Tonya and Adam... A Halloween Wedding!

Last weekend I had the honor of photographing Tonya and Adam as they began their life together. It was so close to Halloween, they decided to throw in a few Haloween-ish touches. Not too much, just enough to let everyone know that the holiday is just around the corner! It was a little chilly to do too many photos outside, but the ceremony was held at St. Cecelia Catholic Church, which had beautiful light, so shooting a few photos inside was not a problem!

Tonya's gown was a gorgeous cream-colored ruffled work of art!

Some strappy shoes!

No Peeking before the ceremony!

The beautiful light I was talking about!

Just because it was Halloween..

We did make it outside for just a few before they were introduced at the reception held at the Grand Valley Dale Ballroom...Have I mentioned how awesome the sky is in the fall??

This wedding party was a really fun group!

Another Halloween touch...

I don't often remember the songs couples do their first dances to (too busy clicking the shutter), but Adam and Tonya's choice stuck with me...they did their first dance to "Stand By Me"... so sweet!

Valley Dale has quite a history, and when you look at it from over the balcony you can almost hear the legends that once played there (Billie Holliday, Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey... even Frank Sinatra) and see the couples that jitterbugged there so many years before...

Forget the shoes and just dance!

Lisa Clelend was my second shooter for the day and she got some great shots of the "in-between" moments as well as some beautiful shots of the Adam and Tonya. Here are just a couple of her great images...

You can see more of Lisa's images here. Thanks so much, Lisa for spending the day with me and capturing such beautiful moments!

Adam, Tonya...have a wonderful time on your honeymoon! I had a fantastic time documenting your day, and I can't wait to show you the rest!

Aaron and Janell...The Wedding!

It's not every day that I get to photograph a wedding for a bride who was just a kid at my own wedding so many years ago. But that was just the case this past Saturday when Isaac and I were honored enough to document the wedding of Janell and Aaron.

Isaac second shot for me and he caught this one of the church against the gorgeous blue of the autumn sky...


Provisions for the girls while they got ready..

Some detail of the beadwork on Janell's gown...

Shoes!

Janell was a stunning bride in her 40's inspired veil...

While I was up at the front of the church getting the processional, Isaac hung back and got this one of Janell and her parents just as they were about to walk down the aisle...Those are always some of the most precious moments...

The ceremony...

It was starting to get a little chilly after the ceremony, but Aaron and Janell didn't mind so we shot a few romantic shots around the exterior of the church...

They left for the reception in an insanely cool scarlett and grey party bus. I'm always on the lookout for reflections, so I couldn't pass up this little opportunity.

With a scarlet and grey bus, it had to be done...

A few more of the gorgeous couple...

I love, love, love this shot! Taken just under the awning at the Made From Scratch Banquet Center, it looks like the super funky wedding party-bus- spaceship has just landed!

The couple's first dance...

Thank you Aaron and Janell for having us along for your beautiful day! Congratulations to both of you!

Daniel and Rachel...Married!

Congratulations to Daniel and Rachel who were married this past weekend in the Queen City! For being October, the weather has been awesome for weddings lately and Saturday was certainly no exception!
Rachel and Daniel exchanged vows in the Mount Airy Forest's Vasey Garden...a beautiful, intimate setting. They opted to see each other before the ceremony so we could take some time and get a few photos at Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati. It was an amazing day, and we got some great photos..



I liked the reflection here..

The gown just waiting to be put on...

The wedding party at Fountain Square...

I think this one is my favorite...

They both made some awesome footwear choices, so that had to be captured!

And the cakes...well, they were all cheesecakes! Could anything be cooler??

Congratulations Daniel and Rachel!

Amy and Ray

Fall is by far my very favorite season. The crisp air, the deep blue skies..sweaters and football... Not to mention apple cider and pumpkins! There is something beautiful in every season (yes, even in winter), but Fall is special.

Amy and Ray must have thought so too, because they planned their Fall ceremony at Franklin Park Conservatory surrounded by friends and family and the most beautiful fall colors!

There are a ton of pictures to post here, I really just couldn't narrow down my favorites to less than these..

Amy's gorgeous fall bouquet...

Getting a helping hand with her one-of-a-kind gown...

Her jewelry, handmade by a friend...

The ladies sharing in a toast...

More of the amazing color in the flowers...

Ray seeing Amy as she walks down the aisle (seriously, anyone who says guys don't get emotional at their weddings has never witnessed a Groom when he sees his Bride for the first time..)

A few favorites from the terrace ceremony...

We had a chance to get out on the grounds of the park before the ceremony to get some romantic photos of Amy and Ray together (or as one individual at the reception called them "Ray-Me")...

This one is probably my favorite image of the day...the light was just perfect and they are looking at each other in such an adoring way...

Congratulations Amy and Ray, and thanks so much for including me in your wedding day!