Ryan + Christen’s High Line Car House wedding in Columbus, Ohio was absolute perfection.  In fact, it was so perfect that it’s very difficult for me to blog.  First, I want to show EVERY. SINGLE. PHOTO.  Not even exaggerating.  Second, so many fun/funny/sweet things happened throughout the day that I could literally write a book about the day.  Because I don’t really have time to do that, and I’m sure you all don’t want to read a book written by a wedding photographer, I decided not to write a book or show every single one of their 900 photos.  You can thank me later.

Instead, I’m doing something a little different for this blog.  As you scroll through the following photos (which are just a fraction of my favorites from the day), you’ll get to read a bit about my view of Ryan + Christen’s wedding day.  Some of these things will make you laugh, others will make you cry, but I bet all of them will make you remember the beautiful day when Ryan + Christen said, “I do.”

I started the day, bright and early (ok, not really that early), with Christen and her bridesmaids at the Hilton Columbus Downtown.  This hotel is new(ish) and is one of my favorite places in the city to photograph.  The modern architecture and decor make for some seriously rad photo opps.  I mean, just look at that dress shot, which was in the middle of the skywalk that connects the hotel to the Convention Center.  Also, check out that shot of the shoes and veil…I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to play with those cute, glass globes hanging on the wall.  I’m so thankful that my trusty assistant, Heidi, was there with me because (a) that dress shot would’ve been impossible without her and (b) I almost broke some of those glass globes and she saved me from that catastrophe.

After finishing up all of the shots of Christen’s wardrobe details, I headed back to the room to document her as she put on her gown.  I love that all of her maids were dressed and ready to go, as that made the photos so beautiful.  I also love that they were there to support Christen as her mom and sister secured her gown.  Oh, and I couldn’t leave out the photo that represents the real struggle of the getting ready process.  What would a girl do without her girls to help her get that sucker positioned juuuuuuuust right?! (Christen don’t kill me for posting that photo!)

After Christen was snug as a bug in a rug (in her wedding gown), she wrapped up by putting on all of her jewels, veil, garter, and shoes.  Before she and the girls hopped in the limo to head to High Line, she took a moment to read a sweet letter from her groom.  Christen beamed from ear to ear as she read that note.  I didn’t get to read it, but based on the obvious love Ryan has for Christen, I’m betting it was a pretty great love letter.

As Christen and her girls made their way across town in the limo, I met Ryan at High Line, where he was (im)patiently waiting to see his bride for the first time.  We found the perfect little spot that perfectly represents German Village – brick roads and beautiful trees – and waited as Christen headed our way.  This first photo is the perfect example of why I love “first looks.”  Just look at Ryan’s face as he sees Christen in all her glory.  This is priceless.

And, of course, he had to check her out and give her a little love, as well.

After Christen + Ryan’s intimate first look and few minutes of alone time, we hopped in the limo with their families and made our way to Arch Park (McFerson Commons) for their family formal photos.  In their pre-wedding meeting, Christen told me that this park is a special place for her family, so it was obviously the perfect place for us to do their family photos.

I don’t know about you, but I think these two families are absolutely stunning.  I mean, just look at Christen’s and Ryan’s mothers….GORGEOUS!

We had a bit of extra time after the family photos, so I decided to steal Christen + Ryan away from their families to do a few shots of them in this beautiful setting.  Since Ryan looked so dapper, I decided the Arch made a perfect backdrop for his groom’s portraits.  That was clearly a good decision…

Oh, and check out those beer bottle cufflinks!  Fun fact:  Ryan brews his own beer.  In fact, he brewed three different varieties as favors for their guests (and designed the cutest labels for the bottles).  Another fun fact:  I’m currently drinking the chocolate peanut butter stout that I took home as my favor 🙂  I love when grooms incorporate a bit of their interests into a wedding day.

After getting a few shots of Ryan, it was time to bring Christen in.  The high afternoon sun created the perfect environment for some shadowy, moody, contrasty images.  I’m IN LOVE with these black and white gems.

Next, we hopped back in the limo and returned to High Line, where Heidi and I had a few minutes before the ceremony to grab some detail shots of the gorgeous decorations, table settings, and cake.  It’s so important that we have time to document these things, because often times, the bride and groom don’t get to see the table settings and such in all their glory.  The ladies from Whimsy Weddings did a FABULOUS job designing all of the centerpieces, table settings, and decorations.  Also, the beautiful cake (created by Enticing Icings) fit the theme perfectly. I mean, look how gorgeous this place looked!!

