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It’s Raining… Rice? … okay, the traditional grain is not for everyone, but no need to worry. There are all kinds of ways to get creative with YOUR going away moment! Whether it is immediately after saying ‘I DO’ or a post-reception send off, there are lots of ideas to send the newlyweds off in style!
Oh, and by the way, this moment has not always been just about the pictures. Traditionally the tossing of rice symbolized prosperity, fertility, and good fortune.
And what about today?? Well, we still want all those things for our beloved friends and family, but is one to blame another for wanting that magical moment captured? Nope. WE ALL WANT IT! Even your guests! It is a memory... frozen in time seizing all the laughter, fun, and happily ever after. Such a great way to capture the pure JOY of all involved!
So, let’s make the most of it shall we!? Check out our favorite ways to Send Them Off in Style below. Maybe they will spark a little inspiration to help with your own personal touch.
Whimsical Bride? Perhaps bubbles are your thing! Always timeless…. & playful!
Military Boo or Pilot? Celebrate with paper airplanes! Just make sure to give yourself enough time to make them. Sore fingers are not a remedy for wedding week woes!
Country Feel? Try tossing wheat. Perfect for an outdoor ceremony or transiting to a rustic reception! Already in the country? Imagine luminaries lighting up a dark sky… heavenly.
Organic or Earthy? Lavender! Environmentally friendly and provides a nice fresh, fragrance! Plus, no clean up required. You will not find a better smelling send off than lavender. It also makes for a gorgeous display and can double as a tasteful takehome for your guests.
Romantic? Could never go wrong with the real thing-- rose petals are always a classic.
Want a playful way to show your S.P.I.R.I.T., SPIRIT!? The most fun when representing the same school or big rivalry schools, but, either way – WE LOVE incorporating pom-poms in alma mater colors. Also, consider a little shout out to the groom by bringing favorite sports teams into play!
^^ A personal favorite! ^^
Before you go --- here’s a TIP FROM THE VENUE:
Be sure to check in with your venue about any restrictions on this subject.
At Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center we do not allow sparklers. Glitter and Confetti are also not welcome onsite. Safety is our priority, as well as an unforgettable experience for each of our guests! Just because some décor is perfect for your night doesn’t mean it works for the other 364 days, so take all your décor with you ��
Your venue would love to help celebrate the brand-new couple, just make sure all rules are being followed in the process.
Until next time… Cheers!
Small Town Living USA Blog Photo
"Whether just staying a night or two, having a wedding or need a meeting/conference venue Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center is the place to come.”
Thank you Small Town Living USA for staying at Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center and for the amazing review of our beautiful property. Check out the entire blog post here .
Wedding
Columbus Zoo
This year, forget the ties, aftershave, and gift cards, and give Dad soMake Father's Day a Fun Family Getawaymething he'll really love – a fabulous family getaway to Columbus. Dad will enjoy our fitness center and easy access to nearby golf courses and tennis courts, and the entire family can swim or laze at our indoor and outdoor pools. Hiking, jogging, and mountain biking trails can also be found at Highbanks Metro Park, located just across the street. After a day of activity, enticing menu items can be found at the Pub or the Ohio Dining Room, and luxurious lounging awaits weary guests back in their cozy suites.
Columbus is full of family friendly attractions, such as the COSI Science Center, Polaris Mall, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and the Zoombezi Bay Water Park. Treat the family to a live show at the Ohio Theater, or catch one of the classic films presented by the CAPA Summer Movie Series. Ready to book your Columbus getaway? Ask about our Columbus Zoo, Polaris Mall, and Zoombezi Bay Water Park Packages. Visit: www.nwhotelandconferencecenter.com , or call (844) 475-5045 for details and reservations.
Wedding Cake
Pinterest
“Did you see my pin?”
Since that question has cemented itself into everyday conversation, it has should come as no surprise that the majority of brides are taking advantage of the social pinboard site, Pinterest, to plan the ins and outs of their big day.
BRIDES revealed that 54 percent of brides-to-be are using Pinterest to communicate their vision to planners and vendors and 64 percent are pinning content to compile inspiration for the big day.
Then follow these tips to staying organized and inspired all engagement long.
Organize your boards : Because of the sheer volume of inspiration you’ll inevitably pin, it’s smart to create separate boards for different aspects of your wedding. Start with general boards such as Dream Dress, Beautiful Blooms, Decorations, Menswear and Hair. As you pin more and more, you might need to narrow down specific boards, like Cakes and Photography.Find inspiring accounts to follow: Now it’s time to fill up those boards. Following trendy and inspiring accounts like The Knot, Style Me Pretty is the best place to start. Not to mention, most wedding vendors, from photographers to boutiques, have business accounts. Follow your favorites and you might even score some free goodies or services via Pinterest giveaway.Search keywords: Know you’re really into rustic weddings? Steampunk headpieces? Just search it! The Pinterest search tool has become remarkably specific. No matter what theme you’re imagining for your big day, there’s a pin for that.Find DIYs: Trying to save some dough? There are endless do-it-yourself projects that you can employ your bridesmaids, friends and family to lend a hand to. (Pro tip: There are also endless lists of pointers to throw a budget friendly wedding. Just search ‘wedding’ and scroll through the endless suggested topics below the search bar.)Create a bridesmaid-only board: Unique bridesmaid dresses are a total bridal do . If you want to give your girls a say in their dresses, create a collaborative board to allow them to pin their own dress preferences. So, rather than emailing or texting ideas back and forth, everyone can pin their own favorites to one board and then let you make the final decision.Use the “Pin It” bookmarklet: If you find a picture you love on a site outside of Pinterest, you can easily add it as a pin to your board via the “Pin It” bookmarklet in Google’s Chrome browser. Once you install it into your browser, the Pin It button lets you grab an image from any website and add it to one of your pinboards.Download the app: Pinterest has eliminated the need to heft folders of tear sheets with you all over Columbus. Take your inspiration with you to every appointment, from the bakery and boutique, to the florist and DJ.
