Wedding days are really something else. You have a woman looking more beautiful than ever, a handsome man, amazing locations infused with their style, & the most moving part…every single person in attendance is there for them because they love them. Yep, that’s exactly how I have been spending most of my Saturdays this year…by the end of 2010 we will have had 21 Saturdays/Fridays & Sundays that are just that.

May 22 was no exception. I knew it wouldn’t be.  I was really looking forward to this wedding because there is a family/group of friends that I have been running into quite a bit in my 2 years of full time shooting.  I am thrilled that when I have been able to document these awesome days for them…and that day, it was Paige’s turn.  We had shot Paige & Dan’s engagement pictures back in February, so I already had an idea of how important pictures were to her. It was clear they were important on the wedding day as well because they allowed me plenty of time to create beautiful photographs for them. You can hire me because you love my work, but in order to get those fun/romantic/special pictures of you two, I need to have time with you to make them happen. 5 minutes won’t cut it. Paige & Dan decided to see each other before the wedding, thus leaving an ample amount of time to get the pictures they wanted, and after the wedding…it was time for the party!

This was actually my first wedding ever without Justin. He had a conference to go to, so the ever talented Jenny Beck there along with me! She’s so great, and I hope to have her along at more weddings in the future!

Ever talented, Nathan Cutright created the flowers for the day…stunning as usual!

The first glance…soo sweet!

Favorites of the day!!

Love this bridesmaid shot by Jenny!!

Seriously Paige. You. are. stunning.

Yummy cake by Erin of The Cake Kitchen. (I don’t think yummy really expresses my feelings about her cakes. oh my.)

Had to get a photo of some other CDP clients! Here’s Jamie & Adam from last year, and Kim & Greg, whose wedding will be in a couple weeks!!

Photography : Cassidy Dawn Photography ;)

Location : Sunroom @ the Brick, Frankfort, Ohio

Flowers : Weddings by Nathan, Nathan Cutright, 740.649.6065

Cake : The Cake Kitchen, Erin

DJ : Shawn Martendale

*Today we are heading out of town for a wedding in Kentucky this weekend…I’ll be back in the office on Monday!!

Oh, and Jenny caught this shot me, so I thought I’d share…

Way back in the beginning of May, we started our wedding season for 2010. Yes, I am aware that it’s July…and that I’ve had 6 weddings since then. What can I say, it’s been a little crazy ;) However you can rest assured that I wont run out of blogging material for quite a while ;)

I had been looking forward to this wedding for a while. After our first meeting, and then engagement session, I knew I would be in for a treat that day.  Not only are Mark & Emily as sweet as they come, but their families are so great. Justin and I felt at home surrounded by all those wonderful people. I already informed them that I’ll be joining in at Thanksgiving ;)

Here is a look into their May 8th wedding:

Justin’s great first look shots…

It was such a beautiful church.

You’d never know from the photo, but these girls are freezing here! It was so chilly that day!

They are so sweet I can’t even handle it.

The cake was so delicious and it was the inspiration for their custom Save the Dates that I designed!

Mark, I wont tell everyone what your favorite song is and why you look so into it…even though I really want too ;)

Photography: Cassidy Dawn Photography ;)

Flowers: Cua’s Florist

Church: St. Agatha Church, Columbus Ohio

Reception: The Jessing Center at The Pontifical College Josephinum

Cater: Mass Appeal

Cake: Cakes by Anita (Anita Kline, 614.766.8288)

Music: Night Music (Steve Ransom)

I obviously have lots more to share, so keep coming back ;)

I couldn’t think of a better way to start our 2010 wedding season then photographing a beautiful wedding in good ole’ Columbus.  Angela & Jerry got married January 16th and it was another stunning winter wedding (I’m quickly becoming a fan of those).  Not only were the locations amazing, but they allowed for plenty of time between the ceremony & the reception for portraits.  If you aren’t planning on doing photos before, this is a must if you want great photos of the two of you and all your loved ones!

Angela had found me online and during our initial meeting we discovered how small a world we live in.  Her family actually lived in Chillicothe at one time and she went to school with my brother-in-law Matt! I just love those unexpected connections.

Here is a little look into their January wedding…

The church was so beautiful!

Crazy good-looking couples make my job waay too easy ;)

We stopped by The Florentine before the reception.  This is were Angela & Jerry had their first date!

*love these*

Michael Sutherland was soo great! Amazing voice!

