Real Wedding Wednesdays: Renee Schmid and Cy Falter

When it came to their special day, Renee and Cy Falter found that simplicity was key.

The couple met through mutual friends and dated for two and a half years before Cy proposed at home on a cold winter night after a holiday party. They spent the next nine months planning a low-key, stress-free ceremony with more than a little help from their loved ones.

“We wanted to keep everything simple and minimal,” Renee says. “We kept everything in the family as much as possible.”

The couple got married on Renee’s aunt’s farm, which is full of gorgeous flowers and stunning scenery. Cy’s sister, Amber, officiated and wrote out a perfectly personalized ceremony; her stand-up comedy chops ensured there were as many gut-busting moments as there were tear-jerking ones. Afterward, the newlyweds and their intimate gathering of 100 guests headed to Herman Falter Packing Co. on the South Side—the meatpacking company that Cy’s family has run for 129 years, which had been cleaned up with help from relatives—for a reception. Renee’s brother, Ryan, catered a delicious dinner, and Amber pitched in once again with beer from the Land Grant Brewing Co., where she works.

When it comes to tying the knot, the Falters show that saving money and avoiding unnecessary stress can make the experience all the more intimate.

The Details

Wedding date: Sept. 15, 2018

Wedding color: Burgundy

Theme: Rustic/warehouse

Bride wore: Mother’s wedding dress, updated to a contemporary style, and jewelry from both grandmothers

Hair and Makeup: PENZONE Salons + Spas

Groom wore: Suit purchased from Pursuit

Engagement Ring: Point No Point Studio (Washington)

Ceremony: Cy’s aunt’s home

Officiant: Cy’s sister, Amber Falter

Reception: Herman Falter Packing Co.

Caterer: Renee’s brother,Ryan Schmid

Cake: Mrs. Goodman’s Baking Co.

Photographer: AddVision

Photo booth: The Columbus Photo Booth Co.

Flowers: Pulled from Cy’s aunt’s garden

Reception tunes: Friend of the couple

Invitations: Shutterfly.com

Guest favors: Wildflower seeds

Honeymoon: Costa Rica