This Naturally Elegant Ohio Celebration Blends Modernity with Timelessness: The Real Wedding of Jillian and Josh Bichsel

Like many in this modern world of dating, Jillian and Josh met on a dating app. They were both a little leery of meeting strangers on the Internet in real life, but eventually worked themselves up to going on a date. From the moment they met, everything was easy between them! Their coffee date lasted for hours after the coffee shop closed because neither of them wanted to leave! After such a successful first date, they spent nearly every weekend together. Exactly one year later, Josh proposed at Marblehead Lighthouse overlooking Lake Erie. That place was significant as they both spent time there as kids and wondered how many times they may have crossed paths. "Saying yes was the easiest decision I’ve ever made," Jillian gushes.
 

Going into dress shopping, Jillian had a clear vision. She wanted something flowy and fairy-esque. However, once Jillian started trying on simpler dresses, she was amazed at how much she liked them. Jillian admits, "Those gowns made me feel confident, timeless and like a young woman beginning a new chapter of her life. I ended up trying on just about every style because dresses can truly surprise you, and I’m so glad I kept an open mind." The gown that ended up being "the one" was an elegant A-line, satin, off-the-shoulder gown. We love that the dress came with a small bow belt that keeps her initial whimsical dress idea alive even though her taste changed!
 

Wedding planning can be stressful for all couples, but Jillian and Josh had their own challenges. Their duplex got sold just as they were beginning to get into wedding planning initially. They decided it was a better decision to hold off until they bought their first house. When they were ready to jump back in, they had a little more direction. "I spent more hours than I’d like to admit scrolling through ideas and D.I.Y.s,
trying to find creative ways to make everything beautiful without overspending," Jillian shares. They wanted something that was timeless yet modern with an elegant air. Jillian and Josh settled on a black and white color scheme to let the natural greenery have the spotlight!
 

As for vendors, Jillian and Josh believe their team was the dream team. "When I tell you our vendors were the best, I truly mean they were the best," Jillian raves. "We found many of our vendors through Instagram and spent a lot of time reading reviews before reaching out, but what mattered most to us was how we felt after those initial meetings." Both Jillian and Josh trusted their guts when deciding on which vendors to hire for their big day. They chose the people that they not only connected well with but also the people who had their goals and their expectations in mind while bringing their dream day to life.
 

What We Love

"So much of our wedding felt special because it was intentionally built around who we are, what we love and the people who helped shape us," Jillian explains. They actually chose to get married at a non-profit to pour back into the community and reflect their generous hearts. They D.I.Y.'d many parts of their day and Jillian's dad built several of their décor items. Instead of favors, they decided to write each of their guests a personal note to let them know how much spending the day with them meant. They also shared Josh's love of ice cream and Jillian's dad's love of pizza with all their guests, making the day relaxed and fun!
 

Advice from the couple

Jillian and Josh advise, "Now that I’ve planned and had a wedding, my biggest piece of advice is this: stop caring so much about what everyone else wants. That sounds blunt, but I mean it in the most freeing way possible. Throughout the planning process—and maybe even on your wedding day—people will let you down. People will have opinions. Someone will say the food wasn’t good. Someone will wish you played
more country music. Someone might think your colors are tacky or that the salad had too much cheese. Truly, people will always find something to comment on. I spent more time than I’d like to admit thinking about what everyone else would think. Trying to anticipate preferences. Trying to make everyone happy. And the truth? Even when you try, someone will still complain. What I wish I would’ve done sooner is fully release that pressure. Because when the day actually comes, none of that matters. You won’t remember the tiny critiques or the stress leading up to it. You’ll remember locking eyes with your person. You’ll remember the way it felt to walk down the aisle. You’ll remember the hugs, the laughter, the overwhelming love in the room. At the end of the day, it’s about the two of you and the commitment you’re making. The rest is background noise."
 

are you a bride or groom-to-be?

We'd love to plan with you on weddingday-online.com. Let's get started!

are you a wedding extraordinaire?

Join WeddingDay Magazine in inspiring brides by partnering with us! See how here.