Cleveland Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

Intimate Wedding At The Bride’s Family Home With Heartfelt Details

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

The wedding colors were ivory, clay, and pale yellows with touches of ochre and dusty blues.

[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

The vision was a coastal, vintage, and delft-inspired backyard wedding. MK didn’t want a specific color scheme. Rather, shades of blue! A feeling of home in the design was essential to MK and Brendan. However, all of this was not the original wedding plan. A 250-person wedding in Notre Dame, Indiana, was canceled due to COVID. So, a 50-person backyard wedding was planned in less than a month. The little time to plan did not stand in the way, and every detail was planned to perfection. The reception took place at Mary Katherine’s family home, nestled in a quiet and forested suburb east of Cleveland, Ohio. The family home was designed by the bride’s father and was home to MK during much of her childhood. The dance floor was under a crisp white tent and next to a winding creek. Guests were welcomed by a cozy fire, intimate furniture, and scattered cocktail tables. It was early June, and the weather was perfectly mild. Welcoming guests into the bride’s home gave guests a warm sense of home and satisfied MK and Brendan’s vision perfectly.

[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]

It was on a hot September day on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, where MK & Brendan met. It was a highly anticipated day as the Irish were about to play against the University of Michigan in college football. Brendan was given one rule: the proposal had to be private, just the two of them. With their faith at the center of their relationship, Brendan chose the “Stations of the Cross” by the lake. Once she said yes, they headed back to the Grotto to celebrate with their families.

[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

A layered silk gown with a lace jacket. At the reception, a silky sweetheart neckline was revealed. MK’s one dress requirement was to be able to move on the dance floor, and the strapless sweetheart neckline was just right for the dance floor. The dress was purchased from Something White Bridal Boutique. The veil from Miranda’s Vintage Bridal. The shoes, filled with floral, were Loeffler Randall.

[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]

The bridesmaid’s dresses were Joanna August in navy blue.

[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

The groomsman attire was from The Black Tux.

[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]

Guests were greeted at the reception by passed hor’s devours. Mixed drinks were served at the bookcase bar (a nod to MK and Brendan, both teachers, as well as Brendan’s love for reading) inside MK’s parent’s dining room. Moscow mule and mint mojito were the specialty drinks and two of MK and Brendan’s favorites. Everyone raised a glass during toasts out of the most beautifully iridescent flutes from Anthropologie. At the end of the night, as an ode to a childhood tradition, the caterers crafted a custom “kitchen sink” style milkshake bar (with almond milk for the bride). These delicious milkshakes were in celebration yet again of home, family, and fond memories.

[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

Guests found their names listed by table on antique silver trays. This display offered a warm invitation to take a seat and be welcomed into the family home. The delft pottery used to serve dinner was a favorite antique find as it was the exact set used at Adele’s wedding. The bar, inside the family dining room, was a nod to Brendan and MK’s careers in teaching. The reception included two cozy lounges, which provided guests with more space to relax and connect. One lounge faced the dance floor with access to the guest book (a special Bible for the Hallinans), and the other was nestled by a firepit where guests enjoyed s’mores and could look at heirloom photos of weddings from both their families. Details such as rattan light fixtures, bamboo chairs, and interchanged gold and soft blue elements filled the reception space. Evergreen Flower Company’s luscious blooms and artfully placed greenery completed the delicate eastern, breezy energy. Fifty table settings were complete with delft plates, individual menus, a stem of lavender, and a smooth stone with each guest’s name. Stones as name cards were perfect for their wedding day as a creek runs through her parents’ backyard— just feet beyond the reception tent at this backyard wedding. They also live within a 20-minute drive of Lake Erie.

[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

The cake was elegantly understated, with just enough for the intimate gathering. Again, it reflected a sense of homeyness. An antique cabinet served as the cake table and later coffee and dessert display.

