Non-religious venues

ccossman

Hello all,

I am in the VERY early stages of wedding planning, as I literally just got engaged a few days ago. I don't even know when my wedding will be, but I figured it's never too early to begin thinking of ideas.

My future husband and I are Atheist and do not desire to get married in a church. Although I have lived in Cincinnati my whole life, I unfortunately don't know much about the city. My fiance is from Columbus, Ohio, and I'm not sure if Cincinnati will even be the city in which we get married. 

Regardless of the uncertainties that still remain, what kind of venues have you come across that are not church-like but still beautiful and wedding-esque?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

--Chelsey

mrs.dilligaf

Congrats on your engagement!

Most reception halls can perform the ceremony there (mine could).  It might be an option.  There are also areas in the parks, but you have to be careful with seating and the like. 
http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cityparks/pages/-3359-/ (look at Garden wedding areas). 

You could always be like me and get married in a cemetery .  No, really.  Spring Grove has an outdoor area that is really pretty.  The really good part is that you have the Norman Chapel as a backup in case of rain.  You have to bring your own officiant, so it can be as secular as you would like. 

There are tons of options.  My brother had a hawaiian ceremony on a riverboat.  My friend recently did hers at an old schoolhouse (ceremony and reception).   You might want to get a few general ideas and go from there.  I know White Castle and Waffle House have done weddings, so anything is possible.  Good luck!

caseyandlizzie

We are having our ceremony and reception at the Nathanael Greene Lodge in green township and looked at the Krippendorf Lodge,  Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, and Ault Park. We were looking for someplace outdoors where we could also have an indoor reception in a park-like setting.

There really are a LOT of options around here. It really depends on what kind of feel you want to go with and what your budget is.

glassslippergirl

There are sooo many great places and the PPs just named several. I agree with Norman Chapel at Spring Grove. It is a gorgeous gothic setting and you can have a non-denomenational officiant marry you guys. Plus your wedding pictures there will be gorgeous all along their grounds.

glassslippergirl

Oooo just saw the non-church like....sorry! Norman Chapel is church like, it is a minature cathedral. It is gorgeous though :-) Are you looking for outdoor or indoor or either?

jollygreen

We're having our ceremony and reception at the Cincinnati Club.  The rooms are very fancy--high ceilings and lots of beautiful details that can only be found in old spaces.

Audge.Podge

The Bell Event Centre definitely has the look of a church, and you can do your ceremony and reception there. 

mindiosu

Some of my favorites are 20th Century Theater in Oakley(we got married here and loved it!), Belle Event Center downtown Cincy, Drees Pavilion in Devou Park, Ault Park & The Madison in Covington.  They all have the option of doing the ceremony & reception.

clearheavens

Congatulations on your engagement!  It's a wonderful time!

The good news is, you practically can have your non-religious ceremony anywhere you want.  Most venues include a place to hold a non-religious ceremony.  I know that doesn't help much but it gives you the idea that your options are numerous.

decobelle

You will find that many brides on these boards are married in many creative non-religious locations. We are having our ceremony and reception in the dining rooms at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.

Good Luck with your plans, and let us know where you choose!

hotrocker2011

HELLO…AND CONGRATS!!!! My budget and guest list  is very small so I was looking at restaurants that had private rooms, you could look at the Montgomery inn boat house downtown, their pretty cheat… just use Google…you have plenty of options….   

mschneid02

Another vote for Union Terminal.  it is gorgeous there.

JLDowd83

I got married at Manor House and it was BEAUTIFUL...but definitely on the pricey side!  The people there are super easy to work with though, and there are lots of options for both ceremony and reception spaces.  

My brother is getting married next year and is using the Savannah Center, which is also gorgeous and has a really similar feel to the Manor House.  

Good luck!

AMBN0102

We had our ceremony and reception at The Phoenix. Def would reccomend checking this venue out it was beautiful!!

Vendygirl921

We booked the Bell Evente Centre (www.belleventcentre.com) and we are doing the ceremony and reception there. You also get ALOT that is included which will cut you vendors in half. I highly recommend them. They do book up fast so check them out.
We are just now trying to figure out WHO is going to marry us as we are not religious either.

Good luck and Congrats.