Tag Archives: Outdoor Wedding

Via Vecchia Alley Wedding

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

Dock 580 Wedding

Leave a reply

Sarah and Jon were married on a hot but beautiful late spring day in downtown Columbus, OH. The wedding was an inspired mix of Modern and rustic details. The couple both prepared for the big day in separate rooms at Le Meridien hotel downtown. The ceremony and reception both took place at Dock 580 with a trip to the Short North for photos in-between.

Sarah’s Paloma Blanca dress fit her like a dream. It had a plunging backline that was accented with delicate rhinestones. In other words, it was business in the front, party in the back. Her long veil was the perfect accent to her all-white look, which was punctuated with bright red lips. Sarah’s bridesmaids were all stunning in long and elegant navy gowns. Jon was as handsome as it gets in his fitted navy suit and white bow tie. His groomsmen finished the look with gray suits and navy ties.

The ceremony was in a tent located on the side lawn of the venue. The isle way was adorned with gold bottles and white flowers and petals. Bistro lights were strung across the tent for added romance. A funny story- I ducked under one of the tents cross-beams for a photo during the ceremony, and when I went to come back, I totally forgot it was there and my head hit it, causing a “DONGGGGGGGG” echo during the ceremony. Luckily only the kid sitting next to me heard it. It was pretty embarrassing.

After they said their “I-dos”, we ventured to downtown Columbus for some eclectic, quirky and inspired urban backdrops. We even stopped at Marchella’s, where they had their first date. When we returned, the family cheered their entrance and toasted to their new lives together. The moment open dancing started, the moves just got better and better as the night went on.

Cultural Arts Center Wedding

Leave a reply

Meredith and John’s spring wedding was nothing short of a stunner. Overflowing floral in every corner, a sophisticated color palette, and incredible family and friends made the day flawless.

I love it when my brides get ready at the Hilton in downtown Columbus. It’s a perfect mix of modern and elegant. When I arrived, the room was buzzing with excitement, awesome music, and smiling faces. The pink and white bouquets were so striking against the soft flowing gray bridesmaids dresses. Meredith was simply glowing all day and side note- she literally has some of the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen in my life.

The stage was set at the Columbus Cultural Arts Center downtown for an intimate outdoor ceremony. It was so romantic. The brick patio had accents of green moss between the pavers, Vessel Florals added the most elegant pillar floral arrangements down the main isle, and all of it led to a soft gray fabric backdrop. Meredith’s brother officiated the ceremony which made for some touching and humorous moments. I always think it’s extra special when loved ones marry the bride and groom.

After the ceremony, we went across the street to the Scioto Mile for some portraits. It was super brisk outside that day, so Meredith and John were troopers to make it look so warm and loving on camera! After that, it was time to have some serious fun at the reception. Natasha Churches and her team at Perfectly Planned along with Vessel Florals truly outdid themselves with this one. These were some of the most beautiful tablescapes I’ve ever seen, and trust me, I’ve seen it all. Tall modern candelabras that were dripping with floral amazingness at the bases. The party was turned up to 11 thanks to Midwest Pro DJ. Everyone, including the babies, was on the dance floor. I feel so lucky to have been a part of this day. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I did taking them! XO Jess

Wells Barn Wedding

Leave a reply

Gah this wedding! Eye candy overload! Everywhere you looked, it was a photographers dream! And that’s no surprise- Alex and Shannon have a raw and passionate thirst for creativity that they share. This was my second-to-last wedding from last year, so I’m excited to say with the next wedding I post I’ll have blogged all of my 2016 wedding- and it didn’t take me until 2018 to do it! *Pats self on back*.

Shannon’s Ramona Keveza wedding gown was form fitting with lace overlay details. It couldn’t have been a more perfect dress for her, the wedding or the wedding location. I’ve seen fake “styled” wedding shoots that couldn’t even touch the continuity of this actual wedding.

The ceremony and reception took place at the brand new Well’s Barn at the Franklin Park Conservatory. The barn itself is warm and grand. It was designed for events so It has everything you could ever want, including rooms for getting ready and a built-in bar. The backyard of the barn was where the ceremony took place on a perfect cool early October evening.

