Dayton Weddings | Echo by Design | Wedding + Portrait Photography

..Baby Holden | Columbus Newborn Photographer..

They had met before. There was an attraction there, yet every time they ran into each other one of them was dating someone. Inevitable, every time. Nick and Jessi had a mutual friend at BGSU. On occasion he came to visit them from Findlay, and finally as luck would have it…they were both available! We ended up spending most of the evening hanging out, talking and learning that we have a lot more in common than I would have ever thought, said Jessi. One year later, Nick proposed and they found themselves on the beginning of their journey. They married in June of 2007 have enjoyed their first 5 years of marriage. We moved to a new city, learned to live together, and built a home and life together. We truly enjoyed every second of it being just the two of us before we decided to make it the three of us.

Yep, they added an adorable little man to the mix! Although he was due to arrive April 30th, he didn’t make his way into the world until May 3rd. Holden Alan was born at 12:58 a.m. weighing in at 8 pounds 6 ounces and 20 inches long! With lots and lots of amazing hair! {Poor Jessi paid for that hair in heart burn attacks, but she said it was all worth it!}

I could have cuddled this little guy all morning, and we practically did. He made it fun and even though I knew Mommy + Daddy were tired, I reassured them that getting through the first few weeks is the hardest part! The adjustment has been great…but it did take a little bit. I was far more nervous than Nick about everything and I have quickly realized that I know more about this than I gave myself credit for. I feel more at ease with him and understand that when he cries…sometimes he just cries and there is nothing I can do about it except to snuggle and love him. Nick seemed to get this right from the beginning and is such a great dad. He has surprised me at how good at this he is. I do feel like we are in a little more of a rhythm at home. I think we are on as much of a schedule as a newborn can be and I am just enjoying my time off this summer to spend as much time as I can cuddling my little boy.

And knowing that time passes so quickly they reflected, Being a brand new parent is one of the most fun, exciting and exhausting experiences we have ever had. We just can’t get enough of staring at him and not wanting him to get any bigger every second of every day. He has changed so much already and I feel like I am frantically taking pictures to remember what he was like just days before. He is already growing into such an amazing little person and Nick and I truly do have fun spending every second we can with him! {I’m hoping that these images take you back to his first week! Enjoy!}

Nick, Jessi, + Holden! Thank you so much for inviting me into your home to capture this sweet time in your life! What an amazing journey you have started as parents and I can’t wait to watch it grow. I am definitely looking forward to Holden’s 6 month pictures {I can’t believe I said that!}, but no rush!! Enjoy every second because it truly goes as fast as our parents say it did!

..JOURNEY..

love, echo

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echoes of love

..Gary + Alisha | Downtown + Pub Engagement Session..

We met on Match.com! Our first date could have nearly been our last date, but I thought there was something about him that deserved a second shot. Alisha couldn’t explain it, but Gary made it easy. They loved hanging out together, enjoying the beachy summer life together, and even a good beer. Alisha admitted that she thought it was going to end, Because it just seemed too simple. But the easy-going Gary that she came to know and love, never changed. And she was excited for it and the adventures that they would continue to make together.

They found that they had a mutual love of “Island Time,” {which it’s hard not to, I mean c’mon!} so they found themselves visiting Gary’s favorite spot! St. Kitt’s! He had gone there previously for veterinarian related things and fell in love with the island. So when him and Alisha were on vacation in the most perfect spot, he figured there was no better place to ask the best question of his life! Through out the day there were many attempts to pop the question, and some how they each got interrupted. Finally at the end of the day when they were laying in one of those {dreamy} beach beds, he figured it was his best chance. They were there, looking out onto the water, and talking about life. Where they were going. Where they were headed. How great the island was. And everything in between. In the midst of the sounds of the waves and Gary popping the question, Alisha said yes!

So now they are planning their destination beach day wedding in St. Joseph, Michigan and I couldn’t be more excited to join them! They were kind enough to travel all the way to Dayton for their engagement session and we definitely had a good time. Along with being downtown, we couldn’t help but find a good place for them to have a beer! {..The Pub..}

Gary + Alisha! Thank you so much for taking a day trip and coming all the way to Dayton for your session! I had an absolute blast and it was for sure a good time finally meeting the both of you! I can’t wait to join you for your beach wedding in August! It’s going to be a great time!

..ISLAND TIME..

love, echo

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echoes of love

..Matt + Lynn | Dayton Engagement Photographer..

Sons rarely follow mom’s advice, let alone when it comes to girls. Girls that they should date that is! Matt’s mom and her friend {who just so happens to be Lynn’s sister’s MIL…whew!} decided that they should meet. They set them up on a date and had dinner. It went well. Really well. Probably better than either of them expected. They found themselves spending an incredible amount of time together and even though they didn’t say it out loud, they knew. Lynn says, It was love at first sight.

Three months after they met, Lynn went on a trip to Europe over Christmas break. That is when the wedding talk began. She went on to say, Being so far apart for 3 weeks was harder than we ever thought. Because of that time they knew without a doubt it was meant to be. Not to much farther down the road, before a mini vacation, Matt knew he would have to pop the question before they left. Lynn had an inkling it would happen at some point during their vacation, so Matt decided to throw her off and propose right before. She was definitely surprised and they both agreed it was the best way to start their vacation!

