Lighting Up the Room

Here Comes the Bride Bride: Julianne Riley, 27 Fiance: Rob Nichols, 33 Date: Nov. 15, 2003 A Hard-working Pair: Nichols, who hails from London, Ohio, about 30 miles outside of Columbus, works for Rep. Deborah Pryce and is often involved with legislative issues. A Sea of Smiling Faces: There are about 250 people on the guest list, including lots of family and friends who live out of town. A Family Affair: Rob's 5-year-old niece is so excited about her upcoming role as flower girl in the wedding that she has been cutting out pictures from bridal magazines to form fun collages. First Encounters: Julianne and Rob met while playing on a co-ed soccer team. Dressed in White: Riley will be wearing a "simple but elegant€VbCrLf dress by Paloma Blanca. Dancing the Night Away: Beach Boyz Disc Jockey Service in Akron will provide the music. Sometimes You Have to Be Creative: Riley and Nichols fell in love with the Akron Room at Crowne Plaza Quaker Square, but it only seats 180 people. So they also rented an adjacent room with space for more guests, as well as the DJ, a bar and a dance floor. A Rose by Any Other Name: The flowers will probably be simple arrangements. "There's so much going on in the reception room, we don't need anything elaborate,€VbCrLf says the bride.

Julianne Riley's heart may belong in Columbus with her fiance, Rob Nichols, but her roots remain strong in the Akron area. She sees her Nov. 15 nuptials as a chance to show out-of-town guests why the Rubber City is so special to her.

 

"We're getting married in the evening at St. Bernard's Church in downtown Akron,€VbCrLf she says. "And the reception is going to be one block away at the Crowne Plaza Quaker Square.€VbCrLf

Riley and Nichols chose the Akron Room at the hotel because it captures the spirit of the city. "There are exposed brick walls and beams, and lots of memorabilia from the area, like tires and small airplanes,€VbCrLf says Riley. "It's not your typical ballroom.€VbCrLf An adjacent room, where a DJ will spin tunes, features works by local artist Don Drumm.

The setting for the reception may be offbeat, but Riley says that details such as her wedding dress and flowers will follow traditional lines. "I'm a very simple person,€VbCrLf says the marketing communications specialist. "The wedding will be very classy and elegant.€VbCrLf She has selected conservative cranberry dresses for her six attendants, and the ushers accompanying them down the aisle will wear traditional black tuxedos.

On her wedding day, Riley wants to maintain the fresh, natural look that suits her easygoing and friendly personality. Dramatic changes in hair length or color are out of the question. "I want to recognize myself walking down the aisle,€VbCrLf she explains with a laugh.

The professionals at Chardonnay's Day Spa and Salon, a newer facility in Concord, carried out her wishes. Stylist Crystal Hooper trimmed the soft layers of Riley's blonde-brown hair so that it could easily be swept into an updo. Two color highlights by Schwarzkopf - one matching Riley's natural hair color and a blonder shade for added depth - work together to create a soft, golden hue.

Hooper applied a color gloss by Schwarzkopf to seal in the color, and then used a styling cream by Bumble and Bumble - a high-end hair-care line out of Manhattan - for control. After blow drying, she curled Riley's hair with a wide-rod iron for added movement. Hooper then "swooped€VbCrLf the bride's hair around her head and into an updo in the back, allowing loose curls to fall gently on top of her head. The hairdo complements a headband-style veil placed in front of the curls or a comb-style veil placed either in front of or behind the curls.

Jane Iredale Skin Care Makeup in soft, sheer tones enhances Riley's glamorous look. Makeup artist Colleen O'Connor selected brown eye pencil and Peach Sherbet eye shadow to gently accent Riley's eyes, and sheer honey blush to create a natural-looking glow on her cheeks.

Riley looked and felt like a blushing bride-to-be after her makeover. "It was a great experience, and the salon had neat personal touches,€VbCrLf she says. "The people there gave me lots of good ideas for my wedding day.€VbCrLf

She also enjoyed sharing her day of pampering with her mother, Colleen, who has been helping her plan the wedding. "It's been fun doing things with my mom,€VbCrLf Riley says. Having someone in town to do research and make phone calls has made it easier for the bride- and groom-to-be. "My mom and dad do a lot of homework for us, but Rob and I still do the decision-making,€VbCrLf says Riley.

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