The Garden Wedding That Was Not a Perfume Commercial
The first time I talked to her, she told me, “This is not a perfume commercial.”
I think it was one of my favorite things a bride has ever told me. So much so that we laughed about it for months, right to the moment on the wedding day when I asked her to spray perfume slowly while I took pictures and said, “Just kidding – turns out, this is a perfume commercial.” Please note, I’m happy to discuss perfume sponsorships on her behalf. Yes, I do represent her interests in this.
I would love for you to sit down with A and B, because they are genuinely fun people. Not just kind and thoughtful people (although of course they are that too), but interesting, fun people. If we sat down together, you would also meet their dog, Poppy, who is, in fact, the star of the show. The number of weddings this last year where the dog has been the star is almost humorous. It turns out these puppies rule our lives in every possible way, and one of my favorite parts of their wedding day was that Poppy was absolutely the star in all of it. Rightfully so.
The three of them really make a wonderful family.
Finding the Right Venue (for the perfect moment with the perfume)
A did a significant amount of venue research. She went to all the classics in the area.The museums, the big, beautiful venues that could host a celebration, but nothing felt like the two of them. A and B just didn’t want something that felt like a traditional wedding. They wanted something that felt more unique to both of them.
Their priorities? Hands down it was the food. Followed immediately by their love of family and friends, having a really great party, and making sure Poppy could be involved. They also knew they needed a planner who could bring it all together seamlessly. Enter Kirkbrides.
A Weekend Anchored in Home
Their celebration started the evening before with a welcome party at the bride’s parents’ home, her childhood home. Quite a bit of their celebration centered around her home, which was such a beautiful way of anchoring everything back to something that mattered to both of them. It was a tented backyard celebration, such a cool way to kick off the weekend with both families in attendance and the parents standing together, welcoming everyone. It felt like one of those moments where you think, this is really what it’s about.
I often hear myself saying, “This is why you didn’t elope.” And for me, as somebody who did actually elope, I see the stress and overwhelm that often comes with planning a wedding, and there is a real reason you choose a celebration like this. When I see a couple surrounded by the people they love, laughing and dancing and celebrating with sheer joy on their faces, that’s what always goes through my mind. This is why you don’t elope. For moments like these. They really are once-in-a-lifetime moments that only happen on a wedding day.
Private Vows and a Visit to Grandma
On the actual wedding day, the couple started with private vows, just the two of them. They didn’t wait until they were dressed up and everything looked perfect. They wanted the moment to be for them and them alone. It took a bit of negotiation to even let us bring cameras to document it, but I’m glad I was persuasive, because it’s something I think they’ll treasure for a long time. Was Poppy there? Of course Poppy was there.
When we left her parents’ house, we made a stop at her grandmother’s house, which was another highlight of the day. Grandma had been able to come to the welcome party the night before, but due to health concerns, had to miss the actual wedding day. That was heartbreaking for everyone involved, so they decided to stop by without permission, fearing she would insist on not bothering to come by. It was one of the sweetest moments of the day.
As a note, the only time it’s ever okay to lie to grandma is when she says, “You’re not taking my photo, are you?” with a dismissive hand flick and a touch to her hair.
“No ma’am – click, click, click.”
Moments like that remind me of my own grandma and how many more photos I wish I had of her. It’s so incredible to stand in a room and watch three people share a moment like that on a wedding day. I’m so thankful they prioritized that time with her.
Why Kirkbrides Made All the Difference
I have to talk about the Kirkbrides team, because if you’ve ever worked with them, you know exactly what I’m about to say. They make everything seamless. There’s never a moment of chaos or confusion because they’ve thought through every detail before anyone else even realizes it needs attention.
For A and B’s wedding, Kirkbrides coordinated everything – from the welcome party to the downtown Cleveland garden ceremony to the reception. Working with their team is one of those professional joys where you just know the day is going to run beautifully. They’re incredible at what they do, and it shows in how calm and present the couple gets to be throughout their celebration.
A Garden Wedding in Downtown Cleveland
After our impromptu stop at Grandma’s, the couple celebrated at the Gardens of the Cleveland Public Library. They wanted an outdoor garden ceremony, and downtown Cleveland means so much to them because of the start of their relationship and their love of the city.
The Cleveland Public Library Gardens are one of those hidden gems in downtown Cleveland – tucked away but absolutely stunning. It was everything they wanted it to be, including the fact that the air show stopped just seconds before the ceremony began, leaving them with a peaceful garden to enjoy their celebration.
From there, guests took trolleys – much like her parents did when they got married – over to Cordelia, where they experienced some of the couple’s favorite food in the city and the vibes of one of their favorite restaurants. The couple danced the night away, enjoyed fireworks, listened to heartfelt speeches from the people they love most in the world, and to bring the party to the next level, got to spend some time with Moondog.
Downtown city vibes, complete.
What Made This Kirkbrides Garden Wedding Work
This celebration worked because every choice was thoughtful. The garden ceremony honored their love of downtown Cleveland. The reception at Cordelia reflected their priorities (incredible food, great atmosphere). The welcome party at her childhood home grounded everything in family. And Kirkbrides coordinated it all so the couple could actually be present for every moment.
If you’re planning a garden wedding in Cleveland and want a team that makes the day feel effortless, Kirkbrides is worth every penny. And if downtown Cleveland holds meaning for you the way it did for A and B, the Cleveland Public Library Gardens are a beautiful, intimate option that feels worlds away from the city while being right in the heart of it.
Downtown city vibes, complete. What a joy to celebrate with these two. And obviously, to get to know Poppy.
