A Nautical, Lakefront Wedding at a Private Home in Cleveland, Ohio

From the moment Cristal Hydo (32 and an engineer) and Joe Dillon (34 and a technician) got engaged, they knew they wanted to be surrounded by their closest friends and family on their wedding day. The Florida-based pair looked to Cristal’s home state of Ohio for their summer affair, planning an intimate, outdoor celebration at Cristal’s parents' home in Cleveland, Ohio, set on the shore of Lake Erie. The fun-loving couple love boating and all things water-related, so a nautical theme was a given right. The day was filled with DIY details that perfectly captured this theme, from the starfish-studded wedding arch to the sailboat and anchor escort cards and the brightly colored bouquets and boutonnieres. The couple even transformed a canoe into a makeshift sailboat that served as a drink cooler for cocktail hour and the reception. Cristal and Joe's family members and friends pitched in to create many of the decorations, giving every detail sentimental meaning. After an intimate ceremony overlooking the water, Cristal, Joe and their families and friends dined on traditional Polish fare popular in the Midwest, including pierogi and kielbasa, and danced under the stars, strands of glowing bistro lights adding an air of undeniable ambiance. The couple made sure their younger guests, including Joe’s 9-year-old daughter, felt included and enjoyed all the festivities as well, providing a children's play area at the front of the home, complete with a bounce house, game center and personalized activity books for each child.