1. Real Weddings

A Simple, School Spirited Wedding at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio

Erica Mitchell (28 and a pediatric dietitian) and Colin Mitchell (28 and a senior planning analyst) met through a mutual friend during the first month

Erica Mitchell (28 and a pediatric dietitian) and Colin Mitchell (28 and a senior planning analyst) met through a mutual friend during the first month as freshman at Ohio University. Over time, Colin and Erica developed a relationship past friendship and continued to date throughout college. After graduating, Erica moved out to Phoenix, Arizona where Colin was transferred for his job. Colin told Erica they would be traveling to San Diego to celebrate her birthday, and a couple of hours after arriving, Colin proposed to Erica with a diamond ring. Since it was the place where the first met and fell in love, Erica and Colin decided to get married on their old stomping grounds at Ohio University. The brick roads and rolling green hills set the scene for the simple, natural themed wedding day ceremony, and the reception that followed took place in the dining hall where the couple had their first date. The color palette was a reflection of the natural hues of the landscape, ranging from whites and pinks with accents of burlap. To show their school spirit, Erica and Colin had the infamous paw print of their bobcat mascot appear on invitations, programs and place cards.

Erica held an ivory bouquet filled with calla lilies, roses and hydrangeas.
Ivory Wedding Dress and Bridesmaid Dresses
Ivory Bow Shoes, Brown Dress Shoes
Erica and Colin, Intimate Shot
Ivory Square Ceremony Program, Wooden Stick
“The color palette were all natural colors, really bringing the colors of nature and the outdoors into the wedding,” says the couple.
“The ceremony was perfect for us. It was short but very sweet with our minister focusing on the love between us, our future and our family and friends. He included our memories at Ohio University as well as how we were friends first,” says the couple. “The vows were especially touching as they were not the traditional vows but were more catered to us and our relationship. We were never happier than when we were up in front of everyone we loved and who loved us stating our vows.”
Happy Couple Recessional at Ohio University
“The groom and groomsmen wore navy blue suits with matching ties and bowties while the bridesmaids wore ivory colored dresses of various styles,” says the couple.
Couple with Flower Girls and Ring Bearer
Erica and Colin Holding Hands
Intimate Shot of Erica and Colin
Happy Couple Embracing at Outdoor Venue
“The table linens were ivory with burlap table runners. Each table had a floral centerpiece along with votive candles, floating candle with branches in the vase and wooden table numbers,” says the couple.
Pink and Ivory Centerpiece on Burlap
Our favors were drink cozies that were the colors of our Alma Mater (green and white,) says the couple. “They were designed by the bride's brother and included a common saying from OU alumni "OU OH yah" with the two O's being the bride and groom's rings.”
Ivory hydrangea, pink rose and baby's breath flower centerpieces were positioned on dining tables inside the Reception Hall at Ohio State University.
“The mascot is a bobcat and often the paw print is used in Ohio University apparel and gear. We had this paw-print symbol appear throughout the wedding,” says the couple. “It was a tag that tied the initiations together, it was present on the programs and on the place cards as markers for what entree the guests were having.”
Buttercream Icing, Variety Cupcake Assortment
The simple ivory wedding cake was topped with peach and green cake flowers, which stood on top of an assortment of buttercream frosted cupcakes.
Erica and Colin First Dance, Reception Venue