For those of you that don’t know, it has been a rainy spring in Ohio. And with forecast the way it’s been and knowing my June wedding was right around the corner, I was banking on shooting a wedding in the rain, I was ready! However, though the groomsmen used my umbrellas to escort guests out to their cars (which how nice of them!), I only had to use the umbrella once for pictures!

So as this June wedding day started, the weather was perfect. The sun was shining, just a little breeze and it wasn’t too hot. It was the perfect weather to conquer bridal party portraits, family portraits as well as bride & groom portraits. So that is exactly what we did…before the ceremony started the bride and groom did a private first look and then we traveled to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont, Ohio to capture all of those portrait shots we would normally get after the ceremony.

From a wedding photographer’s perspective, first looks are amazing! Not only do you get MORE photos but you also get SO MANY photos done and out of the way before the ceremony. If done this way, then your guests won’t be complaining about the wait time between the ceremony and the reception. And that my friends, is exactly what this bride and groom did and it worked out perfectly!

Though we wouldn’t have known, we would not have gotten the pictures we had because it was pouring down rain after the ceremony. So I thank the bride and groom for choosing to do a first look!

After the first look and all portraits were done, the ceremony and reception went by smoothly. White flowers and greenery everywhere – simple, elegant and clean. One thing that was unique about this wedding was that the bride and groom did a unity tree and planted it together with their families during the ceremony. It was so special and different, I loved it!

If you are planning a wedding think about how you can incorporate things that reflect you and your significant other throughout the day. Is it planting a tree, is it braiding a robe, or maybe it’s combing colors of sand together. Make the ceremony reflect you, the bride and groom. Don’t be afraid to make it unique!

Overall the day was filled with tears, smiles, laughter and dancing…and some rain drops! Here’s to the new Mr. & Mrs. Connor Samuel! It was a pleasure to work with you, and I wish you the best in your marriage.

– Diana