Some love stories are written in the stars. Rachael and Matt’s began with a Bumble match on St. Patrick’s Day—and came full circle with a joyful March wedding inspired by the holiday that brought them together.
A St. Patrick’s Day Bumble Match
Rachael and Matt connected on Bumble on St. Patrick’s Day in 2023, a night when neither of them went out to celebrate. Instead, both happened to be scrolling on their phones—and found each other. And that was the start of their St. Patrick’s day-inspired wedding in Cleveland.
About a week later, they met for Mexican food. Conversation came easily, and their first date was so full of laughter and connection that they ended up closing down the restaurant. From the very beginning, Rachael says their relationship felt effortless and fun.
A Cleveland Proposal Filled With Meaning
Exactly one year after their first connection, Matt planned a St. Patrick’s Day proposal in Cleveland. After Mass at St. Malachi’s on West 25th Street and a walk near the riverbend toward the Flats, Matt stopped and asked the question Rachael had been waiting for: “Will you marry me?”
The couple celebrated with friends right afterward—most of whom had no idea the proposal was coming. The day held another special detail, too: early in their relationship, Matt gifted Rachael a Claddagh ring. She wore it on her left hand while dating, moved it to her right after getting engaged, and ultimately made it her wedding band.
Lucky to Love One Another
For their March 22, 2025 wedding, the couple leaned into the meaningful timing of their story with a “Lucky to Love One Another” theme. Their palette of white, blush, and green gave the celebration a romantic, elevated take on St. Patrick’s Day rather than a literal holiday look.
The bridesmaids wore rich green gowns, complemented by lush greenery and soft blush-and-white floral designs from Urban Orchid. Rachael’s timeless off-the-shoulder gown, long veil, and classic bouquet felt especially beautiful against the grand architectural backdrop of their wedding-day portraits.
A Wedding Day That Felt Like Them
Rachael and Matt built their wedding day around the places, people, and experiences they love most. Their photographers at LMAC Photography captured every chapter of the celebration, from getting ready at home to Mass, portraits at the library and arcade, a stop at Gormley’s Pub, and the reception at Georgetown Vosh.
Music and photography were two of the couple’s biggest priorities, and they made room for both throughout the day. Matt chose Cats on Holiday for entertainment, while Rachael selected LMAC—a meaningful choice because Lisa and her team had also photographed both of Rachael’s sisters’ weddings.
With two photographers and a team that knew their family well, the formal portraits felt easy, efficient, and genuinely fun.
“Lisa & team had captured my two sisters’ weddings, so it was effortless for her to know what would work as our family has grown over the 14 years,” Rachael shared. “Having both photographers made each family’s photos work so well where we could just have fun the entire day.”
The Urban Orchid helped bring their floral vision to life by walking the couple through flower options and letting them choose what naturally drew them in. Rachael’s bouquet was a standout—and stayed fresh for four days after the wedding.
Rachael + Matt’s Advice for Engaged Couples
Pick three items that mean the most to you and your partner and let the rest go. Those are the items you’ll remember the most. – Rachel
For Rachael and Matt, those priorities were music, photographs, and creating a wedding day that felt unmistakably like them.
