Ohio Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

Organic, Botanical Wedding In Cincinnati’s French Park

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Dusty blue, navy, primrose, and blush.

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French Park in Cincinnati incorporated this couple’s effortless love of nature at the red brick manor, which allowed for a space to host their event while also enjoying the beauty of the public park. “We both love spending time outdoors – walking our dog, going on hikes, gardening. So we knew we wanted to have our wedding be outdoors. We picked The French House because it was perfect for this as well as being able to have our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception on site. Our wedding planner, Samantha, captured our personalities perfectly and our love of nature and incorporated a lot of these elements into the design.”

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Sentimental in spirit, Shelby and Nick have always loved quiet time spent together. They first met working together at a bar and grill in downtown Cincinnati. Throughout their relationship, the two have enjoyed time spent outdoors with their dog, hiking, and gardening. While their engagement wasn’t flashy, they describe it as being “very us.” Nick proposed with a family heirloom ring from his grandmother while the two were cozy in their living room. It was perfectly sentimental.

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Shelby wore a white ‘fit and flare’ dress from Lace Bridal with gold hoops from her Oma, a pearl necklace as a bracelet from her mom, and a small necklace. After dinner, Shelby changed into a custom jumpsuit, originally converted from her mother’s wedding dress from 1990.

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Shelby’s bridesmaids wore sheath dresses with a variety of necklines and in a variety of shades of blue.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Nick wore a blue suit with black trim with a light purple bowtie. His suit was from Generation Tux.[/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Guests had three entree options for dinner: blue crab-stuffed Atlantic sole, five-spiced crispy skinned airline chicken bread, and seasoned pork loin.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Floral arrangements utilized dainty buds and smaller blooms with plenty of greenery. This made the oversized hanging installations feel light, like soft floral clouds. The natural woods of the tables and rich browns of decor elements reinforced the earthy color palette of muted yellows, mauves, and blues. As the day moved to the reception, a gorgeous tent was set with long drapey curtains that delicately let in the daylight. An outdoor dance floor was printed with the same watercolor design as their invitations to tie everything together.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Shelby and Nick served a tiered white wedding cake with a wildflower-inspired display traveling up the side.[/field]
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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]”One of our family members turned a tapestry from Shelby’s late grandma into a ‘wedding tapestry’ that we used as a guest book. We had Sharpies for guests to sign the tapestry, and after the wedding, she embroidered every signature and message. It is a really special reminder of our big day.”[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]”Some design details we loved were the overhead floral display above the head table and the printed dance floor that was a copy of the watercolor in our wedding invitation. Both really completed the room.”[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]”There were so many great moments during the wedding, but spending the morning and afternoon getting ready with our bridal parties and parents was a really special way to start the day. We also chose to write written vows and read them to each other at our first look before the ceremony. It was nice to have a private moment together for that before the excitement of the wedding officially started.”[/field]
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You Need to See This Fairytale Wedding for a Couple With a Storybook Kind-of Love!

This couple began the new chapter in their story with the most timeless wedding complete with a princess-like Badgley Mischka ball gown! Kirkbrides planned their most memorable day that was as classic as love itself, with a church ceremony and fairytale reception at The Old Courthouse. Plantscaping Blooms chose lush floral arrangements in subtle shades to accentuate the beauty of their lofty reception venue. The couple’s custom monogram by Minor Details CLE added personal touches in meaningful ways — from the invitation suite and wax seals to the seating chart and bar menu! Erika Medlin captured their love story, so take it all in at the full gallery!

From the Bride… The story of Eddie and I begins as all modern love stories do these days—on a dating app. In 2018, I made the move from Cleveland, Ohio down to Columbus, Ohio to begin my career in fashion merchandising. Similarly, Eddie had recently relocated from Indianapolis to Columbus for work post grad school. I had only been in Columbus for a couple of weeks before I was encouraged by a friend to download the dating app Bumble as a fun way to meet people and make new friends in the city. Eddie must have had the same thought because shortly after, we matched profiles and our first date was planned! On a beautiful Saturday night in April, Eddie picked me up at my apartment with flowers in hand like a true gentleman (I knew he was a keeper from the start!) and then we were off to dinner and drinks. After our date, I remember telling my mom just how “smitten” I was with Eddie. I knew immediately that he was special and that he was placed into my life for a reason. It just felt so right! We began dating that spring, but because nothing ever goes to plan, a few weeks later Eddie told me that he was being relocated back to Indiana for work. We decided to take a chance on love and give long-distance dating a go and we are so happy that we did. After a long year of being apart and several weekend road trips later, our relationship continued to grow more serious and Eddie found himself moving back to Ohio…again!

After another year together, Eddie planned the most beautiful storybook proposal at The Greenbrier in West Virginia. We had always talked about wanting to go there together someday, but little did I know he was planning the surprise of a lifetime that would take place at the resort. Eddie had secretly worked with my boss to get me off work and my friends helped me pack for the weekend. I had no idea where we were headed until we got in the car and drove toward West Virginia. I was so excited when I realized we were going to The Greenbrier! Our jaws hit the floor when we arrived at the resort. Greeted by warm hospitality and gorgeous Dorothy Draper designs, we were ready for the weekend to begin! Eddie had a plan in place this whole time. He sent me to the spa while I thought he went golfing, but it turns out that as soon as I left the room Eddie went into full planning mode, got dressed and met with the photographer and videographer her hired (fun fact: Erika and Josh did our wedding day photography and video as well!). When I got back to the room shortly after, he was not there but there were two white dresses and a note on the bed saying to pick a dress and meet him at the North Parlor Patio at 6pm, sharp! When I walked through the doors of the North Parlor, it was like a scene from the Bachelor. Eddie was standing there on the balcony with the sun shining and the mountains perfectly placed behind him. He took my hands, got down on one knee, I said “YES!”, and the rest is history! It was an unforgettable day.

