A Colorful Glam Wedding on a Private Ohio Estate in Chagrin Falls

If Claire Snavely (29 and a designer) and Christoph Gisel (33 and a lighting designer) were to name their wedding’s theme, they’d put it like this: “psychedelic minimalism.” A rainbow pattern that Christoph’s sister, a graphic designer and design writer in Switzerland, created brought that phrase to life. “We wanted the pattern to feel otherworldly, like the feeling of love itself,” Claire says. Because the pair met in Stockholm while Claire was studying abroad, they tied in Swedish details right alongside Ohio’s finest for their celebration at Claire’s childhood home, serving a menu full of in-season produce and local walleye and capping off the meal with international treats. The couple also got help and inspiration from their family. For example, Claire’s stepmom helped in stitching more than 100 napkins for the reception, making some from a shirting fabric to honor Claire’s late papa, who was known to wear striped and checked shirts in bright colors. “We peeled off many traditions and created a wedding authentic to us,” Claire says.
“We wanted our wedding to be a celebration of love and nature,” Claire says. “Our ceremony backdrop was the sights and sounds of the Chagrin River Valley.” 
“I knew from the beginning that I didn’t want to wear a white wedding dress,” Claire says of her unique red Givenchy gown. By contrast, Christoph wore an all-white custom summer suit.
The couple “wanted the arrangements to feel sculptural, lush, airy and to appear foraged from nature,” Claire says. Claire and Christoph’s friend surprised them with a cornhole lawn game hand-painted to match their wedding pattern. Guests also sipped cocktails served up from a “bar car.”
“Our florist used branches from the woods nearby to fill the tent with life and greenery,” Claire says. Because her grandmother used stephanotis, white orchids, pink roses and blue delphinium on her wedding day, it was important to Claire to incorporate those blooms for her own celebration too.