Getting married is an exciting time. The excitement and anticipation of marrying your special someone is something that most women dream of since they were little.
Ohio does not require a waiting period and a marriage license is valid for 60 days. Couples must have proof of identity to apply for a marriage license and the marriage officiant must be one of the following:
1. The Heart of It All
Getting engaged is an exciting and amazing time, but it can also be stressful! It’s important to find the perfect wedding venue that reflects your style and vision for your big day. Ohio has some pretty awesome options for couples looking to get married in the heart of it all!
This Ohio wedding venue in the middle of the state is perfect for a rustic and intimate celebration. The Black Pig is a historic Civil War-era home that has been turned into an elegant restaurant, and it’s a great choice for those looking to host a small wedding with an intimate group of guests.
The Ash Cave is the most beautiful and spectacular feature of Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio, and it’s an amazing spot to tie the knot. The waterfall rushing over the edge of the cave is breathtaking, and it’s the perfect backdrop for some incredible photos.
If you’re planning a larger wedding, this Ohio wedding venue is sure to impress. Located in Columbus, the Ohio Statehouse has three different wedding package options: ceremony-only, reception-only, and both ceremony and reception. Each option includes a statehouse event coordinator, shelterd parking, white padded chairs, basic AV equipment, and more!
This Columbus wedding venue is an historic and beautiful setting for a traditional ceremony and reception. The venue can accommodate up to 250 guests, and it has a variety of spaces that can be used for your special day. The Sanctuary Hall is a great place for a big reception, and it can be transformed from a luxurious fancy to a club-like atmosphere depending on your preferences.
The German heritage of this Ohio city is well-known, and it’s not surprising that many local brides choose to incorporate some of the traditions into their hochzeit. One popular tradition is the cookie table, which features a huge assortment of sweet treats for your guests to enjoy. From classic cookies like clothes pins to the Ohio favorite, buckeyes, this cookie table is a sweet way to honor your family’s history and celebrate your new beginning.
2. The Great Lakes
Ohio is home to some of the country’s most beautiful lakes, as well as a handful of historic landmarks, making it a prime wedding destination. Whether you’re planning a lakeside ceremony or an elegant affair at the statehouse, your guests will be talking about your one-of-a-kind day for years to come.
If you’re getting married in Ohio, there are a few important things to know. First, you’ll need to get a marriage license. This can be done by visiting the probate court in any of the 88 counties. The cost varies, so check with the probate office in your county. Then, the two of you must wait five days to marry unless the judge waives this requirement for good cause.
The Buckeye State is also home to some of the best wedding venues in the country. From the lakeside estate of Cedar Point to a modern warehouse space, here are some places where you can tie the knot with your partner and all your favorite people.
A little bit outside of Akron is this rustic-meets-modern venue with plenty of natural beauty and a big weathered barn. This charming location feels like something straight out of your Pinterest board.
Located just west of Columbus, this venue is a dream for nature lovers. The wooded property features a greenhouse, fire pit, and outdoor ceremony site. It’s a little bit more pricey than some of the other options, but it will give your guests an experience they won’t soon forget.
3. The Amish
Whether you love them or hate them, the Amish are a fascinating group of people with an even more fascinating way of life. A large part of this way of life is their strong sense of community. Whether they’re raising a barn together, offering wisdom to a friend in need or consoling a family member who has experienced loss, the Amish are a true support system. They are also extremely frugal with their money and believe simplicity is a sign of humility, something that they take seriously in accordance to Biblical strictures against conforming to the ways of the world.
Their dress code is based on the Second Commandment, which prohibits graven images, so Amish women don’t wear jewelry and their hair is always in a bun. They also don’t drive, so most travel by horse and buggy. They also refuse to play musical instruments, as they view them as a “worldly” act and contradict the critical concept of Gelassenheit that is central to their way of life. Similarly, the dolls that young Amish children play with are traditionally faceless.
While the Amish don’t accept the practice of photography, they will permit wedding photos to be taken at their church services and special events. The most important thing to remember when planning a wedding with the Amish is to never knock on doors or enter private property without permission. Only specific, named categories of persons are authorized to solemnize marriages. This includes ordained or licensed ministers of any religious society, specified judges and mayors.
While the Amish don’t have any dedicated wedding venues, they do have an impressive range of places that are perfect for a rustic country or farmhouse theme. The Jorgensen Farm, in Columbus, is a beautiful estate with a post-and-beam barn and greenhouse on 100 pastoral acres. And the Orchard House Bed and Breakfast in Granville is a gorgeous country manor, woodlands pavilion and working flower farm.
4. The Country Side
If you love the outdoors and all the things it has to offer, there are plenty of places to get a bit rustic with an Ohio wedding. With a farm, a barn and even a glamping spot, there are so many ways to celebrate your big day in the country.
A multi-generational family farm, Rivercrest spans 120 acres with roaming animals, gorgeous trees and a dairy barn. It’s the perfect spot for a small country wedding in central Ohio.
The old-fashioned beauty of this farmstead is sure to make you feel at home, with an expansive lawn and a giant red barn that lights up beautifully at night. With a party barn that seats 300 guests and accommodations in the old farmhouse and lodge, this location is perfect for a weekend celebration with your loved ones.
If the woods are calling to you, this Buckeye property is a dream come true. There are cabins, treehouses and a two-story timber-frame barn for your reception. Plus, the property is surrounded by towering trees and a scenic pond. You can even bring your pet along for a ceremony in the woods, if you want!
This historic estate in Central Ohio is a real show-stopper. From the moment you enter the sweeping entrance hall, you will be taken back in time with a combination of traditional and modern details. The ballroom can accommodate 275 guests, and there are multiple outdoor venues to choose from, too.
There are three wedding package options available at the Ohio Statehouse, including a ceremony-only option. Regardless of which package you select, all packages include your own wedding coordinator and sheltered parking. Plus, you can use the statehouse’s preferred caterers if you choose.
5. The City
Finding the right person to spend the rest of your life with is an incredible thing. Once you have found them, the next big search is for where to say “I do.” You might be a city girl who dreams of a lakeside wedding or perhaps a rustic farm wedding is more your speed. Regardless of your preferred setting, Ohio is home to plenty of beautiful locations that will make your big day extra special.
Whether you are looking for a place to exchange vows indoors or outdoors, the area around the statehouse offers tons of great options. Guests will be amazed by the architecture and the stunning views from inside and outside of the building. It’s the perfect spot to have a memorable evening that your friends and family will talk about for years to come.
For a wedding with an artsy feel, the Cincinnati Art Museum is another great option. This gorgeous venue is the perfect place to get married and then party like it’s your last night of singledom.
If you are a nature lover, The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake may be the right choice for you. This romantic lakeside property is a full-service wedding venue that will handle all the details of your big day, including the rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception.
You might be a barn couple if you love rustic or shabby chic wedding decor and enjoy getting out in the open air. If so, Buckland Farms in Delta Ohio is the perfect place for you. This wedding venue includes a private getting-ready space and several ceremony and reception sites.
If you are a garden type of bride, this Columbus venue might be the best fit. The botanical gardens at So Serene are sure to take your breath away and the venue also has an outdoor dining space that is perfect for an al fresco wedding.