Alexis, Chad, and their giant crew of friends and family gathered at the Civic Center for their bridal prep. This was SPECTACULAR news for me coming into this wedding, as pretty much every photographer in the area was a little stressed by the less than ideal weather caused by tropical storm Olga. The Civic Center has gorgeous large windows and is one of the very few areas in downtown Lima with coverage, so it would have been my suggestion even if we weren't already there! 

Alexis and her ladies (and sweet baby Barrett) were busy with hair and makeup in the conference room at the connected Wingate Hotel. They all buzzed around in their matching personalized hoodies while they munched on morning goodies, and sipped on mimosas. Alexis wore a gorgeous fitted, sleeveless, bateau necked gown. The dress was white with blush undertones and covered in gorgeous lace and bead details. The neckline and sides were shear, and the back was open. Alexis wore her hair curled, half up, and finished with a cathedral length veil with beaded trim. Her shoes were silver and covered in gems, she wore drop jeweled earrings, and a few pearl and jeweled bracelets. Her look was completed with a breathtaking bouquet from the talented Ivy Hutch on which she wrapped Chad's grandmother's handkerchief and attached charms with images of her grandparents and uncle. 

​Whenever people hear about how Mark and I met they usually tell me that it’s like a Hallmark movie, well it’s MY Hallmark movie for sure. To give you a little back story, every year my family goes to the candlelight vigil on Christmas Eve and every year we sit behind the same family, Mark’s family. Sometimes the love of your life is right in front of you...literally and you don’t even know it! So Christmas Eve 2015 is where our story begins. Now fast forward to May 13, 2017; Mark and I are having brunch with our parents, the first time that we all really got a chance to be together. When we were leaving my mom handed me a photo box and told me to open it in my car…SURPRISE! Mark is sending me on a scavenger hunt. The first clue sent me to a park where we had spent many afternoons taking walks, there I found his dad who gave me my second clue. This clue was taking me downtown where we had gone on quite a few dates, his mom was there waiting for me with my next clue. This clue was telling me to head to the location of our first date, my dad was sitting at the bar waiting for me with my final clue. I knew exactly where I needed to go next...to the church where we had met Christmas Eve 2015! I’m pretty sure you know what comes next…💍!! What made it even better was when he turned me around and I saw my mom and his parents had been hiding in the church doors! But, my favorite moment though wasn’t seeing the ring, or putting it on because I’m going to be honest with you...I didn’t even look at the ring until we were getting ready to leave. My favorite moment was sitting in the pews where we first met. Because it was in that moment that I could feel God smiling down on us, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that Christmas Eve Mass in 2015. Sitting back in those spots gave me chills because I knew that it was all part of God’s plan and that he sent me His most precious angel who got down on one knee and asked me to be his forever wife

Folks, when I worked with Veronica and Mark last year for their engagement session I knew this wedding would be nothing short of epic. They are both kind, loving, FUN, and detail oriented. This day was completely filled with every bit of those qualities. 

The couple's day started out surrounded with family and friends at the gorgeous Jameson Manor. The top floor belonged to the ladies and the bottom to the men. Each had a scrumptious buffet of food and beverages laid out beautifully for them to munch on.  Upstairs Veronica, who is talented in so many ways, tackled her hair and makeup while the Beauty by Jill team was working away on the rest of the crew. Downstairs the boys hung out, sang, sipped on bourbon and worked on getting their finishing touches on. 

Veronica wore an absolutely stunning sleeveless A-line gown with an open back, plunging V-neckline, and sheer bodice covered in lace that trickled down the skirt. The full skirt with several layers and a dramatic train, was full of lace, sequence, and bead details. I practically squealed with delight over her unique heels when I spotted them sitting near her details, they were champagne in color and  simple in design with the exception of a jeweled detail spiraling up the heel, and a diamond at the top of the spiral on the left shoe. She wore her hair down and loosely curled finished with a cathedral length veil placed near the crown of her head and a jeweled hair piece. 

The couple made sure to make all their friends and family felt their love with letters and gifts. Many laughs and tears were shared. One of my favorite moments was seeing Veronica in a full belly laugh after Mark had surprised her with confetti in his card. She explained that was a thing they do to people and she had thought of doing it to him but didn't...these two really are on the same brain wave! 

One of the final things we did before leaving for the church was have a special moment with Veronica and her dad. It was a sweet and tender moment seeing a dad and his little girl together moved with such emotion. 

​We met October 29th, 2016 at Levis Commons in Perrysburg, OH. It was a blind date, set up by our friends Emma and Brandyn. The funny thing about our blind date, was that Emma had been telling me about Jared long before the break-up with my previous boyfriend. (Somehow she knew!) After that first date, we have been inseparable since. We came into the relationship with the idea that we really didn't want to deal with anymore heartache. Jared is the kindest, sweetest, cutest, hardworking guy I have ever had the pleasure to know (besides my dad), let alone get to be with. We really compliment each others personalities well, as if God made us both with the other in mind. Although some may not believe it, we have never fought with each other and so far the ship has been smooth sailing.

I would describe Cassie + Jared's wedding as romatic and vintage. Oh. my. goodness. friends, Black Bird Farm was perfect for their day! This venue has been on my radar for awhile but I haven't been lucky enough to have a wedding out there till now. I swear this venue was made for Cassie.

