Layne Spicher and Matthew McCaw went to high school together, but didn't actually meet until two years after she graduated. (Matt's three years older, so the pair didn't cross paths!) Luckily, as Layne was studying at the University of Cincinnati and Matt was getting ready to graduate at nearby Xavier University, the couple found themselves in the same bar in downtown Cincinnati and mutual friends made sure the two connected. "We had an instant attraction to each other but we didn't start officially dating until 15 months later," Layne says. And on February 8, 2014, Matt decided to make it official with a proposal in the couple's living room.
Since both Layne and Matt grew up in Cincinnati, a hometown wedding was practically a given. "When we were younger, our schools would take field trips to Greenacres Arts Center for nature hikes and to learn about conservation," the bride says. "I fell in love with the place then, and I've always thought it'd be the most beautiful spot to get married." As a plus, Greenacres held lots of family history for them: The groom's twin sister tied the knot there three years before! And with a venue locked in, Layne and Matt decided they'd fill the rest of their June 6, 2015, wedding with all things Cincinnati: everything from invitations and favors to the dinner menu and drinks came courtesy of local vendors. With the help of Viva Bella Events and florist Yellow Canary, the couple dreamed up a celebration packed with local flavor and a rustic, glamorous vibe. Luckily for us, Leo Patrone Photography was there to capture every stunning detail — including a show-stopping floral installation made by of over 14,000 individual blooms!
Cindy Loon of Loon & Co. created Layne and Matt's invitation suite, as well as escort cards, menus, and signage used throughout the reception. The subtle floral theme hinted at the beautiful blooms that would be used throughout the big day.
Although the bride and groom quickly settled on a hometown wedding, they wanted to incorporate hints of their home away from home: Park City, Utah. "Matt and I love traveling out west and we feel totally at home in Park City," Layne says. "We actually almost had our wedding there, so we wanted the day to feel rustic and representative of everything we love about the area."
As Layne says, the process of finding her wedding dress was an ordeal. "I'm an anxious person and also a perfectionist," the bride says. "The first time I tried on dresses, there was one gown that caught everyone's eye but I wasn't quite sure about it. Everyone convinced me it was the dress for me, so I said yes and bought it." But for the next two weeks, she second-guessed the decision and called her consultant at Bridals by Lori and admitted she was feeling concerned. "They cancelled the dress order and promised to apply our payment to a new dress."
So a few months later, she ventured back to Atlanta and found the one: A lace mermaid from Amsale and she had no more regrets. Layne loved the sweetheart neckline, lace bodice, and the way its mermaid skirt made the dress both classic and modern.
The bride's seven 'maids wore mismatched gowns from Adrianna Pappell, Monique Lhuillier, Jenny Yoo, and Donna Morgan in shades of champagne, blush, and gray. "I really wanted each girl to have a dress that she loved and would feel comfortable in," says Layne. "The different dresses also helped to create the organic look we were going for."
Each bridesmaid carried a bouquet that was similar to Layne's. A mix of peonies, roses, and greenery left each with a loose, natural feel.
Matt coordinated with his groomsmen in his blue Hugo Boss suit — but only because of a pre-wedding snafu! "He was supposed to wear an amazing bright blue suit from Paul Smith that I had spent months locating," says Layne. But on the day-of, the pants were no where to be found, so the bride sent a suit the groom already owned over to his hotel for him to wear down the aisle. "It ended up matching the groomsmen perfectly and was a good illustration of the golden rule of wedding planning," she says. "No matter how much time and effort you spend on a specific element of the wedding, it still might go wrong on the day and you just have to pick up, move on, and trust it will turn out okay."
Layne's two cousins, Caroline and William, and Matt's nephew, Winston, served as the couple's flower girl and ring bearers. Caroline, dressed in a blush dress, carried a mini bouquet that matched the bride's while the boys, clad in pale blue suits, carried bird's nests with the rings.
