Sophisticated Wedding

Photos by Katelyn Nicole

Hunter Wernick and Eric Grindstaff met online right after Hunter moved to Columbus, Ohio. They had their first date at a hot vegan restaurant called Comune, found that they had a lot in common, and planned another date on the spot. The rest, as they say, is history.

Hunter and Eric were married at Fat Bottom Brewery in Nashville and fully took advantage of the indoor/outdoor nature of the venue. They were married by Rabbi Mark Schiftan under a natural birch chuppah borrowed from their friends Randi and Michael. Hunter’s mother’s veil was elegantly draped over the chuppah decorated with fresh wildflowers from Perk and Petal. Before the wedding, they gathered inside the brewery amongst the barrels with their parents and friends, Cara Dawson, Ben Hoelzel, Heather Brown, and Andrea Kirshner. Their friends signed their ketubah, a Jewish marriage contract highlighting their commitment to one another and a desire to build a peaceful and love-filled house that honors their heritage.

Eric’s parents, Ernie and Wendy Grindstaff, and Hunter’s parents Alan and Rhonda Wernick, walked them down the aisle. Hunter’s brother, Aubrey, walked Hunter’s grandparents, Ted and Gail Wernick, down the aisle. Eric’s nephew, Reid Sisson, was the ring bearer and his two nieces, Claire and Molly, walked the dog of honor, Chloe, their cockapoo, down the aisle.

Hunter shopped for her wedding gown on a few occasions and thought she would never find the dress until she walked into White Dresses in Nashville. The dress designed by Hailey Paige was a sample, and Birdy at Oakwood Cleaners, the family business, did the alterations. Birdy added lace from her mother’s dress into the lining and granted Hunter’s wish to add pockets. In one of those pockets, she carried a vintage handkerchief that belonged to her greatgrandmother. She wore blue shoes and a new necklace with a blue topaz from her parents. Eric wore a custom-made suit by Pursuit lined with pictures of Hunter, Chloe, and their cat George printed all over the lining. Their pets were also represented by the event’s signature cocktails, with framed portraits by talented artist Rhonda of Chloe and George on the bar.

Bobby and the Aristocats had three members perform jazz during their outdoor cocktail hour. The reception had the full ten-piece band playing and paused briefly for Hunter’s dad, her brother, and their good friend Ben to give speeches. After their buffet dinner catered by Fat Bottom, they had their father-daughter and mother-son dances, and then the couple danced to “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers. As the music picked up the pace, they invited all their guests to join them on the dance floor. They danced all night!

Hunter and Eric both love pickles, but Hunter REALLY loves pickles. She saw a video of a “Pickle Bar” online and decided it was “a must” for their wedding. Family and friends canvassed both Columbus and Nashville for a wide variety of pickles, pickled vegetables, and even olives. A family friend Carol crafted a sign for the table, and Hunter went to several thrift stores to source clear jars of all sizes for the display. Hunter’s mom, Rhonda, hand-wrote the labels, and Fat Bottom put it all together. It was a real hit with their guests.

Since they had just moved into their new home in Columbus, OH, Hunter and Eric waited until August for a 2-week road trip to visit friends and family in North and South Carolina with Chloe in tow. A honeymoon will be planned in the next year. Hunter is an adolescent medicine physician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Eric is a Vice President at JPMorgan Chase. Best wishes to the newlyweds for an i-dill-ic future! sl

Photographer: Katelyn Nicole and Sarah Harvey (assistant) / Videographer: Dogwood Films / Wedding Dress: Hailey Page from White Dresses / Hair & Makeup: One10 Beauty / Groom’s Suit: Pursuit / Wedding Planner: Memory Lane Events / Flowers: Perk & Petal / Cake & Desserts: Publix, pistachio vera macarons, lions’ cub cookies, banana pudding by family friend Sheri Weiner / Band: Bobby and the Aristocats / Venue: Fat Bottom Brewery / Gown Alterations, Cleaning and Preservation: Oakwood Cleaners