Contact our Central Ohio wedding venue
Ready to move from Pinterest to a personal planner? Give the Columbus wedding venue experts at NorthPointe a call today at 614-880-4300.
Nationwide Hotel and Conference center is Central Ohio and Columbus’ premier wedding venue location and corporate meeting space. We’re located in Lewis Center and right down the road from Powell, Delaware, Westerville, Dublin, New Albany and Worthington.
Photographers
You’ve set a date, picked a venue and found a dress—but have you connected with the person you’ll trust to capture the most important moments of your life? As you begin your search for your wedding photographer, take a page out of a Columbus, Ohio, wedding venue’s book. The Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center team has worked with countless photographers throughout Ohio, and we’re excited to share some of our favorite professionals (and friends) with you. Check out 12 of our favorite professionals below to get started on your photographer search.
Simon Yao
Address: 2776 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43235-2785
Lambert Photographs
16 N. High St., Dublin, Ohio 43017
Stephanie Barnes Photography
Address: New Albany, Ohio
Great Photo Booth
Address: 7527 Heatherwood Lane, Dublin, Ohio 43017
Harvest of Memories Photography
Address: 4965 Tavener Rd., Newark, Ohio 43056
Jessica Miller Photography
Address: 54 W. Longview Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43202
Kellogg Photography
Address: 6514 Limpkin Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43230Columbus Bride Magazine . With more than 10 years of experience, Brian prides himself on capturing the day exactly the way you want, and encourages you to take a peek shortly afterward on his iPad.
Paul and Miranda Photography
Phone: (614) 329-9099
Forget Me Knot Photography
Phone: (614) 332-6900
Rouxby Photo
Address: 588 S. 3rd St., Columbus, Ohio 43206
Contact a Columbus, Ohio, wedding venue
More questions? Give the Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center team a call at 614-880-4300 to learn more about our preferred partners and finding the perfect place to get married in the Greater Columbus area.
Nationwide Hotel & Conference center is Central Ohio and Columbus’ premier wedding venue location and corporate meeting space. We’re located in Lewis Center and right down the road from Powell, Delaware, Westerville, Dublin, New Albany and Worthington.
Cake
Fondant? Top tier? Gluten-free?
When it comes to choosing a wedding baker, there’s more that goes into the interview process than chocolate or vanilla. From the icing to the delivery process, there are plenty of details that can’t go overlooked.
Before you say “I do” to a baker, take along these eight questions to make sure she can rise to the occasion.
Can I see a portfolio of your work? And are these your cakes? – Seeing a portfolio will not only give you an idea of the skill level of the designer, but also whether he or she can incorporate your ideas. This would also be a good time to bring along any inspiration you have. And while there may be multiple people working on your cake (many bakeries have separate professionals bake and then design the cake), you’ll want to make sure the person you’re interviewing will be the one decorating your cake. That way you know your vision is being conveyed to the right person.How long before the wedding will the cake be assembled? – Because most bakeries handle several wedding orders on the same weekend, cakes are often assembled up to four days in advance . This is especially true if you have your heart set on a cake that could take multiple days to assemble. Two to four days shouldn’t affect the appearance or taste of the cake, but make sure that it’s a time range you’re comfortable with.Can you accommodate food allergies? – If you have vegan or gluten-free guests, make sure your potential baker is up to the task. Some cake designers even have partnerships with other bakers that can help accommodate.How will the cake be displayed? Do you provide or rent cake toppers, a cake-cutting knife, platters, etc.? What are the fees? – Ask about renting a cake stand, a mirror or a silver platter for your display. You can also ask that any underlying board be decorated to match the cake. In addition, bakers may offer you a choice of display plates, which usually require a refundable deposit. Most bakeries also offer a variety of cake stands you can rent the day of. Just remember to ask when they’re due back.Can you make sugar flowers? What if I want fresh blooms? – Most bakers can create sugar flowers for your cake, if not custom motifs or sculptures. If you prefer fresh flowers , discuss the best way to coordinate getting blooms from your florist to the baker, and don’t forget to hand a sketch or photo of the flowers as soon as possible so they can be incorporated into the design.What is the delivery process? Is there a fee? – It’s best to have the wedding cake delivered to the reception. Some bakers will charge a delivery fee, so ask them at your initial consultation so you’ll know what to plan for. Put a bridesmaid in charge of overseeing its delivery so you won’t have to give it a second thought post-ceremony.What are your specialties? – Some bakers specialize in fondant, while others prefer buttercream frosting. Some do both. If you have your heart set on one type of frosting, confirm your baker can make it before jumping in.How do you price your cakes? Do you have a minimum per person cake cost? – Many bakeries charge by the slice, but this is info you’ll want upfront before you make your final decision. You should also expect to pay more for a non-traditional filling, like mocha, or an especially detailed or complicated design. You’ll also want to ask if the top tier—the part you’ll cut on your one-year anniversary—is included in the cake price. Not all bakeries include this tier for free.
