Artfully ever after: Artistic couple married at BAYarts

Artists Ron Caruso and Erin Schectman expressed their love for each other – and for the arts – by holding their wedding ceremony at BAYarts.

When artists Erin Schectman and Ron Caruso became joyfully engaged, they knew where they wanted their wedding to be. And so, on Aug. 16, the pair met each other atop an outside altar to say their vows on the verdant BAYarts campus.

The couple has long been a familiar, sunny fixture in the Northeast Ohio art world. Caruso is an accomplished photographer, and Schechtman is an artist who has taken part in many gallery shows at BAYarts. Additionally, two colorful murals from her Rust Belt Monster Collective grace the campus. Those art pieces that have captivated and intrigued the imagination of many visitors served as a perfect backdrop for the festive nuptials.

In speaking about the location choice, Schechtman referenced magic. "BAYarts is such an important part of our Cleveland narrative, so we knew we wanted to share one of our favorite places with our family and friends, and actually didn't even look anywhere else. There is something magical about it."

As they are both artistically-inclined, the wedding incorporated several touches that were created by the couple themselves. In this way, their personal handling helped the affair feel as intimate and special as they had hoped. Caruso shared about some of the details they had customized. "I (was) excited to share our wedding with our guests because we planned, designed and hand-made so much of it ourselves: the invitations, many of the decorations, and even some of the food. I feel like it meshed perfectly with the creative spirit that embodies BAYarts."

With a wedding so intimately created together, their marriage is off to a strong start.