“Guess what, guys? Hold onto your excitement hats because we’ve got thrilling news! Get ready for the wedding day glamour in… drumroll, please… a dark church basement! Think low ceilings, mood-setting flickering fluorescent lights, and absolutely zero windows – the dream ambiance we’ve all been secretly pining for. And the best part? No drinking allowed! Because who needs a pre-wedding toast when you can soak in the basement chic vibe, right?”

Where you prep for the big day is a big deal, for reasons you never knew you needed. I mean, your wedding photographer will be there, capturing your magical transformation from bedhead to bridal goddess. They’ll immortalize the robe-clad shenanigans, the PJ party vibes, and the epic struggle of getting into that wedding dress. And let’s be honest, these pictures will go from ‘meh’ to ‘marvelous’ if you choose a spot with the glow-up magic of natural lighting – not the spooky glow of flickering fluorescents.

But hey, it’s not just about the pics. Your getting-ready locale sets the vibe for the entire day. Picture this: a beautiful, fun-filled space that screams ‘wedding day glam.’ And the cherry on top? After the vows, you get to retreat to a room that you’ll actually look forward to – no basement blues here!

Now, if you’re craving that Insta-worthy prep spot, here are my top hotel picks:

1. The Hilton Downtown (Easton and Polaris branches are basically glam palaces too!)
2. The Joseph – where luxury meets ‘let’s get this party started.’
3. Hotel LeVeque – because nothing says ‘I do’ like getting ready in celestial style.
4. The Renaissance Westerville-Polaris – where pre-wedding jitters meet posh perfection.

So, there you have it – the basement chronicles might make a funny story, but why settle for laughs when you could have your whole getting-ready saga be a blockbuster hit? Cheers to fabulous hotels and a wedding day that shines brighter than those flickering basement lights!

Caroline Stiers is a Columbus, Ohio wedding photographer and a destination wedding photographer specializing in curating a joyful experience while delivering candid, romantic, emotional imagery with an editorial flare.