Hyatt Regency Cleveland Arcade Wedding

Hyatt Regency Cleveland Arcade weddings are always a favorite and Justine and Ryan’s was perfect!

Please enjoy, Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer

It was so nice being back to the Arcade for a second time in a few weeks. I always love the challenge
of getting new perspectives on the same space and there’s so many great ways to show off a couple in this
beautiful venue. There’s just no other architecture like this around. If you follow my work you’re aware that
I love to utilize the surroundings to embrace the vibe the couple wanted with their wedding day choice.

Justine was obvious a fan too: “We looked around at a bunch of New York venues but the Arcade was our
top choice, and when we saw it in person we were floored. There’s nothing like it!

“My family and friends were so happy with the beautiful venue. I especially got a lot of great comments
on lighting and my friend Melanie said “it was the most beautiful wedding venue she’s been to date”. We agree.”

Getting ready photos are always easy here too with the suites on site. 

At first the couple wasn’t going to do a first look even though they were going to see each other before
the ceremony for portraits with the bridal party and families. I talked them into it since it’s a unique chapter
of the day and the results were worth it!

Justine had something funny to say about that: “Apparently we were the only couple Scott has ever photographed
who didn’t want to do a first look. We loved Scott yelling at a bunch of tourists who were in the way of our
first look photos. Poor tourists.”

This is my blog so I get the last word! She’s partly correct in that it’s the first couple seeing each other
before the ceremony I’ve had that was leaning toward not doing a first look. Of course many couples that have
portraits in between the ceremony and cocktail hour often don’t do a first look. 

I don’t recall “yelling at a bunch of tourists” though. I do remember forcefully asking the couple’s friends
and family to stay back a bit as they kept creeping closer as we set up. I didn’t want them getting in the bird’s
eye view photo you’ll see below. 

One fun family aspect all day was the presence of Ryan’s nieces and nephews. His sister, Karla and husband
Jonathan brought their children to participate in the wedding. As you’ll see they made for lots of heartwarming
and funny photos all day. 

Justine: “We love spending time with Simon, Malcolm and Cecilia. They really look up to their uncles and they
love playing video games, swimming and more with Ryan. We were so happy they were able to be in our wedding party,
they stole the show.”

After their ceremony the cocktail hour featured an Elton John impersonator.  “We got obsessed with looking at
cover bands, and I wouldn’t let Ryan fly in a Queen cover band from the UK. We found Lee Alverson nearby in
Pennsylvania and thought he was incredibly talented (and a lot of my friends are professional singers). He did
an AMAZING job on our day, his voice is insane and all of our friends loved him. He really looks like Elton! He
does Billy Joel and Paul McCartney too.”

The reception was filled with fun toasts and LOTS of dancing and more energy filled music. The Cleveland
Keys always keep the dance floor packed and they take requests too.

 

The couple honeymooned in the scenic fiftieth state and Ryan cashed in his wedding present from Justine there.
” I got him a ‘Jurassic Park’ helicopter ride in Kauai for our honeymoon in Hawaii which was recommended by one
of Ryan’s groomsmen and his wife. “

Friend Lena reacted to seeing Justine in the bridal suite.

Ryan talked with best man Alex.

The first look!

Justine and Ryan are so fun I knew they would be up for a fruity photo as we passed by it.

Malcom, Simon and Cecilia expressed themselves during family portrait time.

Justine and her father James are clearly very close.

Mother Barbara and father James walked her down the aisle.

Ryan’s mother Virginia held back Cecilia and the bride walked down the aisle.

Ryan’s grandparents James and Marilyn and father Bruce enjoyed the ceremony.

Elton John aka Lee Alverson played the couple out from the ceremony with a guest appearance by Jake from State Farm.

Cocktail hour time.

This cake topper was from Ryan’s grandparents who used it when they were married on July 19th 1952.

Cecilia and Malcolm couldn’t wait to try the cake.

All the guests received cards and some took advantage of them right away.

What a dramatic first dance. So glad the couple listened to my idea of doing this on the steps!

Cousins of the bride and sisters Jennifer and Samantha each gave a toast.

Ryan danced with his mother Virginia.

Geoff of the Cleveland Keys got comfy with the keyboard all night.

Vendors with some comments from Justine–

Officiant: Bonnie Olson (Ryan’s Godmother)
Ceremony: Hyatt Regency at the Arcade
Reception: Hyatt Regency at the Arcade
Catering: Hyatt Regency at the Arcade
Arcade coordinator: Ann Pavic
Cake: Wild Flour Bakery “We went with a simple cookies and cream frosting, ganache and vanilla cake. Ryan loves plain vanilla everything.”
Florist: Miklus Flowers “I was OBSESSED with the flowers they were absolutely stunning especially the table flowers and the bridesmaids flowers, so colorful and everything I dreamed.”
Dress: Lazaro “from Glamour Closet Los Angeles, which is a secondhand store. I made my mom go to like six dress shops in Los Angeles and two in Cleveland before finding the perfect one! I was eyeing this other Lazaro dress from their flagship but something was a little off, but then I tried on this one. I wanted something unique and knew the gold matched the venue.”
Suit: “Literally the tux is from a tiny store in Chinatown NY called New Era Factory that was recommended by Ryan’s godfather Dan Olson. We loved the employees, they know exactly what they are doing, and took multiple groomsmen and my dad James to buy a tux there too.”
Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka & Sparkling Blue Converse Chuck Taylors “I wore the sandals around the entire week before to break them in and they were super comfortable for dress shoes, but I still had to change into the chucks right after the ceremony!”
Engagement Rings: James Allen “Ryan picked it out himself without consulting anyone, he tried to measure one of my rings and accidentally bought a size twelve. It was the size of a key chain. Luckily he had a free resizing and we got the right size, a 5.5. I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful ring.”
Band: Cleveland Keys
Elton John impersonator: Lee Alverson
Hair: Steffi Sciranko at Gravity Hair Salon and Spa
Makeup: Monica Cambareri at Cleveland Bridal Makeup
Photobooth: Shutterbooth
Video: Jake Rayman Video Productions
Assistant: Amy Kuntz

Thank you for viewing this Hyatt Regency Cleveland Arcade wedding,

– Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer