Category Archives: Via Vecchia Winery

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

Prema Designs 10 Year Anniversary Party

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I’m here on this gloomy Columbus Sunday to give you a little eye candy. Earlier this year, Prema Designs, a local floral and events company held its 10-year anniversary celebration at the new Via Vecchia, which is located across the street from their office at The Fort. I was lucky enough to sneak in early with model Brittany Marcum to get some jaw-droppingly romantic and fun photos.

Each section of the event space was designed by one of their floral artisans, with the team headed up by Amrta Kenner at the helm. Other vendors like Aiden & Grace, The Selfie Spot 614, Party Pleasers, Pattycake Bakery, and Via Vecchia winery were all in on the party planning. There was even a make-your-own bouquet stand where you could make a bouquet and give it to a stranger to brighten their day!

The night was solidified in history when Amrta’s long-time boyfriend asked her to marry him in front of all her family, friends, and frendors. It was such a joyous and happy night filled with love, an undying passion for the floral arts and a community who came out in droves to celebrate Prema Designs and its 10 unforgettable years as a Columbus stronghold.

PUBLISHED! Urban Winery Wedding

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Ok so this is my fault, but I haven’t bragged on my past couples enough. Especially because some of their weddings were published last year and I put showing that off on the back burner. But today is the day I’m starting to unveil all of the 2018 publications that I haven’t yet featured. Today is Emily and Rob! Last year they were featured online at Brides & Weddings! The link can be seen here:

Emily and Rob: Vintage Meets Modern

Via Vecchia Wedding Photography in Columbus OH

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I think the single biggest gift being a wedding photographer has given me has been reconnecting with people from my past on such a loving an important day as their wedding. I have photographed the weddings and special moments for people I’ve gone to high school with, people that I’ve gone to college with, people I’ve gone to graduate school with and people that I’ve met in while living in other cities. 17 years ago I was lucky enough to find myself working at ACCAD as a summer counselor for a women in technology program. Little did I know that program would change my life probably more than it changed any of the other girls attending the week-long camp. The other counselors became lifelong mentors to me and women that I continue to look up to and aspire to be. One of those women is Samantha. When she contacted me about her wedding day, to say I was honored would be an understatement. We FaceTimed together where I got to both meet her fiancé Lisa and start the ball rolling on planning their romantic Via Vecchia wedding.

Fast forward to their wedding day. It’s not often I get choked up on a wedding day, but when Samantha walked into the room with a blue sequined dress, I kinda lost it a little. She was so radiant. A little later, I was able to meet Lisa in-person for the first time in her suite down the hallway at the downtown Westin. It had felt like I had known her for years. Her brother and best friend were hanging out in the room with her and they had such great senses of humor, I immediately felt a connection with them all.

Lisa and Sam wanted so badly to get married in the alley at Via Vecchia, but the universe had other plans for them. It not only rained, but it down-poured to the point it was testing the capacity of the gutters. The entire ceremony setup was moved indoors at the last minute thanks to Via Vecchia owner, Michael, and Lisa and Sam’s friends and family. Let me tell you- it looked so amazing. I couldn’t get enough of the hot-pink uplighting. It ended up being the ceremony with the biggest visual cool-factor of the year. I know it wasn’t what they had envisioned, but it was just perfect.

My favorite parts of the reception were the speeches, as always, the shoe game where we got to see a little insight on Sam and Lisa’s relationship, and the sibling dance-off which was judged by Sam and Lisa’s parents. I’m not sure I’ve laughed that hard in years. Later that night, the rain stopped and so we snuck out and did a few evening shots under the Via Vecchia bistro alley lights. I can’t thank Samantha and Lisa enough for having me photograph their wedding. I hope you all love these as much as I loved taking them! XO Jess

PUBLISHED! Urban Winery Wedding

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So excited to share that Emily and Rob’s wedding from last year has been published on Big Day Made! Click the link below for their rustic, joy-filled and gorgeous wedding!

https://bigdaymade.com/wedding/Emily-and-Rob

Via Vecchia Reception

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Emily and Rob’s late July wedding had it all! Perfect weather, smiling faces, stunning surroundings and so much love throughout the day. From the church to the reception venue, there were stunning surprises around every corner.

