Pictures courtesy of Jess+Nate Studios
They will be talking about this one for a while.
I was referred to Katie and her mom, Mary Adelle, through a few different people we both knew/worked with so when meeting up for the first time in January we knew it was a perfect match! It was truly a family effort planning this wedding of any girl's dream.
The July 16, 2011 ceremony was held at Katie's parents' house which was within walking distance to the reception. The steps that you see in the picture of Katie and her Dad were put in for this wedding specifically and are called "the Katie steps". We successfully coordinated the traffic flow of guests arriving the ceremony through hotel shuttles and trollies from the valet area.
After a heartfelt and truly beautiful ceremony in front of their English Garden (which is a stop on the Gates Mills garden tour each year), Katie and Jeff were piped out by a bagpiper and drummer, and made a surprise exit in her dad's MG red convertible (complete with a "Just Married" sign made my yours truly! Kudos to my cheerleading days...). Guests could choose to walk over to the reception at the Hunt Club or take a ride on the trolley. Many chose to take the 10 minute walk on a wonderfully hot Ohio July day, past horse stables and over the mill stream bridge. The father of the bride even had a temporary bar set up outside of their barn if anyone needed a refreshment on the way over!
Once guests arrived the Hunt Club, they were in for a whole new set of surprises. Our tent provided by Everything Tented and lit by Rock the House was wonderfully decorated with a gorgeous ceiling liner and sparkling chandeliers, with draping displayed behind the 26 person head table! One of Katie's most desired aspects of the wedding was a spectacular bar atmosphere. After much discussion and review of many ideas, we ended on the pink sparkle bookcase backdrop decor, the out of this world phalaenopsis orchid arrangements from Grande Designs reused from the ceremony, and the Mastiff dog ice sculptures (the bride's family breeds these dogs and I quickly learned why they told me not to dress up when visiting their house upon my first meeting held there, LOL).
Our stunning cake was from White Flower Cake Shoppe. Katie made the ceremony programs and dinner menus herself (see note about her company below!) and Kirkbrides created the placecards and table numbers.
As if that wasn't enough to impress our guests, at the tail end of dinner we played a custom "Love Story" created by Candy Apple Films projected onto large screens on either side of the tent. The ambiance felt like going to a drive-in movie outside on a warm summer night. The production interviewed Katie, Jeff and their families and talked about how they met, got engaged and plans for the future.
I could go on and on (as usual) but this wedding with all of its pieces and parts for nearly 300 people was truly one of the biggest productions Kirkbrides has coordinated to date. It was nothing short of a magical day for Katie and Jeff. I know I will remain friends with this family for years to come, as they seem to treat everyone who enters their doors like family.
Katie submitted this wedding to Town and Country magazine and I am proud to announce that it will appear in their April 2012 issue. Keep an eye out for that!
Lastly, in her married life Katie has started a company named Clagett Designs, specializing in jewelry, stationery and other fabulous handcrafted items. Katie is extremely creative and I know she has found her passion in this new endeavor!
Best wishes, Katie and Jeff! I'm so pleased to have met you and have played such a large part in your most memorable day. :)
Note from Katie:
Thank you to Jessica and Nate from Jess+Nate Studios for these beautiful pictures!
Valarie, It was AWESOME!Thank you for creating such a sensational day! XO,MA
It is such an inspiration to all bride to be. Is garden wedding most popular in Italy?
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