Cleveland Marriott Downtown Wedding

Sophia and Brian’s Greek wedding was a day to be remembered!

Please enjoy, Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer

The couple’s Cleveland Marriott downtown wedding started with getting ready photos at the hotel.
Then we were off to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Cleveland in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland.

Sophia: “I was baptized at Annunciation church and it is the oldest Greek Orthodox Church in Ohio.
Cleveland Greeks call it the “mother church” and in our opinion it is the most beautiful.

“Family means so much to Brian and I. My dad who passed and whose photo was on the charm is Komninos
Fotinos. I wanted his charm on my bouquet so I know that he is with me always. The charm with the photo is
the same one my sister Rena had in her bouquet at her wedding. My mother-in-law Linda gave me the second
charm stating my dad is by my side. We wanted to honor my dad in this way and keep his memory alive. I felt
like he was a part of our wedding in spirit.”

After the ceremony we went to the Cleveland Cultural Gardens for portraits. “We chose the cultural
gardens because we went for a long bike ride together there last fall and we thought it was beautiful. Brian
is half Italian and I am Greek so we wanted photos done in both gardens.

“For the reception we chose the Marriott because it is a beautiful venue, the size of the dance
floor, the food there and because my sister had her wedding there in 2016.

“When we were introduced for the reception we were supposed to go straight into our first dance but
instead we took a lap through the crowd and were about to sit down at the head table before remembering.
The music for that introduction was “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne which I actually picked out. I liked it
after hearing Brian play it on electric guitar at home.

“The first dance was “My One and Only Love,” and we asked the DJ to splice two different versions
of it together because I didn’t like the vocals of the first version with the nice saxophone introduction
which the DJ played for a little too long. We were wondering, “when is he going to switch versions for the
lyrics to begin?”

“The toasts had some funny stories. My sister Rena used some exaggerations in the stories of her
toast. Brian’s brother John’s toast included some roasting that was 14 years in the making in response to
Brian’s roasty toast of him back at his wedding in 2007. It was not entirely accurate as Brian verbally
interrupted to point out. When Brian gave his unprepared toast that was a little funny too.”

Sophia with her Maltipoo Gia while getting ready.

Mother Maria helped Sophia with her dress.

Bridesmaid Rae helped with a bracelet.

Father James Doukas waited for the ceremony to begin.

Flower girl Ava and ring bearer Kameron were there for their Aunt Sofia’s wedding.

Father Dean Dimon led the ceremony at Annunciation.

Sister Rena helped with the Greek wedding crown.

Brian’s father Ken enjoyed the cocktail hour.

Sophia’s father Komninos was attached to her bouquet and with her in spirit.

Brian danced with his mother Linda.

Sophia: “Nifiotiko which means bridal dance was where the immediate families and bridal party
danced. Money was thrown to wish the couple good luck and fortune.”

Greek band Stigma kept the dance floor full all night.

Officiants: Father Dean Dimon & Father James Doukas
Epistle reading: Father Kevin Fox.
Ceremony: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Cleveland
Reception and catering: Marriott Cleveland Downtown Key Tower
Cake: Wild Flour bakery
Florist: Lowe’s Greenhouse
Dress: Toula’s Bridal
Dress designer: Kitty Chen
Tux: JoS. A. Bank
Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka
Groom’s shoes: JoS. A. Bank
Engagement ring: White Flash
Bride’s wedding band: White Flash
Groom’s wedding band: Wiant Jewelers, Brunswick, OH
Hair: Ramona Dauksa Studio
Makeup: Ramona Dauksa Studio
Greek Band: Stigma
Wedding coordinator: Beth Browne
Party bus: Platinum Party Bus
Video: Elite Ohio Events
Cocktail musicians: Ensemble Mercury – Sydney Link, McKenna Glorios, & Mia Ingram
Assistant: Amy Kuntz

Thank you for viewing this Cleveland Marriott downtown wedding,

– Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer