Cincinnati Music Hall is a grand, historic location for a wedding in Cincinnati’s Over The Rhine district. As a wedding photographer, indoor wedding venues don’t get much classier than this. There are several event spaces available to rent, but for this wedding, the wedding couple chose to use the Edyth B. Lindner Grand Foyer. This is the main lobby sitting at the front center of Music Hall. Looking out from the foyer is Washington Park.
The grand foyer is indeed grand. This space is wide but shallow and can hold around 250 seated guests. For non-seated events, the number of guests can exceed 250. Looking toward the ceiling you can see the second floor balcony which wraps around the foyer. It is the perfect spot for cocktail hour without allowing guests into the reception area. While this is a great reception space, it may not be ideal for a wedding ceremony location. For the first wedding I photographed here, the ceremony was in the center of the foyer with guests sitting at their tables. My suggestion for wedding ceremonies here is to ensure the officiant and wedding couple have microphones. This will allow the guests to hear the ceremony.
Although I have only photographed one wedding here, I believe that this space is highly versatile. Thinking about the space, I can imagine many different setups for seating, photo booths, dessert, and more. The building and the room is a beautiful blank canvas that you can use to make your event unique. Check with the rental staff to figure out what options are available and work for you.
In addition to the grand foyer, the couple used the Taft Suite as a room to chill out before the wedding. This is a large room adjacent to the lobby and is good for a getting ready room. It may not be good for getting dressed as I believe there are security cameras. The room is not obvious to guests, so wedding couples and wedding parties won’t have to worry about guests finding them prior to the wedding.
Outdoor space at Music Hall is limited to the eastern facade facing Washington Park. During the reception, they have a staff member by the eastern glass doors leading to the beautiful front steps. Through the doors you can see most of Washington Park as it transitions from daytime to nighttime. Walking out on the steps allows people to get fresh air and to enjoy the beautiful facade. If guests want to explore the park, they are free to do so.
For my first Cincinnati Music Hall wedding, we rented golf carts to transport us around downtown. We created one of a kind photos including playing dice in a graffiti-clad alley. One of the most fun parts was staging a bar fight inside O’Malley’s In The Alley, a popular Cincinnati bar. Photos are below!
Washington Park, a beautiful park in the center of Over The Rhone offers several nice areas for photos. Although this park can ge busy during the day, people can be kind for a wedding party. The large gazebo toward the south end provides a great, shaded spot to do wedding photos. It is the only sun-free area in the park. I also like to use the ground level fountains as a foreground element for wedding portraits.
Wedding couples at Music Hall can choose to have parking just south of the building. I am not sure if this is included in event rentals, but it is an option. Having guests park next to the building is a great feature that a lot of downtown venues do not have. Should you need more parking, there is an underground parking garage in Washington Park. The entrance is directly east across the park from Music Hall. Walking to the venue should take no more than 2 minutes once you come out of the garage.
Music Hall had a dedicated entrance for wedding guests to the south of the main entrance. There were staff on hand to ensure non-wedding guests did not enter the facility. Upon entry there is a short staircase to the right that leads to the grand foyer. The doors to the wedding and reception remain locked until the wedding couple allows guests in. There is also an elevator, so this venue is ADA compliant.
The air conditioning is great thanks to a massive renovation of Music Hall several years ago. Plus, the sun sets behind the back of the building, so direct sun is not an issue. There are easily accessible restrooms on the north and south side of the foyer/lobby.
Cincinnati Music Hall hosts fantastic events.
Other Event Spaces At Music Hall
There are several other event spaces available to rent for events. The Springer Auditorium is what most people think of when the hear Music Hall. It is the main auditorium where concerts take place. My favorite event space is the Music Hall Ballroom. While I have not photographed a wedding here, I did get access to it during an empty building photo shoot a few years ago. The ballroom can hold a ton of guests, so it is good for larger parties. Architecturally, I love the curved ceiling that runs the length of this space. It feels like you are in a fancy underground subway station. The Corbett Tower is an available space that is good for small to medium size weddings and is a carpeted space with large windows.
Whether your wedding will have 100 guests or 500 guests, Cincinnati Music Hall is a great choice for a Cincinnati wedding in an iconic and historical venue.
Cincinnati Music Hall, a true architectural and acoustic gem in the heart of Over The Rhine, Cincinnati, is a cultural landmark that holds a special place in the city’s history. I felt instantly transported to a bygone era of grandeur and sophistication when I stepped into its grand foyer. It was adorned with ornate details and elegant chandeliers.
The magnificence of the Music Hall is not limited to its awe-inspiring exterior. The acoustics are amazing, making it a premier destination for world-class orchestras, operas, and other musical performances. With its rich history dating back to 1878, Cincinnati Music Hall continues to captivate audiences, showing the city’s love for the arts and its commitment to providing an exceptional cultural experience. Again, you’ll love this wedding venue and its various spaces for rent.
When you first walk up to this imposing building you are immediately struck with awe. This historic building in Over The Rhine is huge and magnificent. You will know that you are in for a great wedding day. Walking inside heading to the wedding and reception space further increases expectations. The attention to detail along with the ornate decor make this wedding venue stand out from all others.
If you want to have your wedding and reception in a historic building in Cincinnati, this is the venue.
Best Thing About A Wedding Here:
It is all about space. This gigantic building has several spaces to choose from with the largest holding 700 seated. Lastly, it is one of the biggest Cincinnati wedding venues. Lastly, you can’t go wrong with any of the spaces here.