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Annie & Derick – An Autumn Engagement in Hudson, Ohio

With most of my clients, I meet them for the first time for their wedding, and then we become friends. With Annie, it’s the exact opposite. We have known each other for years and used to work together at my old career. Thankfully, the old career is in the past, but I miss working daily with great people like Annie. I was over-joyed when she approached me about her wedding. Working for friends is always so rewarding. I met Derick for the first time at their engagement session, but I immediately understood why they are together. He is so genuine, for the lack of a better word, and a perfect fit for Annie.

For their autumn engagement session, we headed over to Barlow Park in Hudson, Ohio, a place familiar to both Annie and I. I love the old barn still present at the park. Bailey, their rescue dog, was an added touch. We love having dogs along for engagement sessions, especially loveable rescue friends. Below are just a few favorites of mine, with some notes.

Annie and Derick's autumn engagement in Hudson, Ohio

Rescue dog Bailey with his lovely owners.

Annie and Derick's autumn engagement in Hudson, Ohio

Annie and Derick's autumn engagement in Hudson, Ohio

Annie and Derick's autumn engagement in Hudson, Ohio

Sometimes a failed kiss can be cute. Above and below, I think someone got a tongue in the ear!

Annie and Derick's autumn engagement in Hudson, Ohio

Annie and Derick's autumn engagement in Hudson, Ohio

Annie and Derick's autumn engagement in Hudson, Ohio

I love the photo above. Annie and Derick’s hands are expressive enough to carry the entire photo.

Annie and Derick's autumn engagement in Hudson, Ohio

The sun grazing the grass in the last photo is my favorite. I love the golden hues and wish I could find them year round. For the photographers, the colors came alive when the photos were processed through VSCO Film. We are really looking forward to Annie and Derick’s wedding. It will be so nice to see a friend get married and help at the same time.

Joanna & David – Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement

I knew it was Joanna and David when they stepped out of the car. They were in town for Thanksgiving, and their engagement session. I meet most of my clients in person just as they start planning their wedding. Not so for Joanna and David, since they live in the Manhattan. We initially met and got everything booked through telephone meetings and email. When they arrived at the session, I knew the couple I saw was them because of their presence with each another. She leaned into his shoulder and laughed as they exited the car. He gripped her hand tight.

Joanna’s sense of style also gave her away. She works in the New York fashion industry and her knee-high boots fit her perfectly. Because they live out of state, the date for their engagement session had to be carefully chosen. We timed it perfectly to coincide with a Thanksgiving visit. Me? I was just happy to get out of the house for a few hours. For their session, we went to an old favorite, and some new places as well. We started in downtown Cleveland around the art museum, and then headed to Lakeview cemetery and the Coventry Neighborhood in Cleveland Heights.

A few personal favorites are simply included below –

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Above – Joanna looks radiant in her purple dress. Below – David smirking to Joanna off camera as she cracks a joke. I always like to include a couple individual portraits.

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Scenes from a deserted parking garage above and below. Who new a simple location could look so nice.

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Due to the weather, the leaves fell really late. You can still see some hanging on in the photos above and below.

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

This last location is one of my favorites. I love how the height of the lamp mirrors Joanna and David together. I’m really looking forward to their upcoming wedding. It’s always so nice to work with such a fun couple. That’s all for today. but look for more coming soon.

Stephanie & Ben – Wedding in Rocky River, Cinco de Mayo, the Derby, and Super Moons

I was so excited that I ended up being early. By 10:30 in the morning, I was pacing around my office waiting to go. I just wanted to start, damn it! By 11:20 I just couldn’t take it anymore. I jumped into the car and drove over to Stephanie and Ben’s house. A rapped the door knocker, but no one was home. I went to the car, threw my stuff in the back and gave Stephanie a ring. Thankfully, she was just around the corner and almost home. The biggest reason I was so excited is because Stephanie and Ben are amazing, but their wedding was also a strange culmination of events. Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo, the Kentucky Derby, a super-moon and their wedding all wrapped into one.

Starting with Stephanie and Ben, they are the kindest people you could imagine. They care for one another, and genuinely care for others as well. Knowing Stephanie, you’d completely understand why she’s a nurse. Both Ben and Stephanie love music and share their passion at concerts and trips to SXSW. Equal to Stephanie, Ben is just a cool guy. He’s the type of person you’d want have a beer with over a football game. Of course it doesn’t hurt that we share a passion for cars!

Their wedding in Rocky River and at the Club at Key Center in downtown Cleveland was amazing. Filled with friends and family, the wedding featured a designed inspired by the day’s events. For example, the reception was beautifully decorated. Stephanie and Ben celebrated the day by featuring Margaritas and Mint Julips at the bar. Whether you wanted to celebrate Mexican heritage or your southern roots, the drink choices were perfect. The band was also rocking the house. Being music fans, Stephanie and Ben found the perfect band to light up the Club.

It was also Super-Moon Saturday. We had planned to sneak out from the reception for a portrait in front of the giant moon, but alas there were clouds. Nonetheless, we got some amazing photos, just a few of which are previewed below –

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie looked beyond beautiful in her gorgeous, slender dress. She was perfectly flawless!

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Above you can feel the excitement. Her family and friends were anxious for her and Ben as well.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Above – custom-made cufflinks. Below – two very cute nephews.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

I love that Ben escorted his parents down the aisle. It was a personal touch that really made a big difference.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

A little trip-up with the vows is always good for a laugh.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Although it’s hard to tell, Stephanie and Ben had amazing weather for early May. Blue skies, full sun and mild temperatures.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

I love proud fathers, as seen above. Below, did I mention the cute kids.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie’s sister and Maid of Honor was thrilled for the new couple. The excitement continues below.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Another personal touch – Stephanie’s sister made her a clutch, by hand, out of their grandmother’s wedding dress.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

 

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Above and below – a stylish design featuring purple orchids to match their wedding colors.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

A hand-drawn seating card and mint julip above. And Stephanie and Ben’s very touching first dance below.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Last but not least – Fitz and the Tantrums to end the night.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Sure we might have missed the super-moon due to a few pesky clouds. But how do you improve on perfect? That’s all for today. More than anything, I hope Stephanie and Ben enjoy their preview before the depart for their honeymoon tomorrow. I, however, have a full week ahead. There is much, much more coming all week long.

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