Haylee + Brenden were one of my first couples booked for 2017 – and they were my last wedding of the year! So there was plenty of time to get excited about their big day, and it did not disappoint!
It was the last Saturday in December, and a very cold wintery day – beautiful snow, but the temps were brutal! I knew the day would be amazing even if we froze our butts off! We began our day getting ready at the Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel. Once both sides were dressed, I staged their first look just outside the hotel in a nearby alley. It was snowy, windy and a very cold 18 degrees – but these two toughed it out for a gorgeous outdoor first look! I especially love that shot of them running back inside the hotel to get warm – it really was that cold!
Luckily, we had the Ohio Statehouse atrium booked, so we could take all the indoor shots we needed. From there, we headed to their wedding venue Strongwater Food & Spirits, for additional portraits before guests arrived. At their ceremony, the two recited vows they had written themselves – and these were some the most well-written vows I’ve heard, so sweet and funny too! (I might ask them for a copy!)
After their ceremony, Haylee and Brenden released each row and greeted each of their guests, before heading into cocktail hour. Since we had completed most of their pictures earlier in the day, they were free to enjoy this time with their guests! At their reception, there was dinner, first dances, cupcake cutting and a night full of dancing. It was also so much fun seeing so many familiar faces – two of my prior wedding couples were guests – Marie + Corey and Asheley + Brian!
Haylee and Brenden were so wonderful to work with and their wedding day was the perfect way to end the year!
