Kelly and Steve
Now.... What's a photo chick to do when her clients request that she doesn't share their photos with the world? Well... Of course, I respect their request. I must confess that throughout their day I kept thinking.... "Ooooh... this is blog-worthy!" then a little pouty face would happen. :)
But the truth is... I'm up for this challenge. It's a chance to hone my story-telling skills and I have confidence that I can tell their story without a single photo. It all started with four friends: Kelly & Claire and Steve and Joe. Kelly and Claire are besties. They both grew up with nothing but brothers so they did what every girl without a sister does, adopted a best friend as a sister of the heart. Isn't it funny how every girl wants/needs a sister?
On a weekend, what do high school kids do? Get together and watch movies, of course. Claire's house was the place and Joe was invited. Joe asked if he could bring a friend. The friend was Steve! Surprised? Okay... I know.... you saw that coming, didn't you?
The rest is history. Kelly and Steve made it through high school puppy love and then faced long distance college love. She went to Notre Dame while he attended Wake Forrest. 720 miles was no match for them. They did what I've always thought was nearly impossible. They stayed together at an age when growing up often means growing apart. During the speeches by the maid of honor and best man---you guessed it---Claire & Joe. It was pointed out that if they can make it through that, they'll make it through anything. I think they're right.
So here we were, years later on their wedding day. A gorgeous June day that felt like August. Our first location was Kelly's parent's house. She got dressed in the bedroom she grew up in. There's something really special about that, don't you think? The most beautiful part of that? Her house is less than one block from the church so she, her family and her bridesmaids simply walked to church. That has never happened before. :) For the record, St. Agatha is Upper Arlington was the location. The lighting in there is wonderful thanks to some skylight-ish stained glass near the roof.
Deacon Mo officiated their ceremony. A few guests remarked to me how personable he was. He actually greeted the guests as they came into church. During the ceremony, he read the letters that he asked Kelly & Steve to write to each other. Okay. He didn't read all of them but he read the sweetest parts and it brought tears to our bride's eyes.
After the festivities at St. Agatha, we ventured over to Wickliffe Elementary. We had to. It was the site of their first date, their first kiss and if I'm not mistaken, it's where he proposed as well. I SO wish I could show you the bridal party photo from here. Imagine.... 12 adults dressed in their finest, draped all over.... the playground equipment. :) It was too much fun and oh so appropriate for a bridal party that has known each other for so long.
Then, we were off to Scioto country club. Thankfully, that monster storm Saturday night held off. We dodged a few raindrops for photos on the course but nothing serious. Scioto has this little pond with an island in it. It was absolutely lovely! Little ripples created by raindrops. A duck lazily swimming. The only thing missing was a vintage rowboat to transport our couple to the island. :) C'mon Scioto! Help a photographer out, will ya?
We had our usual wedding fare: a first dance, a cake cutting, dancing with dad, waltzing with mom and then there were the toasts.... The maid of honor and best man duked it out verbally for the title of "Official Kelly & Steve fixer-uppers." It brought a lot of smiles and laughter into the room.
I got to work with one of my favorite dj's, Rob from Team DJ. He and I work so well together and we always have fun. I only wish I could have stayed for more of the fun. It was an early night for me. I was done at 8:30---just after the storms stopped. I was really grateful for that because my car was not parked very close to the door. If I'd had to leave just a bit earlier, I'd have been a drowned chick. No... I'm not calling myself a rat. :)
Best wishes to Kelly & Steve!!! They jetted off to their honeymoon at 6am Sunday morning. Hopefully, right now, they are lazily sipping boat drinks by the ocean. I'm so glad they chose me!
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