When it came to planning our wedding, I hit the ground running very quickly. I was definitely one of those little girls who grew up dreaming of her wedding! My mom owned a wedding dress shop when I was young, and ever since then I have been in love with all things wedding related. It came as no surprise to friends and family that we had already picked out our reception venue prior to our engagement! After seeing a wedding at The Old Courthouse on Instagram and falling in love with the ornate details, grand columns, and gorgeous staircase, we were set on having our reception there. We also knew we wanted to work with a wedding planner to help our vision come to life in this space. We were lucky to have found Kirkbrides Wedding Planning & Design early in the process. They are the best of the best! From my first call with our planner, Stephanie Anter, I knew she understood and would execute our vision of an elegant, romantic, timeless wedding with a slight modern touch. Our florist, Arne Klein of Plantscaping & Blooms, was also essential in bringing our ideas to fruition.

We chose a neutral color palette of white, ivory and champagne accented with gold details and a large emphasis on foliage and greenery to allow the venue itself to really shine. Our church, St. John Cantius Church, was also breathtaking on its own so our timeless colors and florals accentuated the beauty of this space. Additionally, we loved the idea of creating a custom monogram for our wedding and incorporating it in meaningful ways throughout event. With the help of Jen from Minor Details CLE, our monogram was used start to finish—from our invitation suite and wax seals to our seating chart, bar menu and band surround, the personalization was spot on. Our wedding day was absolutely picture-perfect, and we could not have done it without Stephanie and our amazing vendor team!

A Spring Elopement Inspired By the Romance and Whimsy of This Unique Monique Lhuillier Gown!

Say hello to an inspiration shoot that embodies everything we love about Springtime weddings – organic arrangements that look like they’ve been picked straight from the garden, airy gowns, and sunset portraits in blooming fields. Magnolia Hill Farm provided the most beautiful, sunflower-filled backdrop for today’s stunning Spring elopement. Passiflora Studios and Jenny Haas Photography drew inspiration for the overall design from the whimsical Monique Lhuillier gown, complete with a soft pastel color palette. For all the pretty details, head on over to the full gallery!

From Jenny Haas Photography… This Spring elopement style inspiration shoot featuring our bride and groom Grace and Devin, was designed by Passiflora Studios and Jenny Haas Photography.

Our inspiration was drawn from the romance and whimsy of the unique Monique Lhuillier gown, and soft pastel colors of spring. Our shoot took place at Magnolia Hill Farm with a vast landscape.

Caroline with Passiflora designed an arch in the courtyard for the ceremony space as the golden sun was beginning to set over the rolling hills making for the perfect backdrop.

Not Your Typical Wedding Color Brought This Inspiration Shoot To Life At Cliffside Acres!

A pop of color like a deep blue or a bright pink we tend to see in wedding day details, but black isn’t one we see too often. Samantha Joy Events changed that with this inspiration shoot, with ceremony and reception chairs and Roots Floral Design with the floral arrangement vases. Giving the shoot a touch of elegance, I have to say I love the black mixed with the softer color palette, at Cliffside Acres. Add in a champagne wall and stunning hanging installations by Paige Makes and you have modern day magic all photographed by Chelsey and Jordan Photography.

From Chelsey and Jordan Photography…Cliffside Acres is a new, modern farmhouse located in central Ohio. Although, Cliffside has seen many couples through their doors already, the vendor team wanted to showcase how the farmhouse can be used in a more upscale, unique, and modern setting.

From Cliffside’s large window paned black doors, we pulled our first color inspiration. Touches of black can be seen throughout the chairs of the ceremony and reception as well as throughout the floral centerpiece vessels. Couples may fear this color, but black can give off a sense of luxury and clean lines.

With this being an early fall event, the rest of the color palette was warm and inviting. Red-ish, brown anthuriums were the highlight flower of the arrangements followed closely by the Cafe Latte and Coffee roses. The orchids, amaranthus, and anthuriums helped bring the modern aesthetic we wanted to achieve while the many rose varieties help soften the palette.

With thousands of weddings a year, we wanted to showcase a new and exciting way to elevate a ceremony or reception space. Paige Makes, an event installation designer, hand painted the acrylic pieces that were hung from the hanging ceremony installation and escort card display. These event decor installations aren’t seen often in the wedding world and we have seen clients looking to make their events more personal and unique.

With new education on flower and cakes- being that most flowers are poisonous and should not be used on cakes- we wanted to bring on Ohio’s newest cake designer, Icon Cakes, who specializes in sugar flowers and unique cake flavors. Realistic sugar flowers is becoming a trend and we hope it is here to stay!

An important element for engaged couples to consider is their guest experience. There are many areas throughout a wedding that can be elevated with flowers, paper goods, and design. From the love poem to welcome guests when they arrive, to an over-the-top champagne tower installation, couples should thoughtfully consider how paper goods and flowers can elevate these spaces! We loved how Victoria Fiaretti used her paper goods to bring in the couples personality and love story as well elevate these spaces.

Overall, the wedding designer, Samantha Joy, and the floral designer, Kaytee Stice from Roots Floral Design, wanted to bring a warm colorful palette together in a refined and modern way. The cohesive and unique design is meant to inspire brides looking for a more custom affair.

How to Give an Industrial Wedding Venue a Romantic, Old World Feel

If you love the idea of dressing up a blank space but have no idea where to begin, then today’s styled shoot is the perfect inspo for you! The talented team at Kirkbrides knew just how to turn this industrial venue into a romantic scene straight out of a fairytale, thanks to some floral magic by Dietz Floral Studio and a dreamy neutral palette. To see all the details from this gorgeous day, check out the full gallery of images – all taken by The Cannons Photography!

