Becca and Greg's Ohio Wedding

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of driving to Jackson, Ohio for Becca and Greg's wedding.  The forecast called for rain, instead we got a glorious sky perfect for pictures.  Their wedding was laid back and fun.  Their friends and family were such a pleasure to be around.  I have really enjoyed getting to know Becca and Greg through their wedding planning process,  and I love that Facebook allows me to keep up with their lives.  They will start their new life as husband in Texas where Greg just got an awesome job opportunity.  I am sad to see them go, but so excited for their new adventure together!  Becca and Greg, thank you so much for allowing me to share in this special day with you two.

Nia and Spencer's Intimate Ault Park Wedding

I leave every wedding I photograph with a happy heart.  Spending time with people on such a special day is something I am truly grateful for.   Nia and Spencer were going to have a huge wedding celebration, but when they started thinking about it, they realized that isn't their style.  They decided to have an intimate ceremony at Ault Park surrounded by their their immediate family.  There were 16 of us gathered to witness their love.   The weather was perfect and the couple was glowing.  Their love for each other along with the support of such amazing families will make them unstoppable together.

See Nia and Spencer's East Walnut Hills engagement session here.

Nia's father was so happy for his daughter.  Here he is helping her get into her dress. A beautiful bouquet by Courtenay Lambert. In honor of Nia's mother. After the ceremony we headed to Moerlein Lager House at the Banks for a wonderful lunch. 

Sara and Jeremy's Wedding at The Barn at Cedar Grove

Alright so this is the longest blog post I have ever done, but I just can't help it.  This wedding is very personal for me.  Sara and Jeremy have been very good friends of mine for many years.  When I heard they got engaged I knew I had to be the one to photograph it.  Anyone who knows these two can tell you they are the kindest souls you will meet.   Being part of their wedding celebration was an honor.  All of their close friends and family headed around 3 hours to The Barn at Cedar Grove for their wedding.   We spent the weekend sharing stories about Sara and Jeremy while enjoying  a break from the city.  We drank, we danced, we sang, we laughed, we saw stars, we almost sunk a boat.  It was a spectacular wedding weekend.  The wedding had so many personal touches.  Sara made most of the decor.  She has been saving bottles for what seems like forever preparing.  Their good friend Rich officiated.  Music was provided by their friends Stuart and Maya.  Jeremy and his band The Tongue and Lips performed a special song for Sara and her dad.  Everything was full to the brim with heart.  I came home with the biggest smile on my face.  I am still smiling as I go through and relive the day through these pictures.  Thank you so much for your love and friendship Sara and Jeremy.  And thank you for letting me be the one to capture your wedding.  I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together!

See Sara and Jeremy's super fun engagement session here and the behind the scenes video we made here. 

Sara found two dresses she liked on Etsy.  She worked with Ashley from Casablanca Vintage to create something that totally fit her style. Sara's Free People headpiece was the perfect accessory to such an awesome dress. Jeremy spent his time before the wedding rehearsing with his band. Sara's best friend/maid of honor, Emily made the fabric alter decor.  So pretty. Sara's friend Lauren designed this beautiful cake for the couple. Seriously though, Have you ever seen a bride play wiffle ball at their wedding?! Sara and Jeremy's friend Brent (pictures above left getting down) made this awesome marquee.Sara and Jeremy are both artists.  They gave me the freedom to do whatever I wanted with their pictures, so we made lots of art using Polaroids and my iPhone. More polaroids of a little bit of everything. This is an iPhone picture shot by my awesome assistant for the day, my boyfriend Chris.  It still blows my mind.  So dreamy! 

