Katie + Paul’s Wedding Day at Glendale Lyceum

How did you and Paul meet?

Paul and I met on a Thursday after my company’s summer outing which I had planned for 150 people. I was exhausted and was ready to grab a drink with friends. We wandered up to this bar called Theory, in Chicago, and I had to go through my backpack of stuff to find my ID to provide to the security guard at the door. Took me a while so I just kept talking to the guy and thought he was really sweet. After getting in, I kept going back to talk to the guy at the door, once to get help with charging my phone, another time just to ask him a question.

How were your personal styles reflected in your wedding day?

We chose the colors we love for our wedding as we didn’t care what time of year, it was something that was our favorites. Paul wanted to choose what he wore – an all black suit, with a basic white shirt and a black tie. He did not want a touch of color as that is very him. Simple, yet elegant.

The venue itself had blues, whites and silvers as colors, which is all me and honestly, the colors I wear on a regular basis. Blue is my go to for everything. Since the majority of the decorations were more for me, I was sure to surprise Paul and bring in a few personal touches for him. I used Hockey pucks for our centerpieces – to make them more elegant, I was sure to put them on candlesticks to still go with the décor.

I then surprised him with a grooms cake make from rice krispie treats that was in the shape of a Stanley cup. A co-worker of mine from Chicago – Chicago Cake and Korovai made the cake for me and a friend of mine drove it to Cincinnati, as I was unable to have it in the car with Paul and I. It came in three pieces and before putting my wedding dress on, my maid of honor and myself put it together. We also made signature drinks that were the Mr and Mrs Statham drinks.

With the DJ, we requested no music from the 2000’s (even though a few songs snuck in, the DJ knew which ones to choose) and we incorporated lots of rock music for Paul. I even walked down the aisle to a strings version of Sweet Child of Mine, and our entrance song to the reception was Welcome to the Jungle. It was fun to be sure there was a bit of both of us included for all the wedding.

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

I could say my mom tricked me, but we went and visited four different venues and she was sure to take me to the one she wanted me to choose last. But also, the others were great venues, but a little more formal than I wanted. I loved the older look of Glendale Lyceum with the historic library and all the charm of the building.

We also loved that it had a bridal suite and a grooms room so we could be in the venue all day long and get ready there. They were all on separate floors, so there was no chance of us seeing each other. Also, the lady working the venue was just wonderful, she knew her space so well, so when I told her what I was thinking I wanted, she was able to make it happen. Also, there was an option to be married inside or outside so we had up until the week before to figure out what we wanted to do, and that made me stress a little less.

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

The wedding day was just amazing! It was exactly how I had thought it would happen, a few bumps along the way, but nothing that didn’t give our wedding a little character. One of my favorite moments was our first look – seeing the look on Paul’s face when he saw me for the first time was amazing as he was just so happy. Also, after our first look, I went to show him his grooms cake I had surprised him with and the look on his face was priceless and I was so happy to have pulled a fast one on him. And his excitement to see the centerpieces being hockey pucks. He loved everything!

Once all the wedding party had walked down the aisle and I could see everyone through the glass doors looking at me, I started to get emotional and get tears in my eyes (which is so unlike me, and everyone asked my dad what he said to me to make me cry, though it wasn’t him, it was just all the emotions of what was actually happening), all I could do was concentrate on Paul and once I got up there, I realized that I had calmed Paul’s nerves by getting emotional as then he concentrated on keeping me calm.

We both got our vows 100% correct and after we kissed, Paul was so excited to be married that he took off down the aisle before the music even started! The look on his face was just pure enjoyment as we walked down the aisle together.

The best choice we ever made though was to take 10 minutes for photos offsite between the wedding and reception that was only us and the photographers. It allowed us to have some time together without anyone around and enjoy being married. Paul could not stop playing with his ring and he kept saying “you’re my wife!” He was so excited and that just made everything so much better.

Overall, throughout the night, just seeing not only how happy both him and I were, but how happy all of our guests were and how much fun everyone was having made everything worth it!

Katie and Paul's wedding was an elegant and simple celebration at the historic Glendale Lyceum, a venue often described as one of Cincinnati's "hidden gems". Katie loves the color blue which was tied into the florals, stationery, and reception decor seamlessly. We love the lush floral ceremony arch which was brilliant in the sunny room where the ceremony took place. The day was captured by Leppert Photography.

All my friends thought I knew the guy and was just chatting with a friend. Well finally after about 10 (may be an exaggeration, unless you ask Paul) times of going up to talk to him, he took my phone number. Then at the 11th time, he finally asked me if I wanted to hang out on Saturday night. He smartly took me to a bar around the corner from my home so that he could walk me home.

We talked for several hours and like a gentleman, he walked me home and kissed me good night. After that we hung out almost every other day and have been together ever since.

What were your favorite details?

I feel like picking a favorite detail is so hard to do as I really loved everything so much! To be honest, we got the most compliments on all our stationery. Everyone loved how elegant our invitations were and they loved how everything at the wedding matched with the invite that they received. My favorite thing was probably how everyone loved the music and there was never a time that the dance floor was not full of people! And how the DJ’s always made sure I had a drink in hand and that the caterers brought me a whole tray of appetizers to snack on to make sure I got food in my system! And I loved the appetizers as did everyone else. Our food was soo good!

Best thing about being married?

Best thing – hmmm….getting to call each other husband and wife! For some reason its exciting, likely because it’s still new to us. One thing that makes me laugh is everyone asks us what’s different now that you are married – My husband always says “The only thing that has changed is everyone keeps asking us what has changed since you are married now”. Haha – makes me laugh every time he says it, but really it’s true.

Best advice you received on wedding planning?

Don’t sweat the small stuff! The only one that will notice all the little details and if they are or aren’t perfect is you. Enjoy one another and remember this is all about you. Let me tell you that my nephew did not want to walk down as ring bearer, so he walked down with his mom and sat at her feet the whole ceremony, and I had no idea because I was so focused on my husband and just being there with him.

Nicolette MeadeJanuary 15, 2019A Spoon Fulla Sugar, all occasions, All Occasions Event Rental, Glendale Lyceum, Leppert Photography, blue bridesmaid dresses, summer

Katie + Paul’s Wedding Day at Glendale Lyceum

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