Juan and Alexa tied the knot on a perfect spring day last year. I met up with Alexa at her apartment where she and her bridesmaids were getting ready. The energy was so happy and upbeat. Music was going, laughter filled the room, and ear-to-ear smiles were seen on everyone. Alexa finished her bridal look off with a stunning flower crown. Soon after, we drove to Dock 580 where we would be the rest of the day. As Juan stood outside the venue, Alexa approached him with the world’s most electric smile on her face. After she tapped him on his shoulder, they held each other in a deep embrace.
After their first look, we did more photos around the property. The portrait session was accented with the rich brick and blue steel structures of the old buildings. Soft gusts of wind offered just the right amount of movement to create vivid and dynamic photos. The sky was cloud-covered and made the world into a giant soft-box just ideal for photographs.
Now it was time to get married! Inside the Loft at Dock 580, guests were treated to a Mariachi band as they took their seats. Trumpets and guitars filled the space with palpable electricity. The ceremony was warm and intimate and before you knew it, Juan and Alexa were married!
The cocktail hour was amazing. Specialty drinks, including a margarita, were flowing like water. The mariachi band continued the celebration and happy energy. I think everyone was ready to dance then, but dinner was to follow. Speeches after dinner were so sweet and sincere. The lighting in the room created a perfect intimate setting for everyone as they watched the happy couple laugh and kiss and laugh some more.
And now It was time for the fun to begin! After Alexa and Juan’s first dance, Alexa and her dad surprised everyone in the room with an impromptu game of tennis on the dance floor! YES! You read that right! I LOVED it! From there, it was a throw-down dance party where I got to photograph some of the best dance moves I’ve seen in ages.
Jennifer and Kyle were married at Worthington Christian Church on a temperate November day last year. Excitement grew as Jen and her girls got ready at the church. It was so much fun watching everyone come in and greet her with smiles, hugs, and laughter. Jenn’s Essence of Australia dress was stunning! It had lace on either side that dipped from the underarms down to the waist to create a sexy but sophisticated silhouette. She wore her hair back in a modern up-do that complimented her beautiful eyes and her warm smile.
When the suns ducks behind the horizon and the last bit of light fills the atmosphere with a light blue haze, that’s called blue hour. A blue hour can sometimes be challenging to shoot in but not on this day. The images we were getting were so elegant and oozed romance. The light from the Scioto Mile Bridge illuminated Jens cascading veil. Jen and Kyle looked so cosmopolitan against the modern lines of the bridge. A couple of details that I absolutely loved for the day that Jen wore was her grandmothers’ stole and her initials were adorned inside. Kyle also had a special embroidery inside his tux, their wedding date!
When we arrived at the High Line Car House, it was completely dark outside. I knew we wanted to get some portraits along the backside of the building so I brought out some off-camera lighting and we rocked it in the pitch black of night.
When you walked inside High Line, it’s hard to accurately describe the feeling. Madison House Designs had created an environment that wrapped guests in warmth, candlelight and every corner was dripping with greenery. A French provincial door was set on the sidewall, adorned with candles and the most beautiful flowers. The head table was crowned with the most breathtaking greenery and candles hanging from the chandelier. Overall, this wedding was nothing short of show-stopping and I feel so lucky to have crossed paths with these two! Thank you for the honor of capturing your perfect day! XO Jess
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!
You might remember these two from their engagement blog post last fall. All you have to do is be within 10 feet of these two to see how in love they are with each other. It is sweet, pure and genuine love. When one of them talks about the other their whole face lights up. That was one of the reasons I was even more excited to shoot this wedding.
Since the day we drove out to Wapakoneta, OH to photograph this wedding, I’ve been dying to share everything about this day with you! I’m not even sure where to begin with this venue. It’s in the middle of the country, but when you pull in it’s like it’s own little Mediterranean-inspired oasis. SoSerene is owned by a husband-and-wife team who have transformed their personal property into one of Ohio’s most unique wedding venues. Every detail you see in the entire place was handmade by one of them, from the carved marble accents to the stone outdoor pavilion where the receptions take place. When you think about just two people doing almost everything on the property and then you look around, it’s pretty mind-boggling. Lucilky for us, there was no shortage of beautiful photo opportunities.
I met Caitlyn and her bridesmaids at the pool house as they were getting ready. When I walked in I found Caitlyn with tears in her eyes. She was already emotional just thinking about Adam and the day ahead of her. The feeling was so mutual. When Adam saw Caitlyn walking down the aisle his eyes welled up with tears and it was just a magical moment I know they’ll always remember.