Take it from your Columbus wedding venue We’ve had the pleasure of working with many talented professionals. Click through the list below to start your bakery search.
Need more tips? Want to start planning your wedding with NorthPointe today? Request a proposal or give our team a call at 614-880-4300.
NorthPointe Hotel and Conference center is Central Ohio and Columbus’ premier wedding venue location and corporate meeting space. We’re located in Lewis Center and right down the road from Powell, Delaware, Westerville, Dublin, New Albany and Worthington.
Photo Credit: spaceyjessie via Compfight cc
Holiday Party
Christmas. A time for family, gift giving and—client relationships?
Office holiday parties aren’t exactly known for being the event of the year. Sometimes awkward, often boring and rife with small talk, these functions have gotten a bad name over the years. But that’s no reason yours can’t be the talk of the season.
Give your employees and clients something to talk about this Christmas with an unforgettable holiday party. (Oh, and you can leave the Santa costume at home.)
Send an invite, not a memo : Don’t brush your holiday party aside as just another day at the office. Set the tone with a proper invite—either an e-vite or snail mail—to the office and any other guests. You can even create buzz by pressing ‘send’ on a save-the-date first. There are plenty of free websites, like this and this, that’ll help you design soiree-worthy invites that’ll show your team this year’s party is more than florescent lights and a punch bowl.Invite employees as well as clients : Holiday parties are no longer just about letting off a little steam at the office. When you put yourself in the mindset of an event planner, it’s easy to see the opportunities to rub elbows with clients (and potential new business) to build better relationships. Not to mention, adding some new faces to the party can help keep it alive. Take this opportunity to find a Columbus meeting space for rent where you can really treat your clients and thank them for working with you.Decoration station: Let everyone get hands-on with a do-it-yourself station. A gingerbread house challenge is the perfect compliment to an ugly sweater party, while an ornament table provides a little something for everyone to take home. Take it to the next level with a judging—everyone loves some friendly competition.Fabulous food: Never skimp on the food and drinks. Who wants to stand around a bowl of Chex Mix and pretzels, styrofoam cup in hand? Depending on how formal you choose to go, eats can range anywhere from DIY holiday-themed finger food to butler-passed hors d'oeuvres. Don’t forget, holding your event at a Columbus meeting space with an on-site chef can free you up to mingle with clients rather than fussing over the cheese plate.Thoughtful favors: Skip the ziplock puppy chow. If you really want to impress your guests, offer up a thoughtful thank-you. Rent a photobooth and let your guests take their snapshots home, think local and hand out beans from a neighborhood coffee shop or make your own hot chocolate in a jar. Hire a band: Nothing sets the night off like live music. Hire a local band to keep the party going, but make sure you know what you’re getting. Check them out at another gig before hiring, so you can be sure the musicians can top off the night , not kill the mood.Give back: Build interest around your affair by adding a meaningful cause to the night. Ask guests to bring a canned good for a local food pantry, children’s coats or a new toy for kids in need.
Contact our Columbus meeting space
If you’re looking for the perfect Columbus meeting space for rent to host your office holiday party, give us a call at 614-880-4300 today. The NorthPointe team can provide anything from award-winning food to event planning, and everything in between.
Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center is Central Ohio and Columbus’ premier wedding venue location and corporate meeting space. We’re located in Lewis Center and right down the road from Powell, Delaware, Westerville, Dublin, New Albany and Worthington.
Sm
It’s time to start organizing your latest event. You choose the perfect speaker, engaging breakout sessions and even a signature cocktail. But what will get your attendees buzzing before, and keep them talking long after the big day?
Diving headfirst into a social media game plan.
As you begin your search for the perfect Columbus meeting space for rent, you should also start strategizing techniques to turn your event into a social media powerhouse.
1. Event planning
You can insert social media into your event from the outset by asking for input from potential attendees. Post open-ended questions on your brand’s Facebook or Twitter, such as, “Fill in the blank: The one topic I’d want covered at your next seminar is…” Or even as simple as, “We may have a summer mixer in the works. ‘Like’ if you’d attend!”
Another great option? A short online survey. Using a website like SurveyMonkey to link to a quick questionnaire can help you find out guests’ preferences on date, time, location and food and beverage offerings. Not only will you be able to get a feel for interest, but you’ll already start to create buzz around the event or meeting.
2. Serve up content appetizers
Get potential attendees to pull the trigger by offering small bites of what they can expect from the event. Produce compelling content, such as a top-10-list blog post, or hold a Twitter contest. Online Marketing Summit , who awards free conference registration for people who correctly answer marketing trivia via their Twitter feed, is a great example.
You could even ask speakers to create a short Vine or Instagram teaser video in conjunction with your event’s hashtag.
3. Establish an easy and memorable hashtag
The benefits of incorporating a designated hashtag for your event go way below the surface. If you’d like to go a step further and set up a tweet wall to track hashtags and keywords, you can use a simple third party service like Tweetwally .
Fosters community: Using one designated hashtag allows your attendees to know what others are saying about the event, find colleagues to follow and jump in on the conversation. Twitter users can get questions answered and interact with busy speakers.Creates a buzz: Along with tweeting their own questions, Twitter users can, and will, tweet everything from speakers’ noteworthy quotes to nuggets of info from breakout sessions. Instagrammers can (inadvertently) help promote your event to all of their followers by posting photos from the keynote, the awesome lunch spread or event swag.Aggregates the conversation: You’ll be able to monitor your event’s conversation and refer back long after the last drink has been served.
