Blue + White Wedding Celebration at Cincinnati Country Club
“Where do we even begin, thank you so much for everything you did to make our (seemingly never ending) wedding planning process, design and day so incredible! You were such a joy to work with and we loved watching your design process during all of our sessions with you!”
“After over two years of anticipation, it was perfect!” Megan sums up her wedding day in a few words! Like so many couples who have said “I do” during the pandemic, Megan + Larry were married in a small ceremony in their original date and decided to put off their big celebration until the time was right. For Megan + Larry it was a beautiful October day with the ceremony at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church followed by a reception at Cincinnati Country Club.
Their wedding stationery tells the story from save the date to change the date to let’s celebrate! Their classic wedding invitation features so many beautiful details including letterpress in Prussian blue ink, a blind embossed monogram crest, and custom toile envelope liner. The blind embossed crest, in the shape of shield, is a play on the couple’s new last name, Shields. The couple chose a formal double envelope ensemble with inner envelope lined in custom toile using watercolor florals of the crest and personalized Prosecco wax seal. Even the thank you notes included their embossed monogram and cool blue envelope! Megan shared her thoughts on planning her dream day! Gorgeous day of photography by Kortnee Kate Photo.
Tell us a little about you and Larry.
Larry and I met in November 2015 after both recently moving back to our hometown of Cincinnati. When Larry asked me, not knowing my father's name is also Larry, how I felt being on a date with a guy named Larry, she responded, “Oh, you have nooo idea!” A couple beers and several hours later we had discussed everything you’re supposed to avoid on a first date only to realize we had WAY too much in common. Both Gemini only children, we shared a love for all things Cincinnati, politics and news, “Larry” (clearly), a love for oysters, hot & sour soup, Ohio vs. Ohio State, the conversation never lulled. We had grown up just a few miles apart, but had never met until that day. After those first dates, we drifted apart but later reconnected and the rest is history!
Letterpress Love
Letterpressed in Prussian blue ink with blind embossed monogram crest.
How would you describe your wedding style and colors? What was the inspiration?
The four words we were hoping our wedding would be were timeless, classic, elegant, and FUN! We wanted it to be such a fun weekend and reunion with so many of our friends after many months apart. We also wanted to show-off our hometown and everything Cincinnati has to offer! With Larry's last name, Shields, we wanted to work that into the esthetic for the day. Kristen did an incredible job working a shield into our paper goods and favors. We also had shield-shaped banners that John Hinger and the team at Quince & Quinn created hanging in our church and a family friend who needle pointed the design into our Ring Bearer's pillow, a momento we will cherish forever.
Tell us about how your ideas/vision for your invitation and paper goods came together.
Throughout the process, we called Kristen “Beethoven” because she is such a master and artist. Every appointment we had with Kristen (and there were many), she blew us away with her creative ideas, eye for design, and ability to make changes in real-time while we were there. Having sent out our original save the date in March 2020 Kristen was so helpful in designing a change-the-date and reminder cards. With all of the curveballs of the pandemic, it was necessary to keep guests informed, and Kristen and the team were so helpful every step of the way. So many guests commented on the Cincinnati skyline envelope liner and the fantastic watercolors by Peggy McGrath. The paper was critical to my mom, and she was thrilled with how everything came together!
Take us back through your wedding day.
After over two years of anticipation, it was perfect! We had actually been married in a small backyard wedding at Megan's parents house on our original date, the year before, so that took some of the pressure off the big day.
In the morning, Larry had the chance to hang with many friends who traveled very far to be there (including Singapore) while Megan and the girls got ready. After first looks and photos at the country club, we boarded a trolley to our house for a quick photo outside with our dog, Ruby. After a few pictures, we headed to the church where Megan grew up and her dad still sings in the choir.
The ceremony was magic. Megan's father had arranged all of the beautiful music and our friends blew us away with a duet they sang. It was so fun to finally exchange our own vowels in front of all of our family and friends--the way we had always imagined. Afterward, we ran out of the church surrounded by all of our family and friends, hopped back in the trolley and headed back to the country club for cocktails outside under the tented pergola. Escorted by a bagpiper, guests entered the reception to Endless Summer Band and a few quick songs on the dance floor.
After toasts and dinner, we surprised all of the guests with a choreographed father-daughter turned whole family dance with help from family friend Victoria Morgan, Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Ballet. Endless Summer Band played Steve Winwood's "Roll With It", our anthem while wedding planning during COVID, and we showed off our newly minted dance moves--thanks Victoria! From there, with the help of tambourines on the dance floor, the party never stopped!
Best part of planning?
FINALLY seeing everything come together and having so many of our friends and family together at last! Since we were a COVID couple, it felt like the finish line was a constantly moving target. By the time we got to October 2021 we were so relieved to finally have all the planning pay off!
Vendor Partners
Venue - Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church & Cincinnati Country Club | Wedding Photography - Kortnee Kate | Florist & Design - Quince & Quinn | Wedding Planner - I do weddings | Cake/Sweets - A Spoon Fulla Sugar | Hair & Makeup - BrideFace | Music - Endless Summer Band; Phil DeGreg Trio | Catering - Cincinnati Country Club | Bridal Shop & Dress Designer - Amsale | Tuxedos - Trevor Furbay Bespoke | Artwork - WhoDrew | Videography - ChiliDog Pictures Video Productions | Lighting - Clear Lighting
See More Weddings at Cincinnati Country Club
Meaghan + Matt’s October wedding was all radiance with a measure of the timeless. Vows were exchanged in St. Francis de Sales Church, one of Cincinnati’s most beautiful and historic buildings. The festivities followed at Cincinnati Country Club where the grounds were set for croquet and corn hole with a personal touch.