The Loft at Smith Bros is so beautiful! I’ve photographed at their other area – The Venue, but this was my first time at The Loft.  The setup is fantastic, dinner is served upstairs and dancing is down.  Just so people don’t feel like they aren’t part of the events, there is a big opening looking down to the dance floor.  That way people could stay upstairs for conversations, or head downstairs for dancing & drinks and everyone still knows what is going on.

Thank you Justin for this photo:

Angela’s dad is so sweet, I just loved this photo of him. Is he having a good time or what? :)

Vendors:

Photography: Cassidy Dawn Photography ;)

Hair : Charles Penzone Grand Salon, Dublin

Flowers: German Village Florist (614.443.5296)

Church: St John the Baptist Catholic Church

Reception: The Loft at Smith Bros (614.464.9999)

Cater: Zuppa Catering (614.464.9999)

Cake: Anita Kline (614.766.8288)

Music: Michael Sutherland (614.596.4354)

Back in warm sunny July (can you tell, I am ready for spring ;), I photographed Jessica & Tom’s stunning wedding…remember them? Yep, the too cute couple with tons of style.  Shortly after their wedding I received an email from Emily (one of the awesome bridesmaids).  She was interested in me photographing her wedding…in October.  Needless to say that when I realized I didn’t have a wedding already booked that day, I was thrilled!  We had such a great time at Jess & Tom’s wedding, that I knew Emily’s would be just as great.

October 31 was a beautiful fall day, and for me it was filled with the most beautiful, sweet people one could know.  Both Emily & Brandon are blessed with the most kind and generous families and it was an honor to spend such an important day with them.  I knew the day would be stunning, but I really was overwhelmed by the details & styles that Emily carefully planned throughout the day.  Just perfect.  Her shoes, perfect. Her dress, perfect. Her hair, yep, perfect.  She truly was a beautiful bride!

Emily & Brandon, thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to witness the beginning of your lives together.  It was such a beautiful day.

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved her bouquet. Seriously, it’s one of my favorites I’ve seen all year. Beautiful work!

Doesn’t this photo make you want to go hug your Grandma? Love it.

The church was so stunning. The photo doesn’t even do it justice.

Image credit (below): Justin…seriously, sometimes I get a little jealous! He rocks.

Some people might find it strange when I am photographing at a beautiful mansion with perfectly landscaped areas and I point to the shed doors.  Not Emily, she totally understood, and I love her for that.

I had to show this photo so you could see how creative she is.  The reception area was so large, and you can only do so much with that much space…just look at what she created.  Stunning!

Of course I had to sneak a photo of sweet Jessica & Tom…you two are so great, thanks for being wonderful :)

Ah, such a perfect day.  I can’t wait for all the amazing weddings in 2010!  First one: tomorrow!!!

Vendors:

Photography: Cassidy Dawn Photography ;)

Flowers: Artiflora, Evelyn

Hair: Hair by Leanna, Columbus Ohio

Church: St. Edward the Confessor Church

Reception: Bryn Du Mansion, Granville, Ohio

Cake: Cakes by Brenda, Brenda Snow

DJ: Ryan Smith

October is my favorite month of the year.  It’s not just because it’s the month I married my best friend.  It’s also not just because it’s our town’s yearly fall festival, or the month of chilly football games at my local high school.  It’s because I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth in October…we are so blessed in our little valley.  Every year the good Lord reaches down and touches the hills of our valley.  The trees turn the most beautiful colors you’ve ever seen, and we are surrounded by them all month long.  I couldn’t live anywhere that the leaves don’t turn those magnificent colors…really, I just couldn’t.  Matt & Stefanie understand this…and it’s one of the things that helped them choose their wedding date.

October 10th this year was beautiful.  The leaves were just starting to turn, the weather was a nice warm fall day, and Matt & Stefanie finally became man and wife.  This wasn’t my first wedding that I’ve photographed at the Knisley Farm.  In fact, it was my 3rd…and it is so strange that it’s my last (for at least 20 years…right Sophie?!).  I have photographed 2 out of 3 of Matt’s sister, and held countless photo sessions with the kids there (and so many more to come).  So stepping into Jackie’s bathroom and seeing Stefanie getting her hair done was a little more special than usual…it was finally their turn.  They’ve been together for years and that day they would celebrate their marriage.

This couple is absolutely perfect for each other and I am honored that I was asked to document this amazing day in their lives…thank you.  Not only are they gorgeous, and that the wedding was styled just beautifully…but I got more time for photos of them than I could have ever asked for…and it was wonderful!  They choose to see each other before the wedding – score!  But they also asked if after the wedding we could go up to the fields on the property…hmm, heck yes!  So when the wedding was over we headed up to the fields at the perfect time of day, the light was ridiculous.

