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.
When the pandemic hit, Brianna and Theo were forced to put their large wedding on hold. However, the couple didn’t want to put their love on hold and decided to move ahead with a Flat 51 microwedding in Columbus, Ohio with only nine of their closest loved ones in attendance.
“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we planned to have a traditional wedding with nearly 300 guests in October 2020,” recalls Brianna. “As the pandemic continued throughout spring 2020, we decided to cancel the original wedding and plan a microwedding for September 13, 2020. We decided to change the date to commemorate our dating anniversary in September. Our planner, Lucretia Williams of Distinct Event Planning, guided us in adapting our original vision for a three hundred person wedding to an event for eleven of our closest friends and family. We had two style inspirations, city-chic aesthetic and elements of nature. The freshness and brightness of the greenery contrasted with the minimalism of the white and black.”
The couple’s all-white loft space provided a black slate backdrop to their contemporary wedding which was filled with plenty of greenery, sleek glass accents and pop of jet black. Since so few people were in attendance, the couple even sat everyone at one giant square table for an intimate dinner. “We like a city-chic aesthetic and elements of nature,” says Brianna of what inspired the aesthetic of their wedding at Flat 51 in Columbus, Ohio. “We wanted to bring the freshness and brightness of the greenery to contrast the minimalism of the white and black.
The combination of candles and greenery created a calm and tranquil environment. A simple arrangement of greenery on the wall was the backdrop for the ceremony. The simple touch cemented the city garden feel for the ceremony. Our table decor included candles in votives of various heights, white flowers, black china, and black silverware. When the sunset during dinner, it felt as though we were at an intimate garden dinner party.”
Beyond decor, the couple’s fashion choices for the wedding in Columbus, Ohio, were also uber chic. Brianna rocked a robe with feather trim atop her wedding dress. “I did not want to wear my original wedding dress for the microwedding but I struggled to come up with a different vision,” says Brianna. “I wanted to wear something unique and unexpected. One day about two months before the wedding while standing in a socially distanced line outside the grocery store, the vision for my look hit me. I wanted a look that incorporated elements of my everyday style but was unique for the wedding. I envisioned a simple sheath dress with an elaborate robe over it. I looked endlessly online to find the perfect dress and robe combination. My dress had a simply chic vibe – exactly what I was looking for. The sheath silhouette, mini shoulder pads, and side cutouts exemplified my preference for elevated basics. I wore a sheer white robe with ostrich feather sleeves on top. The ostrich sleeves were the perfect touch to elevate my bridal look. I wore baby’s breath statement earrings to compliment the organic greenery of our decor. I made the bold choice to wear a smokey eye and absolutely loved how Yodit of Amlaz Faces did my makeup. I wore my hair simple and sleek to keep the dramatic focus on my robe’s feather sleeves. I felt like a 70’s ethereal goddess.”
Meanwhile, Theo paired his green suit with a fun floral tie. “After discussing the theme of the micro wedding with Brianna I had an idea of what I wanted to wear. I knew from that day on I wanted to wear a suit that had green in it. My next job was to find the perfect green suit that I would want to wear. I ended up trying out a custom suit company called Indochino. I was able to customize everything I wanted on the suit and even put a monogram ‘TB 9.13.20’ into the suit jacket pocket. I chose peak wide lapels and a wilted chest pocket for the suit jacket. I went back and forth between how many buttons I wanted but I ended up going with a 4 button layout of a double-breasted suit jacket. I had the inside lined with a green tropical print. To complete the outfit I found some brown shoes, a nice white dress shirt with the perfect collar, and a floral tie with a little blue in it to really pop with the green suit,” says Theo of his bold green look. Beyond the couple’s chosen attire being stunning, the anticipation of finding out what Brianna was wearing was particularly memorable for Theo. “For me, the part of the wedding that I anticipated the most was seeing Brianna walk down the aisle. She did everything under the sun to keep me in the dark for what she was wearing,” he recalls. “When she came into view I was stunned. She had never looked better. To this day I am still in shock.”
Looking back on their contemporary green-and-white wedding at Flat 51 in Columbus, Ohio, Theo encourages all current to-be-weds in the throes of wedding planning to “take your time. Be patient. Take time to really bask in the engagement, it goes fast.” Meanwhile, Brianna reflects on how “planning a wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic made us all focus on what matters the most. Although our wedding may not have been our original idea, it was the day of my dreams more than I could have imagined. Our wedding focused on our love for each other and reflected who we are. I had the perfect day.”
Last year, I was so excited to learn that this wedding had been published on the knot!
I’m so excited to share this engagement at Schiller Park today on the blog! Sat and Megan are so much fun to be around, but little Darwin might have stolen the show. Look at that cute little face! The weather was so beautiful and golden glowy last year when we met up in German Village. We laughed so much and had such a good time, that later these two hired me to do their Indian wedding that was here in Columbus earlier this year. I absolutely loved every minute with these two and am so lucky they came into my life! XO Jess
I have been waiting a whole year to share these engagement photos in German Village. Brianna and Theo are just like rays of sunshine to be around. They are so warm and funny and completely in love!
We did this engagement shoot early last year when all the COVID stuff was just ramping up. It was my second pandemic shoot and I remember it felt so good to be back at it because for a little over a month we weren’t even allowed to photograph anyone.
