Great Lakes Science Center Wedding

Great Lakes Science Center wedding

Mary and Greg’s Great Lakes Science Center wedding was on a perfect fall day in Cleveland.

Please enjoy, Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer

This Great Lakes Science Center wedding is one of my favorite weddings of 2025 and there were so many great ones!

We started with Mary at a house in Cleveland Heights. She rented it for getting ready as she thought it would be better for photography and I really appreciated that. After that we met at the Italian Cultural Garden for a first look where she and Greg shared their vows to each other. This went so well as I placed them in a spot where I could go around them both closely and at a distance for photos. Look below and you’ll see what I mean.

Then after all of the bridal party portraits with their sweet people we headed off for their Great Lakes Science Center wedding. We were there early enough that I was able to take the couple to Voinovich Park for some more portraits.

Ceremony time is always wonderful overlooking the park and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Steamship William G. Mather. I’m not sure how I get so lucky with the clouds and sky while on the deck for a Great Lakes Science Center wedding. Once again it was gorgeous.

Mary is a chemical engineer and had a fun idea for the ceremony: “We wanted to do something unique and fun during the ceremony, and the unity ceremony felt like the right place to be creative. I always loved science and science experiments growing up. I wanted a simple chemical reaction with a big output and the elementary school volcano immediately came to mind! It was so fun building the volcano and practicing the experiment in our kitchen!”

Their reception was one of the wildest ones I photographed this year!

“Greg always wanted to have a choreographed first dance. We took lessons from “Tabitha in Motion”. Tabitha worked with us to find out what tricks we were comfortable with, and our favorite was the Death Drop!” You’ll see a photo of them practicing that at the Cultural Gardens.

You will also see a sequence of some real reception crazy: “We went to our friends’ wedding over the summer, where we witnessed our first shirt rip. Turns out Pat – the groom from that wedding – is well known for getting his shirt ripped at weddings! He offered for us to rip his shirt at our wedding and we could not refuse.”

Speaking of t-shirts: “We wanted something to keep the energy up and get the party started and this was inspired by videos online. I did not want to toss my precious bouquet – since they are faux florals I will have it forever and I did not want to risk it getting damaged from being thrown. The guests loved the t-shirt toss. From our friends who were lucky to catch the few shirts- we have received photos of them wearing them, and we will show up to parties with people wearing them as well!” I was happy to see it was one of my photos from their engagement session.

One last thing about reception clothing: “I knew what dress I was going to wear on my wedding day when I went shopping with one of my best friends Ellen in 2023 at Luxe Redux in Columbus for her wedding dress. She tried it on and looked beautiful and I joked “I’m going to wear that for my wedding”. Fast forward to 2025 and I get a call from her asking if I was serious and I was. I was so honored to have worn her dress and to give it a second life! I still wanted to have the experience of trying on wedding dresses for myself, so I went to Luxe Redux in Cleveland and found the party dress of a lifetime.”

All right. Now time for the photos if you’re still reading. I love all of these fun facts Mary shared with me for this Great Lakes Science Center wedding blog post!!

Mary’s mother Carolyn helped her get ready.

Bridesmaid Amanda captured Mary’s beauty.

Greg and his father Mike.

They practiced their “Death Drop” dance move.

Bridesmaid Savanah spoke while the bride’s brother and officiant Dale and the couple looked on.

The volcano!

The t-shirt rip! That was a big surprise.

Officiant: Dale Miller (bride’s brother)
Ceremony: Great Lakes Science Center
Reception: Great Lakes Science Center
Catering: Levy Catering (provided by GLSC)
Cookie table: Fello Family (bride’s family)
Band: Bluewater Kings Band, lead singer Amy Arida
Cake: Levy Catering
Florist: Tully Floral Design
Dress store and designer: both dresses are from Luxe Redux Bridal, Veil is from Miranda’s Vintage Bridal. Used Sarah Lottes Bridal and Christina Catherine for alterations
Suit: Men’s Warehouse
Bride’s shoes: first dance shoes are Burju Heels
Groom’s shoes: Men’s Warehouse
Engagement Rings: Designed by the Groom 🙂
Wedding bands: Diamond’s Direct
Hair: RefEYEance (Alyssa did bride)
Makeup: RefEYEance (Alyssa did bride)
Wedding coordinator: Amber Kiser
Bus: The Limo King
Signage-invites and seating: The Bride/Canva
Linens etc.: Great Lakes Science Center
Assistant: Amy Kuntz