Aelisa and Brandon's Krippendorf Lodge Wedding

I met Aelisa for the first time about a month before her wedding.  When I asked to tell me about the details of the day, she said she wanted no traditional elements, she didn't even have a dress yet,  I loved her carefree attitude.  All that mattered to her was that she and Brandon were able to celebrate their love with all of their close friends and family.   Their  low key wedding took place at Krippendorf Lodge at the Cincinnati Nature Center.  This is one of my favorite places to shoot.  The lodge is cozy,  the courtyard is gorgeous at night, the staff is outstanding, and I am truly in my element shooting anywhere that involves trees and water. :)  I had a wonderful time at this wedding.   Coincidentally during dinner, I was seated with some of Aelisa's friends who are from Seattle.   I am taking a trip there next month, so I was able to pick their brain a little about things to do.  I appreciate the advice guys!

I loved the cute wood burned coasters they gave as  favors.Courtenay Lambert Florals  brought lots of color to the event with her amazing flowers.  I have never seen roses this big, beautiful.

Megand Ryan's Bell Event Centre Wedding

Megan and Ryan's wedding at the Bell Event Centre was an elegant affair full of smiles, hugs and amazing red shoes!  The day started out rainy, but that didn't stop them from being happy and optimistic.  It was a real celebration.  Megan and Ryan have known each other their entire lives, their parents are best friends.  Though they grew up together, it wasn't until they were on a family vacation stuck on a cruise ship that they truly fell in love.  I just love their story!

See Megan and Ryan's lake house engagement session here.

Black, white, and red, so classic and elegant. A very touching ceremony at the Bell. There were lots of bird details throughout the space. Cutest cake ever!  

Stephanie and Chris' Backyard Kentucky Wedding

I had the pleasure of celebrating Stephanie and Chris' wedding with them at a beautiful home in Ft. Thomas a few weeks ago.  Stephanie's best friend's family owns the house.  Stephanie said that since she was a little girl, she dreamed of one day getting married there.  The outdoor ceremony was laid back and intimate.  The setting was gorgeous, the weather was perfect, the food consisted of delicious Southern specialties (my favorite), the guests had a blast, and Stephanie and Chris smiled the entire day.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself, I really do have my dream job.  I am so thankful for people like Stephanie and Chris who allow me to do what I love everyday!

I also want to thank all of the awesome vendors who helped make Stephanie and Chris' day so special.  Elisa from Elegant Events was wonderful to work with and my favorite second shooter/right hand man, Andrew captured some really awesome images!

See Stephanie and Chris' engagement session here.

A very sweet father daughter moment. I am a huge fan of the girls wearing different dresses in the same color. I loved their DIY decor.

Styled Shoot at Bakersfield OTR

I had the amazing opportunity to collaborate with some of my favorite people for this styled shoot at Bakersfield in Over the Rhine.  We wanted to do something unique and fun.  Marti, of Marti's Floral Design styled the shoot and had this to say about it...Off the beaten path, not the typical love. Not the typical bride. That was our inspiration of this. Focusing on the love. Even if it is not the one that everyone sees as being normal. The casual wedding taken past the mason jars. We found so much inspiration in the casualness of a quickie wedding and how stylish it could still be. Bohemian meets Masculinity. We wanted to show that both could still be present in a wedding. Something to reflect both of them. Lace and leather. Guns and flowers. Not everything has to be typical for a wedding. Make it reflect the couple that you are and not a formality. Caroline and Jesse are the perfect image of the couple today. Off the beaten path, showing the love, and forgoing the typical wedding.

Location: Bakersfield OTR Flowers and Styling:  Marti's Floral Design  Invitation/Menu Design: Erica Keuter Designs Make up:  Cinci Makeup Wardrobe: Sloan Boutique Hair: Colleen Herman

Brooke and Dominic's Key West Wedding

Brooke and Dominic's wedding was super special to  me.  I have been friends with them for years.  I absolutely love them and their family.  They are the most gracious group of people I have ever known.  I was very excited when they asked me to join them in Key West for their wedding.  The wedding was a laid back beach ceremony at the Casa Marina Resort.  Brooke looked stunning and smiled the entire day.   Dominic, who I thought would be nervous was calm and cool.  I think I heard them say I love you to each other at least 100 times, it was so sweet.  Brooke and Dom, I cant thank you enough for this amazing opportunity.  I had a blast and I am truly honored you chose me to photograph your wedding. :)       The night before the wedding Brooke and Dominic chartered a sailboat for a sunset cruise.  It was so much fun!The wedding was so beautiful.  The weather was perfect and the beach backdrop was gorgeous. Check out Brooke's killer shoes.  Brooke is the only girl I know who isn't afraid to wear wedges like these on the beach.  Dominic and his family own the Bell Event Centre.  They had a reception there to celebrate with all of their friends and family when they got back. The amazing women of the Bell.  