[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

MK and Brendan brought a rose to The Blessed Mother statue at the end of the ceremony, as Ave Maria was sung so poetically by a childhood friend of MK’s. A string duet played as guests arrived at the reception. MK and Brendan danced to Clear by Need to Breath – a song they both especially enjoyed listening to during their two-year engagement. The DJ kept everyone on the dance floor until the end and through midnight. When we say everyone danced, we mean EVERYONE DANCED.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

MK got ready in her childhood bedroom and walked down the stairs of her family home for a first look with her father. Tears welled up in both their eyes at this moment. The wedding day held much significance as it was the mother and father of the bride’s anniversary. MK wore her mother’s garter, the ring bearer carried the same pillow used in 1987, and her parents shared a special dance to their wedding song in the evening.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]

MK and Brendan made their way from the church to the reception and to the hotel in a 1966 Impala convertible. After the ceremony, guests cheered as they tossed rose petals and hopped into the convertible. The bride and groom took photos nearby as guests hurried to the reception to continue the celebration. At the end of the night, MK and Brendan swayed to their final dance, “Love You For a Long Time” by their favorite, Maggie Rogers. Guests sent them off with sparklers and more cheers as they drove off in the convertible and under blankets.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]

Before heading to the ceremony, Brendan and MK had a moment to themselves to open gifts from one another. Brendan gifted MK something blue – sapphire earrings. MK’s gift to Brendan was a tall tower of books. She had snuck a peak at his book wish list before collecting each of them to gift.

[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

[/board_carousel]
[iframe https://www.youtube.com/embed/_LPtnk1UaiI 600 338]

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!

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!

copy

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/434889680 600 338]

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

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!

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!

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!

Colors

Seasons

Winter Weddings

Settings

Church Event Venue Indoor

Styles

Classic Weddings

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!

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!

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Event Venue

Styles

Whimsical

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!

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.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

View Portfolio

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

We’re Head Over Heels for this Moody, Modern + Glam Wedding Inspiration

If I were to redo the design of my own wedding day, what would I add in? Easy decision. I’d add in pops of red. I can’t get enough of this hue and A Charming Fete executed it oh so right with this styled shoot with help from Borrow Vintage & Eclectic Rentals, La Tavola and more fabulous vendors. Jenny Haas captured the gorgeous blooms, chic stationery, metallic moments and more – dive right into our Vault gallery right this way for it all!

From A Charming Fete… We partnered with Borrow Rentals and Blooms by Plantscaping to design an ultra luxe, edgy, modern wedding inspiration. We pulled in lots of sleek details from blush velvet napkins, black and pinot velvet textures, lucite accents throughout (check out the custom dining table base), onyx flatware, elegant black stationery with sharp metallic gold calligraphy, and mixed copper and gold metals. Working with Lago Custom Events, we showcased some of the best wedding locations in Cleveland including the penthouse terrace overlooking the lake.

The bride was stunning in a mermaid style Pronovias gown with puffed cap sleeve encrusted in gemstones, her jewel covered heels were the perfect match. The groom dressed in chic, tailored black tie.

The florals were all about a rich, deep palette of burgundy reds, pinot and emerald green against blush tones. Lush red peonies and garden roses played off the plates of fresh blackberries and cherries on the tablescape. Blooms constructed a brass-like structure above the dining table to hold a lavish floating floral arrangement with views overlooking the East Bank of the Flats as well as industrial buildings and bridges.

The penthouse ceremony scene was so dreamy, almost like floating on water with no obstruction of lake views. The metal backdrop ceremony structure was custom, created by Borrow Rentals and accented with loads of foliage, peonies and roses.

Other details included an edgy four-tier black cake with a swag of vibrant, jewel tone blooms, an eclectic lounge with custom pieces and vintage rug as well as seasonal cocktail sips.

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Wedding Dresses

Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

View All Collections

Wedding Dresses

Pronovias

ATELIER PRONOVIAS

PRONOVIAS

Dancing Lights, Cruise Collection

View All Collections

Inspired by the Beauty of Bright Spring Florals

Garden roses and ranunculus in candy colored hues are inspiring this modern take on a spring wedding and it is 100% speaking to the flower lover in all of us. A Charming Fete and Molly Taylor & Co are at the center of this wildly gorgeous spread and with Lauren Gabrielle behind the camera, you best believe this vault of images is a knock out. And then there’s the film by Storybox Cinema… a must play for gorgeous spring wedding inspiration.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/205968161 600 338]

We were so inspired and refreshed by the bloom of brightly colored spring florals, specifically the lush ranunculus in beautiful candy shades of coral, peach and pink. We wanted to create an intimate dinner scene below a floral and natural muslin draped canopy. We paired a soft velvet seafoam table covering with natural linen covered chairs so the colors in the florals would really pop. We draped a natural muslin fabric over the wood pergola for a softer look with smilax vines and bright blooms dripping from the sides. Bailey of Molly Taylor and Co brought the space to life with her magic touch. Stationery items were accented in pale blue seafoam colors to coordinate. We worked with a local company to create a custom welcome gift basket pulling in the candy color tones. Plush velvet lounge funiture in blush hues and soft mint were the perfect accent. The pale blue cake with swiss dot and textured ruffle tiers was a beautiful confection adorned with intricate sugar flowers. Our bride model played dress up in two gorgeous and ultra feminine gowns, the first a carefully beaded Enzoani with sheer bodice and applique with a lavish, full, tulle skirt and the second a more fun, fitted mermaid style from Blush by Hayley Paige. Our groom model (and Zach Galifianakis look alike) wore a custom navy suit with chic candy colored accessories, a blush bow tie and patterned silk pocket square.

