Emma & Austin’s Elegant Spring Wedding at Retreat 21
Introduction
Classic bridal fashion, meaningful family traditions and a softly romantic reception came together for Emma and Austin’s elegant spring wedding near Columbus, Ohio. The couple began their celebration with a Catholic ceremony at St. Mary Catholic Church in German Village before joining their guests at Retreat 21 in Marysville. Ivory and soft green florals, gold accents, glowing candlelight and personalized details created a refined atmosphere that still felt warm and joyful. From the bride’s heirloom rosary to a private cocktail-hour moment shared by the newlyweds, every part of the day reflected their relationship, their families and the experience they wanted to create together.
Wedding Profile & Quick Facts
- Couple: Emma Kentner & Austin Boniface
- Wedding Date: May 2, 2026
- Season: Spring
- Ceremony Venue: St. Mary Catholic Church, German Village
- Reception Venue: Retreat 21
- City: Columbus and Marysville, Ohio
- Wedding Style: Classic, Romantic, Elegant
- Color Palette: Ivory, White, Soft Green, Blush and Gold
Why This Wedding Stands Out
Emma and Austin’s story began in a fitting place for two Ohio State fans. They met in a hotel lobby after the 2023 Ohio State versus Wisconsin football game in Madison. Their wedding brought them back to Columbus for a celebration filled with thoughtful details and personal connections.
Their Catholic ceremony held special meaning for Emma, who wrapped her late grandfather’s blue rosary around her all-white peony bouquet. She completed the look with a lace-trimmed veil and blusher, creating a bridal style that honored both tradition and family.
After the ceremony, the couple stepped away from the schedule for a quiet moment together at Retreat 21. Emma shared that one of her favorite parts of the day was
“sipping on our signature cocktails during cocktail hour, just my husband and I, in the bridal suite.”
The couple also prioritized preserving their memories beyond the wedding day. In addition to choosing an experienced photography and videography team, Emma worked with Raediant Design Floral Preservation to transform flowers from the celebration into lasting keepsakes.
The Design Vision & Wedding Palette
A palette of ivory, soft green, blush and gold gave the reception a fresh spring look while maintaining an elegant, timeless feel. Fiori Florals designed arrangements filled with white roses, hydrangeas, peonies and soft greenery. At the sweetheart table, abundant florals gathered around a personalized “Just Married” linen while illuminated BONIFACE letters created a striking backdrop.
Sage Hill Event Rentals provided the dance floor, chairs and gold flatware, while BBJ La Tavola linens added texture to the tables. Tall taper candles in glass hurricanes brought warmth and height to the room, and gold goblets and place settings carried the metallic details throughout the design.
Magnolia Lane Design Co. completed the setting with personalized signage, mirrors, table numbers and menus. Together, the layered linens, candlelight, florals and rental pieces created an elevated reception that remained welcoming for guests.
Bridal Style & Fashion Details
Emma selected a structured Nicole + Felicia Couture ball gown from La Jeune Mariee. The gown’s clean silhouette and full skirt created a classic bridal look, which she paired with a lace-edged Dany Tabet veil and Cornelia James gloves.
The celebration also featured Gilded Social, a Granville bridal boutique known for providing personalized styling and thoughtful support throughout the wedding fashion experience.
Her jewelry included diamond stud earrings and a diamond cross necklace. A custom engagement ring from Holtzmann’s Jewelers and wedding band from Arthur’s Jewelers completed her look.
Morgan Follin of Silver Shears Hair, Emma’s childhood friend and former soccer teammate, styled her hair. Emma’s sister and maid of honor, Olivia Kentner, completed her makeup. Austin wore a classic black tuxedo from The Black Tux with a white tie and white floral boutonniere.
Ceremony & Reception Experience
Emma and Austin exchanged vows during a Catholic ceremony officiated by Father Kyle Tennant at St. Mary Catholic Church in German Village. Between the ceremony and reception, the couple and wedding party stopped at the Supreme Court of Ohio for portraits.
Guests later gathered at Retreat 21 for dinner, signature cocktails and dancing. Bluewater Kings Band provided live jazz during cocktail hour before Brian Daze of Josh Staley Productions led the reception entertainment. Uplighting and illuminated marquee letters transformed the room, while the added dance floor gave guests a dedicated place to celebrate.
The menu included catering from Gourmet Fresh, an almond cake with raspberry filling from Mrs. Goodman’s Baking Co. and Graeter’s ice cream for guests.
