Category Archives: Columbus Wedding Photography

Grand Event Center Wedding

Before this “winter” ends, I wanted to share a wedding from last February that is the perfect example of what a stunning winter wedding can be. Michelle and John were married at The Grand Event Center wedding in Grandview, near downtown Columbus, Ohio. This venue has sleek modern elements, floor-to-ceiling windows, and some seriously cool ceiling lights. Even Michelle and John’s invitations reminded me of the linear design of the lights in the ballroom. It was the perfect location for this chic wedding.

On the day of the wedding, I joined Michelle in her suite as she was getting ready. Her clean-lined dress reminded me of Megan Markle’s wedding dress from the front. It was the perfect combination of modern and traditional design. The dress featured a classic silhouette with a boat neckline, long sleeves, and a train. The deep plunging back of Michelle’s dress, however, had much more of a ‘wow’ factor. John gifted her an emerald ring that day which was the perfect compliment to her look.

Deep hunter-green velvet dresses were matched with earthy brown tweed suits to create a sophisticated bridal party style. Greens, creams, whites, and golds made the ceremony and reception feel like a warm romantic hideaway from the cold outside. Michelle and John said their “I do’s” in a candlelit ballroom, surrounded by the warmth of family and friends.

At the reception, each table was lovingly adorned with a photo of the couple’s fur baby, Timmy. Timmy also joined us for some of the portraits earlier in the evening. Dogs are always welcome to join me on a shoot!

The night was a magical one, filled with love, laughter, and joy. The bride and groom, surrounded by family and friends, danced and celebrated their love, and it truly was a night to remember. At the end of the night, guests filed out leaving Michelle and John alone on the dance floor for one last dance just for them.

Venue: Grand Event Center
Florist: Blumen
Wedding Coordinator: Shannah Paddock, The Grand Event Center
Videographer: Prodigy Weddings
DJ: Josh Staley
Cake: Giant Eagle
Hair and Makeup: Goode Beauty
Desserts: The Cheesecake Girl
Bride’s Dress: Davids Bridal
Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Groom’s Tux: Indochino
Groom’s Shoes: Stacy Adams

 

Grand Event Center Wedding Grand Event Center Wedding

Check out Michelle and John’s engagement shoot here.

Columbus Ohio Courthouse Wedding

For those looking to get married in a more intimate way, a Columbus Ohio Courthouse Wedding may just be the perfect experience!  All of the courthouse weddings take place during the week and by appointment only. Most of the streets tend to be pretty empty because everyone is at work. It is so exciting when you add on a photoshoot to the tail end of the elopement because it feels like the world is all your own! That’s exactly what Jeanne and Brett did.

Sometimes the courthouse is running behind for various reasons and you’ll have to wait. You can almost cut the anticipation with a knife! The actual ceremony inside the chamber takes anywhere from 3-10 minutes. It’s so quick you might not even realize you’re married! Jeanne and Brett were married in 2020, so they had to wear masks for their first kiss. I don’t know of a better sign of the times than that.

Afterward, we went all around the city from Downtown Columbus to German Village. It was so much fun to just relish the moment with them as a newly married couple. Jeanne’s tea-length skirt made for the most fun twirls and playful moments.

After the portrait session, we landed at her parent’s house in German Village where the happy couple was champagne toasted by their family. Happy tears were streaming down most people’s faces and it was a moment I’ll always remember.

If you’re looking to get married at the courthouse, add a photoshoot to make it an incredible experience that’s even more exciting than 5 minutes in a judge’s chambers.

Columbus Ohio Courthouse Wedding

Amelita Mirolo Barn Wedding

One of the highlights from my 2021 lineup was this Amelita Mirolo Barn Wedding! All of the bright reds, pinks, and purples make this a perfect post for the days leading up to Valentine’s Day early next week!

You might recognize Megan and Sathyan from their engagement shoot that I posted on the blog late last year. I was lucky enough to join them again for their Indian wedding celebration.

When you walked into the barn at Amelita Mirolo, every inch was bursting with color. Stacks of cupcakes with fluffy icing were adorned with brightly colored flowers. Vines and flowers were used to tie back the most vibrant canopy where the ceremony took place. Pink and orange table cloths spotted the room and made the whole space feel so vibrant and dynamic. During the ceremony, they had the back doors to the barn open. This created a beautiful backlit light that felt almost like we were outdoors.

Megan wore two dresses. Her first was the ceremony sari that was a deep purple. After the ceremony, she changed into a more comfortable but equally stunning red sari. I really loved photographing both of them and we even had some fun spinning the second one on top of a small hill nearby.