Printed Bridesmaids Dresses + Nautical Accents = This Classic Club Wedding

A wedding filled with printed bridesmaids dresses and a fresh take on nautical accents is sure to be a new favorite, add in Hunter Photographic and you have a gallery made of gold. Effortless planned by Kirkbrides Wedding Planning and Design, we’ve got it all waiting in The Vault!

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Ballroom Weddings Outdoor Weddings

Styles

Al Fresco

From Kirkbrides Wedding Planning and Design…Cam and Wes met at The Island School in the Bahamas so a classic, tented wedding at Kirtland Country Club with a Bahamian flair was the perfect setting for their nuptials. The sailcloth tent from Everything Tented provided a stunning backdrop for a summer wedding in Cleveland.

The bride and groom chose the putting green looking out toward a gorgeous oak tree for their ceremony, a never-before-used area of the grounds. This allowed for an epic processional from the Clubhouse to the green, accompanied by the beautiful sounds of Sonata Strings of Cleveland Music Group.

After the ceremony, guests moved to the patio of the Club where they were greeted with delicious hors d’oeuvres, a signature cocktail of dark ‘n’ stormys, and steel drums provided by Jeff Neitzke of Cleveland Music Group. The beer boat was filled with Kalik, a Bahamian beer, and the Bahamian Androsia batik linens and custom corn hole set transported guests to a relaxed island oasis in the middle of Ohio!

Upon entering the tent for dinner, you couldn’t miss the bright, fresh floral arrangements by Cindy Hollister of Artisans Floral Design which popped in their crisp color palette of bright to light pinks and corals. Classic bistro lighting provided by Rock the House naturally lit the space.

Event Source provided lovely clear china, allowing the stunning Casablanca linens from La Tavola to shine. Guests dined on a brilliantly curated menu of fresh flavor profiles inspired by the culinary delicacies of the Bahamas.

As always, the semi-naked cake from Luna Bakery was stunning and tasted just as amazing as it looked! The cake topper was perfect for the theme of the evening – two fish kissing!

Thanks to the energy and charisma of the band, TCB, the dance floor was packed all night! I truly have never seen so many guests out on the dance floor at the end of an evening! Luckily guests were able to refuel with a late night snack from Chik-Fil-A, the groom’s favorite, and Mitchell’s Ice Cream!

This gorgeous wedding and all of its details were carefully captured by Hunter Harrison of Hunter Photographic. Just looking at the photos brings back all of the excitement and memories of a lovely wedding day!

They Met at Work and the Rest is Seriously Stunning History

Meeting the love of your life at work? SUCH a fairytale beginning. And when the stars align in that Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan sort of fashion, it’s a story that deserves a jaw-droppingly beautiful wedding. And these two? They delivered. Think classic meets romantic with sweet cultural details woven into every moment. See it all captured by the insanely talented Lauren Gabrielle in THE VAULT, then hit play on the awesome film from The Image in Motion below.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/169266735 600 338]

Colors

Seasons

Spring Weddings

Settings

City Hall Religious Institution

Styles

Classic Weddings

From the Bride… Petar and I met at work — I was a medical student in my last year of school, and he was a surgical intern. Through a mutual friend, he heard there was a Serbian (like himself) medical student at the same hospital, so he tracked me down and crushed from afar until he got his chance to introduce himself. One thing led to another, and not long after he popped the question!

When it came time to plan the wedding, I envisioned a glam spin on a vintage romantic wedding. But because we are both Serbian, it was really important to both us and the family to incorporate cultural traditions into our day. Our wedding parties tend to be much larger– in addition to a typical bridal party, we have additional roles such as first witnesses and formal hosts of the wedding who wear sashes that display their role in the wedding. Incorporating traditions also made choosing the reception venue tricky. I wanted the wedding style I envisioned while still paying homage to our Eastern European roots — hence, the Slavic chic motif. The Old Courthouse in Cleveland served as the perfect venue to balance other bold cultural elements, with gorgeous golden light fixtures and marbled pillars lending a glam and almost regal feel to the event. One of the other important aspects to the planning process was choosing the right photographer.

