Jacob and Emily | Married at Jorgensen Farms

I. Can’t. Even.  Seriously, y’all.  I can’t even handle the seriously sweet wedding of Jacob and Emily.

Like, how can I even use mere words to express anything about the day?  These two.  I just couldn’t hold back the sweet tears when editing their pictures.  It. Was. Beautiful.

I love Jacob and Emily.

When I write one-word sentences, you know I mean business.  But when I toss out a “y’all,” well, that’s just insanity.

You might remember Jacob and Emily’s sweet proposal and fun engagement pictures.  Well, ever since those pictures, I’ve been getting to know these two so much more and they are two of the sweetest and cutest people you’ll ever meet.  I’m honored to tell the story of their day, today.

All week long–and for weeks leading up to the week of their wedding–we prayed that it wouldn’t rain on her wedding day.  And, thank the Lord Almighty, there wasn’t a speck of rain the whole day.

On the other hand, this is the temperature in the shade.

90 degrees in the shade

That’s right. 90 degrees in the shade.  The high for the day was about 96 degrees and it was to hit right about ceremony time.  Whew!

But there couldn’t be a more perfect scene for this day’s celebration of Christ’s love: Jorgensen Farm.

Jorgensen Farms

Jacob and Emily created the most beautiful decor for the day.  The decor really spoke of who they are and what they love.  Jacob created these beautiful wooden disks for the bunt cakes and carved their awesome hashtag into a log.  Jacob, in case you forgot, loves trees.  The theme was pulled together with the centerpieces, comprised of hay bales, apples, and a canning jar.  Check out the delicious cupcakes by Nothing Bunt Cakes!  Yum to the max!

Jorgensen Farms

I love when couples send each other gifts and letters on the big day.  Jacob proclaimed, “She outdid me!” when he opened his gift: a journal she’d kept since he proposed and a Bible with his name on it.  Emily, however, was giddy when she read his sweet letter and opened the ukulele he’d bought her.

Jacob and Emily gifts

I loved the look on Emily’s face when she was finally in her dress.  This girl is so classy.  I mentioned to the two of them that I don’t know how Emily so wonderfully pulled off cute and sexy.  Jacob said he wonders the same thing all the time.

Bride

Jacob paid such close attention to detail when rolling up his sleeves.  Emily, you’ve got yourself a hunk, right here!

Groom

And check out the best buds!  You might recognize someone if you follow my blog. Ray was a groom in one of my weddings in 2014; Chris is a groom coming up this winter!

Bridal Party

Tied for first is my favorite part of the day. Jacob and Emily had a no-look prayer before the ceremony.  I loved this moment; just a piece of wood separated the two of them.  They talked, held hands, and prayed.

Jacob and Emily Pray

This was a first for me and I want every bride to do it from now on!  Emily had a first look with her dad.  It was a presh moment and I held back the tears.  She did a little spin for him to take in all the beauty of his daughter, the bride.  Father/daughter moments get me every time!

Bride and father

My favorite moment of any wedding without a first look is when the groom sees his bride for the first time.  Jacob and Emily did not disappoint.

Jacob and Emily Ceremony

The ceremony was beautiful.  The day was beautiful.  I love capturing the shenanigans that the bride and groom can’t possibly know are happening, like the ring bearer, who ran through the aisle at lightning speed, being entertained by family because a wedding was just not his cup of tea.

Also, I love these flowers; Jorgensen Farm also provided the flowers for this beautiful day.

During the ceremony, Emily’s brother spoke while the two of them braided the cord of three strands.  Jacob tied a knot at the end.  The three strands represent Christ, the bride, and the groom and the braiding of them represent the extent to which the bride and groom will keep Christ at the center of their marriage and the strength of a three-strand cord, which is not easily broken, according to Ecclesiastes 4.12.

Jacob and Emily Married

On the real: I cannot even handle the look on Jacob’s face when he was told he could now kiss his bride.  Emily says he sighed with relief before going in for the first kiss as man and wife.  Presh.

Jacob and Emily first kiss

And, BAM!  They are married!  I mean, they seemed a little excited:

Jacob and Emily Happy

I mean, what’s a Rejoicing Rebecca wedding without a jumping picture?  On one pic, I had to zoom in with Jacob and Emily–Jacob is rockin’ the toe-touch!