Alex and Shannon did a “first look” before their ceremony. This allowed us to walk the grounds of the conservatory and take some time to get some jaw-dropping photos. Franklin Park has truly taken their facility to the next level in recent years. I also have a new appreciation for the extent of their landscaping skills now that I’m a homeowner and can’t even keep the grass on my front lawn alive.

The wedding florals were provided by Jona Gantner and the were a dream next to the bridesmaids’ pastel neutral flowy dresses. The bridal party was so much fun and laid back which was fantastic, because there were 16 of them! The ceremony was intimate and conducted by two members of their bridal party. After the ceremony, guests were treated to an outdoor cocktail hour under a bistro-lit side garden.

The reception was accented with succulents as take-away gifts. The groom made a video that played during their first dance. It showed the adventures and love they share for each-other. The night continued with some amazing dancing, lots of laughs and some fantastic cake provided by Carol Krieg. I’m so excited to show off this wedding. I hope you love it and thanks again to Shannon and Alex for an unforgettable evening! XO Jess

Zenner House wedding

Leave a reply

Abby and Justin found quite possibly Ohio’s best kept wedding venue secret. They were just the second or third wedding the Zenner House in Athens, Ohio has ever hosted. The grounds are lush with vibrant manicured gardens, expertly groomed landscapes and stunning vintage details. Exploring the house felt like you were in a dream and behind each door you opened was another beautiful secret room.

Abby and Justin themselves are two of the sweetest and most down-to-earth people you could ever meet. With the stage set, they were married under a tent in the side yard of the house.

We utilized the home’s grounds for the photos of the bridal party and couple. I think at one point I might have actually started drooling looking at the formal rose garden. Just kidding, that would be really creepy to have a drooling wedding photographer.

The reception was under a tent in the front yard and each table was accented with beautiful magenta bouquets and soft purple linens. There was delicious food that included some Indian side dishes, my first non-Indian wedding to serve Indian food (VERY cool!). During the speeches, a huge storm was brewing. The bridesmaids took turns holding each-others dresses down while they spoke. The sky turned so dark and dramatic. Even though the weather during the reception had wind gusts blowing china off the tables, the party never stopped- in fact, it made it all very exciting! I think that’s also a testament to how easy going and awesome this group of people were. Abby just pulled her hair into a braid, and kept dancing in the rain. How amazing IS that!

As quickly as it came, the storm blew through and the party kept going into the night. I’m so excited to finally share this beautiful wedding. A special thank you to Abby and Justin for having me with them on this unforgettable day! XO Jess

Franklin Park Wedding

Leave a reply

Welcome to the new year! While we get our feet wet in 2017, I just want to revisit the rest of my weddings from 2016 that deserve their time in the spotlight! Today on the blog, I’m so excited to show you photos from Jon and Kasia’s late July wedding. You may recognize them from their engagement shoot that was on the blog earlier last year which can be seen here. Their beloved doggie Michi was back as a part of the wedding party too!

Jon and Kasia got ready and had their first look at the downtown Columbus Hilton. There are literally a million creative angles than can be taken advantage of in this space. Kasia’s Allure dress softly flowed behind her, making every space she entered seem more elegant and grand. Her outfit was accented with shoes from Pink Paradox London. The bridesmaids wore neutral soft pink and tan tones accented with bouquets from Hilliard Floral Design. Jon was looking dapper with a Tux from Joseph Abboud.

From the Hilton we ventured over the the Franklin Park Conservatory where their ceremony and reception would take place. They were predicting rain, but if memory serves me correct, it didn’t rain one drop- it was actually one of the more beautiful days for an outdoor wedding all summer. My favorite part of their ceremony was their commitment ceremony. They took a young tree, added soil from both of their family’s homes, and watered it with a pitcher of water together as a couple. They were then going to plant that tree in their yard.

On a personal note, I have to thank Jon and Kasia. They have proven themselves time and time again to be some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met in my entire life, hands down. They go out of their way to send a note of thanks or loving gifts to our son who, as you may know, was quite the warrior last year. They have meant so much to our little family and have definitely been a shining ray of sunshine on our lives over the past year.

Bryn Du Mansion Wedding

Leave a reply

Stephanie and Zach were married at Bryn Du Mansion in Granville on a perfect hot and sunny summer day. This mansion is a large complex that holds not only the mansion, but a barn, polo fields (yes, like real Polo with horses and stuff), gardens and a reception venue. The inside of the mansion, as you will see, had Rembrandt-worthy lighting. As I looked back on my edited images, I swear some of them could be paintings with the rich colors, selective illumination on the faces, and warm architectural accents…. all things I had nothing to do with, but used to my advantage.

