Category Archives: Schiller Park

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

 

ali and trevor german village engagement

Engagement in German Village

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

Engagement in German Village

 

Schiller Park Engagement

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!

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

Schiller Park Mom and Daughter Session

This session is throwing it back to 2018, but I just love it so much it needs its moment in the sun. I have known Betsy since I was 6 years old. There are very few people I’ve known that long! I have had the honor of shooting her sister’s wedding a couple of years back and then this session with her and her daughter. One thing I remember from when we were little is how striking Betsy’s eyes are. She just glows radiance and has an infectious excitement in her voice when she talks. She’s always been like that. Her beautiful daughter has been blessed with those same eyes and beauty. And both of them are so natural in front of a camera. I don’t think they model on the weekends, but they really could.

Just look at that late summer light we had at Schiller Park! Every photographer’s dream! And now that it’s late summer, be sure to book your session with me for this year! Spots are filling up quickly. I’m offering an anytime mini session that’s 1/2 hr for $250 and a full hour for $500. Both session blocks include all digital images. XO Jess

kati and charles elope in schiller park

Columbus Ohio Elopement Photography

Just a couple of months before this international pandemic reached our shores, Kati and Charles had already decided that they wanted to get married by eloping. You could say they did it before it was cool! WOW! What a perfect April day it was for their small intimate wedding. The sun was beaming down and all the spring blooms were bursting with life, color, and fragrance. When I arrived, I could see them walking towards the Schiller Park stage in the distance. Ever since I was little, my heart has always skipped a beat when I’ve seen a bride. And that day was no exception. Kati looked stunning in her cream lace dress. The only people there were Kati, Charles, Charles’ brother who was also the officiant and Charles’ parents. They set up a zoom call in the middle of the park so Kati’s parents could be there as well. The couple chose to get married in front of the Schiller Statue in the park, where the formal promenade comes to an intersection with the park walkways. The two of them exchanged handwritten vows and before you knew it, they were husband and wife!

Right after the intimate ceremony, we just strolled the park and took some beautiful spring photos. And keeping in true Schiller Park fashion, you never know what you’re going to get. As we were taking some portraits, a man nearby started to blast Nickleback over his radio. Kati and Charles had a very intimate Nickleback concert during their elopement photos. I’m sure it was the moment they’d always dreamed of.

This wedding was a perfect example of how love is stronger than any adversity. There is beauty and love even in the toughest of times. I can’t fully express how thankful I am to have been there to document this elopement. Thank you, Kati and Charles!

Bride and groom elopeing in schiller park couple elopeing bride and groom walking and smiling bride and groom in the spring bride and groom dancing bride and groom walking across a bridge bride and groom kissing under a tree bride and groom on a park bench bride and groom by spring blooms

German Village Engagement

As I’m now editing their wedding photos, I realized I never posted their engagement session from last year. I had this lofty goal to post about every single one of my couples that comes through the door, but this year that has fallen by the wayside, unfortunately. I’m so far behind in blogging that the next few are from last year. But they are from last fall which timing-wise works, so we’ll roll with it.

Eric and Morgan have been together over 10 years so when they decided to make it official, everyone who knows them I’m sure was ready to party right alongside them both.

I have known Eric only slightly longer than he’s known Morgan. We worked together for almost 10 years. He was my confidant- a wizard of all things construction and creativity and always up for Greek food (which if you know me, is my jam) He was (and probably is still) asked to do things he has never done before on a weekly, if not daily basis. That can be insanely stressful, but he always took it with a steadfast calm, or maybe just internalized the stress. My point is, his job isn’t easy but he always made it work. A lot of days I’d mostly see him in deep thought or concentration. So when I was able to spend the morning with him and Morgan last fall, I felt like I was getting to see a whole new carefree side of him. They have been together for a long time, but by looking at the way they interacted with each other, you’d swear they were still in the proverbial honeymoon phase of their relationship!