4. Show your appreciation
Thank your attendees for coming and garner even more engagement with planned social giveaways. Tweet pictures to hidden gift cards throughout the event, or give away prizes to the first five people to comment on a Facebook photo of the event.
You can even create Instagram-worthy content by celebrating your attendees. For example, when our Columbus meeting space reached 500 Facebook fans, one of our chefs created this fruit sculpture to commemorate this event.
5. Extend the life of your event
Squeeze every drop of momentum out of your event by posting wrap-up videos to Vine or YouTube, photos to Instagram and the event’s website, presentations to SlideShare and recap blog posts in the days following the event. Attendees will appreciate the additional content, and it may even entice others to attend future events.
Joinin says that people tend to stay engaged one to two days after the event, so it’s important to use that window to encourage them to keep the conversation going online and sharing their own content with you.
And don’t forget that social media can be a valuable feedback source. Ask attendees via Twitter to voice their thoughts on the speakers, entertainment and sessions so you can improve the following event. You can retweet and share the best comments, and even use positive feedback on future marketing materials.
If you’re looking for a Columbus meeting space for rent , get in touch with the NorthPointe team today at 614-880-4300. Your personal event coordinator will help you take care of every detail, from start to finish.
Nationwide Hotel and Conference center is Central Ohio and Columbus’ premier wedding venue location and corporate meeting space. We’re located in Lewis Center and right down the road from Powell, Delaware, Westerville, Dublin, New Albany and Worthington.
Photo Credit: misspixels via Compfight cc
Columbus Conference Center
Big or small, every event has the opportunity to create buzz and offer huge payoff for its attendees. In fact, one of the best aspects of smaller events is their ability to be even more effective and results-driven. How?
Once you find a Columbus meeting space for rent, hammer out your topics, speakers and the perfect audience to see big rewards.
Define your event
First, consider the questions that will help shape and define your event:
What is your event about?
What results do you want?
How long is the event?
Who do you want to attend?
Nailing down these answers will help you flesh out your event’s theme and provide truly constructive content to your audience.
Give the people what they want
But how do you hit the mark? This could mean posing the question on your Facebook page to gauge what people are interested in, or even sending out a personal email to a select handful of potential attendees whom you know to be invested in this year’s event.
Another great option is a short online survey. If you have a decent social media presence (several thousand followers), using a website like SurveyMonkey to link to a quick questionnaire can help you find out what potential guests are looking to learn.
Develop unique content
With the bulk of your event in place, it’s time to develop valuable content for the select few. Rather than casting a broad net as you might for a 2,000-person event, your topics should be hyper focused to meet the needs of the handful eager to attend. Use the responses from your social media polls to take a deep dive and develop unique content that will leave your attendees thinking long past their last snack break.
Now you need engaging speakers prepared to deliver on the topics. When an event is centered around smaller numbers, every speaker counts. Be sure you select authentic personalities who can shine in intimate settings.
Invite influencers
The smaller the event, the smaller the marketing budget seems to shrink. Conducting diligent social media [link to social media blog post when live] influencer outreach not only saves you ad dollars, but creates a buzz that you could never drum up through promotions alone.
An influencer is an individual who creates content that’s relevant to your brand, and has the ability to reach an audience that’s both valuable to your brand and ready to engage with that person’s content.
Twitter is a fantastic place to start, as it’s the primary channel for aggregating content from many different channels, and it often leads to bloggers’ sites where the in-depth content lives.
Begin brainstorming what your potential influencers could be talking about, and then create a Twitter hashtag search around those topics. This type of research can lead you toward the influencers who are talking about your brand or topics that affect your potential attendees.
Once you locate the bloggers and social media stars you believe will both be interested in your event and who have a high resonance with their social circle, begin a conversation (free tickets are always a great incentive) that could get them through your doors and encouraging their followers to attend, as well.
Find a Columbus meeting space for rent that specializes in small events
As the only IACC-certified conference center in Columbus, small events are our bread and butter. NorthPointe is a multiple recipient of the industry’s highest awards, including the Pinnacle Award by Successful Meetings Magazine, the Best of the East by Meetings Media and the Planner’s Choice by Meeting News. Not to mention, our Senior Planner was voted the Best In The Nation by industry experts.
If you’re looking for a Columbus meeting space for rent , get in touch with the NorthPointe team today at 614-880-4300. Your personal event coordinator will help you take care of every detail, from start to finish.
Nationwide Hotel and Conference center is Central Ohio and Columbus’ premier wedding venue location and corporate meeting space. We’re located in Lewis Center and right down the road from Powell, Delaware, Westerville, Dublin, New Albany and Worthington.
Photo Credit: thetaxhaven via Compfight cc
Wedding Entertainment
How to choose the right entertainment for your wedding
For many engaged couples, booking the entertainment can be the first major step to into ‘this is real’ territory. A band or a DJ is a big investment—and a daunting one if you’re not sure where to start.
Not to mention, the best bands and DJs can be booked more than a year in advance, so you’ll want to pin one down as early as possible. Keep your vision for your Columbus wedding venue in mind as you begin your entertainment search with our tips below:
Set the vision for your Columbus wedding venue
Because the choice of music will set the tone for the wedding and vibe of the reception, it’s important to already know your vision before you sit down with your potential DJ or band leader. Knowing your personal taste will help steer you down the right path, whether that be an upbeat DJ, classic four-piece or a big band. Then, like any other wedding professional, he or she should be able to grasp your vision and bring it to life.