The pavilion they got married on was actually a floating dock! A lush garland of purple roses framed Caitlyn and Adam as they said their vows to each other. It was a hot and sunny day, but the wind was blowing softly. There was a weeping willow down by the pond. Mix one stunning wedding couple and a weeping willow softly blowing in the breeze, you get magic! The rest of the night was filled with nothing but laughter and happy tears. Caitlyn and her dad even surprised all of the guests with a choreographed dance!
Caitlyn and Adam, I love you both so much and can’t wait to see what the future brings for you. XO Jess
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
I have been excited about this wedding all year long. Not only was it the one that I consider the last of my regular fall wedding season, but it was also the most personal to me and my family. My husband Scott and I have been so blessed to get to know Alyssa, Jeff and her family over the past two years. They have truly become an extension of our little family- through thick and thin. I couldn’t think of any couple more special in our life and I’m so honored to have been here on this day as they started a new chapter in their lives together.
The day started relaxing and getting ready in separate homes. I was with Alyssa and my second shooter Katie was with Jeff. Over on our side of the process, there were so many laughs, doggie hugs, and even some pretty awesome dance moves!
Next, it was time to go to their church, Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. Alyssa and Jeff privately said their hand-written vows to each other as they held hands around a corner before the ceremony. Very rarely does this happen, but they made me quietly cry behind my camera. It was such a personal and intimate moment, that as a photographer I am lucky enough to witness. It’s in those moments that love between two people sings its loudest on wedding days, whether it’s between parent and child, siblings, or the future Mr. and Mrs.
The church itself was a stunning backdrop for the traditional Catholic ceremony. It had an old-world romantic feel that almost felt like it was from an older era. After the nuptials, we utilized the church grounds for some photos before we went downtown for some more portraits with the wedding party. It was then time for the real party to start!
Their venue was The Loft side of Dock 580 and the dining room was decorated in such a romantic and sophisticated way. Moroccan lanterns were hung over each table, and linens of blue were accented with gold and maroon. Stunning florals pouring out of centerpieces made for the perfect exclamation point on an already beautiful setting. As the guests dined, laughter from the perfect speeches filled the room. Everything felt so warm and alive.
The party ramped up with the first dances, including a fun coreographed dance by Alyssa and her father. Once open dancing started, it didn’t end until the lights were turned on. It was such a joyous blur! Their wedding day also fell on our son Caddie’s second birthday and they were nice enough to have him come to the reception for some dancing and cake! Needless to say, he loved every minute of it! Thank you again to this amazing family! I’m so thankful to have been a part of it all! XO Jess
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
This Downtown Columbus wedding needs a drum-roll before you see the photos. In reality, it wasn’t a wedding, rather a wedding reception/ kick-ass party. Eric and Alan were legally married in New York City earlier and then had their modern reception at the Columbus Museum of Art. I immediately felt like kindred spirits with the two of them through a mutual love of arts and careers in events and performances.
The thoughtful way this reception was styled was nothing short of perfection for the venue that housed it. Modern centerpieces were comprised of bright orange flowers accented with living grass. Natural light poured through the ceiling and brought all the color from both the centerpieces and the surrounding artwork to life. I adored their hot pink neon “&” sign and I stole it from their decor table for a pretty epic evening shot on the front steps of the museum. While vintage is awesome, I think more people should give a more modern approach to decor a spin. It was so uniquely them.
The cool thing about having your reception on a different day than your ceremony is you can totally focus on hanging out with your family and friends, and just being in the moment. I don’t think I’ve ever photographed so many hugs and smiling faces in one room before…and I’m a wedding photographer! We were even able to go out on the front steps of the museum and get a picture of everyone cheering the happy couple. I would whole-heartedly recommend this kind of photo for anyone who is able to get it at their wedding. As far as the party, I think this reception came close to tying my Nashville wedding for most awesome dance party. It seemed like EVERYONE there got down! At the end of the night, Eric and Alan surprised guests with some baked treats from their favorite Manhattan bakery. The perfect ending to the most genuinely fun night!
I see a lot of weddings, and I mean a lot. While Etta James and Elvis are both great tried and true first dance options, there are so many amazing songs out there that are worth a listen. A lot of these songs on their own aren’t deep cuts, but in the wedding first-dance world, I think they would easily be considered as such.
