Zach and Arika’s winter wedding was a day filled with sweet love and joy, beauty, laughter and tears, and making the most of the cold and rainy weather.

Allow me to share the story of their day captured through pictures…

The ceremony and reception took place at Zach and Arika’s church, United Bethel Mennonite Church. The setting complimented the colors incorporated in the wedding details nicely. You never know what to expect with the weather, so you make your plans and then roll with what comes your way! Our original plan was to spend most of our time on a farm in a setting with pines and snow, but when it was time to leave for the first look it was raining. So we were off to The Barn on Chapel Road for protection from the rain and a great setting to still obtain a few outdoor pictures, but under cover!

I love the smiles during their first look!

The rain stopped for a few minutes, so we decided to hop over to the farm with the pine trees, only to catch a few pictures before it started raining again! It was really starting to rain, but Zach asked if we could quickly get a few bridal party pictures before we left. Absolutely!! I don’t think you can even tell it was raining! Now that’s a great bridal party!! Time for the ceremony and reception… Zach’s little brother hid in the back seat of their car and then popped up to surprise them! SO CUTE!

Special thanks to Deborah of DG Photography for 2nd shooting for me.

Thank you to The Barn on Chapel Road and the Yutzy’s farm for allowing us to capture some of Zach and Arika’s portraits at your locations.

Flowers by Everyday Beauty Co.

Every wedding is unique and regardless of how much time you spend preparing for the day there’s just some things that can’t be planned…like the weather, for instance. Yes, Sam and Lindsay’s day had some rain, but let me tell you, it absolutely did not dampen the joy of the day! In fact, Lindsay should write a tutorial for all brides on how to roll with the day! She was such a trooper, and even allowed us to snap a few shots under an umbrella with the drizzling rain before the ceremony!!! You see, Sam and Lindsay were focused on the real meaning of their day, and during their Christ-centered ceremony it was so evident that they want to serve God in this new step of their lives…together.

Allow me to walk you through their day…

For Lindsay, the day began at the quaint Hearthstone Manor, where she and her girls got ready.

Then we were off to meet Sam at the Urbana Christian Conference Center, where the ceremony and reception would take place.

Side note: I was so impressed with this venue. The layout of the facility was great and the staff worked hard and professionally to flip the ceremony/reception room. But what amazed me the most was to learn that the staff who worked and catered the event were people from the church! What a wonderful example of the body of Christ working together! Sam and Lindsay’s first look!  Drizzling rain…but it didn’t faze this couple! Sure, let’s take a few pictures with an umbrella! Sam and Lindsay wanted to leave the reception in a hot air balloon, but sadly the rain didn’t allow for lift off. However, the very gracious balloonists of Mid-Ohio Balloon Adventures still blew their balloon up for a few pictures and a little hop across the yard ride for Sam and Lindsay, and get this…it was really raining at the time! Now that’s a lot of balloon to dry off!! After their skip across the grass in the balloon, Sam and Lindsay ran through their bubble exit and on their way as Mr. & Mrs. Koenig!!! Congratulations to you both!

Second Photographer: Deborah Beachy of DG Photography

Bride’s Dress: David’s Bridal

Cake: Cake Creations

Venue: Urbana Christian Conference Center

Hair & Makeup: Chelsea Teat

Reception donuts: Der Dutchman, Plain City

Hot Air Balloon: Mid-Ohio Balloon Adventures, LLC

DJ: All Sounds Unlimited

Photo Booth: Columbus Photo Booth Co.

Special congratulations to this sweet couple…the new Mr. and Mrs. Strauss! Evan and Erin tied the knot two weeks ago!Allow me to give you a little glimpse into the story of their day told through pictures…For Erin, the day began in the bridal suite of the Embassy Suites in Dublin. Her beautiful lace dress literally glowed as it hung in the window. Flowers were sent to her room from the first man in her life…her dad! Photographing the wedding details helps to add to the story of a bride and groom’s day, and when one of those items is sentimental it makes capturing the story even more special.  One of Erin’s extra special details was her “something blue”…a blue heart sewn inside her wedding dress.  The heart had been cut from one of her grandma’s dresses.  She was really close with her grandma and in the last days of her life had the privilege of helping to care for her. How special to have a sweet reminder of her grandma close to her heart on her wedding day. The rest of the wedding day celebrations took place at St. Margaret of Cortona Roman Catholic Church.  Below are moments from their “first look”… …and then we were able to capture a few portraits before the ceremony! Erin is a triplet! Both of her sisters stood beside her during the ceremony as her Maids of Honor. And a few pictures of the party!! 

Second Photographer: Jenell Shrock

Bride’s Dress: LUXEredux Bridal

Tuxedos: Men’s Warehouse

Hair: Sarah Powers

Trent and Kelsey’s ceremony and reception took place on the campus of Rosedale Bible College. Who knew there was a forest in the middle of Rosedale, Ohio?!?  Technically, it’s not a large forest, however, when you have some tall pines, put a little work into clearing some low branches, and add a vision of beauty…you get a fairy tale-like wonderland!

