No wedding is complete without the perfect location for those special wedding photographs. Whether you are looking for a “free” location or are able to spend a little extra money to secure your favorite spot, here is a list of some of our favorite locations in the Northeast Ohio area. Just keep in mind that you might be scouting out locations during the spring when your wedding is in October. Time of day and time of year will make a big difference…be flexible. Make sure to talk to your photographer about the location you have selected, some places work better then others, it’s helpful to all be on the same page.*We recommend you call the venues to confirm the information listed.
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The Allen Memorial Museum
The Allen Memorial Museum
Location: Oberlin College, 87 N. Main St., Oberlin, OH 44074-1161
Phone: (440) 775-8670
Contact: Leslie Miller (Assistant to the Director)
Reservations: Needed at least one week in advance.
Cost: None
Receptions: Not allowed
Notes: Photos may be taken only outdoors on stairway.
Location: 200 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Phone: (216) 902-7878
Contact: Barb Piazza
Reservations: Needed at least one month in advance.
Cost: $100
Notes: One-hour time slot per wedding party
Location: Boston Mills: 7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula, OH 44246-0175
Brandywine: 1146 W. Highland Road, Peninsula, OH 44246-0175
Phone: (330) 467-2242, ext. 3023
Contact: Marketing Department
Reservations: Needed at least 60-90 days in advance.
Cost: None
Reception info
Notes: Pictures can be taken only with reservation of the banquet room.
Location: 10749 Pearl Rd. Strongsville, Ohio 44136
Phone: (440) 238-5454
Contact: Brooker Insurance Agency
Reservations: Not necessary.
Cost: $75 an hour
Receptions: Not allowed
Notes: Winding staircase, fountain and deck are popular venues for wedding photos.
Location: Main Street, Chagrin Falls
Phone: (440) 247-5050
Contact: Mayor: 21 W. Washington St., Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022
Reservations: Needed at least one month in advance
Cost: None
Receptions: Not allowed
Notes: Must write a letter or call the mayor for permission to take photos. Some days are restricted.
Location: East Blvd., Cleveland
See the link below for more info and photography of some of our favorite gardens
http://perfectimageltd.com/blog/archives/2009/cleveland-cultural-gardens/
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Cleveland Metroparks
Location: 4101 Fulton Parkway Cleveland, Ohio 44144
Phone: (216) 351-6300
Contact: Visitor Services
Reservations: Must be scheduled and approved. Accepted up to one year in advance.
Cost: None for private photos. Permit required for commercial wedding shoot.
Reception info
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Cleveland Museum of Art
Location: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
Phone: (216) 707-2197
Reservations: Not available
Cost: Free.
Notes: Wedding photos can only be taken outside the museum. Due to the fact that this is a public area, reservations are not available. The Cleveland Museum of Art suggests having a backup plan in the event of rain, as the wedding party will not be allowed to take photos anywhere inside the museum.
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The Crawford Auto and Aviation Museum
Location: 10825 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106
Phone: (216) 721-5722, ext. 320
Contact: Allison Raymond
Reservations: Needed at least one week in advance.
Cost: Museum admission charged for each person admitted.
Reception info
Notes: Outdoor garden pictures may be taken in Spring and Summer. Museum admission charged for outdoor use as well.
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Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area
Location: 15610 Vaughn Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141
Phone: (440) 526-5256
Reservations: Needed at least two weeks in advance.
Cost: $50 for a half hour
Receptions: Not allowed
Notes: Permit required to take photos. None given in October. Shoots permitted from 8 a.m. to dusk, Monday-Friday; 8 a.m. to noon, Saturdays.
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Goodtime III
Location: 825 E. Ninth St. Pier, Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: (216) 861-5110
Reservations: Needed at least one year in advance.
Reception info
Notes: Pictures may be taken only if site is booked for the reception.
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Hale Farm and Village
Location: 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath, OH 44210
Phone: (800) 589-9703, ext. 225
Contact: Lynn Huber
Reservations: Needed at least one month in advance.
Cost: Admission fee charged.
Reception info
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Halle Building
Location: 1228 Euclid Ave., Suite 151, Cleveland, OH 44115
Phone: (216) 696-7701
Fax: (216) 696-7715
Contact: Janice DeBenedictis
Reservations: Needed at least a month in advance. Must send or fax a letter so security and maintenance are notified of your plans. Letter should include bride’s and groom’s names, photographer’s name, number of people, approximate arrival time and length of stay.
