Ok, so you just got engaged to the love of your life. Now what? It's time to start planning the best day ever! So what do you do first? What is your wedding going to look like? Where do you start? Planning a Sandusky, Ohio wedding can be an incredibly complex challenge depending on weather, season, and many different factors.
Having been a part of over 50 weddings during our lives, we've had our fair share of wedding experience. We've put together this collection of information that's been hand crafted to help you get started planning your wedding in Sandusky, Huron, Vermilion, Norwalk, or more! We're going to talk about some of our favorite places to have a wedding, some of our favorite vendors, and everything in between.
Of course, we feel like that should come with a disclaimer. We're going to talk about a lot of venues, vendors, and local favorites in Erie County and the surrounding areas. We want you to know that the venues and vendors that we're talking about in this guide are chosen specifically because we really like them. We want you to be assured that nobody can pay to have their name featured. However, there's so many more options out there than just the ones we talk about here! That's why we put together a downloadable list of many more of the vendors in our area, so that you can make the right choice for your wedding day.
The first step in planning your wedding is to start dreaming. When you picture your abolute dream wedding day, what does it look like? If you had the exact wedding that you wanted as a kid after watching your favorite Disney Channel Movie, what would that entail? What would the theme be? Who would you hire? What food would you serve? What would the dress look like (would you even wear a dress?) This is your chance to go all out. After all, your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event!
Unfortunately, not everything in real-life is possible like it is in the movies. I couldn't have a helicopter fly over my wedding like it happened in Spy Kids! So, when you start examining what's in the realm of reality for your budget, location, and size of your wedding, it's time to start trimming things back. The best way we've found to do this is to first ask yourself "If I had to find a way to save money/accommodate the weather/fit my lifestyle, what would be the first thing I would change?"
The goal of doing this is to figure out what things are the most important to you on your wedding day. Everyone values different things in their lives, and what you value as an important part of your wedding day is unique to you. So figuring out what isn't that important to you can help you figure out what is important to you. For example, you may find that having incredible food for your guests may be extremely important, while your choice of venue may not matter as much to you.
It's time to start planning. The first things you should plan are the things that are the most important. Again, these are unique to you! Here's an example - When my wife Alyssa and I got married, we really valued the photography and the ring, which is where we focused on buying high quality. To us, we didn't want a large wedding, so spending a lot of money on decorations and a good DJ didn't matter as much to us, so we knew that it wasn't nearly as high on our list, and could be deprioritized. So, we would start by finding a photographer and the details we care less about could be put off until later.
Ok, so we've got to figure out the rough details of the wedding. This is Northern Ohio, so there's a lot of factors as far as seasons, weather, and size of the wedding that make big determinations about your wedding day! So it's time to nail down some of your big details.
Not all venues are equal. There are some absolutely gorgeous venues that will only hold 60 people, but there are incredible locations that will look totally bare with that amount, because they're designed for a capacity of 400. Want to have a huge wedding? Places like Sawmill Creek Resort will probably be a better choice than Owen Hill Winery. Everything from food, decoration, and total cost of the wedding will be determined by how many people you will have.
Your wedding party is going to be there the whole day. Your closest friends and family will be by your side at the alter. Do you want a small group with 1 or 2 people, or a large group of 20+ of your best buddies?
Living on Lake Erie is a blessing and a curse. One one hand, you can get some absolutely gorgeous settings as a backdrop for your wedding day. On the other hand, you have to contend with that temperamental Ohio weather. Thinking about having your wedding outdoors? You probably want to look for a wedding date between the months of June-August, as those months are the most reliable as weather goes. However, even in these months, it's extremely important to have a backup plan! In the event that you're not able to be outside for your wedding, it's really valuable to have a plan that works indoors as well. We've had a number of weddings where it did end up raining on the day of the wedding, and we had to suddenly change plans.
Tagging right along the seasons, you should start to nail down a date. For some couples, they already know just the perfect date for them, because they've been thinking about this for a long time, and they already had it picked out in their head. However, for other couples, the date can seem totally arbitrary. Out of over 100 Saturdays and Sundays in a year, how do I pick one? I was in that boat with my own wedding!
So here's the tip- start by picking a season. Then, nail down a month within that season. Then, pick a few of your preferred days for your wedding! As you reach out to venues and other vendors, you may want to shift your date to work with who you really want, and that's totally fine! You'll often find that vendors may be busy on a Saturday, but available on Sundays, and that may make you want to change your date! It's good to remain flexible throughout all of your options, and ultimately do what's best for you.
Once you have some of the big details figured out, The next step is to start planning. Finding some of your big vendors will probably be high up on most peoples' list. And hey, we've been around town for a long time, and so we've worked with a lot of people! So we can help here. We've put together a list of some of our favorite people to help you get an idea of some of the incredible options that Erie County Offers.
Way back in 2008, my cousin decided to get married....with 3 weeks heads up. EEK! She asked for my help, and of course I said I would. I designed the invitations, curated the playlist and that wedding day, I discovered that I had a passion for weddings!
Vermilion-on-the-lake is one of my all-time favorite venues. It's even where I got married! This historic building sits right on the lake, has the option for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies, and can seat up to about 175 people! Want to read more? Check out our blog post here.
