Columbus, Ohio (January 24, 2012) — The Blackwell is pleased to announce they have been selected as a 2012 ­­winner in The Knot Best of Weddings, a special section in The Knot Ohio magazine and on theknot.com/columbus-ohio Weddings from The Knot (NYSE: XOXO; www.theknot.com), the number-one wedding resource that’s most trusted by brides. This is the second consecutive year The Blackwell has been voted the Top Pick for wedding ceremony and reception venues for The Knot Best of Weddings.

The Knot Best of Weddings 2012 provides a “by brides, for brides” guide to the top wedding professionals across the country, and is a must-have when it comes to selecting the best-of-the-best wedding resources. From New York florists and Seattle bridal salons to DC makeup artists, engaged couples will find detailed feedback on local wedding businesses reviewed by thousands of newlyweds who had great things to say.

“Our wedding reception could not have been more spectacular! The Blackwell helped with every detail, and guided us through the planning process. We had an autumn theme, and Chef incorporated that theme in our dinner, the colors, flavors, everything was amazing!! We even had a signature cocktail that was seasonally inspired, which all our guests raved about. These special touches made our reception unique to my husband and I and also made for a very memorable experience! The Blackwell, and especially their coordinator, Blaire, made us feel that our wedding was as special to them as it was to us!!! Thank you for such a wonderful experience!!”

For more information, please contact weddingreviews@theknot.com.

{Columbus,OH} – January 23, 2012 – WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding Marketplace, is excited to announce The Blackwell has been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for Ceremony & Reception Venue!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, The Blackwell was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.

The Blackwell is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Since the launch of the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program four years ago, thousands of outstanding wedding professionals have been recognized by the bridal community for their supreme service and dedication to the wedding industry. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate The Blackwell for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples.”

We are happy to announce that The Blackwell is one of the very best Ceremony and Reception Venues within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2012.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/the-blackwell-columbus/0eaf007a07659656.html.

To learn more about the Bride’s Choice Awards™, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire™, the nation’s leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.

Kristie and John didn’t miss a beat with all of the details for their wedding day!  Family and friends were welcomed to the Blackwell with colorful decor, all created by the bride and groom.  The outdoor ceremony consisted of white chairs set in front of a multi-colored ribbon backdrop that danced in the breeze.  Guests enjoyed fresh mojitos garnished with ribbon swivel sticks during cocktail hour.  The ballroom was dressed in playful hues of coral, peach, pink and lime green for dinner and the party danced throughout the night with entertainment from Glory Dayz live band!

Kristie's DYI Touch! (Photo Compliments of Reshon Photography)

Custom Ceremony Programs (Photo Compliments of Reshon Photography)

The Exchange of Rings (Photo Compliments of Reshon Photography)

Colorful Centerpieces and Linens Create a Fun Setting (Photo Compliments of Reshon Photography)

Lime Filled Centerpieces from All in Bloom (Photo Compliments of Reshon Photography)

Each Guest Took Home Colored Macaroons from Pistacia Vera (Photo Compliments of Reshon Photography)

Wedding Cake by our own Blackwell Pastry Department (Photo Compliments of Reshon Photography)

Such a Fun Celebration! Congrats Kristie and John!! (Photo Compliments of Reshon Photography)

One of my favorite weddings from this past summer was Jessica and Brian’s Southern Charm inspired reception. The trendy couple’s favorite vacation spot (and mine!!) is Charleston, South Carolina. They brought the romance of the South to the Buckeye State with iron lantern candle centerpieces with collections of mason jar votives wrapped with ribbon. Their soft color palate of gray, yellow and teal gave the Blackwell ballroom an ocean-side feel. The dance floor was surrounded with suspended paper lanterns that glowed with flickering lights that set an amazing outdoor ambiance. With all of Jessica and Brian’s amazing design ideas – the look of the room was truly stunning!

Jessica and Brian (Photo Compliments of James Willis Photography)

Whimsical Pinwheels, Lanterns and Window Shutters with Guest Place Cards (Photo Compliments of James Willis Photography)

Tuscan-Style Head Table (Photo Compliments of James Willis Photography)

The Ballroom was surrounded with Dramatic Teal Up Lighting (Photo Compliments of the Blackwell)

Wedding Cake by Alice's Piece of Cake (Photo Compliments of James Willis Photography)

First Dance (Photo Compliments of James Willis Photography)

We’re back and excited to start posting again in 2012!!

We’ve had a great kick off to the new year and had the opportunity to meet so many of you newly engaged ladies at the Columbus Bride Bridal Show downtown.  Check out our Winter Wedding inspired booth!

Winter Weddings at the Blackwell (Photo Compliments of the Blackwell)

Voted one of THE BEST Wedding Venues in Columbus, Ohio! (Photo Compliments of Comfort Photography)

Crystal and Sparkle (Photo Compliments of Comfort Photography)

Winter Wedding Cake (Photo Compliments of Comfort Photography)

Our Guests Sampled our Signature "Mocktail" (Photo Compliments of the Blackwell)

Great Show!