Regardless of whether you choose a band or DJ, be sure they play upbeat and slow tempo songs, as well as old and new tunes to encourage different age groups to get up on their feet. If you’re looking for something truly eclectic, be sure to voice that during your interviews.
Have a budget
With the average cost of a 150-quest wedding sitting at about $25,000, that puts your entertainment (8-10 percent of your budget) in the $2,000-$2,500 range. So, knowing your budget from the get-go can help you decide whether to go with a DJ or a band. After all, one person is typically less expensive than a 12-piece band.
However, prices can vary widely depending upon the popularity of the DJ, equipment requests and day of the week. Band prices fluctuate based on the number of musicians, the length of time you want them to play, weekday versus weekend and what season.
Band or DJ? Whether to go with a band or DJ depends on a slew of decisions: vibe, budget and even time of year. To decide between the two, weigh your options:
Pros and cons of a live band: Live music can be the perfect way to set the tone, and a good bandleader can improv seamlessly with your guests. However, bands are often pricier and will have repertoire limitations that a DJ with access to Spotify won’t.
Pros and cons of a DJ: If you have a list of eclectic songs you’re expecting to hear, a DJ should be able to accommodate your playlist. Not to mention, he or she will probably be on the lower end of your budget and take up less real estate on the dancefloor than a band would. On the other hand, if your DJ is a poor emcee, his or her personality can bring the party to a standstill.
Ask the right questions
Once you’ve narrowed down your search, there are a laundry list of critical questions you’ll want to ask before you sign on the dotted line. Here are just a few questions to keep in mind during your one-on-one:
How long have you been performing together (if interviewing a band)?
Do you perform at more than one event in a day?
What sets you apart from your competition?
Are there any other services that you provide, such as lighting design or a photo booth?
Are we guaranteed to have the exact same performers at our event?
Do you act as the “emcee” and make all of the announcements?
What do you do to motivate the crowd if nobody’s dancing?
What’s included in the cost of my event?
Does this price include setup and breakdown between ceremony and reception locations?
How much time will you need for setup, sound check and breakdown on the day of the event?
Check them out in action
After you ask for a few references from recent weddings, make sure to go see them perform in person. Much like checking out a photographer or florist's portfolio, seeing a band or DJ perform live is an important step to making your final decision. Pay close attention to how the DJ or band leader reads the crowd, gets everyone out of their seats (or leaves onlookers yawning) and cultivates the energy of the venue.
On the off chance your choice isn’t performing near you any time soon, be sure to ask for a recording or YouTube link of a live performance.
Take it from a Columbus wedding venue
We’ve had the pleasure of working with many talented professionals. Click through the list below to start your entertainment search.
Paragon Music & Entertainment
Night Music
Fiesta Sounds
Team DJ
Need more tips? Want to start planning your wedding with NorthPointe today? Request a proposal or give our team a call at 614-880-4300.
Nationwide Hotel and Conference center is Central Ohio and Columbus’ premier wedding venue location and corporate meeting space. We’re located in Lewis Center and right down the road from Powell, Delaware, Westerville, Dublin, New Albany and Worthington.
Photo Credit: Merlijn Hoek via Compfight cc
Social Events
Gone are the days when receptions marked the final call for drinks and hugs. Enter: the rise of the wedding after-party. Whether totally decked out or as simple as a pizza and beers, guests are hanging out longer and brides are kicking off their heels.
But whom should you invite? And what should you serve? Take a page out of a Columbus wedding venue’s book to keep the party going.
The rise of the after-party
Once relegated to finding the closest watering hole once the reception’s DJ closed up shop, wedding after-parties have become a common line item on many couples’ wedding budgets.
Boston event planner Bryan Rafanelli, who has seen the after party grow into an affair in its own right in the past couples years, explains to the Boston Globe , “They’ve become as standard as throwing the bouquet or cutting the cake.”
But the trend isn’t just an excuse for drinks to flow. Many couples who have guests traveling a long way to attend spring for an after-party in order to have a chance for real one-on-one time. Between the speeches, first dances, bouquet tosses and all the details of a reception, it can be tough to have a meaningful conversation with guests. An after-party gives the couple a chance to relax and really visit with guests who choose to stick around.
“The after-party is a time when everyone you love, especially those you don’t get to see often, gathers together on a more intimate level,” says Karen Robinovitz , coauthor of Fête Accompli! The Ultimate Guide to Creative Entertaining.
Over-the-top or low-key. It’s up to you. While some newlyweds’ after-parties are just as extravagant as the reception, many couples use it as a chance to let their hair down (literally and figuratively). Or, go for a combination of the two: splurge for keeping the bar open an extra hour, but save on the DJ by having a bridesmaid man the iPod.
You can also talk to your wedding coordinator beforehand about flipping the cocktail hour space into the after party space during the reception.
“You take the dress off. You take the heels off. You put on the flip-flops. It was very low-key,” says one bride . “For us, that was the goal.”
Often times, guests simply want a comfy spot where they don’t have to scream to have a conversation. Holding the after-party at the same location as your guests’ hotel can be the perfect solution. Guests can change into something comfortable, then head down to the bar for a round of drinks.
For smaller affairs, Brides Magazine even recommends paying for a guaranteed partier, like an old college roommate, to upgrade to a suite. That way the bride and groom can hang out in an intimate setting, but not feel obligated to entertain all night.
Plan it, or wing it?