Because Orthodox Christian churches and other cultural items are often adorned with gold and red accents, we wanted a photographer whose work had pretty, ethereal overtones so the cultural aspects of our day didn’t come across as kitschy. Our photographer Lauren Gabrielle was a perfect fit and such a dream to work with, and her photographs speak for themselves. And funny enough after deciding to go with her, we found out she ended up having some Serbian roots herself! We were lucky enough to also find a videographer who fit our aesthetic as well with The Image in Motion and are thrilled with the highlight video we just got back. There was so much love and energy around us that day; we are really lucky to have found such great vendors to put everything together and document it all.

To keep within our budget, we did as much DIY as we could. We scoured thrift stores and auction sites and took advantage of Black Friday sales to scoop up all the vintage vases, mercury glass compotes and votives we could find. I also recommend exercising patience when stalking online sales — it’s how I found my Jimmy Choos for half off retail! I also wanted personalized cake toppers, so I made ours out of baking clay. The signs and paper goods I made a little at a time in the months leading up to the big day. Petar made the photo wall from artificial boxwood panels and a frame out of white PVC piping from Home Depot. Just a heads up — make sure to give yourself plenty of time in advance for these bigger projects so you can work on it a bit at a time so you don’t go into panic mode when things get down to the wire.

My wedding gown was a Carolina Herrera sample that I picked up at the Glamour Closet in Chicago — a gem in the city with a ton of designer sample gowns. If you end up going the sample dress route, I cannot stress enough how important it is to find a skilled alterations shop. I went to Davis Imperials and they were beyond amazing– shoutout to my seamstress Yana who saved the day when I somehow shrunk a few inches just days after the final fitting! Also, don’t be afraid to take on bigger DIY projects that you can do in advance (so you have time to make other plans if it doesn’t work out.) I fell in love with a sash, but couldn’t stomach the $1200 price tag. So, I made an inspired version with some grosgrain ribbon, Swarovski rhinestones, other various beads and more patience than I thought I was capable of.

While florals was not an area where we splurged, our florist was a magician and made some seriously stunning centerpieces. Erin with The Budding Tree totally nailed the whimsical, loose romantic arrangements I had wanted! Also, we had initially decided against getting a planner, along the way we ran into a Serbian events planner, Maria, who already understood our traditions and how the verrry long Orthodox wedding day plays out. With her on board, it allowed my husband and I to feel like guests at our own wedding instead of having to stress about fixing last minute glitches. We were able to spend more time with our loved ones, which made it all so worth it!!!

The one thing I always hear other brides say is that “the day goes by so fast!” And it is sooo true. At some point during the reception, Petar grabbed two coffees and we snuck away together for 15 minutes to just sit and talk. This was one of the best pieces of advice we got, and really did help us stay in the moment — so try and sneak away for a few minutes to yourselves! And don’t sweat the little things — it is such an honor to have so many loved ones come together to celebrate your wedding that it’s not worth it to stress about things out of your control. The day flies by, so spend that time and energy with your guests instead!

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Carolina Herrera

Spring 2015

Spring 2016

View All Collections

One Amazing City Wedding With 10 Flower Girls + Ring Bearers!

Pulling off a stunning city chic wedding day is no small feat. But pulling off that vision with an entire crew of nieces and nephews included in the bridal party? Total rock star status, as far as we’re concerned. Major kudos to A Charming Fete, Lauren Gabrielle, Luna Bakery & Cafe, Nevaeh Films and all the vendors behind this incredible day. More right here!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/166987477 600 338]

Colors

Seasons

Spring Weddings

Settings

Hotels + Resorts Weddings Religious Institution

Styles

Classic Weddings

From A Charming Fête… It was truly and honor and joy to plan Sarah and Brian’s modern ethereal pastel-infused wedding set in the heart of downtown Cleveland. Both families are truly exceptional and everyone involved recognized the authentic heartfelt sentiment of their wedding day.

The beautiful bride wore a breathtaking Inbal Dror gown and carried a lush bouquet of spring blooms ranunculus, garden roses and peonies. The bounty of small children in the wedding party (10 nieces and nephews) stole the show, with flower girls dressed in flowing blush gowns and delicate flower crowns.

