I love weddings and seeing how every couple and wedding day has its own special details, reactions, situations, etc., so when I think about what to write for a wedding blog post I naturally think about what was unique about the wedding.  Allow me to tell you some things that stood out to me throughout Stephen and Erin’s day…

The ceremony was at Erin’s grandparent’s farm.  This location hold many special memories for Erin, so it only made sense to get married here!The center diamond in Erin’s ring was Stephen’s grandmother’s. Stephen carried his grandfather’s pocket watch. First look… Erin has been wanting a tree swing, so Stephen put his handy skills into action and made one for her!  This little country church is just down the road from Erin’s grandparent’s house. Instead of a unity candle, the guests put spoonfuls of dirt into a box as they arrived, then during the ceremony Stephen and Erin planted Wisteria seeds in the dirt.  They look forward to watching the Wisteria grow to cover the trellis/arch they built for the ceremony! Erin’s grandfather drove guests to the ceremony location on a wagon.  Erin and her father had a touching, tear-filled moment before they walked up the aisle. You’ve heard of a flash mob, right?  Have you ever seen one at a wedding?!  The guest were given prior instructions to join in singing “Going to the Chapel”…what a fun memory for Stephen and Erin! Stephen sweetly wiped the tears from Erin’s eyes throughout the ceremony. The reception was held at a friend’s barn nearby The guest’s favors were Smores that they could take home or roast over the fire outside. Congratulations to Stephen and Erin Brown!!

-Second Photographer: Jenell Shrock

-Hair: Lindsay Allen

-Bride’s Dress: Wendy’s Bridal

-DJ: Noisy Neighbors DJ Service

During Alex and Aliscia’s first dance I noticed they were completely in the moment and sweetly sang to each other the words…From the Ground Up

Grandma and grandpa painted a picture
Of 65 years in one little house
More than a memory, more than saying “I do”
Kiss you goodnights and “I love you’s”

Me and you, baby, walk in the footsteps
Build our own family
One day at a time…

Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. Troyer!  Here’s a glimpse into the first day of their forever…

Aliscia’s dress was absolutely elegant with an eye catching back and train.  Their house had the perfect place to display her dress…a “T” for Troyer! The ring bearer carried this unique monogrammed case made by Alex’s dad. Aliscia made the monogrammed shirts for her girls! Alex gave Aliscia a cross necklace… Aliscia’s gift to Alex… The sky was looking dark and the radar was showing rain…sure enough it poured!!  In fact, it was nearly a torrential downpour!  So, what do you do when your plans were for outdoor pictures and it’s pouring?!  You get creative with the tiny space you have to work with inside an old, country church…. It cleared up and we were able to quickly snap a few pictures during the reception at the London Country Club & Golf Course. And we’ll build this love from the ground up
For worse or for better
And I will be all you need
Beside you I’ll stand through the good and the bad
We’ll give all that we have
And we’ll build this love from the ground up   -Dan + Shay

Ceremony: Big Darby Baptist Church, Plain City, Ohio

Reception: London Country Club, London, Ohio

Second Shooter: Sarah Varughese

Ceremony: Cleveland History Center Hanna Gardens

Reception: Windows on the River, Cleveland OH

How would I describe Dan and Kristen’s day in a few words?  Elegant, gorgeous, hot and humid, great locations, and a wonderful couple!  Here’s a glimpse into their day…

Kristen and the girls got ready at her parents house. Dan and the guys hung out at his parents house… The gardens at the Cleveland History Center were beautiful!  I loved the unique structures, textures, and designs! Kristen, you’re gorgeous! See the button on Kristen’s bouquet in the picture below…it’s from her Grandmother’s wedding dress.  How special!About 30 minutes before the ceremony it poured!  We waited until the rain stopped, the ceremony chairs were dried off, and things continued as planned! 

Thank you, Andrew Weber, for all your help and second shooting!  You did a great job…I love the shots you got!

Wooster, Ohio

Seth and Lori’s day didn’t quite turn out the way they originally planned due to storms, but their fun-loving personalities didn’t let the changes mess with their joy and memories from their day!

The day began in a quaint old house on the Ohio State University OARDC Wooster Campus.

First look in one of the beautiful gardens…

You’ll notice in these pictures the unique amphitheater.  This is where the ceremony was supposed to take place, however, upon watching the forecast the decision was made ahead of time to move the ceremony indoors at a church….VERY good decision!  After we snapped some pictures of Seth and Lori and a few of the bridal party the rain DUMPED!  In fact, it poured again at the exact time Lori was walking up the aisle!  Seth and Lori had a beautiful, worship-filled ceremony.  It was evident they want the Lord first in their lives and their marriage.

Thank you to Jenell Shrock for second shooting for Seth and Lori’s wedding!  We’ll always remember their day…riding on the back of the pickup truck, covered up with trash bags in the pouring rain! 🙂

Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. Nofzinger!  Matt and Amanda’s day entailed so many unique-to-them details.  Allow me to walk you through their day…

Let’s start with the flowers.  Orchids shipped in from Hawaii!!  Have you ever heard of such special flowers for an Ohio wedding?!  Amanda’s Great Aunts that live in Hawaii found this specific color of orchids (even a bit hard to find in Hawaii) and sent them over for the bouquets!  Pretty special, if you ask me!

