For Isabelle Garofolo and Luke Vadas, their love story began long before romance ever crossed their minds. The pair first met at age three, attending the same private school, where they shared countless childhood playdates on Luke’s family property. Decades later, life brought them together again when they reconnected on social media in 2021. Their first date was steeped in nostalgia. “What made our first date unforgettable was reconnecting on his family property, a place I’d spent countless childhood play dates. Luke had recently built a home there, and he invited me over for dinner,” explains Isabelle.

Three years later, he proposed at a local country club, the very place the couple would return for their wedding. “Luke told me we were attending an event for a fundraiser, as we do every year, and instead I walked into a private room filled with roses,” remembers Isabelle. It was just one of many meaningful full-circle moments in their wedding-planning journey.

From the beginning, the bride approached wedding planning with joy, clarity, and intention. “While many people describe wedding planning as stressful, that was not the case for me. I enjoyed every moment.” With years of research behind her, she already had a strong sense of the Cleveland-area vendors she envisioned to bring her dream day to life. Both of her parents shared invaluable advice, and her mother became her partner in decision-making: “She’s incredibly creative, has such an eye for design, and I truly value her input and opinion,” Isabelle adds.

Selecting their wedding venue came down to one key element: “Our biggest priority was finding a venue we would always cherish,” Isabelle says. The Country Club provided everything they hoped for – exceptional service, beautiful surroundings, and a sense of ease for their 185 guests. They legally married in the Catholic Church and then celebrated their wedding day in a series of thoughtfully designed spaces across the property.

For their outdoor ceremony on the green, Isabelle envisioned an elegant, timeless palette of soft pinks, whites, and greens. Floral designer Heather Thomas of HeatherLily brought that vision to life with lush, densely packed blooms and a striking full floral arch. The aisle was lined with petals and complementary floral arrangements, creating a garden-inspired setting that felt organic yet refined.

“The weekend wasn’t just a celebration for us, it was a celebration for our families as well.”

Inside the formal Mather Room of the venue, the dinner aesthetic shifted to a more classic palette. “We did not carry through with the pink and only incorporated subtle hints of green and white to keep the look classic and refined,” she explains. The centerpieces, crafted beautifully by HeatherLily, featured roses, garden roses, ranunculuses, and white-petaled anemones with black centers, arranged in clear crystal vessels for a polished, timeless presentation.

Guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner service with a choice of filet mignon, miso seabass, organic roasted chicken, or a vegetarian entrée option – a reflection of the couple’s emphasis on exceptional food. An Italian cookie table, honoring both families’ Pittsburgh roots, offered a nostalgic and generous display, serving as both a tradition and a sweet favor.

The five-tier wedding cake mirrored the timeless aesthetic: clean white fondant embellished with handmade sugar flowers – peonies, roses, ranunculuses, and hydrangeas – accented with subtle greenery to enhance realism. The couple selected from three flavors: mocha and walnut, almond and cinnamon, and cherry and coconut.

Family involvement played a meaningful role throughout the weekend. Isabelle’s in-laws hosted a beautiful rehearsal dinner, while her parents hosted the wedding celebration itself. Including both families throughout the nuptials was important to the bride: “The weekend wasn’t just a celebration for us, it was a celebration for our families as well.”

During the ceremony, Luke’s godfather, a priest, offered a special blessing over their marriage – a moment deeply meaningful to the groom and his family. Faith, family, and friends formed the foundation of the couple's wedding day. “Our wedding was a celebration that honored all three,” Isabelle confirms.

One of the most memorable moments came during the reception when Isabelle’s uncle, John Mahon – percussionist and vocalist in Elton John’s band since 1997 – performed alongside her brother-in-law, Simon Vadas, on guitar. “Their performance made the day even more meaningful and was a surprise for all of our guests,” describes the bride of the special entertainment.

The evening unfolded in a beautifully orchestrated progression of spaces – a thoughtful design choice from Isabelle, who never liked being confined to one space. Guests moved from the outdoor ceremony to cocktail hour on the back terrace, then to dinner in the Mather Room. Afterward came cake cutting and first dances in the front living room, followed by a night of dancing, late-night pizzas, nearly every cookie imaginable, and a private firework show as guests moved between the living room and back terrace.

Looking back, Isabelle wouldn’t change a thing. Her advice to other couples: “Truly enjoy every moment. This season of life is so special, and it goes by faster than you expect… The stress of planning is temporary, but the memories last forever.” She embraced that mindset fully: “I chose to lean into the process and found something positive in every part of it.”

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