Top 10 Columbus Ohio Non-Traditional Wedding Venues | Columbus Ohio Wedding Photographer

Around this time last year, I put together a list of my Top 10 Columbus Micro Wedding Venues. It became one of my top blog posts of the year! I thought I’d revisit that theme this year, and I’ve compiled my top 10 favorite Columbus Ohio non-traditional wedding venues!

As a Columbus Ohio inclusive wedding photographer, I’m lucky enough to get to see all kinds of celebrations. If you’re been following my work for a while, or even if you take a look at my website for the first time, you’ll probably catch a lot of weddings that do things their way – they go against the grain, push the limitations of the traditional wedding industry, and definitely like to take in more places than just a hotel ballroom. My wedding clients are diverse and fearless. Their weddings reflect their personalities and their values. Often times a couple is looking for something truly offbeat and fun in their wedding venue, and sometimes they want something meaningful, like a venue that reflects their values or even gives back to the community.

Here are some of my favorite non-traditional wedding venues in the Columbus, Ohio area!

1. 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 industrial feel, in the Franklinton neighborhood – inspiration at every turn! There are so many fun buildings and murals on their block, and they’re always changing. Strongwater’s outdoor courtyard is probably my favorite ceremony spot in town. They can definitely accommodate any style of wedding, but between exposed brick, dusty warehouse windows and exposed beams, there is absolutely nothing traditional about this venue!

See more from this Strongwater Food & Spirits wedding: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2021/09/18/strongwater-columbus-jewish-wedding-lindsay-nate/

And more Strongwater Columbus weddings: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/tag/strongwater-wedding-photographer/

2. Grange Insurance Audubon Center

Location: Columbus
Website: https://grange.audubon.org/
What I love: Colorful & modern architecture, skyline view, non-profit

Anytime I book a Grange Insurance Audubon Center wedding, I know I am in for a fun and laid-back celebration! Their building is colorful and modern in style, as is their reception space inside. They have multiple options for outdoor ceremonies. And they’re a non-profit, so you know you’re supporting something good! Located in the heart of Scioto Audubon Metro Park, the grounds are beautiful and natural, plus they have a view of the Columbus skyline. I actually love coming here for portraits year-round!

See more from this Grange Insurance Audubon Center wedding: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2017/09/26/jenna-ashley-columbus-ohio-lgbtq-wedding-at-grange-insurance-audubon-center/

And more Grange Audubon weddings: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/tag/columbus-ohio-audubon-center-wedding-photographer/

3. The Kitchen

Location: German Village
Website: https://www.thekitchencolumbus.com/
What I love: Intimate restaurant space, great food, queer owned!

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. Its smaller size also 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!

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/

4. The Columbus Zoo

Location: Powell
Website: https://www.columbuszoo.org/home/visit/book-your-event/weddings
What I love: The fun and unique spaces, and the animals!

It’s pretty non-traditional to have your wedding at the Zoo! They have two unique event spaces, including the Heart of Africa Event Center where you can have your ceremony overlooking giraffes! And no matter which venue you’re at, you get animal guests at cocktail hour. I’ve been lucky to shoot many weddings at the Zoo, and it never gets old. They’re always lots of fun!

See more from this wedding at the Columbus Zoo: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2017/07/14/victoria-evan-columbus-zoo-spring-wedding/

And more Columbus Zoo weddings: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/tag/columbus-zoo-wedding/

5. Star Lanes

Location: Polaris
Website: https://starlanespolaris.com/
What I love: It’s a bowling alley!!

I’m always a big fan of weddings having more entertainment than just a dance floor. Not everyone’s into dancing! And I’ve seen a lot of fun alternatives in my career. But it wasn’t until Nickey + Gabriel’s wedding at Star Lanes earlier this month that I ever considered BOWLING! But it really doesn’t fun and non-traditional than that! I even got to play a round myself after my time was up.

See more from this wedding at Star Lanes: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2022/02/17/columbus-ohio-winter-wedding-at-star-lanes-polaris-nickey-gabriel/

6. Wolf’s Ridge Brewing

Location: Downtown Columbus
Website: https://www.wolfsridgebrewing.com/
What I love: A downtown brewery/restaurant with lots of charm

Nothing says celebration like a wedding at a local brewery! And there’s nothing traditional about it. Wolf’s Ridge Brewery in downtown Columbus is also a restaurant, with its own dedicated event space, and the food and drink are amazing! Seriously, some of the best food I’ve had at a wedding. The space is charming and welcoming, with exposed brick and floor to ceiling windows.

See more from this wedding at Wolf’s Ridge Brewing: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2021/05/30/wolfs-ridge-brewing-columbus-wedding-faith-brian/

7. Jorgensen Farms Oak Grove

Location: New Albany
Website: https://www.jorgensen-farms.com/weddings-events
What I love: A historic greenhouse paired with a modern reception space

You may be at a farm, but there’s not a barn beam to be found at Jorgensen Farm’s Oak Grove venue. Combining the outdoors with a historic greenhouse and a dramatic modern reception space, it feels like a unique combination that doesn’t come to close to traditional. You can get married in the coldest day of winter with a view of nature all around you and limitless natural light pouring in! No matter the weather, a virtually outdoor ceremony is guaranteed. Even on a rainy day there’s nothing like hearing the raindrops hit the greenhouse glass.

See more from this wedding at Jorgensen Farms Oak Grove: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2019/04/04/jorgensen-farms-oak-grove-jewish-wedding-maggie-zak/

And more Jorgensen Farms Oak Grove weddings: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/tag/jorgensen-farms-wedding-photographer/

8. COSI

Location: Downtown Columbus
Website: https://cosi.org/connects/events.php#nav-weddings
What I love: It’s a science center! Lots of nerdy and unique spaces, plus the perfect downtown location

COSI – the Center of Science and Industry – has to be the place for the ultimate offbeat or nerdy wedding. There are so many fun spaces for a celebration! Tim + Dean had their ceremony in the Planetarium. Nothing like getting married under the stars! It truly made their wedding magical!

See more from this COSI wedding: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2021/12/10/columbus-ohio-lgbtq-wedding-at-cosi-the-boathouse-dean-tim/

9. 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, and you can feel good knowing you’re supporting a non-profit. The main reception space is a literal art gallery. Located right on the Scioto Mile, the building 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. I actually love shooting portrait sessions here throughout the year when the courtyard is open!

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/

10. Via Vecchia Winery

Location: Columbus
Website: https://www.viavecchia.com/
What I love: Downtown location, local winery

Via Vecchia is a local winery with an industrial space! They moved locations since the last time I shot a wedding there, but their new space has an industrial laid-back vibe. They have a lovely outdoor ceremony space. Plus they’re a local winery!

See more from this Via Vecchia Winery wedding: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/2016/08/26/sara-aaron-columbus-ohio-wedding-at-via-vecchia-winery/

And more Via Vecchia Winery weddings: https://amyannphoto.com/blog/tag/via-vecchia-wedding-photography/

A few more to consider!

North Bank Park Pavilion, Columbus
https://www.columbusparkrentals.com/venue/north-bank-pavilion/

Jeffrey Mansion, Bexley
https://bexley.org/facilityrentals/

Orchard House, Granville
https://www.orchardhousegranville.com/

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/

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

Barcelona Restaurant, German Village
https://barcelonacolumbus.com/

Wild Goose Creative, University District
https://www.wildgoosecreative.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!