Columbus Athenaeum

tiffanydaniels

Hello all,

I visited the Athenaeum twice last week and I fell in love with it but I was wondering what everyone's opinions on it was. We are looking to do the large theater and have around 200 guests. I was thinking about getting the linen package but it is 1800 dollars and honestly I don't know if it is worth it. Let me know what you all think about the place

thanks

MissOwl

it is a beautiful room. a few cons to consider

parking can be difficult

they host several events at once

there are lots of little fees

if none of these are red flags, i say go for it. they do a great job hosting events and the rooms are gorgeous. 

in my opinion, 1800 is way too much for linens. in that awesome dark, romantic space, you do not need chair covers.

TheBeckmeister

I really liked the character of each of the rooms there.  We wound up NOT booking there - we have a lot of out-of-town guests, and we didn't like that there wasn't parking RIGHT there.  I haven't been to a wedding there, so I don't have any real experience with the venue, though.

BMDunlap01

Funny enough I went to prom there one year. It was stunning! I still remember how beauitful it was so I'm sure your guests would love it too. I've never been to a wedding there.

allisonud

With the new parking garage on the corner of 4th and Gay, there shouldn't be a parking problem anymore, this is just across Gay street from the Athenaeum, and it is a nice, safe garage.

I have attended a wedding there in the past, and looking forward to my friend's wedding there in June (which is why I didn't book my reception there in July).

Good luck.

casims3

We booked our ceremony and reception there for December. We have been working with Gina, who has been great! I have heard they nickle and dime you...but I haven't felt that way at all. She has even thrown in some things for free. (Just don't be afraid to ask!)

casims3

Another plus for us with the Athenaeum is that you can bring your own alcohol. Our friends/family are definitely drinkers, and we are going to be saving a lot of money for an open bar compared to what we were quoted at some of the other venues we looked at.

may==bride

We're booked for next year and I have to say that the experience has been great so far. They are super organized and that makes me feel good. I checked out the parking and the new garage is almost next door; it's about 100 feet from the main entrance. I've attended two weddings there and both were phenomenal. The rooms looked great, the food was good (everyone at my table cleaned their plates), and the staff was very polite. I haven't noticed any "little fees" that Miss Owl mentioned. They gave me a detailed invoice that I can use as my base and all charges are clear. My fiancee is an accountant and he did comparisons on all the other places we visited and felt that the Athenaeum by far offered the best value. As I said, so far the experience has been excellent.

MissOwl

wow great to hear the parking situation is better. perhaps things are more inclusive now but when a friend and i toured it for her wedding it seemed like there were fees for every little thing like setting out favors or putting out baskets of chips/pretzels on the bar. if they don't do that anymore, i think it sounds like a darn near perfect venue.

MissOwl

please let us know if they do have small charges or not. the changes in parking and little fees may very well put them on my list to consider. i'm so curious to know.

tiffanydaniels

I think they still have some of those little fees but it all depends on what you want. Because there dinner packages include like a whole bunch of stuff (which i think are the added little things) and then you get event enhancements depending on the package you choose and you can add little things.

Right now we are trying to decide about if we want to do the linen package or not and then we are going to do centerpieces, we are considering getting them through them because then we would not have to set up but we are not sure yet.

They do have prefered vendors that they suggest you use but you don't have to, you just pay a 300 dollar deposit. I feel that their value is very good, with the linen package included it was going to cost the same amount as other places and the place is so beautiful it would not take anything to decorate. So that is my opinion on the place. I love it

MissOwl

so good to know. thanks for the update

sounds like it's perfect for you!!!

jdcwedding1

We just had our wedding there about a week ago.  I have nothing but good/great things to say about the Athenaeum.  We had our's in the Oak Room and it was gorgeous!  We used the the regular black linens and had chair covers with sashes.  However, the chair covers were free for that room since we were off season.  We really didn't have a bunch of small fees.  Most everything was included that other places don't include (such as cake cutting fees and having them do all the setting up).  The food was sooo good.  I really wish I could go back and eat more.    They set out our favors for free (it's included in the package).  We had very little extra fees (we also worked with Gina who added things for free, such as vases for the bouquets).  The only things I remember paying extra for is the bartender, glassware for the bar, we added buckeyes, chair sashes, and extra linens for the cake table and head table. 

tiffanydaniels

what is considered off season for them? I loved the chair covers but I refuse to spend like 1800 dollars on them, it was crazy!

cy17

I don't know when the off season starts, but they told us if we booked our wedding in January, February, or March we would get the free chair covers.

tell163

Wow, free chair covers! We booked there in Feb and I was disappointed when we went over details and our chair covers/sashes came to $1,000 dollars! I just can't justify spending that much money on chair covers, we're in the small theater though.

mschoch11

Has anyone used a DJ in the Olympian ballroom at TAC? I'm afraid because of the size of the room the sound might not sound that great. Thoughts?