Samantha and Heather's Backyard Wedding

Samantha and Heather's intimate ceremony was held in the backyard of a beautiful home owned by dear friends.  It was a gorgeous afternoon full of laughter and love.  Their close friends and family helped make the day extra special for the girls by helping with the food, flowers, and decor.  Samantha and Heather walked around with huge smiles on their faces all day.  At one point in the day I noticed Samantha tearing up, Heather asked her if she was ok.  As Samantha looked over at all of the faces of support and love she replied, "I am just so happy."  It was a moment I never want to forget.  It was a moment that reassured me, that I was right where I needed to be.  Celebrating love, documenting it, being part of something so special is the best feeling in the world.  Samantha and Heather, thank you for letting me be part of such an amazing day.  My hope for you is a lifetime of the happiness you felt on this day.Samantha and Heather are both teachers who love to read.  They used books for their table decor.  The guests were invited to take them home at the end of the day. 

Kendal and Joe's Pyramid Hill Wedding

Every single thing about Kendal and Joe's wedding was from the heart, personal, and full of love.  They spent many, many months making bird houses, pinwheels, kites, signs, a custom photo booth backdrop, and the most amazing altar I have ever seen.  They wanted their wedding to represent their fun personalities.  I was was bouncing around the park like a kid in a colorful candy store admiring and photographing all of the details.

Kendal and Joe decided to see each other before the wedding so we arranged a first look at the park.  Joe, who is a master of all trades,  was running a little behind because he had to sew a button for one of his groomsmen.  When he arrived at the park I got to witness one of the most special moments of my career so far.  When Kendal walked up to Joe and tapped him on the shoulder it was like an explosion of nerves was released, you could see and feel it.  It was very emotional, I had to fight back tears while shooting.  They found so much comfort in each other.  Their love was radiating.  This is why I always encourage my clients to see each other before the ceremony.  Moments like that are what memories are made of.

Though Kendal and Joe spent a lot of time curating the perfect wedding the one thing, the most important thing I remember about the day was that big, colorful love they share for each other.  Their friends and family were so supportive and happy for them.  It was such a treat to be around.  I have been smiling so much editing these.

Thank you to everyone who made the day even more special for Kendal and Joe.

 Venue: Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park Event and Floral Design: Marti's Floral Designs Invites, Signs, Programs: Pinwheel Print Shop  Custom Cake Topper: Melting Pot Love Photo Booth: Framster Kendal's Dress:  European Bridal Jewelery: Macy's/Kate Spade Shoes: Seychelles Bridesmaid Dresses: Anthropologie Flowergirl Dress:  Gap Joe's Suit: Egara Guy's Shoes: Vans  Guy's Ties: Original Penguin Handmade Altar, wood signs, birdhouses, decor: DIY by the bride, groom, and family  Guest Book Tree: Bleu de toi Cookies: Cookies by Sue
Cupcakes/Cake: JoJo’s cupcakes DJ: Jonathan Klein Ceremony Musician: Bryan McCartney Save the Dates: Hullaballoo
Wood Cupcake Sign, Chair Covers, Birds of a feather sign, and Fields sign:   Mimi’s Vintage Signs
Caterer: Jeanettes Delicacies Photo Assistant:  Andrew Ducker

P.S.  One of their images is featured on the real weddings section of Huffington Post!  How cool is that?!

Carly and Ryan's lake house wedding Published in Kentucky Bride Magazine

YEAH!!  Carly and Ryan's lake house house wedding is featured in the newest issue of Kentucky Bride Magazine.  Their wedding was so personal and super laid back.  I am happy to see their pictures made it to print.  :)

See more images from their wedding here.

Cincinnati Engagement

Ahhh I am so excited to finally be shooting another wedding!  Kendal and Joe are getting married this coming up weekend at Pyramid Hill Scuplture Park and I can't wait to spend the day with them and my camera!

Here are a few more of their engagement pictures we shot a few months ago.   

Josh and Jen's Cincinnati Wedding

I met Josh and Jen last year when I photographed Josh's sister Julie's wedding in Florida.  I had a blast hanging out with them.  What I was drawn to about them was the genuine,  sincere love I could see between the two of them.  They laughed a lot.  They were comfortable being emotional together.   Josh has a job that takes him to new cities and Jen is right there by his side providing love and support.  They are a great team.  I am excited to see them grow together as a family.

