Are you picturing your wedding at Retreat 21? Here are some important things to consider before booking our stunning wedding venue for your big day.
The “Wow” Factor
Some of the standout features that Retreat 21 couples rave about, include:
- The Oak Tree: Nestled in Retreat 21’s forest ceremony area is an oak tree which we estimate to be 350 years old! A breathtaking backdrop in any season, this tree is a popular spot for couples to host their ceremonies in May through October and enjoy wedding party photos.
- Ample Venue Space: “Many couples who choose Retreat 21 remark about the amount of space inside the venue,” said Michaela Neu Barteldt, Director of Weddings at Retreat 21.
- She notes that the venue features 30-foot vaulted ceilings and garage doors that bring the outside in. Flexibility is built in to adapt room layouts to each specific wedding and guest count (up to 300).
- Getting Ready Suite: The gorgeous getting ready suite inside the Retreat 21 venue boasts tons of natural light and enough room to fit 15 people comfortably. With plenty of outlets for hair tools, cell phone chargers, lots of mirrors and lighting this is the perfect place to do hair and makeup onsite!
- Retreat 21 couples who book Saturday and Sunday weddings have access to the suite beginning at 9 a.m. on their wedding day and can pop back in for touch ups as needed.
- Charming Onsite Accommodations: Like a destination wedding right outside Columbus! Retreat 21 has the ability to sleep up to 42 guests onsite in our well-appointed cabins and geodomes during wedding weekends.
- The Aesthetic: “Our unique blend of modern yet organic design stands out,” said Barteldt. “We soften bold design with wooden accents and greenery while maintaining a great canvas for any wedding vision and decor scheme,” she said.
Special Perks
With decades of wedding planning expertise, the team at Retreat 21 built lots of extra perks into our wedding packages to make every couple’s big day go smoothly.
- Standard 6 hours of Venue Time
- “Every wedding includes 6 hours of hosted event time,” said Barteldt. “We know many local venues default to 5 hours and charge for each additional hour, and we see the need for a little more time on average, so it’s planned right into every wedding we host.”
- All-Day Wedding Venue Access on Saturday and Sunday
- At Retreat 21, we want every couple to feel like they have plenty of time to settle in and enjoy their wedding day. Couples can access the getting ready suite beginning at 9 a.m. for Saturday and Sunday weddings. For Friday weddings: suite access availability varies.
- Onsite Rehearsal Dinners from May to October
- “Our onsite Taphouse is available for rehearsal dinners,” said Barteldt. “It’s a fun way to introduce the property to the wedding party and family and feature our delicious wines and ciders, and especially convenient when the wedding party is staying overnight!.”
- Saturday weddings at Retreat 21 from May-October are encouraged to take advantage of the Taphouse for rehearsal dinners. Friday and Sunday weddings can also add on the Taphouse rehearsal meal rentals.
- Indoor/Outdoor Ceremony Space
- Wedding ceremony spaces are available both indoors and outdoors generally from May through October at Retreat 21. The Atrium is a beautiful indoor setting with stunning natural light and plenty of plant life!. Outdoors our Oak Tree or Waterfront Deck create excellent ceremony settings.
- Outdoor Space Included
- One of the remarkable features of Retreat 21 is the great outdoors, and that’s always included when you book your wedding! Our event venue features a firepit and expansive outdoor patios, yard games such as corn hole and giant jenga and access to our vineyard and wildflower areas!
Logistical Notes
- Outdoor Ceremony Back-Up Location
- “Our woodland location creates beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony locations. And while we always want to execute a seamless outdoor ceremony for our couples, if Ohio weather has other plans we have a beautiful “back-up” location,” said Barteldt.
- Retreat 21’s Atrium is a gorgeous indoor location that seats the same amount of guests (250) as our outdoor spaces, with tons of natural light, and guarantees our couples a beautiful ceremony regardless of the weather.
- Onsite Accommodations for Friday and Sunday Couples
- Our onsite cabins and geodomes are available first to our Saturday wedding reservations. If those couples do not choose to book onsite accommodations, Retreat 21 will offer Friday and Sunday couples the opportunity to book cabins about 5 months before the big day!
- “I always recommend anyone considering a Friday or Sunday wedding at Retreat 21 get started on hotel blocks first,” said Barteldt. She also suggested shuttle services to and from local hotels for out-of-town guests who are not staying onsite.
- Our onsite cabins and geodomes are available first to our Saturday wedding reservations. If those couples do not choose to book onsite accommodations, Retreat 21 will offer Friday and Sunday couples the opportunity to book cabins about 5 months before the big day!
If Retreat 21 sounds like the right wedding venue for you, contact our team to get more details, and schedule a tour!
Featured photo of groom and groomsmen by waterfront by Fresco Views.