There are a few options for spreading the word on the post-wedding festivities . If you want to ensure that guests won’t make other plans, include a card with your invitations listing the details of the party. You can also send out an e-vite, or post about it on your wedding website with a link to your Columbus wedding venue. For something even more casual, rely on word of mouth. Just make sure that everyone is invited (including those who you don’t think will make it into the wee hours) so that no guests feel left out.
As for décor, you can keep it as simple as reusing the flowers from your reception. And don’t feel bad about delegating responsibilities to someone else, like a bridesmaid (just not your MOH—she’s done enough) or a groomsman.
Feed the crowd
After hours of dancing and drinking at the reception, your guests will be craving sustenance.
Following plated dinners and intricate hors d’oeuvres, keep it casual. Order pizzas and head to the Pub . You can even serve your leftover cake with a round of cocktails.
Want to get started on your after-party planning? Give the Columbus wedding venue experts at NorthPointe a call today at 614-880-4300.
Nationwide Hotel and Conference center is Central Ohio and Columbus’ premier wedding venue location and corporate meeting space. We’re located in Lewis Center and right down the road from Powell, Delaware, Westerville, Dublin, New Albany and Worthington.
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Wedding Venue
You’ve got the ring (congrats!), and now the real work begins. Choosing a Columbus wedding venue is a critical step in the wedding planning process because it literally sets the stage for your entire day.
We’ve already told you what questions you need to ask yourself before you set foot on a venue’s site. Now one of our own wedding coordinators answers your important questions before you two even meet. Consider this your introduction.
I want to have an outdoor ceremony. What’s your rain plan? The rain plan for an outdoor ceremony would include a portion of your reception space. After your ceremony, we would then flip that space during the cocktail hour in the specific pre-function space.
Do you have an in-house caterer ? Can I bring in my own vendor, or is there an exclusive catering list? We provide all of our food and beverage through our talented NorthPointe culinary team! The only catering we would allow from an outside caterer would be specific ethnic cuisine, for which we would require a copy of their food service license.Do you have a coat check and adequate bathroom facilities ( tip : you’ll want four bathrooms for every 100 guests)? We do have coat check for each ballroom space available, including a set of restrooms for each.What is the parking situation? We do have adequate parking for up to three weddings happening at the same time.Is there a reception package? What does it include? Yes, we do have a few packages to choose from. They include tables, chairs, linens, basic centerpieces, dance floor, cake cutting, our fine china, a complimentary suite for the bride and groom the night of their wedding, group rates for their guests staying at the hotel, and access to The Pub following the event! The specific packages are priced one per person including a hosted bar, hors d’oeuvres for cocktail hour and the dinner.Do you have enough chairs, tables, utensils, glasses, etc., or do I need to rent them elsewhere? Yes, we have more than enough.How long can I have the reception space? Is there an overtime fee? Is there a minimum amount of time it must be rented? The reception time is five hours, which includes one for cocktail hour and four hours for the reception. A longer reception would have applicable charges.Are there noise restrictions? Do you have your own sound system? We do have a sound system you could rent through our on-site AV company, although most will use their DJ or band. There are no noise restrictions within reason.Is there enough room for a band or DJ and dancing? Are there ample electrical outlets? Yes, we have plenty.Is there a place for the bridal party to get ready? Can we get ready here on the morning of the wedding? Yes, we have either a suite in the hotel, or the green room for the bridal party available.How much decorating will I need to do personally? We will have a décor meeting a day or two beforehand, in which you will bring in all the décor you would like set out. Our team will set everything out for you the day of and tear everything down for you to pick up the next day. How many people can you accommodate? We can accommodate up to 350 with a dance floor.
Is the site handicap accessible? Yes. What overnight accommodations do you provide? We provide a mixture of guest room types, and group rates based on availability.
Can we do a food tasting prior to finalizing our menu selection? If so, is there an additional charge? Yes, we will do a food tasting about four months prior to the wedding date, which is complimentary for up to four guests!
Get in touch with our Columbus wedding venue
Ready to talk to your wedding coordinator one-on-one? We’d love to show you around our Columbus wedding venue, and answer all of your questions. Request a proposal or give the NorthPointe team a call today at 614-880-4300.
Nationwide Hotel and Conference center is Central Ohio and Columbus’ premier wedding venue location and corporate meeting space. We’re located in Lewis Center and right down the road from Powell, Delaware, Westerville, Dublin, New Albany and Worthington.
Meeting Space
From ditching badges to the space’s décor, small changes result in big difference.
Interaction. Engagement. Networking. Successful events and meetings are all about making connections. But how easily are the event planners themselves creating invisible boundaries?
Tearing down those barriers at your next event will help your participants walk away with long-lasting connections and noticeable professional growth.
1. Get rid of name tags.
You know the routine—walk through the conference center doors, say a couple hellos, then grab your badge (or worse yet, a Sharpie and a stick-on name tag).
But think about this: Have you ever caught yourself shaking someone’s hand without even asking his or her name? Did you give yours in exchange? Unfortunately, badges can create a plastic-coated barrier between attendees that can be nearly impossible to work around.
Thats why the Event Innovation Summit in Barcelona ditched the badges completely. Eric Mottard, Eventoplus director general, said of the decision, “The idea is that people really connect rather than awkwardly try to read a name when the other party is not looking. It is true you really do listen to the other party rather than try to spot a name.”
He found that people also tend to speak more informally to one another when you take badges out of the mix.
