Posts tagged Holden Arboretum | Page 4 of 5 | Columbus Wedding Photographer

Megan & Pezh – A Perfect Autumn Engagement Captured on Film

How they found me, I do not know. It’s actually kind of strange. Megan lives out of state and they are getting married in her home town, Pensacola, Florida. Still to this day, I’m not entirely certainly why they wanted to do an engagement session at Holden Arboretum, near Cleveland. This is a healthcare city, and they’re both doctors. Maybe they met here. Truthfully, it matters not. The session could not have come out better, and at the height of autumn.

We met at Holden Arboretum near the visitor’s center. My lovely wife Brooke decided to join in, mostly so she could see Holden for the first time. We’ve been members forever, but this was her first chance to visit. Megan and Pezh arrived with their lovely dogs and a friend to handle to pooches. With Megan and Pezh being dermatologists, I’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn their dogs are named after topical ointments. No seriously, one is named Retin-A. I kid you not. As always, we started off with the furry friends, who were perfectly stars. After the dogs had their moment, it was down to just Megan and Pezh.

We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around Holden, stopping here and there to capture a few frames on film. It just seemed like the perfect day for an all-film engagement session. We chatted about their current work and their upcoming wedding. We share a lot in common. For instance, I’m from a deeply Southern family. My mama has retired to Pensacola, where Megan and Pezh will have their wedding in November. At this point, I know Pensacola pretty well. It’s a gorgeous Spanish-era city and the perfect setting for a wedding.

We even took the time to jump over to Patterson Fruit Farm to capture some rather special photos. On the list was a photo for their Save the Date card. We also wanted a quick photo among the apple trees, all of which you can enjoy below.

Holden Arboretum autumn engagement session with Megan and Pezh

Megan and Pezh really got lucky. The day of their engagement session was also the height of the fall color. Every leaf was so saturated with color that they looked to glow. We had to celebrate a little. The last frame took three tries, but we got it. That is all for today, but stop back soon. More sessions are coming.

Makiko & Dylan – A Holden Arboretum Autumn Wedding

It almost seems like ages ago when Dylan, Makiko and I first met. They were just beginning to plan their autumn wedding at Holden Arboretum’s Lantern Court. Truthfully, they had me sold at autumn wedding in Holden Arboretum. It just got better as I learned more about them. Clearly they’re in love. What’s different is the distance at which their love must remain active.

After initially falling in love, they have had to maintain their relationship over great distances. It almost seems like they have spent more of their relationship apart than together. Makiko, studying biology, currently lives on the west coast. Dylan, working in a rather secret job, reside on the east coast. As it has been for quite some time. However, you never feel the distance in their relationship. Clearly, it’s a marriage made to last.

And what a marriage it was. Lantern Court was decorated beautifully for their autumn wedding. Inside, the design was sleek and featured a very Japanese flair. Outside, nature took care of the rest. The trees in early October were just beginning to turn. Hints of orange, peach, crimson and purple were popping up all over.

Below are just a few highlights from one of my favorite weddings this year.

Autumn wedding at Holden Arboretum's Lantern Court with Makiko and Dylan

It goes without saying that Ramona did an amazing job with the styling. The ladies came out looking gorgeous, especially the bride.

Autumn wedding at Holden Arboretum's Lantern Court

Above, special candy favors made in the Father-of-the-bride’s home town and a very special kimono. I love the golden wave motif!

Autumn wedding at Holden Arboretum's Lantern Court

Little details inside Lantern Court. It’s as if everything was perfectly set for the wedding day.

Autumn wedding at Holden Arboretum's Lantern Court

Above – I love the Makiko’s mom and Maid of Honor looking as as she get’s ready. Below, taking care of all the last details.

Autumn wedding at Holden Arboretum's Lantern Court

What made this wedding a favorite? Makiko and Dylan’s first look photos. They came out perfectly, due completely to the moment.

Autumn wedding at Holden Arboretum's Lantern Court

One of my favorite photos from this past year came be seen above-left. I just love the peaceful moment.

Autumn wedding at Holden Arboretum's Lantern Court

In my world, there is nothing better than a first hug. After all, we all want to marry our best friend.

Autumn wedding at Holden Arboretum's Lantern Court

Above, a very beautiful and very Japanese centerpiece. Below, a wonderful toast by a close friend.

Autumn wedding at Holden Arboretum's Lantern Court

Above, an old Polish tradition – signing to the bride and groom. Below, a first dance certainly to remember.

Autumn wedding at Holden Arboretum's Lantern Court with Makiko and Dylan

That is all for today. More is definitely coming soon. And for Makiko and Dylan, I am sure you will have many wonderful years together. And after all that time apart, I am certainly the years will be together, forever.

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.

Tagged: Holden Arboretum