Sometimes things are just meant to be.

I got an email from Emilie, a planner that I just absolutely ADORE in Columbus, asking if I was available on a day for a wedding for a couple she was working with, Duane and Josh.  Sadly I was already booked and it really bummed me out because I’ve been wanting to photograph a gay wedding for a while (I have photographed a lesbian wedding and it was SO MUCH FUN!) but it just wasn’t in the cards – or so I thought.  A few weeks later the bride who had booked me for the date had to back out and I ended up being available and as luck would have it in that time they had not booked another photographer.  A few weeks later they booked me and I, literally, did a huge happy dance.  I may have even swept up Kitty, my cat, to dance along with me.

When I arrived the day of the wedding it was a bit of a controlled chaos as every wedding is.  The wedding party was in various states of readiness.  Some ladies were getting their hair done.  The guys were helping each other adjust various bits of their tuxedos.  Family members were worrying about the time.  The flower girls were twirling.  People were rocking out to music.  The awesome bit?  EVERYONE GOT READY TOGETHER.  The grooms, the bridesmaids, the groomsman.  When a snafu happened with the grooms bow ties, one of their bridesmaids, Shauna, was on it and found a solution in just a few minutes.   One of the Best Men, Anthony, was right alongside Shauna helping the grooms get ready and look their best.  I can’t even really describe how much fun and how much LOVE was in that room not only for Duane and Josh but for each other.  I have to say, I really loved it.  I hope more couples choose this route in the future because it just may be my favorite way for a wedding party to get ready.

The rest of the day was absolute perfection.  The weather.  The ceremony (yes, I cried).  The reception.  It was one of the most fun days I’ve had as a wedding photographer.  The energy was so high, the love was almost palatable and everything was a feast for the eyes thanks to the amazing Emilie Duncan.  I’m sure by this point you’re over the text so onto the pictures!

I have to pause here and break the “third wall” to give a HUGE shoutout to the High Line Car House, Two Caterers Catering and Emilie Duncan.  I have worked probably close to 200 weddings by now and I have never been treated so wonderfully by vendors before.  When I arrived at the reception I had a waitress stop me and ask if I would like anything to drink.  I asked for a Coke and she kept me hydrated all night long by bringing me a coke every now and again without me even asking.  I know it sounds small but that was one of the kindest things anyone has ever done for me at a reception.  It’s a long day and I had a long drive home and that small gesture meant the world to me.  I was so sad that I didn’t have any cash on me to tip her but she said she wouldn’t have accepted it anyway because it was her job.  Then before I left a bartender gave me two cans of Coke so I would have caffeine for my drive back home (2 hours) – shout out to Emilie for suggesting I ask AND for making sure that we had a yummy vendor meal.  I cannot express how wonderful this experience was and how much love I have for you all – Emilie, the catering and staff.  You are all amazing!   <3

Duane and Josh, thank you both SO much for trusting me to capture your wedding and letting me be a part of the magic!

Wedding Vendors

Catering:  Two Caterers
Ceremony: First Congregational Church in Columbus, OH
Drag Queen:  Nina West
Reception:  High Line Car House
Videography:  Westie Productions
Wedding Planner:  Emilie Duncan Event Planning

You can’t tell but Josh is the center of chaos here at the Westin in Columbus.  He was so serene in the midst of it all!

While Josh was finishing up, Duane was folding all of the handkerchiefs for the men.

Once the bowties were finally tied thanks to an assist from a nearby tux shop, the whole wedding party helped get the guys fully dressed.  They chose their party well, I think this team could easily rule a country.

Behind the image above, this was taking place.  See what I mean?  This wedding party was AMAZING.

Thanks to the random people that live here and allowed us to crash your stoops!

By far one of my favorites from the day.

My absolute favorite of the day.  Seriously.  How adorable are these two?

I love the overlook here at this bridge and am thankful for minimal traffic that allowed me to stand in the street to capture this.  I know it’s not perfect with the flower girl blocking her eyes but that part is what made me smile b/c it’s real.  I love love love the color scheme they chose.  Grey and yellow really looked awesome with this scene!

Another favorite!

The First Congregational Church in Columbus is absolutely beautiful!

I loved this setup for their lost loved ones that was on a table before you walked into the sanctuary.

Each Mom walked their son down the aisle starting with Duane and his Mom.

They were followed by Josh and his Mom shortly after.

This is by far my favorite moment of the ceremony. These two are just adorable together.

This was just before the AMAZING chorus sung during the ceremony.  Here is a video Emilie took where you can hear them, so amazing!  You can also see me, yikes!

After the AMAZING chorus sung they kissed and hugged.  Hugs are my favorite from the ceremony!

I LOVED the streamer exit they had!  All of the wedding party had these streamers in a cup they tossed out when Duane and Josh walked out which then got tangled.  Everyone was giggling and it was fun!

The High Line Car House is straight up my alley – it’s old and has a great history behind it.  I loved the exposed brick (even if I did keep leaning against it and getting chalk all over me, lol).  The sequined tablecloths were my FAVORITE though and I loved how they sparkled beneath the strung lights in the room.

The florals were amazing!  I love how the green balanced the yellow in the centerpieces.

Each table was named after special places in Duane and Josh’s hearts.

Their guestbook was a wood sign that people signed through the night.  I love anything that goes beyond the “sign on this line” so this really made me smile.  The messages were all loving and sweet and I saw a few people get misty when reading the sentiments left for Duane and Josh.

Marcus, Duane’s brother and one of his Best Men, gave such a sweet and sentimental speech.  I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.

I love that instead of staying behind the table and the centerpieces the guys sat on the floor so not only were they easier to photograph but also everyone could see them.

Marcus cracked me up posing for the camera after his toast.

So one of the many surprises of the night was that Tony was going into a song after his toast.  He rewrote “Gangsters Paradise” to a tune he called “Gay Boys Paradise” and this is their reaction to the beginning of the song.

Tony also had lyrics handed out so that at the chorus everyone could join in.  Everyone was laughing, cheering and singing along.  The only way to end something that epic was with a mic drop, naturally.

It was Duane’s nephew’s FIRST birthday so he had Happy Birthday sung to him and his own tiny cake.  Awwwww.

This cake was not only beautiful but absolutely divine.  Duane insisted I have a piece and it may be one of my favorite cakes EVER.

Their first dance was to My Love, Sweet Love by Patti Labelle.

After their first dance Josh danced with his Mom to Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion.  She was beaming with pride all night and you could feel just how happy she was by looking at her.

Duane and his Mom danced to Song for Mama by Boys II Men and they both barely held back the tears.  She looked amazing that day and I loved her gown!

It was time for the big surprise of the night… to open the dance floor they had none other than the amazing Nina West kick the night off!  She came down the stairs to Born This Way by Lady Gaga and the roof almost blew off the High Line because everyone was cheering!

Every reception should kick off with a drag queen.  I have NEVER seen a dance floor this full in my entire career and it stayed pretty full all night thanks to the amazing DJ.

Nina, I hope we meet again at a reception.  You are fabulous!

Everyone was dancing, screaming and having a total blast.  I overheard some guests leaving when I was later that night and they all were talking about how this was their favorite reception ever.

Duane’s cousins had these AMAZING clutches that I knew would be wonderful and glimmery for the ring shot.  Thank you to you both for letting me use them as props!

I HAD to use the lyrics!

Nina came out for one more number towards the end of the night and got everyone back out on the dance floor that had wandered away.

An image of Duane and Josh mingling with guests just before I left from the outside of the amazing High Line Car House.