Every time I work a Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade wedding, I know I’m in for a feast for the eyes.  Even if a wedding had NO decorations, it’s still SUCH a gorgeous venue that no one would even notice… and at Christmas? This venue even gets better with the additional lights and decoration!  Of course no wedding has ever gone without details so every wedding is a dream to photograph and working with Clodagh and Matt was extra dreamy.

The whole day I was all grins because the day was just perfection.  Clodagh and Matt were perfect clients – super chill and just so much fun to be around.  They brought their ADORABLE dog for the wedding, which is aces in my books.  Their families were SUPER kind and the dancing was amazing.  It was just a perfect wedding day.

Even though it was December it wasn’t a crazy weather day so luckily we were able to poke out for a couple photos even.

Thank you so much for trusting me to capture your perfect wedding day!

Another huge thanks to the ever amazing Tom Forrest for being my wonderful second photographer!

Ceremony & Reception: Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade /  Bridal Gown: Augusta Jones / Bridesmaid Gowns: J. Crew / Cake: Wild Flour Bakery / DJ: TKO Entertainment / Florist: Charles Phillips Beautiful Flowers / Hair & Makeup: Marengo Luxury Spa / String Quartet: Mayfield Strings

 

Tom started out with the guys (and their adorable dog!) while I was with the ladies.

I adored the photos he was able to capture of Matt and Luz!

I also love this photo of the groomsman before the wedding!

While Tom was with the guys, I was with the ladies who were in the final stages of getting ready down at the Marengo Spa.  While they were finishing up I took Clodagh’s GORGEOUS lace Augusta Jones Bridal dress for a spin for some photos.

Clodagh and her ladies had the bridal suite at the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade and it is SUCH a perfect spot to get ready before a wedding!  LOTS of mirrors and lights!

Finally everyone was ready and it was time to put that stunning lace gown on Clodagh!

Clodagh was my second bride in a row that was an Irish Step Dancer (WHICH I LOVE) and she came prepared with ribbon to tie her red heels on so that she could dance the night away without worrying about her heels slipping.  One of the most clever high heel hacks I’ve seen at a wedding!

Clodagh and Matt opted to do a first look which made the most sense based on their wedding day timeline.  We were able to take advantage of the way the whole Arcade lights up with daylight during the day before their evening ceremony.

Tom went up a floor and was able to capture this gorgeous overlook of their first look location as Matt was waiting for Clodagh.

I stayed below just out of sight of Tom so I could capture the emotions of their first look.  I loved how HUGE their smiles were!

Did you know that the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade is a pet friendly venue and hotel? It is!

During the holidays the Hyatt in Cleveland is DECKED OUT with even more lights and decor than is found year round.  We had to take photos with the tree being a December wedding and all.

We also had to give lots of love and hugs to Luz!

I don’t care how many times I’ve taken a wedding photo in this spot at the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade.  I will take a million more because every time this shot is my favorite from the day.

This is why you have your wedding here.  IT IS SO PRETTY.

Also, so are they.

I haven’t raved yet on Clodagh’s hair yet but man I loved this style – the hair piece, the curls — it was perfection!

I love this bridge and one of the perks to having a second photographer (who is awesome like Tom!) is to get alternate angles like this when I’m shooting more on center.

Tom also was able to capture this sweet in between moment while we were changing up poses.

I cannot rave enough about how much I not only loved this bridal party but how much I loved their look.  The grey suits, the blue dresses and ties and the colorful bouquets by Charles Phillips were just exquisite!

If you’ve read here enough, you know how much I love it when my brides let their bridesmaids choose gowns they are most comfortable in!  The blues all matched but they were all in gowns they chose!

See what I mean about the gorgeous colors popping against the dresses?  Normally one wouldn’t think about royal blue and red together for a wedding but man did it work, and work beautifully!

I loved every single thing about Clodagh’s gorgeous ensemble.  The lit stairs at The Arcade in Cleveland just made it stand out even more.

Time for the guys to show off how dapper they looked!

Perfection, right??

This picture is the poster child of why a December wedding in Cleveland at the Hyatt is the best thing ever.

I have another one booked for this year, needless to say, I am excited.  I want ALL the December weddings here!  *heart eye emoji*

Since it wasn’t super slushy or bitterly cold, I was able to get Clodagh and Matt outside for a few photos with The Arcade sign, yay!

Back inside for the ceremony!  How perfect is this setup for their ceremony spot inside The Arcade?

I can’t help it, I love strands of lights!

How perfect is Luz as the ring bearer?

Tom captured this amazing photo of Clodagh entering the ceremony from the far end of The Arcade.

I was on the other end capturing Matt’s grin as he laid eyes on her.

Clodagh’s laugh as she walked up the aisle may be my favorite thing from the ceremony.

Wedding ceremonies at the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade are always perfection.  Theirs was no different.

Clodagh is Irish so they included a hand binding ceremony.  At the end when they pull their hands out the fabric ties a knot.

I always tell my clients to hold hands if possible during a wedding ceremony because not only does it look better in photos but it also brings you closer.  I loved the way they held hands during a reading so much I had to zoom in on just their hands.

The kiss!

I know I’ve written many love sonnets to the perfection that is a Wild Flour Bakery cake but I will many more times because they are not only amazing to taste (when I get the chance to, it’s been a while… sniff) but they are always STUNNING.  Even the simple cakes are beautiful in their simplicity.

Seriously, if you’re looking for a cake for a wedding or event (or just because you have a yen for cake) I cannot recommend Wild Flour enough.

Onto THIS wedding cake… well as you can see it’s a beautiful white cake with dots and fine gold ribbon.  It was the perfect fit for their wedding and a sight to behold!

While the cocktail hour was underway I was running around documenting the gorgeous reception decor!  I really loved the floating gold candles with red berries floating inside.  It was the perfect way to incorporate the existing beauty at the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade with wedding decor!

I loved their head table as well!

It was time for their entrance and what an entrance at the Hyatt!

They immediately went into their first dance and it was, of course, beautiful.

Not only does this photo show off how amazing a wedding reception at the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade looks but it shows off the beauty of Clodagh’s gown as well!

You two were just so much fun to photograph!

After dinner they opted to combine their parent dances into one song rather than having separate songs for each parent.  This is a new trend I’ve noticed lately and I must admit, not only does it make sense but it also helps people who get the jitters dancing in front of so many people.

I love how Clodagh’s Dad is biting his lip during their dance, I’m not sure if it was from the jitters or to keep from crying but I teared up when editing this one!

Over on Matt’s side of the dance floor it was all grins as he danced with his lovely Mother.

Finally TKO Entertainment opened up the dance floor and it was PACKED all night long.

However I think the person who enjoyed the dance floor the most that night was one of their adorable flower girls.  I don’t think she left it for a moment!

Her gown was also adorable too, I loved how the lace echoed the one in Clodagh’s gown.

Partway through the evening TKO Entertainment played some Dropkick Murphys and Clodagh did a bit of stepdancing.  The flower girl was SO excited and tried her hand at it as well.

I loved how Clodagh’s ring echoed the knot tied during their handfasting!