Category Archives: LeVeque Tower

A bride and groom kissing on their wedding day

The Ellis Columbus Wedding

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Hello, blog! It’s been a while! 2022 was one of the craziest years I’ve ever had and by far my most successful at Jessica Miller photography. I got to meet some amazing, amazing people. I got to shoot some of the most beautiful events I’ve ever been to. The events industry came roaring back, and I soaked it all up one weekend at a time.

Today I am sharing Lindsay and Scott’s showstopping wedding. From beginning to end, this wedding was relaxed and fun with a hint of glamour. When I walked into the room and saw Lindsay, her hairstyle took my breath away. Even though it was extremely hot and windy outside, it stayed put all day, and I’m still not sure what kind of voodoo magic took place to make that possible.

They both got ready at the LeVeque hotel autograph collection, which also happens to be one of my favorite hotels in downtown Columbus to photograph. The lighting in the suite is so editorial. I just had to take advantage of it for some shots of Lindsay after she got her dress on. those photos are still some of my favorites from the day. I talk a lot with my couples about how less can be more; this is a perfect example. Give me a neutral room with great window light and I’ll give you magic.

For their first look, we shot right outside the grand entrance overhang of the LeVeque Tower. It’s the place where chic art deco dreams are made. This location is so show-stopping to photograph, so it’s no surprise that Lindsay and Scott looked like absolute royalty.

After their first look, we took so many glamorous shots inside the LeVeque. Then with the whole bridal party, we went across the street to city hall. The bridesmaids’ dresses matched the windows of city hall and I love happy accidents like that. Our last stop before leaving for the venue was the rooftop of the LeVeque parking garage. It not only has a great view of the Columbus riverfront, but it also makes a killer backdrop for some champagne popping. Scott made everyone run away from him with the way the champagne was sprayed everywhere. It was so so funny and I just love the photos from this moment.

When we arrived at their venue, The Ellis, guests were greeted with a Champagne tower. The way the light hit each glass made the whole display so enchanting. Scott and Lindsay said their vows and “I dos” on the back patio in the warm afternoon sun.

The Ellis is in Italian Village and right in that area is so beautiful that we decided to do just a few more photos after Scott and Lindsay’s ceremony. The rest of the evening was such a beautiful blur. These two we’re surrounded by so much love, laughter, and friendship. Cheers to you both and thank you a million times over for trusting me with this perfect day!

Hotel: Hotel Leveque Autograph Collection
Venue: The Ellis
Suit: Pursuit
Florals: Fiori Florals
DJ: D and M DJ Entertainment
Dress: La Jeuene Mariee
Hair and Makeup: 614 Beauty
Cake: Sauer Cakes

bride and groom in hotel lobby

Dock 580 Wedding Photos

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I have been so excited to share this wedding. It was one of my most memorable from 2019 simply because we took portraits in gale-force winds.

I posted about Jaimie and Dwayne’s engagement shoot a while back and you can see all the pretty here. Fast forward to their wedding day, and I found myself at the LeVeque Hotel in downtown Columbus with the ladies as they were getting ready. This hotel is one of my favorites for getting ready photos and offers amazing opportunities for portraits as well. The hotel has a celestial theme to it and the decor echos the art deco styles of the 1920s.

Jaimie and Dwayne did their “first look” in the hotel lobby. I just loved seeing Dwayne’s ear-to-ear smile as he turned around to see how beautiful Jaimie looked in her wedding dress. From there we walked around the lobby area and took some seriously cool photos. We utilized the building’s multiple floors to get cool angles and new perspectives. I just adore the portrait of the whole wedding party that also includes the towering multi-story chandelier. I actually got the entire wedding party to follow me out to the roof of the LeVeque parking garage, which is a very unique and fun place to shoot. However, on this particular day, it was so windy, we all immediately decided to come up with a different option. So we all headed over to the main library downtown and took some beautiful and classical portraits. While we were there, I asked how they would feel if we still headed over to take some outdoor photos in front of some new Columbus murals. They were awesome sports and agreed. While the wind was just crazy, it also gave us some of the coolest photos from the day, and a whole lot of genuine laughter.

