Mother of the bride, here.
This is a beautiful and pleasing venue for a wedding of almost any style!
A few things that swayed our initial search in this direction:
* family-run bu...siness
* in-house coordinator available (Danielle - more about her later)
* a suite for the groom and his guys that showed as much thought and consideration as the bride is show
* the absolute value for the money compared to similar (or even smaller!) venues closer to the Cincinnati area
* the options offered for customization
* gorgeous views for photo ops
* handicap-accessible
Once booked, planning was a dream. Danielle did a fantastic job of making sure our daughter knew she was in capable hands.
They are one of the most minimally-restrictive venues we found when it comes to using your own vendors, providing some of your own decor items to be incorporated, providing SO many of their own fabulous decor items, and so much more.
The day of:
We had booked Magnolia Barn -- which is a complete misnomer because there is nothing vaguely barnlike about the place except that it is a large property in a less trafficky area. Do yourself a favor: check out the photos of the place and visit in person.
The groom and his guys had a suite in a totally separate building located across the parking area, complete with everything they needed in order to hang out and chill before/after they got ready.
What can I possibly write to convey how indispensable, helpful, and adept Danielle and her staff were?
Both the gazebo/guest area for the ceremony and also the reception area looked STUNNING. The cocktail patio was also nice but very minimalist. Everything, however, was decorated gorgeously (their work, not ours!)
Danielle and her staff were present for every moment yet not at all in the way at any point in time. They were personable, friendly, and efficient. Any issues that arose at all that day, Danielle swooped in, to the rescue!
We simply could not have been more pleased with the venue staff, and Danielle in particular. It was a huge weight off knowing that we did not have to try to address every little detail on the day of the wedding because Danielle had everything well in hand.
My only (minimal) complaints (not truly complaints, just more a few downside items) :
1) the restroom situation: For a venue capable of housing 200-guests, a two-stall ladies' room is WAY undersized.
2) for the bridal suite: no private restroom or even a sink for washing hands. In order to get the bride to the adjacent common-area restroom, we had to hold up a blanket between the two doors, blocking her from view and post "sentries" in the form of two bridesmaids to keep guests out until she left the restroom.
3) the positioning of the onsite groom area in relation the the bridal suite: once the groom's entourage came to the main event area, there was a small room where they could wait. Unfortunately, the open door affords a direct view into the bridal suite when the bride's door opens. Therefore, anytime anyone left or came into the bridal suite, the bride had to rush to the other side of the room, lest her groom see her too soon.
4) The parking area is gravel. This is by no means a deal-breaker. However, we had several handicapped guests who had difficulty crossing the area; we did wish - for their sakes - that the lot was paved instead.
Even the noted downsides considered, this is a truly spectacular venue for a bride's special day. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended.