The Wed Society Columbus Signature Social – Event Recap
The secret’s out—no more hush hush.
Wed Society Columbus’ Signature Social unfolded as an evening defined by both intention and atmosphere. One that felt as meaningful as it was memorable and less like a traditional networking event and more like an experience that guests discovered, almost as if they had stepped into something quietly exclusive.
Because in many ways, that was exactly the point.
Guests weren’t simply welcomed through the front door. Instead, they were led to a discreet entrance and invited into a subtle challenge: follow the clues, uncover the hidden phrase, and earn their way inside.
From the very first moment, the tone was set, this would be anything but an ordinary industry gathering.
A Gatsby Speakeasy Vibe, But Make It Modern
Once inside, the atmosphere hit all at once. Deep crimson uplighting washing over floor-to-ceiling black velvet draping, red roses massed into lush, moody arrangements that felt plucked straight from a 1920s underground supper club. The space was dark and intentional, layered in a way that made you want to slow down and actually take it all in.
Femme Floral Designs leaned fully into the drama with installations that mixed deep red roses, hydrangea, and tulips, sometimes spilling out of black vessels on cocktail tables, other times tucked into tall gold candleholders. The drapery transformed the Junto’s already-beautiful bones into something that felt genuinely theatrical.
Rentals from Sage Hill Rentals and moody lighting by Party Pleasers deepened the speakeasy atmosphere, while On Paper Press carried the concept through the signage, including the cryptic newspaper-style clue posters guests solved at the entrance. The name tags, printed like vintage alcohol prescriptions, and the signature cocktail signs were the kind of detail that made people look twice.
The Bar Was In On It Too
The cocktail menu leaned into the evening’s secret society energy with two signature drinks: the Vowsmopolitan — a nod to “Vows that Wow,” made with vodka, Cointreau, fresh lime, and cranberry — and the Secret Society, a bourbon old fashioned with Demerara sugar, aromatic bitters, and orange. Both felt like they belonged in a hidden room behind a bookshelf.
An Elevated Setting in the Heart of Columbus
The Junto was the right call. Its blend of modern design and warmth gave the evening room to breathe, and the layout let guests move naturally from the bar to the lounge seating to the cocktail tables without the night ever feeling forced or over-choreographed.
Planning was led by SoCo 36 Events, and the seamless execution spoke for itself. That sense of ease, the kind that makes an event feel effortless, is rarely accidental. It requires thoughtful intention at every turn. From the hidden entrance to the final conversations of the evening, each moment was carefully considered.
The Conversation at the Center of It All
The highlight of the evening was a candid panel that felt less like a formal presentation and more like being let in on a good conversation. Ashley Murphy, Co-founder of Wed Society, sat down with three women who know this industry from the inside out: Allison Leonard of Kismet Designs & Co., Sara Richardson of SoCo 36 Events, and Christine Burgess, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Junto Hotel.
The evening also included a meaningful moment from Lacey Wicksall, Executive Director of Wish Upon a Wedding, who introduced the organization to the room. Wish Upon a Wedding is a national nonprofit that grants weddings and vow renewals to couples facing serious illness or life-altering circumstances. A reminder that the work this industry does carries real weight beyond the beautiful details.
The Details That Made It Feel Complete
Live music from the Meg Paulson Trio set the perfect backdrop, jazz-inflected and unhurried, the kind of sound that fills a room without demanding attention, letting conversation stay at the center of the night.
Guests enjoyed beautifully crafted mini cakes from Hertty’s Bakeshop alongside specialty chocolate fountain from Lohacally Artisan Chocolates, the kind of treats that give people an excuse to slow down, linger a little longer, and keep the conversation going. The Wed Society magazine was scattered across tables throughout the space, a fitting reminder of the community that brought everyone together.
A Night Worth Remembering
Emily Schutz Photo & Video and Kismet Visuals & Co. captured the evening in a way that does it justice. The candid moments, the styled details, the quiet in-between seconds that make an event feel real
But more than any single image, what the Wed Society Columbus Signature Social captured was what the Columbus wedding community looks like when it gets to simply celebrate itself. The creativity, the collaboration, the friendships that make this work meaningful, all of it was in that room.
The secret’s out. Now here’s to many more nights like it.
Wed Society Columbus Featured Sponsors
Vendors below are part of our curated network of trusted Columbus wedding professionals, known for delivering exceptional wedding experiences. Explore these vendors and connect directly to begin building your wedding team.
Photography: Kismet Visuals & Co., Emily Schutz Photo & Video
Videography: Emily Schutz Photo & Video
Venue: The Junto
Planner: SoCo 36
Floral: & Drapery: Femme Floral Designs
Decor: Sage Hill Rentals
Lighting: Party Pleasers
Signage: On Paper Press
Cakes: Hertty’s Bakeshop
Specialty Dessert: Lohacally Artisan Chocolates
Entertainment by Meg Paulson Trio
