Couples planning their weddings today know there is more to a wedding experience than just the ceremony and reception. As you plan your wedding, it’s important to think about the days leading up to and following the event as part of the overall experience for you and your guests. Planning an intentional and meaningful wedding weekend is a great way to use this celebratory time when friends and family are in town and all gathered in one place.
Planning a wedding weekend means using the days before and after the wedding day to craft a timeline of activities and events that can make the whole weekend feel like one continuous celebration- without any awkward time gaps. Luckily for our Ellis couples, there is much to do in Columbus! Read below for our guide to planning your three-day wedding weekend in the city.
Day One- Wedding Rehearsal and Dinner
One of the first things to plan for your wedding weekend is where everyone stays. Whether you as a couple are local to Columbus or not, you might have out-of-town guests or family members attending wedding activities who would benefit from somewhere close to stay.
Fortunately, overnight accommodations next door to The Ellis are an excellent option for keeping wedding parties and family members close to your venue and in a convenient location all weekend long. Once you have your accommodations booked, it’s easier to plan where your rehearsal dinner will be held and what the timeline of your rehearsal day will look like. We recommend using this day before the wedding to let your friends and family have the time to get to know each other and become familiar with the expectations of the wedding weekend.
Every Ellis couple is guaranteed a one-hour rehearsal time at the venue before their wedding day. This rehearsal time is a great time to show your friends and family your wedding venue, drop off any personal decor to your Wedding Coordinator, and rehearse ceremony details with your officiant. Following the rehearsal, couples traditionally host a rehearsal dinner. This gathering brings together those involved in the wedding for an evening of socializing, celebrating, and final preparations. It can also serve as a “welcome” event to the weekend.
Your rehearsal dinner can be as informal or formal as you want it to be as a couple. The night is about gathering your loved ones together and using this time to thank them and show appreciation for being involved in such an important day! You can also review any last-minute details or reminders your wedding parties should be aware of for the following day’s events.
For delicious and conveniently located rehearsal or welcome dinner options in Columbus, our team recommends:
- Book a Private Dinner Space: Rent a downtown venue such as Vue Columbus, Fig Room, or The Ellis itself for a delicious catered meal in a space exclusively private to you. Perfect for larger rehearsal parties!
- Lindey’s: Located just minutes away in German Village, with several private rooms available for reservations.
- Giuseppe’s Ritrovo: Located in Bexley, it is a cozy choice for pizzas, pasta, and good drinks.
- High Bank Distillery: Elevated distillery pub eatery only a 7-minute drive from The Ellis.
Day Two- Ceremony, Reception, and After-party
After your ceremony rehearsal and welcome dinner, your friends and family are ready to continue the celebrations on your wedding day!
We recommend starting the big day with something relaxing and fun—whether a shared breakfast for your wedding parties and families or mimosas and snacks as you get ready together. For anyone in your wedding parties who needs hair and makeup done, build enough time into your wedding day schedule so everyone has the time required to get ready. Having a plan and a schedule for your group is the best way to set your morning up for success and start the day on the right note. Make sure to share this expected timeline before the wedding day with any vendors you have booked for those hair and makeup services.
Gibson Photographic
Once everyone is ready, it’s time for photos! Before the ceremony, take as many portraits of the wedding party, family, and you as a couple as possible. This allows you to jump straight into Cocktail Hour and reception celebrations after the ceremony without building as much time for photos into your reception timeline. Even without a First Look, early family or wedding party photos are beneficial and give you more time with loved ones.
Our Wedding Coordinators work closely with our couples to craft a ceremony and reception timeline that works best for them and their desired flow of the evening. If you want to continue the party later into the night and keep guests fueled for all the festivities, we recommend adding a late-night bite to your reception timeline, served on the dance floor or off to the side. For this nighttime option, we recommend bites like pizza, sliders, popcorn, or even a taco station!
To extend the celebrations more, plan an afterparty post-reception. It’s a chance for more music, dancing, and drinks in a casual setting. This can be a small gathering or an open invitation to remaining guests! There are many great bars and restaurants close to The Ellis, just a quick walk or short Uber ride away.
Our team recommends:
Annie Darr Photography
Day Three- Post-Wedding Brunch and Sendoff
Day three of your wedding weekend is the perfect time to rest and recoup with your loved ones after your celebration. Consider planning a relaxed brunch or breakfast with your family and wedding parties to wind down the celebrations and enjoy each other’s company before everyone heads home. This also offers a great chance to show appreciation to loved ones for their help and to reflect on the weekend’s most memorable moments. Consider using this time to also open gifts from your family and wedding parties while they are still with you! You could either do this at your Airbnb or hotel room or rent out a private space like Vue Columbus or the Fig Room for a catered post-wedding brunch/gift shower morning!
Finally, make time to say goodbye to everyone who came into town for the weekend and take any more pictures with anyone you might have missed during the busy wedding day.
Notes to Keep in Mind
Now that you have the general itinerary for your wedding weekend remember these tips to ensure everything goes smoothly.
- Embrace flexibility. Allowing room for spontaneity and adjustments can make the weekend enjoyable and less stressful for your guests.
- Delegate responsibilities. Delegating tasks to your wedding party or family members is essential, as it ensures that responsibilities are shared and that you can focus on enjoying your special moments.
- Communicate clearly. Keeping everyone informed with a detailed itinerary will help the events run seamlessly and ensure all guests are where they need to be at the correct times.
Use these ideas to help you create a memorable and well-organized wedding weekend in Columbus, Ohio.
If you’re still looking for the perfect downtown Columbus wedding venue for your day, book a tour with us to learn about our all-inclusive packages and unique spaces.
Meghan Leigh Barnard Photography