The couples pup Pomeranian, Boss was also a significant fixture throughout their day. The bridesmaids wore flowing PPS Couture watercolor floral gowns in a combination of different styles and colors to play perfectly with the custom designed stationary suite. T

he formal reception was held in a modern ballroom with a white dance floor, crisp clean tablescapes peppered with pastel blooms and bathed in soft candlelight. The elegant place settings were set with luxe linen powder blue linen napkins from La Tavola, all tied perfectly with plant dyed silk ribbon. The 5-tier pale blue buttercream cake displayed atop a lush petal apricot linen was served with a bounty of petite pastel desserts providing a perfectly sweet ending.

A 500-Person Wedding Where Festival-Style Meets Garden Party Grace

You would think a 500-person guest list would deter a Bride and Groom from any DIY projects, but that wasn’t the case for Rebecca and Steve, who DIYed multiple elements of their boho garden party meets music festival-inspired wedding. And with Studio Elle Photography on hand to capture it all, The Vault is full of pretty inspiration — from loose, romantic florals to the pharmacist-inspired table names!

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Religious Institution Rustic Weddings

Styles

Classic Weddings

From Studio Elle Photography…Rebecca & Steve are two of the most fun-loving, free-spirited couples that I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with. I was absolutely thrilled to be a part of their celebration! The weather was perfect for their tented outdoor garden party at Patterson’s Fruit Farm. There wasn’t a detail overlooked and so many personal touches were done by hand from the bride & groom.

After an afternoon church ceremony, we stopped at various spots around Cleveland for views of the skyline. Rebecca & Steve had so much fun with their wedding party while we made our way to Patterson’s to finish off the day. While the couple and their 500+ guests danced and enjoyed the evening, the sun set behind the rolling hills and orchard. It was the perfect end to the most beautiful day!

From The Bride…With a guest list towering over five hundred, finding a wedding venue in Northeast Ohio was no easy task. When looking for a venue, we knew we wanted it to be unique. My husband Steven proposed to me at our third Bonnaroo together (a four-day-long, outdoor, hippie rave, music festival for those that aren’t familiar), so having our wedding reception outdoors seemed like a natural extension of that free bird attitude, but finding the place to host us and dealing with what seemed like nearly every other opinion on how we needed a back up plan for weather (an August wedding in Cleveland? It could be snowing! It could be over 100 degrees!) was an additional feat. When I originally spoke with Patterson Fruit Farm, I was blessed to get ahold of a woman named Livia, who told me that they have never really tried anything like I was explaining before, but she was willing to pitch it to her boss and would get back to me. She was phenomenal throughout the planning process, and really alleviated a lot of potential bridezilla moments. Patterson’s is a beautiful fruit market and farm located in Cuyahoga Country surrounded by Metroparks. On our wedding day, it was 72 degrees without a cloud in the sky, so we never needed that back up plan! We stuck with a color of ivory, blush, gold, and forest green. Our overall style vision was garden-themed/ festival/ bohemian.

Our ceremony was held at Saint James Catholic Church in Lakewood, Ohio. Our uncles concelebrated the ceremony, which was very special for both of our families (although two Catholic priests marrying their niece and nephew means a very long mass for a our guests!!). When we left the church, our guests were given pill vials that were filled with capsules to throw at us! These were all hand-filled at what we liked to call “wedding work nights,” where we would work for a few hours a night on wedding crafts. The capsules were filled with sugar that was dyed gold and pale pink. Other items that we worked on during wedding work nights were custom water bottles, where we removed all labels from water bottles and added new labels in our wedding colors, and sparkler packages. The sparklers were pretty tedious. It included adorning a four-foot-long sparkler with a mini lighter and hand-stamped label that was also hand “antiqued” with paint. All lighting was done by family, which included bistro lighting throughout the 100 x 80 foot twin peak tent and chandeliers throughout the farm. A sprig of lavender was hand tied with twine to every seating placement. Guests were seated at tables that were named after drug names, since both my husband and I are pharmacists. Since our reception was at an apple farm, fresh apple cider was served throughout the night, both with and without bourbon! For the kids, flavored soda pop was available as well as glow sticks, which the kids ended up taping to themselves and running around the farm — we got some really good photos from that. My something old was a handkerchief that my grandmother carried on her wedding day, my something blue was a hand-stitched cross from my grandmother, and my something borrowed was Steve’s grandmother’s engagement ring. The bridal party went to the Cleveland Browns stadium to play a little pick up game of football which was a good time, too.

