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Their journeys are woven into the fabric of Northwest Ohio. Celebrate the proposals, weddings and unforgettable moments that brought these couples together, while showcasing the places and people that make Toledo a special place to begin ‘forever’.
Weddings
Aylssa & Seth
July 27, 2019
Seth and I met while working at the Toledo Zoo. He worked in security and I worked in the bakery. We moved to Columbus Ohio for a few years and got married. We ended up moving back to Perrysburg when Covid hit. We now have two boys!
What were your favors: We had bags with a mix of Animal crackers representing (meeting at the zoo) popcorn (proposing) and pretzels (tying the knot).
Flowers: Kirchers Flowers from Defiance, Ohio.
Cake from: Alyssa’s Cakes and Confections (this is my business. I did them myself and made cupcake bouquets for each table).
Venue: Nazareth Hall is stunning and had everything I needed in one venue.
Our ceremony was in the Grotto and the reception was held in the Cadet West Ballroom. The food was tasty and the staff was amazing.
DJ/Music: Own the Night Entertainment.
Photographer: Marie White Photography.
Nicki & Kevin
August 16, 2025
Our wedding day was everything we dreamed of. It was filled with fun, laughter, and memories we’ll cherish forever. We got ready and held our ceremony at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, then took wedding party photos at the beautiful Toledo Museum of Art before celebrating our reception at The Mez, which was a stunning and intimate space and the perfect setting for our event (The Mez’s first wedding!). Having all of our family and friends together in such a warm, welcoming atmosphere made the celebration feel incredibly special.
Every vendor worked seamlessly together—from catering and bar service to photography, videography, DJ, wedding planning, and cake—which allowed the entire day to flow effortlessly. It was a joyful, meaningful day that we will treasure for a lifetime.
Caterer: Sam B’s from Bowling Green.
Wedding planner/design: Dani Mullan of DM Event Co. Our design, florals, table settings, rentals, and all were done organized by Dani Bucher at The Mez.
Hair & Makeup: The Ivory Beauty Co.
DJ: The Class Act by Bob Norris.
Rings: Our rings were also made in India.
Proposals
Jody & Calen Bruce
Double the rings, double the love
Jody and Calen Bruce’s engagement was a moment made for Toledo.
On Dec. 23, 2023, known to some as Festivus, the couple enjoyed an evening that was straight out of a romantic comedy. They began with dinner at the Chop House before heading to Lucille’s to enjoy a performance by Ramona Collins. As the night drew to a close, they made their way to Hensville Park just before midnight.
With the Christmas tree sparkling in the background and a peaceful quiet settling over downtown, it felt as though they were the only two people in the city. There, beneath the holiday lights, Calen got down on one knee and asked Jody to marry him.
She immediately said yes.
Then, in a surprise twist, Jody pulled out a ring of her own and proposed to Calen, creating a memorable double proposal.
The couple’s love story began in January 2018. After an unsuccessful Tinder connection, fate intervened at a Pokémon GO community event, where they met in person for the first time. Calen nervously introduced himself to Jody and the connection was instant.
After becoming engaged in 2023, the couple chose to celebrate their shared love of The Beatles by exchanging vows in the Strawberry Fields section of Central Park in New York City.
Jadie & John Dewar
Running through first base is a heavy hitter
Jadie Lau-Dewar and John Dewar first met at The Blarney. Jadie attended a Toledo Mud Hens Opening Day game with a group of friends. They made a stop at The Blarney beforehand, where one of her friends happened to know John and introduced them. At the time, Jadie wasn’t interested in him and simply said hello.
A few months later, John began stopping into Jadie’s family restaurant regularly. For a long time, Jadie didn’t realize he had any interest in her. Then, when the next home opener came around, John asked her to go to the game with him. She said yes. When people ask how they met, Jadie often jokes that John was “stalking her” at work.
Looking back, it was his consistent effort that eventually led to their first date on April 6, 2012, at a Toledo Mud Hens Opening Day game.
Jadie and John dated for several years before he proposed. John ultimately proposed after she graduated from the University of Toledo, timing it so she could finish school without distraction.
The proposal took place at a Mud Hens Opening Day game on April 4, 2019. They were seated in the stands enjoying the game when John got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. The moment was unexpected, marking another milestone tied to Opening Day.
When it came time to plan their wedding, they toured several venues. After hearing their story, someone suggested they consider Fifth Third Field. The idea immediately resonated with them. Given their history with the Mud Hens and Opening Day, they looked at each other and thought, “Why not?” They ultimately chose Fifth Third Field for their wedding.
Their ceremony was held on home plate and their reception took place in the Holy Toledo Room overlooking the ballpark. After their wedding was delayed due to COVID-19, they were finally married on September 25, 2021, completing a full-circle journey that began with a chance introduction.