Although the three made it down the aisle without any problems, William was particularly emotional throughout the ceremony. Layne had worked as William's nanny throughout her time in college and cared for him since he was a baby, so their bond is unmistakable. "He cried during the ceremony, saying that he was just so happy for us," the bride says.
Layne and Matt's ceremony décor totally embodied their vision of rustic glamour. The pair decided to exchange vows at the end of a stone pathway that's flanked by huge trees. The space would have been pretty enough on its own, but the bride and groom upped the ante with an installation of lavender and greenery. "That had been my starting inspiration for the wedding," the bride says. Layne had seen a photo from a wedding her photographer shot in Park City, complete with a similar lavender-lined aisle, and knew she had to have it for her big day, too.
The space was finished with tons of mismatched chairs and a wooden arbor that was covered in greenery and fresh blooms. "We made the arbor asymmetrical in that one side had more flowers and one side had more greenery," says Layne. "Behind the arbor was a fountain and flowerbed that Greenacres maintains year round."
At 5:30, Layne's father walked her down the aisle while a string quartet performed their rendition of Coldplay's "A Sky Full of Stars." The pair wed in a ceremony that was both religious and spiritual, complete with traditional vows and personalized ridings. "We felt like there was something special about using words that people have said to each other for hundreds of years," says the bride. Once they were pronounced husband and wife, the newlyweds exited to "Here Comes My Baby" by Cat Stevens.
Guests found their seating assignments on cards that were tied onto string and hung in empty picture frames.
This reception tent is nothing short of epic. Yellow Canary installed a 16 x 16 foot floral canopy comprised of over 14,000 individual stems over top the dance floor, made from a mix of delphiniums, Queen Anne's lace, larkspur, and foraged greens. "It was a work of art and so incredibly beautiful. It surpassed my ever expectation," Layne says.
Another important detail? The clear paneling on portions of the tent so that guests could see the night sky. "Over top of the clear panels we hung strands of light, which softened the entire feel of the tent and looked amazing," says Layne.
Long farm tables served as the foundation for the couple's rustic, elegant reception, so Layne and Matt opted to keep them bare, adding only a lace runner and lots of fresh flowers and greenery. The different tall and short centerpieces were comprised of mixes of different flowers, including peonies, hydrangeas, roses, larkspur, and astilbe. Each place setting featured a silver beaded charger and lavender napkin. The bride and groom's chairs were identified with simple green wreaths.
For guests who didn't want to spend all evening at their table but needed a break from the dance floor, Layne and Matt provided comfortable lounge seating near all the action.
After their multi-course dinner of braised beef short ribs, chicken breast, and maple-glazed salmon, the bride and groom cut into their naked wedding cake. Layers of almond-lemon cake were filled with buttercream and raspberries.
Guests danced all night, taking breaks from the party only to slip outside to roast s'mores over the fire. A table was filled with every imaginable treat and topping; graham crackers, dark and milk chocolate bar, different flavored marshmallows, homemade chocolate chip cookies, nutella, fudge, and peanut butter cups. No surprise here — it was a huge hit with the couple's guests!
And that wasn't the only late-night snack selection. A snack bar stocked by two Cincinnati favorites, Skyline Chili and LaRosa's Pizza, meant that no one would leave the party hungry.
The newlyweds, who honeymooned in Australia and New Zealand, have this advice for future couples: "You only get to plan your wedding once. You don't want to look back and remember the time leading up to your wedding as not enjoyable. Remember why you're getting married, stay true to yourself, and have faith that all of your efforts will be worth it," Layne says. "It really will be the best day ever."
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Greenacres Arts Center || Wedding Planner: Viva Bella Events || Bride's Wedding Dress & Veil: Amsale || Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss || Floral Design: Yellow Canary || Catering: Funky's Catering || Cake: Maribelle Cakery || Photographer: Leo Patrone Photography
Can't get enough of this gorgeous wedding? Then check out another couple's flower-filled celebration in the video below.
Source: This Beautiful Ohio Wedding Is Giving Us Major Flower Envy
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