Vows That Wow: Reilly and Christian

Week after week, our team receives and showcases stunning weddings from across Columbus, all courtesy of the immensely talented wedding vendors and lovely couples who submit to us. Each month, our editorial team selects one spectacular wedding to highlight, one that stands above the rest for its uniqueness and beauty.

For September, we’re showcasing an elegant and sophisticated ballroom bride. From the elegant portraits at the statehouse, to the stunning classy ballrooms of the Westin, Reilly and Christian’s wedding is the pinnacle of Columbus excellence.

How the Couple Met

Reilly and Christian’s love story began at the University of Dayton during their freshman year. Both decided to major in accounting, which meant they shared many business classes together. Spending time in the same classrooms naturally brought them closer. Their shared academic interests created the foundation for a relationship that would eventually lead to their beautiful wedding day.

The Wedding Day

On June 14, 2025, Reilly Fouts and Christian McDermott celebrated their love at The Westin Great Southern Columbus. The beautiful venue hosted both their ceremony and reception, creating a seamless celebration for their guests.

The bride looked stunning in not one, but two gorgeous gowns. For the ceremony, she wore a dress from White of Dublin. Later, she changed into a second dress from Khya Studios that she found through Still White. Her jewelry told a special story of family love. She borrowed earrings from her mother-in-law and wore a necklace from her mother. This same necklace had been worn by both her sister and mother on their own wedding days. She completed her look with a bracelet from Mejuri.

The groom looked handsome in his attire from The Black Tux. His wedding ring came from Worthington Jewelers, matching the bride’s wedding band from the same jeweler. Reilly’s engagement ring sparkled from Diamond’s Direct.

Their wedding party looked amazing too. The bridesmaids wore beautiful dresses from Show Me Your Mumu. Denise Chesser from Denise Does Bridal styled all the hair, while Angie Warren Artistry and Beauty Within By Lexie took care of everyone’s makeup.

The couple wanted their heritage to shine through their celebration. They included touches of Reilly’s German background with Edelweiss flowers and special ceremony music. Christian’s Irish roots were honored at the after party at Dempsey’s, a bar right next door to the Westin. One of the most touching displays featured wedding dresses from women in both families, celebrating the love stories that came before theirs, displayed by Gilded Social.

Music filled the air throughout the day. Steve Banks provided beautiful piano music, while DJ Tommy Nutter kept the party going. Their friend Dante Stefanini had the honor of officiating the ceremony, making it even more personal and meaningful.

The flowers from Madison House Florals created a romantic atmosphere. Decor and rentals came together beautifully thanks to Aiden and Grace & Event Source. Serendipity Designs handled the draping.

Sweet treats delighted all the guests. The main wedding cakes came from Ginger Cakes and Bakes, while Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes provided additional desserts. The Westin Great Southern Columbus handled all the catering with delicious food that everyone enjoyed.

Kismet Visuals captured every precious moment through photography. The couple also used a content creator through Aisle&Co called @weddingcontentbyco to document their special day. On Paper Press designed their beautiful wedding invitations that set the tone for their celebration.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed dinner at the rehearsal dinner held at Lindey’s. Transportation was conveniently arranged through The Westin Great Southern, making everything smooth and easy for the wedding party and guests.

Reilly and Christian’s Favorite Moment

When asked about their favorite part of the wedding day, both Reilly and Christian agree on the same special moment. “We both agree that the best part of the day was going to the statehouse with just the two of us to take photos,” they shared.

The original plan included bringing their families and wedding party along for the statehouse photos. However, some last minute concerns changed their minds. They worried about potential protests outside, traffic from the pride parade, and uncertain weather. These worries led them to make a spontaneous decision that turned out to be perfect.

“We changed it to just be the two of us and we’re so glad we did,” the couple explained. This quiet time together gave them a chance to breathe and reconnect before their ceremony began. Without the larger group, their photos felt more natural and intimate. The peaceful moments at the statehouse became a treasured memory that they will always cherish from their wedding day.

The biggest lesson Reilly and Christian learned during their wedding planning was the importance of hiring a full service planner. Both cannot say enough good things about Lexxie Smith of Aisle&Co. Lexxie kept everything organized and on track from day one. The couple believes they could not have pulled off such a perfect day without her expert help and guidance.

Their wedding day was everything they dreamed it would be. From the meaningful family touches to the beautiful venue, every detail came together perfectly. Surrounded by family and friends, Reilly and Christian began their married life with a celebration they will treasure forever.