Blog | Columbus Wedding Photographer

Danielle & Matt – A Clifton Club Wedding in Lakewood

I’ve been anticipating Danielle and Matt’s wedding ever since we first met over a year ago. They’re such a wonderful couple together and the whole wedding plan was a perfect fit. To say they’re the ideal client would be an understatement. Danielle and Matt’s wedding took place right in my little Lakewood neighborhood. I could literally walk to their wedding, although I didn’t. Lakewood’s Congregational Church and it’s Georgian design would be the backdrop for the ceremony, while the vaunted Clifton Club would host the wedding reception, all just block’s from my home.

As I had hoped, their wedding earlier this week turned out perfect. The ceremony, backed by sunny blue skies, was intimate, emotional and beautiful. For the wedding reception at the Clifton Club, Danielle and Matt had planned a detail-laden outdoor affair. While the inside of the club is gorgeous, the reception took place on the lawn, ringed by glowing lights. The flowers provided by Lakewood’s Cottage of Flowers had a distinct vintage flare to match the light, airy feeling. As the sun set, guests danced the night away under a soft incandescent glow on the patio.

Danielle and Matt’s wedding felt like home for me, and not just because of the location. Over the past year, I had gotten to know Danielle and Matt through their engagement session and many planning emails. I also happened to photograph an earlier wedding this month where Danielle and Matt were guests. Not just for me, but for everyone, their wedding was comfortable and quaint.

Before the ceremony, Danielle and Matt chose to do a first look on the Clifton Club lawn. And to add a little more, we escaped briefly at night from the wedding reception to capture a few more portraits in the Lakewood neighborhood. Below are a few favorites, and some fun ones, too –

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Above – Danielle’s simply stunning Casablanca wedding dress and a brace of colorful, matching bridesmaid dresses.

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

A first look for Danielle and Matt, on the back quarter of the Clifton Club lawn.

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Biodegradable confetti flew as they exited the wedding ceremony. A confetti fight might have broken out!

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Formals can be fun! Above – my favorite groomsman keeping everyone laughing!

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

The beautiful ladies on the front lawn of the Club.

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle’s details had a distinct vintage wedding flare. I love the menu and seating chart written out on an old window pane. And everything was personal – a close friend’s homemade lemon sorbet was served after dinner.

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Above – some paperwork to be done. Below – a smoke on the patio to end the dinner.

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle and Matt’s sunset first dance above, and a few portraits in the neighborhood below.

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Above – running through the neighborhood with sparklers, just for fun. Below – let the party begin!

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

OK – this last one is kinda special. It violates nearly every compositional rule. Their are weird lines, the subject is centered, the frame is not filled, and it’s lit with direct flash. I still love it though. He wanted a photo and jumped into the frame. Definitely a personal favorite, even if no one else likes it. That’s all for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Sarah & Mike – Holden Arboretum Engagement in Kirtland

When planning an engagement session, I always ask clients about locations special to them. For example, a place they often visit together, where they had their first date, or where they were engaged. Whenever possible, these locations are then included in engagement sessions. For Sarah and Mike, the answer was immediate and obvious – it just had to be Holden Arboretum. Holden is a favorite place of mine. In fact, we are members. More importantly though, it’s special for Sarah and Mike as well.

When we first met, Sarah told me about how Mike proposed. Mike worked with Sarah’s father to identify Holden as the perfect spot. He created a trail through the arboretum, lined with lights and candles. The edges of the trail was dotted with photographs of Sarah and Mike together. At the end stood Mike, waiting under a pergola. To be clear, it was a pergola, and not an arbor 😉

Sarah was led to the path and followed it from there. At the end was Mike, a ring, and a big happy YES! So we just had to return to Holden. We had to stand under the pergola, visit the willow, and bathe in the evening sun. Afterwards, we decided to visit their home town. We dropped by downtown Chagrin Falls. We had some Jeni’s Ice Cream, wandered, chatted, and grabbed a few more portraits.

Below are just a few favorites, but it was hard to choose. Everything from that evening just seemed so perfect.

Sarah and Mike's engagement session at Holden Arboretum and Chagrin Falls

Above and below, under the willow tree, again. It’s strange having a relationship with a tree. I’ve come to love it. Everyone who knows Holden knows this tree. Maybe I should give it a name.

Sarah and Mike's engagement session at Holden Arboretum and Chagrin Falls

Above, the sun breaking through the willow. Below, a peaceful moment.

Sarah and Mike's engagement session at Holden Arboretum and Chagrin Falls

Ahhh…Jeni’s is the best ice cream ever. I’m so looking forward to seeing Jeni again this Thursday.

Sarah and Mike's engagement session at Holden Arboretum and Chagrin Falls

By this time, the sun was setting. Below, Sarah really looks like a model. They are such an amazing couple together.

Sarah and Mike's engagement session at Holden Arboretum and Chagrin Falls

The last one is a little different – cool, muted and dim. I love the more subdued tones. I also love the feeling of anticipation. That’s all for today. As always, more coming soon.

Stephanie & Ryan – Greenhouse Tavern Wedding in downtown Cleveland

A recipe for a truly special wedding is easy – 1 loving couple, six parts great family, a healthy quantity of close friends, a couple parts good design and a dash of good weather. For Stephanie and Ryan, this recipe was easy, almost ad-hoc. Their rooftop wedding at the Greenhouse Tavern in downtown Cleveland could not have been more special. Simply put, I was just honored to be present.

“You know your our guest, too” Stephanie said in the morning. If I take a break at a wedding, it’s never with guests. But Stephanie insisted that I sit for dinner. And I was not alone in this special treatment. Other contributors to the wedding design were also invited as guests. In fact, Stephanie and Ryan made sure to fill their entire wedding with friends, both vendors and guests alike. Their friend, Kim Coryea from the new Hummingbird Bake Shop, was sitting just a few seats over from me.

The gathered crowd was small by all standards, but most important, they were present for a reason. Stephanie and Ryan didn’t just find someone to marry. They found THE PERSON to marry. Their true, timeless connection to each other was evident during the ceremony. A real family ceremony, with readings by dad and brother. The readings were an expression of hope and love.

As for the design, it could not have been more flawless. Stephanie and Ryan are true foodies, currently on honeymoon in Napa. They love vintage things, re-use, up-cycling, the city, and whiskey. Their entire wedding reflected their other loves. Their signature reception drink was a powerful and intoxicating Gin Soaked Boy. The tables were decorated with re-used wine bottles, corks and candle jars. Most important were herbal centerpieces grown by Stephanie’s mom specifically for the wedding, intended for guests to take home. That one act alone, giving guests herbs for their own garden, demonstrates the personality of the wedding design. Grow and spread the love.

Jonathan Sawyer’s Greenhouse Tavern filled in the rest. The menu was out of this world! The evening started with roast pig head (seriously) and moved on to hominy with pork craklins, pig-tongue reubens, spring pasta with asparagus, and petite dry-aged rib steak. Being a foodie, I have eaten at Greenhouse before, but this menu was amazing.

Just one last note – a special thanks to the team at Blooms by Plantscaping. Again, they did an amazing job with the bouquets.

OK, just one more note. To Stephanie and Ryan – thank you from the bottom of my heart!