Kaleigh and Zach had been friends for 5 years, dating for 3 and engaged for 1.5 years at the time of their wedding. Kaleigh said he proposed in the snowy mountains of Colorado, on a gorgeous frozen lake called Lake Dillion. He popped the question and secretly got it all on video!  She says he is her rock, best friend and now she is so lucky that he is her partner for life.  When I sat down to write this blog, I instantly remembered their wedding day was filled with so much love for each other.   During the wedding day, when John (my husband and second shooter) is photographing the groom and groomsmen and I am with the bride and bridesmaids, we communicate via text.  He will sometimes send me pictures off the back of his camera. I don’t usually share the pictures with the bride, but I will tell her some of the funny things going on over at the guy’s location.  It seemed throughout the day, when I told Kaleigh something, or showed her a funny or cute picture (later in the day), she would always reply with some sweet endearment such as, “I love him so much”, “He is so cute”, “Gosh, I just adore him”.  When she made these statements, her whole body said it as well.  It was really a total “cuteness overload” for this mushy photography!

The wedding day preparations began at Aloft Hotel in downtown Cleveland.  Kaleigh’s dogs are very important to her and they got to share in the preparations as well.  Once everyone was ready, they decided to not see each other, but to exchange letters they each had written.  It was a tearful and sweet moment and helped take a little bit of that nervousness away.  I think just being able to talk and hug, without seeing each other was fun and comforting.

The ceremony was next on schedule and it was held at Grace Lutheran Church.   In some of the images below, you will see an Air Force patch (rank inside her dress), a dress uniform hat (mom carried) and charms on her bouquet.  These small details were to honor Kaleigh’s late brother.  I was such touched with the beautiful way they included him in the day’s events.

After the church, for the formal pictures, we visited the Cleveland Cultural Gardens and the infamous Jackknife Bridge, that was just across from their reception venue.  Some of the pictures are below, but what is not shown was the hilarious laughing when Kaleigh and Zach almost got dropped on by a bird!  I figure they can share that funny moment (if they want) later!

The reception was held at Windows On The River.  Maria Kovacevich from Elegant Events By Maria helped make sure that all the beautiful details Kaleigh had worked on for the wedding, were in place and looking amazing!  There were marble tiles laid out with each guest’s name on them, a delicious donut bar with Love, Peace & Little Donuts on display and if that wasn’t enough, there was also gourmet popcorn and little bags for all the guest to take a treat home!  Yum! Then there were the gorgeous flowers and greenery by Ashley’s Florals, that were on the tables and all the way up the railings of the room.  This really brought the space to life!  There was also a Boxwood background for picture taking and a cigar table for the guest to enjoy on the riverside patio.  I could go on-and-on with the beautiful, well thought-out details that Kaleigh incorporated into their wedding.  But, as beautiful as it was, it was also FUN!  Lots of dancing and laughing went on throughout the evening and more food and late-night snacks came out as well!  Wow, this was such a beautiful day and wedding.  Congratulations Kaleigh and Zach we loved being part of your day so much!

Planner-Elegant Events By Maria

Make-up Artist-Lindsey London

Hairdresser-Katie Blasius and Kristin Demko

Invitations-Basic Invites

Dress Designer-Allure

Dress Shoppe-Lace Bridal

Ceremony Site-Grace Lutheran Church 

Florist-Ashley’s Florals 

DJ-Cleveland Music Group

Cake-Wild Flour Bakery

Reception Venue-Windows on the River

A little girl fun at the bar downstairs, haha!