Stephanie’s dress was an absolute dream. The form-fitting gown gently flowed from her as she walked. Her and Zach were married in the gardens on the side of the mansion. It was such a special location. The procession of the wedding party was a little bit of a walk, as they came from the main mansion, across the lawn, down and around to the gardens. The walk made the whole procession more special and definitely upped the anticipation for the bride’s arrival, even though they did a first look before the ceremony. The entire ceremony there were nothing but ear-to-ear smiles from both the Stephanie and Zach. Immediately following the ceremony, the bridal party cheersed the happy couple! Speaking of bridal parties, this might have been my biggest to date-16! That’s what happens when you have so many good people in your life.

The reception building had a stunning head table that was accented with small lights, succulent table favors, and an illuminated ‘LOVE’ sign. Other tables also had illuminated lanterns with accents of baby’s breath. Our Cupcakery provided a large tower of cupcakes that was topped with a small cake for cutting and adorned with fresh blooming carnations and baby’s breath.

Steph and Zach, thank you so much for having me with you on this most amazing day. It has been such an honor to get to know you over the past year. Love always, Jess

Strongwater Food & Spirits Wedding

Leave a reply

Did you ever have a friend that you have no idea how you knew each other? I mean, I KNOW we have mutual friends, and that must be how I know her, but it seems as if Molly has always been my friend. Every time I see her, she is full of life, up for anything and seems to always have a smile on her face. It’s not a fake smile either- it’s a genuine, happy, down-to-earth smile. And her laugh, omg I love her laugh. I think this is turning into a love letter to Molly. But, when someone deserves a love letter, you write one, right? And that’s exactly what I tried to do with her wedding photos- they’re my love letter to a stunning person and the amazing man who is lucky enough to walk by her side in this life.

Molly and Ryan chose Strongwater Food & Spirits in Columbus, OH as their wedding day backdrop. This old warehouse has been converted into a rustic bare-bones event space. Molly has a background in events, so it’s not a coincidence everything was styled to perfection. Gold spray-painted animals accented candlelight for the cocktail hour. Romantic dream-catchers hung in the reception space and caught the various warm shades of evening light that poured through the windows. Food was provided by the food truck Porketta which was Parkettad right outside the entrance. Ok that joke was stupid, sorry. I think one of my favorite details of this wedding was the DJ who played only vinyl records all night long. From Blondie to Beiber, it was all on the turntable in its original analog form.

Thank you Molly and Ryan for letting me photograph your wedding day. You two are one hell of a couple and throw one hell of a party! Cheers to you both!

Best of 2015 Weddings

Leave a reply

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

Elegant Columbus Creekside Wedding

Leave a reply

You might recognize these two from a blog post I wrote earlier last year about their engagement shoot. I knew their wedding was going to be amazing the moment I met the two of them, but it truly was such an elegant and fun evening! First of all, Chris and Casey are just beyond cute together. The way they look, smile and interact is so endearing. One of my favorite parts of a wedding day is when the couple sees each other for the first time, dressed to the nines and blissfully on cloud nine. I was especially excited for them to see each other. There were nothing but smiles from ear to ear.

Casey has an impeccable sense of detail and style, as you’ll be able to see from these photos. Everything was so beautifully coordinated, yet retained a fun, laid back and intimate environment. I think my favorite detail was the illuminated C&C signs. They helped some of the other detail shots look so editorial and magical.

The summer ceremony was held outside with the musical styling (lol i love that phrase) of our good friends the Shaw Brothers. If you’re looking for some awesome ceremony or even reception music, they’re where it’s at! They play from the heart, and for wedding music, I think that’s hard to find.

Creekside in Gahanna is a great ballroom where during the day, lots of natural light beams through the windows that line the perimeter, and after nightfall, the room is illuminated with colorful LEDs. The footprint of the room is in the shape of an “L”, which I wasn’t sure about at first, but it really worked nicely, and gave center focus to the dance floor. The dance floor is topped with a curved ceiling, which makes for a grand and unique setting for the first dance photos!

Enjoy all this magical eye candy! I hope you love it! XO Jess

Ask a Question