jen & nate | cleveland wedding

jen & nate | november 20, 2010
ceremony: university circle united methodist church
reception: marriott cleveland
florist: forest woods
rentals: the finishing touch
photographer: platinum photography
videographer: sb productions
band: run avril run
transportation: a1 mr. limo
bakery: cakes by nadine
photobooth: shutterbooth

the hiring:
i was already booked on jen and nate’s day when i first heard about their awesome wedding from terry at platinum photography. that couple rescheduled their date and heidzillas was brought on board to day of coordinate!

the planning:
i had such a fun time in jen and nate’s planning meetings. i’m not sure if i’ve ever worked with a couple with that much anticipation for the big day. their excitement definitely rubbed off on all of their vendors who were counting down the days along with them. i especially loved hear about the music choices and the parts of the day they were most excited about.

the results:

rehearsal
i just love rehearsals… and this one didn’t disappoint. everyone was ready to go and happy to be there. AND the bridal party got to practice with full music, which was nice because the church’s awesome organ really surprises you the first time you hear it. i know it’s traditional and popular, but i don’t know if there’s anything better than the wedding march on a massive church organ. now for some photos!

getting some notes from the church coordinator

the super cute flower girl and ring bearer

jen and her dad

i think this is where jen realized how long the aisle was.

ceremony
it was a *perfect* day out – so clear and moderate that it was hard to believe it was late november in cleveland.

memorial candles

unity candle

i wish i had taken video of jen’s reaction when she saw the flowers… it was precious.

the amazing peony bouquet

it helps oh so often that heidzillas coordinator brittany worked at a bridal store for a few years. she helped lace jen up perfectly!

getting ready, heidi lent jen a hand

then it was time!

all ready to become a mrs!

almost…

and there they go!

the vows

unity candle lighting

this was such a cute moment when the reverend remembered part of the vows he skipped and everyone got a nice chuckle

and the announcement!

just as they were announced, petals began to softly fall from the rotunda

see our video of the entire announcement and the beautiful exit!

you can see the entire ceremony recap from sb productions on facebook, here.

reception

jen and nate had shutterbooth provide photobooth picture strip frames for escort cards and favors

the lovely hat box card box

the gorgeous room!

announcements

and the new mr. and mrs, who headed right into their first dance

toasts

during dinner, jen and nate’s love story was played. all i have to say is: meant for each other! you MUST watch it on facebook, here.

dancing the night away!

check out the first official wedding photos from platinum photography here!

the notables:
favorite planning moment: nate mentioned to me that the grand entrance into the reception hall was going to be a favorite part of the wedding and it ended up being my favorite. the band played “we’re having a party” as the reception doors opened and guests flowed in from cocktail hour. they kept jamming to “we are family” as everyone was seated. the bridal party announcements and grand entrance of the bride and groom followed and it was perfect!
something old/new/borrowed/blue: jen’s mom wins for best ever something “old” gift. when she told me about this i got choked up. she had taken a piece of her, jen’s grandma;s and jen’s aunt’s dresses and placed them on a custom handkerchief. there is a space for jen’s dress to go in the future.

unique detail: another great gift from jen’s mom was the ring bearer’s pillow. it was made from the pillow jen’s mom gave jen’s dad on their wedding day and a portion of jen’s mom’s dress.

biggest challenge: there were quite a few surprises – some only the bride and groom and we vendors knew about, some only the vendors knew about. it was hard not to slip up for everyone but everything went without a hitch!
sources: jen’s florist got peonies – typically in season here in the US in early summer – flown in from chile. i wish i could blog the smell… they were gorgeous.
fun fact: jen and nate are big bachelor fans, so when nate proposed, he gave her a single red rose.

jen and nate – we loved working with you! kudos on a gorgeous, love-filled wedding! have a blast in mexico!!!