Weddings

Exceptional Wedding Series III

I decided to start a new blog series this year showing some of my favorite things from each of the weddings I photograph. Since I love to focus on creating a unique wedding experience for each of my couples and pride myself on sharing their personalities in my photos, this blog series has been a great way for me to showcase these unique details. I am sharing something specific that stood out to me from each wedding which I thought was special to the couple.

Addison & Michaela had an absolutely beautiful ceremony at a new venue I’ve never been to before. I loved every little detail from their wedding day, but what stood out to me the most was the gorgeous wooden cross they used at their alter for the ceremony. So, I asked Michaela a few questions about the cross below.

wood cross wedding ceremony

What made you decide to use this cross at your wedding?

For Addison and I both, our faith is the most important thing to us. And so we wanted our wedding to be a reflection of the love we have for each other, but also the love and relationship we live out each day with Christ. We did not want to be pushy, but we did want to show how passionate our love is for one another and for God. So in that, we didn't feel a need for a ceremony in a church, but just made intentional decisions about our ceremony. Addison's Dad is a pastor, and was the officiant, and really helped craft a ceremony that helped get our message across. However, as visual people we knew symbols were also sentimental to us and others. I have always seen pictures and loved a wood cross at outdoor ceremonies. We knew that we just wanted it to have simple decorations so it would be noticed, but not overshadowed - which Gina Lynne did an amazing job executing. The cross was meant to be the focus and at the center of the "altar" up front. The cross is where the ultimate act of love was shown, where Jesus Christ died for our sins so that we could live. For us, there is no greater symbol of love than the cross.

Who made the cross?

Addison's Dad is a pastor and also was the officiant of our wedding. So the cross came from their church that they built for their use and also let us use it for the wedding.

Any other notes about the cross you would like to share?

Addison and I love each other so so much and feel so blessed to be in each other's lives. Our love is so great, but we know it is possible because of God's love. Our marriage is bigger than us and that day was a celebration of us, yes. But ultimately a celebration of the love God endlessly gives to each one of us and that is the kind of love we hope our marriage is a reflection of the love that God gives to everyone.

wood cross wedding ceremony

Jacquie & Jeff's Pittsburgh Wedding

Shooting a wedding in downtown Pittsburgh has been on my bucket list since I became a wedding photographer. I lived in Pittsburgh for four years as I attended the University of Pittsburgh, so it’s safe to say this city is like a second home to me. Jacquie & Jeff’s wedding did not disappoint and had so many unique touches throughout their wedding day, which I LOVE!! We were pretty lucky with having no rain and were able to take some photos outside in Mellon Square and up on Mt. Washington. The Skyline obviously made for some gorgeous photos and we had so much fun riding around the city on the party bus. After spending time with their guests for cocktail hour, these two were welcomed to the largest cookie display I have ever seen! I’ve seen some pretty impressive cookie displays before at weddings, but this one was incredible! I had a quick, but amazing trip to Pittsburgh and can’t wait to shoot two more weddings here this year!

Here are some of the amazing vendors from the day!

Ceremony: Epiphany Catholic Church

Reception: Circuit Center

Dress: Bridal Beginnings

Hair: Classic Salon

Makeup: Rae Beauty

Florals: Barton’s Bakery

Cake: Barton’s Bakery

Band: Bachelor Boys Band

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Reasons why to do a first look on your wedding day

Ohio wedding photographer

Just another person over here trying to convince you to do a first look at your wedding. First off, I want to share that I never want to pressure my couples into choosing this option. I believe this is completely your decision and you and your fiancé should decide this together. For me, I am obviously biased because I’m a photographer, and I know a first look allows for more photos opportunities. I love photo opportunities, but I also know not all of my couples will choose this option, and that completely is OKAY! I just want to share some of the main reasons why I do love them so much.

To my surprise, it is usually the groom who is not interested in doing a first look for their wedding. I thought about this for a little bit and then came to the realization, DUH, because of the pressure we put on them to have this huge reaction when they first seen their bride. Not all men will cry when they first see their fiancé in her white dress. If it is not their personality to cry, then that is completely fine and this should be understood. But in reality, grooms will have LESS pressure to have a big reaction for their first look than during the actual wedding ceremony, because the entire wedding guest list will not be there watching. It is a shared moment between you two and just you two alone. If you think about it, you really don’t have much alone time with your spouse on the day of your wedding. Sharing this moment together can be so special and a time for you guys to really soak it in together. Everything is flying by at this point and there is no better place to be than to slow it down in the arms of the one you love most.

Another huge reason why I love when my couples choose to do a first look is because of the timeline of the wedding day. When there is a first look scheduled before the ceremony, this allows for more time for portraits and for photos with the full bridal party. If this important to you, then you might want to really consider doing a first look. Typically when there is no first look, the bridal party is split and one photographer will do photos of the bridesmaids while the other photographer will do photos of the groomsman. In this case, the only time to do the full bridal party photos is after the ceremony. Usually, there is not much of a gap between the end of the ceremony and the start of the reception. If there is no first look that means we have to do family photos, full bridal party photos, and all of your portraits during this short time. By this point you may be completely checked out and just want to get the party started with your friends and family. This is why taking portraits before the ceremony always seems to be way less stressful for everyone.

There is also more of a middle of the road option where couples choose to have a first moment rather than a first look. This can be holding hands on either side of a door, a corner of a building, or even a tree. I have had couples pray together during this moment, read each others letters, and just share this special quiet time together before the ceremony.

There are definitely couples who still wish to take the more traditional route and I am COMPLETELY fine with this! I still love a good mix of wedding day experiences and I love when couples are passionate about their choice. These are just a few of my top reasons to organize a first look based upon my time as a wedding photographer.

Ali & Luke | Classic Columbus Wedding at The Annex at 801

This gorgeous, classic wedding was an amazing way to start off my 2019 wedding season. After having a pretty quiet off season, it was great to be back out there doing what I love most!

The simple black bridesmaids dresses paired with a whole lot of greenery made for the perfect modern and classic wedding day look. Ali & Luke shared their first look on the steps outside along the columns of the Ohio Statehouse. It was supposed to rain this day, but we were able to luck out with just some overcast skies.

A short and sweet ceremony took place at Grace Fellowship in Upper Arlington followed by a giant dance party at the Annex at 801. We knocked out all of the photos we needed before the reception so Ali & Luke were able to enjoy cocktail hour and to mingle with their guests. My favorite detail of the day was when Ali & Luke put on Mr. & Mrs. aprons and served dinner to their guests! I have never seen this before and thought it was such a cool idea! They also probably had the best first dance I have ever seen, which was so much fun to photograph. These two sure know how to get down on the dance floor! I had an amazing day with these two and can’t wait to deliver their gallery soon!

Below are the amazing vendors who helped with Ali & Luke’s special day along with some of my favorite photos!

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Ceremony: Grace Fellowship UA

Reception: The Annex at 801

Cake: Shannon Rosenberg

DJ: DJ Axcess

Florals: Dayla Ket Event Design

Makeup: Katie Mayhill

Hair: Katie Himes

Dress: Davids Bridal

Suit: Pursuit

Second Photographer: Jennifer Post Photography