My husband and I are planning a small vow renewal & reception with family and friends next year as…read morewe married very young and never had an actual wedding. We figure it's a great way to bring family together (my family is mostly in California) and have the celebration we always wanted.
I knew I didn't want a boring wedding hall so we began searching for different types of venues (i.e. barns, restaurants, vineyards, etc.) for about two weeks until one night I just so happened to stumble upon Hines Hill campus via Google images. I fell in love with the pictures and two weeks ago Friday, my husband and I took the long, steep, winding trek out to see the property which is out in the STICKS, woo-hoo!
I was blown away at how perfect it was - and this is the Winter (well, technically it's Spring but this is Cleveland and still feels like December some days). Even though the trees were bare, the grass was an ugly hay yellow color and the sky a depressing gray, it didn't distract from the beauty of the buildings, especially my favorite location - the barn!
Brittany, the event coordinator was extremely nice and greeted us outside. She showed us all three building starting with the Hines Hill conference center. She was very knowledge about the buildings and gave us some short and interesting historical facts regarding them. It had a kitchen, bathroom and a roundtable downstairs. Upstairs, enough space for 40 people. It's cozy and reminded me of a ski lodge. She explained that the guys usually get dressed in this building.
We moved on to the quaint and awesome looking stone cottage which holds 12 people and is usually used for ladies to get ready in. Loved it! It too had a full kitchen (mimosas anyone!?).
In between the cottage and bar, there is a fire pit where you can sit around and chill (they provide lawn chairs).
On to my favorite spot because that's where the reception is going to go DOWNNN - the barn! It's a nice size but not huge. If you're looking for huge, Happy Days Lodge is more your speed. The barn holds 80 (all sitting room). It's pretty open (2 large doors) and since it's not a historical building, we can decorate how we please.
A few facts (if you're reading this in 2015 and beyond, the prices/facts may have changed):
-even if you're only using the barn, you will have access to all three buildings for your allotted time
-the Hines Hill campus is for a smaller crowd where the the Happy Days Lodge and their buildings are for bigger parties. They are both affordable with the Hines Hill campus being the most affordable
-deposit is 30% (nonrefundable) and the rest is due 4 weeks before your wedding. They accept check and credit cards
-using the barn at the Hines Hill campus means you have to rent all your tables, chairs, linen, etc. from an outside company. Not a huge expense if you're having a small group. If you're having 80, you're costs will rack up quick! You can use the the conference room - tables/chairs included (limited space - 40 max sitting)
-if you want booze, you must pay a $150 service charge. We will gladly pay it because a dry wedding... *GUFFAW* You also bring in your own booze and you need to hire a bartender
-you also must use one of their five caterers which I was bummed out about at first until I viewed each caterer. 2 out of the 5 that were listed were a perfect fit for our reception (BBQ) and are pretty affordable. Again, the more people you have = more $$$ you pay. I never understood why people invite 150+ people. My 2nd cousins don't need to be present for such a personal day, especially if I have to feed you, booze you up, pay for your entertainment, and buy you a little gift! Eh, that's just us though. Let me get off my soap box about that!
-there are discounts for having your wedding on a Friday and Sunday or off season but the discounts only apply for the Happy Days Lodge
I must say again how helpful Brittany was and how fast she was to answering questions and setting up a time to see the property. She also gave me a 9 page .pdf of vendors, nearby hotels, etc. I can come as many times as I need to see the property between now and our event. I can tell that she will be awesome to work with. Patricia, who sent over the contract, was also quick to answer any questions I had in a very timely manner.
If you're looking to have a rustic or outdoorsy type wedding, like being secluded, surrounded by a beautiful national park and dealing with a professional friendly staff - you may want to check this location out!
