Elegant Cleveland Backyard Wedding
Alex and Robert’s location was perfect for an elegant Cleveland backyard wedding.
Please enjoy, Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer
The wedding was held where Robert grew up-on his family’s expansive east side Cleveland suburb property. It has a rich history
and many great features and the oldest part of the home started as a log cabin in the late 1800’s and was where the
cocktail hour was held. The rest was built in the early 1900’s.
I loved the gardens and the bees surprised me at first. Robert’s mother Robyn has them working for her honey projects.
Alex about the home: “There really couldn’t have been anything more special than to get married at his home, surrounded by our
family and closest friends. We loved how we could make every element of the wedding unique and special to us.”
When Katie the planner from Kirkbrides Wedding Planning & Design asked me if I was open for this wedding I was thrilled as
always. It’s always fun when their team is involved. I know everything will look great and go smoothly. One of my favorite
weddings of all time was with Katie and also a backyard reception.
The guest list of family and friends was kept down to just over 50 people with Alex’s best friend, Katisse, and Robert’s
sister, Erica, serving as the bridal party.
The couple met in the same dormitory at Stanford University where Robert’s father, Richard, also attended. Alex is from
Canada and her parents, Gustav and Marie, came early to see Cleveland and get to know Robert’s family.
Both families were so friendly and I even had Richard asking me about photography workshops as he and his son love photography.
Alex’s veil was very unique and beautiful: “My mom, Marie, knit the veil by hand over the course of over a year and a half. I thought
it would be a beautiful family heirloom and keepsake, and my mom is an amazing knitter, so I pitched the idea and
we started looking at patterns. The one we picked has a stylistic element that I love, which is what looks like
many, many peacock feathers. There are also crystals added in throughout the veil. It wasn’t an easy project – the
pattern was complex, the yarn was silk, and the needles were tiny. It was a labor of love, that’s for sure. I’m so happy
with how it turned out!”
The guests received a gift basket as they headed home from the wedding. It contained honey and jam made by Robyn and a chocolate
bar from the Yukon Chocolate Company, a small business in Alex’s hometown. Alex brought the chocolate bars from
Whitehorse, Yukon all the way to Ohio.
I asked Alex how Katie and her team with Kirkbrides helped since they were not nearby to plan: “Kirkbrides is amazing!!! Katie
really made this wedding possible. Both Robert and I weren’t even in Ohio to plan the wedding so Katie was the
person working with the vendors most closely, giving us recommendations and options, and keeping everything on track.
She made the process so smooth and easy, and reduced our stress levels so much. On the day of the wedding, it was so
nice to just relax and enjoy the evening, knowing that Katie and the Kirkbrides team were keeping everything on track
and running smoothly. We picked Kirkbrides from a recommendation from one of Rick and Robyn’s acquaintances.”
Wow that’s quite a testimonial.
Enjoy the photos!
Vendors–
Officiant: Duncan Scott
Ceremony and Reception Planning: Kirkbrides Wedding & Design
Caterer: Gatherings
Cake: Luna Bakery
Ice Cream: Piccadilly
Florist: Blooms by Plantscaping
Bar/Photo Booth/Bar and Lawn Games: Sweetwater Caravan
Rentals: Borrow Rental
Rentals: Event Source
Tents: Aable Rents
Limo: A1 Mr. Limo
Dress: Oleg Cassini
Hair: Barb Banko
Makeup: Maggie Kleinman
Band: TCB from CLeveland Music Group
Ceremony Music: Xiao Lei Salovara
Cocktail Hour Music: Carey Viton from Cleveland Music Group
Stationary: Botanical Paperworks
Composting: Rust Belt Riders
Assistants/Photography: Diana Musa, Matt Shiffler
Thank you for viewing this Elegant Cleveland Backyard wedding,
– Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer
