Spice Acres Wedding | Kat + Zak

 

I could rattle off a list of reasons why Kat & Zak quickly became our favorite couple, or how we have so much in common, or how they chose the most amazing vendor team...but it's really just not even about their wedding or about us. I'd much rather talk about how these two chose to center this celebration around their love of each other and natural, how they chose to focus their weekend around celebrating with their people. It's obvious to see why, too, their family and friends were so happy, genuine and inclusive. We felt like guests the whole weekend. 
In their vows, they spoke of family, of hiking, of trials on the trail and hardships they've overcome. They spoke with cracked voices, holding back tears, overwhelmed with joy. They held each other close all day and each portrait we captured was the product of a real moment, never performed. 
It was beautiful in every single way and I would shoot this wedding 100 times more if I could. 

Meet Kat & Zak! 

Vendor Team:
Venue, Catering & Cake: Spice Acres
Hotel & First Look: Hilton Downtown Cleveland
Planning: Kirkbrides 
Furniture: Borrow Rentals
Florals: Twig Floral
Band: Blue Water Kings
Beauty: Looks by Lyss
Dress: Mira Couture
Invitations: Stone Pine Design
Tent: Aable Rentals

 

JULIA + JUAN LUIS - CHATEAU MICHELLE WEDDING

 

Photographed by our associates Lisa + Lauren
The Heartlanders Collective

Chateau Michelle in Canton, Ohio is a unique little space for intimately hosting loved ones for a wedding. Julia + Juan Luis brought guests all the way from Spain to this little vintage house for a close-knit celebration of their love. Lisa and Lauren documented their day beautifully, telling the story through so many beautiful details and moments. Among our favorites are the bird's eye view of the ceremony, the donut tower, the most exciting bouquet toss and the largest family photo ever!!

Congratulations Julia + Juan Luis!

 

Kris + Frank | Downtown CLE Wedding

 

Shot by our associate Lauren
The Heartlanders Collective

Downtown Cleveland weddings are exciting. The buzz of the city, as vibrant and alive as it has become gives the day a wild energy. Kristin and Frank opted to take on Cleveland on foot for their time with The Heartlanders Co photographers, Lauren and Megan. They made the most of a beautiful afternoon exploring the city and enjoying each others company only to end the evening with an intimate reception at a cozy rustic Italian restaurant in Playhouse Square. Emotional speeches, touching dances and enough cake to share, of course! It was the best of days. 

Congratulations Kris + Frankie

 

JennaLee + Kyle | Gervasi Vineyard Wedding

 

Gervasi Vineyard was the perfect organic, elegant and fun space for JennaLee & Kyle's emotional wedding. Lauren + Megan capture every detail and celebration beautifully. JennaLee + Kyle have such a sweet love for one another, they're always laughing and their energy towards each other is so vibrant! Take a look!

Venue: Gervasi Vineyard http://www.gervasivineyard.com
Florals: Fair Rarity Flowers http://fairrarityflowers.com
Cake: Checkerboard Cheesecake https://www.checkerboardalloccasioncakes.com
DJ: Pure Events Group https://www.pureeventgroup.com
Make Up: Christina Freeman, Love Beautiful Skin http://lovebeautifulskin.com 
Hair: Rebecca Spangler, The Hair Shoppe and Spa http://www.thehairshoppeandspa.com
Gown: Maggie Sottero from Henri's Cloud Nine in Minerva
Suit Designer: Joseph Abboud

 

Kendel + Paul | Autumn Vintage Wedding

Meeting Kendel + Paul was so refreshing. These two are so young and full of life and appreciation for each other. Just starting a life together, renovating their new home, moving in together, planning a wedding; these could be a source of stress for most couples but these two took every chance to truly celebrate in every way they could. Kendel donning her Grandmother's rose gold, silk wedding gown planned an effortlessly elegant and vintage inspired day that was just so cute, so romantic and so them! Thankful we got to be a part of it!

Jen + Tyler | Ariel International Wedding

 

I hardly know where to start with Jen + Tyler's wedding. They had their dogs, their motorcycle, a Star Wars theme, a rooftop ceremony...it was basically the most badass wedding day ever. Their wedding choices aside, Jen + Tyler are the coolest kids on the block...if you're like us and you're into video games, comics and Star Wars, you'd agree! 
Their day was SO emotional and so special to watch. Their friends and families poured their hearts into their parts of the day and it was so obvious (as you will see below) that these two really honed in on celebrating this day their own way and making sure it was special. 

