leah & matt | cleveland wedding

leah & matt | july 3, 2010
ceremony: pier w
officiant: annie peters
reception: sammy’s metropolitan ballroom
florist: vase to vase
rentals: everything tented
linens: l’nique
photographer: lcd
dj: selective sound entertainment
transportation: all occasions
bakery: west point market

the hiring:
i was very flattered when leah, an event planner herself, contacted me in june 2009 in regards to my day of coordination services. she was planning from several states away, and i got the opportunity to meet her and matt the next trip they took home.

the planning:
our initial planning was via dozens of page long and late night emails when leah and i had time in our busy schedules to correspond. once l&m moved back to the cleveland area and we could meet as often as we liked!

the results:
rehearsal
it was rather cool on the pier w rooftop at the rehearsal being that a nearby building cast a giant shadow on the space. we lamented that it was probably nicer to have the cool than the next day’s heat. without the chairs it was a little difficult to visualize the altar, but a few guests of the bridal party served as our visual markers where the aisle would be the next day. all enjoyed the view!

ceremony
leah and matt chose their wedding day over two years in advance… and they couldn’t have chosen any better! it was sunny, without a cloud in the sky and just gorgeous!

it was, however, awfully sunny and hot, which leah prepared for – she provide guests with lemon and lime filled water pitchers as well as cool cookies.

i think the ceremony was one of my favorite views of cleveland ever. and it really set the tone for the entire weekend – the thread of cleveland was woven in everything they planned.

leah’s reaction when it was difficult to get matt’s ring on his warm fingers got a great chuckle from their guests.

reception
the metropolitan ballroom also has a wonderful view of cleveland. with the red and blue uplighting from selective sound, there was this great feel of cleveland and fourth of july. guests enjoyed a long cocktail hour followed by a three course meal.

escort card mosaic:

guest book mosaic:

first dance!

the whole room:

the notables:
favorite planning moment: leah asked me for officiant referrals, one of the names i gave her was my former high school art teacher and ordained minister, annie peters, leah and matt hit it off with annie and hired her to officiate! it was nice to go to the ceremony knowing exactly who i was working with (someone who has a significant impact on my life, including encouraging my own artistic abilities.)

nwr memorable moment: when i arrived at the metropolitan ballroom, the streets were lined with people holding signs that read “HOME” and “COMMUNITY.” i later found out that when leah and her maids were en route from their hotel to the ceremony location, their limo held up a limo carrying a particular former cavs player who was leaving img.

unique detail: matt designed all of their stationery including programs, and guest to-do booklets that were given out post-ceremony. he chose table numbers based on favorite sports start. instead of being seated at tables number 1 through 10, guests were assigned to table 82 for ozzie newsome, table 13 for omar vizquel, table 23 for he who shall not be named, etcetera. leah and matt’s head table was named “jt” for the head coach of their favorite college football team. (their favors were peanut butter and chocolate treats who share the same name as the team.)

biggest challenge: the wind! outdoor weddings are challenging because of the elements and on july 3 the biggest challenge was the lovely breeze that kept guests cool but also kept the aisle runner a fluttering and programs blowing. of course, however, the view was SO worth it.

sources: leah found her yummy macarons a la parisienne at trader joe’s.

fun fact: leah and matt met 559 miles from cleveland in st. louis, but grew up in northeast ohio 30 miles apart.