1. Real Weddings

Jody & Doug: A Fall Wedding in Galloway, OH

Jody Wlodarski and Doug Ackerman, two of Ohio State's biggest Buckeye fans, hoped for an outdoor wedding that matched their active lifestyles and cele

Jody Wlodarski and Doug Ackerman, two of Ohio State's biggest Buckeye fans, hoped for an outdoor wedding that matched their active lifestyles and celebrated family and tradition. THE BRIDE Jody Wlodarski, 27, a retirement specialist THE GROOM Doug Ackerman, 39, salesman and designer THE DATE September 21 Jody and Doug spent one of their first dates at an Ohio State football game and tailgate party, after meeting at a happy hour hosted by a mutual client. Three years later, in October 2000, Doug proposed on a Friday evening, an event that Jody remembers was like a Seinfeld episode. They were late for their dinner reservations, the phone was ringing off the hook, and, to top it all off, Doug forgot his wallet and accidentally tripped the alarm when he went back into the house retrieve it. In the midst of all the mix-up (all part of Doug's bizarre proposal plan), Doug pulled Jody aside, hugged her, took out a diamond ring, and said, I have something for you.

Each layer of Jody and Doug's four-tiered wedding cake was festooned with fresh flowers and berries, and copper-colored ribbon.
The Couple
The Wedding Party Looks
The Ring Bearer
Jody and Doug's tabletops featured simple white linens, while cinnamon-color candles flickered in glass hurricanes. Foliage, bittersweet berries, and orange, yellow, and red Gerbera daisies offset the warm candlelight with exuberant bursts of autumnal color.
The Couple
Jody wore a sleeveless ivory gown with a sequined bodice and carried an autumnal bouquet of roses, burnt-orange lilies, hypericum, bittersweet berries, eucalyptus greens, and white stephanotis.
Family and friends made the ceremony especially meaningful. The pastor, a former coworker of Jody's, personalized the nuptial blessing. A neighbor played the trumpet; cousins and siblings performed scripture readings, and Joy, Jody's sister and matron-of-honor, decorated the chair backs with sprays of fall foliage, berries, and copper-colored tulle.