Many of you will recall of the story of Kelly and David and the surprise wedding thrown for them by a small group of friends and some of the most generous (as well as talented) vendors in the city. Well, Tine Hofman's photos are in (okay, so they were in over a month ago, but I'm now just sitting down to post this!), and I am so excited to finally share them...
The day started with a bridal luncheon at the BonBonerie tea room. After that, it was off to get hair and make up done by the beauty "dream team:" Sam Hills of high five salon and Nancy of Brideface.
Here is the beautiful bride with her RED hot stilettos (fun!). I love her bracelet.
On the other side of town, the men of the wedding (David and their two sweet boys, Mac and Bode) were busy getting ready themselves. David is always a smooth dresser, as seen below in his suspenders!
The bride and groom couldn't resist seeing each other before the ceremony. Tine was able to catch a peek of them during their private moment.
Kelly tells me the below picture captures the essence of her children!
Here was the area where our ceremony was supposed to be held. To my disappointment, we were rained out, so we moved inside the house a couple of hours prior to the ceremony. Oh, I had big plans for this space... shepherds hooks lining the aisle, big flower urns on each of the pillars, petals down the aisle.... :( (BTW, brides... ALWAYS have a back up plan for rain!)
Here is our Plan B, which worked out great. It was a very warm, cozy setting for the personal and intimate ceremony.
Kelly chose a scarlet and deep melon color scheme... a very popular color combo for Fall 2008. The lovely flowers were the work of Kevin Ford of Ford Ellington Floral and Event Design.
After the ceremony, the 30 guests enjoyed a brief cocktail hour, then were seated downstairs for dinner. The fire orange "pintuck" style linens and mahogony chiavari chairs were rented from Camargo Rental.
Funky's catering provided a delightful menu, including edible flowers!
Kelly and David had a surprise of their own for their guests.... they announced they were 9 weeks pregnant with their third child!
But that news was eclipsed (if only briefly) by what we had planned for them next.... a surprise reception! We blindfolded them and drove them around in a limo for 45 minutes to throw them off.
After taking in everything, we sat them down to watch a Same Day Edit video that Steve of Glass Eye Video put together for everyone to see... it had clips from the ceremony so everyone at the reception was able to share in what had just transpired.
The lounge style reception (furniture by CORT) featured fun foods: a late night Cincinnati Chili bar, mini sliders and fries, Funky's famous "gyros" ... and cotton candy (of course!).
Below are Kelly and David sharing their first dance on the very cool black and white dance floor provided by Camargo Rental.
The rest of the night was spent on the dance floor! 
I'm guessing this all-hands-on-deck moment was brought to us by The Humpty Dance or Shoop or some other awesome 90s hit... (DJ Toad was, as usual, a major source of energy and cool.)
I HAD to throw in these Dancing Machine photos of our friend and Best of Cincinnati stylist extraordinaire, Sam Hills. You go, Sam.
The reception was beautiful, but there was such a spirit of generosity and love in the air that the people are what made the night so special. I cannot over-thank the incredible vendors who helped make this a celebration that no one is soon to forget. We love you, Kelly and David Russell!
Here is our Plan B, which worked out great. It was a very warm, cozy setting for the personal and intimate ceremony.
Below is a much-anticipated moment for Kelly: walking down the aisle with her dad for the very first time. She waited 11 years for this! It was very special and her dad was very proud to finally take on this honor.
Kelly chose a scarlet and deep melon color scheme... a very popular color combo for Fall 2008. The lovely flowers were the work of Kevin Ford of Ford Ellington Floral and Event Design.
After the ceremony, the 30 guests enjoyed a brief cocktail hour, then were seated downstairs for dinner. The fire orange "pintuck" style linens and mahogony chiavari chairs were rented from Camargo Rental.
Funky's catering provided a delightful menu, including edible flowers! 
Kelly and David had a surprise of their own for their guests.... they announced they were 9 weeks pregnant with their third child!
But that news was eclipsed (if only briefly) by what we had planned for them next.... a surprise reception! We blindfolded them and drove them around in a limo for 45 minutes to throw them off.
The first thing Kelly and David heard immediately after being introduced to the adoring crowd was "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough." Amid cheers of joy, the blindfolds came off. Their reaction to seeing 100 of their closest friends and fans shouting and clapping wildly? To dance, baby, dance!
After taking in everything, we sat them down to watch a Same Day Edit video that Steve of Glass Eye Video put together for everyone to see... it had clips from the ceremony so everyone at the reception was able to share in what had just transpired.
The lounge style reception (furniture by CORT) featured fun foods: a late night Cincinnati Chili bar, mini sliders and fries, Funky's famous "gyros" ... and cotton candy (of course!).
And here's the beautiful cake from Maribelle! It perfectly matched the graphics on our custom invitations (designed by Cindy Loon and David Valentine).
Below are Kelly and David sharing their first dance on the very cool black and white dance floor provided by Camargo Rental.The rest of the night was spent on the dance floor! 
I HAD to throw in these Dancing Machine photos of our friend and Best of Cincinnati stylist extraordinaire, Sam Hills. You go, Sam.
The reception was beautiful, but there was such a spirit of generosity and love in the air that the people are what made the night so special. I cannot over-thank the incredible vendors who helped make this a celebration that no one is soon to forget. We love you, Kelly and David Russell!