I really enjoyed their ceremony as well. Dwayne’s brother officiated different parts of it which made it so sentimental and all the more memorable. After they tied the knot, I headed over to Dock 580 to photograph details and get ready for the reception. When I walked through the front doors, I wasn’t prepared for how beautiful it looked inside. Everywhere you looked there were stunning details. LIttle signs, geometric flower arrangements, and so many desserts you didn’t know where to look first. Above anything from this wedding that really stuck with me the most was the energy from their family and friends that was in the room with them that night. It was just electric. These two are so loved and for a very good reason. I feel so blessed to have been there. Thank you Jaimie and Dwayne for trusting me to capture your day!

Getting ready at Hotel LeVeque Groom on his wedding day Hotel Leveque first look Hotel LeVeque wedding portraits Downtown Columbus Library wedding photos bride and groom kiss in front of mural wedding photos in front of murals Columbus Episcopal Wedding Episcopal columbus wedding ceremony dock 580 wedding details wedding desserts dock 580 wedding reception wedding couple dancing

Franklin Park Palm House Wedding Photos

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Ok, prepare yourself. This wedding is so special, so loving, and so uniquely Tyler and Thomas. These two decided to stray from the typical event formula and instead of having a rehearsal dinner, they had an intimate wedding the night before their big reception! To make it even more fun, we did their engagement shoot right before they said their vows. I’ve shot over 300 weddings and this is the first time I’ve ever done one like this. It had everything. The small intimate ceremony and the large no-holds-barred party. Just perfect if you ask me.

We started the weekend of festivities at Goodale Park where spring was vibrant with its saturated greens. This was the first time I had met either of them, but you would never know that. It felt like I was hanging out with old friends. Tyler is from Canada so he thanked me after every photo I took, which just gave me a natural high from days. These are two of the sweetest people you could ever meet. As we walked and took photos, we slowly made our way down High Street to Hubbard Grille, where their ceremony took place. Hubbard Grille has a second-floor event space that is just perfect for a smaller dinner or event like this. And if you go there, try the Brussel sprouts. I don’t even like Brussel sprouts and I think it’s quite possibly one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.

Thomas’ dad officiated the quick ceremony and before you knew it, Tyler and Thomas were married! Together with their family they ate a delicious meal and celebrated into the night with wine and laughter flowing.

The next day, my second shooter and I met Tyler and Thomas at the LeVeque Tower in Downtown Columbus for a quick portrait session before we went to the big event. A man in a tux is a special thing to see, but two men in tuxes just took my breath away. The LeVeque was the perfect backdrop for their wedding attire. That art deco vibe matched perfectly with their dapper and sophisticated look.

Off to the Franklin Park Conservatory, we went! It was so much fun just to walk around and take a few photos. Then, the rest of the night after family photos was pretty much just documentary photography. Throughout the night, they had live music, speeches galore, and even a swing band with a swing dance instructor. This weekend was pure magic and these photos are so much fun to look back on as they celebrate their one-year anniversary this week! Tyler and Thomas, I feel so blessed to have crossed paths with you both. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you both! XO Jess

An engaged couple smilin in Goodale Park Two men in goodale park two men in goodale park for their engagement shoot an engaged couple at arch city tavern Hubbard Grille's special event space Intimate wedding at Hubbard Grille wedding portraits at leveque tower wedding photos at leveque hotel gay wedding at franklin park conservatory gay couple's wedding photos at franklin park conservatory franklin park conservatory palm house wedding food spread live wedding music at franklin park conservatory

Bryan and Ryan sitting back to back on a Columbus Bridge

Downtown Columbus Engagement Photos

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What a stunning evening this was! I can’t get over how fun Bryan and Ryan are. Some of my past brides and grooms may recognize Bryan because he has been in the Columbus wedding and hospitality industry for years. When a fellow vendor chooses me to photograph their most important moments, it’s one of the highest compliments I can get.

