1. Real Weddings

Alana & Noah: An Outdoor Wedding in Lima, OH

Fate brought Alana and Noah together many times before they realized they were meant to be. The two attended the same high school, had the same group

Fate brought Alana and Noah together many times before they realized they were meant to be. The two attended the same high school, had the same group of friends and even dated off and on. It wasn't until a fluke situation at a friend's wedding that they really connected. Both arrived at the wedding alone since Alana's date had canceled at the last minute and Noah was standing in as their friend Will's date. The two ended up hanging out all evening but it wasn't until their first official date, when Noah dumped sour cream on Alana that she knew he was the one. It was hilarious! All I could do was laugh, says Alana. The Bride Alana Schweizer, 29, design consultant The Groom Noah Dray, 30, operations manager The Date October 6 The couple dated for four years but Alana was completely taken aback when Noah proposed. I think my exact words were something like, 'Get serious,' she says. The couple planned a fall wedding with metallic accents in gold, bronze and copper.

The fall-colored table numbers were stamped onto ivory cardstock with copper ink and mounted to metallic bronze paper. The bride brushed copper embossing powder over each number for added shimmer. Each table had beaded and metallic candles.
The escort cards were embellished in gold with the couple's signature stamp. Each guest's name was elegantly written in brown calligraphy.
The ivory programs were written in brown ink and embellished in copper with the same stamp that the couple had used on their invitations.
The cake's round and hexagonal tiers were encased in brown and copper ribbon. Clusters of gold fondant Chinese lanterns also adorned the cake.
The couple married under a huppah at sunset on a warm fall evening. Noah's sister Eliza and the couple's wedding coordinator, Peggy, decorated the huppah with champagne colored silk fabric, branches, amber jewels and glittering metallic garlands for a whimsical yet elegant look.
The reception included a lot of metallic decor in the couple's fall color palette. The dinner tables were topped with copper pintuck linens and gold chargers and surrounded by gold chivari chairs.