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Https://thecannons. Passgallery. Com/-kirkbridesindustrialgarden/gallery

When Courtney with The Cannons Photography first reached out to see if we would be interested in planning and designing a large scale styled shoot for her boutique photography conference – The Graceful Gathering, we were thrilled! We knew the best way to style this shoot was to embrace the name of the conference by using flowy chiffon textiles and soft neutral colors with old world touches. The idea started when looking through Borrow Curated Furniture & Design’s inventory for our statement piece – the Joshua swing & arbor! How unique would it be to have a swing as our bride & groom’s seating at the end of a large king’s table? Paired with four of their farmhouse style tables and matching chairs, we had the ideal setting for a social affair. The Lake Erie Building’s natural light and industrial atmosphere was the perfect backdrop. The concrete floors and brick walls offset with cascading greenery and soft, elegant florals brought our theme of a mixed metals garden to life. Dietz Floral Design also created three stunning bouquets filled with garden roses, ranunculus, blueberry branches, and soft pink peonies. Adorned with tall taper candles and dusty rose chiffon runners, the tablescape was set under elegant gold chandeliers flooded with greenery. The gold-rimmed chargers, lace dinner plates, and neutral linen napkins were chosen from Lasting Impressions Event Rental. Combined with their brushed gold flatware and pink goblets, each place setting also featured a raw edged scroll place card designed by Gold Leaf Calligraphy to create an old world yet graceful look. We wanted to keep the design sophisticated yet simple all while bringing touches that were unique. Luna Bakery & Café’s elegant two-tiered cake with gold accents sat beautifully atop a custom six-foot long, hand-lettered scroll that flowed across the floor. The style accented that of the raw edged paper, gray script, and dusty rose envelopes in Pink Tomato Creative’s invitation suite. Further showcasing our old world romance concept, Something White Bridal Boutique brought in two stunning yet very different Carol Hannah gowns. The timeless fit and flare style of the silk Maquette gown complimented the layered linen ballgown skirt and lace bustier of the Kensington. The WTOO A-line bridesmaids dress with its fun and flirty ruffles was from The Dress Bridal Boutique. Keeping up with the classic and whimsical style, Bubbles and Brews brought in a vintage mobile bar accentuated with various floral pieces.”

Instagram Handles for Vendors:
PLANNER Kirkbrides Wedding Planning & Design
PHOTOGRAPHER & SHOOT HOST:@thecannonsphotography & @thegracefulgathering
FLORIST @dietzfloralstudio
INVITATIONS: @pinktomatocreative
DRESSES: @somethingwhitebridal
VENUE: @lakeeriebuilding
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: @thedressmedina
VIDEOGRAPHER: @ashley_mccomb
CALLIGRAPHER: @goldleafcalligraphy
SHOES: @bellabelleshoes
RING BOXES: @the_mrs_box
RIBBON: @nettle_and_silk
FURNITURE RENTALS:@borrow_currated
BUBBLES & BREWS CART: @bubblesandbrewsohio
MAKEUP: @american_beauty_artistry_llc
HAIR: @UrbaneSociety
MODELS: @sirpillasoirees @jasminpettaway @caitlynrudolph
RENTALS: @lirentsevents
CAKE @lunacakeshop

Stunning Pastel Micro-Wedding With Overflowing Summer Florals

When today’s beautiful couple was forced to cancel their elegant outdoor wedding at Laurel Court due to COVID, they found somewhere equally as stunning and even more meaningful to celebrate their day – the bride’s family home. With sweeping willow trees and a romantic pond on the property, it made for the perfect place to say “I do!” Emily Rose Florist decorated the space with lush, pastel summer blooms while Chelsey and Jordan Photography captured all the magic! Head on over to the full gallery to check out all the inspiration.

From Chelsey and Jordan Photography… Nicole and Blake both live in Cincinnati, Ohio and immediately fell in love after their first date. They both claim that they knew the other was “the one” and it has been true happiness ever since they both swiped right. As lovers of a good bourbon, classic elegance, and soft pastel colors, they knew their wedding day would emulate these things. Unfortunately, they had to cancel their elegant outdoor wedding at Laurel Court because of COVID and opted, instead, for an intimate backyard ceremony. The bride and groom both got ready at Nicole’s parent’s house as their awesome team of vendors prepared and set up the beautiful details that adorned their celebration.

Emily Rose Florist worked hard creating organic and lush florals that complimented her soft summer color palette. Nicole’s bouquet and Blake’s boutonniere were both hand crafted and were a nice juxtaposition of the grey suit and muted pink bridesmaid dresses! Each bridesmaid was allowed to choose her own dress and was able to show off her personality and unique style. The property the wedding was held on is actually the bride’s parents’ backyard! The beautiful lush green lawn backs up to a pond and a hilly golf course with mature trees and plenty of greenery. Emily Rose Florist created an overflowing floral arch that’s close to the ground to enhance the natural landscape of the property and the beautiful view.

The couple shared personal and intimate vows to one another and there was not a dry eye there. Luckily, they were able to live stream the ceremony to their family and friends who could not be in attendance! Even though the ceremony ended with an unleashing of rain and thunder, they were able to complete their ceremony and first kiss under an awning with the soft raining pattering around them. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a glass of Weller 12 Year, Nicole and Blake’s favorite bourbon and enjoyed listening to smooth jazz as the bride and groom took romantic portraits outside. Nicole was a vision in her Allure Bridal dress as Blake twirled her between the large, sweeping willow trees and walked alongside the romantic pond on the property.

