Ceremony and reception for their Grays Armory Wedding

What a wonderful day with Melissa and Stuart at their Grays Armory wedding.

Please enjoy, Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer

This was my first brunch wedding and I hope to see many more. A Grays Armory wedding with brunch is a
highlight of the year for sure.

Melissa and Stuart both got ready at Cleveland Grays Armory Museum which I am shortening for this blog
post’s readability. We had plenty of time to make some portraits of them separately around the historic
building before the ceremony.

Then it was straight into the cocktail hour and brunch reception before we headed out with the couple for
portraits in downtown Cleveland.

Melissa said they were thrilled with how the wedding went and that several friends said it was the best
wedding they’ve ever attended.

“Maybe an overstatement on their part but it was a fabulous compliment. The best compliment we heard came
from one of my friends and coworkers, Cindy. She said that this was a very Melissa and Stuart wedding.
That is exactly what we wanted it to be: telling our story, our way so that our relationship and personalities
came through.

“We wanted to be different and unique since we are not a cookie cutter couple and we certainly don’t have
a cookie cutter story as to our relationship. Not only was the venue a hit but people raved about the food.

“We chose brunch because as we thought about a formal, evening wedding, it just didn’t fit us. I love brunch
food and was open to doing brunch food for dinner but Stuart threw out there that we should just do brunch
food at brunch! I loved the idea and we both thought it would give our guests time to get out and explore
Cleveland after our reception.

“They couldn’t tell us enough how much they loved our DJ, Dino. Many people took his card and someone even
commented that they wanted to have a party just so that he could sing and do the music!”

Dino was very entertaining and the first DJ I had see do a karaoke style singing job throughout the reception.

The cake was also amazing. One of my mom’s friends that attended was so thrilled with the cake that she called Casa Dolce
a few weeks later to order a mini-replica of our wedding cake for a luncheon she was having for some friends.”

The food by Spice of Life Catering was delicious as always.

Melissa said they chose Grays Armory on her friend Jenn’s suggestion. “Because Stuart was in the Marines and
is active in the Coast Guard Reserves this was a perfect place for us. We really fell in love with Grays the
first time we visited and had our tour. Kristin at Grays is wonderful to work with.”

The Cleveland Grays were organized in 1837 as an independent volunteer militia company, a precursor to the
National Guard. The Armory building was built in 1893. Check out their website for more information and
their free monthly tour.

Kristen Finley did Melissa’s hair.

Loved these donuts by Peace, Love and Little Donuts in Hudson.

Melissa and her mother Sandra walked by the Grays.

The pipe organ in the Grays Armory Drill Hall is a Wurlitzer theater pipe organ that was built in 1930.

Dino the DJ entertained everyone.

Melissa’s mother Sandra and cousin Susan raised their arms during Dino’s rendition of “Sweet Caroline” always
a crowd pleaser at every wedding reception.

The couple posed on the shooting range in the basement of the Armory.

Vendors–

venue: Grays Armory with help by Kristin Eskew
Caterer: Spice of Life Catering, Missy Chambless
Donuts: Peace, Love and Little Donuts
Cake: Kyla at Casa Dolce
Flowers: Audra at Wickliffe Flower Barn
Dress: Galleria Gowns
Suit: Men’s Wearhouse
DJ: Dino Merlini (half of Hit List Duo)
Make-up: Jenn Rabuzzi
Hair: Kristen Finley

Thank you for viewing this Grays Armory wedding,

– Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer