Bride retreat to open just outside Elyria

CARLISLE TWP. — An escape for brides tucked away in Carlisle Township is set to open May 1. The Love Is All You Need retreat is a former schoolhouse located at the corner of Russia and West Ridge roads, just outside Elyria. It's run by Mark and Katrina Kubicina, who run a photography business for weddings, and that's where the idea for a bridal retreat originated. Katrina Kubicina said it's nice for photographers to have a large space with good lighting to be able to take photos while the bridal party is getting ready. She said they want to give them the best photos, and the house has the right lighting and plenty of space. But she said there's also a lot of stress on brides to make sure their house is cleaned and ready for a bridal party and for photos. Katrina Kubicina said she wanted to lessen that stress by giving them a retreat where the whole bridal party can stay. Parties can stay there the day before and day of the wedding. The house has three bedrooms and can sleep eight to 16 people. It has two full bathrooms, along with a kitchen and a laundry room. The house also is fully stocked and there's an outside patio and a yard for various lawn games. It was repurposed as a house over 10 years ago by another couple who sold it to the Kubicinas in November. It was built in the 1800s. Katrina Kubicina said they fell in love with the house when it was listed for sale. They had originally been looking in the Brook Park area, close to where they live, but she said this was the house they wanted. She's putting together a list of local places the bridal party can check out while they stay there. Love Is All You Need has already booked a couple of stays after it opens. That includes some bachelorette parties and a wedding shower. It's open for any couple to book, although Katrina Kubicina said she's going to give her clients first dibs on the property. There's room for expansion in the large garage, too. Mark Kubicina said they're hoping to turn that into a place for groomsmen to hang out before the wedding and get ready. With the wedding season for 2021 expected to be busy, Katrina Kubicina said she hopes people will book the site through the year. They will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for the retreat from noon to 3 p.m. April 24 at the location, 42764 Russia Road. Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com.