The ladies took over the upper floor of the perfectly decorated farm house as they prepped for the day. Cassie wore a beautiful light and flowy sleeveless gown with blush undertones. Her hair was intricately swept into a gorgeous full braid, and topped with a fingertip veil with beautiful beaded trim. She wore rose gold heels, simple drop earrings, a vintage style pearl necklace, and her grandmothers ring. Speaking of rings....can we talk about Cassie's...oh my goodness I am in LOVE!!! Her ring is so unique and fits her in every way. Even Cassie's garter fit the romantic-vintage feel of the day with the off-white lace and the sweet blue button sewn on the top. Cassie's look was completed with a gorgeous cream and green bouquet with succulent accents. 

Jared and the boys used a room on the main floor for their prep. Jared wore a white shirt, cream tie and vest, blue velvet jacket, some ridiculously cool brown shoes, and a white fedora. 

Nope that isn't a typo, this ridiculously sweet couple will be one of my 2020 wedding couples and YES, they are both named Spencer. I'm not going to lie to you, it was a little difficult at first giving directions. I needed to figure out a way to make sure they knew who I was giving direction to. I tried out Spence, Miller, and I think I ended on Spencer M lol. Anyway...it turned out great! We started in downtown Ada then swung out to their future wedding venue. Spencer S. did throw Spencer M. under the bus (kinda like I am now) when I first got there and explained that picture taking was his least favorite thing << most guys feel that way Spencer M., you are not alone. BUT they did AMAZING and I can't wait for their BIG day <3  

Chloe is one of our senior models this year! She is also a family friend, and I photographed her sister's senior photos...so I was stoked when I heard she was joining our senior model program. Man, I love photographing Chloe, she falls right into posing, is super easy and obviously gorgeous <3 I can't wait for her second session coming up soon! 

 Will someone pinch me!! I swear I am dreaming because I get the most beautiful clients <3 Audrey and her gorgeous hair, eyes, and smile made my day!

​We met when we were 14 years old. Aidan was a sophomore in high school and I was a freshman. We met in marching band in high school and have been in mutual weirdness ever since. We recently celebrated our 8 year anniversary and are both each other’s first and last loves. There are a few things we disagree on like music and tv shows but the things we do agree on and the selfless things we do for each other has made every day of the last 8 years the best. Our love has traveled with us all over because we love to travel and adventure. We have gone all over Ohio and many other states across the country. We hope to continue to take it everywhere with us across the rest of the country and the world. It is these memories that we will cherish forever and will continue to keep our love growing like it has in the past.

Before I dive into describing the bridal prep, I want to touch on a couple things Ruby said in the love story... "each other's first and last loves"... [insert heavy swoon and all the heart eyes] I LOVE these two!! "Mutual weirdness ever since" I mean... isn't that the goal we all have? To find someone that you can share all your weirdness with and they look at you like "oh really, that's all the weirdness you got? Here, hold my beer. Let's do this life thing together." LOL I love this statement so much I may have to steal it for MY relationship description. 

Ok...let's talk bridal prep now! Ruby and her ladies had hair and makeup done off campus by Beauty by Jill, then hopped on over to the church to get their final touches on. They had sweet purple personalized robes to wear while they hung out. Right before Ruby got ready, the bridesmaids slipped into their gorgeous charcoal dresses that had plunging V-necklines and POCKETS!! I absolutely loved the choice of necklaces for the ladies. I thought it was very unique and capitalized on the fact that the front of the dress was already gorgeous so the main feature of the pearl necklaces draped down the back. Ruby wore a stunning off-white strapless A-line gown. The bodice was covered in lace that crept down onto the amazingly full skirt. This dress was perfect and made Ruby look like a princess floating across the ground. She wore beautiful jeweled heels and her grandmother's earrings, necklace, and ring. Ruby's hair was down and loosely curled. She wore a small headband and a knee length veil. 

​On our wedding day, Eric and I will have been dating for 10 years and 2 days. Our story begins WAY back when I was in eighth grade and Eric was a sophomore in high school. Eric first texted me "Hey friend", and I had no idea who it was. He eventually told me who he was, which lead to him telling me that he was texting me because his cousin Andrew had a crush on me! Ultimately, Eric and I actually ended up dating. We dated all throughout high school, college at The Ohio State University, and through his first years of his career while I attended graduate school at BGSU. After 8.5 years of dating, Eric proposed on the Oval on The Ohio State University's campus, a university that played a large role in the growth of our relationship. We are so thankful for the support of all our family and friends throughout our entire relationship, and we can't wait to begin our married life together!

Justine's parent's home was filled to the brim with beautiful ladies in cute robes buzzing around with personalized glasses for their mimosas when we arrived. The living room had been turned into a beauty salon and all hands were on deck to beautify Justine, and her massive crew! After hair and makeup were complete Justine slipped into her gorgeous high neck, sleeveless, lace covered sheath gown, and stunning silver heels. She wore her hair up elegantly with a jeweled comb side piece, and a fingertip veil with bead trim. Her jewelry was simple with jeweled drop earrings, a pearl  bracelet, and her grandmother's ring on her right hand. Justine was very detailed oriented and sprinkled special touches everywhere through out the day starting with their wedding date painted ever so tiny on her toe, their wedding date hand stitched on her dress by her mother,  a blue bow from her grandmother's dress sewn next to it, and her grandfather's ring attached to her bouquet.