Matt + Lynn love spending time together outdoors, so we knew that was the place we had to be for their engagement session. They drove to Dayton to meet me and I couldn’t wait to get started. Even though I had an overwhelming urge to take Charlie {their Labradoodle}, put him in my car, and take off! He was adorable, sweet, and one of the calmest dogs I’ve ever met. Being a part of the family, he had to be there! He was soo good too. When they changed into outfit #2, I was so excited to see a touch of ‘home’ in Dayton. They had brought a bottle of ..Mon Ami.. wine. They said they had never heard of it before, and I gushed thinking how many times I’ve been on their quaint grounds. They had no problem enjoying the fruit and the wine and it for sure brought smiles to their faces and a good time!

Matt + Lynn! Thank you so much for being such a sweet couple to work with and making the drive to Dayton! I can’t wait to join you for your end of the year wedding. I wish you happy planning until then. So now that spring is here, get out and be active again and enjoy your summer, see you in December!

..MOM SETUP..

love, echo

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echoes of love

..Jesse + Stephanie Part II | A Polen Farm Wedding..

Polen Farm was the perfect spot for Jesse + Stephanie to get married. It fit their relaxed personalities like a glove, and the beauty of the grounds were beginning to show. Guests greeted the newly married couple and headed off across the lawn to the barn. They took time to mingle with family and friends while we had some time with the couple and the bridal party. And if it wasn’t the perfect time for the sun to come out, it was then. The tips of the rays came just over the farm house to give that perfect glow and I was doing my happy dance on the inside!

Jesse + Stephanie have been together for 5 years, so it was about time they tied the knot! Even though they have been together for such a time, you could still tell the love, peace, and relaxation that just embodied them. It was like they had this connected spirit that just flowed to and from each other. As I guided them through their creative time together, they fit into each other’s arms perfectly and without hesitation. I would burst into an inner squeal as I worked quickly to get them to warmth and their reception!

After being announced into their simply decorated barn reception, the guests enjoyed the toasts that followed. As dinner was being served, we noticed a gorgeous sunset taking place just outside of the barn doors. Graciously, they both agreed to temporarily leave their meal to let us capture them in the precious light. {I hope it was worth it!} First dances followed which led into such a great little party. The dance floor was hoping all night and the guests were sure to have had a good time! It was a marvelous day and with plenty of compliments from their families, I knew it was a good one!

Jesse + Stephanie! What a blessing it was to share in your special day, I can’t believe it came and went so quickly! It was a pleasure to work with you, your family, and friends and here are too many blessings in your bright and lovely future together! So excited for the both of you and can’t wait to show you the rest!

..PRECIOUS LIGHT..

love, echo

{Wedding Day Credits}

Photographers: Echo + ..Andrea Dozier..

Location: ..Polen Farms.. Kettering, Ohio

Ladies Dresses: ..Bridal & Formal.. Cincinnati, Ohio

Tuxes: ..Men’s Warehouse..

Officiant: Lila Lolling

Florist: ..Sherwood Florist.. Kettering, Ohio

DJ: ..Rick Labeau.. Dayton, Ohio

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echoes of love

..Jesse + Stephanie Part I | A Polen Farms Wedding..

The buds were just coming out on the trees and spring had finally arrived. Jesse + Stephanie had been hoping for this and for no rain. Thankfully there wasn’t a drop in the sky and although the day was cloudy at times there was nothing but sunshine between the two. This beautifully set outdoor wedding at Polen Farms was more than the couple could of asked for.

Stephanie and Jesse both readied in the Farm House in adjacent rooms. They weren’t far from each other, and every now and then over their own hustle and bustle of getting ready they could hear laughter from each other’s room. Stephanie smiled as her mother, Debbie and younger sister, Alison worked on the corset of her vintage style dress. Anxious. Ever so anxious to walk down the aisle. In the next room over, Jesse laughed with his guys as they carefully put together their tuxes.

Just faintly out the window towards the back patio, the sound of the guitar playing. It had such a sweet tune that carried through the wind. The guys headed towards downstairs and waited for the go ahead from the ladies. They came down the aisle in a bunch, and as Jesse reached the gazebo step he turned around and said, It’s a beautiful day to get all dressed up. Their guests laughed and turned as each of the bridesmaids processed towards him. Each smile from him becoming bigger than the last. And the moment came. Her father led her to center aisle and as their guests rose to their feet, Stephanie lowered her head and smiled this sweet little grin. Happier than she could have ever recalled. Jesse smiled back and after her father gave away her hand he gently held out his hand and helped her onto her step.

Jesse + Stephanie couldn’t stop smiling. Each basking in the moment and more than once Stephanie glanced out in the crowd and took it all in. Lila did such a beautiful job on the ceremony and the readings that were chosen were special and close to heart. A very personalized and meaningful ceremony that left everyone on the cusp of wanting more. Their vows and ring exchange matched as she laughed trying to get Jesse’s ring on his finger. It wasn’t long before Lila told Jesse he could kiss his bride, and he couldn’t help but kiss her more than once. They were finally pronounced husband and wife and they couldn’t contain their excitement as they lifted their arms in rejoice. Stay tuned, because Part II is equally beautifully!

Jesse + Stephanie! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of such a beautiful and personalized ceremony! It did not disappoint and I can’t wait to show you both more!

..PERSONALIZED..

love, echo

{Wedding Day Credits}

Photographers: Echo + ..Andrea Dozier..

Location: ..Polen Farms.. Kettering, Ohio

Ladies Dresses: ..Bridal & Formal.. Cincinnati, Ohio

Tuxes: ..Men’s Warehouse..

Officiant: Lila Lolling

Florist: ..Sherwood Florist.. Kettering, Ohio

DJ: ..Rick Labeau.. Dayton, Ohio

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echoes of love