1) Just Like Heaven- The Cure
I’m starting with this song, because this was Scott and my first dance song. I have yet to hear a slowed down acoustic version that is as good as the original, so we opted for the faster paced original. I knew I would cry in our ceremony, and I didn’t want to cry at all in the reception. I wanted it to be more celebratory. And it was. Dancing to this made us feel so happy and in love. It was non-traditional and I loved it even more for that.
2) You & I- Crystal Fighters
This is another faster paced first dance song. And it’s amazing. It’s full of pure joy, happiness, love and un-pulped emotion. The video is seriously depressing and I cried when I saw it because I’m a sap (pun intended). The bird is so in love with the tree it will follow it and be with it through all of the tree’s challenges, no matter how difficult it is for the bird to watch. The ending is a depressing Romeo and Juliet scenario where the bird chooses the same fate as the tree. While the video might rock you to the core, just listen to it without watching at first so you can get a feel for the song. It’s one of my favorites.
3) Till There Was You- The Beatles
Let’s slow it down a little and jump on the Beatles bandwagon for one song. This song is so rarely used anymore for first dances and it makes me wonder why! It’s very endearing in a genuine and simple way. It’s also so fun to watch Paul’s jolly little head shake back and forth in the video.
4) Dedicated To The One I Love- Mamas & Papas
Music from this generation just felt so real. The Mamas & Papas sound so freaking good…can I get an amen? They sing songs that just fill your soul with emotion. While being sentimental, this song is also joyous and fun to dance to.
5) Hysteric (acoustic)- Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Whenever I hear this song I close my eyes and my heart aches just a little bit. Karen O’s voice is magical like that. She really makes you feel a song. The images in this video are not affiliated with the band and they make very little sense. Maybe just close your eyes like I do, and imagine yourself dancing in the arms of your love.
6) Bloom- The Paper Kites
Quiet, sweet and charming. When I listen to it, I can almost feel sunshine on my face. The Paper Kites are an Australian group, and I’m still not sure how they haven’t exploded on the scene. All of their songs are equally as good as this one.
7) Rainbow Connection- Trespassers William
It’s extremely hard to beat Kermit, but Trespassers William has done it with this achingly beautiful rendition of Rainbow Connection. More than any other song on this list, I feel like this one spans most generations, young and old alike.
8) Turn Me On- Nina Simone
We’re officially entering into a generation of brides and grooms who may have never seen the movie The Big Lebowski. Not only is it arguably one of the best movies ever made, but Nina Simone’s song “I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)” made the spectacular soundtrack. Nina’s voice is deeply haunting in a mysteriously romantic way. Maybe it was the smoking, but the raspy quality to her voice is uniquely her own, much in the same way Billy Holiday’s voice was unmatched. I’m putting both “Turn Me On” and “I Got It Bad” songs up, as “I Got It Bad” might not be the best lyrics for a first dance, but I still freaking love it and think both work really well.
9) Real Love- Adam Sandler (John Lennon Cover)
Ok so I almost didn’t put this up, but I can’t get over how perfect the melody and words are, and yet I’m not sold on any version of it that I’ve heard. I like Adam Sandler’s version a little better than even John Lennon’s because of the musical support on the track. I can’t believe I just compared Adam Sandler and John Lennon. Regina Spektor also does a version of this song. Her styling is a bit of an acquired taste, just like an exotic spice you would only want to use in certain dishes- she’s definitely not all-spice. If I were going to use this song, I’d get kick-ass musicians to play it live acoustically. I’m going to be a little obnoxious and put all three versions of it so you can get a feel for the essence of the song.
10) Higher Love- James Vincent Mc Morrow
If you’re a product of the 80s like I am, you’ll definitely know Steve Winwood’s hit “Higher Love.” While this song is just beyond stereotypically 80s and pretty awesome in a synthesized kind of way, the James Vincent Mc Morrow cover is equally awesome in the exact opposite way. His rendition is the audio version of pulling your heart out of your chest and showing it to you while it’s still beating and saying “this is what true love is.” It oozes with pure passion. I think I get about 10 seconds into it before I get teary eyed. Perfect for an unforgettable first dance.
Above all, when picking “that” song, just make sure it’s “you.” My in-law’s song is Ana Gadda Da Vida by Iron Butterfly, which I think is so awesome because it’s non-traditional, a sign of the time they were married, and kind of funny mostly because the song is pure rock and over 17 minutes long. Don’t feel the need to conform. Just make it your own. It will be so much cooler and memorable that way! Happy dancing!