Eric and Morgan, I am so excited for you both and this amazing time in your lives. I’m honored to have been asked to be next to you as you said ‘I do.” You can also expect your wedding photos by the end of next week! XO Jess

happy couple in german village

carole and john hug in the park

Columbus Wedding at the Vue

I’ve waited to blog this wedding for a very, very long time so I’m super excited for today when I get to share with you, drumroll, please… Carol and John’s wedding! Hanging out with these two gives me the same feeling as when my coffee kicks in. Pure, unadulterated joy.

We started our day with a first look on the patio of the Vue in the Brewery District of downtown Columbus. John was so excited to see Carole. As he was waiting for her, he was staring at one of the potted plants in front of him nervous and anxious to give his bride a hug! When he finally got to see her, he explained to her how he’ll never forget that plant and how much it means to him now. Lol!

We hopped on a bus and went to Schiller Park for some enchanting and magical photos. I’ve honestly never laughed so much on a shoot before. You’ll see why. I adore people who don’t take themselves too seriously- especially on their wedding day!

From there we utilized some rustic Columbus spots for more photos before we headed back. The green bridesmaid dresses were so striking. I truly wish more weddings utilized this color!

Their ceremony inside the Vue was filled with laughter and tears of joy. The setting was striking with its natural light and soaring ceilings. Immediately after the ceremony, Carole and John spent a few minutes together on the back patio with just each other. I was so glad to see them taking the time to do that because the party that followed was a throw-down whirlwind!!! Awesome speeches, a Dairy Queen ice cream cart, and some incredible dance moves were just a little of what made this party so memorable. I couldn’t be more happy for two people and thank the universe all the time for letting us cross paths!

Jacqueline and terry lying in the grass at Schiller Park

Engagement Photos in German Village

Hey guys! Jess here, straight off my triple-header weekend. Between Friday and Sunday, I took well over 10,000 photos. I’d say I have some homework cut out for myself!

Today I want to share Jackie and Terry’s engagement shoot! The moment Jackie stepped out of the car she took my breath away in her stunning flowy purple dress and fantastic red lipstick! I love women who aren’t afraid of a little color, especially on photo day!

Terry has lived all over the country and moved a lot in his life. I asked him how he liked Columbus, and his answer was just perfect. He said something to the effect of, “Of course I love it- I met the love of my life here.” AWE!!!

We did most of the shoot in German Village, a very eclectic part of town. During our shoot, we met a guy who couldn’t find where he parked his car the night before (no comment). We also met an older lady who made Terry try and fix her flower box because he was tall enough to reach it. People in Columbus are so like that- there just aren’t any strangers, LOL. Needless to say, we were making memories all over the place but one this is for sure: The weather was amazing and these two worked that camera to no end! I just love their bright and colorful collection. I can’t wait for their beach themed wedding!

kaila and brittany and their downtown german village wedding

Dock 580 Columbus Ohio Wedding Photography

When I think back to this wedding, I still think it was a wonderful dream. Everything from start to finish was so beautiful, laid-back, and genuine. Kaila and Brittany started their day getting their hair and make-up done in the same room. They then separated into two different rooms to put on their dresses for their first look. We did their first look in the heart of German Village on hot but beautiful June day. Both of their dresses were a pale blush color and very similar as far as the cut. The details, however, were very different and so striking on each of them. Their two dresses together were so breathtaking and all my second shooter and I could say was, “two dresses are so much better than one!” After a few shots on the streets of German Village, we headed over to Schiller Park. The beautiful park mixed with these two gorgeous ladies made for some seriously romantic photos.

Now it was time to go get married! The outdoor ceremony took place in Frank Fetch Park in the heart of German Village. The park had a small fountain that provided a warm ambient background noise. Each bride was escorted in by their immediate family up to a central arbor. They had their neighbor perform the ceremony and she read one of my favorite readings, “on marriage” by Kahlil Gibran. Vows were shared, tears were shed, and before you knew it, Kaila and Brittany were wife and wife!

From Frank Fetch Park we headed over to Dock 580 where we were able to get some of my favorite portraits from the day! After that, the real fun began and the night was filled with some seriously funny speeches, lots of laughs and two radiant souls surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Kaila and Brittany, for having me as your wedding photographer. This was truly one of the highlights of my year! XO Jess