You know a wedding will be beautiful when you have a fun couple and pretty light all throughout the day. Erica and Cody’s fall wedding in Bowling Green, Ohio was a lovely celebration that took place around different cities in the area. From their first look to portraits at sunset, Erica and Cody had so much fun with their family and friends!

The day started with the bridesmaids and Erica getting ready inside Cody’s grandma’s house. The guys got ready in the garage while hanging out and playing video games. In order for us to have the best light for Erica, all the ladies finished helping her get ready in the sunroom. After Cody and Erica were ready, we went to the backyard and captured their first look. Cody’s grandma had a lovely area behind the house complete with a large field. This backyard is the same one where Erica and Cody met as kids. Cody had chased Erica around with a frog. 🤣 We had a nice balance of shade and sun for their first look.

I absolutely love first looks for any weddings that I shoot. I will tell all of my couples to consider adding a first look to their wedding day timeline. Why? Cause this gives the couple a chance to talk to each other, PRIVATELY mind you, hug each other, kiss each other, cry, laugh, etc. It not only allows the couple to “get the emotions out” but it also gives the couple A LOT more photos. My wedding couples that decide on a first look receive 30% more photos than a couple that doesn’t. How is that so? Right after a first look, we immediately start shooting bride and groom portraits. I can produce 50 “final” images within a 20-minute time frame. That’s 50 MORE than someone that choose not to do a first look. I love delivering a gallery to my wedding couples knowing they have even more special pictures to look back on from that first look. ❤️

In addition, if we have time after the ceremony, I can take more bride and groom portraits, which is exactly what this couple did. They had roughly forty-five minutes of JUST bride and groom portrait time BEFORE the ceremony. We also had an additional hour plus after the ceremony to shoot more portraits of Erica and Cody. The more time I have, the more creative I can get, the more relaxed WE ALL ARE, and the more fun I have with my wedding couples. I can always work quickly to capture bride and groom portraits in a thirty-minute time frame. However, I would rather have as much time as possible during the wedding day to make sure I can get the BEST portraits that I can.

After Cody and Erica’s first look, the full wedding party traveled to Bradner Preserve. I’m still sad that the pretty willow tree isn’t there anymore, but we still had GREAT light! 👌🏼 From there we traveled to the ceremony location at Thompson Stone Hall at Otsego Park in Bowling Green, Ohio. This is such a pretty little stone building that is the perfect fit for a small wedding. 

Before the ceremony started, my second shooter Mikalya and I walked down by the river behind the stone building. There were a lot of stairs and we both said that there was no way Erica would come down this way after the ceremony because it’s a small hike. However, after the ceremony, the first words out of Erica’s mouth were “I wanna go down by the river!” Needless to say, Mikayla and I were happy to go with Erica and Cody down to the river for some fun couples portraits. 👏🏼 I’m so glad we did!! The light was perfect and the stone reflected the skin tones just right. The scene itself was just PERFECT!

After we made the hike back up to the stone hall, there was more good light in front of the building. So I took some full bridal party portraits as well as some more bride and groom portraits. Then, everyone headed to the reception venue. Erica and Cody’s wedding reception was held at Stacy’s Place in Fostoria, Ohio. From great food to good music, all of the wedding guests had a great time celebrating! I was able to catch the sunset RIGHT before the light was gone, and we took advantage of a few more portraits with Erica and Cody. 😉

Congratulations to this sweet couple on their fall wedding in Bowling Green, Ohio! If you’re planning your wedding and want a first look, I’m your girl! 😉 Message me so we can talk details! Weddings for 2025 are coming in! 📸

Wedding Vendors

Bridal Gown: Atlas Bridal

Florist: Blossom Time Florist

DJ: DJ Bryan

Ceremony Venue: Thompson Stone Hall at Otsego Park

Reception Venue: Stacy’s Place

Cater: Millers Meats

Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal

Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Warehouse

Drinks & Ice: BrRr Party Rentals

Cake: The Baking Company