Jessica and Craig's Neltner's Farm Wedding

The weather this wedding season has been very temperamental to say the least.  The wonderful thing is, Mother Nature showed up with rain and disappeared, leaving glorious light at all of the right times.  Most couples would have freaked out having an outdoor, DIY farm wedding with rain.  Not Jessica and Craig, they stayed so calm and smiled the entire day.  I have never seen a bride who kept it together as well as Jessica did.  What was important to them was their love, spending time with family and friends, and that they were getting married.  I think the rain added a bit of uncontrolled chaos that made the day more memorable. It also gave me the opportunity to create some stunning portraits of Jessica while we waited in one of the barns for it to pass.  Looking back at the day, I bet Jessica and Craig would agree that they wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Neltner's Farm provided the perfect backdrop for Jessica and Craig's ultimate DIY intimate wedding.  The scenery is stunning.  It's here that I believe you get a glimpse of Kentucky at her finest.  The farm is surrounded by hills and gorgeous trees. Jessica and Craig worked very hard creating all of the signs, the altar, and decor.  Marti Heard Designs did a fantastic job, as usual with the floral designs and helped Jessica pull it all together. Everything had such a personal touch and was very creative.

Kendal and Joe's Pyramid Hill Wedding

Every single thing about Kendal and Joe's wedding was from the heart, personal, and full of love.  They spent many, many months making bird houses, pinwheels, kites, signs, a custom photo booth backdrop, and the most amazing altar I have ever seen.  They wanted their wedding to represent their fun personalities.  I was was bouncing around the park like a kid in a colorful candy store admiring and photographing all of the details.

Kendal and Joe decided to see each other before the wedding so we arranged a first look at the park.  Joe, who is a master of all trades,  was running a little behind because he had to sew a button for one of his groomsmen.  When he arrived at the park I got to witness one of the most special moments of my career so far.  When Kendal walked up to Joe and tapped him on the shoulder it was like an explosion of nerves was released, you could see and feel it.  It was very emotional, I had to fight back tears while shooting.  They found so much comfort in each other.  Their love was radiating.  This is why I always encourage my clients to see each other before the ceremony.  Moments like that are what memories are made of.

Though Kendal and Joe spent a lot of time curating the perfect wedding the one thing, the most important thing I remember about the day was that big, colorful love they share for each other.  Their friends and family were so supportive and happy for them.  It was such a treat to be around.  I have been smiling so much editing these.

Thank you to everyone who made the day even more special for Kendal and Joe.

 Venue: Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park Event and Floral Design: Marti's Floral Designs Invites, Signs, Programs: Pinwheel Print Shop  Custom Cake Topper: Melting Pot Love Photo Booth: Framster Kendal's Dress:  European Bridal Jewelery: Macy's/Kate Spade Shoes: Seychelles Bridesmaid Dresses: Anthropologie Flowergirl Dress:  Gap Joe's Suit: Egara Guy's Shoes: Vans  Guy's Ties: Original Penguin Handmade Altar, wood signs, birdhouses, decor: DIY by the bride, groom, and family  Guest Book Tree: Bleu de toi Cookies: Cookies by Sue
Cupcakes/Cake: JoJo’s cupcakes DJ: Jonathan Klein Ceremony Musician: Bryan McCartney Save the Dates: Hullaballoo
Wood Cupcake Sign, Chair Covers, Birds of a feather sign, and Fields sign:   Mimi’s Vintage Signs
Caterer: Jeanettes Delicacies Photo Assistant:  Andrew Ducker

P.S.  One of their images is featured on the real weddings section of Huffington Post!  How cool is that?!

Stephanie and Steve's Cincinnati Park Wedding

This day was so special.  Stephanie and Steven smiled and enjoyed every moment of their wedding.  It was one of those beautiful September Saturdays, when the sun was shining and it was unseasonable warm.  I met Stephanie and Steven at the Mariemont Inn where they got ready for their gorgeous wedding at Alms Park in Cincinnati.  Their afternoon wedding was intimate and relaxed.  I am thankful to have been part of it.

See Stephanie and Steve's engagement session here.

I just love both of these images! The ceremony was officiated by Karen, Stephanie's cousin who you might remember seeing on my blog when I photographed her wedding and engagement last year.   Rachel Lisa's makeup skills added a special glow to Stephanie's already perfect skin. After the ceremony we headed to O'Bryonville to The Art of Entertaining for their reception. The succulent table decor had me swooning.  Their thank you gifts to their guests were personal and unique.   Steve loves to garden, so he made pickle jars for the guests.  Stephanie's father made these cedar succulent containers.  They smelled amazing.   

