I have a special treat to post today! My last post was about a small intimate wedding. And I mentioned that it really doesn’t get more intimate unless you get married at the courthouse. Welcome to kate and Jeff’s courthouse elopement! I am starting to be truly obsessed with courthouse elopements. They have an excitement that’s so different from the feelings of a big wedding! Only the closest-of-the close are invited. In fact, the last time I shot one it was just me and the couple. On this day, I arrived and was immediately struck with Kates warm and kind smile. She wore a short white wedding dress and her look was so classic. It reminded me of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Her dress fit her like a glove and there was a good reason for that- she made it! Not only did she make it, but she made it using her mother’s old wedding dress. (Let the sentimental tears start flowing!) She even made pockets in the dress! As we waited, her mom stood next to her and just beamed from ear-to-ear. I know I ‘ll look just like her mom if my kids get married someday. At the courthouse, the hallway started to fill up with other families who were going to tie the knot. All cultures and all ethnicities were waiting for the judge to call them back for their turn to say “I do”. After a very long feeling few minutes, Jeff and Kate were finally called. We all went into a small room and the ceremony only lasted about 5 minutes. From there, the three of us drove around the city to find the cutest places we could find! I am so honored to have been with them both and can’t wait for the world to see how fun this day was! XO Jess
Kristy and John had a very small family-only ceremony earlier this year. It was probably the most intimate ceremony I’ve been to outside of a courthouse elopement. I was lucky enough to meet up with Kristy twice before her wedding and in that time frame I learned what a strong mother she was and we bonded over similar life experiences.
When I arrived Kristy was by herself in the church’s back hallway. She was getting ready in the same room they stored the choir robes and candelabras. Her mom and sister joined us shortly after and they helped her put her dress on. As I photographed her getting ready, I couldn’t stop staring, mostly because I was so excited for John to see her. Her getting ready photos ended up being some of my favorite from the shoot.
I had never met John before this day, so I went and introduced myself before the ceremony. I was met with the warmest smile, a laid back personality and an excitement that never gets old no matter how many grooms I photograph.
As guests arrived, they were met with a gift of a little succulent plant. Kristy and John’s two kids were both so dapper in their little tuxedos. Their older son held on to their wedding rings as he walked down the aisle. The rings were affixed to John’s family Bible. John’s eyes welled up when he saw Kristy walking towards him. It was the perfect moment in time.
After the ceremony, we were lucky enough to do outdoor family photos. The rain also held off long enough for me to grab a few portraits before the family went on to their private dinner celebration. As I was leaving Kristy handed me a small succulent plant which I’ve still managed to keep alive! Thank you both for having me with you on this incredible day! XO Jess
This wedding was everything to me. By the end of the night, I was so star struck with both Justin and Mike. Today I’m super excited to announce that their wedding was published earlier this year on Gay Weddings and Mariage Magazine! Check it out!
So excited to share that Lauren and Roger’s wedding from last year has been published on The Wed Clique! Click the link below for the wedding that had it all- from start to finish this day was a 10. I feel so honored to have been a small part of it and I’m super excited that now the world gets to see these two lovebirds!
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!
It was early March at the cusp of spring when Kelly and Adam said “I do” in the heart of Downtown Westerville, Ohio. Their beautiful ceremony took place at the Church of the Messiah. I love shooting there because the towering stained glass windows and candles that illuminate the center aisle-way are romantic and always inspire me as a photographer. I think Kelly and Adam felt the same way because they specially requested some photos with the windows as the backdrop.
Kelly’s dress was just perfect for her. It was form-fitting at the top and gradually cascaded downward. She topped it off with the most beautiful lace shell. My favorite part was how she finished the look with a long necklace which you don’t see very often. It made her look both vintage and modern at the same time- that necklace brought an unexpected cool factor in my book.
