Category Archives: Ohio Gay Weddings

Nationwide Hotel LGBTQ Wedding

I cannot think of a better way to kick off Pride month than to feature this wonderful Nationwide Hotel LGBTQ Wedding! It was such an honor to capture Matt and Michael’s loving, genuine, and incredibly authentic celebration last year.

Eight years ago on June 26th, 2015, I was actually photographing a gay wedding. The couple didn’t know if their ceremony was going to be legal or not at the end of the day. It was announced at the reception that LGBTQ persons were now legally allowed to get married, and oh what a celebration that night was! People cheering, crying, and signing LEGAL documents! It’s become one of my favorite wedding-day core memories and a moment I’ll never forget.

It’s hard to believe up until that date and that moment, same-sex couples had been denied the right to legally marry. It goes without saying that for many reasons including this one, the LGBTQ community has felt excluded and marginalized. For that reason, any time an LGBTQ wedding happens, it’s also a celebration of equality and the right to marry and love whoever your heart loves, no matter what gender. These weddings are brave and make a statement to the world about love triumphing always. It’s one of the reasons LGBTQ weddings are some of my very favorites.

On this special day, Matt and Michael wore matching navy blue tuxedos with black accents. Everyone in their wedding party wore the same navy color and it was STUNNING. I adore monochromatic everything. Matt and Michael said their vows surrounded by their closest family and friends in the Edgewater Room at Nationwide Hotel. The sun beamed in on them as they made their marriage official.

Their reception was accented by a custom logo made from both of their initials. Elegant blue and white flowers decorated every table. My favorite part was the eye candy that OMG Sweets provided for the dessert table. As always, Nationwide knocked it out of the park with its incredible food.

After dinner, the couple was showered with love and some hilarious speeches. They then moved into the dancing room for their first dance where the love between them was simply palpable. Soon after, guests danced into the evening and celebrated and cheered Matt and Michael as they officially launched this new chapter of their lives together. Last month was their one-year anniversary and I’d like to wish them a very happy one year down!

Vendors

Venue: Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center
Desserts: OMG Sweets
Florals: Botanica Flowers
DJ: Buckeye Entertainment
Videographer: Up and Up Weddings

Columbus Ohio Surprise Proposal

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There is no better day than Valentine’s Day to post about this absolutely incredible Columbus Ohio Surprise Proposal from last year.

Emily wrote me and told me she wanted to propose to her girlfriend Sherry. Little did I know I was going to walk into a work of art. Vessel Floral and Events knocked it absolutely out of the park with their rose and candle installation in Due Amici’s event room.

I always get a little nervous for surprise proposals. It feels like I’m waiting for a Jack-In-The-Box to spring out at me. It has to be perfect. And I’d say this ended up being as close to perfect as you can get.

Emily and Sherry were eating lunch right on the other side of the door. Near the end of lunch, Sherry was guided to that very special room and her reaction was just PRICELESS and gave me all the feels. Emily led her to the front of the room where she dropped to one knee and asked Sherry to spend the rest of her life with her. She couldn’t stop laughing and crying and I think the surprise rocked her to her core in the best possible way. There was so much happiness right there at that moment. It was so much fun to watch and document. I couldn’t be more excited for these two and I hope on this special day you’re feelin’ the love, too!

Backyard Columbus Ohio Wedding

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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

Jeffrey Mansion Wedding Photos

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Last month I posted Ben and Dustin’s German Village engagement shoot for pride month. I am so excited to post about their wedding today! I met up with them both at the downtown Columbus Renaissance Hotel where they were helping each other get ready. Right outside of their room, I took photos of just them around the pool deck. The soaring skyscrapers of downtown gave a modern twist to the photos. From our photos, Ben and Dustin walked hand-in-hand down the street to Trinity Episcopal Church, where they were to be married in a morning ceremony. I’ve done SO MANY weddings, and this was the first time I was able to photograph a same-sex marriage inside a church. It was so special for me as a wedding photographer. Ben mentioned it was also very special for him as well because religion has always played an important part in his life. One of my favorite photos I took was when both of them were walking through the doors of the church, and the sign above them read “A House of Prayer For All People”.

Outside the church, guests and family gathered. Let’s just talk for a minute about the kids who were at this wedding. They were the absolute cutest kids ever. They were so much fun to watch in front of the bright red church doors.

Inside, the wedding was beautiful. Ben and Dustin walked down the aisle together. They each said their vows with their sister and brother by their side. It was such a beautiful moment when the priest announced that they were married! Tears of joy were in both of their eyes and smiles beamed from ear-to-ear. Now, it was on to Jeffrey Mansion in Bexley to have a celebration lunch.

Ben’s sister made all of the desserts and I can’t even express to you how beautiful and unique they all were. It was truly a labor of love. I loved this reception. It was so laid back and happy. People were just enjoying walking the grounds of the mansion and being out in the sun. The reception had such a happy feeling in the air. It was such an honor to be there. Thank you so much to Ben and Dustin and cheers to many more years! XO Jess

WatersEdge Wedding Photos

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As we enter into the last few days of pride month, I am so excited to share this blog with you today from Carly and Alexxa’s wedding last September from WatersEdge Event and Conference Center in Hilliard, Ohio.

I met up with Carly and Alexxa at their hotel where they were getting ready in separate rooms. Their hair and makeup were being done by Always Elegant LLC when I arrived. It was so much fun to go back and forth from room to room and see all the little details that each of them had put together for the day. What was so striking, was how similar the cuts of their dresses were to each other. I don’t know if they planned it, but they were also wearing the same shirt to get ready in. There was nothing but ear-to-ear smiles in both rooms.