Blake and Nicole chose for their guests to sign their specially created family crest. Nicole commissioned an artist to create a crest with the letter P as the focal point, as her new last name is “Potter.” Around the letter is all of their favorite things- shown in symbol format. It signifies the merging of two individuals- into one loving united entity of marriage. To create a venue-like experience, the gorgeous tablescape, designed by Nicole herself, was adorned with romantically lit candles, specialty linen from La Tavola, unique porcelain plates, hand-crafted menus designed by Rose Gold Studio, and individual floral vases created by Emily Rose Florist. Nicole’s dad was busy grilling up Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse steaks as Nicole’s brother both officiated the wedding and was the bartender for the cocktail hour. The guests snacked on Jeff Ruby hors d’oeuvres as Nicole and Blake shared a dance and joined their group of intimate loved ones to celebrate their marriage in a curated and special way. They ended the evening sharing a delicious and intimate meal and celebrating the joining of two people starting a new life together.

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This Might Be The Most Pinterest Worthy Wedding Ever

Hold onto your seat! Every single inch of this Ohio wedding is overflowing with pretty. From a wow champagne wall to a custom pink dance floor- this is one wedding we can’t stop gushing over! A Charming Fete created thoughtful moments at every turn like pink wine key favors as a nod to the bride’s family owning local wine and spirits company Minotti’s. The charming details were perfectly captured by the all-talented Lauren Gabrielle Photography. Prepare to be amazed when you see all the epic images in the full gallery.

From A Charming Fete… The bride and groom, Leah and Oliver, are childhood sweethearts, first meeting in 5th grade! They dated on and off throughout high school prior to rekindling their love (for good) post-college.

There was no shortage of fun at this wedding, including a beautiful champagne wall welcoming guests to cocktail hour and pink wine key favors. Leah absolutely loves the color pink so we wanted to do something special to wow her. Designing from the ground up, we worked with a graphic designer to create the perfect pink and white tile design to be used as a custom dance floor at the heart of the room.

The pink cake with delicate, intricate sugar flowers was also quite special. Shades of pink were bountiful in the linens, florals and special details. Olive branches for (Oliver) were also incorporated as well as plush sage green velvet fabrics. What a wedding it was!

Step Aside Neutrals This Bright And Bold Styled Shoot Will Make You Swoon

A neutral color palette seems to go hand-in-hand with an elegant estate wedding. That is until Events Held Dear and Nicole Clarey Photography teamed up to break the mold! They created a styled inspiration shoot filled with bright bursts of color that only add to the grandeur of the day. A pink gown, vibrant centerpieces, and an intricately designed floral cake prove that fun color pops can be incredibly chic. See all of the vividly designed day in the full gallery.

From Events Held Dear… While we love crisp whites and ivories and minimalistic design, we’re also color-lovers at heart and were wildly excited to bring some color into this estate in Northern Ohio.

We staged a small ceremony in the garden, had flower petals thrown as the couple was ‘married’, and Roots Floral Design took her floral concept to the ground – an installation we loved and would love to see brides do more of!

For the tablescape, we were ready to go with big color for the linen, so we settled on a velvet blue linen. It was the perfect shade and tied really well with all the pinks, creams, mauves and purples proving that color can be elegant!

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Feeling Stumped on Ways to Personalize Your Wedding? Allow This Wedding to Inspire!

Endless personalized details, an iconic ballroom reception, the sweetest couple and a late-night pretzel bar… this my friends is what we call a dream wedding. Kirkbrides Wedding Planning and Design left no detail left unturned, making sure the couple’s unique personalities and background were well represented throughout the wedding day decor. Head on over to the full gallery captured by Lauren Gabrielle Photography to see all the magic unfold!

From the Bride… Stephen and I have been together for eight amazing years. We were set up by my older sister and her now husband, who lived with Stephen in college at Ohio State. They forced Stephen and me to sit next to each other at a group movie outing, even though we had never met. I was a freshman and Stephen was a junior, and I never thought an older guy could be interested in me! We hit it off right away. I knew Stephen was special as soon as I met him—he was kind, smart, generous, and warm. We spent almost every day together while we were both in college at the same time. Stephen then moved back to Cleveland to start medical school at Case Western Reserve, but we visited each other on the weekends. I eventually joined him and our families in Cleveland and started at Case’s dental school two years later. Then, Stephen moved to Chicago for residency at Northwestern, so we were long-distance again. Once I graduated from dental school, I was able to move to Chicago as well.

We always joke that we never got out of the “honeymoon phase” of people who are newly dating—every day with him feels like the best day ever. I feel so lucky to be with him and for the beautiful life we have shared. And our engagement and wedding both felt like something out of a dream! For my spring break in March 2018, we decided to visit some college friends who had moved to London. I am Irish, so we decided to visit Ireland too. We stayed in an old castle that is now a hotel for our first night in Dublin. Stephen had given his camera to the hostess at the hotel’s restaurant while I was getting ready for dinner. While I was perusing the menu, Stephen got down on one knee. It was so romantic for an Irish girl who was born on St. Patrick’s day to get engaged at a former castle in Ireland! I still can’t believe it was real. My favorite thing about our wedding was the personal details. Allison Miller from Kirkbrides helped Stephen and me choose details that represented our heritages, likes, and family traditions. I love that we stayed true to ourselves throughout the wedding planning; we wanted our wedding to feel not just classic and timeless, but uniquely ours—and not a wedding where the bride and groom could have been anyone.

Stephen is Jewish, so we had a Jewish ceremony performed by a rabbi from Stephen’s family temple. I am Catholic, so we had a priest, who is a friend of my grandmother, join us at our rehearsal dinner for a blessing. We included an old Irish prayer on the wedding programs, which also explained the Jewish traditions such as the breaking of the glass. My aunt is a florist in Philadelphia, and it was amazing to have personal bouquets and boutonnieres be from her. A friend from college has her own calligraphy/stationery company, and it was so great to work with her for all of our stationery.

