Melissa & Pete

This couple’s endless sense of adventure has even fashioned their very own slogan, "Adventures Big and Small."    Melissa and Pete seek out big adventures, like climbing climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and then also make day-to-day things such as a Chai Tea Making workshop into small adventures.  It’s a new adventure every time with this adorable couple. 

These historians who love to explore have a long grocery list of places they have traveled to; places like Amsterdam, Mackinac Island, or Mafia Island in Tanzania.  By the way did I mention they discovered all these destinations on bike?  So it only seemed fitting that they would have their wedding at Carillon Historical Park’s James F. Dicke Transportation Center, which provided an urban yet vintage feel for their BIG day. 

The reception space was decorated with soft hues of color along with romantic flowers, provided and designed by a family friend.  Melissa wore an elegant but simple long lace gown and accessorized with a crown of flowers.  Pete channeled his British swag and wore a handsome yet dapper tweed wool suit, paired with a bow-tie, suspenders and fancy cuff-links.

Guests traveled near and far to attend the wedding, as the couple lives in NYC and study at Columbia, Melissa’s family is from Ohio and Pete’s from the UK.  The farthest guest traveled all the way from Japan.  So it was fitting that maps, globes and books were part of the décor for the already vintage feel of the venue.  

Guests enjoyed family, friends, yummy food and amazing pies in a wonderful night full of dancing eating and drinking!  WEDDING ENVY!!

Check out their amazing engagement session here!

VENDORS

Reception: James F. Dicke Transportation Center   |   Church: Christ Episcopal Church
Catering: Bernstein's Fine Catering  |  Décor Rentals: Prime Time Party Rental
Hair & Makeup: Pinned Up | Photography: Sarah Babcock Studio

Melissa and Pete got married at Carillon Park in Dayton on July 25, 2015. Photo by Sarah Babcock Studio

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Tharu & Justin Wedding

Quite possibly the cutest couple ever!  These 2 love birds met at school in Ohio and now are a power couple that lives in NYC.  Tharu and Justin’s wedding was held in Dayton, Ohio and was a fusion of both western and Sri Lankan cultures where guests traveled near and far to attend the celebration. 

Tharu wore a beautiful white and gold saree for the ceremony and then changed into a modern western wedding dress for the reception.  She also followed western tradition and wore something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue in her gorgeous gold jewels.  She wore jewelry from both her grandmothers that have both passed, which included earrings from her dad's mom and a bangle from her mom's mom. 

Justin and Thrau’s dads both got together along with their tool belts and built the “Poruwa”, or the Sri Lankan bridal throne/ bridal altar. During the ceremony, the couple lit a traditional Sri Lankan lamp decorated with strings of jasmine flowers, and symbolized the light that starts their marriage together.  Also during the ceremony, the guitarist is the bride’s old guitar teacher, while Justin's cousin, sung “Your Song" by Elton John as the couple walked down the aisle in the Great Hall at the Dayton Art Institute. 

The reception was filled with lots of food, drinks and dancing,   which included a Sri Lankan dancing session with "Baila" music, where all guest were on the dancefloor. 

Guests left with full bellies, tired feet and gifts of can Koozies designed by the couple that gave a tribute to the great state of OHIO and favor boxes designed by the brides uncle filledwith Sri Lankan Love cake that her mom made from scratch….YUMMY!!!

VENDORS

Ceremony/Reception: Dayton Art Institute  |  Event Coordinator: Kerr Events
Cake:  Ele Cake Company   |   Catering: Kohler Catering
Flowers: Floral V Designs  | Linens: Prime Time Party Rental
Ceremony Music: Jim McCutcheon  | DJ: Black Box Weddings
Saree: Asiyan's  | Dress Shop: Bridal & Formal
Jewelry: Tejani  | Tuxedos: The Black Tux
Photography: Sarah Babcock Studio

Justin & Tharu's Dayton Art Institute, Ohio Wedding

Midwest Bride Blog

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Joanna & Keon Wedding

When I first met Joanna and Keon I thought WOW what an amazing couple who are very much in love. And that love most definitely spills over to the relationship between the Groom’s daughter, Kennady and the bride, Joanna. Kennady was very much a HUGE part of the couple’s big day. She was not only the flower girl but her and her Dad’s favorite slogan “To Infinity & Beyond” made it to the top of the cake on a golden cake topper.  Although the event was small and intimate, the noteworthy detail was Joann’s wedding attire. Now I am totally obsessed with ladies who opt for an offbeat, interesting wedding dress.  Not that I don’t love traditional and classic bride in white…but I have just been craving something different lately and then here comes the beautiful Joanna in a STUNNING EMERALD GREEN dress.  She is most definitely a daring bride who’s willing to defy tradition and march to the beat of her own drum and she looked ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS doing so.  She also wore her Great Grandmother's necklace that paired perfect with her jewel-toned dress and her diamond and emerald engagement ring.  Guests enjoyed the gorgeous rose gardens that surrounded the ceremony location as well as the reception venue. The guest gifts were flower seed packets, which were not only a clever and budget friendly idea but allowed loved ones to take home something as a reminder of the day and the beautiful floral surroundings of the event.

VENDORS

Ceremony/Reception: The Whetstone Park of Roses
Cake:  Bake Me Happy   |   Catering: Cameron Mitchell 
Hair: The Spa at River Ridge  | Dress Shop: Tulle and Chantilly