The Erie County Fairgrounds is one of my favorite venues for a medium-large wedding. Why? Because this building is so unassuming, it can be turned into just about anything! Perfect for weddings nearing 250 people. It's also a blank slate, and can be turned into just about anything you want! Check out some more images we've shot here.
The Sandusky Yacht Club sits right on the lake and has one of the best views in town for your perfect wedding. The large, wrapping windows make this an absolutely gorgeous location for the best day of your life. Check out an awesome wedding we shot here.
The Bronson Conservatory is one of the coolest wedding venues I've ever seen. Upstairs on this wooden building is this large A-frame style room, with this gorgeous wood that makes an incredible location for your wedding. There's a large porch and yard down below it, overlooking a large pond. This place is perfect for guests of up to 175.
Formerly known as Mon Ami, Gideon Owen has a long history in the area as one of the best wedding venues out there. With multiple options as to how things can be set up, this venue can do everything from small gatherings to larger weddings, including catering and, of course, some killer wine!
Photo from Gideon Owen
Lyman Harbor sits on 1st street, overlooking the lake. With two separate venues in one building, you can find the perfect fit for you. Their larger location has some massive, gorgeous windows that overlook the lake, giving you a perfect view of cedar point from your dinner table. This room could easily fit up to 250 guests, and they have catering options on-site! Check out some of our favorite shots there.
Palm Tree Barn is a newer venue, but it jumped straight to the top of our list the first time we shot there. It's the place my brother got married! It has a lovely rustic feel, with both indoor and outdoor options that work by opening and closing barn doors on the building, and it can easily seat up to 250 people. With a large lot that includes a fire pit, this venue is perfect for anyone with a medium-large wedding that wants to nail that rustic vibe. See what we've shot here.
The Colonnade sits in an unassuming strip mall. From the outside, you would never guess how perfect this place is. Not only do they have plenty of seating, two different room options, and plenty of parking, they also have some of the best catering in town and do some of the best decorating ever if you want to go with their decorations. In addition, they're also known for setting off massive sparklers that create some of the best cake cutting moments that you've ever seen. Wanna check out what I mean? Look here.
Millsite Lodge is a massive venue located on the outskirts of Castalia. If you're looking for a place that can do absolutely anything, this is the best spot for it. With on-site lodging, catering, wedding planning, multiple locations, massive property size, and anything else you could be looking for, this is the best place to find it. Not to mention, it's incredibly gorgeous! Check out some of our favorite shots from Millsite here.
Sawmill has been a staple along the lake for many years. This resort can cater to just about any kind of wedding you want. With multiple venues, including indoor and outdoor, lakeside views, or even beachfront weddings, this is the perfect location if you need something all-in-one. With seating for up to 275, you can comfortably fit your medium-large wedding in here. Check out some of our favorite work here.
​Winerie sits on a massive vinery along Route 4. Situated in a beautiful renovated barn, this venue is perfect for smaller weddings who want a high-class, eclectic feeling wedding for under 150 guests
There's simply too many awesome vendors in the Lake Erie & Sandusky, Ohio area to fit them all onto one page. We've put together a document with hundreds of Sandusky, Ohio Wedding vendors for FREE download!
Mesenburg Creative Catering is the largest family owned and operated catering service in the Sandusky area with over 30 years of food service.
Photo from Mesenburg Creative Catering
Blue Ribbon Catering has been a family owned and operated business since we opened back in 1985. We practice personalized service to accommodate our clients catering needs. We specialize in creating a memorable experience for you and your guests by offering delicious food cooked from scratch. If you do not see what you are looking for or would like a customized menu created for your event please call and ask for Melissa. Whether it is a company picnic or your daughter’s wedding I will give you my dedication to make it a wonderful experience!
Photo from Blue Ribbon Catering
Owner Arvydas Montvilas and the Catering By Design Team have over 65 years of combined experience in the food-service industry. Each brings something different to the table, making your experience with Catering by Design one to remember.
Photo from Catering By Design
The Bronson Conservatory is one of the coolest wedding venues I've ever seen. Upstairs on this wooden building is this large A-frame style room, with this gorgeous wood that makes an incredible location for your wedding. There's a large porch and yard down below it, overlooking a large pond. This place is perfect for guests of up to 175.
Photo from Jimmy's Backyard BBQ
There's simply too many awesome vendors in the Lake Erie & Sandusky, Ohio area to fit them all onto one page. We've put together a document with hundreds of Sandusky, Ohio Wedding vendors for FREE download!
The Brides World & The Tux World is simply the best shop for all your formal wear needs! We have been serving Northern Ohio for over 55 years, putting service, quality, and elegance above all. The Brides World & The Tux World can show you how easy it is to dress your best on your special day! Specializing in wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, mothers ensembles, flower girls, veils, accessories, men's suits and tuxedos.
Photos from Bride's World & Tux World
After more than three decades in the clothing business, he has a knack for matching guys with the best pieces to fit their own unique style—be it biker, lawyer or astronomer. He loves wearing everything from denim to flannel suits and wants every guy to feel comfortable shopping with him.
