This magical wedding unfolded amidst the gorgeous landscapes of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where even the rainy skies couldn’t overshadow the warmth and joy of the celebration. Thoughtful details — handmade invitations, a personalized photo booth, local vendors, and the unwavering support of loved ones — made Becca and Marc’s special day truly unforgettable.
Location: Bath, Ohio, USA
Style: Bright, airy, grassroots
Time of planning: 9 months
Number of guests: 120
Setting: Ceremony – church, reception – farm
Season: Summer
Marc and Becca’s love story began with a lucky chance: they lived just a mile away but met on a dating app. Their first date was on a private beach of Lake Erie. The couple combed the shore for sea glass, unable to hide their excitement and nervousness in front of each other. From that moment on, Marc and Becca became inseparable, creating countless memories of camping, skiing, and even canoeing together.
On the couple’s first visit to Rockefeller Greenhouse in Cleveland, they tossed a coin into the fountain in the Orchid Room. Little did they know that they both wished for “forever together.” Sometime later, Marc orchestrated the perfect moment for his proposal, ‘spontaneously’ agreeing to Becca’s suggestion to stop by the memorable Greenhouse before grabbing a coffee with his sister. After the couple wandered around the familiar surroundings, emotions took over: they hugged warmly and tossed sea glass into the fountain to keep up with the sweet tradition. Just a moment later, Marc got down on one knee, turning an ‘unexpected’ change of plans into an unforgettable day.
Bride's Fashion
Becca found her stunning vintage dress from the late 70s at Miranda’s Vintage Bridal, she also did not hesitate to make some adjustments to achieve the perfect look. The original full-lace chest and collar were transformed into a ruffled, off-the-shoulder neckline, resulting in a delicate and playful gown. “I didn’t have a concise vision for the dress; I just went with my gut feeling,” the bride admits. A long, flowy skirt of the dress with a floral lace pattern at the hem, a matching translucent veil, and dainty cream heels with pink flowers on the straps made Becca look light and ethereal.
The bride went with a simple yet elevated look. Her friend and makeup artist Taylor Durbin used soft pinks and peach tones, amplifying Becca’s features while still fitting the desired down-to-earth aesthetic. Hairstylist Joy Mueller followed Becca’s natural curl structure, creating a breezy appearance, which could withstand the rainy weather and still look elegant. To complete the bohemian bridal look Becca chose delicate floral earrings and a hairpin from the same store as the dress.
Becca did not want to create strict fashion rules for her bridesmaids, asking them to pick out their attire. The chosen light summer dresses with dreamy silhouettes in pastel pink, blue, lavender, and yellow colors exceeded Becca’s expectations. “They did a phenomenal job and the dresses looked amazing together,” the bride recalls.
Groom's Fashion
Marc opted for Jcrew Italian wool suit in deep navy color, which beautifully contrasted with the lightness of his bride’s dress. To top it off, the groom went for the Cole Haan chestnut brown shoes, an elegant and classic choice. Mirroring the intricate lace of Becca’s look, Marc wore a Daze wildflower tie in a neutral creamy color with a sheer, delicate blossoming pattern. As a final touch – simple yet unique dahlia boutonniere.
First Look
The gloomy morning of the wedding left Becca feeling anxious; the forecast promised high winds and heavy rain. That is why seeing her groom for the first time was especially exciting and calming. Becca walked into the center of the small green field, surrounded by a rich emerald forest; the pit of nerves in her stomach melted as soon as she met Marc’s loving gaze. The couple shared a warm embrace, admiring each other’s beauty.
Both Becca and Marc felt that this moment of calmness before the official ceremony was perfect to read out their hand-written vows for the first time. Marc did not miss the chance to make the occasion even more unique as he handed his bride a heart-shaped piece of sea glass from their very first date.
To capture this straight out of the fairy tale scene, photographer Allie Sayre opted for a mix of film and digital pictures. Before proceeding with the ceremony Becca, Marc, and the photographer explored the vast territory of the farm, creating even more stunning images together. Allie Sayre’s artistry provided the couple and their guests with timeless and dynamic visuals, conveying the celebration’s easy-going and natural aesthetic.