Emily’s dress was just perfect for her. The A-line dress had delicate lace sleeve accents which were striking with her dark hair. The dress dropped softly into lots of alternating layers that floated away from her as she walked. Each bridesmaid wore a different cut of a soft pink or dusty rose colored flowy gown. Madison House designs provided the florals that tied the whole look together. Rob wore a blue suit, which you don’t see often but I wish more men would opt for it. It is so sophisticated and dapper.

Emily and Rob were married at the Church of the Messiah in Westerville. This church is incredibly cool inside. It has soaring modern stained glass windows. They line the center aisle with lit taper candles which makes everything inside feel warm and romantic.

From the church, we went to the spot that Rob asked Emily to marry him- the center of the OSU oval. Right nearby the Thompson Library made a stunning classical backdrop for some more photos. Afterward, we headed over to Via Vecchia for more romantic alley photos, one of the biggest perks of having your wedding there!

Inside, the scene was set for an elegant wedding that featured gold and candlelit table settings accented with greenery. The party got off to an amazing start with some wonderful and funny speeches. After, Emily and Rob performed a fairytale-worthy choreographed first dance together for all of their guests. When the open dancing started you better believe that dance floor was full of some of the best moves I’ve seen in awhile! Thank you so much Emily and Rob and I hope you love these as much as I loved taking them! XO Jess

Via Vecchia Alley Wedding

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Kelly and Jason’s June wedding was one for the ages! Everything from start to finished went smooth as silk and the weather was perfect. The couple both got ready for the day at the downtown Columbus Westin, however they opted not to see each other until their first look. They had their first look in front of Brewer’s Gate and it was so sweet and heartfelt. Kelly was a dream in here Lea-Ann Belter Gown and her Badgley Mischka shoes. After the first look we took photos around the Via Vecchia property and then hopped on a Trolley over to Schiller Park for some bridal party shots.

And what a bridal party it was! There were 12 bridesmaids and 11 groomsmen. Madison House Designs provided the florals with accents of soft pink that matched the maid’s dresses.

Half way through the portrait session, Kelly casually mentions she has this amazing lace parasol and brings it off the bus. It was all I could do not to drool over it- and OMG the dreamy photos it made- just perfect for a summer wedding! By that time we had driven over to the docks at the Audubon center which had wildflowers in full bloom around the wetland area. The soft white flowers accented her dress in a way that you couldn’t have planned even if you wanted to. Next it was time to make our way back to Via Vecchia and get these two hitched!

Molly and her team at MStyle made sure everything was absolutely perfect both inside and outside of the venue. The ceremony took place in the Alley and to say it was romantic would be an understatement. You could really see how in love these two are. Kelly and Jason would hold each-other in their arms as they listed to their family give the readings during their ceremony. It was a small detail, but I noticed it because you usually don’t see such a tender interaction like that.

When the ceremony was finished, the wine started flowing. The reception was overflowing with the most stunning florals, delicious cookies and smiling guests. I can’t thank Kelly and Jason enough for having me with them on this spectacular day. I hope you love looking at these as much as I loved taking them! XO Jess

Downtown Via Vecchia Wedding

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I can’t say enough about Christie and Ingmar. They are two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet in your life. Christie is also blissfully unaware of how drop dead gorgeous she is, which makes it even more fun to get her in front of the camera. If I hadn’t slacked so badly last year because of having the baby, I would have posted their super quaint engagement shoot we did in German Village. If you pick up the current issue of The Knot Ohio, there’s a photo from that shoot along with their proposal story in it.

