So, Danielle and Matt, along with their families planned just the wedding that she wanted in her heart. They found a gorgeous outdoor location at Common Ground in Oberlin, Ohio and she had a lace gown custom made for her. Her mom scoured yard sales and antique stores for lots of elegant, vintage touches to make the wedding beautiful and memorable.

The wedding day came and it was ridiculously hot, like 96 degrees plus humidity. Everyone was melting, but they soldiered on. The couple exchanged vows with the help of a Reiki officiant. Reiki weddings incorporate energy from the couple along with blessings from the group to further strengthen the bond of marriage. Everyone put their energy or blessing into a bead which the couple can string together or keep in a bowl as a keepsake. Matt & Danielle also exchanged roses in a sweet rose ceremony - and the officiant reminded them to give each other flowers every year to remind themselves of their marriage and commitment to each other and to celebrate beauty in the world.

After the ceremony, we took some family photos and then the bridal party and the bride and groom headed to Riverdog Retreat to take some more photos. What an amazing venue. Thank you again to Terry and Deborah for allowing us the use of their property.

After the photos, we headed to Deluca's in Lorain, Ohio for an outdoor reception. Danielle's mother had so many beautiful touches here. She had a bike with flowers in the basket, assorted tables, desks and armoires covered in tiny pastries and little vintage touches. It was beautiful.

I hope that Danielle and Matt look back on this day fondly. It was so wonderful getting to know you both!

Ceremony Site: Common Ground in Oberlin, Ohio
Photo Site: Riverdog Retreat in Wakeman, Ohio
Reception Venue: DeLuca's Place in the Park in Lorain, Ohio
Hair: Courtney Donovan for Belleza Salon & Spa in Lorain, Ohio
Dress: Custom-Made dress by Alma's Bridal Boutique in Lincoln, California
Bridesmaid Dresses: J.CREW, light amethyst color
Flowers: by Karen Charles for @KC 440.647-2624
Desserts: Handmaid by the Bride's Mother and Grandmother!!!!

Here are some of my favorites from the day (there are a lot because there were so many beautiful details.)

After a little while of frequent flying between San Francisco and Cleveland, they got engaged and Heather moved to Oberlin to join Matt, and Jason and Jenn. How was that for a fateful trip to Nepal?!?

Matt is an artist and an amazing cook - he is also part owner of The Feve, which is one of the most beloved of Oberlin institutions. Heather is an environmental policy person and a total sweetheart. Together they are a fun and adorable couple. They wanted their wedding to represent all these sides of their personalities and to have everyone they hold dear to be there. They chose the amazing Riverdog Retreat just outside of Oberlin to hold the wedding and reception. Deborah and Terry are the proprietors and artists in residence, so if you are passing by, you have to visit and check out their gallery, or book a stay at their bed and breakfast.

On the wedding day, it was hot and gorgeous - it fit the theme of wildflowers and vintange details perfectly. All of Heather and Matt's friends chipped in to set up one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever been to. There was a barn with a photo booth and rustic jars and colors, a picnic table under a huge tree with tin can luminaries hanging from the branches, a fire pit for smores, the peaceful ceremony set up in the shade behind the gallery and the party tent in a wildflower field decorated with barn wood, old vases, pink, red and orange lanterns and beautiful red cloth accents as well as vintage looking cloth pennants hanging in various places.

But one of my favorite details were the sign posts they had made and placed all of the venue. These had clever references to important places in the couples' lives, but also important info like which way to the CAKE!

Heather and Matt chose another friend from the Nepal trip, Deana, to be their officiant and she did an amazing job. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and heartfelt and left everyone shedding a tear. One of the most clever parts was when Deana asked Matt for a symbol of marriage - he jokingly said marriage was like a Chinese Finger Trap (you know those woven toys that you put your fingers in and then you can't get out of). But Deana thought this was a wonderful symbol of marriage and utilized it during the ceremony. She had Matt and Heather each place a finger in the trap and then pull to show how you cannot pull in different directions when you are married, but that when you work together, you can work through anything. The other highlight, was when Matt's daughter, read a sweet poem.

After the ceremony, and some photos, the party started and it only got better and better with great toasts, delicious food and custom cocktails provided by Feve bartenders. Then it was on to cake, dancing and late night pizza cooked in a woodburning oven right on the property.

Thank you for including me in your celebration. I loved all of the beautiful details, but most especially, all of the love.

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Riverdog Retreat in Wakeman, Ohio
Hair: Adeva Salon & Spa in Oberlin, Ohio
Makeup: Sonja Azizov from San Francisco
Flowers: The Carlyle Shop in Oberlin, Ohio
Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero purchased at Trudy's Bridal in Campbell, California
Alterations: The Perfect Bride in Rocky River, Ohio
Catering: Marigold Catering in Cleveland, Ohio
Cake: Handmade by Prue Richards
DJ: House of Entertainment
Late Night Woodfired Pizza: Lorenzos Pizzeria in Oberlin, Ohio
Handmade Pennant Flags: Made by the Bride's cousin, Tracy McKay

Here are some of my favorite images from the day.