Planning a Wedding at Retreat 21
Hosting the welcome party, accommodations and reception at Retreat 21 allowed Emma and Austin to create a connected wedding-weekend experience. Guests could stay in the property’s cabins, gather for wood-fired pizza and charcuterie during the welcome party, and return for the reception without every event feeling disconnected.
For couples planning a Central Ohio wedding with several events, using multiple spaces on one property can simplify transportation and give guests more time together.
Planning Takeaways From This Wedding
- Build 15 to 30 minutes of private time into the wedding-day schedule so you can enjoy the celebration together.
- Use one property for accommodations, pre-wedding gatherings and the reception to create a more connected guest experience.
- Choose rentals that serve a purpose. As Emma advised, “Add the dance floor. Just do it.”
- Incorporate family heirlooms into flowers or accessories for a personal detail that remains close throughout the day.
- Hire experienced photographers and videographers if reliving the day through images and film is a priority.
- Trust a coordinator to manage vendors and make decisions once the wedding day arrives. Emma said, “The Aisle & Co. team knew exactly what to do and when to do it.”
Featured Wed Society Columbus Wedding Vendors
The vendors below are part of our curated network of trusted Columbus wedding professionals, known for delivering exceptional wedding experiences.
- Wedding Planning: Aisle & Co.
Known for intentional planning, thoughtful design and calm, experienced coordination throughout the wedding process. - Floral Preservation: Raediant Design Floral Preservation
Creates hand-poured resin pieces, pressed floral art and jewelry from couples’ wedding flowers. - Fashion & Bridal Services: Gilded Social
A Granville bridal destination offering personalized fashion styling, alterations, dress preservation and honeymoon planning. - Venue: Retreat 21
A destination wedding venue near Columbus with onsite cabins, indoor and outdoor event spaces and weekend gathering options. - Decor & Rentals: Sage Hill Event Rentals
Offers dance floors, chairs, tabletop pieces, lounge furniture and other rentals for personalized Columbus celebrations. - Entertainment: Josh Staley Productions
Known for personalized entertainment, seamless reception flow and high-energy dance floors. - Bridal Gown: La Jeune Mariee Bridal Collection
A luxury Columbus bridal boutique known for its inclusive, personalized shopping experience and curated selection of designer wedding gowns.
Complete Creative Team
- Accommodations: Retreat 21
- Bridal Boutique: La Jeune Mariee
- Bridal Gown Designer: Nicole + Felicia Couture
- Fashion & Bridal Services: Gilded Social
- Veil: Dany Tabet
- Bridal Gloves: Cornelia James
- Bride’s Ring: Holtzmann’s Jewelers
- Wedding Bands: Arthur’s Jewelers
- Bridesmaid Attire: Birdy Grey
- Groom’s Attire: The Black Tux
- Bride’s Hair: Morgan Follin, Silver Shears Hair
- Bride’s Makeup: Olivia Kentner
- Wedding Party Hair and Makeup: Silver Shears Hair
- Wedding Planning and Coordination: Aisle & Co.
- Ceremony Venue: St. Mary Catholic Church, German Village
- Reception Venue and Bartending:Retreat 21
- Officiant: Father Kyle Tennant
- Photography: Malorie Gwyn Photography
- Videography: The Allens
- Wedding Content: Content by Juliana
- Floral Design: Fiori Florals
- Floral Preservation: Raediant Design Floral Preservation
- Decor and Rentals: Sage Hill Event Rentals
- Linens: BBJ La Tavola
- Signage and Paper Details: Magnolia Lane Design Co.
- Invitations: JES Married
- Entertainment and Lighting: Josh Staley Productions
- DJ: Brian Daze
- Cocktail Hour Music: Bluewater Kings Band
- Catering: Gourmet Fresh
- Private Wedding Cake: Mrs. Goodman’s Baking Co.
- Guest Dessert: Graeter’s
- Welcome Party Venue: Retreat 21
- Welcome Party Catering: CBUS Wood Fired Catering Co.
- Transportation: Limitless Limousine
- Portrait Location: Supreme Court of Ohio
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Retreat 21 located?
Retreat 21 is located at 11433 Industrial Parkway in Marysville, Ohio, just outside Columbus.
How many guests can Retreat 21 accommodate?
Retreat 21 lists a capacity of approximately 251 to 300 guests, depending on the event space and layout selected.
Does Retreat 21 offer onsite accommodations?
Yes. Retreat 21 offers modern cabins, allowing couples and guests to stay on the property during a wedding weekend.
What amenities are available at Retreat 21?
The property offers indoor and outdoor event spaces, onsite bartending, parking, a bridal suite, cabins and gathering spaces for welcome parties and other wedding-weekend events.
