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You'll probably discover that when you announce the happy news of your engagement to family and friends, their first response—"Congratulations!"—is followed immediately by, "When's the wedding?" The answer to that question may depend on where you'd like to hold the reception.

Paige Blunt and Pax Liptak had a vintage-Hollywood-themed wedding on Aug. 23, 2008, at the historic Worthington Inn. (Aion Arts)
First things first. Experts agree you should book a site at least a year in advance, particularly for a December wedding—which will face competition from holiday parties—or for weddings in the most locally popular months of May, June, September and October. But procrastinators, don't despair: Sometimes newer facilities or those in the city's outskirts don't book up as quickly as more established locations. And even the most coveted Columbus locations occasionally have last-minute openings due to cancellations.

Beware the Buckeyes. In Central Ohio, couples planning a fall wedding need to be mindful of the OSU football schedule. It's next to impossible to reserve many university-area facilities on a home game day. Other local events also can affect availability: Couples planning a reception at a golf club, for instance, should inquire about weekends blocked specifically for member use or tournaments.

Reconnaissance mission. Central Ohio has more than a hundred locations at which receptions can be held. For at-a-glance information on these sites—including maximum capacity, rental fees, average dinner price per person and much more—consult the Reception Guide chart in Columbus Bride magazine.

Other reception topics often covered in Columbus Bride:
• Deciding on a reception style
• Outdoor tents
• Setting a budget
• Choosing the time of day
• Questions to ask the site manager
• Decorating the hall
• Ice sculptures
• Selecting the menu
• Controlling alcohol costs
• Planning rehearsal dinners and morning-after brunches

For complete, detailed information on planning the perfect reception, read the current issue of Columbus Bride, which includes interviews with Central Ohio reception facility experts and photographs from real local weddings.

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