Cydney & Dion’s Modern Spring Wedding at Retreat 21

Cydney and Dion’s spring wedding at Retreat 21 brought modern elegance into the natural beauty of the Ohio countryside. Set among the venue’s wooded grounds in Marysville, their April celebration paired an intimate outdoor ceremony with a sophisticated reception filled with romantic florals, warm neutrals and an energetic dance floor.

The couple envisioned more than a beautiful wedding day. They wanted a welcoming, high-energy weekend that brought their families together and allowed everyone to celebrate fully. With on-site accommodations, multiple gathering spaces and a talented team of Columbus wedding vendors, Cydney and Dion created an experience that felt polished, personal and genuinely joyful.

Wedding Profile & Quick Facts

Couple: Cydney Whitesell and Dion Pressley
Wedding Date: April 25, 2026
Ceremony Venue: Retreat 21
Reception Venue: Retreat 21
Location: Marysville, Ohio
Wedding Style: Modern woodland elegance
Color Palette: Ivory, olive green, soft blush, burgundy and gold
Photography: Sydney Grace Photographs
Entertainment: Josh Staley Productions

Why This Wedding Stands Out

Cydney and Dion first met in 2019 at Ohio University. For their wedding, they focused on creating a modern, high-energy celebration that would bring their two families together for an unforgettable weekend.

Retreat 21 provided a fitting setting for that vision. The wooded ceremony space created a serene and romantic atmosphere, while the contemporary reception venue gave the couple a clean foundation for warm neutral details, sculptural floral arrangements and candlelit tables.

The couple also prioritized the overall flow and feeling of the celebration. Their venue, coordinator and entertainment team worked together behind the scenes to keep the experience seamless and the reception energy high.

“Trust the timeline, but focus on the feeling. At the end of the day, guests don’t remember every tiny decor detail, they remember the energy. We learned that setting up a solid flow early on allowed us to actually relax and enjoy the night when it finally arrived.”

— Cydney

Design Vision & Wedding Palette

The design balanced modern sophistication with the organic surroundings of Retreat 21. Ivory and white served as the foundation, while olive green, burgundy, muted pink and touches of gold added warmth and dimension.

Fiori Florals created arrangements featuring white roses, calla lilies and hydrangeas accented by burgundy blooms and cascading greenery. At the ceremony, floral arrangements displayed on clean white pedestals brought a contemporary focal point to the woodland setting.

Inside the reception, neutral linens were layered with white napkins, glass candleholders and petite gold lamps. Low floral arrangements carried the ceremony palette into the evening while allowing guests to converse comfortably across the tables. Lavender Haze Wedding Co. supported the celebration through coordination, decor and rentals, helping the design feel cohesive from one space to the next.

Bridal Style & Fashion Details

Cydney wore a Sarah Seven gown from Ohio Bridal Outlet. The fitted silhouette featured a corset-inspired bodice, soft draping and delicate pearl details, creating a bridal look that felt modern and refined. A flowing veil and cascading white bouquet completed the ensemble, while accessories from AnnieJsStudio added a personalized finishing touch.

Lovergirl Bridal Hair styled Cydney’s hair in a romantic look that complemented her veil and gown, while Emily Jennings created her softly polished makeup. The bridesmaids wore coordinating dresses from Azazie and Birdy Grey in varied tones that complemented the natural setting and floral palette.

Dion chose a timeless black tuxedo from Generation Tux, finished with a bow tie and white boutonniere. His classic attire created a striking contrast against the woodland ceremony backdrop and coordinated seamlessly with the wedding party.

Ceremony & Reception Experience

Cydney and Dion exchanged vows in Retreat 21’s wooded ceremony space, surrounded by tall trees, warm wooden benches and modern floral installations. The peaceful setting allowed the ceremony to feel intimate while remaining connected to the natural landscape.

Following the ceremony, guests gathered for an outdoor cocktail hour before moving into the reception space. Gourmet Fresh provided dinner, while Bloom Cookie Co. and Ms. B’s Catering supplied sweets and desserts in place of a traditional wedding cake. Retreat 21 handled bartending for the celebration.

