Question 1

How many guests can the Blackwell Inn accommodate?

Accepted Answer

The number of guests The Blackwell Inn can accommodate varies by the additional setup requirements that you may have. We recommend 250 or less for the most comfortable fit. Keep in mind, our Blackwell Patio is also available for events; it may be tented at an additional cost to accommodate more guests.

Question 2

Can I have my wedding ceremony at the Blackwell Inn?

Accepted Answer

The Blackwell Inn has hosted many wedding ceremonies, comfortably accommodating up to 250 guests for a ceremony in two sections of our ballroom or on our patio. We require one hour to reset the room for your reception, so this time can be spent on our plaza level for your cocktail hour. There is a setup fee of $750 for the ceremony. The decision to set the ceremony inside or outside due to weather must be determined 2 hours in advance of the wedding ceremony.

Question 3

How much time is included for my reception?

Accepted Answer

Your event is contracted for five hours, including the time spent on our plaza level for a pre-reception/cocktail hour. Additional hours may be added for $200 per hour until midnight.

Question 4

When do I guarantee my number of guests?

Accepted Answer

Your final guest count is due one week prior to your event date. After this, you may not decrease your count, but, in most cases, you may add a few guests up until 36 business hours prior to the event date.

Question 5

Does the hotel offer parking for my guests?

Accepted Answer

The Blackwell Inn offers valet service for your guests at a rate of $15/vehicle for an evening event. Overnight valet parking is $25. Your guests may also self-park at the Tuttle Park Garage about a block and a half away; the garage charges an hourly rate.

Question 6

Do you have any limitations on decorating?

Accepted Answer

Restrictions regarding decorations include no glitter or confetti, no open flames, and no affixing anything to the walls or ceilings. As set-up times may vary, we prefer to set out any decorations for you, as you and your guests will be busy that day. You may drop off items up to three business days prior to your event for our team to set-up on the day of the wedding.

Question 7

How do you create the personalized wedding menus?

Accepted Answer

Once you've booked your wedding with us, our Wedding Coordinator will share our Wedding Menu Survey with you to complete as a couple. Questions include what you ate on your first date, childhood food memories, favorite beverages, cultural background, and more! Our Executive Chef and his team will then create a custom menu based on this information, which we'll share with you for feedback and approval before scheduling your tasting, when you get to come in and experience your wedding cuisine firsthand!

Question 8

Can I taste the food prior to my reception?

Accepted Answer

We offer a complimentary tasting for up to four guests to enjoy the custom menu our Executive Chef and his team have created for your special day. You'll enjoy samples of almost every part of your menu, from hors d'oeuvres through salads and entrees.

Question 9

Is there a minimum number of guests or dollar amount that is required?

Accepted Answer

We do not have a minimum number of guests required. However, we do have a minimum in food and beverage revenue that must be met (this does not include tax or gratuity). Please note, the minimums vary by date and lower minimums are available on some Friday evenings and Sundays. Be sure to check with our Wedding Coordinator for seasonal specials!

Question 10

What if I do not meet my food and beverage minimum?

Accepted Answer

The Blackwell Inn can upgrade your food or beverage choices to help reach your minimum; however, if you do not meet the minimum in food and beverage revenue (not including tax and gratuity), the difference will be billed as a ballroom room rental fee.

Question 11

What is required to reserve the date?

Accepted Answer

A contract will be sent outlining the date, time, deposits, and other details. You will have two weeks to review and return a signed copy of the contract along with your initial deposit.

Question 12

May I hold the date tentatively while I am deciding?

Accepted Answer

A two-week hold may be placed on the date, which allows you “first right of refusal” if another bride is interested. After the two weeks, you may request a contract or release the date.

Question 13

How do I block hotel rooms for my guests?

Accepted Answer

The Blackwell Inn offers discounted rates for friends and family. A designated number of rooms will be blocked for your guests to call and make their reservations, at which time they'll need to indicate which wedding they are with. The cut-off date for guests to make reservations will be 30 days prior to your event. Is it possible to hold a wedding on an Ohio State home football Saturday? Due to our proximity to the Ohio Stadium, parking challenges, and the last-minute game time announcements, we cannot host weddings on home football game days.

Question 14

How are payments handled?

Accepted Answer

The Blackwell Inn accept cash, check, or major credit cards. A deposit schedule will be sent to you with your contract with payments broken down over several months until the final payment. The final payment will be due seven business days prior and a credit card authorization form must be on file for any incidentals. The final payment will include all applicable taxes and service charges.

Question 15

Payment schedule is outlined below:

Accepted Answer

• Due at contract signing – $2,000 initial deposit. • Due six months prior to event date – 50% of anticipated revenue. • Due three months prior to event date – 75% of anticipated revenue. • Due seven business days prior to event date – 100% of anticipated revenue (i.e. the balance of the event). A credit card authorization is required for incidentals and any additional costs the evening of the event.

Question 16

Are tax and gratuity included?

Accepted Answer

Standard tax rates will apply to all charges and 24% gratuity (subject to change) is automatically added on top of all room rental fees and food and beverage rates. If you wish to add additional gratuity, this can be arranged through the Blackwell Wedding Coordinator.

Question 17

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

All deposits are non-refundable. If you need to move your date, your deposits may be transferred to the new date when re-booked within six months and to occur no later than six months after the original date, based on prior approval of The Blackwell Inn management team. The transfer fee is based on the cancellation date and event date.

Question 18

Can I have a band?

Accepted Answer

The Blackwell Ballroom has enough space to accommodate a band. It is important to provide our Wedding Coordinator with specific space requirements and any requests from the band to make appropriate arrangements.

Question 19

Do you have a preferred list of vendors?

Accepted Answer

We have a list of vendors that we have worked with in the past, but you are not required to use them. Feel free to request more information from our Wedding Coordinator.

Question 20

What is your peak season?

Accepted Answer

Spring and Summer

Question 21

What is your off-peak season?

Accepted Answer

Fall and Winter

Question 22

Can we bring our own alcohol?

Accepted Answer

No outside Alcohol in Event spaces. Outside Alcohol is allowed in guestrooms

Question 23

Do you have on-site parking?

Accepted Answer

Valet or Self Parking On Site

Question 24

Do you have accessible facilities?

Accepted Answer

We are ADA accessible

The Blackwell

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About this venue

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Grand Ballroom

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Ideal for

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Included in this room:

Grand Ballroom

Grand Ballroom

Guest capacity

Square footage

Ideal for

Guests often feel this space is

Included in this room:

Available services that can be provided by The Blackwell

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Frequently asked questions

How many guests can the Blackwell Inn accommodate?

Can I have my wedding ceremony at the Blackwell Inn?

How much time is included for my reception?

When do I guarantee my number of guests?

Does the hotel offer parking for my guests?

Do you have any limitations on decorating?

How do you create the personalized wedding menus?

Can I taste the food prior to my reception?

Is there a minimum number of guests or dollar amount that is required?

What if I do not meet my food and beverage minimum?

What is required to reserve the date?

May I hold the date tentatively while I am deciding?

How do I block hotel rooms for my guests?

How are payments handled?

Payment schedule is outlined below:

Are tax and gratuity included?

What is your cancellation policy?

Can I have a band?

Do you have a preferred list of vendors?

What is your peak season?

What is your off-peak season?

Can we bring our own alcohol?

Do you have on-site parking?

Do you have accessible facilities?

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