The Club at Hillbrook, CHAGRIN FALLS, OHIO

M + J met while taking part in a wilderness trek with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). For a month, they backpacked and canoed together with a small group through the Yukon Territory in Canada. They wouldn’t reconnect and fall in love until nine years later, but their love of sharing the outdoors together would remain central to their relationship. Given the roots of their love story, and their love of the outdoors, it was important for us to weave both woodsy and elegant elements into their design. The vibe was apparent as soon guests arrived as Andrew Thomas Design incorporated vintage canoe oars into the entrance florals hanging above the Club at Hillbrook’s front door. Throughout their design we used earthier elements like warm wood tones and woven baskets in juxtaposition with crisp linens, and garden inspired floral to achieve the feeling of natural elegance. Nearly the entirety of their wedding day was held outside. Their ceremony took place on the club’s great lawn, cocktails on the tiered grassy terraces featuring communal hightop farm tables, and dinner was held by candlelight on the breezy covered terrace. Guests were fully immersed in the beautiful grounds; the perfect blend of elevation and the organic.

Photo credit: Lauren Gabrielle