Give us gold! Guests knew Katherine and Jonathan’s black tie affair in The Renaissance’s grand ballroom in downtown Cincinnati would be dripping with glam from the moment the invitation arrived in the mail. The couple’s fairy tale wedding day vision came together beautifully with an amazing team of wedding professionals.

The invitation featured lots of laser-cuts, gold, and custom design - a few of our favorite things! The gate-fold square invitation was laser-cut with a star field and wrapped in a black belly band with a laser-cut design of the Roebling Suspension Bridge which connects Ohio and Kentucky. The bridge held a special place in their relationship and was a presence throughout the ceremony and reception.

The invitation opened to reveal a gold foil and black letterpressed invitation. Multiple shapes and patterns adorned the additional inserts and no detail was left behind – including the seamlessly placed custom postage stamp. Even the mailman wanted to attend!

Featured in Inside Weddings | Photography by Kortnee Kate unless noted.

From Katherine and Jonathan’s feature on Inside Weddings:

Katherine McNeil and Jonathan Burns first met 15 years ago, when they were sat beside each other in their high school chemistry class. The following year, they found themselves taking physics together. Katherine boldly asked Jonathan to be her lab partner. While working on a project together, they developed a friendship and soon started dating.

Over a decade later, he proposed in a park while their families watched from the window of a restaurant. It was important to the couple that their families were involved in planning the day, so both sides were included in the meetings with Viva Bella Events. A hotel in downtown Cincinnati {Renaissance Cincinnati} was selected for the venue, both for the convenience of out-of-town guests and because the aesthetics fit with their vision for the event.

The design was evident from the invitation suite: A gold gate-fold cover with the top and bottom mirrored by laser-cut circles to resemble falling stars and their reflection on the Ohio River was wrapped with a charcoal belly band featuring a laser-cut pattern of the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge that connects Cincinnati, Ohio to Covington, Kentucky.  

Before the reception, the newlyweds snuck away in order to watch their loved ones enjoying the festivities. “It was incredible to look down at our reception with guests chatting, mingling, and celebrating us!  It’s a vision that we won’t soon forget,” muses Katherine. They, along with their families, also got a preview of the reception space. “Walking through the double doors took our breath away,” the bride illustrates of viewing the glamorous décor for the first time.  Centerpieces were designed with ivory calla lilies, roses, hydrangeas, and split leaves painted gold. Bullion stands featured cascading crystals added to the opulent look. “The creative partners did an incredible job of taking our vision and making it more than a reality,” confirms the bride. “We are lucky to call this fairy-tale day our own!

- Written by Emily Lasnier for Inside Weddings

CREATIVE PARTNERS:

Planning: Viva Bella Events | Photography: Kortnee Kate Photography | Venue: Renaissance Cincinnati | Cake: Maribelle Cakery | Florals: Ford Ellington Wedding Design

As seen on Inside Weddings