Blue weddings

The joy and festivity of a wedding is often compromised by pandemonium and anxiety in the days leading up to the big event. Friends and family members, trying to make everything just perfect, may frantically be confirming appointments with hairstylists, reviewing the playlist with the DJ, making sure the florist shows up, and securing the proper liquor to fill the groomsmen’s flasks before the ceremony.

Weddings needn’t be so stressful, assures Bethany Sterling, event planner at Blue Heron Event Center in Medina.

“Today’s brides and grooms are looking for an easy experience,” Bethany says. “That’s why our wedding packages are all-inclusive. We handle everything from planning services to chef-prepared food, to bar service, to music. We include a lot of services in our price that most venues charge extra for, and we provide a lot of things that other venues just simply can’t offer. Whether you envision a grand celebration or an intimate gathering, we’re here to bring your dream wedding to life.”

The planning process starts by contacting Bethany for information and to reserve a date.

“We start off by emailing lots of pictures of our venues and pricing options,” she explains. “We customize whatever you are looking for, because everyone wants something a little different. The next step is typically arranging a tour, where we’ll create a custom quote and answer all your questions. After that, we work with the bride and groom to plan everything from food tasting to floor plans and linen orders. And we take care of all the staffing and coordinate with your vendors to save you from the stress.”

Whether your wedding—or other special event—is held in Blue Heron’s fabulous Grand Ballroom or the more intimate Heron Room, Ben Erjavec, executive chef and co-owner of Blue Heron, promises a customized culinary experience to satisfy all tastes and budgets.

“Our food is not typical wedding food,” he insists. “It’s upscale restaurant dining with large portions and astonishing quality food for the price.”

And, Bethany promises, “there is flexibility on the menu selection. You may want to do steak, some nice seafood or surf & turf—or you can scale it down to something like a very simple pasta bar. There are plenty of options for events on any budget.”

Although Saturday is still the most popular day for weddings, Fridays and Sundays also have also become popular.

“We do three to five weddings every weekend,” Bethany says. “Many of our guests choose Fridays and Sundays because they’re getting the exact same wedding experience as on a Saturday, but for a much lower cost.”

Because of Blue Heron’s location, overlooking spectacular Austin Badger Park, wedding photos are most often done right on site, Bethany says.

“Our patio overlooking the park is only one of the beautiful photo options on our grounds,” Bethany says. “We have a spectacular fountain and a gorgeous amphitheater, which are dazzling, especially in the summer when all the flowers are blooming.”

The Holiday Inn Express off Route 18 offers convenient shuttle services for wedding guests who stay there, Ben says.

“It’s really ideal for people who have a lot of out-of-town wedding guests,” he says.

“Our inclusive wedding packages are filling up fast, and there are only a few dates left for 2025,” Bethany cautions.

You can say “I do” to your dream wedding at Blue Heron by visiting BlueHeronMedina.com or by calling 330-870-2583. Blue Heron Event Center is located at 3227 Blue Heron Trace in Medina. You can get the latest updates on parties and entertainment on Facebook @BlueHeronMedina and Instagram @BlueHeronEventCenter and @BlueHeronPub.