Weddings category | Page 14 of 28 | Columbus Wedding Photographer

The Country Club Wedding in Pepper Pike – Meredith & Hunter

When I first arrived, the house was already buzzing with activity. There was Meredith, looking radiant and she wasn’t even ready yet. Her first concern seemed to be me – that I had everything I needed, that I was fed, that I knew where to find important details. I don’t normally get this level of attention, but that is why Meredith and Hunter are truly something different. In fact, their caring traits are common amongst their entire family. It was clear their St. Theodosius and The Country Club wedding in Pepper Pike was going to be something really different and special.

Meredith and Hunter’s wedding was different for many more reasons. The locations were all relatively new to me. The wedding ceremony was being held at St. Theodosius church in the Tremont neighborhood. A first for me, this church is famous for the wedding ceremony scene in The Deer Hunter movie. Aside from being famous, the church is achingly beautiful. The wedding reception was being held at The Country Club in Pepper Pike. When a place is simply named The Country Club, you know it must be unique.

This wedding on this day was special for many reasons as well. First, the weather was the best of the year. Meredith and her mother had planned some absolutely stunning details. The flowers were simple, classic and perfect. Meredith’s wedding dress was like nothing I had seen before. It looked like a prop right out of a movie (Gone with the Wind, maybe). Then there were all the little things – classic wedding invitations, navy dresses, fine suits, and gorgeous jewelry. Being a dog-lover, my favorite wedding attendee was Nestle, Meredith and Hunter’s chocolate lab. During morning preparation Nestle was ever present, but never underfoot. He knew his role well!

The special moments continued throughout the day. Meredith’s sister kept everyone laughing, or crying. The best man gave a heartwarming toast, while Meredith’s father made sure the happy couple was well-roasted. But it was at the end of the night that two really amazing things happened…

A couple weeks prior, I was clued into the big secret. Towards the end of the night, there would be a surprise fireworks display. Looking back at the photos after the wedding, my wife commented that the fireworks, dress, and tux together looked like a scene out of the Old South. The second special moment came with a song. As the band played “Shout”, Meredith and Hunter climbed a chair on the dance floor, looking over the crowd. At the perfect moment, Hunter fell back into the crowd. They carried him aloft, placing him right beside is bride. Both moments were amazing, and something I will likely not see again at a wedding.

There are a million little highlights below. I certainly hope you enjoy this truly epic wedding.

The Country Club wedding in Pepper Pike by Cleveland wedding photographers Hunter Photographic The Country Club wedding in Pepper Pike by Cleveland wedding photographers Hunter Photographic The Country Club wedding in Pepper Pike by Cleveland wedding photographers Hunter Photographic The Country Club wedding in Pepper Pike by Cleveland wedding photographers Hunter Photographic The Country Club wedding in Pepper Pike by Cleveland wedding photographers Hunter Photographic The Country Club wedding in Pepper Pike by Cleveland wedding photographers Hunter Photographic The Country Club wedding in Pepper Pike by Cleveland wedding photographers Hunter Photographic

Katie & Tim – Wedding at Westwood Country Club

I had only a couple house to go before I arrived at Katie’s parents. I looked out the window a recognized a familiar face. I gave a quick wave to Mrs. Browning as I parked the car in a very familiar neighborhood. Just a few weeks prior, I had been here for another wedding. This instantly familiarity would carry me throughout the day. I was very familiar with Katie and Tim from working with them for over a year. I was familiar with their church, Holy Trinity in Avon, from an earlier wedding. And I was definitely familiar with their wedding reception location. Westwood Country Club in Rocky River is one of my absolute favorites.

What was new and exciting about Katie and Tim’s wedding was much more important than what was familiar. Speaking of exciting, the bridesmaids wore dresses I have never seen before. They looked so sharp in black and white stripes! Each bridesmaid also wore a bracelet – as a gift from Katie – and they were so perfect. The faces were mostly new as well. The entire family and bridal party were a dream to work with.

A big exit followed the ceremony and then we were off to downtown Cleveland for portraits. While we visited some familiar locations, we also hit up some new places as well. We had a chance to visit Jacob’s Field, even though it’s not pictured below. We also had a chance for a great Cleveland skyline photo of the group, which you can see below.

One of my favorite moments from the entire day was Katie & Tim’s first dance. The song was a bit of a surprise, and caused the gathered guests to break out singing. I even whipped around to grab a shot as a spontaneous cheer broke out behind me. Also new was an old Irish song delivered by a family member from the dance floor. A little new was the opportunity for sunset shots along the golf course green. We found just a few minutes to sneak outside before the sun was gone for the night.

I’m certainly thrilled with how the entire day turned out, and I hope you enjoy some of the highlights below.

A Rocky River wedding at Westwood Country Club with Katie and Tim. A Rocky River wedding at Westwood Country Club with Katie and Tim. A Rocky River wedding at Westwood Country Club with Katie and Tim. A Rocky River wedding at Westwood Country Club with Katie and Tim.

Caroline & Todd – A Downtown Cleveland Wedding at the Hyatt Arcade

It was going to be a very long day, but we were well prepared. The longest wedding of the year was finally here, and certainly it was one of the most important. It was Caroline & Todd’s wedding day and everything had to be perfect. Thankfully, the locations were gorgeous and all within easy reach of each other. The ceremony would be at St. Ann’s Church, just up the hill from the Cleveland Museum of Art, where we would do the wedding portraits. Finally, we would end the day at the Hyatt Arcade in downtown Cleveland for the wedding reception.

When I arrived at Caroline’s family home, all the ladies were quickly getting ready. There was an excitement that goes along with any big day. After shooting some details, including Caroline’s gorgeous Jimmy Choo’s, it was time for her to get ready. One of my favorite moments of the wedding took place in the morning. Without any prompt from me, Caroline’s mother, grandmother and sister-in-law gathered around as she got ready – watching, listening, helping and hugging.

The rest of the wedding day was filled with similar intimate moments. Todd’s look from the altar as he saw Caroline for the first time was priceless. Caroline beamed with joy as Todd said his vows. A big hug from grandmother put a seal of approval on the entire ceremony. After the ceremony, there was a big exit to an awaiting Ford limousine. We headed off to the Cleveland Museum of Art for some bridal party photos. Mostly, the photos simply became friends and family having fun together. At the reception, the great moments continued.

The wedding reception design put together by Caroline and Valarie from Kirkbrides was simply stunning. Long tables filled the reception at the Hyatt Arcade. Each was decorated in a theme of chevron and purple. Even the guest favors were tied neatly with a chevron-patterned bow. And the three-tier wedding cake was simply amazing. The wedding reception got off to a poignant start with a emotional first dance, followed by personal and heartfelt toasts. Dancing and partying then followed late into the night.

And I do mean late into the night. The reception went past 11:00 and concluded with everyone dancing around Caroline and Todd to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”. That was…AWESOME! Across the street we went for an after-party event at the Corner Alley. If you asked me a year ago if I would see a bride bowling in her dress, I’d have thought never. Well, you never know what you will see at a wedding!

I’m so thrilled with how everything turned out and I certainly hope you enjoy the highlights below.

Hyatt Arcade Cleveland wedding with Caroline and Todd. Hyatt Arcade Cleveland wedding with Caroline and Todd. Hyatt Arcade Cleveland wedding with Caroline and Todd. Hyatt Arcade Cleveland wedding with Caroline and Todd. Hyatt Arcade Cleveland wedding with Caroline and Todd.