Jamie + Jeff's Modern Romantic Wedding Celebration with Lots of Sparkle

Cincinnati wedding reception at the Center with white, gold and blush elements. Stationery by Poeme.

What’s your style?

During the week I am often working a lot so I like to keep it easy. Hair in a topknot, no make up, scrubs. But on the weekends I like to spend more time getting dressed up in the newest trends and love having fun doing makeup and hair especially for a night out with friends or date night with my husband.

Silver vs. Gold - Gold

Flats vs. Heels - Flats

Silk vs. Lace - Silk

Urban vs. Rustic - Urban

Salty vs. Sweet - Sweet

Diamonds vs. Pearls - Diamonds

Flower vs. Fern - Flower

Sand vs. Snow - Sand

Lipstick vs. Lip Gloss - Lipstick

Tell us about your bridal party.

We were all about having our biggest supporters stand with us no matter the number. I had eight bridesmaids including friends from college, medical school, my new sisters- in- law and my sister. Jeff had four groomsmen including his brother and his best friends from growing up.

How did you find and decide on your dress?

At first I wanted a ballgown, but I am short so I kind of looked like a cupcake (not a cute one). A stylist at a bridal salon suggested the mermaid style and I loved it. I thought I looked like Jessica Rabbit! Va-Va-Voom. Anyway, I wanted a classic dress that I wouldn't look back in 10 years and go WTF? So I picked classic ivory silk mermaid gown with some modern elements including an asymmetric hem and a crumb catcher sweetheart neckline.

Tell us about the proposal.

Jeff proposed at home. He wrote reasons why he wanted to marry me on roses (Gah!). He said some wonderful stuff down on one knee that neither of us can remember, and I ugly cried.

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Describe your wedding day.

PERFECT! The event design was flawless. All of my favorite people were there. I got to marry this awesome man. I wouldn't change anything, in fact, I am wondering when it is socially acceptable to have another wedding/ vow renewal. The best part of the day was looking out from the altar in the church and seeing all of our friends and family smiling from ear to ear supporting Jeff and I and our love.

Our ceremony was traditional Catholic at St. Francis de Sales. Then the reception was at The Center downtown. We had amazing food by Funky's which was so important to us. Then LOTS of dancing by DJ Toad. The music was so awesome, it was really a blend of our tastes. I still don't know how DJ Toad figured it out I think that our suggestions at our meeting were Prince (Jeff) and Britney Spears (Me). I managed to be on the dance floor most of the night because it was so important to me. Jeff said he could barely keep up because I was bouncing from group to group on the dance floor. We had late night snacks of sliders and truffle fries which was so necessary.

My parents hosted a next day brunch. Food was definitely central. We kept it small-ish with 160 guests which was awesome we spent time with people in a natural way rather than a receiving line or a tour of all the tables. We saw guests during the cocktail hour or on the dance floor. We skipped the garter toss because I didn't want my family to watch Jeff root around in my undergarments (so weird).

One of my favorite details was the long head table with 20+ seats for our bridal party and guests. It looked so cool and Jeff and I shared our own small loveseat. Plus friends were next to us and across from us so we got to catch up with lots of people during dinner.

Cincinnati wedding reception at The Center with blush and gold elements. Stationery by Poeme

Who were your main confidantes when it came to planning?

Jeff! We got married in Cincinnati which is where we live not where we grew up and so there was not much family for most of the meetings and so Jeff went and we discussed shades of pink (He's a good sport). Also my Mom. I called her daily to discuss. She mostly kept my spending in control.

What songs define your relationship?

Our first dance song was "First Day of my Life" by Bright Eyes. Which I think is a great representative of how our relationship just makes life better for the both of us. Like we weren't fully alive until we met each other and I think that is true. I also really like "Lucky" by Jason Mraz because I'm in love with my best friend!

Where did you honeymoon?

Bora Bora! It was so amazing. We even got upgraded to a private home with our own pool, beach and hot tub. It ruined future vacations because now I want to be that spoiled all the time).

Thank you so much to Jamie + Jeff for sharing your beautiful wedding with us! We wish you so much happiness and many more trips to Bora Bora!

VENDOR PARTNERS:

see Jamie + Jeff’s wedding on The Knot

A charming, spring wedding filled with lots of sparkle, blush and gold. After a beautiful ceremony in East Walnut Hills at St. Francis de Sales Church Jamie + Jeff continued the celebration at The Center which was transformed into a space of soft pinks, white and cream florals with the cheerful addition of metallics in polka dot and chevron patterns.

We love Jamie’s inclusion of a six pence in keeping with the long history of wedding traditions and making it their own. The day was planned by Viva Bella Events and was photographed by Blue Martini Photography. See this wedding featured on The Knot.

Tell us a little about you and Jeff.

Jeff is the the most kind and selfless man I know. He is a doctor so everyday in his career he puts others before himself and he does that at home as well. He takes care of me constantly and loves unconditionally. He is also hilariously funny, though at first people think he is quiet and reserved.

How did you and Jeff fall in love?

Jeff is the easiest person to love. We met at work and it was totally platonic at first. He asked me to dinner and I went (because why not?) and we had the best time. We talked non-stop and actually had many things in common. We have been together ever since. The falling in love part was more natural than I'd ever experienced before. We began doing life together-dates, errands, time with friends and family, and through just living life we fell in love. Jeff really became an extension of me, he made everything better and his happiness became more important than my own. And just like that, we were in love.

Did your wedding match your personal style or did you incorporate elements from family, tradition or otherwise?

I described our wedding "theme" to people as classically modern. Which is my personal style to a T. I wanted the chic timeless look with some fun, more modern elements. We stuck with a white, nude, blush and gold palate and incorporated fun, more modern touches like sequins, polka dots, and chevron. We had a lot of family photos (our parents' and grandparents' wedding photos) and the bar was filled with Jeff and my favorite craft beers. Our friend, Kareem, played original songs during our cocktail hour on his guitar.

How did you use social media in the planning process?

Pinterest! So necessary. Anyway I Pinterested pretty much everything because though I have vision I am actually not that creative so I put together other people's ideas to make our perfect day. We had a wedding has tag which we used to document planning and the big day and another for the honeymoon (#jjwedding16, #jjhoneymoon16). I'm still using it.