2. Structure networking.
For many attendees, networking can be even more critical than the keynote. So, make sure you’re nurturing a meeting that doesn’t just encourage networking, but fosters it. Including a cocktail hour and food and beverage stations, as well as small breakout sessions, can all help structure networking. You can even designate an area for first-timers (who doesn’t want a moment to pair up before grabbing a seat?) for the first 30 minutes to help break the ice.
3. Develop valuable topics.
Hosting a smaller event requires you to know your audience like the back of your hand. What are their needs? What challenges are you solving for them? Understanding these intricacies will allow you to intentionally plan valuable and shareable topics, rather than run-of-the-mill talks that your attendees have heard over and over again.
Speaking directly to your audience’s needs will keep them engaged both with the speaker, and with each other. If your keynote is a yawn, attendees will be equally engaged in breakout sessions. But, dish out new and “aha!”-worthy insights, and your audience can’t help but ask questions and offer its own two cents.
To help achieve this, you’ll need personable, credible speakers who relate well in an intimate setting, rather than big overwhelming personalities.
4. Go social.
Getting up the gumption to raise a hand or grab a microphone isn’t everyone’s forté. If you’re planning a Q&A session after your speakers, be sure to establish a social engagement plan, whether through a Twitter feed or a hashtag aggregator. Allowing your attendees to interact through their handles rather than being forced to pipe up in front of a roomful of peers means you’ll get more candid and thoughtful queries—and break down more barriers.
Having a social strategy in place long before the meeting or conference launches will also have the added benefit of creating more buzz, and therefore potential attendees and press around the vent.
5. Find a creative Columbus meeting space for rent
Even the space you choose for your event can play a part in breaking down walls.
The psychology team at the Meetology Group specializes in exploring human behavior at meetings through psychological research. CEO John Bradshaw has said, “In terms of creative venues there is a huge amount of scientific research around what works and what doesn’t. Small groups, creative art, blue walls and green plants have all been shown to impact positively on creativity levels. But at the heart of group creativity is people meeting more easily.”
When you’re searching for a meeting space for rent, pay special attention to elements like flexible breakout rooms, refreshments, and creative design.
If you’re looking for a Columbus meeting space for rent, request a proposal or give the NorthPointe team a call today at 614-880-4300.
Nationwide Hotel and Conference center is Central Ohio and Columbus’ premier wedding venue location and corporate meeting space. We’re located in Lewis Center and right down the road from Powell, Delaware, Westerville, Dublin, New Albany and Worthington.
Florists
Flawless flowers can truly capture the essence of your big day. Reflecting everything from your personal style to your wedding’s color scheme, it’s no wonder choosing your blooms can only happen once other big decisions, like settling on a Columbus wedding venue, have fallen into place.
And while one New York floral designer insists that the bouquet should be your splurge (“don’t even look at what the florist is charging you”), there are lots of other elements to consider—bouquets for your attendants, boutonnieres, corsages for your mothers, flowers to decorate the ceremony site, and centerpieces for the reception tables are just for starters.
But how do you know when it’s right to sign on the line with a florist?
Ask for referrals
Referrals will be your best friend as you start your search for a florist. Reaching out to recently married friends and your wedding planner are the obvious places to start, and for good reason. You want opinions you can trust from those who have recently worked one-on-one with a professional. Getting names for your wedding planner can be helpful because it means the florist is already familiar with the space you’ll be married in.
Know your vision
Conduct your due diligence before you step into your initial meeting. Finding a florist should come after other critical decisions, such as your date, color scheme, bridal party dresses and suits have already been made. You could even draw from nontraditional sources for inspiration , like paint chips, tear sheets from interior design magazines or pictures of gardens you took on your iPhone.
Why? Each of these elements sets the mood for your big day—which should get a good florist’s gears turning. Have handy your bridesmaids’ dress swatches, layouts of your ceremony and reception sites and photos of your favorite blooms to give a clear picture of your vision.
He or she should be able to grasp your vision, then bring it to life. You need a professional who commits to working within your style, while offering suggestions and advice to take your wedding to the next level.
View a portfolio
Seeing the professional’s work will also help you determine whether your vision could become a reality in his or her hands. You might stumble upon several talented florists, but viewing a portfolio will help you determine whether your styles mesh well together, and if the florist is up to date on current bridal trends.
Know your budget
Having a cap on exactly how much you can spend on blooms will save both you and your florist some sleepless nights. Setting a budget helps him or her know how to realistically meet your expectations—whether the sky’s the limit or not. Whether discussing less costly alternatives to your favorite flowers or ways to save on labor costs, this sort of dialogue is a big green light when choosing your florist.
How should you set your bloom budget? Realistically, you should plan to spend about 8 percent of your overall budget at the florist. This covers the bride’s bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and ceremony and reception arrangements. To put this in perspective, the average U.S. wedding in 2013 cost $30,000 —that’s about $2,400 on flowers.
Making the final pick
When you’ve narrowed it down to two or three finalists and established expectations, Bridal Guide recommends asking each to submit a written estimate. This should include a total price and a complete budget breakdown (i.e., the number of bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, etc. and what each will consist of). You’ll also want to ask about the final payment schedule, which is typically a 50 percent deposit upon signing the contract, with the remainder due the week of the wedding.
Take it from us
As a Columbus wedding venue, we’ve had the pleasure of working with many talented professionals. If you’re looking for a florist for your wedding day, take a look at our preferred partners:
Need more tips? Want to start planning your wedding with NorthPointe today? Request a proposal or give our team a call at 614-880-4300.
