A Romantic, Rustic Wedding at Hoover YMCA Park in Lockbourne, Ohio

Linsey Pecikonis (31, communications director) and Nicky Smolter (31, a college professor) met when Linsey took a trip to Washington D.C. with her friend. Nicky had been living in Baltimore at the time, and the mutual friend asked if Linsey and her could stay at her place. That one night was all it took for Linsey and Nicky to realize how much they had in common. Their first date was at a local sports bar to watch the Ohio State football game, and soon after made their relationship official. Linsey and Nicky both proposed to each other on Point Dume in Malibu, California over the course of one weekend. As the sun was setting, they exchanged rings they picked out together and began their engagement. The couple had their destination wedding at Columbus, Ohio where both of them had gone to college. Nicky came across a wedding blog that featured the Hoover YMCA Park in Lockbourne, Ohio and after they visited the venue, they knew it was where the wedding would take place. The natural park with a gazebo would be the perfect match for the couple’s romantic, rustic wedding. While the ceremony was at the outdoor gazebo, the reception was taken indoors to Optimist Lodge. The purple, navy and lime green color palette inspired the colorful flower arrangements placed in wood boxes and mason jars. Lights were strung across the ceiling over the rustic dining tables and a stage that served as a photo booth backdrop. “Since our wedding was on the smaller side we were surrounded by people that truly loved us and were very excited to celebrate with us,” says Linsey.