Have you ever seen a dog on a dance floor? Well, get ready, because now I have…and you’re about to! Abbie and Nick’s Conrad Botzum Farmstead wedding in Akron, OH, was bursting with fun and surprises. Including the family hound, Booker, getting down on the dance floor with the bride!
It all started at a hotel, where Abbie and her bridesmaids got ready for the big day. Poised and elegant in their sea green PJs, the bridal party really made the most of the morning, filling it with laughter. Meanwhile, Madison Karnow and her team outdid themselves in the hair and makeup department! All of the women looked beyond beautiful! And once the hair and makeup was done, Abbie slipped into her form-fitting lace gown from Elizabeth Renea’s Bridal, clipped on her classic pearls, and after a few happy-tears-filled-hugs, set out for her first look.
Now, some brides decide to do a first look with their husband-to-be, while some choose to save that for the ceremony and go with a daddy-daughter first look instead. But Abbie said, “Why not both!?” And I said, “Yeah! Why not both!?” So, Abbie enjoyed a heartfelt first look with her father, who bearhugged his daughter as soon as he saw her. Then, her groom arrived for his turn. Abbie and Nick chose to read their vows during their first look, and I’ll admit, when Nick wiped away his tears, I might have had to brush away one or two of my own. Then, we headed off to the ceremony!
Their choice to celebrate a Conrad Botzum Farmstead wedding meant they were guaranteed a beautiful outdoor backdrop for their celebration. And because this is my third year photographing here, I instantly knew where to go to grab the best shot! The ceremony was held in a large field with an aged barn overlooking it. Photographs of Abbie’s grandparents when they were young were placed in the front row, so it was as if her grandparents were there with them. The bridesmaids wore a spectrum of sea greens and teals, providing a gorgeous muted shade to the bright scene. The couple’s dog, Booker, even walked down the aisle as a groomsman! I know the couple was relieved that the venue was so accommodating to allow their best pup a place in the wedding.
After the ceremony, I got to spend time with the couple, snapping some truly romantic pictures around the lush, sprawling grounds. Because Abbie and Nick had an engagement session with me, the portraits felt just like hanging out with old friends again! We got some of my favorite photos of them leaning against an old-fashioned wooden fence, with a forest stretching into the background (so good it even made the header of my website!). They gazed into each others’ eyes while I snapped their pictures underneath their veil. And even Booker was down to join in the photo fun!
It wouldn’t be right for me to share this post without mentioning what an absolutely blast this bridal party was! The groomsmen were game for lots of funny photos, and the bridesmaids were always bursting with contagious laughter. And they definitely made the reception the party of a lifetime!
The reception was full of dancing—no surprise, with the energy of this big day! Abbie and Nick’s cake cutting was no ordinary cake cutting, because not only was the cake from Giant Eagle delicious, but Abbie and Nick actually smashed it in each others’ faces! The night ended with s’mores by the fire, which was such a fun touch underneath the star-covered sky. From start to finish, Abbie and Nick’s Conrad Botzum Farmstead wedding was a day to remember!
If you’re planning a Conrad Botzum Farmstead wedding of your own and are in search of an Akron wedding photographer to capture all the best moments, look no further! I’d love to document your day like I did Abbie and Nick’s. Follow this link to my bookings page, and let’s start chatting!