After they were both ready, we drove to WatersEdge to get the day started with a first look. Carly grabbed her Bloomtastic bouquet which was adorned with satin ribbons that gently blew in the breeze. It was just the perfect little detail that she planned to match the ribbon that was on the back of her dress. I was so excited as Alexxa approached because I knew this was going to be cute. But I can’t even explain in words how special it really was. They are truly soul mates. The way they interact is so genuine and sincere.

It was threatening rain all day. The clouds were rolling in, and the wind was picking up. But like so many other Ohio days, it didn’t rain and they were able to have the most beautiful outdoor ceremony. Signs, programs, invitations, and save-the-dates were all made and designed by Carly, who is also an extremely talented graphic designer. After they were married, we snuck out and took some more photos. If you can catch that moment when it’s about to rain and it doesn’t, the payoff can be huge. A slight wind, perfect overcast for photos, and the world can seem just a little more vibrant and saturated.

Now it was time to party! And I have to say, of all the hundreds of weddings I’ve been to, this wedding had the best speech hands down I’ve ever heard. Carly’s brother knocked it out of the park with his chart-enhanced story of him and Alexxa’s relationship over the years. The evening was perfectly rounded out with the most loving first dance with Carly and Alexxa, followed by some amazing dance moves from almost everyone at the wedding. D&M DJ Entertainment kept the dance floor alive all night. I think White Claw helped too lol. There was so much love in the room that night. The energy was electric and I feel so lucky to have been there to capture it all.

German Village Engagement Photos

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Alaina and Megan are two of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. I just received the most beautiful and compassionate email from them last week regarding the whole COVID-19 situation, asking how I was doing and if I was ok. All the while, it is them (and all my 2020 clients) I feel for. It is a huge loss to plan a wedding and then have the plans change. People truly pour their hearts and souls into these events. These two have handled the ever-changing event landscape with a cool calm (or at least it seems like that on the outside). Megan even joked with me that they were now going to have the longest engagement in history.

Their wedding will be later this year with a smaller-than-planned ceremony, and a larger celebration to follow next year. I can’t even tell you how much I love their engagement shoot we did last year. It was so relaxed and fun with lots of genuine laughter and intimate embraces. We started at the Scioto Mile and ventured over to German Village for some brick-street quaintness. It was so fun just to explore the city and have nothing else to do but laugh and talk.

Next week I start shooting again, as they lifted the ban on non-essential work for photographers. I truly miss capturing these moments and am so thankful that these photographs already taken live on as the artwork of our lives. Alaina and Megan, I can’t wait to see you later this year and celebrate with you both!

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

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

The Grand Event Center Wedding Photos

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Kris and Steve had a very intimate winter wedding at the First Community Church in Columbus a little over a year ago. I am bound and determined to get caught up on blogging, and this wedding just couldn’t slip through the cracks.

These two had been together for years and years, so it was very special for them to finally tie the knot. When it came to florals for both the ceremony and the reception, they decided to go big or go home. Madison House Florals truly outdid themselves with this one! When I got to the church, the room was warm, and every corner was just dripping with stunning greenery and red and white blooms. The evening light beamed through the tinted windows and gave the most beautiful golden glow. The couple opted for the lights to be off during the ceremony, so the room was very dark. But that made the ceremony feel so intimate and electric. The candles glistened and flickered as Kris and Steve said their vows to one another. Like most ceremonies, it happened in a beautiful blur and before you knew it, Kris and Steve were husband and husband.

The light outside was just about to peek under the horizon and I convinced them both to take a walk with me around the church for some photos of just the two of them. From there, their party awaited! And Madison House didn’t miss a beat with the reception florals either. The reception was held at The Grand Event Center in the Grandview Yard in downtown Columbus, OH. The ceiling of their ballroom is one of my favorites and so much fun to shoot!

Besides the huge table of cookies, one of my favorite things about the wedding was every guest was served their own personal cake (like a real small cake- not a bite-sized one). I have been to well over 300+ weddings and had never seen that before. Short North Piece of Cake delivered! What a memorable sight! Kris and Steve, thank you so much for letting me witness and document this incredible, heartwarming a and authentic day. I will always remember it!

G. Michael’s Wedding Photos

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Liza and Terri LOVE visiting G. Michael’s in German Village, so that’s where they decided to hold their intimate ceremony and reception for their wedding day last fall. I didn’t know it, but G. Michael’s will rent out the whole restaurant for you and your guest for a VERY cool experience.

We started the day with some portraits on the same block as the restaurant. It was very hot outside so we wanted to stay close so no one would get overheated. We then took all the family portraits to free up the rest of the evening for a celebration! When guests started to arrive, they were greeted with a cocktail and escorted out to the back patio. Liza and Terri were married by Terri’s brother in one of the most moving ceremonies I’ve ever been to. Because this was at G.Michael’s the cocktail hour and dinner food was nothing short of spectacular. If you can’t rent the place out for an event, definitely go there on a date night- you won’t regret it. After dinner, Liza and Terri did their first dance in the same room as dinner. They seemed to be in their own beautiful love-filled world. You could tell just by looking at them that they have a special love that is deeper than most. It was an honor to be there to not only photograph it but just be in the same room. Dancing slowly moved into the same room as the bar and continued into the night. As I left, I could see everyone laughing, embracing and soaking up those moments inside. I felt a natural high as I walked to my car. Thank you so much, Terri and Liza. You’ll never know how much it meant to me to be able to capture these moments.

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