The colors were just BURSTING from every german village stoop. It was incredibly spectacular to see. Bri and Theo’s wedding colors were white and green, and so it was just lucky that everything was so lush and lent itself well to their palette.
Brianna and Theo decided to elope late last year in THE MOST STUNNING wedding. I can’t wait to share it soon on the blog! Until then, please enjoy some of my favorite engagement photos from last year:) XO J
I’m so excited to share Alli and Trevor’s engagement in German Village today! This was actually the last shoot I did before COIVD-19 shut the world down. None of us knew that everything was about to change so dramatically. On this day, it was just laughter and smiles as we strolled around the village.
We did this session in early spring, right as the weather turned to get warmer. It’s my favorite time of year. There is nothing other than a warm beam of sunshine on your face after a long winter. It’s so calming for me and I am all about everything spring. Ali and Trevor brought their fur baby Artie to join in the fun. He was so cute and soaked up every snuggle he could get.
I think some of my favorite photos from the shoot were the ones we took outside the Old Mohawk. I love it when people incorporate special places in their shoots.
Ali and Trevor had to postpone their NYE 2020 celebration to 2021 but they still celebrated last year by eloping and ringing in the new year as husband and wife. I was lucky enough to join them for this insanely special and fun backyard event so keep your eye out for a blog about that! I can’t wait to celebrate again with these two later this year. XO Jess
This Schiller Park engagement was so sweet and loving. January and February are generally considered engagement season in the wedding world. To celebrate, I wanted to highlight some of my favorite engagement sessions from last year! Today I’m excited to share Erin and Joey‘s fall session.
To be around these two is to feel their mutual love for one another. The way they interact is so sweet and genuine. There were so many genuine smiles and laughs this day!
Erin also has the most perfect curly hair. My hair is also very curly and I’m always in awe of those who can manage to make it look incredible. I’m also in love with her cool style. The skirt she wore is definitely a piece I want in my own closet!
Erin and Joey were supposed to have their big wedding in 2020, but when COVID hit, their plans changed like so many of my clients. They ended up eloping in their backyard and I’m so excited to join them later this year for their big celebration!
Congratulations are in order to these two! If you can get through planning a wedding in a pandemic, you can do anything!
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
Even though this wedding wasn’t from November, I still wanted to share it this week because it had the perfect fall and Thanksgiving palate. Last year, I had the honor of photographing Kendra and Andrew’s wedding in downtown Columbus. These two are so in love and it just showed through in every photo. We did the first look outside of their hotel, the Hyatt downtown. The Hyatt has really vamped up their rooms in the last couple of years and it’s become an awesome place to get ready for a wedding. Beautiful Ivy scaled the outside of the Hyatt, making it the perfect backdrop for seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day. As Andrew turned around, they both started to laugh, totally overcome with joy that they had finally made it to their wedding day! Then they embraced and just melted into the other’s arms. It was a quiet and magical moment where the whole world seemed to pause just for an instant.
From the first look, we stopped in German Village for their portraits. A bright red wall we found complimented the bright orange and maroon florals just perfectly. It was then time to get married! We went to the Boathouse at Confluence Park and went outside to their back patio for the ceremony. There is a sweeping view of the Columbus skyline that is simply spectacular. Tears filled both Kendra and Andrew’s eyes as they said their vows and pledged their lives to one another.
It was then time to party! Guests were treated to champagne and city views all night long and the dancing was spectacular! Earlier this year Kendra and Andrew welcomed a little baby to their family. It’s been such a cool two years for these two even though 2020 certainly has come with challenges. Thank you Kendra and Andrew for trusting me with these beautiful memories!
Look at this little pumpkin! I just wanted to hop on here and wrap up Familypalooza on the blog with this sweet fall session from last year. I photographed Sharon and Justin’s wedding a few years back and now they have adorable little Griffin as part of their family! When we took these photos, German Village was in full fall color and the air was getting just cold enough to give a rose-colored kiss on the end of your nose. This little man was so dapper in his shawl neck sweater. I couldn’t stop smiling the entire session. Thank you again to the Jorgenson family for having me over to document this special day!
Even though this year has been challenging in knowing how to navigate a pandemic in regards to how to photograph weddings and couples, I find the engagement shoots I’ve done to be as close to “normal” as you can get. And for that, I am so thankful. Engagement shoots are so much fun for me because I love getting to know people a little better before their wedding day. It’s like we’re able to go on a small adventure together, which is bonding.
This was one of the coolest stories I’ve come across in my career! Marissa used to live in the house I live in now! She was looking up her old home online and it showed that my company was stationed out of there. Fast forward to her engagement, and she thought of me! My husband and I live out of the room she used to live in while we save up the funds to redo the owner’s suite. I can’t even tell you how happy it made me to meet them. It was also so much fun showing off the updates we’ve been able to do in the last five years.
Marissa wore the world’s most beautiful flowy dress to the Audubon portion of their shoot. And lucky for us, there was an intermittent wind that would blow through and make her dress come alive. Some of the photos just felt magical as I took them. A good wind will do that.
We rounded out the shoot with a small walk around German Village. The flowers and landscapes were showing off for us. Every corner seemed to overflow with early summer blooms and life. Thank you so much, Marissa and Chris, for this day. I can’t wait to join you at your wedding in October! XO J