Stephanie and Chris' Backyard Kentucky Wedding

I had the pleasure of celebrating Stephanie and Chris' wedding with them at a beautiful home in Ft. Thomas a few weeks ago.  Stephanie's best friend's family owns the house.  Stephanie said that since she was a little girl, she dreamed of one day getting married there.  The outdoor ceremony was laid back and intimate.  The setting was gorgeous, the weather was perfect, the food consisted of delicious Southern specialties (my favorite), the guests had a blast, and Stephanie and Chris smiled the entire day.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself, I really do have my dream job.  I am so thankful for people like Stephanie and Chris who allow me to do what I love everyday!

I also want to thank all of the awesome vendors who helped make Stephanie and Chris' day so special.  Elisa from Elegant Events was wonderful to work with and my favorite second shooter/right hand man, Andrew captured some really awesome images!

See Stephanie and Chris' engagement session here.

A very sweet father daughter moment. I am a huge fan of the girls wearing different dresses in the same color. I loved their DIY decor.

Lindsay and David's Kentucky Wedding

I shot this super fun wedding at the Leapin Lizard in Covington last month.  Lindsay and David were a blast to be around.  Peacock feathers, jewel tones, an eclectic venue, a bride who sings beautifully, and a whole lot of love are what made this wedding so special.  I am thrilled they chose me to photograph it.

Venue: Leaping Lizard Wedding Coordinator:  Your Wedding by Jen Band:  The Chuck Taylors Bouquets: Marti's Floral Designs

Lindsay wore her late grandmother's ring.  So pretty.Stunning!  I loved her dress.Marti's Floral Design made the bouquets.  I like that she  added a twist on the brooch bouquet with the fabric flowers. Our transportation...a party on wheels.  So much fun!Lindsay's sister sang a song to the couple during the ceremony.  Highlight of my night seeing Lindsay sing.  She has a beautiful voice.  She and her sister are in a band called Tempted Souls.

Laura and Eric Krippendorf Lodge Wedding

When I first met Laura and Eric during their engagement session earlier this year, I fell in love with them immediately.  They love to laugh and have fun together.  It was great getting to know them.  It made photographing their wedding a pleasure, like hanging out with old friends. :) They were married at the Krippendorf Lodge at the Cincinnati Nature Center.  Laura and Eric are both architects who met while attending the University of Cincinnati's DAAP program.  Their eye for detail was all over this wedding.  From the very sophisticated seating chart to the handmade programs that Laura worked on for months.  Everything felt polished and very well thought out.  I just love a DIY couple, nothing like making things personal by doing things yourself.   Laura looked gorgeous in her Art Deco inspired dress by Matthew Christopher and the huge smile she wore all day.  I am so thankful I got to meet these two and that I was able to be part of their special day!

Venue: Krippendorf Lodge Food: Elegant Fare  Flowers: All About Flowers Cake: The Bonbonerie My Assistant: Andrew Ducker

 The decor, place cards, seating chart, and favors were all DIY.

Robin and Jeff's Cincinnati Art Museum Wedding

I love every wedding I get the opportunity to photograph.  There is something so special about being around two people in love.  I love seeing all of the emotion and how happy people are together.  Robin and Jeff  are at the top of my list of favorite couple's ever.  They are the most generous, gracious, laid back people you will ever meet.  Together I just know they are going to be unstoppable.  The chemistry between these two is infectious.  All of the vendors involved in the wedding were smiling and singing their praises all night.  It is because of people like Robin and Jeff that we love what we do.

Their gorgeous wedding was held at the Cincinnati Art Museum.  I love that we were able to incorporate some of the museum's art into their pictures.  Robin was the ultimate DIY bride.  She made everything from her button bouquet (which was unlike anything I have ever seen), to the cupcake stand and menus.  Instead of flowers her bridesmaids carried letters   that spelled out Jeff and Robin's last name, how cute!   She put a lot of work into her wedding and because of that her wedding was unique and personal.  My favorite kind of wedding to photograph. :)

Robin and Jeff I can't thank you enough for choosing me to be your photographer and allowing me to spend this special day with you.  xoxo

Vendor info

Art museum event coordinator-Meggie King Dj-Joe Hriffin Cupcakes Home Grown Cakes Make up- Heidi McKenna Hair-Jackie Uher Rawe Officiant-pastor Brian Eastman Second Shooter/Amazing Assistant Andrew Ducker

Brandie and Nate Cincinnati French Park Wedding

You might remember Brandie and Nate from their Mt. Adams engagement session I posted a few months ago.  These two are so much fun to be around.  They had one of the most beautiful weddings I have seen at gorgeous French Park.  Brandie was the ultimate DIY/Etsy bride.  There were so many amazing details that made this wedding unique.  I think my favorite was the vases she made for her centerpieces covering them vintage table clothes and curtains she found at local thrift stores, oh and of course the peacock feathers everywhere, you know I loved those!  It was one of the hottest days of the year, but that didn't stop anyone from having a wonderful time.  Brandie and Nate, thank you so much for allowing me to share in this very special time in your lives, I had a great time at your wedding!

