Stan Hywet Wedding | Lauren + Matthew

There are venues that photographers dream about, and for me, Stan Hywet has always been one of them. Nestled in Akron, Ohio, this French Tudor Revival manor—built in 1912 by the founder of Goodyear Tire—embodies a sense of history and romance that feels straight out of a storybook. Its sprawling grounds, endless gardens, and hidden pathways create the perfect backdrop for a wedding that is both timeless and deeply personal.

Lauren and Matthew’s wedding carried a sense of quiet luxury that felt at home within the gardens and architecture of Stan Hywet. Their first look unfolded in the hidden garden, surrounded by sculpted greenery and late-summer blooms—it was as if the space had been designed just for them. Lauren’s love for hydrangeas and delicate china blue patterns carried through her wedding aesthetic with understated elegance, a detail that felt especially meaningful since it’s something we bonded over during our first Zoom call. It was in that very conversation that I knew we’d be the perfect fit—I could feel their warmth and the intentionality they were bringing to every detail of their day.

What struck me most, though, were the deeply personal touches woven into their celebration. Matthew surprised Lauren on the morning of the wedding with a letter signed with their cat’s paw print—a gesture equal parts heartfelt and playful. To make it even sweeter, Lauren’s mom had drawn up “official” adoption papers for the cat, ready to be signed on the wedding day. It’s these personal details that made their wedding not just beautiful, but uniquely theirs.

Photographing their wedding at Stan Hywet was more than just checking a dream venue off my list—it was about capturing the authentic, emotional, joy-filled story of two people who know how to celebrate their love in a way that is both luxurious and deeply personal.

Venue: Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

Hair: Hair by Emma Joy

Cake: Michael Angelo’s

Caterer: Spice Catering Co.

DJ: 1 Call for All Entertainment