Lea and Matt’s French-American Wedding at an Ohio Barn

Lea and Matt’s wedding brought their French and American families together through bilingual details, personal vows and decor they made themselves. Their celebration at The Willow Tree in Tipp City, Ohio, paired a ceremony beneath a willow with a romantic barn reception, offering practical inspiration for couples who want their backgrounds and shared interests to shape the day.

A short planning window, with both cultures in view

The couple met in Lyon, France, in 2010, while Matt’s band was playing there. They spent years in a long distance relationship before Matt proposed. Lea received her visa just eight weeks before the wedding, leaving the couple roughly two months to plan from the time she moved to America. Matt was home for only 20 of those days because he was touring.

Lea described that stretch as “REALLY stressful,” but the couple focused on making both families feel part of the celebration. Their menu and favors used French, while a vintage ice bucket at the bar displayed English words alongside their French translations. Some guests drove 40 minutes; others flew 18 hours. For couples welcoming guests from different places or language backgrounds, small choices like translated signs and menus can help everyone feel included.

Vintage style, from attire to flowers

Lea found her Yolan Cris dress at a boutique in Annecy, France. She wanted a boho chic look and was drawn to the lace details and vintage feel. She paired it with a vintage wave hairstyle and makeup, plus a pearl hair accessory, necklace and earrings. Matt and his groomsmen wore black suits, white shirts and black ties, giving the wedding party a polished, coordinated look.

Four bridesmaids represented both sides of Lea’s life: her French friends Solene and Sophie, and her American friends Jaime and Molly. Their blush pink dresses came from ASOS. Lea let them choose their own hairstyles, makeup, shoes and jewelry, giving the group a shared color while leaving room for individual preferences.

Florist Jessie of Sherwood Florist in downtown Dayton created the flowers. The bouquet combined garden roses, peonies, ranunculus and greenery in a hand tied cascading shape. The pink palette and soft floral mix carried through the ceremony and reception, connecting the outdoor setting to the barn.

A willow tree ceremony and a handmade reception

The couple chose The Willow Tree, a barn venue on a property in Tipp City, a small town north of Dayton. Finding it took many hours of searching. Their favorite moment came beneath the willow tree, where they read handwritten vows and put years of nine hour flights and Skype calls behind them. Lea said the ceremony marked the start of their life together without more goodbyes.

For the reception, Lea and Matt aimed for a look that felt classy, romantic and vintage while reflecting both of their tastes. Antique shopping was already something they enjoyed together, so they searched for objects that could become part of the decor. Their finds included 46 brass candleholders.

The couple took on many projects themselves. Matt built two bars from pallets, while Lea, who has a background in graphic design and art, made the dessert bar backdrop, favors and signs around the venue. They also created a large wire heart with lights as the backdrop for the head table. White, blush and gold paper lanterns added color overhead. The result shows how personal projects can draw on a couple’s skills and hobbies, with useful roles for each partner.

Desserts with more than one favorite

Ele Cake in Dayton made the three tier almond wedding cake. It was blush with a gold fondant ribbon, and Sherwood Florist supplied the flowers. The couple also served pies and cheesecakes because those were Lea’s favorites. A dessert table can make room for a traditional centerpiece cake and additional treats that mean something to the couple.

Other credited contributions included catering by Elite Catering, rentals from Prime Time Party Rental, and music from DJ Jesse Lumpkin. Joe Head, a friend of the couple, officiated. The event design and planning were DIY, led by Lea.

Photography and advice from Lea

Lea’s main advice to couples was to be kind to one another and hire a professional photographer. She and Matt found Chloe Luka Photography after extensive online research, placing photography high on their priority list. Lea said Chloe’s work fit their vision, and that she felt confident when they met. Chloe photographed their engagement and wedding, working with her husband, Tim.

The credits also name Karen at Salon Ventures for bridal hair, Jaime Testa for makeup, Zara for Matt’s suit, and Minted for stationery. Lea’s account suggests a useful way to handle a compressed planning period: agree on what matters most, use each partner’s strengths, and let meaningful details carry more weight than a long list of extras.

For Lea and Matt, the clearest thread ran from the years of travel between France and America to the bilingual signs, handwritten vows and gathering of loved ones beneath the willow. Their choices made a barn wedding feel distinctly theirs.