Julie and Jennie's Downtown Cincinnati Wedding

It doesn't matter where you are, what you're wearing, or how much you spent on your flowers, to me the most important thing you can bring to your wedding day is a heart full of love and a smile on your face.  Don't get me wrong, I adore all of the pretty details that make a wedding day special, but it's the emotions of the day that really sweep me off of my feet.

Julie and Jennie's intimate wedding was held at Venue 222 downtown.  About 50 of their closest friends and family came to help them celebrate and support their lifetime commitment to each other.  They presented each other with very personalized vows with promises to not only love each other but to also give each other the space they need to grow, and to be present while enjoying their journey together.  It was so heartfelt and their chemistry together is inspiring to be around.  During the reception I stopped taking pictures for a minute and just let myself really enjoy what I was apart of.  It was overwhelming.  There were people laughing and enjoying themselves in every direction I looked.  The joy in the room was explosive.  During that moment, there was no where in the world I would rather be.  I was experiencing right in front of me nothing but pure love and it felt great.   As I floated back to my car I just sat and soaked in how lucky I am for these amazing people that let me tell a piece of their story.

 Thank you to all of Jennie and Julie's friends who helped make the day perfect for the couple.

This is why I love when couples do a first look.  You get to spend some time enjoying each other alone, and I get to capture it. :)

The cutest ring bearer ever. Julie and Jennie's very talented friend Nuria made the ring bearer bag and designed all of their flowers.  

Samantha and Heather's Backyard Wedding

Samantha and Heather's intimate ceremony was held in the backyard of a beautiful home owned by dear friends.  It was a gorgeous afternoon full of laughter and love.  Their close friends and family helped make the day extra special for the girls by helping with the food, flowers, and decor.  Samantha and Heather walked around with huge smiles on their faces all day.  At one point in the day I noticed Samantha tearing up, Heather asked her if she was ok.  As Samantha looked over at all of the faces of support and love she replied, "I am just so happy."  It was a moment I never want to forget.  It was a moment that reassured me, that I was right where I needed to be.  Celebrating love, documenting it, being part of something so special is the best feeling in the world.  Samantha and Heather, thank you for letting me be part of such an amazing day.  My hope for you is a lifetime of the happiness you felt on this day.Samantha and Heather are both teachers who love to read.  They used books for their table decor.  The guests were invited to take them home at the end of the day. 

Sarah and Karen's Bell Event Centre Wedding

"The minute I heard my first love story I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was.  Lovers don't finally meet somewhere, they're in each other all along." - Rumi

It all started with a date and a kiss.  They went out for coffee and and then for drinks.  While standing in the bar Sarah leaned over and kissed Karen and for the first time, Karen felt free.  She felt free to be herself, to love without worry.  She saw the strength she was searching for in Sarah and she was in love.  Their love story is so inspiring to me.  I knew the second I met them that I wanted to be part of it.

Sarah and Karen committed themselves to each other on a beautiful fall day at the gorgeous Bell Event Centre.  They were surrounded by 200 of their closest friends and family.  It was a glorious night full of laughter and love.  These two women have the kindest hearts.  Karen is a chaplain at a local hospital and Sarah works for a non-profit.  They are a perfect balance for each other.  Sarah has a carefree spirit and loves to go with the flow, while Karen is very organized and needs order to feel comfortable.  Together I know they are going to do wonderful things in this world.  They have already touched my heart so deep with their kind words and loving spirit.  The quote above was printed on the last page of their programs and I think it sums things up just perfectly. Thank you Sarah and Karen, for not only choosing me to photograph your wedding, but for being my friend, and helping me show the world that as Sarah says, love is love, it has no boundaries.  I wish you two a lifetime of happiness together.

Sarah and Karen made their commitment official in New York, where they got engaged.

Rachel Lisa did a fantastic job on both Sarah and Karen's makeup.  She even came to the ceremony and touched them up for the reception.Karen went from a chaplain to a princess in a matter of minutes. Beautiful.Karen wore Toms wedges while Sarah wore her cowgirl boots.Seeing each other for the first time.The next two crack me up.  Sarah's relative Kevin Brunsman did a wonderful job on the flowers.  When choosing bouquets Karen said she wanted tightly wound...and Sarah wanted loose and wild.  So fitting for their personalities! ;)  You cant see it in this image, but there is a mushroom hiding in that bouquet! The programs were handmade by Sarah, each one was unique. Going over their vows right before the ceremony.Since a marriage certificate in Ohio was not possible, they made their own.  All of the guests signed it.  I love it!The Bell Event Centre, amazing!  Thank you to my awesome assistant Andrew for capturing these. Sarah is also a bee keeper.  For favors they gave honey jars with "meant to bee" printed on them.  Such a cute touch.I always get super excited when I find out I get to eat BonBonerie cake! :)

Sarah and Karen's Northside Cincinnati Engagement

I love when couples choose locations that have special meaning to them for their photo sessions.  It makes the shoot so much more personal.  I met Sarah and Karen in Northside for this very sweet engagement session.  Northside is where they had their first date and their first kiss.  It was a real pleasure getting to know these two and hearing all about their love story.  Unfortunately, the state of Ohio still has a ban on gay marriage so Sarah and Karen are officially getting married later this year in New York.  They will be having a commitment ceremony at the Bell Event Centre .  I am honored they want me there to photograph it.

Special thanks to Rachel at Brideface for dolling the girls up for the shoot, they looked fantastic! I met Sarah and Karen at the Northside Tavern, where we planned on taking a few photos.  There was a wedding reception at the bar and I could not get in due to a line down the street.  I spotted Karen in the window and decided to shoot from outside instead.  I love the way these turned out.  Magic.Northside is full of color and interesting art.  We had a little fun with some of the wall murals. :)Love. Sidewinder Coffeshop where they had their first date. We headed over to Covington to get some images along the river.