Choosing a theme and colors can be one of the most challenging aspects of wedding planning. For one couple, this choice was an easy decision. Leah Taylor, CAHS ‘11 & '12, Business '13 and her fiancé, Seth Vensil A&S ’09) are planning a Bearcat-themed wedding.

Taylor and Vensil’s stars collided in 2009 when Taylor needed a date to her sorority formal. Mutual friends pinned Vensil as the perfect match for Taylor and sparks flew instantly. The couple capped off their perfect first date with a stroll around UC’s campus that landed them at McMicken Tower and their (then) favorite Greek hangout, Uncle Woody’s.

Two years later, their love story came full circle when Seth invited Leah back to McMicken Hall. He wanted her to kiss Mick and Mack for good luck before his medical boards the following day, but Taylor turned around only to find Vensil down on one knee. 

The couple recently set their UC-themed wedding for June 22, 2013, exactly two years from the date Seth proposed, and the same day as his parents’ anniversary. Vensil and Talor are as head over heels for UC as they are for each other.They even arranged for Lucy the Bearcat to make an appearance at their wedding. Leah is now the official contributor for Proudly Cincinnati's UC-Inspired Weddings board on Pinterest to share her Red & Black-inspired wedding ideas with other Bearcat couples.

“If you’re planning a UC themed wedding, tell anyone and everyone who might be interested,” said Taylor. “A lot of interesting and unique offers and services have come our way by alumni who have heard we were having a UC themed wedding. Check out places owned by alumni or places where alumni work. You never know who might be able to give you a deal or connect you to someone else.”

Taylor and Vensil’s UC-themed wedding runs deeper than just red-and-black decorations. Other wedding plans with UC ties include:

• A Deacon who is a former Engineering Professor at UC and Bearcat fan.
• A wedding cake topper designed by a DAAP student.
• Save-the-Dates, invitations, programs etc. designed by UC alum Grania Frueh.
• Ceremony singer and UC alum, Dylan McCrate.

Outside of planning a red-and-black wedding, Taylor and Vensil continue to be involved with UC, serving on the Cincinnatus Honorary Society Alumni Board and the UC Bicentennial Committee - The Best is Yet to Come. Vensil currently attends UC’s College of Medicine.

For more UC-themed wedding suggestions, visit Proudly Cincinnati’s UC-Inspired Weddings board.