Tagged: Vintage

Cleveland Renaissance Hotel Wedding – Alex & Matt

I love the unconventional. After all, I still shoot film, which is certainly unconventional at this point. Unconventional weddings and couples are even better. They’re new, different, and unique. They stand apart – special. So is the story with Alex and Matt. They’re certainly unconventional, and so was their downtown Cleveland wedding.

It helps if I rewind a bit and start with a little about Alex and Matt. First – they met online and then started dating. While a little unconventional, this is becoming much more common. I can’t count the number of couples I’ve worked with who initially met online. What’s more unconventional is Alex & Matt’s proposal story. You see, Alex(andria) proposed to Matt. As she puts it, there was no reason to stand on convention. She was ready for marriage, she thought the same of Matt, so she proposed.

Alex & Matt’s Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding was similarly unconventional as well. Instead of a large bridal party divided into men & women, they chose a different route. Matt had his best man, and Alex had her “bridesman.” A small bridal party for sure, but also so important to Alex & Matt.

The plan for the wedding day was a little unusual as well. It started with the wedding ceremony at Josaphat’s Art Center, which is housed in an old church. Instead of delaying cocktail hour until everyone could reach the Renaissance hotel, they held the cocktail hour immediately following the ceremony in the arts hall. Unconventional – sure. However, holding the cocktail hour back-to-back with the ceremony allowed everyone to celebrate immediately. It was awesome.

Below are just a few highlights from Alex & Matt’s beautiful – yet unconventional – wedding. I certainly hope you enjoy. And for Alex & Matt – thank you so much for having me as a small part of your wedding day. I loved every minute – especially the card box monster!

Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall wedding ceremony by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall wedding ceremony by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall wedding ceremony by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall wedding ceremony by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic A late summer wedding at the Josaphat Arts Hall and Renaissance Cleveland Hotel with Alexandria and Matt. Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Josaphat Arts Hall and Cleveland Renaissance Hotel wedding by wedding photographer Hunter Photographic

Ashtabula Wedding Photography – Lyndsey & Jerry

It took us forever to find Lyndsey’s home on the morning of her wedding. First, was the long drive to Ashtabula from Cleveland. Then came the process of locating her house nestled out on a country lane. It was tucked back from the road, among a small group of other homes. Once we arrived, we were in for a real treat.

Just inside was Lyndsey and all of her bridesmaids, each one more beautiful than the next. And then there was Lyndsey – simply gorgeous and completely relaxed. The entire morning moved along smoothly, as Lyndsey got ready for her wedding surrounded by family and friends.

We were then off to Ashtabula’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel for the wedding ceremony. In an unusual fashion, the priest started his homily with some laughter. He blamed his close relationship with Lyndsey’s family for his constant need to miss Notre Dame Football games. Seemingly, the priest was constantly called upon for marriages, baptisms and other important happenings within Lyndsey family. In hindsight, the priest’s half-joking start to the homily seemed very fitting for the wedding day. After all, this was a wedding truly made up of family and friends.

Beyond the joking priest, wonderful weather, amazing florals and beautiful bridesmaids, there is something about this wedding that I love best. It’s actually Lyndsey and Jerry themselves. Specifically – their love story is amazing. They met when Lyndsey was still in high school. Jerry had already graduated. Obviously, this did not sit too well with Lyndsey’s family. Before long, they were ordered in no uncertain terms to disband the relationship until Lyndsey graduated. As Lyndsey’s father put it during his toast, he thought that was the end.

Instead, Lyndsey and Jerry stuck it out, while also honoring the wishes of Lyndsey’s family. They remained loose friends while Lyndsey finished up high school. Following her graduation, magnetism pulled them back together. By the time of their wedding, they had already been together longer than many married couples. I guess there’s always a path to overcome obstacles.

Below are just a few highlights from their Ashtabula wedding photography. I particularly love the portraits captured on film in downtown. And if you are curious, you can even see Lyndsey & Jerry’s engagement session, published late last year. Hope you enjoy!

Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Our Lady of Mount Carmel Ashtabula wedding ceremony by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Our Lady of Mount Carmel Ashtabula wedding ceremony by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Our Lady of Mount Carmel Ashtabula wedding ceremony by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Ashtabula wedding photography by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic For the photographers curious about my film process, the outdoor portraits above are all medium format Fuji 400H shot on a Contax 645, with film processing/scanning by Richard Photo Lab.

 

The Club at Hillbrook Wedding Photography – Katie & Joe

Long before Katie & Joe’s The Club at Hillbrook wedding photography, I had been watching the weather with skepticism. The forecast was a moving target – changing constantly from rain to sunshine. I had reason for concern. The entire wedding would be at The Club at Hillbrook, with the wedding ceremony planned for the back lawn. When Katie & Joe’s wedding day finally arrived, the forecast was no more certain.

When I arrived at the club in Chagrin Falls, the sun shown bright. The humidity was high and there were some passing clouds. The question wasn’t whether it would rain, but when and how much. I hurried inside and found Katie gathered with her friends and family in the living room. Katie’s sister calmly presented Katie with a gift – a family heirloom just for her wedding, bringing about tears of joy. In this moment I could see the real story of the day. Weather be damned! This day would be amazing.

Before long, Joe and the groomsmen arrived at the club. “Are you ready?” I asked Joe as we headed outside for the first look. I think Joe was born ready for this moment. As we stood on the back patio, Joe was first greeted by Katie’s sister, who came bearing the best wedding present I’ve ever seen. She presented Joe with a custom-engraved pistol. Not a gun, but a proper pistol. Soon after, Katie followed behind in her stunning wedding dress, which I’m sure Joe would say was the best gift ever.

These first few moments of the day set the mold for the rest of the wedding. The entire wedding was a detail-rich affair styled by Katie and the lovely team from A Charming Fete. The reception was filled with vintage farm tables from Borrow Rentals. Upon each table sat vintage place settings, gorgeous flowers, fruits, custom place cards, and long strings or garland. Each table was further accented by silverware tied neatly in a bow. A stunning dessert table was provided by the always amazing Hummingbird Bake Shop. It was filled with macaroons, cake pops, and cream puffs. At the center sat a simply elegant wedding cake. I could go on and on about the stunning wedding details, but there was so much more to this day.

Like the beginning of the wedding, the rest was filled with wonderful moments shared between family and friends. One of my favorite moments was when Katie’s father saw Katie for the first time in her wedding dress. The first look shared between Katie & Joe was also so touching. Moreover, the toasts offered by family and friends were both emotional and hysterical.

From all the beauty and joy of the day, it was nearly impossible to pick just a few highlights. Below is a rather long series of photos, mostly captured on film. I certainly hope you enjoy. For Katie & Joe – thank you so much for allowing me to share your wedding day. It was simply amazing!

PS – The rain held off until right after the ceremony ended. Perfect, as the rest!

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Wedding ceremony & reception – The Club at Hillbrook
Event styling & planning – A Charming Fête
Floral Design – Sue Bernhard, Lowe’s Greenhouse
Vintage farm table & furniture – Borrow Vintage & Eclectic Rentals
Wedding cake & Desserts – Kim Coryea, Hummingbird Bake Shop
Entertainment – Grand Avenue Band
Wedding dress – by Allure, from Galleria Gowns
Bridesmaids dresses – by Jim Hjelm
Make-up artist – Ramona Dauksa
Groom & Groomsmen tuxedos – Vera Wang, from Men’s Wearhouse
Wedding invitations – Paper Trails

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