One of the fun things about shooting both the engagement and the wedding is getting to know the couple better one-on-one, and then getting to know them AND their family on the big day. This family is literally overflowing with love for each other. Christie’s sister seemed like the glue that helped everything run smoothly, and her fervent love was so palpable at every step. People flew in from as far as Dubai to be at this celebration. It was truly the party of the year.

Let me just say this- Christie wore a Matthew Christopher dress and Kate Spade shoes that were just show-stopping. I think I even swore a little when I saw her shoes because I love them so much.

The ceremony was held at St. John the Baptist. I hadn’t been there in a couple years and I just love every time I get to shoot there. The bright colors and intimate environment make for a spectacular setting for a wedding, large or small.

The reception was held at Via Vecchia, one of my favorite Columbus Wedding venues. MStyle styled the evening to perfection, Country Blessing Florals accented the day with beautiful flowers, Catering by Scott created a culinary tour de force, and Ryan Smith kept everyone out of their seats and on the dance floor.

Via Vecchia Winery Wedding

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I just love this wedding…and this venue…and omg this couple. I’ve been really excited to share these images. The whole day was filled with spring color, non-stop laughter and beyond-crazy weather.

From start to finish, Adrienne and Adam have been nothing but sweet, generous and pretty much the coolest insta-friends you could meet. Last summer my husband Scott and I traveled to Chicago for their engagement session. Since then, I’ve really been looking forward to their wedding.

Adrienne was a complete knockout in her form-fitting gown. Her Kate Spade shoes were ‘be still my beating heart’ gorgeous with their glittery gold heel accents. Orchids & Ivy provided the stunning wedding party bouquets in shades of pink and ivory. The bridesmaids wore long flowy navy gowns which made the flowers even more vibrant. The men all wore black tuxedos which was very classic and dapper.

Via Vecchia served as the backdrop for the day. The decor and styling by Michelle and Molly, a.k.a. MStyle, was on-point. Wine bottle centerpieces, colorful flowers and an illuminated LOVE sign made the space feel warm and romantic.

The party came alive thanks to the live band, MoJo Flo. Anyone who’s been to a wedding they’ve played will know this, but truly- I dare you not to dance if you ever get lucky enough to see them live. They are just electric and will bring the whole place down. Their full band and light setup will make you feel like you walked into a concert venue.

So what could make this wedding even more awesome? How about stacks of cupcakes? Yea that pretty much makes everything better. Catering by Scott made me feel like I walked into my fairytale dessert dreamland with his cupcake and dessert display-tower-mountain. Next to this display were also late-night hot dogs and sliders for the guests to nom nom. Such an unforgettable evening!

Cheers to Adrienne and Adam!

Best of 2015 Weddings

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Fair warning- photo wise, this is going to be a serious over-post. I have so many favorites from last year that it was hard to narrow them down. I’m going to do wedding details in their own “best-of” post later this month because there were simply too many to even begin to include them in this post.

2015 was a year that we’ll never forget! Scott and I moved into our first home and we welcomed the world’s cutest little boy to our family. Most of the year I was pregnant, however I consider myself lucky because it never really slowed me down as far as mobility when photographing. I was just a little more rolly-polly towards the end. Because of our little bundle of joy, my wedding season ended a little early at the beginning of October. Our year ended with the announcement that Jessica Miller Photography won The Knot’s Best of Weddings 2016, which is the fifth year I’ve won the award in a row!

As you will see, my couples this year were really really good looking. Each was super fun to work with and I feel so lucky that the couples that hire me tend to be laid back and genuine in spirit. All of my weddings this year were in the Columbus area, which is the first time ever I believe I haven’t traveled for a wedding. From the engagement shoot through the wedding and book design process, my couples really start to feel like great friends. I think that’s probably one of the best parts of this job.

This summer came with a lot of rain and a lot of outdoor weddings were pushed inside as a result. This of course isn’t ideal on a wedding day, but the wind that comes with rain can make for some fun and unexpected moments.

Thank you to everyone for your love and support this year! It’s been our best year yet and 2016 is gearing up to be even busier and better! XO Jess

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