Creating a Dreamy Candlelit Wedding: Emily and Jimmy's Franklin Park Conservatory Celebration

Emily and Jimmy’s wedding at Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus was a perfect blend of professional planning and personal touches. While they chose Alyssa Thomas Events for planning and coordination, Emily’s hands-on creativity added unique details that made the day truly special. Their focus was on fun and celebrating with family and friends who traveled from out of town, creating an unforgettable experience under the soft glow of candlelight.

A Thoughtful Blend of Professional Planning and Handmade Details

Emily and Jimmy’s decision to hire a planner allowed them to enjoy a stress-free wedding day. Alyssa Thomas Events handled the logistics, vendor coordination, and timeline management, ensuring everything ran smoothly. This gave Emily the freedom to focus on crafting personal touches that reflected their style and story.

Emily, who describes herself as a “coastal grandma” living in Connecticut, created many beautiful details by hand. She designed a handmade invitation suite that set the tone for the wedding’s dreamy and intimate ambiance. The invitations featured soft colors and delicate designs, inviting guests into a warm, candlelit celebration.

The Magic of a Candlelit Outdoor Reception on the Terrace

One of the couple’s top priorities was a candlelit outdoor reception on the terrace at Franklin Park Conservatory. This choice created a romantic and inviting atmosphere as the sun set and the candles flickered. The terrace provided a stunning backdrop with lush greenery and elegant architecture, perfect for an evening filled with laughter and dancing.

The reception space was designed to balance elegance and comfort. Tables were adorned with Emily’s handmade cross-stitched table numbers, adding a personal and charming touch. The soft candlelight enhanced the natural beauty of the venue and created a cozy environment for guests to relax and enjoy the evening.

Creating a Club-Like Dance Floor Experience

After the terrace reception, the celebration moved indoors to a lively dance floor. Emily and Jimmy wanted their guests to have fun and dance the night away. The dance floor was designed to feel like a club, with dynamic lighting and music that kept energy high.

This transition from a serene, candlelit outdoor setting to a vibrant indoor party showed the couple’s thoughtful approach to their wedding day. They balanced moments of calm and intimacy with high-energy celebration, ensuring every guest felt included and entertained.

Personal Touches That Made the Wedding Unique

Emily’s handmade details reflected her personality and added warmth to the event. The cross-stitched table numbers were a standout feature, combining traditional craft with modern wedding style. These small but meaningful elements helped create a cohesive look that tied the coastal vibe of their Connecticut home with the elegance of the Columbus wedding venue.

The invitation suite was another example of Emily’s creativity. By designing and assembling the invitations herself, she set a personal tone that carried through the entire celebration. Guests appreciated the thoughtful details, which made the wedding feel intimate despite the number of out-of-town attendees.

Why Franklin Park Conservatory Was the Perfect Choice

Franklin Park Conservatory offers a unique setting for couples looking for a blend of natural beauty and elegant indoor spaces. The terrace reception allowed Emily and Jimmy to enjoy the outdoors while surrounded by the conservatory’s lush gardens. This venue also provided flexibility for the couple’s vision of a candlelit outdoor reception followed by an energetic dance party.

Choosing a venue that supports both intimate moments and lively celebrations is key for couples who want to balance different moods on their wedding day. Franklin Park Conservatory’s combination of indoor and outdoor spaces made it an ideal choice for this Columbus wedding.

Tips for Couples Planning a Candlelit Outdoor Wedding Reception

• Choose a venue with flexible indoor and outdoor spaces to accommodate different parts of your celebration.

  
  

• Incorporate handmade or personalized details to add warmth and uniqueness to your wedding.

  
  

• Plan lighting carefully to create the right mood: candles for intimacy, dynamic lights for dancing.

  
  

• Hire a planner if you want to enjoy your day without stress but still include personal touches.

  
  

• Consider your guests’ comfort by providing cozy seating and weather-appropriate arrangements for outdoor receptions.

  
  

Emily and Jimmy’s wedding shows how combining professional planning with personal creativity can result in a memorable and joyful celebration. Their candlelit terrace reception at Franklin Park Conservatory created a dreamy atmosphere that guests will remember for years. Couples planning their own weddings can draw inspiration from their thoughtful balance of elegance, fun, and heartfelt details.

Vendor Team:

Planner: Alyssa Thomas Events

Venue: Franklin Park Conservatory

Photographer: Queen Anne's Lace Photography

DJ: Josh Staley Production- Joe

Catering: Milo's Catering

Cake: Sugar Rush Columbus

Gown: Lastrinia Bridal

Designer: Martin Thornburg

See their Full Wedding Gallery Here

Emily and Jimmy's testimonial of their experience with QAL Photo-

"Larralyn was amazing to work with! I fell in love with the photos on her website. Before we even had our consultation call I was showing my coworkers her website. So I was so excited that she was available to photograph our wedding. They turned out gorgeous and the turn around was so quick. My husband was hesitant to add on the film photography because at that point he was tired of spending money but I saw the vision and it was so worth it. When we got the film photos back he said they were his favorite pictures of the whole gallery. And to top it all off, she even came out to Connecticut to do an engagement session for us."