Lydia and Gabe’s Flower-Filled, Family-Focused Wedding at Georgetown Vosh in Cleveland, Ohio
Many vendors like to tell couples that their wedding day is “all about you.” That everyone else’s opinion can go out the window in favor of the couple’s preferences. But my couples often see things differently. In fact, when I arrived at the beautiful Georgetown | Vosh venue in Cleveland, OH, the bride was on her hands and knees in the reception area rearranging the seating chart! A few last-minute no-shows left her with a lop-sided seating chart, and she wanted to ensure everyone knew someone at their table! Instead of clinking a mimosa with her girls, she was using the first moments of her big day to ensure her guests had a wonderful time! This is just one example of many that showed how guest-focused Lydia and Gabe were when planning their Georgetown Vosh wedding day.
My second photographer, Allie, and I started the day with a divide-and-conquer method. Gabe and his close friends were getting ready at Gabe’s family’s house on Lake Erie, and Lydia got ready at the venue. Allie went to the Lake Erie house to take photos there, while I snapped detail shots of the floral-lined invitation suite, shoes, and jewelry. Lydia had multiple ring dishes and even her grandmother’s wax flowers that we wanted to feature, and the dark blue ring boxes contrasted beautifully with the sparkling pearl and silver jewelry.
Meanwhile, Christal Marquardt styled Lydia’s hair into a simple updo. When she was ready, her mom helped her into gown number one (more on that later!), and whisked her off to the ceremony!
Flowers were definitely a focus of this summer celebration, which made for some absolutely lovely photos. The outdoor patio where the couple was going to say “I do” was covered in flowers of all kinds from Elena’s Flowers, and paper cones of pink flower petals waited patiently for guests to toss in the air at the end. Following the ring bearer duo, a trio of flower girls scattered petals down the aisle, too. Then, Lydia made her grand entrance with her dad, both of them beaming. In a unique twist, the couple chose not to have a wedding party. Instead, they requested their close friends and family to wear colors in their chosen color palette. Under a breathtaking arch covered in greenery and roses, Lydia and Gabe promised each other their forevers, and the guests cheered. As the ceremony came to a close, the guests prepared their flower petals to toss. Lydia told me she’d envisioned an epic, flower-filled photo at the end of her ceremony, so I wasn’t about to leave this one to chance! Before the couple arrived, I carefully instructed the guests how to toss the flowers, and they absolutely listened well, tossing the flowers like pros. And I’m happy to report that Lydia received a series of photos beyond her wildest dreams!
We kept the couple’s portraits short and sweet because Lydia and Gabe didn’t want to be away from their friends and family for too long. So, I took them on a walk around the block of the venue, and we stopped at the pretty locations. Then we took some quick family photos under the floral archway, and we were off to the reception in record time!
Remember how I mentioned Lydia putting on dress number one? Well, it was time for dress two to make its appearance! A shorter, more casual white halter dress was perfect for a relaxing dinner. And not one to love the spotlight, Lydia requested a short, sweet first dance. The speeches had everyone laughing, then crying, then crying laughing. They were definitely some of the best speeches I’ve heard at a wedding, and Lydia and Gabe loved them! With everyone in a good mood, I stole away Lydia and Gabe during the reception to take some photos of them at the bar, and they were some of my favorite photos of the night. They were both relaxed and glowing with happiness at this point, so the candid photos (you know, the ones all couples say they’ll surely look awkward in) came so naturally!
And you probably thought dress number two was the final look of the night! Well, Lydia surprised us all with outfit number three: a white crop top and pair of shorts that was perfect for busting a move with her friends and family on the dance floor! The band, Blue Water Kings, kept everyone on their feet the whole night long. I love live bands at weddings because there’s just something special about the vibe they bring to a wedding day.
Lydia and Gabe closed out the night on the dance floor surrounded by everyone they love most, and I can’t imagine a more perfect conclusion to a wedding day than that. Congratulations, you two! Your wedding day was a dream, and I’m so grateful you invited me to document it all for you!