In addition to our wedding cake from Luna Bakery, which is walking distance from my parents’ house in Cleveland Heights, it was so special to include my grandmother’s famous orange cookies and my grandfather’s beloved Swiss rolls into our dessert trio. Other personal touches included having the most adorable pretzel bar (Stephen’s favorite food) as our midnight snack, having toothbrushes and Advil in our favors since we are a dentist and a doctor, having Irish Jameson cocktails for our signature drink, and having one of Stephen’s and my favorite foods, sushi, at our cocktail hour. Our love for our hometown also shined through greatly at our wedding. We only looked at one venue, the Old Courthouse, as we both knew it is a stunning Cleveland landmark and piece of history. Our guests constantly tell us that it’s the prettiest wedding venue they’ve ever seen! Stephen is an avid Cleveland sports fan, and since it was both Browns and Indians season, we were sure to incorporate our love for these teams. The groomsmen got ready in the Hilton suite overlooking First Energy Stadium, and they wore Cleveland Browns cufflinks and socks. The Cleveland Indians mascots, who are three hotdogs, were also special guests at our wedding! Dancing the night away with three giant hotdogs was definitely a memory we will never forget! Between sobbing through my twin sister’s maid of honor speech and laughing at Stephen’s face when he saw the hotdogs run in, I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect wedding. I am still in awe of how stunning our already amazing venue looked, decked out by our extremely talented florist, gorgeous linens and lighting, and antique rentals. Our wedding was truly the best day of my life and I am forever grateful to everyone involved!

This Terra Cotta & Butter Wedding Inspiration Perfectly Embodies the Coziness of Fall

“If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour.” – Victoria Erickson. This quote couldn’t be more fitting for today’s dreamy Fall-inspired shoot from Meggie Francisco Events. Buttery hues, terra cotta accents, hearty cuisine and romance at every turn – take a peak inside the full gallery to see all the autumnal magic, taken by Nicole Clarey!

From Meggie Francisco Events… Even in Columbus, Ohio, the last bits of summer drift lazily into fall. Warm days give way to cool nights with increasingly cozy dinners. This feminine wedding photo shoot celebrates the end of summer and its hazy, buttery pops of color that gently begin to fade away. Columbus, Ohio boasts a strong LGBTQ+ community and a supportive wedding community to serve them. We’re the home of superstar Nina West, and our vendor community firmly believes that love is love. Though our city may not rival the sprawling metroplexes around the nation, we’re proud of the abundance of diversity and love in central Ohio.

We were honored to feature a confident and beautiful local same-sex couple in this inspiration shoot. We started by bringing the model couple to Luxe Redux to find fashions that fit their personal styles. Mercedez wore a mix-and-match suit combination with a clean jacket and lace slacks from Martina Liana, as well as a satin camisole from Willowby Waters. Cara donned a striking off-shoulder gown with sheer panel cutouts from on-trend Australian designer One Day Bridal.

Both brides held complementing garden-style bouquets with buttery yellow and latte-inspired hues from State and Arrow. From here, we carefully planned the details to create an event with heart and soul. While the look of an event always sets the stage for celebration – terra cotta candles, copper toned flatware and worn wooden chairs usher in the intimate earthiness that fall brings – in this inspiration, we wanted to hint at the experience behind the look.

A warm welcome gift of epicurean soaps and jams greets guests with love and care. A toasty old-fashioned and citrusy French 75 announce a lively cocktail hour. A hearty cool-weather meal of butternut squash soup, beet root salad, and beef short ribs create an unforgettable seasonal dining experience for the guests. Creamy buttery Chardonnay was poured for the first course. As the golden sun set, the couple shared a kiss and stole off to their dance party.

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An Elegant Garden Wedding at the Bride’s Family Home That Celebrates COLOR

We love a bride who kicks tradition to the curb and isn’t afraid to be BOLD with her color scheme. KirkBrides Wedding Planning & Design brought their elegant garden vision to life complete with petals galore, bright colors, three tents and 15,424 square feet of flooring… it only took 7 days of load in at the bride’s family home and a dream team of vendors to finish ;) Check out the full gallery to see all the magic unfold!

From the Bride… Chad and I met six years ago during our senior year of college at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. From the first conversation I had with Chad, I knew immediately that I wanted to marry him and that he was the one for me. We were at a bar with lots of mutual friends and I remember so clearly thinking that I had never met a guy like him before. He was so clever, engaging, and charming. By the end of senior year we were “official” and I followed him to New York City after graduation.

After five more years together, we became engaged in my hometown of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Chad planned an amazing surprise proposal for me. We were on a hike with our puppy in a beautiful area when Chad got down on one knee. As we neared the end of the hike I saw a tent across a field and lots of people cheering and waving. I couldn’t believe it, but Chad had organized for all of our family and dear friends to come in town to celebrate our engagement with us! It was truly incredible to have family and friends from Michigan, NYC, Boston, Florida, and Columbus all there for us. Chad and my parents had planned a beautiful picnic lunch, complete with champagne toasts!

It was a truly gorgeous, natural setting with our closest family and friends – exactly how we would have wanted it. When it came to wedding planning, we knew that we wanted to carry over these themes of intimacy and nature. Since I was a little girl I had always wanted to get married in my parent’s backyard. It is a grassy, open meadow that really lends itself to a tent and I could picture the wedding coming to life there.

The best decision we made was working with wedding planner Stephanie Anter at Kirkbrides Wedding Planning & Design who truly made our vision of an “elegant garden wedding” a reality in every way. It was important to me to be very involved in the planning process with my mom, and to also include Chad and my dad as much as possible. Our planner, Stephanie, helped us select an amazing florist – Arne Klein at Plantscaping & Blooms – who really understood our vision from the start and helped us develop everything from our color palette to the finest details of the event. It was also really special to include Chad’s family and the bridal party in the planning process, as they are some of the most special people in the world to us.