So, fast forward MANY years, and I have returned to my college town and reconnected with this great man. He stops me on the street one day and tells me the wonderful news that his daughter is getting married and he would be honored to have me photograph the wedding. I was so delighted and really wanted to do the best I could for him and his family.

Anna met Rafael in Colombia, where he is from - which is fitting since her father is a professor of Latin American history and spent important years in South America.

Many members of both families made the trip to Ohio for the wedding, as well as numerous friends. The ceremony took place in the courtyard behind Fairchild Chapel. The ceremony was officiated by Professor Fernandez who had the arduous task of conducting the ceremony in three languages - English, Spanish and Hebrew! How many people can do that? They incorporated many Jewish traditions into the ceremony including the signing of the Ketubah or Jewish marriage contract, the Chuppah as well as the breaking of the glass. Many members of the audience also read blessings for the couple.

After the ceremony, we took family portraits and then returned to the Family's home in Oberlin for a backyard tented reception. There were heartfelt toasts in English and Spanish, delicious food and lots of dancing - including salsa lessons for anyone willing. And did I mention it was hot and sweaty that day! Hopefully you can't tell too much from the photos.

Here are some of my favorite images.

The weather cleared just as the ceremony was about to start...

A detail from their beautiful Ketubah.

The GORGEOUS couple.

Well, good thing she did. They both took a chance and really hit it off.

They had a simple wedding on a lovely Thursday afternoon. After the ceremony, everyone headed into the Fellowship Hall at First Church for a cupcake and ice cream reception. Jody joked that she didn't even know that cupcakes were in fashion - she just likes them!

The highlight of the day was how many lovely people came to wish them well, along with many of Mark's students helping out - playing music, passing out programs and ice cream. There was a lot of love and support in that room.

Jody is a vivacious lady who makes the best facial expressions and Mark has a quiet and more pensive persona. They make an amazing pair!

Here are my favorite images from the day.

Jody's Colleagues and friends played the music for the processional.

The lovely bride, waiting to walk down the aisle.

Walking to their favorite tree swing in Tappan Square!

And their friends decorated Jody's car for the sendoff with tin cans and balloons with their faces printed on them. So cute!

Shane is a sweetheart. He is obviously a football player by build and uniform, but he also acts and sings in plays. We had a fun outdoor mini-session around Oberlin.

Check them out.

This charm was given to Zofia to ward off the "evil eye" by a host family during one of her travels.

Also, Adeva Salon & Spa in downtown Oberlin did Clara's hair and makeup.

Check them out...

Here are some of my favorites. Anne doesn't like the first one, but I think she looks beautiful.

For their wedding, they chose the Frank Lloyd Wright House in Oberlin, Ohio which is owned by Oberlin College and managed by the Art Museum. It was a small and intimate outdoor wedding and the day was unbelievably beautiful. The day, May the 21st, had special significance to the families as well. It was the holiday of Saints Constantine and Helen.

Lili & Ian incorporated Bulgarian traditional music into the ceremony played on traditional instruments (the Kaval and the Tupan) by two of Ian's best friends. They also had a ritual fire lighting, to represent the tradition of dancing on embers, a custom from the area of Bulgaria where her grandfather is from. After the bride and groom kissed, the bride's mother tossed water out in front of the couple in another Bulgarian tradition. Then the married couple was able to walk out along the path of the water into their new married life.

After the ceremony, the couple and their friends and family went inside the Frank Lloyd Wright House for a toast.

I love photographing small weddings. I am able to create portraits of all of the guests and really get to be a part of things. Here are some of my favorite images from the day.

Lili wore a gorgeous Tracey Reece dress with adorable espadrille-style wedges for the outdoor ceremony. She changed into her swank, pink Jimmy Choos for the party.

To anyone that has never been to Indigo Lake before, it is on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. This was how Sean got Amelia there in the first place. He claimed that they had won tickets to ride on the train. They arrived at Indigo Lake and he had 45 minutes to propose to her before the train would pick them up again. He took her over to a lovely bench overlooking the lake and made her face the lake. He then got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. How sweet. Sean also had a back-up plan in case someone else was on the bench. He had marked a spot on one of the trails overlooking the lake with a piece of string.

Northeast Ohio has had some crazy weather lately, so we had to work hard to find a time that worked with our busy schedules and the limited amount of times with no rain or thunderstorms. We found an afternoon and after waiting for 20 minutes in our cars for the rain to stop pouring, we had enough time to visit all these spots around Indigo Lake and get some sweet photos of Sean & Amelia.

Check them out... I especially love the one of them dancing by the bench where he proposed. They didn't know I was taking pictures.

We found a frog and tried to have Amelia kiss it!

Can't wait for your lovely Fall wedding.

The fencing outfit was a new one for me. I think they turned out really cool.

Best of luck to you next year Adam.

Anna is a sweet, spiritual young lady. I had a blast making her smile and creating some beautiful images for her family to cherish always.

Along with some amazing photos of Georgia (who is truly stunning) I got to take some of Georgia and her besties. It was really fun and they were all so cute together.

Check them out...