Columbia Ballroom Wedding – Chelsea + Josh

The Downtown Cleveland Engagement Session

From the instant connection of photographing their engagement session downtown to capturing their stunning wedding celebration at the Columbia Ballroom wedding venue in Northeast Ohio, celebrating their story was the happiest twist of fate.

The Backstory – A Lucky Twist of Fate

After having their original photographer cancel the day before their engagement session, Chelsea & Josh quickly reached out to us to photograph their engagement. We were so lucky to be available!

It was in the high 30s and mid November so we set off to take photos in the covered atrium at Blue Point Grille, owned by a family member. However once we arrived we quickly realized we were not able to get in due to a logistics mix up. So we ended up heading over to The Arcade Cleveland and East Fourth Street to capture some of my favorite photos EVER.

The Fire, The Ring, & Building a New Home

While we love going on epic adventures with our couples, there’s a special intimacy when they bring us into their homes — and this time was extra special.

Early in 2022, Chelsea and Josh were victims of a devastating apartment fire at The Polo Club in Strongsville, Ohio. This happened all while in the process of having their new home built, and planning their incredibly special wedding.

Unfortunately due to the nature of the fire, Chelsea was not able to grab one of her most precious heirlooms – a family necklace from her grandmother that was meant to be turned into her wedding ring for their august wedding.
The necklace was in a jewelry cabinet that was now buried by debris from the fire. Chelsea and Josh returned to the apartment complex the day after the fire, approached a firefighter and told him about her grandmother’s necklace and what it meant to her. It turns out the firefighter was Strongsville Fire Chief Jack Draves.

Touched by her story, he took another trip to the apartment and was able to find the jewelry cabinet. In it was the necklace, in perfect condition

The Home Builders, Drees Homes, were able to finish the house in plenty of time for them to move in before the wedding. So being able to capture Josh getting ready in their new home, surrounded by friends and family, felt like the sweetest beginning to a new chapter in their lives.

The Farmhouse at Columbia Ballroom

While Josh got ready at their new home, Chelsea got ready at the quaint farmhouse at their venue, the Columbia Ballroom. The Bridal House sleeps up to 12 guests with 2 bedrooms, a large sleeping rec room, 2 bathrooms, open living room, large powder room and kitchen.

Included in your overnight stay:

Welcome bottles of wine (Cab/Pinot/Reisling)
Cheese/cracker and Vegetable trays
Orange Juice and Champagne for Mimosas
Fresh Fruit
Danish and Muffins
Coffee Bar

The Large Powder Room was perfect for hair and makeup, and with the dream team Makeup By Ang & Hair by Alex to do hair, the girls looked STUNNING. Chelsea Spent her morning surrounded by friends, family, and love.

The Ceremony | Wedding Ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio

After getting ready, Chelsea + Josh had a beautiful outdoor ceremony overlooking the stunning horse pasture. The both wrote each other the most beautiful vows, and after everything they had been through, there was not a dry eye in sight.

The Reception | Columbia Ballroom Wedding in Cleveland, Ohio

After tying the knot, the newlyweds and their guests spent the rest of the day celebrating inside the Grand Ballroom at Columbia Ballroom. A stunning historic venue near Cleveland, Ohio, the building features beautiful details like Queen trusses crafted from hardwood dating back to 1900. The architecture and grounds exude rustic, vintage charm and were a timeless backdrop for Josh & Chelsea’s day.