Amanda loves stained glass, so it was fitting to take a few dress shots with stained glass.

Amanda handmade all of her bridesmaid’s jewelry as gifts to them.  You’ll notice a dog in the jewelry…Matt and Amanda’s love for dogs was sprinkled throughout the details of the day, especially at the reception.

Matt’s love for superheros and Star Wars was evident in the groomsmen details!  Socks, cuff links, boutonnieres…check, check, and check!

Amanda’s desire for some fun shots showed up in the mix of poses!

Surprise!  Amanda’s parents surprised them with a special bagpipe song.  I love the shock on Amanda’s face captured below!

Matt and Amanda’s “exit” was a streamer tunnel! Once again you’ll see their love for dogs in the reception details…name cards, centerpieces, cake pop stand, etc.!  I mentioned above Amanda’s love for stained glass.  She actually made this cake topper! Matt and Amanda’s beautifully choreographed dance was SO impressive!  Second Shooter: Jenell Shrock–Thanks, Jenell, for all your help!

Ceremony Location: Hilliard United Methodist Church

Reception Location: The Reception House at Raymond Memorial Golf Course

Hair: Kim Johnson

High school sweethearts…always and forever!

Chris and Emily’s wedding day was like most typical days in Ohio in which the weather couldn’t quite decide what it wanted to do….rainy, sunny, cloudy???  Regardless of the sprinkles, Chris and Emily’s day was filled with love, family, and fun.

Emily’s day started bright and early.  I believe she got up at 3:45 a.m.!

Emily’s “something blue” was Chris’ mom’s anniversary ring that she allowed Emily to wear for the day.

Emily, you are stunning! When Chris first saw Emily walking down the aisle it was evident he was filled with heartfelt emotions.

This hill hold a lot of significance for Chris and Emily.  They went here after prom, they had their first kiss on this hill, and this is where Chris proposed!  It was only fitting that they walk to the top for some wedding pictures!   Chris and Emily had a 10:30 a.m. wedding, so they had breakfast pancakes and sausage for the reception food!  A unique and fun twist to the pancakes was the “pancake flipping.”  Chris and Emily took their turns flipping pancakes at each other; then the rest of the guests stood in line to catch their flying pancakes!  If one landed on the ground another one was flipped to you!

Each guest received “Cookies from the Cooks.”  A fitting treat with the last name of Cook!

Special thanks to Andrew Weber for doing a great job of second shooting for Chris and Emily’s wedding!  And thanks to Elizabeth Miller for shadowing and snapping some great shots, too!

Hair: Stacy Conner

Makeup: Kelly Scott

Location: Fryer Park in Grove City, Ohio

Nick and Rachel’s paths crossed three years ago during an Ultimate Frisbee game…which I might add, Rachel beat Nick!  Rachel will tell you that she used to joke that God would have to drop a guy at her feet for her to notice one!  God knew what He was doing when he dropped Nick into Rachel’s life, and He’s done something beautiful in growing their love for each other and for Him.

A few sprinkles of rain and some gusts of wind didn’t dampen the laughter and love that filled their day.  You can’t help but see the joy in their smiles!  Here’s a glimpse into the story of their day…

Since it was Mother’s Day weekend, Nick got this fruit bouquet for his mother-in-law-to-be, Judy, and also for Rachel and the bridesmaids to enjoy!  I love that Rachel’s beautiful bouquet had lilacs in it…something you never see in a bouquet!  Prayers of blessing before the ceremony. Both Nick and Rachel are nurses.  In fact, Rachel just graduated from college on April 30!  During the pastor’s message he drew the correlation of “caring for your marriage” by relating various nurse/doctor items such as a thermometer, stethoscope, shot, etc.  Below you’ll see Nick getting a shot. 🙂   This beautiful cake had two side…elegant and super hero.  Take note that the flowers were not silk they were edible!  It ended up not being as dark at the time of their exit, but they had fun with it anyway!

Wait?  Where are the keys?!  Oh, the best man has them!

Photography Second Shooter: Jenell Shrock

Hair and Makeup: Stacy Conner

Flowers: Roxanne Yoder

Cake: Sarah Foster

Ceremony Location: Shiloh Mennonite Church

Reception Location: Maranatha Community Fellowship

Rob and Harmony are married!!!  AND they set a new record…photographing in the coldest temperatures that I have ever photographed in!  When we were taking the outdoors pictures the official reading was 14 degrees with a feeling of 0!  It was so cold that Harmony’s bouquet froze…I mean some of the flowers were literally frozen hard to the touch!  But Rob and Harmony’s day was about so much more than just the cold weather.  Their ceremony was a worship-filled service to bring glory to God, and at their reception it was obvious how many people love and support them.  Congratulations, Rob and Harmony!  The Lord bless you as you serve Him together!

Rob and Harmony love basketball.  In fact, they both wore basketball shoes for their day!  These are Rob’s shoes…

…and below are Harmony’s shoes!

When I was editing this picture I realized that her phone actually had a temperature reading at this time of only 5 degrees!  Brrrr!

Harmony, you are beautiful!!

Their guestbook was a basketball and jersey…

This little flower girl made it up the aisle then must have realized she didn’t get rid of enough petals, so she dumped the basket!!  So cute!

Thank you to my faithful second shooter, Jenell Shrock, for helping me with Rob and Harmony’s day!