Meadow Ridge Events Wedding

Meghan and Christian had a beautiful outdoor Meadow Ridge Events wedding.

Please enjoy, Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer

As I always do I asked my couple to give me some thoughts about their day and planning, especially with the
current Covid-19 climate. Meghan thought it would be fun if she and Christian each wrote separate emails so this
blog post would be a surprise to both of them. I loved the idea!

Their writing approaches are a bit different as Christian’s effort felt more like a factual short story and
Meghan’s was even more factual if that makes sense. I will be combining parts from each of them and also paraphrasing
ahead. My Journalism degree and editing classes are coming in handy once again.

Their wedding was supposed to be at Tudor Arms and they had to switch due to current regulations. While Tudor
Arms is one of my favorite indoor locations I can now say Meadow Ridge is one of my favorite outdoor locations. Their
beautiful pavilion and grounds were perfect for the ceremony and reception. Not too far from Burton in Geauga County
this was definitely not the Cleveland city wedding they had planned. It was still a wonderful day for their family and
friends and went perfectly. The staff here was so helpful and sweet and the food was excellent. I look forward to coming
back here for more weddings!

Here’s how Christian started his notes to me: “When Charles Dickens wrote “It was the best of times, it was the
worst of times…” in A Tale of Two Cities, he could have been describing the months leading to our wedding. Meghan and
I have known each other for thirteen years and dated for two. The excitement of our January engagement was made greater
when we traveled to Cleveland from our homes in Northern Virginia, found our ideal church and reception venue and
returned to the Washington, DC suburbs to plan.” His writing continued on the theme of the “times” and sadly this blog
can only be so long. 

They had six months to plan and it was all falling together nicely.

Meghan added to the story: “We were originally scheduled for a ceremony at Harkness Chapel at Case Western Reserve
University and the ceremony at the Tudor Arms. I walked past Harkness Chapel daily during my freshman year of college
and never knew it was there, let alone how beautiful it was!  It was just what we both wanted in a ceremony location
and the Tudor Arms felt like a natural progression for the reception to continue with the classic style. Everything
else fell into place finding my dress and getting all our vendors together in quick time.

“Fast forward a few more weeks to the beginning of March and everything changed.  From March through to early May
we nervously wondered what the wedding would look like.  But we had decided one thing was certain, we WOULD get
married on July 3, 2020 and adopted the “keep calm and marry on” mentality.  Though frankly, that was difficult at
times. We sent out invitations to our original guest lists of about 175 people, with all our intended plans as well
as a contingency note letting them know we would keep them informed of any changes.”

Then Christian found it was not going well: “Then the floor fell from beneath us. Our reception venue presented
us with the procedures and protocols that we and our guests would have to adhere to in order to hold the reception
there. It was heartbreaking. There was no way we could subject our closest friends and family to what would have been
an awkward, uncomfortable evening. We discussed alternatives: my parents’ backyard in southwestern Pennsylvania, a small,
intimate wedding at a nearby resort. The only certainty we had was that there would be a wedding on July 3. We felt as
though we had returned to the worst of times.”

Luckily Meghan received a text from a college friend/current coworker.  “She wasn’t even texting about the wedding,
it started as a work question.  Within an hour I had a call into Seneca Wheelock at Meadow Ridge Events, my friend’s
sister in law.  By week’s end we had a facetime tour with Seneca on an extremely rainy day, and knew that if she was
willing to walk around the property in a torrential downpour for us, that she would certainly work to make our day perfect!”

Christian found this to be true: “After weeks of highs and months of lows, Meghan and I so appreciated the kindness
of complete strangers. Without compromising safety, Meadow Ridge’s staff was committed to helping us salvage our wedding
wrecked by the coronavirus. In ways, we became partners, seeing within the challenge opportunities. The space—a spectacular
open-air pavilion perfect for the circumstances—required a complete departure from our original, planned style.”

Meghan and Christian worked at home on craft projects and Meghan said “we brought our table settings together,
endeavored to make a cookie table display that turned into home decor instead and set up our own print shop in the
basement!  We were determined to make it the prettiest wedding with only 3.5 weeks to pivot. I think we were both
so happy with how it came together.  Sue did a fantastic job with the florals, and the entire staff at Meadow Ridge
was amazing.  Our day of coordinator, Laura, became my honorary Maid of Honor.  She was there whenever you thought you
didn’t need her, but she knew you did. My friends indulged my silly balloon arch whim that became the backdrop for many
of the photos while I got ready.”

Christian summed up the happy ending: “Our commitment to our date and each other paid off. Before we knew it,
it was July 3, and it was time to have a wedding. It was the best of times.”

Meghan’s mother Janice helped with her dress.

Father Tim held the bouquet while they finished up.

Their room at Punderson Manor Lodge was named Tudor Room which I found interesting since the
wedding was supposed to be at Tudor Arms.

Christian beamed when seeing Meghan as officiant Tim and brother Jonathan look on.

In these times you must greet your people during a Zoom call broadcasting the wedding.

Social distancing conversation with masks.

A toast by Meghan’s brother Sean.

Meghan’s cousin Julie and her son. I love how he was unknowingly mirroring the photo behind them
of the couple in their younger days.

Meghan and Christian created shadows while greeting the guests in the gorgeous pavilion.

Meghan’s parents talked with Christian’s parents, Beth and Ed, during the anniversary dance.

Sloan danced with her new friend from the property.

Perfect sunset as the couple danced the night away.

Vendors–

Officiant: Dr. Rev. Tim Fearer, distant cousin
Ceremony: Meadow Ridge Events
Reception: Meadow Ridge Events
Hotel: Punderson Manor Lodge
Original Reception Venue: Tudor Arms
Cake: DS Cakes and Sweet Cafe
Florist: Sue Bernhard
Dress: Allure Bridal dress found at Kleinfeld Bridal
Suit: Alton Lane Bespoke Menswear
Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka
DJ: Jason Hollar
Band: Cadillac Jazz
Rings: James Douglas Jewelers in Monroeville, PA
Assistant: Parker Shaw

Thank you for viewing this Meadow Ridge Events wedding.

– Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer