Shea Salyers and Samuel Wheeler’s love story began in the most serendipitous of ways. “Sam and I met while celebrating the engagement of Samuel's sister, Audrey, to my lifelong neighbor, Gregory, in Chagrin Falls,” Shea recalls. “It is my favorite when Sam retells the story! What are the chances that two childhood neighbors from Chagrin would marry two siblings from Upper Arlington?!”

Their proposal in Columbus, where they’d later exchange vows, was equally memorable. Shea thought she was attending a birthday celebration for her brother, but Samuel had orchestrated something far more romantic. “As we approached the theater, I looked up at the marquee and written in big, bold movie theater letters was ‘Shea, will you marry me? - Sam.’ I’ll never forget the moment with both of our families watching the whole proposal through the open-window lobby, perfectly camouflaged amongst the crowd!”

For their summer wedding in July, Shea and Samuel prioritized a weekend of celebrations downtown. Their ceremony took place at an iconic cathedral, followed by a reception at a private club. “From the moment our guests arrived, they would be immersed, for three days, in the neoclassical architecture of our downtown,” Shea says. The ceremony honored their rich cultural heritage with heirloom wedding crowns, candles, and family jewelry, and included a shared cup for Holy Communion, with the bride carrying a classic bouquet of white orchids and hydrangeas.

Known nationwide for her floral and event design expertise, Heather Thomas of HeatherLily transformed the reception into a floral wonderland. Guests were greeted by a marbled stone spiral staircase embellished with suspended amaranthus, and the dining room featured three-foot-tall crystal trumpet vases overflowing with hydrangeas, amaranthus, Bells of Ireland, café au lait roses, and ranunculuses. “The end result was stunning!” Shea confirms.

“From the moment our guests arrived, they would be immersed, for three days, in the neoclassical architecture of our downtown.”

Guests enjoyed a meticulously curated menu for the dinner service, followed by slices of the couple’s wedding cake – four tiers of almond and orange cake adorned with hand-made sugar florals – and a sprawling cookie table (“An absolute tradition for our Big Fat Greek Jewish Italian wedding!” notes the bride) featuring cultural sweets prepared by their mothers, as well as the bride’s grandmother and aunts, served on family heirloom silver serving platters.

In fact, family was central to the planning. “With a Jewish and Greek mother and mother-in-law, what do you think?! Both our families were an integral part of the wedding-planning process,” Shea says. “Sam’s sister, Audrey (see her wedding: A Greek Orthodox Ceremony + Reception at Ohio's State Capitol Building), was also our north star throughout the whole process. Our wedding would not have been what it was without the three of them and their expertise!”

The entire weekend was designed with intentionality and inclusivity in mind. “Sam and I are both very intentional people. We wanted every one of our guests to feel a part of the whole weekend,” Shea shares. The celebration truly came alive during the hora and traditional Greek circle dances, where guests joined in as one, creating an atmosphere Shea calls “kefi (Κέφι) – an atmosphere filled with joy and good energy.”

Reflecting on their wedding day, Shea offers advice to other couples: “Walk through your day as if you are a guest! Look and feel everything through the lens of an ongoer.” For Shea and Sam, every detail – from florals by HeatherLily to family traditions and curated guest experiences – ensured a celebration that was not only elegant and culturally rich but unforgettable in joy, energy, and love.