Kaytee + Steve | Modern Wedding at The Grand Event Center | Grandview, Ohio

When you have the type of relationship with your client that they call you by a costume you wore to a Halloween rollerskating party in 2012, (Florence Welch, my animal spirit) you know you’ve got a solid friendship going. So when people ask me if it is weird to photography weddings of close friends I tell them:

Short answer – not weird at all.

Long answer – because it is such a personal experience to be someone’s wedding photographer, I feel that some level of friendship is necessary to make real photographs.

His friends don’t have to worry about being “appropriate/awkward”, her friends don’t have to worry about, well…being “appropriate/awkward” because we’re past all that. You don’t have to worry about a stranger being in the room because I am no longer that.

This is another reason why I tell my friends and clients alike, when hiring people for your wedding day choose those who not only do great work and create an aesthetic you love, but choose people you like! My role as your photographer begins way before your wedding day and will last (hopefully!) way waaaay beyond your wedding day (family photos, hello!!) So pick people you want to love spending that much time with.

Ok, rant over. My friends, Kaytee + Steve.

Kaytee and Steve getting ready at The Grand Event Center in Grandview, Ohio_0045 — This was so funny. Steve’s mom entered the room and literally gasped when she saw Kaytee’s Mom. Then she realized Kaytee was in her dress too.

The details

Kaytee decided to do a first look with her Dad. This is such an awesome way to make this moment standout in a day full of memorable moments. Also, how cute is her mom!?

The wedding party

Wedding portraits at The Grand Event Center in Grandview, Ohio_0009 — #debsday

The Ceremony

Steve’s aunt married these two and I loved when she took the time to ask everyone to just feel all the love in the room. She had people introduce themselves and it really created a vibe that everyone in the room was there to celebrate.

I love that sort of hippie talk but I also loved how real she was. In their vows she had them say, “I promise to love you even when I hate you.”.

Wedding party portraits on the Main Street Bridge

It poured but Steve had one main request for the photography and it was to get some images on Main Street Bridge in downtown Columbus. Kaytee was obviously down.

Wedding photography on main street bridge in Columbus, Ohio_0010 — Faces only a mother (and photographer) LOVES.

The party

Remember that love I referenced earlier that was made clear during the ceremony? It didn’t stop there. Get ready for sweet dances + speeches, then more intense dancing and a lot of cowboy hats.

The rain finally stopped for I grabbed Kaytee + Steve just for a few outside. They were all about spending time with everyone in that room though so it didn’t last long. But I am glad we were able to get a few out in this pretty lovely courtyard.