Rain or shine – how about both? Maya and Reuven did not let a little rain get in the way of their colorful and lively garden wedding at Quail Hollow Resort in Cleveland. Though the random spinkles throughout the afternoon kept them indoors for the ceremony, we still had plenty of time outside for portraits, and later in the evening we had the most gorgeous light! Orthodox Jewish weddings are some of my absolute favorite weddings to photograph, and this one was no exception!
With my assistant Nick joining me for the day, we were able to split up and cover all bases – I stayed with Maya on the girls’ side, while Nick stuck with Reuven on the guys’ side. They exchanged letters just after they got dressed, and before they saw eachother. Reuven couldn’t keep it to one simple letter, so he wrote her a book over the course of a month! Maya was overwhelmed with emotion; it was such a special moment.
We did some separate portraits of each side before the tisch, ketubah signing and kabbalat panim began, culminating in the bedeken ceremony in the resort lobby. So much song and celebration – I just love these events at Orthodox weddings! The energy level was just amazing!! The chuppah ceremony soon followed, with the guests joining Maya and Reuven on their dance down the aisle after breaking the glass!
By now the skies cleared and a beautiful warm light set in over the grounds at Quail Hollow, and we took full advantage! Maya and Reuven really value photography – Maya is an art student herself – so they budgeted plenty of time for couples portraits and time for just the two of them to enjoy. I love the bright colors of their flowers, and I am especially blown away that Maya made her dress herself!
Continuing on to the tented reception, Maya and Reuven raced in as they were announced and danced straight into a 45 minute hora! Full of dancing, singing and plenty of shtick – there were flips, table surfing and sumo wrestlers! It was impossible not to have a great time!!! But they did allow me to pull them away for one quick sunset shot at the end of the evening. Mazel Tov Maya and Reuven! And thank you Nick Edmundson for all your help!
