Kelsey & Matt | The Club at Hillbrook Winter Wedding

February 27, 2014

As freshmen at Miami University, Kelsey and Matt heard the stories about kissing your sweetheart under the Upham Hall arch. As the tale goes, couples who kiss under the arch will get married. Kelsey and Matt didn't know each other as incoming freshmen, but a couple years later they would meet in a marketing class inside the very building that houses the arch. And a couple more years later? They'd be married as Miami Mergers.

I admittedly get overly excited about Miami Mergers because I am half of one myself, but I think Kelsey and Matt would 100 percent agree that Miami is a special place (check out their engagement photos around campus). And these two are special themselves. I could gush all day about how fun-loving and genuine Kelsey and Matt are, but they gush about each other much better.

"I love that I get to see a very goofy, fun side of Matt that nobody else gets to see," Kelsey said. "Everyone knows that he is charming and funny, but I get to see how truly hilarious he is!"

And then Matt chimed in:

"She picks up ALL of my slack and is always ridiculously cute."

As if this wedding couldn't get any better, Elizabeth Anne Designs is featuring Kelsey and Matt's big day on their blog today! I've admired Elizabeth Anne Designs for SO long, and I'm so, so excited that these two are featured as a "Real Wedding." Make sure to head over there and leave them some love!

The perfect amount of snow fell for Kelsey and Matt's winter wedding, and Kelsey had cute boots on hand to help her navigate outdoor portraits (yes, we did ALL pictures outside! It was fantastic!)

Kelsey's dress from Something White was so unique and beautiful! I highly suggest giving Karin and Rebecca a buzz if you're in the market for a gown.

Kelsey's grandmother's fur helped keep her warm all day.

I love the brothers discussing where the ring will go ...

Recognize these cuties??

These two share such an awesome relationship. I have so much respect for them.

Beautiful Ashley! (Have I mentioned that I love this family??)

Then it was off to the Hillbrook, which is one of my favorite places to shoot!

These two traipsed through the snow for portraits. I cannot stress enough how amazing they are.

How beautiful are these details? Shi Shi Events and Blooms did a fantastic job putting them together!

And then--and THEN!--it started snowing, and Kelsey asked if we could go outside and take pictures. Ohhh my goodness.

Kelsey and Matt, you are FABULOUS! I'm so thankful we got to work together and laugh together and get to know each other. Go have a fantastic adventure, OK?

Check out Kelsey and Matt's AMAZING video by Anthony Codispoti (If you're looking for a videographer, you should contact this guy!): Ceremony: Church of the Resurrection Reception: The Club at Hillbrook Wedding Planning and Design: Shi Shi Events Videographer: Blue Tie Cinema, Anthony Codispoti Florist: Blooms Bakery: Cake Couture DJ: TKO Entertainment Stationery: Poeme Hair Stylist: Bridal Hair by Kristin Collins Makeup Artist: Jessica Miller Bride's Dress: Something White, Heidi Elnora Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell Tuxes: Men's Wearhouse, Pronto Uomo Transportation: A-1 Mr. Limo Honeymoon: Aruba & Curacao!

Rachael & Nick | Canton Ohio Winter Wedding

January 17, 2014

One of my very favorite things about weddings is family. The bride and groom becoming their own family unit, two families becoming one and family members from all over the world coming together to celebrate. I love observing the bride and groom with those they love most, happy that everyone is in one place, at least for a little while.

Rachael and Nick have awesome families. I know their marriage will be strong and supported because they have fantastic people behind them every step of the way. Watching them with their families was my very favorite thing about their wedding. That and seeing the two of them get married in Rachael's home church, which was so very important to her. (Fun fact: My mom was Rachael's youth minister and she got to marry them!)

Rachael and Nick, you guys are just fantastic. What an honor it was to photograph your marriage. Thank you for the privilege!

Nick was a little nervous before the ceremony, but his groomsmen kept him laughing during portraits. :)

It was a tad frigid outside. Needless to say, these ladies are awesome!

Rachael. You are gorgeous.

Rachael's aunt put together all the beautiful flowers, most of which were complete with peacock details!

Such a sweet moment between Rachael and her dad ...

and Nick and his mom.

This picture cracks me up. These kids had about enough of the slow dances and just wanted to get out on the dance floor! (See below.)

Ceremony: Trinity United Church of Christ Reception: La Pizzaria Florist: Cathy Cowgill Flowers Bakery: All Occasions Bakery DJ: Beach Boyz Entertainment Hair Stylist: Sherry McAfee Makeup Artist: Nate Sexton Bride's Dress: Linde's, Mori Lee Bride's Shoes: Michaelangelo Bridesmaids' Dresses: Linde's, Bill Levkoff Tuxes: American Commodore, Ralph Lauren Honeymoon: Hawaii!

Crystal & Mark | Cleveland Federated Family Life Center Wedding

January 8, 2014

There's a little bit of 2013 left over here! I've been posting Facebook albums like crazy, and now I have ONE last wedding to share with you all: Crystal and Mark! Crystal is a witty Cleveland blogger, and I wanted to give her space to do her own posts before I did my own.

Looking at these photos makes me feel SO warm in the midst of this freezing cold weather. Crystal and Mark had the most perfect day for their outdoor Botanical Garden wedding ceremony. It was blue skies all the way and a breezy 78 or so degrees. Sounds good right about now. :)

Weather aside, my favorite thing about Crystal and Mark's day was the way they looked at each other. I know that sounds cliché, but it's so easy to get swept along with the craziness of your wedding. I should know! And it's for that reason that I love observing couples on their big day. I love the stolen glances and the private moments that happen in the middle of the crowd. I admire the respect and adoration Crystal and Mark have for each other, and I know it's only strengthened since September.

Enjoy my favorites from this sunny day:

Lindsay London was on hand to doll up Crystal.

Oh my goodness, the flowers. Spenser of Life in Bloom outdid herself!

Such sweet moments between Crystal and her dad.

Married!

These two are Clevelanders through and through.

Luna provided the delectable (and I do mean delectable) cake and cupcakes.

And then there was a donut truck. So cool!

Sarah & Steve | Vintage Medina Ohio Wedding

November 7, 2013

Sarah and Steve were friends in high school, although Sarah might not throw around the term "friend." All of sophomore year they rode the bus to and from school together, and Steve would flirt with Sarah. She complained to her family about the "annoying kid on the bus," but it must not have been TOO bad.

"I saw Sarah the first day [of riding the bus] and ever since have been hooked!" Steve said. "I flirted with her every day I saw her and made sure to get under her skin. Eventually she came around and started to see my cuteness."

A few years later, once college had started, they reconnected and started spending every free minute together. After five years of dating, Steve proposed ... on Valentine's Day nonetheless.

"Steve brings out the best in me," Sarah said. "He makes me laugh, and I can be completely comfortable around him. He is so supportive and, above all, patient. I couldn't imagine living without Steve."

Sarah and Steve, thank you for being an example of what marriage should like. You two are unbelievable sweet, and I wish you nothing but the best as you start this new journey. :)