Once you’ve decided to tie the knot, one of the first things that couples put on the wedding planning to do list is to book the perfect venue! Cincinnati has plenty of options for wedding venues, and while indoor venues offer temperature control for couples who love nature, getting married outside can be the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of their marriage! To help you narrow down your options, this guide will cover seven of the best outdoor wedding venues in Cincinnati, Ohio.
7 Outdoor Wedding Venues in Cincinnati
These wedding venues are perfect for everything from a small elopement to a big celebration!
East Fork Lake
East Fork State Park is one of the biggest parks in the state, located in southwest Ohio. It has some really beautiful scenery, including rolling hills and rushing rivers, and a big lake that offers the perfect backdrop for a ceremony! East Fork Lake has a beautiful sandy beach, where you can tie the knot with the water behind you. The park also has tons to do, so on your wedding day you can go for a hike along the lake, you can have a picnic on the beach, you can take a boat out on the water, and you can even camp in the park for some extra adventure.
This is one of the best outdoor wedding venues in Cincinnati for couples who are planning an elopement, and for those with more guests, there are picnic shelters that you can reserve to host a reception with your loved ones!
French Park
Amberley Village is a cute town in Cincinnati, and home to French Park! French Park has several sites that you can reserve for your wedding day. There’s a picnic shelter, offering a covered but open air space that makes a great reception venue, but the most unique option that the park offers is the French House. This old two-story brick house has gorgeous interiors, with renovated rooms and outdoor terraces. This gives you the perfect place to get ready (along with a rain plan if the weather doesn’t cooperate), but the house is surrounded by beautiful gardens and meadows, which means you can have an outdoor ceremony and a reception surrounded by the park’s natural beauty!
Around the house, you’ll find miles of hiking trails, woodsy hillsides, and scenic creeks and meadows to explore.
Mt. Airy Forest
If you want to get married amongst magical trees, and to tie the knot in a gorgeous woodsy area, the Mt. Airy Forest is one of the best outdoor wedding venues in Cincinnati! The park covers nearly 1500 acres, and includes miles of hiking trails and gorgeous forested scenery. There’s a treehouse (which is ADA accessible!), an arboretum, and picnic areas with tables and grills that make a perfect reception space, along with gazebos that you can rent out for your wedding day!
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum
This outdoor wedding venue provides the perfect blend of art and nature! The Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum is a park that displays a collection of gorgeous sculptures, nestled in a landscape of rolling hills, meadows, and lakes. You can walk an entire loop around the park, which is 1.75 miles long, but you can also drive this loop, or just choose a spot to tie the knot!
There are several options for places to get married at Pyramid Hill, so it’s one of the best outdoor wedding venues in Cincinnati whether you have a tiny elopement or a big wedding! The Pavilion is an open air reception venue, the Ancient Sculpture Museum features a gorgeous courtyard with forest views, and there are indoor options for your reception – you can celebrate in the Lodge, which has a cozy cabin feel, or the unique Pyramid House. You can have an outdoor ceremony just about anywhere in the park, so you can choose from lake views, rolling hillsides, or unique sculptures for your backdrop!
Eden Park
Eden Park is one of Cincinnati’s most popular parks, with tons to see! There’s an art museum, a conservatory, and several options that make an amazing backdrop for your wedding day. In the Hinkle Magnolia Garden, you’ll find a magical gazebo that can be rented for a wedding ceremony, or you can tie the knot in front of the fountain in Mirror Lake, or at the Twin Lakes – joined by a footbridge and surrounded by nature trails.
In the park, you’ll also find views of the Ohio River, some sculptures, and lots of nature to explore! For small receptions, you can also use one of the picnic shelters, or rent the Krohn Conservatory.
Washington Park
Washington Park is at the center of the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in Cincinnati, which means it’s surrounded by restaurants, bars and breweries, and things to do! There’s plenty to explore inside the park as well, so the spot is one of the best outdoor wedding venues in Cincinnati for couples who want to get married in nature, without being too far from the hustle and bustle.
The Porch at Washington Park is a bar that serves delicious beverages, and is surrounded by beautiful views of the park! It can be rented out for a wedding, or you can get married in front of the fountain, a garden, or choose a spot where you’re surrounded by the park’s natural beauty. Washington Park also offers tent options, so you can set up a canvas tent in some areas of the park for your event!
Cincinnati Nature Center
There are two options for wedding venues at the Cincinnati Nature Center. Both are nestled in the peaceful forest, offering an amazing outdoor location! The first option is the Krippendorf Lodge, which has a gorgeous stone terrace located outdoors but protected with an awning, so you have amazing views of the surrounding forest. Inside the lodge there are rustic wood paneled rooms that make a perfect space to get ready, or can serve as an option for your reception.
The Groesbeck Estate is a historic country home, with an amazing terrace outside and a deck that overlooks a forested ravine. You can get married surrounded by florals in the Haille Pillar Garden, or on the terrace for sweeping views of the forest!
Looking for Your Dream Outdoor Wedding Venue in Cincinnati?
Your wedding day should be all about you, and the experience should be one that celebrates your love story and reflects who you are! If you love the outdoors, getting married in nature is the perfect way to begin the rest of your lives together– and once you’ve found your venue, the next step is to hire a photographer!
My job as a wedding and elopement photographer is to help you slow down, enjoy every moment, and soak in the experience of your one of a kind day. I’ll document all those moments that you’ll want to remember forever, so whether you’ve found the perfect wedding venue or you’re still figuring things out, contact me, and we’ll start dreaming!