Storms passed through the night before and cooled the summer heat. For weeks the temperature had been in the 90’s, but it cooled off just in time. Kate and Jonah’s wedding had finally arrived. A couple week’s prior, I went down to Walsh University for some early scouting. At the time, it was hard to see a wedding taking place at the University. Sure, Walsh University and North Canton are pretty, but it just didn’t seem to fit. On the day of Kate and Jonah’s wedding, we arrived early and were immediately met with a big surprise.
Michael and I visited the Hoover Park Banquet center before we started the day. As we stood there, we looked like a couple of mouth-breathers. This couldn’t be the same place I had seen weeks prior! The whole place was complete transformed. Gone were the bland picnic tables and debris. In their place were long tables decorated ornately with white table clothes, silver chargers, unique flowers, herbs and hand-made table numbers. The place had come alive. Even the outside was refreshed. Kate and Jonah had brought in enough landscaping plants to fill the entire grounds. After we picked ourselves up off the floor, we left to start the day.
The rest of the day would be met with similar awe. Kate’s dress was gorgeous and reminded me of the dress my wife wore on our wedding day. The solarium at her parents house was the perfect place for prep. And the entire bridal party was composed on dear friends and family. And these were fun, happy friends. The kind of people I could call my friends.
Altogether, the wedding was about a surprisingly gorgeous vintage wedding design, close friends, kind family and love. Lots and lots of love. It could not have been more perfect.
And below are just a few personal favorites –
The light streaming through the solarium was gorgeous, and Kate’s wedding dress even more so.
Above, Kate getting the last details squared away. Below, Jonah looking dapper in a navy suit.
With such a great bridal party, the portraits were more fun than work. The shaded setting was nice as well.
Simply gorgeous bridesmaids in their pale blue dresses.
Really these two would look amazing anywhere, but the solitude of a crushed limestone trail through a forest seemed the perfect place for bridal portraits.
Right from the entrance, you could see how detailed the wedding reception would be. Landscaping plants lined to pathway to the reception, with candles scattered throughout.
My personal favorite – the home-grown herbs for wedding guests to take home. I have some growing in my garden today. Heck, I made gnocchi with the thyne last night.
Kate and Jonah’s magical first dance lead quickly into high-energy open dancing.
In those last couple photos you can see a technique we have been using during open dancing. I love how the technique conveys a sense of energy and motion. That’s all for today. Check back soon as we still have lot’s in the pipeline.
