White North Stables has always been a special place for Anne Shaughnessy’s family, as she and her sister took riding lessons there while growing up. “My parents also picked up the hobby, so we could enjoy riding horses as a family,” explains Anne. Because it was such a sentimental location to his beloved, Anthony Marchetto arranged a surprise proposal to take place at the stables. 

“With my mother passing in February 2020, Anthony felt it was a way to incorporate her into the important milestone,” reveals the bride, who happily agreed yes when he took to bended knee and presented her mother’s diamond wedding ring, which her father offered when Anthony asked for his blessing. “It was an immense honor, and I knew Anne would cherish it,” confides the groom. 

Palm Springs, California, has been like a second home to the bride since childhood, so she had always envisioned exchanging vows in the charming town. “However, with the amount of family and friends we wanted in attendance, we decided that the most effective move was to bring the bold colors and excitement from Palm Springs to Cleveland!” expresses the bride. With that in mind, the betrothed chose a landmark museum for their venue that allowed for creative flexibility and the ability to comfortably handle 240 guests. 

Having both grown up in the Catholic faith, it was important to Anne and Anthony that their ceremony take place in a Catholic Church. The couple’s floral designer and event planner, Heather Thomas of HeatherLily, Inc., made sure the décor concept was illustrated in the elegant flower arrangements crafted for the traditional mass. A thick, all-white runner from The Original Runner Company ran the length of the aisle, ending at the altar, which had been decorated with two gorgeous floral pieces in shades of blush, peach, and cream. 

“In my wildest dreams, I could not have thought of a day so special.”

Anne was stunning in a fit-and-flare, long-sleeved lace gown, as she gracefully walked to the sounds of Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” on the arm of her father. “There was no ‘first look’ so getting to see the doors to the aisle break open and Anne glistening in a beautiful white dress is a memory I get to carry with me through my lifetime,” Anthony romantically shares. 

The bride carried an eye-catching bouquet featuring anthuriums, ginger, pincushions, cymbidium orchids, garden roses, ranunculuses, and more florals arranged in a sleek, tropical style. Bridesmaids donned lavender floor-length gowns and held nosegays that mimicked the style of the bridal bouquet. Even the groom and groomsmen were dotted with artistic, colorful boutonnieres to nicely complement their ebony tuxedos. 

The reception layout was impressive, featuring thoughtful decorative details throughout the space. The floral design featured wow-worthy styles from lush, tropical blooms displayed on gilded geometric frames to interesting gilt tapered candleholders to “clouds” of flowers that appeared to float. Tablecloths in shades of lavender with geometric printed patterns and three types of plush chairs were used to complete the unique looks of each table design. Everything that the bride had dreamt of had come full circle. “Then again, I did pick one of the best wedding planners in the game for a reason,” she smiles. 

Anne suggests to other couples not to get “too bent out of shape hoping that everything is perfect for the big day.” She emphasizes: “Ultimately, the most important thing is that you make it down the aisle!” The bride followed her own advice, noting that the ceremony was irrefutably the most important part of the day. “Outside of that, it was tremendous to have friends and family come in from all over to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.” Anthony sums up the beauty of the nuptials: “In my wildest dreams, I could not have thought of a day so special.”

This real wedding was originally published in the Fall 2022 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

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