Mike and Devon had a beautiful day, and I am thrilled that I was able to be apart of it. Mike and Devon got ready at the Westin in Downtown Columbus. It is a beautiful venue and if you have not heard of it, you should definitely check it out. It is where their reception took place as well. The Westin is a beautiful hotel that also has a spacious and stunning ballroom for all of your reception needs.
When you think about first looks you usually think about the bride and groom! However, Devon decided that she wanted to do a first look with her bridesmaids and her dad. I think it is so special to do a first look with your bridesmaids because even though they have been there the whole day getting ready with you they should be some of the first people to see the beautiful bride all put together. Plus, it is important to remember that not all bridesmaids have seen the dress. Some brides only take a select few people to the dress appointment with them. I think that makes a bridesmaids reveal so magical!
Devon also did a first look with her dad. The first look with your dad is a common tradition for some weddings, but I think it is very important to highlight why it is so important. Yes, you are about to walk down the aisle to marry the man of your dreams but there is something about having that special moment with your dad. Your dad is the first man who ever loved you, the first man who showed you the ins and outs of the world, and the first man who taught you how you should be loved. I think this time between a bride and her father is very special. You are closing one chapter and opening another. I think the first look between a father and a bride allows the bride one last time to truly take in the change that is about to take place in her life and have a moment with her father before walking down the aisle.
I am sure by now everyone knows there is almost always a hiccup somewhere along the line right!? Well let me tell you about one a funny one that happened on Mike and Devons wedding day. During groom and groomsmen photos, one of the groomsmen got on Mike’s shoulders and ripped his pants. Now, most people would freak out or enter panic mode but not this bride and groom. Luckily, this groomsman lived close so he was able to go home and do a quick change. I am sure you are probably laughing and that’s okay cause it was funny! Thankfully everyone handled it like champs. Everyone stayed calm and I am sure they are probably still laughing about it to this day. So, when you run into an issue on your wedding day remember that it is okay. Take a deep breath and be the problem solver you need to be. If you allow the situation to negatively affect you then your day will be negatively affected but if you have a positive outlook them, you will hardly remember it in a few hours.
Mike and Devin had a big bridal party which made for beautiful pictures and so much fun! They especially had fun with all of their friends on the party bus! We went and took pictures at the Scioto mile and then we went back to The Westin in Downtown Columbus to take a few more photos. We got creative with the photos at the hotel, and I absolutely adore them. Their reception details were so classy and elegant. I love when couples are able to come in to their reception space before guests start arriving and I am able to capture their beautiful reactions to the space that they have both put so much hard work into. At the reception both the bride and groom’s fathers gave speeches, and you know it’s gonna be good when both fathers give a speech! There were lots of smiles and lots of laughs. Their reception was a blast, and the dance floor was packed the entire night. A fun fact about Mike and Devon is they both graduated from Ohio University and had a lot of OU alumni at their wedding. So, they got a group picture with the flag and something very special actually happened. They received a plaque with their names on it from OU! What a great way to remember your wedding day! The Westin in Downtown Columbus was the perfect venue for Mike and Devon.
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