In March the sun sets early so we shot portraits in downtown Westerville instead of traveling around the city. I’m so glad we did too because the sun was low and warm in the sky and made for some pretty dreamy photos. It was admittedly pretty cold and Kelly and Adam were both really great sports to go along with all of our ideas. From downtown Westerville, we made our way over to Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center in Lewis Center, Ohio. The facility had just renovated their Edgewater room and Kelly and Adam’ss wedding was the first to ever be held in the new facility, and boy it didn’t disappoint. Everything was pristine, fresh and stunning. The evening light flooded through the windows and made the whole room feel romantic. The new ceiling beams added a rustic charm and the new paint and finishes offer a more modern and clean look. This new space is everything I hoped it would be as a photographer!
Kelly and Adam’s friends and family gave some great speeches- including Adam’s confirmation of being a Steelers fan now, whether he likes it or not. Later on the dance floor, the men of the room surprised everyone with an all-out on the floor booty shake and roll dance. I’ve been to tons of weddings and never seen this before but it was amazing! I hope you enjoy this wedding today! It was such an honor to meet these two and get to know them over the last few months. Love always, Jess
Here is the post I’ve waited all of 2017 to write!!! Along with featuring photos from my 25 couples whose weddings I was lucky enough to photograph this year, I also wanted to share some business side goals that I had for 2017 and where I want to go for 2018!
2017 was my 9th season as a professional wedding photographer. I used it as a rebuilding year in that I updated a ton of gear including my computer. I worked on streamlining operational flow and reassessing products, brand, and imagery. I have always cherished my network of other local photographers, but this past year we all banded together in monthly meetings to critique, evaluate and lift up each other’s businesses. The experiences I’ve drawn from these meetings have been invaluable. There is so much talent in the greater Columbus area!
I had a few goals this year- one was to become the blogging overlord of Columbus. I would say I still have a ways to go in attaining that title, but I did smash all of my previous years’ blogging numbers. Why was this important to me? I firmly believe that every shoot I take deserves to be showcased. While I fell short of this goal by a few shoots, I truly love all the people who I get to meet, even if I’m just spending an hour with them. I absolutely love writing about the little nuances and experiences that made each shoot uniquely them.
in 2018, I want to share not only my shoots and photography but a little more about myself as well. This means being more vulnerable on a public platform and sharing more of my WHY – WHY I’m in photography, WHY I shoot the way I do, WHY I’m so excited about this business.
So without further ado, I’m so excited to share these incredible moments with you today. I always try to make my blog posts short enough so it doesn’t feel like you’re scrolling through endless photos, but today no such luck. There were far too many to narrow down! Thank you to all of these couples, the photographers who second shot for me, the vendors who kept the days running smoothly and to the network of family and friends I’ve been able to grow year after year through this magical journey. 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
You might remember these two beautiful people from their engagement shoot posted here earlier last year. Jess is an OSU super-fan, so when it came to their wedding, the theme was a no-brainer! The entire bridal party wore OSU colors and of course, it wouldn’t have been an OSU wedding without a stop to the shoe for photos during the portrait session.
Their day started with a first look on a spectacular fall afternoon at the Whetstone Park of Roses. Their bridal party was so cute- they were all peeking at the interaction from around the corner and couldn’t wait to join them right after! After a huge group hug, it was time for them to walk down the aisle and get hitched.
Keeping with the OSU theme, their ring bearer wore an OSU jersey and carried a football. It was beyond cute as he ran and smiled ear-to-ear. The ceremony was officiated by a mutual friend of the couple and Misti and Jess said their vows in front of tons of family and friends in the scenic rose garden. After a few photos in the park, we made a pit stop down the street at Lineage Brewing so the happy couple could share their first toast as a married couple with their closest friends. Afterward, we ventured to the Horseshoe on the OSU campus for some fun and relaxed photos with everyone.
The party ramped up at the Westerville Legion where the OSU campus specialty Adriatico’s pizza was served as part of a tailgate food spread. Sentimental toasts were given to the happy couple and the entire place filled with love and laughter as the open dancing started. Dance moves were incredible and I’ve never seen so many hugs in one night. Everyone was just so happy and I feel so lucky to have been there to experience it. A huge thank you to Misti and Jess for honoring me with being able to spend the day with you both!