Nationwide Hotel and Conference center is Central Ohio and Columbus’ premier wedding venue location and corporate meeting space. We’re located in Lewis Center and right down the road from Powell, Delaware, Westerville, Dublin, New Albany and Worthington.
Photos courtesy of All InBloom and Cua’s of Columbus’ websites.
Corporate Event Space
As a meeting planner, you’re not looking for a Columbus meeting space for rent that offers just enough to get by. You want a facility that goes above and beyond—whose standard is perfection. Dozens of elements that are second nature at Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center are hardly an afterthought elsewhere.
Services that many facilities consider add-ons, we’ve already included in your package.
That’s how we’ve become certified by the International Association of Conference Centres. The IACC’s exacting standards and stringent guidelines ensure the highest quality conference facilities and services around the world. Just a few of the pieces that set IACC members apart from other venues are their flexibility, personal attention, conference technology and business friendly guest rooms.
Complete flexibility
Moment-by-moment changes come with the territory in the meeting industry. Whether a simple snack break or a complete room flip, our team is always one step ahead. Nationwide Hotel’s staff is adept at handling a wide variety of meetings:
Training
Strategic
Planning
Management
Sales/Marketing
Budget/Audit
New Product Launches
Board of Directors/Committees/Staff
Team Building
Incentive/Motivational
Customer Presentations
Our dining experience also offers a flexible schedule designed for the convenience of your group. Continuous break stations stocked with fresh coffee, cold beverages, fresh baked sweets and healthy snacks provide immediate refreshment throughout the day.
To top it off, the Ohio Dining Room's award-winning chefs offers a true culinary experience, while The Pub is the perfect spot to unwind and catch up after a productive day.
Personal attention
It’s our no.1 priority to ensure that every piece of your meeting goes off without a hitch. To make that goal a reality, a designated conference planner provides a single point of contact for your group, while skilled support staff assists you in identifying your meeting objectives.
By specializing in small to medium size meetings, IACC conference centers like ours are free from the mega conventions and events, or the families and vacationing guests that can overshadow your group in large hotels. Our dedicated, distraction-free conference spaces also help maximize your meetings’ productivity.
Conference Technology Nationwide Hotel' maintains a full inventory of standard audiovisual equipment as well as advanced conference technologies. Skilled technicians are on site to set up and support your presentation, and our business center provides access to computers, copying, faxing and other services. Accessible technology is just another piece of our IACC certification.
Not to mention, our meeting rooms are specially engineered with features such as ergonomic chairs, tables with non-glare surfaces, tackable walls, appropriate lighting and acoustics.
Top-of-the-line equipment and one-on-one help are all included in your meeting package. Why? Because we don’t think you should pay extra to have the best possible experience.
Business friendly guest rooms
Our guest rooms offer desks, telephone lines with simultaneous Internet connectivity and appropriate lighting and seating, so you can stay productive long after the last handshake.
We’ve also simplified your planning and budgeting with a convenient, per-person rate in our all-inclusive meeting package (CMP), including:
Guest room
Three meals per day
Continuous refreshment breaks
24-hour meeting rooms
Conference services
Audio/visual support
Columbus meeting space for rent
As the only IACC-certified conference center in Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide Hotel is a multiple recipient of the industry’s most coveted awards, including the Pinnacle Award by Successful Meetings Magazine, the Best of the East by Meetings Media, and the Planner’s Choice by Meeting News. Most recently, our Senior Planner was voted the Best In The Nation by industry experts. No other hotel or conference center in Columbus has received this recognition.
If you’d like more information on planning your meeting in Columbus, request a proposal or give the Nationwide Hotel team a call today at 614-880-4300.
Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center is Central Ohio and Columbus’ premier wedding venue location and corporate meeting space. We’re located in Lewis Center and right down the road from Powell, Delaware, Westerville, Dublin, New Albany and Worthington.
Team Building
Could your team use a morale boost? In the daily hustle of the workplace, it can be tough for employees to find time to form meaningful relationships with their co-workers. Taking everyone out of the office and putting them on an even playing field can help them develop stronger bonds.
1. Pizza Cook (Maximum of 30 people)
2. Chili Cook Off
(Maximum of 30 people)
3. Iron Chef
(Maximum of 30 people)
4. Apple Pie Cook Off
(Maximum of 30 people)
1. Full pie appearance and sliced pie plated presentation 10% 2. Texture of the crust and fillings 20% 3. Overall flavor and taste 70%
An elegant apple-themed buffet is provided as a panel of culinary judges puts your pies to the test! Finish off the evening by enjoying your creations à la mode.
5. Sipping Sangria
(Maximum of 50 people)
6. Team Camping
(Maximum of 100 people)
7. Cornhole Cookout Toss your way to the championship game! The first team to reach 21 points, wins. After the competition, enjoy a tailgate–style buffet. Cornhole tournaments can take place grill side or in the ballroom, depending on time of year and weather.
8. Bicycle Building
Give the gift of a two wheeler to a deserving child. Teams come together to test their building prowess by building a child’s bicycle from the ground up.
9. Nationwide Scavenger Hunt
Tired of the team building activities contained in the four walls of a meeting room? Explore Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center with a full campus scavenger hunt! Interact with your team and the staff to gain clues to victory. The first team to gather all of the scavenger hunt items and participate in all the required tasks wins! Running around NorthPointe will help build your appetite for the gourmet buffet waiting at the finish line. To book your next corporate event in Powell, give us a call at 614-880-4300 or request a proposal today.
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