One of the best parts of my engagement shoots is when pets are included! Bryan and Ryan have two adorable dogs who were very excited for their close-up. The sun was setting quickly, but wow the light did not disappoint. There were so many opportunities for golden hour lovey-photo goodness. Everything glowed like it was washed with golden honey.  I especially liked some of the silhouettes we got against the dynamic Downtown Columbus sky.

We ended the engagement shoot at the Leveque Tower cheers-ing to the future in a big way! Little did we know late last year as we walked around the Scioto Mile talking and laughing, that this year would be so challenging. These two have unfortunately moved their wedding to 2021 because of this whole COVID-19 mess. I have now re-booked 8 of my weddings. My heart goes out to all those who are having their weddings delayed and rescheduled. Luckily, time moves so quickly and their wedding day will be here before we know it. Thank you so much, Bryan and Ryan and I cannot wait to get you back in front of my camera early next year! XO Jess

Le Meridien Columbus, The Joseph New Years Wedding

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I’m so excited to share this magical wedding today!! New Years Eve weddings have a special place in my heart. I love the challenge the darker and colder time of year presents. As a photographer, you really get to test the extent of your creativity and lighting options! The day itself is not only exciting because two in-love people are getting married, but because it is also an evening of renewed beginnings, excitement, and love- what I would consider the true definition of marriage to be. This wedding was especially wonderful because there were multiple other couples there who had also been married on NYE. The feeling in the room was just electric all day.

The entire event happened at Le Meridien Columbus, The Joseph- the beautiful new modern boutique hotel in the Short North. The hotel has a special Spa Suite just for the bridal party to get ready in. It has stunning floor to ceiling windows and a clean, cosmopolitan aesthetic. The groom and groomsmen got ready in the suave Presidential Suite which had sweeping views of snow-covered downtown Columbus.

Lauren and Roger started their celebration together with a first-look on the second floor of the hotel, a light airy gallery that was warm and perfect considering it was 17 degrees outside. As Roger turned around to see how stunning Lauren looked, he was overcome with emotion and wiped a couple tears away. It was the absolute sweetest and most genuine reaction. The two of them just stood there savoring the moment as the busy world passed by them on the streets below.

From the hotel, we braved the cold and took a few photos in front of the courthouse gavel, an homage to the fact Roger is a successful attorney. From there we stopped by the newly renovated LeVeque hotel, the downtown Hilton, and then back to the Joseph for their family photos, ketubah signing, and ceremony.

The ceremony room was intimate and warm with a romantic white draped huppah and an aisleway lit with romantic floating candles adorned with overflowing white flowers. The rabbi had the most amazing singing voice which added exponentially to the beautiful spiritual experience.

After the ceremony, it was time to let loose and celebrate! All the guests were dressed in the most stunning evening gowns. It was so much fun to photograph. The ballroom at the Joseph is understated modern- meaning it’s just the perfect space to transform for any occasion. Every table was overflowing with white floral arrangements by Dalay Ket. A grand cake fit for royalty was stationed at the end of the dance floor in a place of honor. Short North Piece of Cake were the artists behind this stunning edible creation. The whole party was elevated by having a live band, The Company Band, that quite literally rocked the house. It was pure joy for not only the happy couple but all of the guests as well. When the clock struck midnight, confetti cannons showered everyone on the dance floor along with champagne toasts and vibrant cheers! The whole event was expertly planned by both by Bobbie Izeman and Lauren, and The Joseph knocked it out of the park. I just love looking at these photos- they make me smile ear-to-ear thinking about how much of a fun blur everything was. Thank you so much, Lauren and Roger for giving me the honor of being with you on this incredible day!! XO, Jess