Northeast Ohio Weddings Magazine

SHOW STOPPING ALTERNATIVES
On a Hill, Under a Tree
INTIMATE WEDDING
Rocky River Beach
How to Carry Off a
Theme Wedding
in Style
NEOWeddingsMag.com

How to ditch
Wedding Traditions
Want to get out with the old, in with the new?
WRITTEN BY Mallory Gibson
Not seeing each other before the
wedding, big white gown, tossing the
bouquet, blah, blah, blah. I could go on
for hours. There are lists upon lists
of typical wedding traditions we are
“supposed” to follow. But who decided
this? And who says we still have to
embody every single one? Why can’t
we just pick and choose which ones
we want? Of course we don’t want to
upset mom or grandma by just ousting
their ways, but this is your wedding.
Your happiness matters most.
Being a non-traditional bride can be
hard because weddings are so known
to have specific ways of doing things,
especially when friends and family
members are constantly in your ear
telling you to do what they think is
best, but it’s worth it if it means making
your dreams for your perfect day
come true.
Do what’s best for you two instead
of what everyone else is wanting from
you. If that means having some of your
best guy friends as “bridesmaids” or
seeing each other privately before
the ceremony instead of while you’re
walking down the aisle, do it. Or if you
don’t even want a wedding cake that
you’re “supposed” to smash into each
other’s faces, try having a s’mores bar
or a donut decorating station! Or if
you want to have a Sunday brunch
wedding instead of the traditional Saturday
evening, that’s great, too. There
are so many options of replacements
of wedding traditions and not only
can they be more fun, but they let you
express who you and your significant
other are.
Any way you want to celebrate and
express yourself on your big day is absolutely
okay And if someone doesn’t
agree with that, just focus on yourself
and your significant other and make
the day exactly how you two have it
pictured. At the end of the day, the
whole point is to bring you two closer
together, so live it up however you
two see fit. It’s all about you.
NORTHEAST OHIO WEDDINGS MAGAZINE 3

NON-TRADITIONAL
Wedding Dress Alternatives
Wedding Dress Alternatives
WRITTEN BY Mallory Gibson
1. Jumpsuit
This can be perfect for anyone who just doesn’t do
dresses. It could be perfect for same-sex marriages, or
someone who just doesn’t want to deal with the hassle
of picking up their dress every time they want to move.
2. Romper
A similar take on the jumpsuit, a romper could be a cute
outfit if you’re not into the frilly, poofy dresses but also
want to stay cool. Designers have come out with lots
of different options now, from lace to bling or even just
modern and simple.
3. Cocktail Dresses
Short dresses can be more casual and definitely more
budget-friendly. There are lot of different styles so you
can still be a girly bride, but not have the long train to
constantly worry about as you dance the night away.
4. Colored Dresses
This can be a super fun and quirky twist to the typical
wedding dress. It can definitely brighten the overall
mood and vibe of the wedding, and make the bride stand
out even more.
5. Repurpose a Dress You Already Have
Love something that you already own? According to
Vogue Australia, British actress, Keira Knightley, wore a
Chanel dress that she already had in her closet, and you
can too.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY Sherri Nutter
Amour Floral & Decor is a full service event designing company
in the Northeast Ohio marketplace. We understand the
importance of planning your special event down to the very
last detail. Let Amour provide you with custom floral designs
and decor for your next special event!
This is your wedding day. Yours. Not your mom’s, not your sister’s, but yours. Brides are always pictured to
wear a long, white gown with a long, white veil when walking down the aisle, and we have had this image
in our heads ever since we were little, right? It is incredibly important you feel beautiful on your wedding
day, so if a big, white ball gown isn’t your thing, then don’t wear one! Your comfort, your confidence, and how
you feel on your day overall is top priority so it’s OK to find something stylish that suits your personality.
Let’s toss aside the stereotypical wedding gowns and talk about some alternatives.
4 NORTHEAST OHIO WEDDINGS MAGAZINE

