Samantha Sulecki and Douglas E. Price IV’s love story began when they were just 16 years old. “We dated on and off for a while and stayed in touch through the years,” shares Samantha, who eventually moved out of state. “Once I moved back, we picked up where things left off.” Knowing Samantha didn’t want to have an over-the-top proposal, Doug surprised his beloved by asking her to marry him in their kitchen. “He knew I preferred it be just us… we were eating take-out Chinese!” she smiles.

After visiting a few locations while searching for their dream venue, Samantha and Douglas settled on the Superior Viaduct in Cleveland, the city’s first high-level bridge, which is owned by the groom’s father. “We had to completely build a venue, but it was so beautiful and special,” confirms the bride. “No one has ever been married there before, and there are also beautiful views of the city no matter where you look.”

On the day of the ceremony, 180 guests found their seats on either side of an aisle covered with vintage rugs lined with sage-toned arrangements accented with pampas grass. The bride wore her long blonde hair down in loose curls as she made her way towards her groom in an ethereal gown featuring a plunging neckline. Her groom was dapper in an ivory suit with a striped tie for the summer service. They were married beneath an arbor adorned with lavender and blush florals accented with verdure. “We had our boat captain marry us, which was really special and cool,” notes Samantha. “He did an amazing job!”

Desiring a tented structure for the dinner service, the couple’s reception space was essentially built from the ground up. The clear-topped tent showcased crystal chandeliers that twinkled above long wooden tables and round varieties surrounded by acrylic-backed chairs. “I love the entire vintage, boho aesthetic, so we went that route,” shares the bride of her vision, which incorporated blush, sage, and ivory blooms designed by HeatherLily. “[The florals were] dreamy!! They were like every Pinterest picture I ever pinned – so many textures and light, soft, colorful flowers. “Heather absolutely blew me away!”

“We had to completely build a venue, but it was so beautiful and special... No one has ever been married there before, and there are also beautiful views of the city no matter where you look.”

During cocktail hour and throughout the reception, friends and family were served libations from the beautiful bar, which was decorated with elegant blue-and-white décor, including chinoiserie-style vases and ginger jars surrounded by greenery. Lounge areas featuring wooden furniture and bohemian-style woven pieces were adorned with intricate vases, colorful area rugs, and textured pillows to provide a stylish, laid-back space for attendees to mingle throughout the fête.

For the fare, guests were served “an Italian dream!” describes Samantha of the menu. “I am a vegetarian, so there were some amazing pasta and veggie dishes, and then a giant filet for the meat eaters,” she adds. For dessert, loved ones enjoyed slices of a three-tiered almond and strawberry cake, which was decorated with a textured rosette design in an ombré motif that faded from white to pink. “So simple but so beautiful!” notes the bride.

Following their romantic first dance to “This Too Shall Last” by Anderson East, Samantha and Douglas were joined on the dance floor by their loved ones until midnight. The newlyweds were thrilled with their celebration and loved that they were able to design the day to match their personalities with the help of Pam Holliday. “From the florals to the rugs and vases, it was boho, whimsical, and just really captured everything we wanted it to,” shares the bride, who also encourages couples to follow her simple advice: “Live in the moment and enjoy the entire process! As overwhelming as it can get, it’s all for such a special day.”