Columbus, Ohio – October 3, 2011 – “We are pleased to have the award-winning and nationally-recognized Chef David Wolf joining our team here at The Blackwell” stated Eric Adelman, General Manager of the upscale hotel on The Ohio State University campus, prior to Chef Wolf beginning his new position on August 22, 2011. 

Chef Wolf’s interest in cooking began at age 14 when he helped prepare traditional Italian cuisine in his grandmother’s kitchen.  At age 16, his first restaurant position launched his lifelong career in culinary arts.  Most recently, Chef Wolf, ACF Certified, was the Executive Chef of Hyatt on Capitol Square, Columbus, Ohio where he directed the culinary operations for the hotel featuring three restaurants/bars and a full-service banquet facility.

Chef Wolf’s extensive culinary education includes La Varenne Ecole d’Cuisine, Paris France, The International School of Confectionery Arts, Gaithersburg, Maryland; The Culinary Institute of America, St. Helena; and The Greenbrier, White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia.  He is a member of The American Culinary Federation, World Association of Cooks, the James Beard Foundation and the esteemed Commanderie des Costes du Rhone. Locally, Wolf holds a seat on the Columbus State Community College Advisory Board; he is the Columbus Chapter Chairman of the American Culinary Federation Apprenticeship Committee, and is serving a two-year term as Vice President, Columbus Chapter American Culinary Federation. Wolf received the prestigious Presidential Medallion in March 2008 for years of committed dedication to the ACF and training of apprentices in culinary arts.  In May 2008, Wolf participated in a hands-on continued education culinary tour of Sicily, Italy from east coast to west and upon his return was honored with the ACF Columbus Chapter 2008 Chef of the Year Award. In August of 2010, Wolf was inducted into the American Culinary Federations’ American Academy of Chefs, a prestigious honor society – hall of fame for the peer-respected colleagues in the food service industry today.

Chef Wolf is the father of two daughters Nicole (30) and Britney (26) and six grandchildren.   His personal aspiration is to dedicate a portion of his time to the national organization Share Our Strength (SOS) as well as locally to the Ohio Children’s Hunger Alliance and the ACF’s Chef and Child initiatives, all which support efforts to abolish world hunger. 

Executive Chef David Wolf (Photo Compliments of the Blackwell)

Rebecca and Jonathan celebrated their special day with elegance and class.  Black and white damask runners covered their reception tables with classic red rose centerpieces.  Rebecca’s ladies wore glamorous black dresses and carried red rose bouquets by Flower Galaxy, while the gentlemen looked dapper in their black tuxedos.  Encore Entertainment provided the sounds for the evening and the Blackwell Pastry Chef created the couple’s fabulous wedding cake. 

Getting Ready for the Big Day! (Photo Compliments of ICE Photography)

Head Table (Photo Compliments of ICE Photography)

The First Dance (Photo Compliments of ICE Photography)

Blackwell Wedding Cake (Photo Compliments of ICE Photography)

Rebecca and Jonathan: July, 2011 (Photo Compliments of ICE Photography)

Another one of my favorite weddings this year was Ashley and Scott’s amazing ceremony and reception that was inspired by the beautiful decor of the Asian culture.  The couple recited their vows to one another on the Patio in front of family and friends.  Guests were welcomed with Asian fans and escorted to their seats decorated with bold paper lanterns and fresh orchids.  After the ceremony concluded, guests enjoyed cocktail hour with a Chef Attended Dim Sum Station featuring Spring Rolls, Pot Stickers, Teriyaki Chicken Satay, Glass Noodle Soup Shooters and much more.  The Ballroom glistened as jewels hung from custom centerpieces provided by Bella Couture Events.  Authentic chopsticks were set at each place setting for guests to enjoy the Asian-inspired served meal that consisted of Sesame and Ginger Salad, Asian Glass Noodle Soup and guests’ choice of Filet, Sea Bass and Pad Thai.  The celebration continued into the night with the tasteful theme in the wedding cake and cupcakes provided by Piece of Cake and entertainment by Diamond DJ. 

Beautiful Setting for an Outdoor Ceremony (Photo Compliments of Kellogg Photography)

Exchanging Rings (Photo Compliments of Kellogg Photography)

The Head Table (Photo Compliments of Kellogg Photography)

Asian Trees with Dripping Jewels and Fresh Orchids by Bella Couture Events (Photo Compliments of Kellogg Photography)

Toasting the Happy Couple (Photo Compliments of Kellogg Photography)

Double Happiness Cake and Cupcakes provided by Piece of Cake (Photos Compliments of Kellogg Photography)

Ashley and Scott: July, 2011 (Photo Compliments Kellogg Photography)

Lindsey and Robert share one of my favorite love stories!  They both grew up being big buckeye fans and knew Ohio State was were they were going to go to college… little did they know that they would find each other at OSU.  The two celebrated their reception at the Blackwell in the spirit of Scarlet and Gray!

We are in the heart of wedding season at the Blackwell and it has been absolutely amazing working with such wonderful couples and seeing their visions come to life!  Look forward to to some shots of their wedding details coming soon!!!

{Photo Compliments of Comfort Photography}