: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2016/12/20/ashley-bethany-columbus-ohio-same-sex-fall-wedding-at-the-kitchen/
2. Orchard House
Location: Granville
Website: https://www.orchardhousegranville.com/
What I love: Picturesque ceremony space, intimate setting, animals!
Orchard House Bed & Breakfast truly specializes in smaller celebrations & elopements. Located just outside in Columbus in the charming town of Granville, their historic farmhouse overlooks beautiful grounds, a picturesque forest chapel, and a newly built outdoor pavilion! There are also animals on-site, including chickens, goats, sheep and more. The forest chapel in particular is a setting unlike any other in central Ohio. And an added bonus: the newlyweds (and a handful of guests) can stay overnight at the bed & breakfast when the celebration is over!
See more from this Orchard House micro wedding: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2020/07/24/orchard-house-granville-micro-wedding-ashley-jonathan/
3. The Fig Room
Location: Short North Arts District
Website: https://www.figroom.biz/
What I love: Intimate space, downtown feel, Short North location
The Fig Room is a newer space in downtown Columbus! Located in the heart of the Short North Arts District, this space has lots of exposed brick and bright walls, and the location is ideally located near restaurants, hotels and other attractions. I was invited to tour the space when it opened over the summer. Its smaller space is appropriate for intimate celebrations – the ultimate cozy downtown space! And as this venue is part of a family of venues across Columbus, the team is expert at facilitating any event. Not to mention they opened during the pandemic, so running safe events is top of mind.
4. Jeffrey Mansion
Location: Bexley
Website: https://bexley.org/facilityrentals/
What I love: Historic setting, beautiful grounds
Jeffrey Mansion is a charming historic venue in the heart of Bexley. It overlooks one of the most beautiful parks in all of Columbus! The separate rooms and fireplace create a cozy feel. And the mansion is currently under renovation, to add a new event space! Reservations are being accepted beginning April 2021.
See more from this Jeffrey Mansion wedding: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2017/01/13/rajaa-badar-columbus-ohio-indian-muslim-wedding-at-jeffrey-mansion/
5. Jorgensen Farms
Location: New Albany
Website: http://www.jorgensen-farms.com/
What I love: Outdoorsy setting, historic greenhouse, micro wedding packages
Jorgensen Farms is an organic farm located about 25 minutes outside Columbus in New Albany. I shot my very first micro wedding here during the pandemic! They offer two venues on-site: the Historic Barn and Oak Grove (pictured above). The latter is a historic greenhouse with an open-air feel, letting lots of natural light in, even on the cloudiest of days. And it’s useable rain or shine! Oak Grove in particular has a new modern reception space, large enough for a decent sized celebration in normal times, but perfect for a socially distanced smaller group. Still, the greenhouse may be all you need for your micro wedding. Plus, the surrounding grounds make for beautiful portrait backdrops. Jorgensen Farms is currently offering some micro wedding packages, so you’ll definitely want to reach out to them for more info!
See more from this Jorgensen Farm Oak Grove micro wedding: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2020/05/22/columbus-ohio-micro-wedding-at-jorgensen-farms-oak-grove-lia-jeffrey/
6. Cultural Arts Center
Location: Columbus
Website: https://www.culturalartscenteronline.org/
What I love: Downtown location, art gallery
The Cultural Arts Center is a home for art exhibits, art classes, and also, weddings! The fun space is perfect for a less traditional celebration, but its space is appropriate for a smaller gathering. Located right on the Scioto Mile, it is steps away from some of the most picturesque locations for portraits, overlooking the downtown skyline. The brick-paved courtyard is a perfect space for a small ceremony, and the vine wall is quite epic in the warmer months. A look at their website suggests they are not currently running at full capacity during the pandemic, but it’s worth looking into to see if they can accommodate a tiny wedding!
See more from this Cultural Arts Center wedding: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2016/06/24/claire-andy-columbus-ohio-wedding-at-the-cultural-arts-center/
7. Seventh Son Brewing
Location: Columbus
Website: https://www.seventhsonbrewing.com/
What I love: Downtown location, cozy space
Seventh Son Brewing is a fun neighborhood bar, just a couple blocks from the Short North Arts District, but its several unique spaces are ideal for a micro wedding! From their brewery room lined with barrels, to their new light-filled second story addition, to their outdoor patio – there are lots of options. It definitely has a laid-back vibe. But best of all, you’ll have access to all the celebratory drinks you could want! Cheers!