Jacob and Emily Jump

The first thing Jacob learned as a new husband was how to dip kiss his new wife.  My hunky husband gave him a free lesson:

Jacob and Emily dip kiss lesson

I’d say he got the hang of that pretty quickly, wouldn’t you?

Jacob and Emily dip kiss

Love these two.

Jacob and Emily in love

Hats off to the best man, Jacob’s brother Lucas, for a sterling speech!  “Jacob, you’re [insert all these awesome attributes]… wait, I can’t read your handwriting!”  Classic!  And I love the sweet cake-cutting moment.

Jacob and Emily reception

Jacob and Emily danced their first dance to a song I hadn’t heard, but I’ve listened to and cried to it about 24,204 times since: Hey Pretty Girl by Kip Moore.

Jacob and Emily dance

And Emily rocked the flourish at the end of the dance with her dad.

Emily and Jacob_0020

Jacob’s mother passed when Jacob was still in college; actually, I met Emily at the visitation and knew she was awesome right away.  So, this next moment is the tear-jerkingest moment I’ve ever had as a photographer at a wedding.  First, he started dancing with his grandmother, then other women from his family took turns interrupting and dancing with him.   Emily’s mother was the last to join.  Talk about tears.  I wasn’t the only one.  That was a sweet surprise, Emily!

Jacob first dance

We had some fun with the guys here.  Don’t mind Kim; she’s just a normal, every-day photobomber.

Photobomber at wedding

As the evening wound down, we took some time after the end of the reception to do a little of my favorite thing: light painting.  We took a short walk from the barn reception and nailed this shot on the second try.  Love. It.  Seriously.

Emily and Jacob_0022

This day wouldn’t have been possible without this man for a couple of reasons: He’s the officiant and my biggest supporter!   Love this hunk and his getup.

The Hunk

He is always helping me practice lighting setups.

Epic Punch

Also, without him, I wouldn’t be able to photobomb my own pictures:

Photographer Photobomb

Jacob and Emily, I can’t wait to watch you continue to grow in your marriage and I’m so glad we’ve become such good friends!  I’m truly honored that you would trust me to remember your day for you. I treasure your trust.  Congrats on your holy union!

Love in Christ,

Columbus Wedding Photography

Gretchen and Wendell | Married at Denison University

Just a week ago, Gretchen and Wendell got hitched!

I traveled to the beautiful Swasey Chapel on Denison University‘s campus.  The bouquets were beautifully done by Bloomtastic.

Gretchen and Wendell

Ladies and gentelmen, meet Wendell:

Gretchen and Wendell

Wendell is a rockstar nurse in Cincinnati and a graduate of Denison University; his lovely wife, Gretchen, is also a graduate of Denison University and works in the insurance biz in Cincinnati.

Gretchen and Wendell

I love the glittery detail in her dress. Breathtaking!

Gretchen and Wendell

The chapel stage had some nice and used wood flooring for the backdrop of their rings. If you look carefully, you’ll notice “Love” is written on the inside of Wendell’s ring.

Gretchen and Wendell

If there were ever a wedding that was both simple and sophisticated, these two nailed it. Nailed it! The chapel is so classy and the two kept the ceremony simple and personal. Loved every second of it! See the moment when dad wiped away his tear? That was my teary-eyed moment of the day. Dads get me every time. Every. Stinkin. Time. What a sincerely loving dad you have, Gretchen! But I don’t have to tell you that.

Gretchen and Wendell

Here comes my favorite part of the day: That moment just after the wedding when the bride and groom have exited the ceremony, are alone, and no one has joined them (except the stealthy photographer). “We’re married! We did it!” Eeeeee! Love it!

Gretchen and Wendell

And hurricane/tropical storm Bill had started making its way into the Midwest. So, we hurried to grab a few pics of the entire wedding party between the rain drops.

Gretchen and Wendell

See that hunk with the umbrella? That’s my super-hunky assistant. I pay him in hugs.

Gretchen and Wendell

To get out of the rain, we retreated to the beautiful chapel and had a little romantic moment and then some fun; Gretchen loved twirling in her dress. Wendell twirled along with. Gotta love a little bride and groom fun between ceremony and reception.

