“¾” a wine bottle in the center of a table reads, “Kyle is ¾ an inch taller than Meghan”. On each table at the Heritage Golf Club in Hilliard, Ohio, Meghan and Kyle labeled their tables with numbers that represented important moments in their lives together. Their height difference, or almost lack thereof, has always been a major talking point in their relationship, so it was fitting that it ended up on more than one wine bottle/table marker at the reception.
This wedding day featured less traveling between places than most as Heritage is an inclusive venue that allowed for Meghan and Kyle to both have dedicated getting ready spaces with their groomsmen and bridesmaids. After getting ready at the golf club, we headed to Bexley for some very special firsts.
A Beautiful Ceremony at St. Catharine Catholic Church
When we arrived in Bexley, Meghan took time to collect herself in one of the side rooms before heading out to do a first look with her dad, followed by Kyle. These were such beautiful, special moments to capture and ones that I try to simply capture as they happen and then fade into the background, allowing those involved to have some time to themselves.
St. Catharine Catholic Church is such an amazing wedding venue. In November, the cobblestone streets of Bexley are lined with trees full of changing colors and the ground of church match. Inside the sanctuary, the light from the stained glass windows on all sides bathes the space in light that isn't standard in a lot of Catholic churches. Deacon Chris Reis officiated the wedding, which was particularly special because he and his wife were Meghan and Kyle’s mentors while they were in marriage prep.
In traditional Buckeye-fan fashion (O-H!), the couple chose scarlet and grey as their wedding colors. The paper missal flowers found in the reception hall matched the giant bows inlaid with the flowers on each of the pews, creating a synergy between the wedding and reception hall. I loved capturing those details that tied the theme and color palette together.
Feeling Golden
Following the ceremony, we headed back to Hilliard. We had discussed golden hour photos but with it being November and Ohio, we weren't sure what we would have to work with. I had joined Meghan and Kyle for a venue walkthrough a few months prior during which we also got to drive out on the course and scope out potential photo spots. At first we weren’t going to go out on the golf course, but with the cool November temperature and the amazing colors, it was impossible to resist. We found the perfect opening in some trees that let the golden hour light shine through. With plenty of time to get back for the remainder of cocktail hour we were able to capture some really beautiful photos of just the two of them.
Get this Party Started
Maybe one of my favorite unique details during the reception was the “photo dash”. So here’s how it works (in case you want to take notes):
- Make sure you have a great DJ who knows how to keep the party moving along.
- Steal the happy couple away from all the well wishers and put them in the middle of the dance floor (Give them chairs, at least!).
- Have the DJ announce to everyone if they want a picture with the happy couple, they better do it RIGHT NOW!
The result is a wonderful and chaotic “Photo Booth-esque” moment that is so fun to capture.
The venue was also child-approved. Enraptured by the flashing lights, every child was out on the dance floor, complete with glowstick crowns atop their heads. Kids are always so fun to photograph at weddings because you truly never know what their next move will be. I even brought along a little digital camera that I passed off to a few kiddos during the reception! So, if it looks like some of these reception photos were taken by a four year old...that's because they absolutely were.
Having known Meghan for as long as I have (over 20 years! and we were even roommates for a time!) made photographing her day even more special. She and Kyle make such a wonderful couple, and not just because of the height similarity! Kyle and Meghan's union was truly blessed and it was amazing to witness so much joy from them both throughout the entire day. Thank you so much, Meghan and Kyle, with trusting me to capture your day.