After a busy morning and afternoon, it was finally time for Christen + Ryan to make things official.  The front of the venue was draped off and made the perfect setting for their “I do’s.”  Surrounded by their closest family and friends (and a beautiful backdrop of cascading twinkle lights), Christen + Ryan finally became Mr. and Mrs. Hoselton.

After the ceremony, it was time to take the bridal party out for a little stroll (and some photos, of course).  These photos are a perfect example of why it’s SO important that my clients let me help them create their wedding day timeline.  We set up the schedule in such a way that we could take advantage of the “golden hour” (the setting sun) during their bridal party portraits.  I just LOVE the way the sun was pouring through the buildings and backlighting this group.  Gorgeous!

This honestly was one of the most sophisticated and poised bridal parties I’ve ever worked with….

….then, we put on some Lil’ Wayne and this happened.  Their true colors shone 😉

After finishing up the hiliarious group shots, Heidi and I took the divide and conquer approach and she did some lovely shots of the ladies while I took the guys.  I LOVED this grungy background, which provided a nice contrast to the beautiful green ivy wall in the full group shots.

Next up, it was time for Christen + Ryan to enjoy some alone time with the setting sun.  We were so lucky that a couple of super sweet guys invited us into their beautiful courtyard garden.  It created the perfect backdrop for a few intimate shots and Christen’s bridal portraits.  These are some of my favorite shots of the year….so beautiful.

After wrapping up all the formalities, it was finally time to get the party started!  Christen + Ryan and their bridal party made a grand entrance before going into their first dance.    This is often one of my favorite parts of the day, because there is so much love, emotion, and pure happiness during a first dance.  Christen + Ryan definitely didn’t disappoint, providing us all with a glimpse of the pieces that make up their relationship:  true love, passion, romance, and laughter.

After their first dance, they continued with the “special events” with toasts and dances with their parents, all of which could also be described as full of love and laughter.

Now, for what I think was the most hilarious part of their day…

I decided to take a different approach to the bouquet/garter tosses and show the view from the hopeful catchers.  So, I grabbed a chair and climbed up behind the group of single guys to get an awesome action shot of the “great catch.”  Round 1 turned out just as I had hoped…

Round 2, however, wasn’t as successful.  Christen must have played softball, because she launched that bouquet like a champ.  If you look closely at the second image below, you can just barely see me back there being attacked by the bouquet.  My attempts at protecting my face and my camera were successful, and apparently so was my attempt at catching the bouquet, because all of the single ladies out there insisted that I was the one, true catcher.  After recovering from fits of laughter (EVERYONE was cracking up, not just me), I graciously accepted the bouquet, and therefore, the title of the bouquet catcher.

That was the first time I’ve ever caught a bouquet while on the job.  Way to break records, Christen!

Now, here is where my blogging job gets especially difficult.  The night continued on PERFECTLY, with endless dancing (these guests busted some SERIOUS moves…I mean, it was awesome), amazing music by The Jack Garrett Band, a slider and s’mores bar for late night snacks, and SO MUCH FUN.  I laughed all night long.  The tough part is that I could not narrow down the 200ish photos, so I decided that I’ll save those for Christen + Ryan to share with you all 🙂  Christen + Ryan – you’re going to have a blast looking through all of your wild dancing photos…they’re great.

Before we wrapped things up for the night and prepared for their gorgeous sparkler exit, I decided to take Christen + Ryan out for some awesome night shots in the city.  We found a great spot with lots of lights and I pulled out my trusty prism to create some seriously unique shots for them.  Christen + Ryan, I hope you two love these as much as I do!

At the end of the night, Christen + Ryan, in true form, exited in style.  Their friends and family created a perfect sparkler tunnel that led from the doors of High Line directly to their waiting limo.  There was so much happiness and celebration as the new Mr. and Mrs. made their way to their car.  And, that shot of them waving bye to their guests?!  Perfection.

It was seriously the perfect ending to a perfect day.

I’ve got to show a little love to the following vendors.  Each one of them was the perfect addition to Christen + Ryan’s wedding day.

Hotel – Hilton Columbus

Venue – High Line Car House

Event Coordinator – Erin Greene (High Line)

Event Designer – Vickie Darrought (Whimsy Weddings)

Hair – Amy Doster (Charles Penzone)

Makeup – Erica Eigensee (Bobbi Brown)

Transportation – Violet Limo

Florist – Whimsy Weddings

Catering – Two Caterers

Cake – Enticing Icings

Band – The Jack Garrett Band