A special thank you to Megan and Sat for having me with you on the first of two wedding days you celebrated last year. It was an honor and a privilege! I can’t wait to see what’s next for you both! XO Jess

 

amelita mirolo barn indian wedding

Via Vecchia Wedding

I am so excited to share this Via Vecchia wedding today. I think we can all agree that the last couple of years has been somewhat of a cluster. Tara and Jason tied the knot in 2020, but I’m just getting around to blogging about all these great weddings recently. I have stockpiles of things I can’t wait to share!

This was such a HOT day, so ironically I’m writing about it on the coldest day of the year. Even though it was so hot, everything had this sunny glow about it and I remember the images we captured really showed that. One of my favorite parts of the whole day was shooting over near the Prema Design’s warehouse. Because they were doing the florals for the wedding, they were nice enough to let us use their really cool alleyway for photos. They also have the most beautiful floral mural outside their shop which made for such an elegant portrait of Tara as the sun flooded in across her face and gown.

Another fun characteristic of shooting in direct sun is playing with the shadows the light makes. I just love how some of the trees in German VIllage were spilling the most magical speckled shadows. A light breeze blew in right when we were shooting and grabbed Tara’s dress! This made for such a dazzling portrait of her and Jason.

I also need to mention Via Veccia’s back patio which is nothing short of enchanting. We added some off-camera flashes, and the place just lit up to perfection for the most beautiful first dance photos under the stars and bistro lights!

I can’t thank these two enough for entrusting me with the photos from their day. From start to finish it was such a fun whirlwind.

Vendors:

Venue: Via Vecchia Winery

Catering and Cake: Milo’s Catering

Florist: Prema Designs

DJ: Party Pleasers

Dress: Wendy’s Bridal

Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Hair and Makeup: Hair Artists

Groom’s Tux and Shoes: Romanoff’s

 

Via Vecchia Wedding

 

Backyard Columbus Ohio Wedding

This backyard Columbus Ohio wedding was quite simply, a dream. I was hired to photograph Nicholas and Joseph’s wedding because their larger blow-out celebration that was set to be in Chicago was sadly canceled because of COVID last year. When I arrived at their house, I walked into the backyard and was met with the most stunning table set up under hanging bistro lights. The landscaping was to die for. There were lots of little places to sit around the yard, a fire was going, and so. many. candles. You would have thought that the florals had been done by a professional florist, but Joseph actually did them himself!

When I arrived, Nick and Joe were getting ready inside and everyone was bustling about their home. A Cake for Leroy was putting the final touches on their cake in the kitchen. Their best friends were in and out the back door setting everything up. There was such fun energy in the air.

Right before guests arrived, Joe and Nick joined me for a few portraits around their yard. The table setup was so stunning I had to make it part of some shots. These two have such a deep bond with each other and I could really feel how important this day was for both of them. Happy tears streamed from both of them. Their love was palpable.

Joseph’s brother officiated the ceremony amongst an intimate group of friends and family. Their vows were some of the best I had ever heard. They described what it really felt like to meet the love of your life. The vows were also very poetic and sincere. The space these two created at that moment was electric, and one that I’ll never forget.

After the vows were exchanged and the rings were placed, it was time to party and celebrate! Cameron Mitchell provided the most beautiful appetizers and food for the event. Everyone gave Nick and Joe a champagne toast to their new marriage! As the sun tucked below the horizon, guests were seated and the happy couple danced in each other’s arms under the glow of the twinkling lights. Dinner continued into the dark of night and laughing faces were illuminated by the glow of candlelight. It was such a beautiful moment in time. I can’t thank Joseph and Nicholas enough for trusting me with capturing their vision.

Vendors

Catering: Cameron Mitchell Premier Events
Cake: A Cake for Leroy
Flowers: self
Rentals: Event Source
Tuxes and Shoes: Calvin Klein

Backyard Columbus Ohio Wedding

hilliard wedding photographers

Hilliard Ohio Wedding Photos

These two celebrated their one-year anniversary yesterday so what better time to share their Hilliard Ohio wedding photos with the world! You might recognize them from their engagement shoot I posted a couple of weeks back.  Lindsay and Jake are two of the funniest people you could ever be around. I laughed so hard I cried at least twice at this wedding. To have so much joy even though they were in the midst of having to pivot their original wedding plans because of the pandemic is a true testament to their relationship and bond.

When they realized their original wedding wasn’t going to work with COVID restrictions, at the last minute, Lindsay and Jake found the Norwich Pavilion which is a stunning outdoor facility in Hilliard’s Weaver Park. It is painted all white and just perfect for an outdoor wedding that’s also sheltered from a warm June day. As Lindsay walked toward the Pavillion, she and her dad emerged from a covered bridge into the bright sunlight. It was a major WOW factor! She looked stunning. Her dress had beautiful lace sleeves that kissed her shoulders. She wore her hair down in cascading curls. When Jake saw her, he was ear-to-ear smiles.

