1. Real Weddings

Rima & Kevin: A Formal Wedding in Cincinnati, OH

Though Rima and Kevin kept it classic at their summer soiree, the evening was filled with memorable touches like heart-shaped quesadillas, a fireworks

Though Rima and Kevin kept it classic at their summer soiree, the evening was filled with memorable touches like heart-shaped quesadillas, a fireworks display, and a French fry station. THE BRIDE Rima Nasrallah, 28, chief resident of pediatrics THE GROOM Kevin Rusnak, 31, historian of aerospace technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base THE DATE July 17 Between interviewing vendors, managing a budget, and coordinating everything from flowers to footwear, planning a wedding can sometimes seem like a full-time job. But somehow Rima, who works at least 80 hours a week at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, made everything work -- even if she had to burn the midnight oil to do it. I actually remember having a spare moment one night when I was on call, Rima says, so I left messages for my reception site coordinator and baker…at two o'clock in the morning! All her hard work (and sleepless nights!) paid off when she married Kevin in an elegant ceremony at St. Xavier Church.

The bridesmaids carried bouquets of red, white and deep burgundy calla lilies. I chose these colors because I wanted a formal, elegant, and classically beautiful wedding, Rima recalls. And I've always loved how deep red roses looked against a wedding dress.
Kevin and his groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos with silver ties (Kevin wore a white tie) and red blooms in their lapels.
After a gourmet dinner that included an intermezzo of champagne sorbet shaped like mini wedding cakes, the newlyweds danced with their guests until it was time to end the night with a bang -- fireworks, of course.
At the reception, guest tables covered in crisp white linens were topped with silver overlays that matched the chiffon sash on each of the white covered chairs. Fragrant bundles of deep red roses were everywhere -- even dangling romantically from the ceiling of the reception tent, on the terrace of Ivy Hills Country Club.
Rima's wedding day ensemble centered around an exquisite bright white Reem Acra gown with silver embroidery.