"Their first look initially was just them seeing each other; then, at the last minute, they decided to read their vows to each other alone first before doing it at the ceremony as well. Their words to each other were incredibly sweet, and as an observer through my lens, I couldn't help but tear up."
Venue
The couple’s inspiration for the venue came from their shared love for the outdoors. Becca and Marc envisioned an open space full of untamed wildflowers and trees where guests could roam freely, enjoying the fresh countryside air. The couple chose the Hale Farm and Village, nestled in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which perfectly matched the desired garden party feel and the authentic charm of the wedding.
Ceremony
The rainy weather could not overshadow the joy of the wedding day, yet it changed some of the initial plans. The couple moved their ceremony from the outdoor space to the mid 19th-century Greek Revival-style white chapel. This last-minute change made the ceremony feel even more intimate, allowing the guests to get a better look at the newlyweds.
As Becca walked down the aisle, white rose petals fell to her feet, making the entrance magical. Marc stood eagerly waiting, as the guests held their breath. After saying their vows, this time in front of dozens of eyes, the couple shared a sweet kiss, earning loud applause from their beloved audience.
The couple’s exit from the chapel was picturesque, to say the least. To Becca and Marc’s surprise, the sky started clearing up, and the first rays of sunshine grazed the front yard of the chapel. Beaming with joy, the guests tossed dried flower petals and cheered as the couple descended the stairs.
Decor & Setting
The reception took place at the open-air Carriage Pavilion. The couple had a lot of space to work with and did not hesitate to add memorable details. Nearby the spacious dance floor, the guests could find Becca and Marc’s recently refinished canoe with a Polaroid camera, which made for a perfect photoshoot occasion and a playground for the youngest guests.
As the family and friends entered the pavilion, they saw dining tables, beautifully decorated with wildflower arrangements made by the local florists Dana and Shannon Depew from Askerisk Farms. An array of fairy lights twinkled overhead, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
Reception
Becca and Marc entered the reception space as the guests cheered. The couple immediately made their way to the dancefloor to the song ‘In Your Love’ by Tyler Childers, the couple’s favorite artist. Becca and Marc swayed to the rhythm, not taking their eyes off each other. They finished their first dance with a cinematic kiss.
The reception proceeded with a heartfelt speech by the father of the Bride. Becca and Marc sat at their sweetheart table, admiring the crowd, holding in the happy tears. As the speech ended, the guests raised their champagne glasses, toasting to the new chapter of the couple’s life.
Becca and Marc did not miss the chance to add another special detail by creating two signature drinks for the dinner: the Spicy Marc-A-Rita and the Honey Pie. The Marc-A-Rita is a play on words with the grooms’s name, while ‘The Honey Pie’ is reminiscent of the nickname Becca’s dad gave the couple.
Becca made sure to honor her bridesmaids with the timeless bouquet toss. A stunning wildflower arrangement soared through the air as her excited friends reached to catch it.
Party
When it was time to rock the dancefloor, an unexpected DJ took the stage. It was the couple’s close friend Anthony, who used to play in the same band with Marc. Even though Anthony had never done DJing, he created a perfect upbeat set with the couple, ensuring a fun celebration.
The couple chose a cake from Philomena Bake Shop, an allergy-friendly bakery in Cleveland. Becca and Marc shared a heart-shaped desert, a perfect sweet treat to finish the evening.
"We tried to make our wedding as “grassroots” as possible, leaning on many of our friends and family to participate in each aspect of the wedding, making it feel more personal than other weddings we had been to."
Advice from the couple:
• Don’t be afraid to trust your vision, try something new, or add your own personal touches.
• If you are very emotional like us, do a first look, it was so special sharing that moment together and feeling comfortable to let any emotions come freely.
PHOTOGRAPHER Allie Sayre Photography | VENUE Hale Farm and Village | COORDINATOR Debbie Crain | HAIR Joy Mueller | FLORIST Asterisk Farms | CATERING Taste of Excellence | DRESS Miranda’s Vintage Bridal | TUX Jcrew | SHOES Cole Haan | CAKE Philomena Bake Shop