Their wedding was held at The Madison Event Centre on a gorgeous Spring day.  It was a very laid back just like the two of them.  There was love and laughter everywhere.  I could't be more thankful to have met such wonderful people and to now call them friends.

Jen told me her shoes were her favorite wedding purchase, I can see why.  So cute!

Bob and Louise 68 years of love

"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."

These are the vows many people take everyday.  You find the one person whose life and love fits with your own like a glove.  Entering a marriage, committing yourself to the person you want to spend your life with is a more than a declaration of love, it is a partnership.  You choose to live life as a team.  The beginning of every relationship is so full of excitement and passion.  As a wedding photographer, I am very lucky to be part of this special time in people's lives.  My hope for every couple that I photograph and every couple that I know, is that their love lasts a lifetime, that they can get past the stressful times, the times when they want to give up and remember the vows they took on their wedding day.

Bob is 91 and Louise is 84.   When I walked into their home it was very cozy and comfortable.  I was welcomed with big smiles.  They had 2 boards full of pictures that documented the many years of happiness they have lived together.  They were excited to have me over and to tell me their story and I couldn't have been more grateful to be there.

Louise's family was from Italy and Bob was an American.  They met through family members when they were young, but it wasn't until Bob returned from the Navy and saw Louise again that their relationship began.  They fell in love young.  Like many young couple's at the time, because of their age, they snuck over to Kentucky to elope since Ohio's laws were more strict.  Their life together gave the world  3 children,  who then  had children, who then had children, and now their clan is up to over 50 people strong.  Their love and a marriage is a solid foundation for their children and grandchildren to look up to.  I admire that so much.

The love and partnership these two share is beautiful.  It was nice seeing how they balance things out.  Bob is a retired firefighter.  He is a giver by nature.   He likes to stay busy and fix things, he sews, does yard work, he even cuts Louise's hair.   Bob adores his wife,  I could see it every time he looked at her with admiration.  He still surprises her with gifts, and tells her he loves her every night.  Louise is a strong woman with the most beautiful smile and skin.  She spent her life as a caretaker for her family, but also worked different jobs throughout the years.  I imagine Louise was a fun woman in her youth, someone I would like to hang out with.  She used to go to Vegas every year with her girlfriends.   In all of the pictures they showed me, she was laughing and having a good time.  Once the children were grown they spent a lot of time traveling together.  When I asked them what they liked to do for fun they told me how much they loved to dance and spend time on their boat the named the Bob-O-Lou.  Though they can't dance much anymore, they still play cards every Saturday night and try to get out whenever they can.  Louise has some back problems, but Bob is always right there to help her out.

I am a born romantic, I love love more that anything else in the world.  I was lucky to get this amazing opportunity to spend time with and photograph Bob and Louise, a couple who is celebrating 68 years of love and marriage.  I hope their story inspires you as much as it did me.  Their lust for life is what keeps them young and their love for each other is what keeps them strong.

Bob holding a picture of his wife on their boat, The Bob-O-Lou. Louise saw this bear she really liked on T.V.  Bob saw the bear while he was out one day and brought it home to surprise his wife.  What a sweetheart.  Guys,  take a lesson from Bob's book.  After 68 years, he still makes sure his wife knows he is thinking of her.  I always say, it's the little things. Here Bob is telling me the reason he doesn't wear a wedding ring because it got caught while he was working.  

Louise was telling me how Bob showers her in gifts.  Here she is showing me a necklace he got for her. I really liked this part of the day.  Like every couple, Bob and Louise went through some rocky times when they were young.  There was a time when Louise got her own apartment for a short time.  Bob was always over visiting, he couldn't stay away from his love and children,  so their split didn't last long.  In the picture below she was saying "we were like, what are we doing?  It was silly, we wanted to be together, we had our family to take care of. "   She made sure I knew it wasn't always roses,  but they stuck it out through the tough times and they couldn't be happier about the life they have had together.    I would like to thank to my friend, Suzanne for introducing me to her these two beautiful souls.  She is very lucky to call them her grandparents.