Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown Hotel Wedding

Weddings

Mar 15

Laney & Austin’s Winter Wedding in Downtown Cincinnati

Laney and Austin’s wedding celebration in Cincinnati was filled with thoughtful details, joyful surprises, and one unforgettable moment that involved their beloved dog, Rainier.

The couple began their wedding festivities earlier in the week with an intimate Catholic ceremony att Bellarmine Chapel at Xavier University, surrounded by their closest family and wedding party. A few days later, they gathered with friends and loved ones in downtown Cincinnati for a larger celebration at the Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown Hotel, one of the city’s most dramatic historic wedding venues.

Despite a rainy January day, the entire wedding unfolded beautifully inside the hotel, where the elegant architecture of Burnham Hall created a stunning backdrop for portraits, ceremony, and reception.

Getting Ready at the Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown Hotel

Laney and Austin both began their wedding day at the Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown Hotel, where they prepared with their wedding party in the hotel’s elegant suites. Winter rain fell steadily outside, but inside the hotel the atmosphere felt warm and joyful as the day slowly began to unfold. One of the advantages of hosting a wedding at the Renaissance is how easily the entire day can take place within the building itself. From preparations to portraits, ceremony, and reception, the venue offers a seamless setting that allows couples and their guests to remain together in one beautiful location.

Once Laney was dressed and ready, we made our way to one of the smaller ballrooms for a private first look between the couple. The quiet space created a perfect moment for them to see one another before the celebration truly began. Their first look was emotional and relaxed—giving them a few minutes together before portraits and the rest of the wedding day.

But the next moment of the day was something neither of them expected!

A Surprise Guest: Rainier

One of the most meaningful moments of the day came as a complete surprise for the couple. Laney and Austin have an adorable Samoyed named Rainier—named after Mount Rainier, a nod to their shared love of the outdoors. Their dog is very much part of their family, and Laney’s bridesmaids wanted to find a way to include her in the wedding day. Working together with Karen from KMC Weddings & Events, the bridesmaids quietly arranged for Rainier to meet the couple in the hotel lobby during portraits. Because the Renaissance does not typically allow dogs inside the venue, the plan had to be carefully coordinated.

After Laney and Austin’s first look, we began photographing portraits along with the video team, Chasing Mozart, in one of the hotel’s ballrooms. Meanwhile, the surprise was waiting downstairs. At just the right moment, we guided the couple onto the elevator and down to the lobby where Rainier was waiting. When the doors opened, we walked around the corner and Laney immediately bent over with excitement, setting down her bouquet as Rainier ran straight toward them. The moment was pure joy and completely unexpected.

We only had about ten minutes with Rainier, but the photos captured some of the sweetest moments of the day. Later, a short video combining the surprise and photographs—captured by KMC Weddings—went viral on Instagram with over 1 million views, bringing a wave of love and excitement to the couple’s story. You can view the viral reel here!

Wedding Portraits in Burnham Hall

Because the weather outside was rainy and cold, all portraits took place indoors within the Renaissance. Fortunately, Burnham Hall’s dramatic architecture provided a beautiful setting for the entire portrait session. The soaring ceilings, grand windows, and elegant gold details created a timeless backdrop for portraits of the couple, their wedding party, and family. A soft draped backdrop was installed to section off the ballroom for the ceremony, which also created a lovely neutral setting for formal portraits. Working indoors can sometimes feel limiting, but the Renaissance offers such striking architectural spaces that the entire portrait portion of the day felt both elegant and relaxed.

Ceremony in Burnham Hall

Laney and Austin chose to host both their ceremony and reception inside Burnham Hall, allowing the day to unfold seamlessly for their guests. The ceremony took place in the beautifully draped ballroom, with music provided by StringSource. After the ceremony concluded, guests moved to cocktail hour while the room was transformed for the reception. This room flip allowed the space to shift from a romantic ceremony setting into a lively reception environment.

A Black and White Reception Design

The reception design embraced a classic black-and-white aesthetic that felt perfectly suited to the grand architecture of the Renaissance ballroom. A striking black and white checkered dance floor anchored the space, creating a beautiful visual contrast within the historic ballroom. Guests found their tables through a large custom seating chart designed by Oakley & Hyde Designs. The piece featured an illustration of Mount Rainier—a meaningful detail for the couple—and included a sweet hidden surprise: a small illustration of their dog Rainier tucked into the design. The cake and dessert bar from Tres Belle Cakes included a charming cake topped with two elegant swans, adding a playful yet romantic detail to the evening.

A Lively Celebration

As the reception began, Jeff (The Jeffy J) kept the energy high throughout the evening, filling the dance floor and creating a celebration that felt joyful and full of movement. Laney shared touching dances with both her father and her grandfather, and Austin with his mother, moments that were especially meaningful for the family. Later in the evening, the celebration took another fun turn when Xavier University’s mascots made a surprise appearance on the dance floor, delighting guests and adding an unexpected burst of energy to the party. Between the incredible music, beautiful design, and joyful guests, the evening felt like the perfect way for Laney and Austin to celebrate with the people they love most.