Cost: $50
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Holden Arboretum
Location: 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094
Phone: (440) 946-4400
Contact: Matt Tarajcak
Reservations: Needed two months in advance.
Cost: Fee charged.
Receptions: Not allowed.
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Inventure Place
Location: 221 S. Broadway, Akron, OH 44308-1505
Phone: (330) 849-6872
Contact: David Pauers (Special Events)
Reservations: Not necessary.
Cost: None
Notes: Photos may be taken outdoors in garden area. Call ahead for museum’s hours of operation.
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Mapleside Farms
Location: 262 Pearl Rd. Brunswick Ohio 44212
Phone: (330) 225-5576
Contact: Ann Jacobs
Reservations: Needed six to eight months in advance.
Cost: $75
Reception info
Notes: Photos may be taken only if no other wedding party is on site.
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Mentor Marsh Nature Center
Location: 5185 Corduroy Road, Mentor, OH 44060
Phone: (440) 257-0777
Contact: Mentor Marsh Nature Center
Reservations: Call ahead one month in advance.
Cost: None
Receptions: Not allowed
Notes: Photos may be taken only during hours of operation or by reservation. The Nature Center is open Saturdays and Sundays, April through October, from 12 to 5 p.m. No reservations are required to take photos in the outdoors facility, open to the public dawn to dusk year-round.
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The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
Location: 2600 S. Park Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44120
Phone: (216) 321-5935
Contact: Ann Berens
Reservations: Recommended three months in advance.
Cost: $25
Reception info
Notes: Formerly known as Shaker Lakes Regional Nature Center.
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Nautica Queen
Location: 1153 Main Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: (216) 696-5511 or (216) 696-8888
Contact: Group Sales Department
Reservations: Recommended at least one year in advance.
Cost: None
Reception info
Notes: Pictures may be taken only if site is booked for the reception.
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North Coast Harbor-Port Authority
(Behind Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and Great Lakes Science Center)
Location: 101 Erieside Ave., Cleveland Ohio 44114-1095
Phone: (216) 241-8004, ext. 29
Contact: Elizabeth Bohinc
Reservations: Call one month in advance to make sure no special events are booked on the same date.
Cost: None
Receptions: Not allowed
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Playhouse Square
Location: 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115
Phone: (216) 771-4444
Contact: Shelvy Madama
Reservations: Accepted only one month prior to date requested.
Cost: Call for availability and price
Reception info
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
Location: 2121 George Halas Drive N.W., Canton, OH 44708
Phone: (330) 456-8207, ext. 154
Contact: Tricia Dever
Reservations: Required at least one month in advance.
Cost: Regular admission charged for each person admitted. Group rates may apply for 12 or more people.
Reception info
Notes: There is no fee nor are reservations required to take photos outside the building.
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Public Square
Location: Downtown Cleveland
Phone: (216) 664-2484
Contact: Department of Parks, Recreation and Properties – Special Events
Reservations: Needed one month in advance.
Cost: Permit fee is $10.
Notes: Permit required to take photos on Public Square.
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Renaissance Fayre
Location: 28795 Lake Road, Bay Village (Cleveland Metroparks Huntington Reservation)
Phone: (440) 871-6543
Contact: Sally Price or Jill Mclaughin (Baycrafters)
Reservations: Needed one month in advance.
Cost: None
Reception info
Notes: Renaissance Fayre is an annual event, held over Labor Day Weekend.
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Rockefeller Park Greenhouse
Location: 750 E. 88th St., Cleveland, OH 44108 (City of Cleveland Greenhouse)
Phone: (216) 664-3103 (Rockefeller Park)
Contact: Rajanta Shrestha
Reservations: Recommended at least one month in advance.
Cost: Call for current pricing.
Ceremonies: Capacity is 50 for greenhouse, 75 for outdoors. Receptions not allowed.
Notes: Entrance to Greenhouse is currently under construction. Permit required to take photos in Rockefeller Park. Wedding ceremonies require a permit. No ceremonies allowed in April or December.
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Stan Hywet Hall
Location: 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, OH 44303
Phone: (330) 836-5533
Contact: Administration Office
Reservations: Needed two weeks to six months in advance.
Cost: $200 for 2-15 people, additional guests are $10 each. Does not include $40 membership fee.
Reception info
Notes: Photos may be taken outside only.
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