Gretchen and Wendell

Did I mention reception? I sure did! They danced.

Gretchen and Wendell

 

They tossed.

Gretchen and Wendell

They caught.

Gretchen and Wendell

They had cake.  Check out these cupcakes from The Cupcake Collection.  Delicious and beautiful!

Gretchen and Wendell

Then they danced some more. These, friends, know how to bust a move!

Gretchen and Wendell

Love forever,
Columbus Wedding and Portrait Photographer

Columbus Wedding and Portrait Photographer

Gretchen + Wendell | Sneak Peek

I just got home from the beautiful wedding of Gretchen and Wendell!

I couldn’t wait to show you this fabulous sneak peek from my favorite moment of the day!

Gretchen and Wendell

This happened just after they exited their ceremony; they are elated!

I can’t wait to show you more, you two love birds!

Enjoy your honeymoon!

Love,
Columbus Wedding and Portrait Photographer

Nikki and Brian | Engaged

You know that girl, right?  The one who always has a camera and wants to take pictures of everything to remember everything that has ever happened?

Well, sometimes I’m that girl.  But Nikki.  Nikki is my kindred spirit in this regard.

Well, at least according to Brian.

Lovely readers, meet Nikki and Brian, engaged:

Nikki and Brian Engaged

I met up with Nikki and Brian at the Sharon Woods park in Sharonville, Ohio–just north of Cincinnati earlier this month to be that girl who captures pictures of all the things so that we can remember everything that happened.

We had a blast.  Just ask Brian.

Speaking of Brian, I love how he just adores Nikki.  She’s clearly enamored of him.  We had a blast being goofy and silly.

Nikki and Brian Engaged

As we perused the park, we happened upon my dream location: a bridge that had been washed out and the brick support was all that remained.  To top if off, nature had taken over.  Yesssss!

It was a perfect fit for these two explorers, who love to go off the beaten path.  Nikki and Brian are avid hikers who plan to use their honeymoon getaway to hike.  Hike!  In South America!  What an amazing adventure!

Nikki and Brian Engaged

The highlight of the evening was Brian.  Seriously: What a guy!  Brian, I enjoyed meeting you.  You were a blast!

Nikki and Brian Engaged

It seems my favorite moments come after we think we’re finished shooting.  As we were walking back to our cars, talking about the epic day that will be their wedding, we came across this sweet opening in the trees.  The sky was fab-u-lous! Then, this:

Nikki and Brian Engaged

 

What an awesome time I had with you two!  I can’t wait to document the awesome day you two get married!  What an adventure!

Love,
Columbus Wedding and Portrait Photographer

Columbus Wedding Photographer

Exciting news!

It’s 2015!  What better way to bring in the new year than to share good news, eh?

In 2013, I won an amazing promotional video package from Angie and Andrea at the iHeartFaces conference in Central Ohio.  Andrea and Angie are in the process of starting up their video business: The Picture Show.

Anyway, a couple months ago, we finished with the filming and after a few weeks of processing, it was handed over to me!

I’m so excited to present to you my promotional video!

A huge thank-you goes out to Kim and Ray, who were amazingly supportive of this video; they allowed Andrea to tag along with me as I shot their wedding and even showed up in a cold, rainy day to let them Angie and Andrea film me taking pictures of them again!  So unbelievably thankful for you two!

Love forever,
Columbus Wedding and Portrait Photographer

Newlyweds | Ray and Kim

Newlyweds! Newlyweds!  They’ve been married for only a tiny bit now.  They’re just newlyweds!

But I met up with Ray and Kim again at Glacier Ridge Metro Park for some quick newlywed pics.  I am so grateful for such awesome clients!  We didn’t meet for very long, but these two were troopers.  It was raining off and on.  It was also chili.  I bought a blanket hoping it would be cozier.  Well, the blanket was a bit thin, but, who needs a blanket when you’re a newlywed, anyway, right?

Ray and Kim Newlyweds

 

Thanks for the fun.  I can’t wait to show everyone the rest of the results of this shoot! *hint* *hint* ;)

I’m sure that you are now intrigued.  If you’ve been following, you may have a clue as to the announcement I’m about to make.

Seriously: I’m not pregnant.  Neither is she.

Mysteriously,

 

Columbus Wedding and Newlyweds Photographer