Entertainment and lighting from Josh Staley Productions helped transform the reception into the high-energy celebration the couple envisioned. DJ Kellen kept the evening moving and the dance floor full, creating the lively atmosphere Cydney and Dion wanted their guests to remember.

Planning a Wedding at Retreat 21

Located in Marysville, Retreat 21 offers indoor and outdoor event spaces across a scenic Central Ohio property. The venue’s wooded ceremony setting and modern reception space made it possible for Cydney and Dion to create two distinct experiences without asking guests to travel between locations.

On-site cabins allowed loved ones to remain close throughout the wedding weekend, while the Taphouse at Retreat 21 provided a convenient location for the rehearsal dinner. Couples searching for similar settings can explore more Columbus wedding venues and outdoor wedding venues in Columbus.

Planning Takeaways

Cydney and Dion’s wedding offers several thoughtful ideas for couples planning a celebration of their own:

• Choose a venue that can accommodate multiple parts of the wedding weekend.
• Establish a clear timeline early so the couple can remain present during the celebration.
• Let the ceremony and reception have distinct atmospheres while carrying a consistent palette throughout.
• Prioritize entertainment and guest flow when an energetic reception is an important part of the vision.
• Select personal details that reflect the couple instead of relying solely on current trends.
• Step away together during the reception for a few quiet minutes to take in the room.

Cydney’s advice to other couples is simple: “Make sure your wedding reflects your personality, not just what’s trending. Also, step away with your new spouse for just five minutes during the reception to look at the room and take it all in!”

Featured Wed Society Columbus Wedding Vendors

Retreat 21

Retreat 21 gave Cydney and Dion a versatile setting for their entire wedding weekend. From the wooded ceremony and modern reception space to the Taphouse and on-site cabins, the venue allowed each part of the celebration to feel connected, convenient and intentional.

Josh Staley Productions

Josh Staley Productions provided entertainment and lighting for the reception. DJ Kellen helped maintain a seamless evening flow while creating the high-energy, packed dance floor that Cydney and Dion envisioned.

Complete Creative Team

Accommodations: Retreat 21
Bridal Boutique: Ohio Bridal Outlet
Bridal Gown Designer: Sarah Seven
Bridal Accessories: AnnieJsStudio
Bride’s Ring: Rare Carat
Groom’s Ring: Gentleman’s Bands
Bridesmaid Attire: Azazie and Birdy Grey
Catering: Gourmet Fresh
Sweets and Desserts: Bloom Cookie Co. and Ms. B’s Catering
Bartending: Retreat 21
Decor and Rentals: Lavender Haze Wedding Co.
Day-of Coordination: Lavender Haze Wedding Co.
Entertainment and Lighting: Josh Staley Productions
Floral Design: Fiori Florals
Groom’s Attire: Generation Tux
Bridal and Wedding Party Hair: Lovergirl Bridal Hair
Bridal and Wedding Party Makeup: Emily Jennings
Photography: Sydney Grace Photographs
Ceremony Venue: Retreat 21
Reception Venue: Retreat 21
Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Taphouse at Retreat 21
Rehearsal Dinner Catering: Ms. B’s Catering

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Retreat 21 located?

Retreat 21 is located in Marysville, Ohio, near Columbus. The property offers a scenic countryside setting with indoor and outdoor spaces for weddings and other private events.

Can couples hold both their ceremony and reception at Retreat 21?

Yes. Retreat 21 offers multiple event spaces, allowing couples to host their ceremony, cocktail hour and reception on the same property.

Does Retreat 21 offer on-site accommodations?

Yes. Cabins are available on the property, giving couples and their loved ones the option to remain close throughout the wedding weekend.

What made Cydney and Dion’s Retreat 21 wedding unique?

Their celebration combined a romantic woodland ceremony with a modern reception, an earthy spring color palette and a high-energy dance floor. On-site accommodations and a rehearsal dinner at the Taphouse also helped create a complete wedding-weekend experience.

Who provided entertainment for the reception?

Josh Staley Productions provided the wedding entertainment and lighting, with DJ Kellen creating a lively reception atmosphere and keeping guests on the dance floor.