First look under the pines! We took a little trip to London for a few pictures at the Courthouse. A few minutes before the ceremony their bridal party gathered around them to pray.A few minutes before Kelsey walked up the aisle, I remember hearing the wind whistle through the pines and the birds signing in the trees. Such a beautiful setting for a wedding! Right after being pronounced as husband and wife, Trent and Kelsey chose to wash each other’s feet. What a great way of showing love and service to each other. Instead of a unity candle they tied a cord of three strands to symbolize their unity with each other and God.

Second Photographer: Jenell Shrock

Darby House ~ Galloway, Ohio

Ivan and Nikki’s day fell on a beautiful June day.  The sun was shining brightly and it was a bit warm! The girls started their day at a local hotel for all the getting ready pictures, and the guys got ready at Ivan’s house.  Nikki’s details, florals, and colors were so pretty! Nikki’s dog stopped by for a few pictures.  So cute! Nikki even had a wreath made for her! Everyone made their way to the Darby House…a beautiful, white fences, property with acres of pastures and trees!Time for the first look! I love that Nikki’s dad presented her to Ivan for this special moment! I never ask a bride to run in her wedding dress…BUT as I’ve gotten to know Ivan and Nikki a bit, I learned they are athletes.  So, when asked if they wanted to do a running shot down the lane the answer was…sure, if I can run in this dress! 🙂 Such a pretty setting for the ceremony along the Big Darby Creek! DETAILS!!

First dances…

Second Photographer: Andrew E. Weber

Venue: Darby House

Florist: Evergreen Flower Co.

Wedding Dress: Bride and Formal On Main

Tuxedos: Macy’s

Wedding Cake: Giant Eagle

Makeup: Shaynah Blair and  Hillary Haughn

Hair: Jamie Strawser and  Caris Whetstone

Rich and Bethany’s day was beautiful from start to finish!  It was evident they wanted to give God glory for His leading and faithfulness.  Their story is truly one of trust in God and His plan.  If you missed reading their story shared with their engagement pictures you can click here to get a glimpse into how God led them to this day!

Speaking of stories…NOW for the story of their wedding day in pictures!!

First look… I LOVED photographing in this treeline!  Bethany was glowing!  So beautiful!  Then we were off to a covered bridge for more pictures! The socks were all Rich’s idea.  In fact, they were a surprise to Bethany. 🙂 Their guestbook was a puzzle with a picture on one side and guest signatures on the other.This little guy got a sneak peek at the marriage license! 🙂 Rich and Bethany read touching letters to each other. Even though the sun had already gone down, we were able to get a few pictures with a pretty sky.

Thank you to Deborah of DG Photography for second shooting for me!

Jonathan and Morgan’s winter wedding took place in Hartville, Ohio.  It was a beautiful day with an elegant mix of neutral, gold, and white colors. Their ceremony was touching and Christ-centered with stories shared of how their relationship made it to this day.  As with most winter weddings, taking the pictures outdoors was accompanied by frigid temps, but Jonathan and Morgan cuddled close…you wouldn’t even know it was so cold!

Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. Roby!  Jonathan and Morgan, thank you for the privilege of capturing the special memories from your day!

Thank you to Deborah of DG Photography for second shooting for Jonathan and Morgan’s wedding!

Matt and Brittany are a super sweet couple and their wedding was Christ-centered and touching.  I don’t very often find myself tearing up at weddings, but there was something sentimental and special in the emotions I witnessed.

Allow me to give you a glimpse into their day…

Brittany got ready at the church where the ceremony would take place…also where they both attend. Their first look and portraits were at a nearby park in Dublin, M.L. Red Trabue Nature Reserve. Although it was a bit chilly the sun was shining brightly! I love the unique zig-zag docks at the park. One of the twins didn’t want to be photographed, but it made for some fun memories and pictures! The basement of their church was transformed beautifully into an elegant reception! The story behind the pictures below…Brittany’s dad presented Matt with a gift.  Inside the package was her well-worn blanket to take along! The groomsmen pulled a trick on Matt and Brittany and had this old van ready for them as their “getaway vehicle.”  Matt and Brittany were able to find their decorated car to leave in instead! 🙂 Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Troyer!

Special thanks to Deborah of DG Photography for second shooting for me.  As always, it was awesome working with you!

Matt and Ashley’s wedding took place on a chilly, but beautiful autumn day.  The locations we used for their portraits had a great mix of eye-catching fall foliage and wispy green willow trees.

The original plan was to have an outdoor reception, but the cool temps for the day brought it indoors.  Regardless of it being indoors it was elegantly decorated and stunning!  I admire Matt and Ashley’s approach to their day.  They didn’t allow themselves to get all caught up in the stress of the extra details, and yet they still cared about making their day special and enjoying it to the fullest.  I’ll allow the pictures to give you a glimpse into the story of their day…

Special thanks to Deborah of DG Photography for second shooting!