I am so honored to have been one of the first wedding photographers to get to photograph a wedding photoshoot inside the newly-renovated Dayton Arcade in downtown Dayton, Ohio.
The History of The Dayton Arcade
Throughout the last 30 years, many attempted to renovate the property to restore its former glory. Unfortunately, all of these attempts failed. Urban redevelopment expert Bruce Katz has famously called the Dayton Arcade “the most transformative project in America.”
Baltimore-based Cross Street Partners took on the challenge to transform the space for a new generation. Part of a larger plan by the City of Dayton to bring residents, jobs, and visitors back to the downtown, The Arcade project has high hopes for changing lives in the Dayton area.
This expansive renovation takes part in two phases. You can even watch the Waking the Giant Documentary on YouTube to learn more about how the project started and is going.
Dayton Arcade: The First Wedding Photoshoot
It has been well worth the wait for phase one to be completed because the architecture is absolutely breathtaking! The large skylight windows fill the rotunda with loads of natural lighting. This space is truly a wedding photographer’s dream. To say the building is beautiful is an understatement.
My mom has told me stories about how she used to come downtown as a teenager to visit The Arcade to shop and eat, so I knew I had to jump on the opportunity to get to photograph here. During this wedding shoot, there were four different styled vignettes in the main rotunda. Each of these spaces had its own theme and a team of wedding pro’s who decorated these areas to the nines. These quadrants surrounded a center “ceremony”. Altogether, we witnessed the beautiful potential of The Dayton Arcade live in action!
It was a pleasure to work with all of the incredible vendors at this photoshoot including:
- Â The Dayton Weddings
- Dayton Arcade Events
- Floral V Designs
- KMC Weddings
- Lost And Found Rentals
- Prime Time Party and Event Rentals
- J Char Designs
- Antoinette of Versailles
- Pure Couture Prom
- Unlimited Events Ohio
- The Cakery
- Let’s Do Makeup and Hair
- Gregory’s Tuxedos
- Flourish and Co.
- BLC Entertainment
- The Flying Key
- Furst The Florist
- Blush and Bloom Weddings
- Rachel Bakes and Co.
- Sherwood Florist
- Pink With Envy Events
- Balloon Dog Events
- The Flower Shoppe Dayton
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Dayton Arcade’s Exciting Future
I know all of Dayton is thrilled that they are finally restoring this sleeping giant and bringing it to life again. Plans for art galleries, restaurants, retail, and even apartments are in the works. It is truly special to have such a beautiful and versatile building here in our city.
I hope to be able to shoot many more weddings at The Arcade in the near future. It is an ideal wedding venue location that highlights the beauty that downtown Dayton has to offer.
What do you think of the Dayton Arcade renovations? Share your thoughts below! Xo, Ashley