 

Rachel + Brian | October Backyard Wedding

As I sit in this Starbucks trying to drown out all the noise; the metal cups bashing the ice, the chairs scooting across the floor, the baristas enthusiastically bellowing names of people and sentence-long names of drinks, the vibration of music playing...I can't even put words to this story. This environment is too mundane for the level of spirit and emotion in this love story.
This story doesn't even need words, really.
Rachel & Brian were really connected, really emotional, really in love and really expressive of their gratitude for everyone surrounding them. See for yourself. It was one for the books.  

Molly + Ryan | Woodland + Theater Wedding

Working with Molly + Ryan was a dream. Molly is an insanely talented graphic designer/artist and Ryan works in the film industry. They definitely got what we were about. Their engagement session was killer but man, this wedding was a knockout. Together they planned a perfect blend of their personalities. They share a reverence for nature which led to a private vow reading along Rocky River and John Muir readings during the ceremony.  The setting for the ceremony and reception was a beautiful, full-of-character old theater in the heart of Cleveland complete with the most whimsical, free-spirited details to match Molly's taste. She designed their stationery suite and featured her uncle's band! We couldn't have had a better time documenting this lovely story for these two! 

Vendors:
Venue: Cleveland Public Theater, Gordon Theater; Floral: Jennifer Slagle; Gown: Claire la Faye, Moon & Back Bridal; Rentals: Borrow Rentals; Stationery: molly-lawrence.com

Rachel + Brian | Date Night Couple Session

We decided to call this a 'Date Night Couple Session' because Rachel & Brian drove all the way from Charlotte, NC to New Castle, PA and then onto Cleveland, OH to meet us for drinks at Plum in Ohio City. After some delicious whiskey beverages and taste-y sharables we headed out to make some portraits without a destination or goal in mind. 
As you'll see these two turned a half hour of wandering around the alleys of Ohio City into the most playful, romantic date night ever! We had nothing to do with all those smiles and laughs...these two didn't need any input from us to be this awesome together! After Ohio City we headed towards the lakeshore and ended the evening the same way they spent their first date, sitting lakeside as the sun fell behind the horizon. We cannot wait for their backyard wedding next month!
 

Brand Shoot | Little Birdie Design Studio

Recently our team got together in a green house with three beautiful models and Little Birdie Design Studio's owner, Tori with a bunch of her knit scarves and hats! We are so inspired by the opportunity to work with local, small brands like Little Birdie. The collaborative spirit of the whole process is so refreshing! We're really proud of the images we made for her fall line... but it really wasn't hard because these goods are incredibly fine in person and on camera!

Molly + Ryan | Sunset Couples Session

Molly + Ryan are lovestruck and insanely good in front of the camera. They have this palpable energy between them that is drawn out and amplified by being together in nature, their favorite place. We tried something new for their session, we shot in a new location, in direct sun and had them nonstop moving around, like every 10 seconds I'd say "ok switch it up". At the end of the session, I wasn't sure I got anything I wanted but when I saw the set come together I was in love with this little love story. I can't wait to share their wedding later, it's even more beautiful if that's possible. 

Ashley + Zach | Northern Michigan Wedding

You may recognize these two from the recent adventure we had with them in Colorado a week before their wedding! We shared a sunset hike in the Rockies and a week later we shared a Sand Dune hike in Upper Michigan. What is this life?

Well, I had the hardest time not selecting a thousand beautiful moments to share from Ashley + Zach's Northern Michigan wedding. Not only was the destination and the wedding absolutely stunning but these two are genuinely the sweetest and happiest people I think I've ever met. Zach's love for Ashley was SO apparent in his mood that day. Between their shared glances and constant smiles, everyone who witnessed these two that day was sincerely intoxicated by the joy they share in their adoration for each other. This is one we'll remember for a long time. 

Location: Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Maple City, Michigan
Venue: Snow Moon Ranch | Planning: Sincerely, Ginger | Florals: Stem & Sprigs | Cake: Sweet Tartlette | Beauty: Knoelle Artistry | Band: Other Brother Entertainment, Charleston, SC. | 

Ashley + Colton | Sand Dunes Adventure Session

Ashley + Colton made the drive from Albuquerque, New Mexico to meet us at Great Sand Dunes National Park. We arrived the day before and slept in the van (secretly) in the backcountry parking lot overlooking the dunes. We fell asleep to the quietest, pitch black night and woke to the white, hot sun trying to melt the sand and the van.

