Vibrant, Modern Wedding with East Coast-Style Reception
Rachel and Phil met their freshman year at Boston College, officially becoming a couple by the end of their first semester back in 2015. After college, dating long distance, Rachel moving to Cincinnati to be with Phil, and buying their first home together, this sweet couple came to us excited and ready to truly celebrate the official joining of their lives and families!
Getting to know Rachel and Phil during the planning process gave us the perfect insight and inspiration for their wedding - them! Each event we plan reflects many aspects of our clients, but Rachel and Phil really provided a new level of inspiration for their day. Some of the highlights of their wedding that truly captured who they are as a couple were: the color palette, which used a base of black and white with a progressive layer of pops of color, the 7-piece band that provided the backdrop of live music to the constant crowd on the dance floor, and the delicious food and drink of the evening, specifically curated to share our couple’s favorite foods with all their guests.
The ceremony took place in a bright, sun-filled atrium of the ballet center with white walls and light flooring set against elegant black seating, greenery, and bursts of deep blush, bright pink, and orange florals. The effect was very modern and very elegant with an undertone of the minimalist style that Rachel leans toward. The entire wedding took place at the Cincinnati Ballet building, so afterwards, guests and the wedding party made their way to the cocktail hour on the terrace.
The terrace overlooked a beautiful green space and the Cincinnati skyline, which made for a gorgeous backdrop during the cocktail hour. Guests were invited to enjoy the open bar and mingle at the standing tables covered with soft, billowing coral linens.
After the cocktail hour ended, everyone transitioned into the Sheakley Studio for dinner and dancing. The reception was held East Coast style, which is where the dancing is interspersed throughout the dinner courses instead of happening solely after dinner. Receptions with this kind of dynamic tend to keep the energy levels of the guests high throughout rather than slowly raising it throughout the evening. Phil and Rachel began the reception on the dance floor, inviting guests to join them as they initially entered the studio. After the ceremony, as a surprise to Phil, Rachel wore Phil’s grandmother’s pearls as an accent accessory across the back of her dress.
Dinner came in courses throughout the evening, food and drink flowing between each session of dancing. The decor and color palette mirrored the change in intensity and vivacity levels throughout the day, becoming more intense and vibrant with each proceeding event of the wedding. Foregoing the traditional wedding cake dessert, Rachel and Phil had tables with cookies provided by close friends and family that guests could indulge throughout the evening. The evening ended with a final, sweet private dance for the newly wedded couple.
Virtual rendering of reception space to show client concept design.