Vendor Suggestions
At Carawood Lake, we do not require you to use any specific vendors. However, we are happy to provide recommendations for some local vendors who we know from experience provide great service and tend to fit into the budgets of our clients.
All of our Suggested Vendors post their prices on their websites and have a variety of packages, so that most of our clients can find a great package that fits comfortably within their budget.
(I try my best to keep accurate summaries of my suggested vendor’s packages, but as individual professionals, they control their packages and pricing, so use these numbers as ballpark estimates rather than definitive quotes! )
Some Great Food Choices
Sterk’s Catering
(440) 775-0028
580 W. Lorain St., Oberlin, OH 44074
Four service level options for all food packages ranging from self-serve to full service complete with serving staff, real china plates, and stainless silverware.
Classic Catered buffets $16-$28/person
Pasta bar $14-$22/person
Fajita & taco bar $17-$25/person
BBQ: $23-$31/person
Other options: Grilled chicken & ribs; Luau; Pig roast; Steak Fry
Fligner’s Market
(440) 244-5173
1854 Broadway Avenue, Lorain, OH 44052
Self-serve and full service options.
Classic Catered buffet $13.50-$16.50/person + 20% service charge
Appetizer trays available (fruit, veggie, cheese, shrimp, bruschetta, meats, etc..): $30(ish)-$60(ish) per tray
Steak fry: $18-$19.50/person
Desserts available
China available for $5/person
City Barbeque
Avon location: (440) 230-8563
35495 Chester Rd, Avon, OH 44011
Self-serve and full service options. For their Delivery & Set-up level of service, prices range from $15.50- $27/person.
Cheaper packages include your choice of 1 meat and 2 sides
More expensive options include up to 2 meats, 3 sides, and a dessert
Other options: Appetizer trays, taco and nacho bars, a la carte meats (including ribs), vegetarian options, and more
Full service staffed events - contact them for a quote.
Memory-Makers
Mikayla Naylor Photography
Contact form
Based in Oberlin, OH
About Mikayla:
“I am here to make your day a breeze. I am so much more than a photographer, I am your organizer, drink-getter, hair fixer, tissue -grabber and so much more. But I also get to have the honor of capturing your special day. When the day is done, and you walk out of your reception hall as married at last, the only thing that remains is the memories and photographs.”
Her standard wedding package is $3400, which includes 10 hours of coverage, a second photographer, 1000+ images delivered, and a complimentary engagement session.
Smaller packages range from $2000-$3000, with all packages coming with an online gallery and print release. Add-ons are available including extra hours of coverage, an additional photographer, and engagement and boudoir sessions,
Payment plans plus pay-in-full and military discounts available.
The Candid Crow Photo Co.
Contact form
Based in Elyria, OH
About Josh and his style:
“I've been a professional photographer for 20 years, specializing in weddings for the last 15. My educational background is in multimedia and film and that influences the way I shoot. I try to offer my couples something more cinematic with natural tones for a timeless look without heavy filters, focusing on you in your element..”
His standard wedding package is $3400 and includes 11 hours of coverage, a second photographer, a 48-hour sneak peek turnaround, and a complimentary engagement session.
Smaller packages are available for $1900-$2800. All packages include timeline assistance, a preview in 3 days, same-day prints, and an online gallery with downloads and printing rights available in under 12 weeks.
Entertainment
WKH Entertainment
(216) 236-3418
Based in North Ridgeville, OH
A fabulous, fully-insured, local DJ with a wide range of offerings, fun upgrades, and reasonable and transparent pricing.
Popular add-ons include “dancing on a cloud”, “dancing in the snow”, dynamic LED tube lights that sync with your music for a real party vibe, audio guest book, photobooth, and more!
Basic packages start at $500 and go up to $3000 for the “Lux” which includes 7 hours of service plus all the bells and whistles, with tons of options in between!
Coordinators
Front Porch Planning Co.
(440) 482-3868
frontporchplanningco@gmail.com
Based in Amherst, OH
A small team of planners and coordinators that offer day-of / month-of coordination services. For $1000, they’ll be there for 8-10 hours on your wedding day, and up to 2 hours the night before to help coordinate the rehearsal. They will help with set-up, food service and clean-up, serve as the point of contact for vendors, and keep the flow of the reception moving comfortably.
They also offer smaller decor assistance packages and several higher end planning and design services as well!
Fresh Flowers
Magic Meadows Flower & Herb Farm
magicmeadowsohio@gmail.com
Lorain, OH
Offering a la carte designs and bulk DIY buckets (no full service), with flowers grown specifically for you!
A great option for locally grown, seasonal flowers, in a variety of stunning color palettes.
“We take your general color palette and vibe and let it grow into something lovely. All of our flowers are locally grown, grown for you, and harvested at their peak for your beautiful day.”
Designed bouquets (“a la carte”) typically range from approximately $40-$110.
Other Affordable Options for Bulk Flowers:
Linen upgrades
L’nique Specialty Linens
(216) 986 -1600
7685 Hub Parkway Valley View, OH 44125
If you are looking to upgrade your tablescape, L’nique offers a wide variety of beautiful specialty linens, including tablecloths, runners, chair covers, sashes, napkins, and placemats in huge variety of fabrics, colors, and patterns. They also offer delivery and set-up services, and can even make custom pieces for you.
Nearby Lodging
The Hotel at Oberlin
10 E College St, Oberlin, OH 44074
(440) 775-7001
Located just 3-5 minutes down the road from Carawood Lake, The Hotel at Oberlin is a nice, trendy hotel right in the heart of the cute little town of Oberlin. It is across the street from Tappan Square, has a restaurant, and is withing walking distance of all the shops and restaurants in Oberlin.
Local Air BnB’s
3rd floor suite: up to 4 guests (1 queen bed, 1 futon), 1 full bath.
On a quiet street, 1 block from downtown Oberlin, 5 min drive to Carawood Lake.
Reliable, local owners