NON-TRADITIONAL
How to Plan the Ultimate Theme Wedding
How to Plan the
Ultimate
Theme
Wedding
WRITTEN BY Christine Harles
When Breaking Bad actor Aaron
Paul and his wife, Lauren Parsekian
had a Parisian Great Gatsby carnival
themed reception, guests dressed for
the occasion and were entertained by
mimes and stilt walkers. It was over
the top, and glorious and charming,
and exactly what they wanted to
commemorate their favorite movie
and the city that they met in.
Is a theme wedding right for you?
And is it possible to even pull off an
over the top theme wedding without
the resources that celebrities have at
their fingertips? One of the most exciting
things about a wedding is seeing
the couple and their personalities
come through in their wedding style.
With the growth of unique hobbies
and “fandoms”, which is a following
centered around a novel, show, movie
series, etc., weddings have become
incredibly customizable. Whether it’s
having your brother-in-law dress up
as the Phantom from The Phantom of
the Opera, or battling it out on the
dance floor with light sabers in Star
Wars-esque fashion, there seems to
be something for everyone, but where
is the line between Elegance on the
Thames and Nightmare on Elm Street?
Couple’s reasons for breaking tradition
are usually deeply personal and
meaningful. Sarah and James Hammermill
had a Disney themed wedding
because they first met as Disneyland
when they were only seven years old.
“I wanted the pink teacup, he wouldn’t
let me have it, I punched him, he
punched me back, and from then on
we were inseparable”, Sarah laughed.
They have visited every Disney
theme park around the world together,
and couldn’t think of a better
way to express their lives together.
“We have a Mickey and
Minnie cake topper, I
will arrive in a horse
drawn Cinderella
Carriage, and we hired
Princesses to come and
entertain the kids”
—Sarah
So how to avoid looking back at an
embarrassing fad trap? Make sure that
whatever you’re deciding on is truly
reflective of you as a couple. Taking
the time to sort out the things you
both are passionate about will help
narrow your choices. Pick a theme
that means something to your relationship
to one another, or one that
has been in your lives for a long time,
and is personal to each of you.
Picking one theme versus several. It
sounds painstaking, but narrowing
down the theme to one book series,
movie, or hobby will make it much
easier to keep the decorations organized,
as well as give you a clearer
picture of what it will look like all set
up on the big day.
Once you’ve picked your theme, one
of the most obvious problems that
many couples face is which decor is
classy, quirky, and unique but doesn’t
take away from the event as a wedding
or reception. As a girl who has
seen her fair share of Mickey Mouse
heads used as centerpieces, Harry
Potter cakes, and Star Wars photobooths,
I can say with confidence that
I strongly recommend items that fit
into a comfortable color pallet, that is
suitable for decor. This being said, that
doesn’t mean you can’t have Gryffindor,
Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin
house colors on tables, or desserts, it
just means that picking the locations
wisely, and with purpose will keep
the theme tied together and allow
your guests to appreciate the time
and effort put it, without being overwhelmed.
Remember, just because
something fits your theme doesn’t
mean you NEED it at your wedding/
reception; when it doubt, follow the
“quality over quantity” rule.
Small details go a long way, so as fun as
it sounds to have a guest appearance
from The Phantom of the Opera, having
a small mask in the rose bouquet centerpieces
and black napkins will ultimately
help you adhere to the theme
a bit more. Desserts, table decor and
gifts for your guests offer a really
whimsical and creative way for a couple
to express themselves. Whether
you decide on a cupcake tower with
flavors based on local cuisine from a
beautiful trip you took, or a decorated
sugar cookies, the possibilities are
truly endless.
Most importantly, remember this day
is about you and the person you love
coming together in front of the people
who matter most to each of you,
don’t be afraid to throw the wedding
of YOUR dreams, they all had or will
have their chance to do the same!
A Specialty
Vintage and
Farmhouse
Dessert Bar
ASK ABOUT
OUR WEDDING
SPECIALS!
PHOTOGRAPHED BY Vincent Eng, Pexels.com
6 NORTHEAST OHIO WEDDINGS MAGAZINE
(614) 458-8439
4178 Silver Springs Ln.
Columbus, OH 43230

PROPOSAL
Places to Pop the Question
Places to Pop
the Question
WRITTEN BY Zoe Stitzer
Are you thinking about popping the question?
Make sure the scenery is as magical as your love. Here
are 5 of the most picturesque Northeast Ohio outdoor
engagement locations for this summer.
3.Marblehead Lighthouse
State Park
It’s the oldest lighthouse this side
of the Great Lakes. Reminisce
on the story of how you two
fell in love while learning
about a lighthouse riddled
with history that withstood
the test of time. It is still the
most photographed Lake Erie
landmark. If you aren’t too lost
in each other’s eyes, the lighthouse
lookout offers a beautiful view of
the lake.
1.Squires Castle
Be a knight in shining armour as
you quest for eternal love.This
open air castle in Willoughby
Hills will make you feel like
you’re roaming through the
countryside in 19th century
England. Set on a hilltop, the
castle has plenty of private
nooks to propose. The castle
is a part of the Northern Chagrin
Reservation, and is surrounded by
lush forest.
2.Edgewater Park Beach
Who says you can’t have a tropical
paradise engagement in Northeast
Ohio? Edgewater is the perfect
Lake Erie Beach location for
an engagement. Propose
cliffside while listening to
the crash of the waves, get
down on one knee on the
grass with the best view of the
water, or grab a stick and write
down your feelings in the sand. This
beach is also a quick jaunt over to
Cleveland for a celebratory dinner.
4.Little Italy
Plan a day exploring the streets of
Little Italy to feel like a tourist
in your own state. Walk down
the cobble street roads, play
Bocce Ball with the locals,
and dance under the twinkle
lights. Journey down to the
many Italian restaurants and
start your lives together over a
plate of spaghetti.
5.Where You Have Made the
Best Memories
The only view that really matters
is your view of each other. Pick
a Northeast Ohio destination
that’s special to you. Bringing
them back to where you
met, shared your first kiss, or
said I love you can make the
moment even more joyous.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY Tim Evanson (1), Eric Drost (2&4), Benny Mazur (3), Lucas Blazek (5)
8 NORTHEAST OHIO WEDDINGS MAGAZINE

