Located in northeast Ohio, Cleveland is one of the largest cities in the state. It has dozens of parks and other outdoor spaces that are perfect for nature lovers who want to get married outside. You’ll also find a number of indoor venues that provide some protection from the Ohio weather. Anyone who lives in the Buckeye State knows that weather can go from warm and sunny to cold and snowy in the blink of an eye. Before you exchange vows in the Rock and Roll Capital of the World, you can use our tips to plan your big day.
Create Your Guest List
Long before you look at venues or meet with caterers, you need to sit down with your future spouse and create your guest list. Now is the time to trim that list of people you rarely or never see and those who didn‘t invite you to their weddings. The more people you have, the more expensive your wedding will be. You may want to consider your budget too. Once you have an idea of how many people will attend, you can think about how much you can afford to spend on decorations and food.
Pick a Date
Very few couples plan Cleveland weddings in the winter because Ohio can get several inches of ice and snow. While summer weddings are popular, a number of couples now choose fall weddings too. You can usually save some money because venues offer reduced rates in the fall, but you’ll get the warm weather that you want. Couples also choose fall weddings because the changing leaves add the perfect backdrop to their celebrations. If you do choose the fall, you may want to take a look at the football schedule though. Some guests may decline your invitation because of Ohio State University and Cleveland Browns games.
Choose a Venue
The Cleveland Metroparks system offers a number of venues for couples who want to get married outside. If you prefer all the creature comforts of home though, you may want to select a local hotel or resort. The Hyatt Regency Cleveland lets you exchange vows in a gorgeous venue and reserve the perfect room for your honeymoon. Also called the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade, it offers the type of historic elegance that you didn’t think existed in the city.
Add a Cleveland Touch
No matter where you decide to have your wedding, you can add a special touch of Cleveland to the ceremony and/or reception. Did you know that you could rent the Cleveland Indians’ mascot? Slider, as he’s known to fans, can come in and entertain your guests. As he’s pretty popular, you’ll want to reserve this special guest long before your wedding. You can hire a local rock and roll DJ for your wedding and have locally made wine and whiskey on hand too. The vineyards and distilleries in the city offer tasting events that will help you decide which liquors to serve. You can even work with them to create custom drinks named after you and your future spouse. If you thought that only big cities such as New York and Los Angeles offered great options for couples, think again. You can find everything you need to celebrate your big day in style in Cleveland.