Gina and Tanner

Gina and Tanner had a ceremony surrounded by their close family.  I was with them for only three hours this day, but that is all it took to capture the sweet love and happiness these two feel for each other.  You'll see them again later this year when I photograph part 2 of their wedding celebration.   

Backyard Wedding Package Cincinnati Wedding Photographer

Sometimes I get emails from people who are having a creative, homegrown wedding I know I would be a perfect fit for, but my price does not fit within their budget.  It breaks my heart when this happens.  Because I never want to turn down the opportunity to photograph a wedding where I get to really use my creativity, and because I understand that sometimes great wedding photography is not affordable for couples on a tight budget,  I have decided I want to provide a package that is designed for creative couples who are having a Backyard/Homegrown/DIY wedding.  It is designed for couples who  might not be able to afford a full day of wedding photography.

Here's the deal...

This package is for weddings that take place at home, at a friend's home, in a park, on a farm, on a boat, or any other unique  location.  Destination weddings are included, but travel fees will apply.  This is only eligible for weddings with less than 100 guests.

Included is 6 hours of photography by me.  I will not have an assistant or second shooter.  Additional time, a second photographer, and an engagement session can be added to this package.  You will receive a high resolution disc of edited images.  The 2013 package price is $2000 and it is non negotiable.  Feel free to email me with any questions or if you would like more details nikita@nikitagross.com.

Natash and Hank's DIY farm wedding has been my inspiration for creating this package.  It was a true DIY wedding.   Their budget was around $5000.  Their wedding is still one of my favorites.  Family and friends helped with food and decor.  It was laid back and full of creativity.

See more of their wedding here on my blog.  Or here on Borrowed and Blue where they got a two part feature.

 

Christina and Brandon's Fall Cincinnati Wedding

This is my last wedding of the year and it is another beautiful one!  Christina and Brandon were married at The Bell Event Centre.  It was a gorgeous fall day full of lots of color and sunshine.  Christina looked stunning in her dress from Kotsovos.  These two currently live in Chicago, but are originally from the Cincinnati area.  Friends and family came from all over the country to help celebrate their love.  It was a classy night filled with tons of fun, I was happy to be part of it!

I started the day at Christina's parents house, where the girls got ready.  As soon as I saw this window I knew I had to use it for a dramatic bridal portrait.

So pretty!  Christina's makeup is by Brideface and Jen Nally styled her hair.   We had to include a little bit of Cincinnati into their pictures. The guys looked sharp in their gray suits and paisley print ties. I love the way the color of the girl's dresses popped with the fall colors. The beautiful Bell.

Sarah and Karen's Bell Event Centre Wedding

"The minute I heard my first love story I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was.  Lovers don't finally meet somewhere, they're in each other all along." - Rumi

It all started with a date and a kiss.  They went out for coffee and and then for drinks.  While standing in the bar Sarah leaned over and kissed Karen and for the first time, Karen felt free.  She felt free to be herself, to love without worry.  She saw the strength she was searching for in Sarah and she was in love.  Their love story is so inspiring to me.  I knew the second I met them that I wanted to be part of it.

Sarah and Karen committed themselves to each other on a beautiful fall day at the gorgeous Bell Event Centre.  They were surrounded by 200 of their closest friends and family.  It was a glorious night full of laughter and love.  These two women have the kindest hearts.  Karen is a chaplain at a local hospital and Sarah works for a non-profit.  They are a perfect balance for each other.  Sarah has a carefree spirit and loves to go with the flow, while Karen is very organized and needs order to feel comfortable.  Together I know they are going to do wonderful things in this world.  They have already touched my heart so deep with their kind words and loving spirit.  The quote above was printed on the last page of their programs and I think it sums things up just perfectly. Thank you Sarah and Karen, for not only choosing me to photograph your wedding, but for being my friend, and helping me show the world that as Sarah says, love is love, it has no boundaries.  I wish you two a lifetime of happiness together.

Sarah and Karen made their commitment official in New York, where they got engaged.

Rachel Lisa did a fantastic job on both Sarah and Karen's makeup.  She even came to the ceremony and touched them up for the reception.Karen went from a chaplain to a princess in a matter of minutes. Beautiful.Karen wore Toms wedges while Sarah wore her cowgirl boots.Seeing each other for the first time.The next two crack me up.  Sarah's relative Kevin Brunsman did a wonderful job on the flowers.  When choosing bouquets Karen said she wanted tightly wound...and Sarah wanted loose and wild.  So fitting for their personalities! ;)  You cant see it in this image, but there is a mushroom hiding in that bouquet! The programs were handmade by Sarah, each one was unique. Going over their vows right before the ceremony.Since a marriage certificate in Ohio was not possible, they made their own.  All of the guests signed it.  I love it!The Bell Event Centre, amazing!  Thank you to my awesome assistant Andrew for capturing these. Sarah is also a bee keeper.  For favors they gave honey jars with "meant to bee" printed on them.  Such a cute touch.I always get super excited when I find out I get to eat BonBonerie cake! :)