Ceremony and Cocktails

Since the Mr. and I come from different religious backgrounds, we knew we wanted to be married in a setting that made everyone feel comfortable. We also knew we didn't want to travel in between spaces, so when we found our downtown hotel with a gorgeous ballroom, amazing cocktail space and plenty of guest rooms, we knew we had found our venue. I know some people find the typical ballroom to be a little cliche, but we wanted something both classic and beautiful. Plus, getting married in the dead of winter pretty much eliminates any outdoor type spaces :).

Our ceremony space was held in a section of the Grand Ballroom and was perfectly sized for our wedding of 170. Between the string instruments and the gorgeous Chuppah, I felt like a princess waiting to meet my prince at the altar. Although I had seen him prior to the ceremony, I was still choked up seeing him standing there waiting to marry me. As my dad walked me down the aisle to Cannon in D, I kept telling him I was going to lose it...and he kept trying to make me laugh.

Our ceremony was mostly Jewish, though the Rabbi's did an excellent job of repeating everything in English and incorporating some of my Christian beliefs. I had so many people tell me they enjoyed it, which was something we both were hoping for.

::Our Wedding Chuppah::

::I know this picture is blurry, but it pretty much sums up my dad trying to keep me grounded on the long walk to the alter::

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::Lighting the Unity Candle, something I asked the Rabbi's to incorporate::

::Our Ketubah (Jewish Marriage Certificate). Close family, friends or distant relatives are invited to witness the signing of the ketubah, which is considered an honor. We invited our parents, bridal party etc. to our signing which took place right before the ceremony and was displayed on an easel during::

 ::I love the smiling Rabbi in the back, that sums up how my heart felt::

Our cocktail hour was on the 31st floor of the hotel with a wall of windows all the way around and it rotated 360 degrees. It view was gorgeous with the light layer of snow covering Cincinnati and the city lights shining bright. 

::Some great gal pals::

::Blurry again, sorry! However, some fun details::

Thanks again for all of the kind words. Until tomorrow....