Bre and Marvin’s wedding ceremony took place at a location where they are deeply connected, their family church in Richwood, Ohio. I love it when couples choose to get married in their own church. It surrounds them with physical reminders of their special day as they return to that same space for years into the future, as their relationship grows.
No matter the setting, my first priority when I arrive at a wedding is checking in with the bride and groom. Once I’m up to speed on any last minute information, I get to work photographing the special details that make your day unique. You certainly don’t want to be saying “oh, we got a great picture of our rings, but I wish we had a photo of this and that…” when the day is over, so it’s important to make sure you have all of the important pieces ready to shine when I arrive. No detail is too tiny, especially if it holds meaning to you! One of these small but impactful items that I’ve seen trending is including a charm or other symbol somewhere on the bride’s bouquet. It’s a great way to honor a loved one by literally carrying something that represents them down the aisle with you, close to your heart.
Bre and Marvin took a sweet moment before their ceremony to exchange gifts with each other, along with a handwritten letter. This is a nice alternative for couples who don’t wish to do a first look or first touch, because it still gives you time to pause in the midst of the hustle and bustle of getting ready to just be reminded of the reasons you are there in the first place. It’s also a great time to just take a deep breath and get excited about the spectacular day that lies ahead of you. The gifts can be simple or extravagant, and just about anything that your loved one would treasure. Many couples choose something that can be worn and enjoyed daily for years to come, like sunglasses or a classy watch for the groom, and a timeless piece of jewelry, such as a ring, necklace, or even earrings for the bride. I always encourage couples to plan for some kind of special time just for themselves, whether it’s exchanging gifts and letters separately, or meeting privately and seeing each other in person.
The ceremony they shared was sweet, simple, and completely centered on the love they share for one another. The friends and family who joined them at the altar were a very fun group of people. Having a joyful bridal party definitely makes your pictures more fun and meaningful too! The people in your bridal party are not just your “crew” or “squad” for that day, but for the rest of your marriage. Being surrounded by people who are genuinely excited for you to write the next chapter of your lives is a great way to celebrate!
Both Bre and Marvin are so photogenic, and when we got the two of them together it was just like a dream! They were both so natural and easily fell into gorgeous poses without having to be given any instructions. Something I love to do is create portraits of the bride and groom that are totally unposed and capture their true personalities. One of my favorite techniques is to have them stand apart from each other and pretend like they haven’t seen each other for a few months, and they are greeting each other in the airport. (I can almost hear Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet Overture” playing as they run to each other in slow motion, just like in the movies, when I look back at these photos!) Bre and Marvin’s greeting was super authentic, as they ran to each other and shared the biggest hug and huge smiles! The genuine smiles and more relaxed poses where you are laughing and just loving each other definitely make the best portraits. It’s the happiest day of your life, so one of the biggest things I strive for is helping you have FUN while we are taking these pictures!
Following their ceremony, we headed over to the Homestead of Radnor for their reception. The decorations were charming and so many of them had personal details. Pictures can always take your personalization to the next level. Maybe take a walk down memory lane and use photos from when you were dating, and your favorites from your engagement session, as decorations on your cake table or as a part of your centerpieces. Bre and Marvin’s reception was a blast. Their family and friends had such a fun time dancing, enjoying the celebration, and creating memories to cherish with the happy couple.
Congratulations, Bre and Marvin! I’m so grateful to have been able to capture your special day for you. I wish you the very best that life can bring you in your marriage!
Interested in having me as your wedding photographer?