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Jenny Yoo

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Industrial Chic Wedding Inspiration at Strongwater Events in Columbus, Ohio

I look at every wedding editorial we share like a mini lesson in wedding planning. After all, the pros are creating a pretty little Big Day blueprint just for you! Today’s blending of styles is the main focus and one you should heed. If you’re scouting venues with an industrial vibe, make sure to give your space a bit of soft contrast like Mari Foster did here; layering in florals from Evergreen Flower Co. and a flowing Willowby Watters dress. Lauren Lee created a collection of images that you can study in depth to pull inspo from for your own celebration—see them all here.

From Lauren Lee Photo… For this wedding editorial, we had a lot of fun playing off of the natural and organic design aesthetic of the venue. Our minimalistic table-scape added a pop of color to the space as the twists and turns of the centerpiece created flowing movement. To complete the look, we fell in love with velvet table linens and a soft yet playful gown. The flowers and color scheme were inspired by the season. Spring flowers such as lilac and parrot tulips were an essential part of the design. We also incorporated Japanese ranunculus, delphinium, and sweet pea.

Modern Black Tie Styled Engagement Session

The bride behind today’s pretty pretty engagement session is one smart cookie. Why, you ask? Well, because she did something that very few couples think of. She used her Engagement Session to give her guests a sneak peak at what’s to come in her wedding. She set the tone for them. She teased her uber chic style to them. She got them excited. And she looked absolutely gorgeous doing it. This is such a smart e-session strategy and with a design from Events Held Dear and absurdly lovely photos from Kylie Bricker Photography, we’re pretty sure this pretty lady is going to go from bride to trend setter with one simple move!

From the bride-to-be… Trey and I met at the ripe age of 15 after a basketball game. Trey had been playing and I was cheering. Even though he didn’t make eye contact with me during our entire first conversation, he later blew me some kisses from across the court. He may not have won the game that night, but he definitely won this girl’s heart.

Trey and I wanted our engagement pictures to emulate the mood we had always envisioned our wedding day would portray, and that is why we decided on a styled shoot. We love the class that a black and white color scheme offers, it is simple in sense but also very dramatic. In our opinion the engagement pictures were a statement, to get our friends and family excited for something we will have waited almost 10 years to happen!

From the designer, Events Held Dear… My job was made so easy for this shoot, first because Hannah and Trey are such a fun-loving, adorable couple, and secondly because of the amazing work done by Kylie Bricker Photography to capture it all! As a wedding designer, it’s just as important to be talented in my field of work as it is to find equally talented professionals to execute my vision. And these vendors did just that!

Hannah has a really elegant vision for her wedding day, so we wanted to do the same for her styled engagement shoot. Her wedding will have a lot of black and white, clean design and (Hannah’s favorite), lots of wine and fruit, so the colors of this shoot reflected all of that! The dark colors of her and Trey’s outfits, along with the textures of her bouquet by Old Slate Farm worked so well together!

I really can’t say enough about Katie’s floral designs – the hellebores in the arrangements brought some dark hues to the shoot, and I just adore it. Not only did we do some fun portraits in my studio, but we also walked around downtown Columbus and found some beautiful stone and marble that really went along with the classy feel of their entire wedding day. I definitely think when guests see these pictures, they’ll have a great look into how their September wedding will look!

Gold, Maroon + Bourbon: A Winning Wedding Trio

Sometimes I fall in love with a wedding because of the big things: the colors, the overall design, the love story. And believe me, this wedding here has it all (this maroon is making me melt). But other times it’s the little details that win me over – and the gold foil and little bits of bourbon throughout this Midwest wedding did just that. See what I’m talking about in this golden gallery from Megan Noll right this way!

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From the Bride… We met at Virginia Tech when we were sophomores and were really good friends throughout college. I stayed at Virginia Tech an extra year so he graduated and moved to Cincinnati the year before me. When I moved out to Cincinnati, it was really exciting to have a friend in an unfamiliar place and the rest is history!

From Five Dot Design… The venue was key inspiration for the paper design. The invitations were letterpressed with charcoal gray ink on cotton paper and each invitation was detailed with hand-applied gold leaf – no two were the same. This allowed for a very sophisticated look while adding a bit of texture and shine. We paired these with burgundy envelopes with gold foil addressing and gold calligraphy. The table numbers, programs, seating chart and place cards were all adorned with the hand-applied gold leaf to incorporate that old world charm into all the paper goods.

The venue has a warm, European feel with chipped plaster and textured walls that have been so beautifully restored. The bride knew a deep burgundy paired with gold accents would not only complement the venue, but provide lots of opportunities with the decor. Susan Foy was able to work with this palette beautifully, incorporating deep reds, burnt oranges and soft pinks for contrast.

With Kentucky just a five minute trip over the river from Cincinnati, the couple has a love for bourbon. They were able to sneak in a few details without the wedding feeling overly rustic; Andrew’s cuff links were cut from old bourbon barrels, they named each table after a favorite distillery, Woodford Reserve bourbon balls and copper mule mugs were given as favors and barrel stave candle holders that Andrew made for the tables. The perfect complement to both the venue and the couple.

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A Cleveland Holiday Wedding Complete with a Hot Chocolate Bar!

Well if this classic holiday wedding doesn’t put you in the mood for the Christmas, I don’t know what will! A Charming Fete and La Tavola Fine Linens took the best of the season—including Christmas trees, hot cocoa and luxe fabrics — and created a winter wonderland captured by Emily Millay. You’ll wonder why all winter weddings aren’t this cozy and full of winter charm!

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From the Bride, Molly:
When Michael and I started planning our wedding, we knew we wanted it to be a classic, timeless affair but also a great expression of ourselves. We decided to get married in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio in early December which helped guide our winter wedding vision, complete with blackwatch plaid, navy velvet, luxe hunter green and even a hot chocolate bar!

