Jackie and Joey wanted something small and relaxed for their wedding day, and they chose to hold their celebration at the Welshfield Inn in Burton, OH.  Jackie is one of my coworkers at the hospital, and for weeks, we were hoping for snow because she wanted a snowy wedding day so badly. And we were fortunate because that is what she got!  Jackie and Joey said "I do" in front of a small group of friends and family and enjoyed a sit-down dinner together with cheesecake for dessert.  I loved the details of Jackie and Joey's day that honored her father who passed away from cancer.  Joey wore her dad's old paisley tie, and Jackie had a necklace with his fingerprint draped around her bouquet.  I also loved the bond that Jackie had with her sweet mom and watching her mom's expression as she zipped Jackie up into her wedding dress.  I know Jackie's dad would have absolutely relished the opportunity to walk his little girl down the aisle, but Jackie's sister filled in for him and escorted Jackie by the arm as she walked toward her new groom.  Congratulations Jackie and Joey!  Many years of love and happiness for to you!

Sadie and Zach.  Oh, where to begin with these two.  I am so glad that that little, fancy black box of mine led me to these two.  They feel like a sista from another mista and a brotha from anotha motha. And their big day was just fantastic.  Their awesome group of friends and family is a testament to how amazing these two are, but it's not just because they are amazing in and of themselves, it's because their Heavenly Father shines His light right through them.  And their big day majorly reflected that fact.  One of my favorites moments of the day was listening to their story (which probs should be a plot of a rom com, by the way) during the ceremony.  They fought for each other but always put their relationship with Jesus above their own desires, even when that meant they had to separate.  But as every rom com should end, these two found their way back together, and this is just the beginning for them.  Of this I am sure.  I love you guys so much.  Hope these images bring you joy and help you remember this day for the rest of your lives. :-)

Crystal and I finished out our 2018 wedding season with Maria and Bryan's fall wedding at the Welshfield Inn in Burton, OH.  The two lovebirds exchanged vows on an October afternoon underneath a wooden, flower-draped pergola behind the inn.  One of my favorite moments of the day was watching Bryan's face as Maria started her walk down the aisle beside her dad and step-dad (ok confession, that's usually one of my favorite moments of the day, but Bryan's was particularly endearing).  The Best Man patted him on the back and gave him a knowing look as the groom's eyes teared up. The sun came out following the ceremony for some glowy, golden hour portraits, and the wedding guests proceeded into the reception tent which was decorated with shades of burgundy, dusty rose, and gold, sequin table runners, white pumpkins, and of course, cupcakes (rejoice!).  The evening was chilly, but inside the tent was warm, with guests basking in the glow of (dare I say it) young love, and also space heaters, lots of space heaters!

Sarah and Tony celebrated their Akron fall wedding on a cool Saturday in September.  Bride Sarah shared a First Look with both her dad and her groom in the church courtyard before the Catholic marriage ceremony.  After making it official and exiting the church amidst a flourish of bubbles, the bride, groom, and bridal party in gray and navy blue hit up some portrait locations on the north side of Akron, including the Mustill Store in Cascade Locks Park and the Northside Marketplace.  Sarah and Tony then hosted their reception at Guy's Party Center, which they decorated with tall floral arrangements, navy blue and silver chair sashes, white candles and greenery.  And let me tell you, they had the most yummy cake balls ever (confession: I definitely had more than my share) which matched the wedding colors and were arranged on a tiered display on top of a silver sequin tablecloth.  Hope you are enjoying newlywed life, Sarah and Tony!

PSA for Groomsmen: What is the most important thing to remember when you are standing up there beside the groom? DON'T, I repeat, DON'T lock your knees.  Ryan's little brother learned that the hard way unfortunately, right in the middle of his big brother's wedding ceremony, and hit the deck (and by deck, I mean the church's stone floor).  But after taking a seat for a bit, drinking some water, and undoubtedly feeling the sting to his dignity, he popped right back up there with a face that said, "Dang it, I'm a little brother, and I will NEVER live this down."  This was one of the many laughs during Shelby and Ryan's wedding day in Oberlin, OH. The couple had their ceremony in a beautiful stone chapel right off the campus of Oberlin College before taking some pictures at Schoepfle Garden in Birmgingham, OH and then heading to the Lodge of New Russia Township in Oberlin, OH for their relaxed reception.