*side-note: Justin (my husband/second shooter/assistant) is becoming better and better, and I’ve even become quite jealous lately.  He blew me away at this wedding…I’ve noted which below are his.  I am so blessed :)  Brides: he photographs at every wedding…no extra charge ;)

photo on right: justin (we captured these at the exact moment…love having a second shooter!)

photo: Justin (love this!)

Favorite image of the day!

photo on left: Justin

The hills of Bainbridge were just beginning to change.

photos: justin

I love this photo of Matt with his 3 sisters.  If you couldn’t tell, all 3 girls are pregnant here!  Since this, I’ve photographed both Heidi & Hayley’s little girls (Emmalyn & Laynie), and will be photographing Heather’s next spring when she is due!  Don’t worry, I’ll be sharing those pictures soon!

Cake by who else?  Erin of The Cake Kitchen!

Love these simple, beautiful bouquets by Mr. Nathan Cutright…you know how I love his work!

photo: Justin

Matt & Stefanie, thank you for allowing me to be their on your day, and more importantly, thank you for valuing photographs the way you do.  It was an honor.

Vendors:

Photography: Cassidy Dawn Photography ;)

Hair: Heidi Sharp & Hayley Ash (email me for info)

Flowers: Nathan Cutright

Cake: Erin Allsop, The Cake Kitchen

Of all the Saturdays in a year, you might be surprised how many have perfect wedding day weather.  Wedding photographers know.  Being prepared is a must…but it’s really not that often that the day isn’t perfect in all aspects (when you are around that many people gathered together in the name of love…it’s hard to not have a wonderful day).  While this particular day in September wasn’t the most dry, it was definitely a perfect wedding day.  To be completely honest, it really was the perfect rainy day wedding…and it didn’t even matter that the ceremony was outdoors.

Kelsey came to my house early this year and we talked all about her perfect September wedding.  I was excited from the moment she said ‘sunflowers’.  I love sunflowers.  She planned the day down to the very smallest detail.  From the sunflowers planted in various photo locations, to perfectly color-coordinated Chinese lanterns hanging above the dance floor, to a candy bar with popcorn (that was a highlight for me…I *love* popcorn).  The only thing that may not have been picture perfect may have been the rain.  When I say rain, I mean downpour.  However, it couldn’t have come at a better time because of the love it brought out of the day.

We had nice dry weather for the private moment (love those) and all of their photos together…which I am still very thankful for.  Just when we were ready for photos with the bridal party & family…the rain came.  It let up for a bit, enough time to get photos outside & on porches, but when it was time for the ceremony to start, the rain just fell, and it fell hard. Kelsey had planned this day for so long; she wanted to get married outside…and by golly she was going to.  I admire her for that.  I think her guests did too.  Everyone climbed the hill in the rain and circled around the chairs (which had puddles at this point) to watch this beautiful couple get married. It was amazing to see everyone gathering together despite the weather to witness one of the most important moments in their lives.  The rain kept falling, that is until Kelsey arrived in her horse drawn carriage…then suddenly it stopped.  It was stunning, emotional & beautiful.  I’ll let the pictures tell the rest.

The ever talented Nathan Cutright does it again!

Loved the private moment spot! The umbrella wasn’t planned until it was raining, but I think it is perfect!

Kelsey, you’re so beautiful!

This was a surprise for Mike…how fun!

Notice all the umbrellas are gone.  I told you, unreal!

Erin of The Cake Kitchen did it again with another amazing cake.  It just so happens that she is Kelsey’s sister!

Mike surprised Kelsey with a song…isn’t she stunning in this photo?! It was such a sweet moment.

Did I mention this wedding was full of surprises?  Well, when your best friends in college are dance majors…you know something is gonna happen ;)

After many of the guests left, the party turned into a cake throwing contests.  It was pretty entertaining.

These lanterns are amazing! I’ve seen them in photos, but never in person.  They are completely environmentally friendly because they just burn up in the air.  They are so beautiful as they float away..I want to get some so badly!

Vendors:

Photography: Cassidy Dawn Photography ;)

Hair: Hayley Ash (email me for info)

Flowers: Nathan Cutright

Cater: Shoelaces Catering

Cake: Erin Allsop, The Cake Kitchen

Band: The Marty Ford Experience

Reminder: All Christmas orders must be placed by today, Tuesday December 1st 2009.  No exceptions (sorry!)