Cheyana and Johnathan are truly a special couple, and I don’t say that lightly.  They both are so incredibly kind, smart and even funny, what is even nicer, their families are no different! From their engagement party last year, to recently, their beautiful wedding, every contact and get-together with them, has been such a pleasure for us.

This is their engagement story….”Fast-forward 5 years of laughter, food, travel, studying, exams, celebrations, and countless hours of Netflix later, Jon asks Chey to go to lunch on the one free weekend they both finally have together during 3rd year of med school. To Chey’s surprise he brings her to high-tea at the Willard in DC where he had made reservations for the afternoon. Feeling nostalgic about their first date, she happily eats all of her food along with most of Jon’s – who strangely doesn’t have much appetite and looks almost as white as the button down he was wearing. However, not thinking too much of it, she follows Jon out of the hotel where he leads her to an outdoor courtyard where she finds a trail of rose petals leading to a heart AND much to her surprise, both of their families who watch along as he gets down on one knee and asks for her hand in marriage.”  Isn’t that sweet! 

Now on to their wedding day, which began for me at Chey’s parent’s home. Makeup artist Maggie Kleinman was working her magic when I arrived.  Notice Chey “reading” the card from Jon….he had the most creative idea….he asked her to text him before reading it.  Then he send her a little video of him saying to here what he wrote!  It was beautiful and so unique!

After preparations and fun with the the bridesmaids, Chey was ready for her Sari. This was my first time seeing a white Sari and I just loved it!  It had such beautiful bead work and stitching, that I couldn’t help but capture some of it in her details (below). Chey was basically sewn into this beautiful Sari and it was so fun to capture. Before leaving the house there were a few little Sri Lanka  traditions to take part in and then we were all off to Our Lady Of Peace Church.  What a gorgeous church!  It is now one of my favorites.

From the ceremony we met at Severance Hall for a few creative portraits and then headed to the Hilton Cleveland Downtown for the reception.  Arriving at the Hilton,  Chey had a wardrobe and hair change back in their room with Cathy Woods (hair stylist extraordinaire), who was waiting to give Chey a different look.   I just loved her new look for the reception…how fun is that!? 

The reception was beautifully decorated with perfectly lit drapery by Vincent Lighting and florals again by Padra Designs, who did such an amazing job!  Chey and Jon had a sweet choreographed first dance. Then later, Chey and her father had a fun and adorable choreographed father/daughter dance as well!  There were plenty of toast and matching slideshows to go along with the speeches. Later  in the evening, there were lots of delicious treats and late night snacks!  This wedding was fun and beautiful and John and I loved sharing in the day!  Congratulations Jon and Chey!

Wedding Coordinator-Durga Chigurupati, Adhya Productions (Padra Designs)

Hair-Cathy Woods

Make up-Maggie Kleinman

Invitations-Patra Designs

Dress Shoppe-Carine’s Bridal, Georgetown, DC

Dress Designer-Liancario

Florist-Durga Chigurupati, Padra Designs

Church-Our Lady of Peace-Cleveland

Reception-Hilton Cleveland Downtown

Cake-Wild Flower Bakery

DJ-Cleveland Music Group-DJ Wolf & DJ Kyro