let's talk first looks
so here’s the thing. I see the “taking pictures part” of my job as secondary to making sure your day is everything you want it to be. Maybe because the taking pictures part is so so so second nature and within every muscle memory I have, that I extend my experience to try to make your day run smooth. OF COURSE I’ll follow any schedule you want, on your wedding day, but when people ask WHY to a first look here are some of my reasons (spoiler, NONE of them are because it makes MY day better/easier/etc.)
it’ll calm your nerves: I’ve had so many couples who just . . . relax, once they’ve seen each other. They pretty much turn into a more accurate version of themselves (vs. wedding day self) once they’re with their partner.
it’ll extend your wedding day: I’d say this is my biggest reason to DO a first look. Do you like the idea of spending *most of the day with your love + your most loved people? Yeah? Then do a first look! otherwise, you’re both hidden away, counting down minutes until wedding time arrives.
logistically, it makes sense: winter wedding? Short on day light hours? A way to alleviate your stress is to do most of the photos before hand - that way if it’s dark just about right after your ceremony, you don’t feel the rush to get things DONE and you can actually enjoy yourself more.
alone time with your partner: Seeing each other at the top of an aisle IS very exciting, but I promise it’ll be exciting no matter whether you’ve seen each other before or not. The thing is, if you don’t do that first look, think of ALL THE THINGS you want to be sharing with your partner about how your crazy day was, about how amazing they look, etc. etc. But, you’re getting married + don’t have the time to be candid with each other.
Now, like I said, that’s not to say if you don’t do a first look you’re doing it wrong, or ANYTHING like that. Your wedding day is all about what you want to make it the best start to your lives together! I just hope that you consider all the options!
Kathleen + Josh | married at the Columbus Zoo
phew what a summer. When I was in it I knew I was creating these timeless, amazing, absolutely beautiful images I was really proud of…but fast forward to 25 weddings later, nonstop editing, and a circus of children in my home life, and it’s pretty easy to have forgotten about all that beauty! Thank goodness for the “off season” if for nothing else, for me to look back in wonder with absolute awe at the job I am lucky enough to do.
Kathleen + Josh have this magic sort of love. I feel like maybe I experienced that a lot this year (which says I’m doing something right about the people I’m reaching ;) is that you!?) that like, they haven’t know each other ages, but it feels like it. They incorporated elements, and people into their day that magnified their love so perfectly. And, of course their sweet son, Dylan was just icing on the cake.
More importantly, it was drip your face off hot out here at the Zoo’s Watersedge venue, and if you follow me on Instagram, you know I’m pretty much down on the winter round Ohio. (I’m obviously KIDDING here about this being the most important part!)
Enjoy their wedding story, as I saw it, below.
(mixture of film + digital shot on Canon Mark iii + Canon EOS1-V + Pentax645n. Film developed by The Darkroom)
Thank you, as most weddings, to Savannah at Ce Moment Photography for being my trusty second shooter!
hotel: AC Hotel by Marriott Columbus Dublin
venue: Columbus Zoo + Aquarium
Florist: Off Broadway Florist
Bride’s Dress: Sarah Seven
Madison + Nate | Married at Juniper
Madison + Nate
Juniper | Columbus, Ohio
While I can’t really call a venue my “favorite,” uh, duh. Juniper is a fantastic celebration of the city of Columbus, and from a photographer who is endlessly inspired by light, an absolute dream. Soooo I’m just saying…if you email me telling me you’re getting married at Juniper you might get an overambitious response :)
This July day was absolutely perfect. I’m not complaining about the heat we’ve been having this FALL ( or “fall”) …but this July day even kind of felt like fall. Breezy + warm, not too hot. We shot the first look + bridal party photos on the quad at OSU, including their pup + some champagne. Then we stopped on campus to a bar, because. Let me tell you a thing: It’s very important, on your wedding day, that you don’t spend all your time HAVING TO DO THINGS. It’s your wedding day! Plan a trip to a favorite bar or hang out spot, and just BE with your people. Quick stop at the Scioto Mile area, then it was on to Juniper and the rest of the night was pure magic!
Mix of film + digital! Enjoy!
venue Juniper
officiant United Marriage Services
bridesmaid dresses Shop Gilded Social
flowers Madisonhouse Design
cake Suisse Shop
Danielle + David | married at Oak Grove
jorgensen farm ohio wedding shot at the oak grove venue on film and digital by jessica love photography
I'm blogging a wedding! I'm blogging a wedding!
Danielle + I met when I was 100 months pregnant with Shiloh, and I assured her I'd be totally good with shooting her wedding just a month after his due date. It's such a strange thing being a woman, having children, owning your own business, etc. etc. but that's a blog post for another day! TODAY, I'm going to share some of the beauty I saw on that October night.
This venue is one of the two that Jorgensen Farms offers and, it's no secret I'm obsessed with it! I'm hoping hoping hoping to have my second round of mini sessions right there in this gorgeous greenhouse, so keep an eye out here for an announcement!
Beyond pretty, this wedding was just....easy. Their love was easy, their friends and family were easy...like it was just meant to be! Shot on digital + Fuji 400H film + HP5 film.
Molly +Tommy | married in Downtown Columbus
Took a little instagram poll, and have SO. FREAKIN. MANY weddings to share, we're going back to 2016 for Molly + Tommy's wedding in the Short North. Loved working with Perfectly Planned Events for this wedding + Rose Bredl for the flowers. Most grateful for a bride and groom who trusted us, and had the best celebration of their day!
