Helena & Tom’s Retreat 21 Wedding

There are some love stories where you really can’t tell the story without including the dogs.

Helena and Tom first noticed each other at the dog park. They kept seeing each other there, their dogs giving them a reason to cross paths again and again, until eventually coffee was offered and something much bigger began. So when their wedding day arrived at Retreat 21, it only felt right that all three pups were there for it.

A Wedding Day Filled With Personal Details

From the beginning of the day, there were little pieces of Helena and Tom’s life woven into everything.

Helena had put so much thought into the details she chose, from her painted mirror to her Taylor Swift ring box and the embroidered dog shoes she would later wear for dancing. There were sentimental pieces honoring her dad that made his presence feel woven throughout the entire day.

Even the smallest details felt personal rather than simply decorative. They told you something about the people Helena and Tom love, the things that make them laugh, and the life they have built together.

Alexis of Dressed and Detailed, who had helped Helena choose her gown in Florida, even traveled all the way to Ohio to be there on the wedding day, helping with her dress and making sure every detail was taken care of.

And, of course, the dogs got their own moments in front of the camera too — including portraits with Helena’s veil and bouquet that felt especially fitting considering how this entire story started.

A Retreat 21 Wedding Ceremony

By late afternoon, everyone gathered for Helena and Tom’s ceremony surrounded by the beautiful landscape at Retreat 21.

While Helena and Tom exchanged their vows, Caleb, their live wedding painter, was nearby beginning to paint the moment of their first kiss. I love when couples include a live painter because it becomes so much more than something beautiful to take home at the end of the night. Guests get to stop by throughout the reception and watch the painting slowly come to life, seeing more and more of a moment they had just witnessed appear on the canvas.

But one of the sweetest surprises of the ceremony came from their officiant.

Without Helena and Tom knowing, their officiant had collected video messages from friends and family across the country who weren’t able to be there in person. Watching Helena and Tom realize what was happening was one of my favorite moments of the entire day. There are certain reactions you simply cannot recreate later — the complete surprise on their faces, followed by so much joy as they watched messages from people they love.

Those are the moments I’m always looking for.

A Private First Dance Before the Celebration

After the ceremony and portraits, Helena and Tom had a chance to see their reception space completely finished before everyone else was invited inside.

And while the room was still empty, they practiced their first dance together.

I LOVE when we can build a little moment like this into a wedding day. Before the introductions, before everyone is watching, and before the reception really gets going, they had the entire room to themselves to practice their dance and just be together.

There’s something so sweet about photographing those few minutes. There’s no audience and no pressure to perform. It’s just the two of them laughing, figuring out their steps, and taking in this space that is about to be filled with all of their favorite people.

Then, not long afterward, the doors opened, their guests came in, and Helena and Tom got to do it all over again for real.

Celebrating Helena & Tom

From there, the evening shifted fully into celebration.

Guests could check in on Caleb as their first-kiss painting continued to take shape throughout the night. There were heartfelt moments with family, plenty of laughter, and eventually a full dance floor — with Helena changing into her embroidered dog shoes for dancing.

But through all of the beautiful details and planning, my favorite thing about this wedding was how distinctly Helena and Tom it felt.

Their relationship began with repeated glances at a dog park and eventually a cup of coffee. Years later, they stood at Retreat 21 surrounded by the people — and pups — they love most and promised the rest of their lives to each other.

And for the people they loved who couldn’t physically be in that room with them, there was still a way for them to be part of the day.

It turns out the dog park was a pretty good place to meet your husband.

Venue: Retreat 21

Florist: Flocal Co Flower Company

Dress: Savvy Bridal

Dress Valet: Alexis with Dressed & Detail

Hair and Makeup: The Lovely Artistry

Cake: Jan Kish La Petite Fleur

Live Painting: Caleb Thomas Art

DJ: Buckeye Entertainment

Videography: Flower and Oak