Review

Check out our Q&A with a past client!
Event: Wedding Reception

1. What led you to choose The Center as the venue for your reception?

We both grew up in Cincinnati (though we now live in Georgia), and we love our home city.  We both felt strongly about wanting our wedding to highlight the beauty and the history of this town. We also knew that most of our guests would be out-of-towners—so we were also looking to find a space within walking distance to hotels and restaurants in the central business district. That meant they wouldn’t have to rent cars for the weekend.

We looked at several venues—none of which were quite “us”—and we kept saying, “If only we could find a large space with hardwood floors right in the middle of downtown that we could use as a blank canvas to create our own feel.”  After checking out several locations, we came to believe that such a space didn’t exist.  Then we walked into The Center!  The space is both sophisticated and minimalistic—the kind of place we knew would be perfect for tailoring the wedding reception to our own mood, style, and personality.

2. How did you find the planning process – choosing vendors, décor, etc.

Since we were planning a wedding from a distance, we solicited the help of Dawn Dagenbach at Details by Dawn.  She guided us through the process of picking vendors and selecting the décor.  She made the planning process quite easy—and I think she deserves an award for helping us plan our dream wedding in just under three months.    

3. Walking into The Center at the start of the reception, what were your thoughts?

We were blown away. The lighting was moody and whimsical—and the open space felt more like a swanky lounge than a wedding reception.  We knew early on that we didn’t want a formal sit-down dinner; we wanted our guest to be able to mingle and dance and move around—so the set up was perfect for our tastes.  

It was really quite amazing to see all of the small details come together in such a big way:  the back-lit bar, the dance-floor, the flowers, the furniture, the food, our typewriter table, the mime.  We felt like we were transported to a lounge that we’d designed right in the heart of the city.  The moment we saw The Center at the start of the reception we knew one thing for certain: This was going to be a fun night.  

4.What do you like most about the space?

The Center is a creative space—the perfect kind of venue for those who hope to create a particular “feel” for an event. It’s a “white box,” so you can go to town on personalizing it with rental furniture, lighting, or whatever you conceive. It was important to us that our wedding reflected our personalities and be fun for our friends. (We know, having been to so many weddings ourselves over the years, that a wedding can be an expensive obligation: travel costs, a couple of nights in a hotel in a distant city, plus incidental expenses all add up. We wanted our friends to get maximum “bang for their bucks.”)  More than anything, we wanted our reception to be fun, lively, unique, and memorable. We loved that The Center was a blank canvas that allowed us to create the perfect night for us.    

5.Were you satisfied with the service provided by The Center and the Event Coordinators?

Yes! The good folks at The Center provided plenty of guidance, and, moreover, they were flexible and easy to work with.  Overall, it was an extremely positive experience.

6. Would you recommend The Center to others to use a venue for their events?

We would absolutely recommend The Center to anyone who wants to host an event.  Still, three months after our wedding, our guests continue to tell us what a great night they had.  We only wish we could relive it.

The Custom Event

Caitlin Arnold Weddings and Events featured Wedding and Event Trends for 2012 on their blog in December. (To see the post, click here.) The trend highlighted as the “number one favorite” was the custom event, in which, “Couples and hosts alike are looking for those personal, customized details and design to set their event apart, whether that be unconventional color palettes, family heirlooms and traditions, or a full sensory experience that brings the guest into their world and local space.” We at The Center agree that the “custom” event is indeed trendy and are proud of the fact that our venue lends itself to being transformed differently for each event. Our clients are excited about the blank canvas they are given to work with and here are some of the unique and personalized touches we’ve seen so far.

These images are from our very first event, a beautiful reception. With 220 guests, banquet style seating, a large dance floor, a cocktail area underneath the dome ceiling, and customized lighting provided by Goodwin Lighting, this event had a traditional and intimate feel.

But the traditional is not for everyone… Our second wedding reception took on a very relaxed vibe with soft seating and a lounge-like arrangement.

Again, the space transformed with custom lighting, a live band, and for one of the most unique and creative twists we’ve seen at an event, a mime joined the party! For the first part of the evening, the mime mingled with guests, mimicked the catering staff, and helped the Father of the Bride introduce the newly married couple!

The Bride and Groom also had type writers set up so that guests could sit and type personalized messages!

Receptions are not the only events that have received these individualized touches. The Secret Artworks fundraiser featured a cocktail hour and jazz band, a gallery set up in the ballroom, and a VIP lounge with a signature drink.

We have also seen creative food bars that are increasingly popular for events of all kinds!

Popcorn Bar

Snow Cones

We are looking forward to seeing more trendy, custom events in 2012! From lighting and furniture to our favorite snacks, the possibilities are endless.

Photography by Leppert Photography and Christina Littleton

Find us on Facebook!

Remember the "Sneak Peek: Corporate Winter Party" post from December? We now have more pictures available on our Facebook Page, courtesy of Leppert Photography! You can find the latest images of the space in the "Winter Party 2011" Album, and while you're there, make sure you "Like" The Center! http://www.facebook.com/TheCenterCincinnati

Because I can't resist sharing, here are a few of my favorites, but you'll have to visit our Facebook Page to see the rest!

