Jolyn and Daniel

No matter how many weddings we’ve shot, there are still some nerves for the first wedding of the season. Just two or three months away from our last wedding, we wanted to make sure we could do Jo Jo and Daniel’s wedding justice. I’m not a fan of checking the weather early in the week before a wedding, because in Ohio it can change on a dime. But, the day before the wedding it became very apparent that it was going to be pouring rain. I always feel for the bride and groom on mornings with storms. I know that they look forward to one of the biggest days of their lives in the hopes that every single detail will be perfect. I know the stress that follows when something doesn’t go quite to plan.

The thing that I love about Jo Jo and Dan, is that they knew what the day was about. I knew enough from spending time planning the wedding with them and getting to know their love story at Denison during the engagement session, that they just wanted to get married. It wasn’t about the perfect weather, or the perfect party. It was just the two of them. Two of some of the kindest people I know. I knew when I walked in to Jo Jo’s room that she would be all smiles. And she was. It was perfectly fitting that the sun came out right in time for pictures.

When I plan with brides we often talk about “first looks”. I love getting to take photos of the bride and groom before the ceremony. Where they aren’t in front of a huge crowd and the see each other for the first time in a really intimate way. This is my favorite first look we’ve ever done. Jo Jo and Dan surprised me by letting me know that they were going to read their vows to each other privately in their first look. I wish I could tell you more about the gifts that they decided to give each other, the words they said, and the huge amount of tears we ALL cried. It showed an incredible amount of time spent throughout their relationship where they both secretly wrote to each other and planned future surprises. What a privilege to be there to capture it.

Venue: Brookshire 

Florist: The Flowerman Columbus

Cake: Cindy Patrick

Hair: Claire at Virtue Salon

Makeup: Cayla at Virtue Salon