Viewing entries tagged
wedding reception
This year has been a very solemn year. Many people have struggled with health issues, financial issues, work and school routines. I take this year very seriously in my own personal timeline. As I was editing Mr. and Mrs. Trumbull’s photos, I noticed myself drawn to these dramatic and deep black and white edits. They felt right for the gravity of what 2020 has been. Here, I offer you a selection of my favorite monochromatic images from a most important day.
Nick and Kristina had a beautiful winter wedding in Toledo on December 21st. The ceremony took place at Christ the King Catholic church and the reception was held at the Nederhouser Community Hall at Olander Park in Sylvania. In between, we stopped at the Toledo Botanical Gardens for some wedding portraits and bridal party photos. It was a 50 degree day but we were lucky enough to find a tiny bit of snow lingering on the ground. Ohio is truly the land of strange weather combinations and it actually worked out perfectly for us!
Amie and Anthony did things right. They had a beautiful location that was large enough to accommodate all their guests. They had tents covering the dance floor and the dinner seating. The tents also offered a backup plan for the ceremony in case it was raining. There was an endless supply of cold drinks to combat the summer heat and everyone had a wonderful time. I would like to share three tips for any couples who are planning an Ohio wedding outside in the summer.
Have I ever told you that the reception is my favorite part of the wedding day? The whole day is truly wonderful and rewarding. There is just something about the reception that makes me happy. I get to play with lighting. I get to document natural moments, not posed bodies. People finally relax after the stress and structure of making sure the rest of the day has gone the way it was planned. It is almost as if the bride and groom can breathe a sigh of relief when they sit down for dinner.
So when do I get to see the true personalities of my couples? I see who they are in every detail of their day. Rebecca and Mark had so many beautiful and sentimental details in their wedding. The decor, food choices, attire, and venue all spoke to who these two are. My favorite part of the whole day had to be the reception. Mark and Rebecca really kicked back and enjoyed every minute of it. They danced and laughed. They enjoyed their guests company and made everyone feel welcome.
Everything about this wedding day went so well. Our weather was amazing. The timeline was comfortable. Everyone looked great and the wedding party was so much fun to work with. It makes me so happy to see a couple have friends and family support them and celebrate them on their special day. Everyone was working hard to make sure the day went off without a hitch.
Victor and Suzie decided to have an intimate ceremony with only family and close friends. It was a very special event. We definitely laughed during the couple’s lighthearted vows. There were so many smiles as we saw Suzie and Victor’s commitment celebrated. What beautiful moments I get to document as a wedding photographer!
When I ask couples what they most want documented, I get a wide variety of answers. For some it is the details, for others the wedding party as a group. Mackenzie and Ian said that they wanted me to document people having a good time at their wedding. I can 100% do that. It is one of my favorite things. Their guests made my job easy. Everyone had a wonderful time dancing, and eating, and congratulating the couple. The reception was held at the Master’s Building at the Wyandot County Fairgrounds. It was spacious and comfortable. The DJ, Nyte Flyte, kept the timeline on track and gave all the guests some great entertainment.
I have many adventures as a second shooter. I shoot weddings all over Ohio, not only for myself, but with other photographers. I have an awesome network of wedding photographers who give me work when I am not busy with my own clients. This season I have 17 dates set up to second shoot. That is a lot of Saturdays, but I truly love it. Everyone I work for does things differently and I often learn something new. Being a second shooter allows me to experiment with creative techniques and hone my skills.
Lindsay contacted me after buying her wedding dress at Blush A Bridal Boutique in Bowling Green, Ohio. Lee, the owner, happens to pass out my brochure to all of her brides! I met with Lindsay and Terry in downtown Bowling Green at one of my local favorites, Grounds for Thought. Lindsay explained that she and Terry have a little girl and they have been working very hard building a life together. Terry was working an opposite shift to Lindsay and I asked if they ever got to see each other. They both agreed that they do what it takes to make it work!
Mandi and Zach have so much history at Bowling Green State University, that they decided to have an outdoor ceremony on the campus! The forecast said rain all day for Bowling Green. They got lucky and the rain held off until after the ceremony! Everything about the day felt genuine and full of joy. It is so wonderful to see a couple as deeply in love as these two are.
The night ended with sunset portraits, lots of dancing and a sparkler send off. It was a beautiful wedding day and the perfect party for Nick and Lexie. I hope you enjoy seeing their special day from my perspective. Be sure to pin and share your favorites.
Little did Josh and Alyssa know that their February wedding would not be cold and snow covered. It turned out that on their day, last year, the temperature reached over 60 degrees. I would be tempted to say it was one of the most beautiful days of the year. The sun was shining and everyone looked fabulous!
As a firm believer in Murphy's Law, I'll be the first to admit things can, and will, go wrong. Equipment malfunctions are not rare and miscommunication can cause mix ups. Special moments can happen without warning while a photographer is changing a lens. Having a second shooter means that even if a mishap occurs, there is an extra person working to document your day and keep your images safe.