There were so many perfect moments. Steve, my husband, surprised me with our first dance by having our band learn our song (Home- Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros) and he serenaded me during a part of the song which was really special and unexpected. I thought it was very special to have both of our uncles marry us. Our wedding day, August 22, is also his parents anniversary, which I think is very special.

AND I CANT FORGET ABOUT THE VENDORS!! So many of our vendors played a huge role in making our day a success. The bridal bouquet was hand tied with roses, dahlias, white stock, snow on the mountain, white veronica, and lisianthus with herbs, seeded eucalyptus, ruscus, and jasmine vine trailing. The bridesmaid bouquets were mismatched to complement the bridal bouquet. Fresh floral crowns were worn by the bride, bridesmaids, and mother of the groom! Long tables with ivory tablecloths and gold-rimmed china were accented with garland centerpieces. Seasonal locally grown flowers and foliages were also scattered throughout the guest tables, cookie table, and candy bar. Gold candelabras were also adorned with floral arrangements throughout the tables. Our cake, by Hummingbird Bake Shop, was a 4-tier “naked” white cake with buttercream frosting, fresh fruit (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries) between layers, each tier with 3 layers. It was the most delicious cake we have ever had! Our invitations were hand drawn by a friend who perfectly captured our personalities onto paper. I wore two of the most GORGEOUS gowns on the day of my wedding — for the ceremony, Something White provided with me “Rosemary” by Amy Kuschel and for the reception I wore “Kensington” by Carol Hannah. The Grammy-nominated musician Alex Meixner Band was the entertainment for the reception with DJ Earl carrying guests into the early hours of the morning at the after party. This meant that guests of all ages danced the night away — with a variation of polka throughout dinner BUT probably the most unique polka band you would ever hear considering they played “Enter Sandman” on the accordion. Guests were able to take home travel CDs, flower crowns, flip flops, light up drink cubes (activated when placed in a cold drink), candy bag, and cookie bag. The cookie table is a tradition from my Youngstown family. At our wedding, we had over 5,000 cookies. My grandmother’s friends helped her over a two-month period to make sure we had enough cookies — and they all went! Immediately following the traditional reception was a sparkler sendoff directly to the after party which went to 3:30 in the morning. At the after party, we served my husband’s and my favorite foods — pizza, green grapes, blueberries, wheat thins, chocolate almond milk, cheez-its, and kettle cooked potato chips and dip!

Honestly, after having an outdoor reception, there is so much more that I know now that I didn’t know then! What do we do with garbage, are we recycling, what about glassware, how many bottles of water do we need, what about bathrooms, what about security, what about noise, what about ice, what about power, and on and on! I would change nothing, but I really did not realize the work that needed to be put in. We created every single detail of this wedding from the ground up. It was a ton of work, and with the exception of Livia at Patterson’s (who doesn’t consider herself a wedding planner although I would beg to differ!) we did it all ourselves. It was so nice to hear so many of our friends and family tell us that our wedding was the best party they have ever been to when it was by far the best day of my life!

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Amy Kuschel

2014

2013

The PEACE & LOVE Collection 2015

DECO to DISCO Collection 2016

View All Collections

Bridal Shower Inspiration Worth Stealing!

In my perfect world, every day would include an arrangement of blooms like these, but since that’s not always the case I’ll be pinning these pretties for safe keeping. They’re what set the scene for this bridal shower shoot designed by A Charming Fete and photographed by Lauren Gabrielle. Bridesmaids, consider this your visual guide to planning the ultimate pre-wedding celebration.

From A Charming Fete… We wanted to create an elegant feminine vibe within this rustic stone and reclaimed wood tavern. The patio enclosed with steel frame windows showcased a massive stone hearth, creating the perfect focal point when we draped twelve foot long southern smilax vines over its mantle.

We dressed the tables in organic charcoal and white ticking linens with beautiful blush tone napkins. Menu cards were placed over scalloped plates and mini clear boxes filled with champagne bubbles (gummies) were set at each place setting and topped with custom monogram sticker.

The dessert table was a feast of beautiful treats with a variety of French macarons and two pink meringue towers. The chocolate salted caramel cake topped with blush buttercream and intricate sugar flower anemone detail was as pretty as it was delicious. What a gorgeous and perfect day for our lovely bride and groom!

