Megan + Alex’s Hall Of Mirrors Wedding

January 29, 2018 Nicolette Meade

How did you and Alex meet? What was your first impression of him? What was his first impression of you?

Alex and I met at Tin Roof at the Banks on September 22, 2012. At the time, I was living in Dayton, Ohio but was visiting friends that weekend who decided to go to Tin Roof (a new bar then). Alex was at a wedding all night and ended up going to Tin Roof afterwards with friends. We both had several drinks in us, but ultimately, we met on the dance floor. I remember seeing this tall (cute) guy and his friend in a sear-sucker suit dancing. To me, it was as if the sea of people parted and he came to me. Alex said he noticed my big smile and wanted to talk to me. He knew I was nice and fun since I was with my friends. We danced all night, drank some more, and exchanged numbers … and a little kiss.

Following our initial meet, we kept in touch and saw each other out occasionally, but it wasn’t until May, 2014 that we actually started dating. I was on vacation with my family in Hilton Head, South Carolina when he re-entered the picture (for good). It started with a snapchat, but lead to us talking every night. He was excited to tell me about his brand new job, I was excited to tell him about my days on the beach! At the end of the vacation, he insisted that he pick me up from the airport, even though I was flying in to Dayton at 11pm on a Monday night. I was so ecstatic to see him, and from that moment on we’ve been inseparable.

How was your personal style reflected on your wedding day?

When it came to our wedding, I really wanted to reflect our “Couple Style.” I would describe our style as traditional, fun, and quaint; which I think was seen throughout our wedding, as we planned each intricate piece. Having a November wedding itself, I think, is a cozy and quaint time of the year. Our invitations were traditional, but had a fun gold/white polka dot inner envelope sleeve which set the tone for the night. Our ceremony at St. Mary’s Basilica of the Assumption Cathedral in Covington is gorgeous, and for out of town guests, is unlike most churches. Our venue at the Hall of Mirrors inside the Hilton Netherland Plaza was grand and traditional. Our band, the Naked Karate Girls, is the epitome of fun; they made sure every single person had the best night ever. And, although not planned, the fact that we celebrated our wedding on daylight savings night was perfect as we all gained an extra hour (to recover from all the fun)!

Tell us about the proposal?

Alex always says that while we were dating, people would often ask, “Soooo, when are you getting engaged?” To my dismay, he always loved giving the canned response “… well I have to ask Megan first, but I promise you’ll be the first to know!” Reality was that he just wanted me to be surprised, and I definitely was. On Friday, October 14, 2016, Alex arrived home after work to our newly purchased house. I was in our kitchen making a big salad since we were having friends over later that night to christen our fire pit and have dinner. He walked into the kitchen with red roses, champagne, and chocolate covered strawberries, and the next thing I knew, he was on his knee asking me to marry him! I remember standing in our kitchen for at least 5 minutes and repeatedly saying “oh my God!” and hugging. We spent the rest of the night calling/face-timing friends and family, and celebrating.

How did you decide your venue? Why was it the perfect choice?

Alex and I knew our wedding would be rather large, since we both have a lot of friends and big families, so we needed a venue that would hold our size. We also wanted a unique venue that held true to our classic/traditional style. We fell in love with the Hilton’s Hall of Mirrors downtown, the beautiful architecture, the class, and overall natural décor. Working with Taylor was also ideal, as she made our every wish a reality. We loved the fact that every seat for our guests was a good seat, the food was divine, the staircase was so grand, and even the bar locations were ideal. We’d also never been to a wedding there before, so that made it even more special to us!

Photography by Kortnee Kate Photography

What was your favorite detail?

My favorite detail was our band: Naked Karate Girls! Even before we got engaged, I knew I wanted them for our wedding. In fact, their availability helped us determine our wedding date! Alex and I have always said though, “We want people to have fun,” and the Naked Karate Girls pretty much guarantee that! They played for 3 hours, not stopping until 1:30am, and the dance floor was packed the entire time. It was an amazing feeling looking around, seeing all of our favorite people in one room, dancing and having a great time!

Describe your wedding day. Is there a particular moment that remains in your memory most vividly?

Our wedding day was so relaxing, and filled with smiles and laughter throughout. The girls got ready at my parent’s house in Edgewood, Kentucky, which was so fun. We watched Father of the Bride, had brunch, drank mimosas, had our hair and makeup done; just enjoyed each other’s company. This was great, for me, as I was able to soak in my time with my parents and the girls, leading up to the big moment: Our First Look. Alex and I had been talking about our first look for a while. Who would cry? What would we look like? How would we feel? Ultimately though, I was just so excited to show him my dress, and see how handsome he looked. This moment remains most vivid for both of us. I remember having the photographer station me perfectly while he went to go get Alex from the bus. He told Alex to look at the ground when he walked to me, which I know he did because he’s as sentimental as I am. Once we got together, the pictures speak for themselves, but it was a beautiful moment, full of smiles, raw emotion, “happy tears,” and love; It was a moment we’ll never forget.