It wasn’t what they had originally planned, but this wedding was so beautiful and intimate. And, because of its size, we were able to get the best photo of everyone that attended the wedding! Congratulations to Lindsay and Jake and their one-year anniversary yesterday! I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you both. Lots of love, Jess

Hilliard Ohio Wedding Photos

Park of roses elopement

Park of Roses Elopement

Today I am so delighted to share Eric and Bogna’s Park of Roses Elopement. When the world around you feels like it’s ending, postponing your wedding plans and everything else, I just love what Bogna and Eric said: F it! Let’s do this! I am so proud of them for following their hearts, pivoting during very uncertain COVID times, and tying the knot in a very small intimate ceremony at the Whetstone Park of Roses early last year.

Their adorable doggie joined the party, just like at their engagement shoot. All the trees in the park were newly coated green and some spring blossoms were still in full show. After the small ceremony, we walked around the park and took photos in the spring sunlight. When we came back, the family toasted the happy new couple, including some family across the world that was on zoom. It was so special and heartfelt.

I am so so excited to join them again later this year to have their bigger celebration with family and friends! Keep an eye out for these two on the blog later this year!

Park of Roses Elopement

estate at New albany wedding

Estate at New Albany Wedding

I have been so excited to share this Estate at New Albany Wedding and today’s the day! Shooting at the Estate is always wonderful because the grounds are stunning any season of the year. The lighting is always sublime and I swear there are always the best sunsets when I shoot there.

This wedding was terrific- mostly because these two were SO much fun to hang out with. From start to finish, I had the biggest smile on my face. Jessica was just glowing all day. Every time I took her portrait, she just lit up my lenses. Her beauty definitely radiated inside and out.

Michael and Jessica took their vows under a towering canopy of trees that were turning every shade of red and yellow. It was exquisite, to say the least. One of my favorite photos was from when Jessica and her dad were walking towards the aisle, and you can see her between two tree branches with sprays of beautiful autumnal colors behind her.

Thank you so much Jessica and Michael for letting me share this day with you! It was such an honor to be there with you both. XO Jess

Venue: Estate at New Albany
Wedding Coordinator: Kylie Douglas
Florist: Bloomtastic
DJ: DJ Axcess
Dress: Amsale
Bride’s Shoes: Bella Belle
Bride’s Hair: Liz Mann
Bride’s Makeup: Liz Mann
Groom’s Tux: Calvin Klien

 

estate at New Albany Wedding

Best Wedding Photographers in Columbus

Hey all! I’m so excited to announce that I have made Expertise’s list of the best wedding photographers in Columbus, OH.

best wedding photographers in columbus

This list is a great resource for finding some great talent in Columbus and I’m honored to be a part of it!
This ranking was made on the following selection criteria:
  • 1. Availability

    Consistently approachable and responsive, so customers never feel ignored.

  • 2. Qualifications

    Building customer confidence with licensing, accreditations, and awards.

  • 3. Reputation

    A history of delighted customers and outstanding service.

  • 4. Experience

    Masters of their craft, based on years of practical experience and education.

  • 5. Professionalism

    Providing service with honesty, reliability, and respect.

Fall wedding at High Line Car House

Tonight I get to feature Jenn and DWs gorgeous wedding from last year at High Line Car House! I have been so excited to show this one off because from start to finish, this day was just magical. This is also the first time in 12 years that I’ve had a pet stand at the front with the couple as they got married. Cooper was very respectful and didn’t steal the show too much!!

DW and Jenn did a first look at Schiller Park in German Village. It was so much fun to see DW’s reaction as they both turned around. He was overcome with emotion and photographers just live for those moments! From there we casually walked around the park, talking and laughing with the whole bridal party. Jenn’s cathedral length veil was just everything. Long veils make the whole bridal look so elegant and romantic. One of my favorite photos we got was the picture of their basset hound Cooper standing in front of the bridal party. He even had his own little tuxedo!

We all headed back to High Line to watch these two tie the knot! It was so intimate, loving, and warm in that room. From there we all moved to the main space of High Line and got the party started. Tables were accented with flowers from Jewelwedding Floral Studio, candles, and the most beautiful glass pumpkins. Kitties Cakes supplied the most incredible desserts as well! After their first dance, we snuck out to do a few night photos in front of the Columbus Love sign downtown. To finish off the night, guests were treated to The Whirlybirds live band. This day had the best energy from start to finish. So much love to you both DW and Jenn. You’ll never know how lucky I feel that you walked into my life! XO J