[dotted]

P.S. 15 Perfectly Girly Bridal Shower Details

Bridal Shower Details

View Slideshow

Bridal Shower Details

View Slideshow

Timeless + Elegant Cleveland City Hall Wedding

When you hear the phrase “city hall wedding,” you probably think of a simple ceremony with only the Bride and Groom present. This is not that kind of city hall wedding. From the Bride’s glamorous backless, ivory lace dress to Molly Taylor Designs‘ gorgeous flowers, this day is truly something special. See it all from Lauren Gabrielle Photography in The Vault!

Colors

Seasons

Fall Weddings

Settings

City Hall Religious Institution

Styles

Classic Weddings

From The Bride…Joe and I met September 25th in Akron, Ohio at a wedding. My childhood best friend and his cousin were tying the knot and an introduction was inevitable since we were both single and living in New York City. At the end of the evening we exchanged numbers and we had our first date the following week. Fast-forward five years to our wedding date, September 26th. Since we are both from Cleveland, our hometown was the best way to ensure our family and friends would be there to celebrate with us.

For our ceremony, we decided on the breathtaking Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. We looked at four venues downtown before deciding on the City of Cleveland’s Grand Hall Rotunda. It was the perfect compliment to the Cathedral as both had a timeless and elegant feel. Each possessed arched ceilings and marble columns and we knew the sophisticated space would speak for itself. Cocktail hour would be held on the open-air second floor overlooking the reception.

From there, the rest fell into place. In keeping with our timeless and elegant theme, I chose a backless, ivory lace dress with a glamorous vintage feel. I knew it was the one the moment I put it on and I could envision myself holding a hand-tied, flowing, bridal bouquet. To compliment my dress, I chose midnight blue, one-shoulder bridesmaid dresses accessorized with custom jewels from designer and friend, Sarah Johnson.

There were other elements of the day that were incredibly special to me. My mother wrote by hand the place cards for our guests. My father helped by painting various items for our “keys to happiness” display so they were a beautiful gold metallic finish. The diamonds in my wedding band were from pieces of my mother’s own collection and our wedding bands were made by hand by my sister-in-law’s father.

While all of the personalized touches made our reception unique, our flowers really brought the space to life. Our original florist fell through less than a week before our wedding and it was a blessing in disguise. I immediately called Molly Taylor and she was incredible. We had three different designs for our tables with various elements of dahlias, ranunculus and willow eucalyptus to name a few. Her floral creations truly transformed the Rotunda. She brought the three-tier cake decorated with a herringbone pattern to life by tying in complimentary florals on each tier.

It is difficult for me to choose my favorite moment of the day so I settled on two. Taking pictures after the ceremony was so much fun! Joe was incredible and knew how important it was for me to capture this moment in time. He did everything that was asked of him (which required some heavy lifting!) and we had a great time posing for the different shots and going with the flow. Lauren from Lauren Gabrielle Photography was an incredible guide and fun to work with. She truly captured the emotions of our day and we are thrilled with the photos. We are incredibly lucky to have found her and believe our investment in a quality photographer was one of our best decisions during the planning process.

I also loved dancing with my dad. He chose our song himself, Blue Skies by Willie Nelson, and it was perfect. Growing up we loved listening to music together and it was so special to share that moment with him.

To me, our wedding day was flawless and I would not change one thing. I felt as though the day and design truly reflected Joe and I as a couple and was a wonderful way to start our new life together. My advice for brides-to-be is to take your planner hat off several days before your wedding day. I made sure everything was ready to go and taken care of the week before and the few days leading up to the wedding were relatively stress-free. This really allowed me to take in the experience and to be present. I treated the morning of our wedding like any other day. I went to the gym, had a latte and enjoyed the company of my friends. I made up my mind our wedding would be perfect long before the day arrived and in the company of our closest family and friends, I was so excited to see Joe at the end of the aisle that afternoon.

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Lela Rose

2014 Bridesmaid

Fall 2014

Spring 2015

Fall 2016

Spring 2016

View All Collections

When Her Dad Got a Life-Threatening Diagnosis, She Put on a Wedding Dress

Every girl dreams of that moment her dad sees her in the wedding dress. The moment he walks her down the aisle. The moment they share a father-daughter dance to their special song. It was precious moments like this Emily Millay knew she might never get when her father’s illness took a tragic turn, so she decided to plan the ultimate surprise. Wearing a replica of grandmother’s gown, she met him on the steps of the Cleveland Museum of Art for a “wedding day” first look, photo shoot, and father-daughter dance. The day resulted in photos she’ll cherish forever, and in honor of her late father we invite you to see the truly beautiful moments captured.

