Jessica + JP’s Intimate Cincinnati Wedding Celebration

February 18, 2021 Nicolette Meade

Tell us a little about you and JP.

Since the culmination of our relationship, Cincinnati has always been a special city for us, whether it was ice skating in Fountain Square for our first date, enjoying summer evenings under the ballpark lights, or just spending a weekend out of town with our kiddos. We knew when planning our day we wanted a destination wedding to somewhere significant to us and to be able to include our children, family and friends. JP is a paramedic and I am an emergency room nurse. We both wanted a wedding anything but conventional.

We love to entertain and wanted our wedding and festivities to be as exhilarating as our relationship. The choice was easy in selecting the Queen City as our location. We chose Memorial Day weekend since it is the official kick off to summer and will serve as a fantastic anniversary in the years to come. Specifically, we chose a Friday in May, so we could capitalize on the Red’s after game fireworks in hopes to have a rooftop reception with a stunning view of the skyline and river for our guests.

What was the inspiration for your wedding stationery?

This was the main inspiration for our invitations created at Poeme. Kristen made the design process so much fun and simple! She made us both, along with our kids, feel like we were an integral part of the design process! As her creative talents flowed, she created a spectacular invitation suite that will be treasured for a lifetime.

We wanted a classic black and white motif but with a twist. She incorporated beautiful script “V’s (that also matched our wedding cake theme) a watercolor map for our out of town guests and our absolute favorite detail-the Cincinnati skyline for the envelope liner. This set the tone for a fun filled holiday weekend that guests would be attending!

Tell us about wedding planning.

The wedding planning couldn’t have went smoothly if not for Jessica’s Aunt; Katie Woodward-Maciag and her strategic event planning and networking. As a Cincinnati resident and event planner for her company Planners Network for more than 30 years, she was able to help us visualize the big picture of our wedding inspiration, style and every small detail. Additionally, was able to recommend some of the finest vendors in the city and surrounding area to make our day perfect.

Tell us about your wedding vision.

Our vision was a melting pot of different styles ranging from traditional black tie with a hint of romantic and sentimental touches. We knew we wanted a grandiose event with none of the popular Bohemian accents. After a year long engagement, our wedding day was an absolute dream; even though COVID restrictions changed our original plan and Barbados honeymoon. In a private and intimate ceremony with our children, closest family and friends, we exchanged marriage vows at the Chapel at St. Aloysious on a gorgeous May evening officiated by Debbie Buerger.

When J.P. and I toured St. Aloysius Chapel in Norwood we both knew immediately the next time we were there would be our wedding day. It was extremely important for us to both to be joined in marriage with God in such a sacred and beautiful place.

The sun shining through the stained glass windows, as I elatedly walked down the aisle that May evening will always resonate in my mind. Although we didn’t have our rooftop party with a firework sendoff, our day was nonetheless special and we now hope for a one year anniversary celebration in which we can do just that.

Tell us about finding your dress.

Choosing the perfect gown was the easiest (and most exciting) part for me. Initially, I wanted something simple and low-key since this was my second wedding. A day trip spent in the Reading Bridal district with my friend, Moriah, made me realize that low-key just wasn’t in my vocabulary. After visiting several boutiques I was anxious that I may not be able to find “the one”. However, at my last stop; Blush Bridal, along with the help from the talented and so easy to work with consultant; Victoria, I easily selected the dress that every little girl’s dreams are made of. A sophisticated, clean and modern Justin Alexander, V-neck, mikado box pleat ball gown with a beaded illusion square cut back complete with a dramatic cathedral length train.

The dress was paired with a custom veil and tiara from Bellissima. With the Royal Wedding still fresh in my mind, I used Megan Markle as a style icon and inspiration for this look. I absolutely loved her tiara from the moment I saw it and knew I had to have a matching one. Amy was able to create a perfect pairing with my gown and vision of my day. She also selected the perfect veil and tiara for our daughter, Savannah. In ivory as well, her A-line satin and beaded lace dress from Castle House complimented my gown and stole the show. She wore an heirloom pearl necklace that was given to me on my 18th birthday by my Mother. And of course red lipstick that she chose and applied herself- the main reason I decided on red to complete my wedding makeup look. At 8 years old, she is definitely a trend setter and fashionista.

JP wore a Michael Kors black tuxedo accented with monogrammed Tiffany and Co. cufflinks a wedding gift from Jessica. The best man escorted his sister down the aisle in a 5 piece black, Calvin Klein Suit. True to their non-conventional relationship style, Jessica walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony. In accordance with the theme, an organic and perfect expression of spring with a glimpse of summer, Beth Lauter at Glendale Florist, created a stunning hand held bouquet of whites, ivory and greenery. Jessica’s bouquet included roses, peonies, freesia, sweetpea and ranunculus. The foliage included ruckus and seeded eucalyptus all wrapped in ivory ribbon to match the gown. She created a miniature version of the same bouquet for Savannah. The groom and his best man (Colton), wore boutonnieres of white ranunculus with fresh greenery.

The most heartfelt touch that Beth added, was the two, white, single stem roses that were placed in the front pew of the chapel, in memory of the groom’s parents; Bob and Teresa. Following the ceremony the couple shared wedding cake from the Bon Bonerie before jet setting out on a whirlwind honeymoon to Naples, Florida. They are expecting a daughter, Sophie at the end of February. What a year it has been!

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