This place is incredible, vast and other-worldly. The wind sweeps sand in every direction until it's swirled into massive mounds that harmoniously blend into the pale blue sky at every vantage point. We sat back and watched as Colton and Ashley danced in awe; The most beautiful story, their love for each other, for adventure and for the moment. In the heat of the setting sun, at 10,000 feet elevation, they let the grains of sand sting by the millions against their skin and curled into each other for shelter; a sentiment worth documenting in any place but especially a place as beautiful at this.

Dress from KII Boutique, Albuquerque, New Mexico 

Vintage Camper Couple | Rocky Mountain Sunset Adventure Session

We've been so lucky to meet so many great creatives through Instagram in the last few years. It's such a powerful resource for connecting us with the people who see the world the way we do! 
That's how we met Chelsea + Lyn, these camper-dwellers from southern Ohio who are living the rocky mountain life in a beautiful campground in Colorado right now. We obviously bonded over our love of alternative living, travel, adventure and mountains!

We were on our campervan tour, heading through Buena Vista and these two just happened to be on our route! They saved us a campsite and we met at their camper-home just before sunset. 
Lyndon + Chelsea live a beautifully tiny, big life on the road. They invited us in, made us pancakes, offered us beer and then took us for a true mountain drive in their Land Rover. We headed up a private road as far as the Rover would go and hopped out to get to the top of the ridge where we could see all the peaks surrounding the valley and their little camper below us! Lyn kept saying he didn't know where the best light would be for photos but he knew this view couldn't be beat. We laughed and wandered until the last bit of amber light fell behind the peaks and then we finished the evening with dinner cooked over the campfire. We've never had a more authentic experience getting to know strangers than with these two! And what a beautiful home they have!

Follow their adventures on their Insta @mobile_millers

Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Hine's Hill Wedding Workshop

Last month we hosted our first "official" workshop. We shared and learned so much in our two-days in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, we even put together a styled shoot and photographed the work of some of the best vendors this area has to offer! Our models for the Hine's Hill wedding shoot were not only gorgeous in front of the camera but their acting skills were award-worthy! 
We loved sharing our documentary approach with like-minded photographers and we learned more from them and our experience than we ever imagined! Take a look at our day one recap! Vendor list below!

Venue: Hine's Hill Campus
Models: TJ Alleshouse + Grace Dwyer
Stationery: Baci Designer
Tablescape: Oak & Honey Events
Florals: Ashley's Floral
Ceremony Chairs & Table: Miller's Party Rental
Dress: Woosea Designs (Amazon)
Neck Tie: I print stuff
Not Pictured: Taproot Catering, Brothers Band Oh, CVNP Stanford House

Ashley + Zach - Boulder | Colorado Adventure Session

In the mountains we find ourselves. And for these two that is true. In the midst of a very active season in their lives, Ashley + Zach made time to reconnect on a hike with their cute pup Quimby (a week before their wedding). The hike through the evergreens and aspens was brief. And before we even got winded, layers and layers of grey and blue rocky mountain ranges greeted us while the sun laid it's golden haze across the snowcaps in the distance.
We talked about the future, our collective plans to hike a 14-er and to make more time for things like this. Colorado has a way of delivering perspective and on this evening, we all needed it. 

Ashley + Zach took full advantage of every overlook and outcropping, they sat in the dirt and kissed their dog. They let the summer night fade without hurry. It's was a beautiful story to tell. 

Mandy + Wade - Ohio Farmhouse Wedding

 

After spending the morning with her girls in the historic farmhouse, Mandy calmly got dressed while awaiting the rain shower that showed up uninvited for their first look. Rain on a wedding day is a common fear in Ohio but Mandy & Wade gracefully endured the light showers to make memories out in the fields at Brookside Farms before their barn ceremony + reception. As a heavy fog quieted the scene, we found quiet places for shelter under the evergreens along the creekside. Guests enjoyed the smell of dinner from the smoker as they arrived to the ceremony. And they partied into the night while these two thoroughly enjoyed everything the night had to offer. 

Venue: Brookside Farms
Catering: Taproot Catering
Bride's Make Up: Andi Wheatley Artistry
Florals: Ubran Orchid
Planning: Tricia Dever