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Cleveland Renaissance Hotel Wedding – Alex & Matt

I love the unconventional. After all, I still shoot film, which is certainly unconventional at this point. Unconventional weddings and couples are even better. They’re new, different, and unique. They stand apart – special. So is the story with Alex and Matt. They’re certainly unconventional, and so was their downtown Cleveland wedding.

It helps if I rewind a bit and start with a little about Alex and Matt. First – they met online and then started dating. While a little unconventional, this is becoming much more common. I can’t count the number of couples I’ve worked with who initially met online. What’s more unconventional is Alex & Matt’s proposal story. You see, Alex(andria) proposed to Matt. As she puts it, there was no reason to stand on convention. She was ready for marriage, she thought the same of Matt, so she proposed.

Alex & Matt’s Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding was similarly unconventional as well. Instead of a large bridal party divided into men & women, they chose a different route. Matt had his best man, and Alex had her “bridesman.” A small bridal party for sure, but also so important to Alex & Matt.

The plan for the wedding day was a little unusual as well. It started with the wedding ceremony at Josaphat’s Art Center, which is housed in an old church. Instead of delaying cocktail hour until everyone could reach the Renaissance hotel, they held the cocktail hour immediately following the ceremony in the arts hall. Unconventional – sure. However, holding the cocktail hour back-to-back with the ceremony allowed everyone to celebrate immediately. It was awesome.

Below are just a few highlights from Alex & Matt’s beautiful – yet unconventional – wedding. I certainly hope you enjoy. And for Alex & Matt – thank you so much for having me as a small part of your wedding day. I loved every minute – especially the card box monster!

Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall wedding ceremony by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall wedding ceremony by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall wedding ceremony by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall wedding ceremony by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic A late summer wedding at the Josaphat Arts Hall and Renaissance Cleveland Hotel with Alexandria and Matt. Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic

Ashtabula Wedding Photography – Lyndsey & Jerry

It took us forever to find Lyndsey’s home on the morning of her wedding. First, was the long drive to Ashtabula from Cleveland. Then came the process of locating her house nestled out on a country lane. It was tucked back from the road, among a small group of other homes. Once we arrived, we were in for a real treat.

Just inside was Lyndsey and all of her bridesmaids, each one more beautiful than the next. And then there was Lyndsey – simply gorgeous and completely relaxed. The entire morning moved along smoothly, as Lyndsey got ready for her wedding surrounded by family and friends.

We were then off to Ashtabula’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel for the wedding ceremony. In an unusual fashion, the priest started his homily with some laughter. He blamed his close relationship with Lyndsey’s family for his constant need to miss Notre Dame Football games. Seemingly, the priest was constantly called upon for marriages, baptisms and other important happenings within Lyndsey family. In hindsight, the priest’s half-joking start to the homily seemed very fitting for the wedding day. After all, this was a wedding truly made up of family and friends.

Beyond the joking priest, wonderful weather, amazing florals and beautiful bridesmaids, there is something about this wedding that I love best. It’s actually Lyndsey and Jerry themselves. Specifically – their love story is amazing. They met when Lyndsey was still in high school. Jerry had already graduated. Obviously, this did not sit too well with Lyndsey’s family. Before long, they were ordered in no uncertain terms to disband the relationship until Lyndsey graduated. As Lyndsey’s father put it during his toast, he thought that was the end.

Instead, Lyndsey and Jerry stuck it out, while also honoring the wishes of Lyndsey’s family. They remained loose friends while Lyndsey finished up high school. Following her graduation, magnetism pulled them back together. By the time of their wedding, they had already been together longer than many married couples. I guess there’s always a path to overcome obstacles.

Below are just a few highlights from their Ashtabula wedding photography. I particularly love the portraits captured on film in downtown. And if you are curious, you can even see Lyndsey & Jerry’s engagement session, published late last year. Hope you enjoy!

Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Our Lady of Mount Carmel Ashtabula wedding ceremony by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Our Lady of Mount Carmel Ashtabula wedding ceremony by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Our Lady of Mount Carmel Ashtabula wedding ceremony by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic For the photographers curious about my film process, the outdoor portraits above are all medium format Fuji 400H shot on a Contax 645, with film processing/scanning by Richard Photo Lab.

 

Lavender & Sage Styled Bridal Shower Photography Published by Showerbelle

I still get excited every time this happens, although I am not sure why. Maybe it’s akin to a child waiting for Christmas, knowing the excite that is just around the corner. I love sharing the wedding work I capture around Cleveland, so press features are always a welcome treat.

Last year, I worked with an amazing team of wedding professionals to capture a Lavender & Sage themed wedding elopement. Set amongst a real lavender farm near Cleveland, the session features some amazing scenery and design concepts. At the time, the team was thrilled to see it featured by another amazing blog.

Seeing that the style shoot also looked like an amazing bridal shower photography, Showerbelle just published the Lavender & Sage shoot as a new feature. I’m thrilled that Showerbelle included our work amongst some stunning work from other wedding professionals. You definitely have to stop by and check out the feature, as well as some of the other work Showerbelle has to show.

Just below you can enjoy a couple highlights from this shoot. Much more can be seen over at Showerbelle. Enjoy!

Lavender and sage styled Cleveland bridal shower photography by Hunter Photographic Lavender and sage styled Cleveland bridal shower photography by Hunter Photographic Lavender and sage styled Cleveland bridal shower photography by Hunter Photographic Lavender and sage styled Cleveland bridal shower photography by Hunter Photographic Lavender and sage styled Cleveland bridal shower photography by Hunter Photographic Lavender and sage styled Cleveland bridal shower photography by Hunter Photographic Lavender and sage styled Cleveland bridal shower photography by Hunter Photographic Lavender and sage styled Cleveland bridal shower photography by Hunter Photographic

Event concept & design – Baci Designer
Photography – Hunter Photographic
Location – DayBreak Lavender Farm
Invitations & stationery – Baci Designer
Bouquets, boutonnieres, bride’s crown and table flowers – Molly Taylor Designs
Wedding cake and desserts – Hummingbird Bake Shop
Vintage furniture – Borrow Vintage + Eclectic Rentals
Bride and Bridesmaid fashions – provided by Something White Bridal Boutique
Wedding dress – Abingdon Square Gown by Lela Rose
Bride’s sash – Country Side Sash by Ivy & Aster
Bridesmaid dress – Penny Dress by Ivy & Aster
Bride & Bridesmaid Jewelry – Honey Rose & K Oh Deer Collection
Make-up design – Maggie Klienman of MKleinman Artistry
Hair design – Hayley Kane of Studio H

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