I apologize, again, for the lack of blogging.  I’m hoping to catch up soon!

While every wedding is different and unique in their own way, it is rare that I get to photograph truly unique or new weddings so I was really excited to be a part of Regina & Llewellyn’s wedding as they incorporated a lot of traditions and customs from their home, Sierra Leone.  I can’t say for sure, but I can almost bet that there are not many Sierra Leoneans (I may be epically failing at the plural at this, apologies!) weddings in Ohio and it was so wonderful to see how other countries celebrate the love between two people.  The one stand out thing from the whole day was the color!  Oh my!  So many wonderful textiles and colors and just BRIGHTNESS!  It was so fun to photograph!

Beyond just being a really fun and unique day for me, it was a joy to work with Regina and Llewellyn.  They just both have this amazing calming presence that immediately makes you feel at ease when you are around them.  They are so lovely to watch interact together and how they embraced the love of their friends and family.  From the the thoughtful gifts they purchased for each other for their wedding days to the way they never lost sight of one another throughout the craziness of the reception – you can tell they are a perfect match.

I also had the stellar Andrew Jordan with me as my second shooter for the day, huge props for him and for being the best drink fetcher EVER.  I had a kidney stone while shooting (fun times, I assure you!) and thanks to Andrew I was able to run all day without wanting to curl up in a ball and die.

You’re going to want to read all of this blog because some things need pictures to illustrate what is going on.

Wedding Vendors

Cake:  Phyllis Lester Designs
Ceremony:  Westlake United Methodist Church
Florist:  Lynda Loren Floral & Event Design
Reception:  LaCentre Conference Facility
Videographer:  Rad Cinematography
Wedding Coordinator:  Kirkbrides

 

Andrew started with the guys and captured this great image of Llewellyn before they headed to the church.

Andrew was also able to capture a few great images of the guys before they headed in to the sanctuary to hide so there were no accidental first looks.

Meanwhile, I was with Regina and her entourage as they got prepared for the big day.  I ADORED Regina’s head piece.

Everything about Regina’s wedding day ensemble was amazing, I especially loved the blue bottoms to her heels!

I love Regina’s Mom in this image of everyone getting Regina into her dress.

Notice that Regina’s father is juuust barely holding back his tears.

I don’t think that Llew’s smile could be ANY bigger!

This chapel is so pretty, I love the way the red tones picked up on all of the wedding colors.  The monogrammed aisle runner was a nice touch and I loved that it was at the front of the church instead of the typical spot at the base of the aisle!

The first kiss! <3

My favorite moment from the wedding ceremony was Regina wiping her lipstick off of Llewellyn’s lips though, aww.

Andrew was able to capture this great image of the recessional from the balcony.

This bridal party was awesome.  I am in LOVE with teal and how awesome it looks on EVERYONE.  Teal has definitely been the predominant color of the year this year and I am thrilled!

Don’t these bridesmaids look amazing???

The guys were brave and headed down to the beach where the waterfall is at Columbia Park for their wedding portraits.  They were able to get this one image before hightailing it back up to safer ground.  The bugs were INTENSE that day!  Between the mayflies, midges and god-knows-what-devil-were-biting, the beach session just wasn’t happening for the whole bridal party.

We were really pressed for time so I shoo’ed off the bridal party back onto the busses and finished the session out playing with the bride and groom.  This is my far my favorite from the day.

I love when the wind helps us out!

Regina, you my dear are simply gorgeous.

Also?  Her bouquet was so, so amazing.  Not only was it beautiful but it smelled AMAZING.

I may have a weakness for peonies.

I LOVE when the cocktail hour is held in a separate location from the main reception room, this allows the room to be documented before guests muck it up.

LaCentre is always one of my favorite places for receptions.  The lighting is amazing and the room is simply gorgeous.  I love how the peach and blue tones carried throughout the room in different ways.

The cake smelled amazing, I didn’t get a chance to try a piece but everyone was raving!

OK, from the beginning of the planning for this wedding, I knew that the reception was going to be unlike anything I’ve ever photographed.  Regina and Llewellyn warned me that the entrances are crazy but I had NO IDEA what the heck I was in for, but in a good way.   Let me set the scene for you: there were two masters of ceremony and they take turns revving the crowd up and introducing each person of the bridal party, parents and godparents.  As each new person is introduced, a new song plays and they dance their way towards their tables and everyone in the room joins in for essentially a big dance party celebrating that person.  It’s not a quick introduction like we’re used to here in the states but generally a few minutes long with TONS of smiles and fun.

Thanks to Andrew for this picture.

One person other than the bride and groom got a HUGE crowd up and out of their seats, and it was none other than the First Lady of Sierra Leone, whom is none other than Regina’s godmother.  She’s in the center of this image and you can almost feel everyone’s joy to be a part of her entrance!

Again, thanks to Andrew for this picture.

Of course, the wildest and most energetic entrance was for the bride and groom.  HOLY COW!  I’ve never seen ANYTHING like it but it was simply put, amazing.  Everyone was dancing up a storm and just lit up with excitement for these two!  AND THE MOVES!  Holy cats people, these guys can DANCE!

All told, the entrances took about an hour for everything and then it was onto the lovely and sweet toasts.  Andrew captured this perfect image from the side while I was getting the “safe” shots from the front.  LOVE this shot!

After dinner was the dancing and they started off with Regina and Llewllyn’s first dance.

..then the mother/son dance…

…then the father/daughter dance.  So sweet!

After the formalities were completed, everyone retreated to change into their traditional agbada in which resulted in another “Grand” entrance of the bride and groom (the outfits were so astounding and wonderful!).  From this point on, the dancing was off the hook!    We left just at the perfect point of “having fun” before it got into the “hot and sweaty mess” part of dancing.  As you can tell, these two were so excited to celebrate and dance the night away with their friends and family.

Thank you again for allowing me to be a part of your amazing wedding day!