Photo from Erik's Clothing & Culture
David's Bridal is a household name in the dress industry. With locations all over the country, it's one of the go-to stores when weddings come into play. The David's Bridal in North Olmstead is one of the most often recommended places for wedding dress shopping in the area.
There's simply too many awesome vendors in the Lake Erie & Sandusky, Ohio area to fit them all onto one page. We've put together a document with hundreds of Sandusky, Ohio Wedding vendors for FREE download!
Mane Root 250 Salon is a small salon that makes fantastic use of its space. This place is absolutely adorable inside!
Photo by Mane Root 250 Salon
Scarlett O-Hair is one of the busiest hair studios in the area. There's always something happening here!
Photo from Scarlett O-Hair Studio
Talk about a fantastic location! This quaint salon has a perfect view of Sandusky's waterfront. Perfect for your waterfront wedding!
Photo by Locksmith's Hair Studio
There's simply too many awesome vendors in the Lake Erie & Sandusky, Ohio area to fit them all onto one page. We've put together a document with hundreds of Sandusky, Ohio Wedding vendors for FREE download!
We won't lie to you. We're a little bit biased around here. Obviously, we've been doing Ohio Wedding photography for a long time and absolutely love it. As a bonus, we think we'd do a pretty darn good job at telling your love story. And we want to be there to tell.
We are a husband and wife photography team in Huron, Ohio. We love our son, our family, our friends, our pup, the Steelers, the Buckeyes, and of course, photography! We specialize in engagement, wedding, family, and portrait photography in Northeast Ohio. Our goal is to capture moments that tell your story through timeless, elegant, and epic images.
Photo from M&B Photography
My name is Travis Brooks and I am a wedding and portrait photographer based out of northern Ohio. I have photographed weddings in Toledo, Sandusky, Cleveland, Columbus and as far south as Cincinnati. I have been photographing since 2011 shooting portraits, engagements, weddings and families.
Photo by Robert Hall Photography
There's simply too many awesome vendors in the Lake Erie & Sandusky, Ohio area to fit them all onto one page. We've put together a document with hundreds of Sandusky, Ohio Wedding vendors for FREE download!
We won't lie to you. We're a little bit biased around here. Obviously, we've been doing photography for a long time and absolutely love it. As a bonus, we think we'd do a pretty darn good job at telling your love story. And we want to be there to tell.
My name is Davin Jacobs. I was born and raised in beautiful Sandusky, Ohio. I currently work and service the northern Ohio region, but am always willing to traverse the globe.
Photo from Jacobs Productions
There's simply too many awesome vendors in the Lake Erie & Sandusky, Ohio area to fit them all onto one page. We've put together a document with hundreds of Sandusky, Ohio Wedding vendors for FREE download!
We had enjoyed a lot of DJs in the past, but the first time we had a wedding with the Cleveland Keys, it completely changed our standard for what wedding entertainment is. Multiple live musicians performing songs completely based off of request. The energy and vibrancy that they bring to your wedding is off-the-charts.
Photo from https://www.clekeys.com/
There's simply too many awesome vendors in the Lake Erie & Sandusky, Ohio area to fit them all onto one page. We've put together a document with hundreds of Sandusky, Ohio Wedding vendors for FREE download!
Rock & Roll Express has been in business for many years. A staple in the community, they've expanded their offerings to include many kinds of different services - including photo booths!
There's simply too many awesome vendors in the Lake Erie & Sandusky, Ohio area to fit them all onto one page. We've put together a document with hundreds of Sandusky, Ohio Wedding vendors for FREE download!
Once you've got some of the big details taken care of, there's a ton of little details to figure out. We've assembled just a few of the questions that you can ask yourself to get the ball rolling on figuring out just how all of the little details will go.
One of the harder parts of a wedding day is putting together a schedule. Figuring out what time you're going to eat, for example, is a hard thing to visualize.
The easiest way to do this is to first decide on two basic things - when will the ceremony start and when will the reception start? Will they be happening at the same location? If they are, it will probably be best to have these two time slots closer together so that guests won't be left waiting around for a significant period of time while you take photos in between. If there are separate locations, allowing more time for your guests to travel to the new venue as well as adequate time for any photos and videos to be captured in between are a great tool for planning. For these situations, even providing 3 or 4 hours between them can be a great opportunity to get some of the most precious memories in your album or film.
Planning a wedding is really difficult. And we're not going to lie. There has never been a wedding that's gone exactly as planned. Whether its a sudden change of your wedding date due to a pandemic, or a sudden switch to indoors because of bad weather, anything can happen. We urge anyone who's gotten married that you have to learn to accept that things will change. Stuff happens, and that's okay! Your wedding will still be awesome no matter what.
So, who are we? OneUp Creative! We've been capturing awesome memories for couples for 8 years, and we've shot multiple dozens of Sandusky, Ohio weddings. We specialize in Wedding Photography and Videography, because we absolutely love being a part of one of the most important days of your lives, and making sure you get to remember it. We believe that every couple has unique needs, personality, and style, and we want to make sure we are a good fit for you. In that effort, we only take on a certain number of weddings each year. Want to see if we're a good fit?