BEAUTY
DIY Treatments to Zap Zits
DIY Spot Treatments to
Zap Zits
Overnight
WRITTEN BY Mikayla Arin
Did a pimple sprout up the
day before your wedding?
It never fails; just when the most
important thing in your mind is to
look stunning, a stress volcano rears
its ugly head right on your forehead,
and since, according the Rahe scale,
your wedding is high on the list of
most stressful things below only
divorce, death and imprisonment, the
likelihood of a giant pustule appearing
pre-wedding is pretty high. Here
are some ideas on how to banish the
imperfections quickly.
1. Tea Tree Oil. This multipurpose
essential oil is known for its cleansing
properties, and will minimize swelling
and redness when applied to the
blemish.
2. Toothpaste. Because
toothpaste contains silica, it makes
for a great overnight drying lotion.
3. Lemon Juice. Freshly squeezed
lemon juice will draw out the oils
and shrink the blemish.
4. Ice. Holding ice against the
blemish for a few minutes will reduce
the swelling and size, and in turn
reduce its lifespan.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar. Not
only will it kill the bacteria, it also
balances the pH of your skin making
it harder for bacteria thrive.
6. Aloe Vera Gel. The aloe will
sooth the area, decreasing the
redness and swelling.
7. Garlic. Its antibacterial properties
will reduce the severity of your
blemish, and can even prevent future
breakouts from happening. Never
apply garlic to the skin without first
diluting it in water.
8. Potatoes. Antioxidant rich
potatoes help to nourish the skin,
and encourage the growth of new
skin cells.
9. Steam. Exposing the skin to
steam will open up the pores and
flush out impurities.
10. Baking Soda. Not only will
baking soda exfoliate the skin, but it
also draws out excess oil and fights
off bacteria.
Now that you have a remedy,
you needn’t stress out about the
possibility of a breakout...which
just might mean that you won’t
break out…
10 NORTHEAST OHIO WEDDINGS MAGAZINE

Elegant
SIMPLICITY
By: Christine Harles
Peek-A-Boo Sleeve Trumpet Gown
Brand: Badgley Mishka
Price: $890.00
Neiman Marcus Diamonds
Diamond Stud Earrings
Price: $4695.00
Plunging A-Line
Gown
By: Nordstrom
Price: $995.00
Simple
Beach Wedding
Small Satin Flower
David’s Bridal
Price: $49.95
By: Mallory Gibson
Estee Lauder
Pure Cover Envy
Hi Lustre Light
Sculpting Lipstick
Price: $32.00
Elegant White
Rose Bouquet
Photo: Clark Brewer
Essie Wild Nudes
Nail Polish
Price: $9.00
Jimmy Choo Rommey Glimmer
100Mm Pump, Silver
Price: $595.00
Barefoot Sandals
Etsy -Barefoot Shop
Price: $33.00
Simple and Elegant
Three Tier Cake
Photo: Esther Sun
12 13

PHOTOGRAPHED BY Carly Drzazga
Abby & Connor
WRITTEN BY Zoe Stitzer
Most brides picture a grandiose wedding, surrounded
by friends, family and acquaintances alike, but Abby
and Connor started their forever with a small intimate
wedding, on a hill under a tree. Abby and Connor
were married at Rocky River Beach, surrounded
by the love of their 12 person immediate family. Carly
said the key to capturing the perfect wedding moment
is to be in tune with the bride and groom’s story. For
this couple, Carly incorporated the spot that they first
fell in love at into the location for their pictures. “The
first time ever that Abby, the bride, skipped school, was
with Connor, the groom, and they went to the art museum,”
Carly said. “Every year, they take a photo together
there. Their whole relationship they have done that.” Carly
took the couple’s engagement and wedding pictures at
the art museum to keep the tradition going and commemorate
their love for each other. Carly said her favorite part
of the wedding to photograph was the groom’s reaction to
seeing his bride walk down the aisle toward him. “Just
seeing them be completely vulnerable and being
able to capture that was my favorite for
sure,” Carly said. “He just started crying…She just stood
there holding his face, having a little moment right before.”
Tiny moments spent with people who will love them forever.
The Perfect wedding.
14 NORTHEAST OHIO WEDDINGS MAGAZINE
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