Greek Ceremony + Ohio Statehouse Reception

Although Audrey Wheeler and Gregory Hopkins attended the identical college, it wasn’t till after faculty that they have been launched at an Ohio State soccer recreation. “Gregory really requested me on our first date inside 5 minutes of assembly me!” smiles Audrey. Three years later, he proposed in entrance of certainly one of their favourite eating places. “He secretively had each of our mother and father and a photographer watching throughout the road; nonetheless, the surprises didn’t finish there,” she provides, as their family and friends have been inside ready to have a good time. “It was so particular and the right night time surrounded by everybody we love.” 

Audrey and Gregory didn’t plan to have a 33-month engagement, however Covid compelled the couple to postpone their October 2020 nuptials to August 2021 since they didn’t wish to host an intimate marriage ceremony. “I’m from a big Greek household who all principally reside in Columbus, and Gregory is from a good bigger Irish household… so it was all or nothing when it got here to the visitor record,” confirms the bride of their almost 300-person celebration. 

A weekend filled with occasions culminated with the couple’s ceremony at a shocking cathedral boasting white marble, gilded accents, and stained-glass home windows. “I wished to maintain our ceremony décor very basic and timeless,” describes Audrey of the design. She was radiant in a modern V-neck robe and carried a bouquet of miniature white calla lilies – identical to her mom had at her personal marriage ceremony. “We had waited over 1,000 days to truly get married,” says Gregory. “It was a tremendous feeling seeing Audrey stroll down the aisle figuring out that our planning had ended and our marriage was formally starting.” 

The ceremony integrated customary Greek Orthodox traditions, together with the blessing of the rings, sharing wine from the frequent cup, and carrying stefana, the marital crowns worn throughout The Crowning and eliminated following the Dance of Isaiah and the priest’s blessing. A string quartet carried out classical covers of the pair’s favourite songs, together with “The Book of Love” by Peter Gabriel for the marriage celebration’s processional, “Latch” by Sam Smith for Audrey’s stroll down the aisle, and “Clarity” by Zedd that includes Foxes for the newlyweds’ recessional. 

Subsequent, family members made their technique to the state capitol constructing for the long-awaited celebration. “I wished our reception to essentially be cohesive with the Ohio Statehouse’s structure since it’s so beautiful,” affirms Audrey. Although the floral design for his or her unique fall marriage ceremony integrated darker hues, the brand new summer season marriage ceremony date allowed them to brighten every little thing up with a colour palette of ivory, inexperienced, peach, apricot, and mauve. To maintain the house feeling heat and intimate, candlelight was emitted from an array of candelabras and votives. 

The gorgeous venue was adorned with tables strewn with ivory linens surrounded by translucent oval-backed chairs and adorned with numerous floral preparations. “After we had our room reveal, my jaw fairly actually dropped, and I began crying… It was extra beautiful than I might have ever imagined,” expresses the bride. “Heather [Thomas of HeatherLily] completely knocked it out of the park!” Centerpieces showcased blooms similar to delphiniums, dahlias, ranunculuses, Bells of Eire, lisianthus blossoms, inventory, roses, and hydrangeas, in addition to verdure from smilax to seeded eucalyptus.