Full of whimsy romance and blooming florals, this wedding at the Kahkwa Club is the dose of spring we all need right now. Thanks to an abundance of fresh greens, a lakeside setting, and the prettiest of images from Leeann Marie Photography, Kate and Pat’s big day has a dream-like quality to it. Elegant wedding invitations enclosed in silk spun ribbon and gilded wax seals set the scene for a classic soiree. After saying “I do” in a traditional church ceremony and taking photos in a secret garden-like courtyard, the newlyweds headed to a Lake Erie yacht and golf club that held special meaning for both the bride and the groom. It was there that a gorgeously decorated tent awaited. Greenery covered just about every inch of the space – it was draped along the ceiling, running down tables, and even tucked into the place settings. A soft color combination of white, sage green, gray, and pastel purple added to the feminine vibe while succulents, roses, hydrangeas, and even fresh lavender brought that palette to life. A sparkler and sky lantern send-off was the perfect night cap to this sweetly serene day. Love is most definitely in bloom and this one is sure to be a new favorite!
About the Couple
We met at Docksiders, a bar in Erie, PA that is known for many late night visits, lots of dancing, and faint memories. I was out with some friends one Saturday night and within that group was the groom’s cousin, who had invited Pat to come out and meet us. Although I thought Pat was “very cute”, I was not keen on the idea of being set up. A shot was shared to break the ice, followed by lots of dancing. A few days later, we shared our first date at Pineapple Eddie’s and despite the long distance throughout our relationship, we always managed to stay in touch.
I often tease Pat about his love for his alma mater. It could be the excessive amount of Notre Dame apparel that he owns, the countless hours he spends paying homage to the football team, or the repetitive tours of campus he takes me on when we visit that really get me going. So when Pat told me that we would need to stop by his beloved school on the way down to my family reunion in Indianapolis, I was not too thrilled by the idea. Pat got away with this by saying that he would not get his transcripts in time to apply for his New York medical license required for his fellowship. Pat, having a Master’s degree in procrastination, made this very believable. The road to South Bend was loaded with discussions regarding stopping in the bookstore for more apparel and me reminding Pat “that he must write the transcripts lady a thank you card” for going above and beyond to make sure he had those documents on time. A thank you to someone who didn’t exist for a task that would never be completed.
The first stop was, of course, the Grotto to light a candle. As we finished praying, Pat stood up and began telling me how special I was and how special this place was to him. Despite the nervous mumbles and falling while getting down on one knee, he managed to pop the question. I quickly began to cry, hugged Pat, and say “Yes!” This was soon followed by a loving slap to the arm when I realized Pat had fooled me. He made the moment even more special when I turned around to see my mom, in on the entire operation and hiding in the bushes to capture our special moment.
About the Wedding
We really wanted a classic wedding with a romantic vibe. I loved the idea of whites, greens, and pops of purples. I knew I also wanted gray incorporated with gold accents.
The unique thing about our wedding is that although Pat and I have always done long distance (with him in NYC and me in Pittsburgh), we are both from Erie, PA and met there. We moved to Florida the day after our wedding and it was so special to be able to spend the weekend before we moved with all of our friends and family. It was also a good way to say goodbye to our hometown before moving onto our next chapter together. We incorporated many parts of our childhoods into the weekend. I grew up sailing every summer at the Yacht Club where our rehearsal dinner was held. Pat grew up playing golf every summer at the Kahkwa Club. His late grandmother was one of the first female club champions and helped pave the way for women in golf.
