1. Real Weddings

A Colorful Backyard Wedding at a Private Residence in Columbus, Ohio

Josie Tabacca (34, medical office management) and Jason Ogren (35, real estate) met online while they were tweeting about Indians baseball. Over time,

Josie Tabacca (34, medical office management) and Jason Ogren (35, real estate) met online while they were tweeting about Indians baseball. Over time, they became friends and eventually started to date. Jason proposed to Josie on a cold fall evening in the middle of their street, and since Josie did not desire an engagement ring, he purchased a tanzanite necklace charm to make it official. The couple had their wedding in Josie’s parent’s backyard that fit almost 150 guests, where she always had dreamed she would be married. Since the wedding was an outdoor occasion in July, the couple wanted guests to be casually dressed and as comfortable as possible. There was no strict color palette, and the backyard was decked out in an array of vibrant, colorful d?cor to contribute to the fiesta theme the couple envisioned. Jason’s mom made multicolored table runners and created the potted succulent centerpieces. The colorful napkin rings made of paper and decorative pinwheels were both DIY projects done by the couple. Table assignment cards resembled Mexican bingo cards and appetizers of gazpacho, avocado deviled eggs and pork sopitas were passed around the reception tables. To top off the Mexican themed wedding, there was a pi?ata filled with treats for guests of all ages to have fun with. “I am so happy we mostly didn't sweat the small stuff and stuck to our vision of having an awesome fiesta with our loved ones,” says Josie.

Josie held a bouquet of sunflowers, daisies, dahlias and several other colorful flowers that complimented the summer wedding.
The coupe made blue paper pinwheel, among several others, that hung on the black fence at the wedding.
The couple had several nieces, so they had a total of six flower girls who wore a variety of bright yellow, blue and pink dresses.
Bride and Groom Ceremony Recessional
The couple stood with their colorful wedding party in front of a red barn on the property. “The wedding was outside in July, so everyone needed to be as cool and comfortable as possible,” says Josie. “We are both laid-back and wanted that to come through in our style.”
The groom and his groomsmen wore white shirts with the sleeves rolled up, colorful ties, tan pants and suspenders. The groom was the only one to wear a spotted tie, while the groomsmen wore striped ties.
“Our ceremony and reception were held in the bride's parents' backyard,” says Josie. “I always dreamed I would be married where I grew up. Luckily, my parents have the space to host a large party.”
Escort cards were designed as Mexican bingo cards, which hung in lines and were attached to a yellow frame. “We definitely wanted a whimsical Mexican fiesta, complete with Mexican bingo cards as the table assignment cards,” says Josie.
Yellow Standing Scorpion Table Marker
Jason's mom created the colorful table runner and the couple made the paper napkin rings that matched each other.
Green Succulent in Pot Centerpiece
“We made jam to give away as the wedding favor in three flavors: Bourbon Orange Rhubarb (to reflect Jason's favorite booze), Gin Citrus Rhubarb (to reflect Josie's favorite booze) and Mulberry Vanilla Apple (for anyone who didn't want booze),” says Josie.
The piñatas that we had were a great personalized, playful touch,” says Josie. “We had lots of kids in the wedding because of so many nieces and nephews, so we wanted to make them feel included.”
Ivory Wedding Cake with Flower Topper
First Dance at Backyard Wedding