Planned and designed by A Charming FĂȘte, this celebration isnât about having a lot going on. Itâs about a few bold decisions, but every single one hits its mark. Alivia and Robâs wedding follows a coastal clean direction with a clear European approach, but itâs styled in a way that lies far from classic beach decor. Instead of leaning into anything soft or seaside, the look is art-directed and controlled, built around large volumes of air, graphic flooring under the tent, and a tight palette of white, green, and chocolate with a cherry on top.
Location: Bratenahl, Ohio, United States
Style: Coastal, Minimal, Classic
Time of planning: 2 years
Number of guests: 280
Setting: ĐĄhurch and Tent
Season: SummerÂ
Alivia and Rob have known each other since preschool. They grew up side by side, became close friends in high school, and only later realized that the bond they already had was something more.Â
After nearly a lifetime of knowing each other and six years of dating, Rob proposed during a sunset at their condo in Boca Raton. Alivia thought it was just a relaxed trip with Rob, her sister, and brother-in-law, until the moment he asked the question. Right after, they turned around to see their family and friends cheering from the balcony above, having watched the entire proposal unfold.Â
Bride's Morning & Fashion
Alivia kept her accessories personal and precise. She wore Jimmy Choo heels and layered in family pieces, including her momâs pearl bracelet and pearl earrings with a marquise detail echoing her engagement ring. Burberry Goddess became her scent for the day. Hair was styled in a classic high bun, with glowy, minimal makeup that focused on looking polished without feeling overdone.
Her dress carried the statement. Alivia chose a Nicole + Felicia Couture ball gown cut from crisp taffeta, finished with an extended basque waist that gave the silhouette real structure. It felt strong enough for the cathedral ceremony, yet light enough for a summer wedding. A short veil added a playful, unexpected touch, balancing the formality of the gown.
The bridesmaids grounded the palette in rich espresso tones. This wasnât a passing mocha moment, but a clear shift toward brown as a new neutral. Set against white architecture and green accents, the darker dresses added depth and weight, giving the overall look a sharper, more fashion-driven edge.
Groom's Fashion
Robâs look stayed classic, with the details doing the work. He and his groomsmen wore custom black tuxedos, each finished with their names embroidered on the inside. Christian Louboutin dress shoes added a sharp finish, paired with an engraved Cartier wedding band and his dadâs gold bracelet, keeping the look grounded. He wore Dior as his scent for the day, and a single calla lily boutonniere tied his look back to the bridal florals.
Ceremony
Alivia and Rob share Irish heritage, and the St. Patrickâs Church felt like a natural extension of their family history. A Lithuanian âbreaking of the breadâ ritual with their grandparents brought an added layer of meaning, honoring shared roots and tradition.
When Alivia appeared at the entrance, the space was filled to the last pew. It was the first time the couple saw each other that day, and the scale of the moment landed instantly. A string quartet and organist performed Ave Maria as she walked down the aisle, setting a classic cathedral tone that felt reverent without feeling distant.
Instead of a traditional flower girl, seven young cousins and family friends walked together as a âflower garden,â adding a soft, playful note to the ceremony. âSeeing everyone we love in one place felt overwhelming in the best way,â Alivia shares.
Cocktail Hour & Moments Together
Cocktail hour and reception unfolded just down the street from Alivia and Robâs first home together, turning an already familiar place into something permanently meaningful. It was relaxed and unforced, with guests moving freely, drinks in hand, and no pressure to perform for the camera.
Captured by Jenna Martin, the moments in between became the focus: natural interactions, quiet check-ins, and clean, unposed frames that documented the day. The weather had stayed overcast for most of the afternoon, but just as cocktail hour began, the clouds lifted, and the lake lit up with a soft, unexpected light.
As the evening transitioned toward the reception, guests moved through layers of fabric draping that framed each entrance like a passageway. The textiles worked almost as theatrical portals, guiding the flow of the night while creating a visual pause between spaces.
Reception
The reception unfolded at The Shoreby Club, a historic lakefront estate turned private yacht club, tucked inside one of Ohioâs most old-money suburbs. Bratenahl isnât trendy or flashy, and thatâs exactly the point. This is a place with social memory, early-20th-century architecture, and a quiet sense of legacy. Set above Lake Erie, the setting delivers a coastal mood without a single beach cliche.
Planned and designed by A Charming FĂȘte, the goal was clear from the start. âWe wanted our wedding to feel timeless, but also warm and welcoming, like stepping into a scene from a classic romantic comedy,â the team shares. âSomething familiar, but elevated.â The vision leaned into traditional structure with unexpected details layered in, creating intimacy at scale.
âEven with a larger guest count, we wanted it to feel like a beautifully curated dinner party,â they explain, pointing to long kingâs tables, banquette seating, and ambient lighting as the elements that kept the space connected rather than sprawling.Â
The reception itself took place inside a custom clearspan tent that took a full week to build, a detail you could feel the moment you stepped inside. Draping by Serendipity Designs transformed the room with fabric installed as a soft ceiling. Underfoot, statement flooring became one of the strongest design moves of the night. The white base with graphic black dot detailing gave the room an art-driven edge.
Florals by Roses for Weddings stayed intentionally restrained, with an emphasis on shape over volume. Instead of garden-style arrangements, elongated white and green compositions came as lines and verticals. Bentwood chairs replaced traditional banquet seating, bringing in a subtle European bistro energy without tipping into theme.Â
A deep green bar installation stood front and center, designed as a true set piece rather than something to hide. Cascading greenery framed the structure, making it look as if it had grown into place on its own.Â
Then the clouds parted just in time for sunset, washing the lake and the tent interior in unreal colors. The palette stayed mostly white and green, until one deliberate disruption appeared. Their Italian-style, one-layer cake was finished with classic piping and topped with raspberries. Red came in like lipstick with a total white look: minimal, intentional, and impossible to miss.
An 11-piece band from Jordan Kahn Orchestra turned the reception into a full-scale performance, moving through the crowd, dancing with their instruments, and pulling guests into the moment rather than keeping them on the sidelines. First dances gave way to full-floor momentum, and the night built naturally without ever feeling forced.Â
To close things out, the couple added one final personal detail: Bernieâs Slider Bar, a NYC-style late-night bite named after their dog. It was playful, personal, and exactly the kind of character detail that wrapped the night on a high.
Advice from the couple:
âą One of the best pieces of advice we can give is to take a few quiet moments together during the day â just the two of you. Step off to the side, away from the crowd, and soak it all in.
âą Look around at your loved ones, the joy, the energy, and the love that surrounds you. The day goes by so fast, and those little check-in moments help you slow down and truly remember how it felt!
PLANNING & DESIGN A Charming FĂȘte | PHOTOGRAPHERÂ Jenna Martin | CINEMATOGRAPHYÂ Diego Films | VENUE The Shoreby Club | FLORAL DESIGN Roses for Weddings | MUAH Mane Chic | BRIDAL & FORMAL WEAR Bridal & Formal | STATIONERY Plume & Paper | DRAPING Serendipity Designs | TENT Aable Rents | LINENS LâNique, Mosaic | RENTALS Borrow Curated, The 1978 Collection, Event Source, Lasting Impressions |Â ENTERTAINMENT Jordan Kahn Orchestra | STRING QUARTET Opus 216 | LIGHTING Selective Sound EventsÂ