From Emily Millay… A girl is never too old to play dress up with her daddy. When our family learned that my father’s illness was getting worse and time was limited, there were a few things that instantly crossed my mind. One of them being that I might not have my dad to walk me down the aisle or to see me on my wedding day in a wedding dress – these beautiful moments that I photograph weekend after weekend for so many of my brides.

This thought absolutely broke my heart. He is a father of three girls. Three girls that, like every other, look forward to those moments. How could it be possible for him to miss out on such a day and many other milestones in our lives. But this one stuck with me. So I thought, why not make it happen? Certainly a crazy thought at first, but now I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

We played dress up for the last time. -Emily

I wanted a replica wedding dress of my grandmother’s made, and we did just that. We played dress up for the last time. I simply told him to meet me at the art museum – I didn’t want to spoil the surprise. After the “first look” I had one of my favorite Irish bands, Mary’s Lane, play a song for us to dance to so my father could experience that moment, as well.

Other special details include great grandmother’s forget me not pin as “something blue”, a pearl bracelet that was my mother’s “something borrowed”, and my grandmother’s mother of pearl ring as “something old”. The freesia boutonniere was selected because my father’s nickname when he first met my mother was “The Freesia Man”. Also, the 28 buttons on the back of my dress were taken off my grandmother’s wedding dress. I chose a handful of photographers to help me with this photo shoot, each one playing a different part in the day.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with these photos at the time. However, my father passed away in the beginning of February, I thought now I would share these photos with everyone. Perhaps it will be a reminder to be grateful for the people who are with you on your wedding day, and every day.

See their special father-daughter dance!

A Father-Daughter Dance to Remember

View Slideshow

A Father-Daughter Dance to Remember

View Slideshow

Jstyle Weddings Bridal Event + A Giveaway!

If there is one thing we love here at SMP, it’s a reason to celebrate. Think drop-dead gorgeous weddings, glittery gold anything and, of course, the Jstyle Weddings Bridal Event happening on April 10, 2016 at The Westin Cleveland Downtown. It’s the city’s most intimate bridal experience, complete with yummy treats, insanely gorgeous inspiration and a never-ending lineup of seriously talented wedding experts. It’s going to be sooo awesome.

Whether you are a modern couple planning your dreamy rooftop wedding or a romantic duo who can’t wait to say “I do” in a garden surrounded by lush florals, the Jstyle Weddings Bridal Event has everything (and I mean everything) you’ll ever need to plan your perfect Big Day. I’m talking Cleveland’s most sought-after vendors joining forces with an entire 4 hours of dazzling inspiration and supporting sponsors Catering by Heinen’s and L’Nique Linens. Plus, each and every stunning moment will take place at The Westin Cleveland Downtown, a hotel that knows everything there is to know about throwing an amazing party. It’s Planning 101 with vendors who will all make it happen seamlessly. And we couldn’t be more excited.

So what are you waiting for, loves? Mark those calendars for Sunday, April 10, 2016 from 11 am – 3 pm. You’ll mix and mingle with the best in bridal salons, cake design, floral design, photography, catering, event design, entertainment, cinematography, health + beauty, wedding planning… and more. Plus, you’ll receive an ah-mazing gift bag, have the exclusive on event-day discounts AND be automatically entered into some fabulous giveaways. Oh, and did I mention the bubbly and dessert? Don’t miss out.

Register for the Jstyle Weddings Bridal Event here and be sure to follow them on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. #JstyleWeddings

What: The Jstyle Weddings Bridal Event is giving one lucky SMP reader a (1) complimentary overnight stay at The Westin Cleveland Downtown with breakfast for (2) and complimentary valet parking ($300 value)!

How: Simply leave a comment below telling us what you are looking forward to the MOST at the Jstyle Weddings Bridal Event! (Ex: I can’t WAIT to chat with all of the amazing cake designers! Yum!)

Who: One lucky winner, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, April 1, 2016! For terms and conditions, click here. Good luck, loves!

[dotted]

Photography (Top to Bottom): Jstyle Weddings (Photos 1,7) + Lauren Gabrielle Photography (Photo 2-6) + Catering By Heinen’s (Photo 3) + Genevieve Nisly Photography (Photo 8) | Event Planning: Kirkbrides + A Charming Fête | Florist: Blooms By Plantscaping + Molly Taylor and Co. | Catering: Catering By Heinen’s | Hotel: The Westin Cleveland Downtown | Bridal Magazine: Jstyle Weddings | Country Club: The Country Club | Linens: L’Nique Linens