Jessica & Collin | Portage Country Club Wedding

July 2, 2013

Jessica and Collin met over racks of Cleveland Indians shirts and Chief Wahoo bobble heads. They were just out of college and working in the Indians' merchandise department, which I personally think is a fantastic way to meet. :) After a couple outings with co-workers, they went out just the two of them. The rest, as they say, is history.

"After six years, Collin truly feels like a partner to me and [I know] that we can take on any challenge or celebration and it be that much better because we are facing it together," Jessica said.

The big challenge for these two has most likely been getting past the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry (only half kidding). Collin is the most devoted OSU grad you'll ever meet, and even though Jessica grew up a Michigan fan, he's pulled her over to the scarlet and gray. I'm pretty sure that compromise equates a successful marriage. :)

Jessica and Collin, thank you so much for trusting me to document your day the way you envisioned it. I wish you guys years and years and years of happiness!

Portage Country Club is an absolutely beautiful place!

So pretty, Jessica!

The flowers, by The Budding Tree, were to die for.

Collin wore his grandpa's cufflinks. :)

One of the best first looks ever!

Married!

Favorite!

Jessica, you are stunning! Love this one!

Jessica was such a good sport with this cake smashing. ;)

Jessica's dad loves his daughter so much!

Ceremony/Reception: Portage Country Club Videographer: AK Endless Productions Florist: The Budding Tree Hair Stylist: Carol Martin Salon Spa Makeup Artist: Beauty Lounge East DJ: Johnny V DJ Harpist: Debbie Beck Cake: Tiffany's Bakery Paper Goods: Melanie Giesel (Jessica's mom!), Stampin Up! Bride's Dress: Blue by Enzoanu Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bill Levkoff Suits: Jos. A. Bank Limo: Thomas Limousine Service Honeymoon: Dominican Republic!

To see more from Jessica and Collin's beautiful garden wedding, click here to view a SLIDESHOW or watch it here:

Jessica & Collin | Portage Country Club Wedding Sneak Peek

June 17, 2013

I was so excited to see blue skies this last Saturday. Jessica and Collin tied the knot on the patio of Portage Country Club, and the day could not have been more beautiful. I was particularly smitten with the rustic, garden details. :) While these two are off honeymooning, enjoy a sneak peek from their big day!

FAQ: Getting the Most out of Family Formals

March 19, 2013

I get a lot of questions about family formals, and rightly so. If I hadn't worked with a wedding photographer before I got married, I wouldn't have even known what "family formal" meant. Basically, family formals are the posed family photos that take place right before or after a wedding ceremony.

For the record, I want to point out that I am not a "pose-y" or traditional photographer. If a bride or groom is looking for these formal photographs throughout their wedding day then I am not the right photographer for them. I reserve a specific time for family formal photos, which have been meticulously planned for that specific time, and otherwise I'm shooting interactive portraits or as a fly on the wall.

That being said, I do think traditional family photos are important. I understand that grandma might not want to hang a candid shot on her wall or that this might be the first time your entire family has been in one place all together since 2004. I know I cherish the family photos we have from our wedding.

So, let's talk about how to make the family formal experience run smoothly and a good time for all:

Tell the applicable family members ahead of time that they should stay after the ceremony (or come before the ceremony if you're doing a first look) for photos. When you're coordinating so many people, someone is bound to be missed. Despite best efforts, it never seems to fail that someone on the family formal list leaves for the reception, either forgetting they were supposed to stay or never having been told. Send your family members a quick e-mail a couple weeks out to let them know that you'd love a photo with them before or after the ceremony.

Designate a family member to help round people up during photos. I have a planned list of photos that my assistant uses to get people lined up, but it always makes things go faster if a family member who knows most of the people on the list helps get them on deck. We don't necessarily know who Aunt Sally and Uncle Jim are, but a cousin can pull them out of the crowd.

Plan for a manageable number of photos. Look, I totally get that this is the one time everyone is together and you want to take advantage of that with lots of photo combinations, HOWEVER, it won't be a pleasant experience for anyone if you have 53 different groupings to get through. :) A couple months before a wedding, I send the bride and groom a list of family formal photo ideas. The list is long. I don't expect them to check every, single one. Ten to 12 different combinations is generally very manageable and can be done in 20 minutes if the groups don't include 50 people each. If a couple wants more photos than that but we don't have the time for it, we'll do a few more photos at the reception. Win-win!

Think about the lighting. If you have the option to take family formals outside, DO IT! I would choose natural light, bright photos over the light of a shadowy, dark church any day (notice all the photos in the blog post were taken in natural light). So if you and your family are OK with being a little untraditional, plan to move outside for photo time.

Jessica & Dennis | Engagement

November 2, 2012

They frequented the same places, knew the same people ... it's kind of amazing they didn't meet until one of their mutual friends mentioned that they might be good together. Although "good together" is an understatement. These two are flippin' fantastic together and so cute. :) One look at them and you know they love each other so much.

I spent some time with these two right as the leaves were changing. We walked around Quail Hollow and talked about life and their upcoming wedding. Then we stopped by The Barrel Room in North Canton, which is where these two met and months later celebrated their engagement with family and friends. I'm so honored to be photographing Jessica and Dennis' wedding next October. Can't wait! :)