A Gilded Winter Evening for Kate & Brook

Held within the storied rooms of the Athletic Club of Columbus, Kate and Brook’s mid-December wedding unfolded as a study in warmth and refinement—an evening that felt especially luminous amidst the dark evenings of winters in Ohio.

From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was unmistakably intimate and elevated. Tables glowed softly under layers of candlelight, their flicker reflecting off polished surfaces and antique details throughout the space. Greenery played a leading role, not as ornament but as atmosphere: smilax and winter evergreen foliages traced tabletops, dressed the bar, framed the mantel, and climbed the spiral staircase as though they had always belonged there. The effect was organic and effortless, lending life and movement to the historic interiors.

The celebration itself was spirited and joyful, yet grounded in restraint. This was a crowd fluent in understated luxury—where elegance is implied rather than announced, and beauty is found in proportion, texture, and mood. Gold accents added quiet richness, candlelight softened the architecture, and the overall palette felt timeless rather than seasonal.

The major floral moment at this wedding was the dramatic larkspur border running the full length of the stage which the band performed from, located in a prime spot for guests to be able to enjoy while having drinks and dancing.

What lingered most from the evening was not a singular focus on the bride and groom, but the unmistakable sense that every guest was an essential part of the celebration itself. This spirit of friendship and family was woven throughout the event and captured with remarkable sensitivity by photographer Lilia Sciarretti, whose lens moved effortlessly through the room—documenting connection, laughter, and shared moments as they unfolded. Her imagery reflects a celebration designed not as a performance, but as a lived experience—one where guests were welcomed fully into the story, not merely observing it.