When we walked into The Union Club for the first time, we both got chills! From the grand staircase (trimmed in garland and a beautiful Christmas tree), to the multiple fireplaces, ornate rugs, and dark wood it’s old world feel was just right. The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is one of the most stunning churches with detailed ceilings and a cobblestone (soooo long!) aisle. It was such an incredible moment walking down that aisle with my dad to Michael.

All of my planning dreams came true when I met Lauren and the team at A Charming Fete. They helped bring our dream to life and made the process so much easier and more enjoyable. Haley at Lather + Maggie Kleinman made up my glam squad and truly made me feel like a timeless, classic winter bride. Our florist, Scott Sella made winter magic happen with the flowers.

The entertainment and guest experience was so important to us and our band, The Orchestra (Cleveland Music Group) really delivered. I don’t think I have been to another wedding where the dance floor was jammed pack from start to finish.

Aside from the elegant decor, we really wanted this day to feel like us and we wanted to surprise our family and friends with some fun things throughout the day. I got ready at my childhood home with all my bridesmaids, cozied around the fireplace and Christmas tree with Father of the Bride playing. Michael and I exited the church with a Cleveland Fire Department bagpiper (who is retired FDNY – just like Michael’s father). We chose to have fresh baked pies instead of wedding cake and displayed them on a beautiful walnut wood pie stand that Michael’s brother custom built for us. I surprised Michael with a (spiked) hot chocolate bar with all the fixings. We served late night pizza (with ranch dressing!) to guests as they danced the night away. And we ended the night with a sparkler send-off.

Michael and I are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family who have supported us every step of the way. Our wedding day was a (very cold!) dream of a day that truly felt so special and true to “us.” Our love story has only just begun!

This Bride Shares the Best Advice for Anyone Planning a Wedding

One look at the emotion-filled photos by Nicole Clarey, and it’s clear there’s something special about this Scarlet Oaks Estate wedding. The Bride, wise beyond her years, shared her one-word advice that made all the difference in wedding planning: meaning. From the head table – built by a friend for a couple to use at the wedding and in their home – to the carefully chosen wording throughout the celebration, each wedding day detail was carefully considered solely based on its meaning to the Bride and Groom as a couple. Read more about their thoughtful choices below, in the Bride’s own words.

From the Bride… When I thought about planning for our wedding, there was one word that I kept coming back to: meaningful. This word started to become a filter for how I made choices about what we would and wouldn’t include in our wedding day. It’s easy to get lost in the details (because, obviously who doesn’t love details?!), but at the end of the day, the details only matter to the degree that they help reflect the celebration and joy that is the real center of the day.

Here are some ways we wove meaningful details throughout our wedding day:

My husband and I decided to write commitments to one another that were unique to us. Not only was this super special for us, but it gave guests a deeper glimpse into our relationship and added a personal touch to our ceremony.

Our first dance song was one that my husband and I picked out together, and we loved the lyrics. We decided to order a tapestry that featured some of the song lyrics on it and use it as a backdrop at our wedding. It was such a unique piece at our wedding, and we’ve now repurposed it as a decor item in our first home together.

Our head table was built by one of the Groomsmen as a wedding gift to us. We use this table in our home now, and I love that the first meal we ever shared on it was on our first day of being husband and wife.

In the midst of planning, I came across so many invites and programs that were very traditionally worded. When we were creating our paper details, we decided to keep it simple, including text that was light-hearted and felt like us.

We ended our celebration with friends and family surrounding us, cheering us on, as we entered this next season of our life. That meaningful moment is one I will never forget.

An Elegant Wedding Infused With Rustic Charm

When this Bride approached Kirkbrides Wedding Planning + Design with her wedding vision, she described it as a mix of styles – equal parts rustic and elegant. With the help of local venders like Borrow Rentals and Blooms by Plantscaping, they were able to achieve this gorgeous blend, mixing vintage furniture and china with fine linens and lush blooms. Lauren Gabrielle was there to photograph the perfectly pretty day, so if you’re looking for more inspiration on mixing styles, head on over to the Vault!

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From Kirkbrides Wedding Planning + Design… This garden chic wedding for Emma and Zack is filled with summer delights galore! Being the second time around working with the Bride’s family, we really enjoyed the process and feel so lucky to have the opportunity to create a second masterpiece for this family!

We first started working together over the winter, and Emma mentioned that she was going for rustic elements mixed with elegance. I called it garden chic. The venue itself, Windows on the River, is a renovated warehouse situated on the Cuyahoga River looking out on the downtown Cleveland skyline so it has that industrial feel. We all know that the mixture of styles is so in right now. We embarked on this fun styling spree, incorporating all the feminine colors of shades of purple, blush, ivory, and gold. The rustic charm was accented by reclaimed wooden farm tables and wooden round tables from Borrow Rentals, a fan favorite here in Cleveland. All tables are stamped with the original location they were salvaged from. It was very important for Emma to mix the rustic tables with the elegance of the gold Vanessa plates and the colorful smaller plates for the place setting that was chosen.

The planning team – Emma, her mother, and I – felt that darling and detailed stationery was a must for this wedding! A romantic font and watercolor and floral design was custom created for us by Lovely Somethings. The floral was a mixture of muted hues of lavender, blush, china blue, and green. A focal point of the entire wedding day was the large chandelier dripping with all of that lush floral and greenery! For the ceremony, Emma wanted a blush backdrop with dripping greens. The place cards were set in wooden boxes of moss, yet another feminine and rustic enhanced aspect.

Cocktail hour was held in the Cleveland Aquarium, giving yet another amazing and fun aspect to this wedding for guests. Where else can you enjoy a superb view of the Cleveland skyline while sipping on drinks and commenting on the different types of marine life swimming around? There was no shortage of sweets at this wedding, from the custom gold leaf designed, pastel, 5 tier wedding cake by Hummingbird Bakery, to the delicious donut bar by Brewnuts! You cannot miss the darling mirror with hand calligraphy by Lovely Somethings as well. This wedding, smack dab in the middle of summer, was something that wedding dreams are made of, and we will always have visions of those donuts displayed on that beautiful antique furniture from Borrow, underneath that floral dripping chandelier in our heads!