See more from this Seventh Son Brewing surprise proposal: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2018/01/15/columbus-ohio-surprise-proposal-at-seventh-son-brewery-lia-jeffrey/
8. North Bank Park Pavilion
Location: Columbus
Website: https://www.columbusparkrentals.com/venue/north-bank-pavilion/
What I love: Downtown location, skyline view, affordable
North Bank Park itself is a beautiful site for a ceremony, and for portraits too, overlooking the Columbus skyline! But if planning a celebration, even a micro one, having access to the indoor pavilion is a huge plus. You can plan for outdoor ceremony with a very nice indoor backup. The pavilion itself is full of windows, letting all the natural light in. And the city is currently renovating it to make it even better! All dates are booked exactly a year out, to the day, but if you’re looking for an off-peak day of the week, all you have to do is call to find out their availability. Since it’s run through Columbus Parks & Rec, it’s a lot more affordable than most venues. The pavilion is available to be reserved again beginning April 2021.
See more from this North Bank Park Pavilion wedding: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2018/06/21/columbus-ohio-north-bank-park-wedding-eva-nick/
9. Strongwater Food & Spirits
Location: Franklinton
Website: https://strongwatercolumbus.com/
What I love: Downtown vibes, beautiful outdoor ceremony space, variety of spaces
Strongwater has been a longtime favorite wedding venue of mine they first came on the scene. I love their old warehouse feel, in the Franklinton neighborhood – inspiration at every turn! Sure, their spaces can accommodate a larger celebration. But in 2020, I photographed two different smaller weddings there, including Gretchen & Matt’s micro wedding (pictured above). They were able to adjust to accommodate their clients’ needs and deliver a celebration in a meaningful way, while following protocols to keep the events safe. Plus, they now offer micro wedding packages! Their outdoor courtyard is probably my favorite ceremony spot in town, and their Annex room is perfectly sized for a smaller gathering.
See more from this Strongwater Food & Spirits wedding: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2020/10/19/strongwater-columbus-micro-wedding-gretchen-matt/
10. Rockmill Brewery
Location: Lancaster
Website: http://www.rockmillbrewery.com/
What I love: Downtown vibes, beautiful outdoor ceremony space, variety of spaces
Just 30 minutes from Columbus, Rockmill Brewery is a former horse barn nestled on 23 acres of beautiful grounds including a pond, chapel, and caves reminiscent of Hocking Hills (which isn’t too far away either!). I had a chance to tour their newly renovated spaces over the summer, and revisit their beautiful grounds since the last time I shot there. Their little chapel, just steps away from some truly picturesque backdrops, is the most charming site for a small outdoor ceremony. And their cozy spaces, delicious food and in-house beers come together for the perfect small celebration.
See more from this Rockmill Brewery engagement: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2016/05/22/sara-jared-columbus-ohio-spring-engagement-at-rockmill-brewery/
But I couldn’t stop there… here are a few more honorable mentions!
Flat 51, German Village
https://www.flat51.com/
Rural Society at Warwick Farm, Mt. Vernon
https://www.theruralsocietyatwarwickfarm.com/
Crockett’s Run, Hocking Hills
https://www.crockettsrun.com/
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, Columbus
https://www.wolfsridgebrewing.com/
Bleu & Fig, Clintonville
https://www.bleuandfig.com/
Kelton House Museum, German Village
https://keltonhouse.com/
BrewDog, Canal Winchester
https://www.brewdog.com/usa/locations/brewery/columbus
Aiden & Grace, Columbus
https://aidenandgrace.com/space-rental/
Evermore Studios, Brewery District
https://evermorestudiosllc.com/
Barcelona Restaurant, German Village
https://barcelonacolumbus.com/
Wild Goose Creative, University District
https://www.wildgoosecreative.com/
Granville Inn, Granville
https://granvilleinn.com/
Lindey’s Restaurant, German Village
https://www.lindeys.com/
Ampersand Flowers & Events, Worthington
https://www.ampersandflowers.com/
And once you’ve booked your venue, and set your date (or even before that, if you want to check my availability)… I’d love to be your photographer! Get in touch via the Contact Page!
