The number of guests Fawcett Center can accommodate varies by the additional setup requirements that you may have. We recommend 250 or less for the most comfortable fit. Keep in mind, the adjacent Patio is also available with the Ballroom rental; it may be tented at an additional cost to accommodate guests. Please ask our Wedding Coordinator for more details.
The Fawcett Center is proud to host wedding ceremonies for up to 250 guests. Our Wedding Coordinator will be happy to walk you through available ceremony setup options. Please note that we require one hour to transition the space for your reception. During this time, guests can enjoy a cocktail hour in the Club Room (accommodating up to 120 guests). For larger groups, our spacious lobby provides an ideal setting. A $1,000 setup fee applies for on-site ceremonies.
Your event is contracted for eight (8) hours, including the time spent for a pre-reception/cocktail hour. Additional hours may be added for $350 per hour until 11:00pm. Bars over four (4) hours must have a break.
Your final guest count is due one week prior to your event date. After this time, you may not decrease your guest count, but, in most cases, you may add a few guests up until 36 business hours prior to the event date with a fee per meal added.
Parking at the Fawcett Center is included with the rental of the facility. To obtain complimentary parking, attendees are required to print an event permit provided by the Fawcett Center and place it on their front vehicle dashboard upon arrival.
Decorations are subject to the following restrictions: glitter, confetti, open flames, and any items affixed to walls or ceilings are not permitted. Event materials may be dropped off up to two business days in advance.
Clients are responsible for any additional setup required on the day of the event. If extra setup time is needed, please ensure it is included in your booking. All personal belongings must be removed within 24 hours following the event.
Columbus offers a wide range of accommodations; many conveniently located near the Fawcett Center. We highly recommend The Blackwell Inn, an upscale hotel just steps from our venue and the only hotel located on The Ohio State University campus. For additional nearby options, please visit the University Hospitality District website, which features a variety of hotels to suit every need and budget.
We encourage couples to schedule a wedding rehearsal to ensure a smooth ceremony. Rehearsal dates and times will be coordinated with your Event Coordinator and are subject to availability based on other scheduled events in the building. Please consult with the Wedding Coordinator to confirm space and timing.
Outside catering is not permitted at the Fawcett Center. We are proud to offer in-house catering provided by our exceptional culinary team, led by our Executive Chef and a skilled team of Sous Chefs.
While outside catering is not permitted, couples are welcome to provide a wedding cake from a licensed external vendor. Please share the vendor’s information and delivery details with your Wedding Coordinator in advance.
Please note that homemade cakes are not permitted due to food safety regulations.
Special menu requests can be accommodated and should be submitted through your Wedding Coordinator, who will consult directly with our Executive Chef to explore available options.
We offer a complimentary tasting for up to four guests to enjoy the menu our Executive Chef and his team have created for your special day.
Event minimums do apply and can be met through a combination of food, beverage, service charges, room rental, audio-visual equipment, and other related event expenses (excluding third-party rentals). These minimums are based on your estimated total event cost.
The Fawcett Center team is happy to assist you in upgrading your food or beverage selections to help meet your event minimum. However, if the minimum revenue (excluding tax) is not met, the remaining balance will be invoiced accordingly.
To secure your event date, a contract will be issued outlining the event details, including date, time, deposit requirements, and related terms. You will have two weeks to review and return a signed copy to confirm your reservation.
A two-week courtesy hold may be placed on the date, which allows you “first right of refusal” if another party is interested. After the two weeks, you may request a contract or release the date.
The Fawcett Center accepts cash, check, or major credit cards. A deposit schedule will be sent to you with your contract with payments broken down over several months until the final payment. The final payment will be due seven business days prior to your wedding, and a credit card authorization form must be on file for any incidentals. The final payment will include all applicable taxes and service charges.
Current sales tax rates will apply to all food and beverage charges, and 22% service charge (subject to change) is automatically added to food and beverage. If you wish to add additional gratuity, this is at your discretion and can be arranged through the Fawcett Wedding Coordinator.
All deposits are non-refundable. However, if you need to reschedule your event, deposits may be transferred to a new date—provided the new event is rebooked and held within six months of the original date. Rescheduling is subject to facility availability and prior approval from The Fawcett Center management team.
The Fawcett Center permits DJ or live music and may be accommodated dependent upon the number of guests, room setup and power requirements. It is important to provide our Wedding Coordinator with specific space requirements and any requests from the band to make appropriate arrangements.
We have a list of vendors that we have worked with in the past, but you are not required to use them. Feel free to request more information from our Wedding Coordinator.