Her dress from Bridal and Formal was so, so pretty!  Ok so we all  know I love unique bouquets, I think this one is my favorite to date.  So delicate and  pretty.  She got it from Croska on Etsy.This was my first experience with Funky's Catering.  I was blown away, the food was delicious and their staff was very professional.  It was a pleasure working with them.The gorgeous flowers are by Robin Wood.  I love the colors Brandie chose.Brandie is so creative.  Other Vendors My Assistant Natasha Loos DJ Maize Music Cake Artrageous Desserts Planner Tracey Reece Officiant Paul Ravenscraft Hair and Makeup Mitchell's Salon

Natasha and Hank's DIY Kentucky Farm Wedding

You might remember Natasha and Hank from their engagement session I photographed at the Southgate House last year.  I have  been looking forward to their wedding ever since. These two have amazing style.  I fell in love with all of the little details they came up with to make their day unique.  They wanted their wedding to feel relaxed and natural.  Every single aspect of this wedding was do-it-yourself.  Natasha created the bouquets and all of the centerpieces, her sister and other family members made all of the food, a good friend helped build the photo booth wall and all of the signs, guests drank beer out of mason jars and set up tents so the party could go on all night long.  It was casual, creative, and full of so much love.

On the way to the farm we stopped by the Leapin Lizard to get this image of Natasha and Hank in front of their gorgeous stained glass window.  Natasha fell in love with it at Love+Bash last month.

Natasha's mother giving the couple her blessing, so sweet! Natasha and Hank collected decor from local thrift stores to use on the tables.  The plates they used were all vintage finds they plan on donating back to the Goodwill. They bottled their own lemonade for favors.Natasha's sister did an amazing job on the cupcakes and desserts.Are you ready for the quickest ceremony ever...it was four minutes long.   There is that yellow wall that I love to photograph.  It worked so well with the colors of their wedding.

Holga magic.

Another Holga image.  This one is a crazy double exposure collaboration image taken by Hank's little brother Alexander and me.  I love it!

This one was taken with my 35mm film camera.  The film I used was expired in 1997.

Stephanie and Michael Cincinnati Wedding Photographer

I knew there was something special about Stephanie the second I met her.  It was her smile, it was so warm and so sincere.  We sat in our meeting and she told me about Michael and how their relationship grew through many years of their life.  Michael, who is the military has been stationed in Germany.  They have spent hours communicating via Skype and phone calls.  It was tough, but their love got them through it.  I first met Michael the week of the wedding when he got into town.  We set up a last minute engagement shoot and I got to know this wonderful man Stephanie told me all about.  This was one of the most heartfelt weddings I have had the opportunity to be part of.  These two have so many people in their lives who care deeply for them.  Every conversation I had at their reception was about how genuinely kind they are.  I am so thankful they asked me to be part of this special time in their lives.  Stephanie and Michael I wish you the best of luck in your new adventure as husband and wife in Germany. :)

I had to post this picture first because it is one my favorite wedding photos to date.  I love this barn, I have driven past it 100's of times.  When I was thinking of locations for Stephanie and Michael's photos I knew it would be the perfect backdrop to use since Michael is in the military.  It turned out better than I could have imagined.

Stephanie and the girl's got ready at Stephanie's parents house in Ft. Thomas.Stephanie's dress from Fabulous Bridal was a perfect fit for her personality.Stephanie wore her grandmother's earrings.This amazing sash was hand made for Stephanie by one of her friends.  Unbelievable!Michael and the guys hanging out at his parent's house before the ceremony.  Michael seeing Stephanie for the first time.The ceremony was held at St. Therese in Southgate, KY.I love this one taken right after they walked out of the church.  Ft. Thomas Florist did a wonderful job on the flowers.  I love the colors Stephanie chose.The reception was held at Riverside Gardens in Dayton, Ky.   A very sweet father daughter dance.The toasts got a little emotional. :)