The All-Inclusive Venue You HAVE to Meet

If you’re worried that choosing an all-inclusive venue will send you down the path to a cookie cutter wedding: don’t be. Trust us – you can have that glam celebration you’ve always wanted with all of the convenience an all-in-one location has to offer. Need proof? Check out The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center – they can handle it all.

Choosing an all-inclusive venue doesn’t have to mean giving up higher-end options like high-quality invitations, gorgeous linens and stunning table settings. With Hallmark Weddings at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center, you’ll be working with a team of talented wedding pros that know how to handle everything, right down to setting up room blocks for all of your loved ones. We’re super impressed with their unique wedding packages – which start with a luxe venue of your choosing and touch on everything from customized menus to makeup + salon time to invites from the Halls Department Store.

Wedding planning shouldn’t be stressful. So if you find yourself struggling with finding the right florist or musician, need help with choosing the perfect pre-wedding event outfits or just want to make sure your guests are completely taken care of, contact The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center to talk all things Hallmark Weddings. You’ll even earn perks on every guest room booked.

This is the Perfect Dress for a Garden Wedding

One piece of advice I always give Brides is to NOT buy your dress until you’ve found your venue! Even if you loveee that mermaid style stunner, it might not fit your scene quite like you imagined. This wedding planned and designed by A Charming Fete, however, nailed the dress and venue combo—a Lela Rose number was the perfect match for this garden soiree. Don’t you agree? See more from Lauren Gabrielle in the full gallery below!

From the Bride, Annaliese… The ceremony was held in an English-style garden belonging to Cleveland’s Western Reserve Historical Society. Living in New York City, with over a third of our guests traveling from outside of Ohio, it was important to us to select locations that were significant to the history of the city of Cleveland. It was also imperative to Tom and me that every design element was timeless, elegant and purposeful. Our amazing wedding planners at A Charming Fete along with our florist and caterer all understood my aesthetic perfectly and it was a very collaborative design process from start to finish, despite many of our meetings and communications done remotely.

My dress was an ivory silk sheath gown by Lela Rose. I decided that I wanted my veil to be more dramatic and Miranda Park created a custom cathedral-length piece with blusher and hand-stitched lace detail throughout. My jewelry was by New York based Dannijo, as an ode to our home for the last seven years. Our bridesmaids wore soft, flowing dresses by Jenny Yoo and Amsale that matched the garden. The guys dressed in classic navy suits, Tom topping off his look with a black bow tie and Del Toro slippers.

For the ceremony, the florist created a hedge of larkspur and white stock flowers situated behind where we exchanged our vows, and it turned out to be one of the most beautiful elements of the wedding. The bouquets were a mix of white peonies, garden roses, ranunculus, tulips, jasmine and dusty miller. Tom’s childhood friend, Nick Estrate, officiated our ceremony. We had a book made by Shinola with our wedding date embossed on the cover and inside it has the ceremony that I transcribed in calligraphy, alongside Nick’s personal notes and speech. It is a now the most beautiful and meaningful memento that we get to have forever.

The reception took place at a former 1920s hotel and speakeasy. As a nod to the era, we greeted guests in the venue’s rotunda with a champagne tower, French 75s and Old Fashioneds, along with passed hors d’oeuvres. It was important to us that the rest of the evening be separated into two parts, an intimate dinner and then the party to follow. Dinner was held in an adjacent space, candlelit and romantic with modern floral touches. Vases were filled with clusters of white tulips, a long center table was dressed in beautifully embroidered lace tablecloths and topped with crystal stemware. We started dinner with our first dance to Lana Del Rey’s Lucky Ones. Tom being a chef, took charge of our menu selections together with the experts at Spice Catering. Custom menus by Meg Morrow—who did all invitations for us—rested on each guest’s plate with a single hellebores. We decided to introduce one pop of color on the tables through Positano-inspired bread and butter plates, which is where we were honeymooning. After dinner, we offered guests a selection of cakes and lavender sablé cookies by French-trained Kimberly Coryea of Hummingbird Bake Shop. The night concluded with Hemingway cigars on the terrace and guests dancing the night away.

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Jenny Yoo

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This Sweet Engagement is Basically Our Perfect Date Come to Life

Give me macarons, champagne and my love all cozied in a neighborhood cafe and I am the happiest of campers. So too are this Bride and Groom-to-be. For their engagement session styled by A Charming Fete and captured by Lauren Gabrielle Photography, they headed to a local eatery for a photo shoot filled with vintage details and sweet treats galore.

We put together a styled engagement session for one of our lovely 2018 couples, the beautiful bride to be, Brooke Squires and her Kansas City Chiefs groom, Mitch Schwartz. We knew the The Plum Cafe & Kitchen would be the perfect location. Vintage modern in style with two-story exposed brick walls, clean lines, pink seating, beaming natural light and the coolest yellow retro wallpaper, this quaint place is such a local charm. Their signature “Frose” slushie, craft cocktails and delicious fare are not be missed. Brooke touched up her lipstick in the cutest ladies room in town with vintage-style retro bubblegum pink sink. We played off the pink and yellow vibes and put together a girly pink garden rose and ranunculus bouquet for her to carry. We also added some homemade candied lemon slices to the cupcakes and the two shared a plate of sweet raspberry macarons. Can’t wait for their wedding!

Photography: Lauren Gabrielle Photography | hair and makeup : Rania's Hair Salon and Spa | Macarons : Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes | Planning, Styling and Flowers : A Charming Fete

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