To learn more about Leppert Photography, visit http://www.leppertphoto.com/

Get to Know: Goodwin Lighting

Goodwin Lighting has provided lighting services for many of the events held in The Center. Their work can be viewed in most of the colorful and eyecatching pictures on our website, blog and Facebook page. Because they know the space so well and have repeatedly transformed The Center to fit each event, I asked them a few questions in order to bring you more information on their design process and how our venue can be customized just for you.

Background on Goodwin Lighting:

Glen Goodwin and Vicki Lipstreuer have been worked together as the owners of Goodwin Lighting since 1995. Glen's training is in Theatrical Lighting and Scenic Design with a BA and an MFA in Lighting Design. Vicki holds a BA in Theatrical Lighting and Production Management. Prior to forming Goodwin Lighting, both Vicki and Glen worked for other event companies.

Goodwin Lighting creates innovative lighting designs for rehearsal dinners, wedding ceremonies and receptions in a variety of settings, from chapels to ballrooms, tents to banquet halls. Each event is custom designed to compliment a bride and groom's taste and style, creating a memorable atmosphere through a variety of lighting techniques. 

Goodwin Lighting also offers design and production services for a variety of applications including: business theatre, product launches, fashion shows, benefits, theatrical performances, amusement park shows, corporate meetings and private events.

Work in The Center: 

Goodwin Lighting has provided lighting services for four of the five events held in The Center since October 1st. This includes two wedding receptions, a fundraiser, and a corporate winter party. Each event has featured different colors and effects to set the perfect tone for the event.

Question: What have you done to enhance the space?

Answer: We have provided up lights around the space in a variety of locations and in a wide range of colors and effects. We have also projected a variety of images and textures into the dome and used the existing track lights to pinspot the centerpieces and color the dance floor. We also pay close attention to the whole event making on site adjustments as needed to our lighting and the existing lighting to ensure that the rooms look perfect. We are also attentive to the power needs of the whole event. We find out who the entertainment is and what other power needs there might be, in order to better plan our approach to the design. We also pride ourselves in a clean and safe installation - running cables neatly and taping them down when going across entryways.

Question: What do you like best about the space?

Answer: The dome and the big open ballroom.

Question: What is the average cost for your services in the space?

Answer: So far, the starting point is $1,000.00 and has been as high as $2,500.00. Each event is designed specifically for each client. We do not boiler plate our prices and designs. We try to match up our designs with a requested budget to give each client the best impact for the money.

Question: What color lights do you think work best in the space?

Answer: The space is so neutral that any color works well. Our color choices are based upon several factors; the client requests, flower colors, linene colors and the desired atmosphere. This is part of the design process which sets us apart from others who do not have a design background.

The Design Process:

Question: How closely do you work with clients on plans for lighting?

Answer: We prefer to be an active player with each event, not jsut a supplier, order taker or rental house. We collaborate with many of the vendors to make certain our design approach works with everything. Lighting has a way of binding all the other elements together. Once we receive a confirmation, we start working witht he florist, decorator and the venue to make sure we are all on the same page.

Question: How does the design process work? (Do you meet with clients? What decisions need to be made, etc.?)

Answer: We typically ask each client to fill out the form on our website under the pricing link. That information is then automatically entered inot our system. From there, I generate an initial proposal and price. Follow ups are made to make sure that the quote was received and to secure a confirmation. Once we have that confirmation, a contract is sent out. Our contracts remain fluid so that changes and updates can be made along the way up to 14 days prior to the event. In these days of technology, we rarely need to meet directly with clients. We know the venues so well and have done this for so many years that we find that the web site and our design descriptions are usually enough without a meeting. Lighting is such a visual element that we ahve found that most clients are able to articulate what they want by referencing the photographs on the website. Plus, doing over 400 events annually and up to 12 events on any given Saturday, it would be challenging to schedule a meeting with each client.

 

Fun Fact:

Question: Do you put up your own Christmas lights/Holiday decorations?

Answer: Vicki actually puts up the lights on the outside of the house. The BIG holiday is Halloween. We pick a theme, anything from Under the Sea to Disco, and decorate the house and yard with lighting.

Renovated Bathrooms

For those lucky enough to have toured The Center in the past few months, you are already aware of two of our favorite rooms to show in the space. I think that everyone can agree, if there is one place that you want to be brand new and in pristine condition - it's the bathroom! And that is something that we are very proud to offer!

Shiny, new sinks and counters!

The Women's Restroom. The renovations were completed at the end of September 2011.

Women's Lounge

If you aren't already impressed by the pictures, take a look at what was there before.

You're impressed! And now you understand why the new and improved look is worth a visit to the bathroom. :)

Sneak Peek: Corporate Winter Party

We will have more to share from this event in the coming weeks, but once again, I followed the event set-up process throughout the day to show you how The Center transforms into a bright, exciting and entertaining party space!

(Pay no attention to the date on the pictures :) They were taken on December 6, 2011)

The first task: Find the center beneath the dome.

Furniture moves in

LED bar illuminated!

Oxygen Bar

Inflatable Decorations and Lighting in the dome! 

No party is complete without food and drinks. Popcorn bar!

The bar is set up beneath the dome!

The Christmas trees move from the windows to the interior of the space.

Where We Are

Picture of Macy's Light Up The Square from Cincinnati Chamber. The blue arrow shows exactly where we're located, at the southeast corner of 5th and Walnut. The Center wishes everyone a great December and Happy Holidays!