Dayton Weddings | Echo by Design | Wedding + Portrait Photography

..Dustin & Daphne | We Said I Do..

An indigo blue color stretched over the sky as the sun kissed it’s 75 degrees upon the ground. It wasn’t our typical October day, but we were pretty thankful to have had it. The ladies were preparing Daphne for one of the best days in her life, while across town Dustin was hanging out with his guys in the parking lot. Each of them had their own slight vibe of nervousness. They knew there was nothing to be nervous about, after all they had been together since high school. This day was a long one coming for them, and they were happy it was here.

Dustin is this burly guy, whom at first glance one would think didn’t care much. He seems pretty straight laced and to the point on most things, and isn’t afraid to tell you how he sees it. But under that rock hard outer shell is a soft hearted teddy bear. One that has a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone. When the moment came to see his fair bride walk down the center aisle, he could do nothing more than water up and bite his lower lip. Seeing this robust man show that soft interior, it’s no wonder that he caught Daphne’s eye…and her heart. Her pleasant smile had them each in a trance, glances fixated on one another the entire ceremony.

After being formally announced as husband and wife and all the formalities that followed, we found ourselves at some old farm barns. A place that was and is comfortable to the both of them. The love sure didn’t stop at the church doors, because Daphne and Dustin were surrounded by their closest family and friends. A roaring train whizzed past as the rowdy bunch hopped out of the limo to start our time together! We sure enjoyed all the laughs that followed. After I concluded the bridal party pictures I was able to focus on the soft interior that Dustin had for Daphne. Very unexpectedly, he turned up the ‘heat’ on the day and we had an all out blast capturing the connection between our new Mr. & Mrs.!

Concluding all the portraits for the afternoon, we sent the party off in the limo to enjoy themselves before the reception. Introductions and toasts soon came, as a roast from the groom’s brother turned into one of the most heartfelt toasts towards a groom and his bride. Dinner came with the first dances following…I knew that these memories would not disappoint as they are some of my ABSOLUTE favorite to capture. Please enjoy the Dearth’s wedding day!

I LOVE this image that Nicole took of Daphne while I was finishing up with the above guys group shot!

Pretty sure they toasted the side of that building!

Another one of my favorites by Nicole…

One of the cutest ideas…Dustin and his Dad as a baby and Daphne and her Mom!

SOOoooo happy!

Melts my heart!!!!

Dustin & Daphne! I was so pleased to be with you on such a gorgeous day. Many blessings over your new life together and may that love that you have never fade or waiver!

..SOFT INTERIOR..

love, echo

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echoes of love

..Sneak peek to Columbus | We Said I Do..

These two are about the happiest people I know. She has a giggle that is about as contagious as a yawn, and he has this bright white beaming smile that lights up a room. The great part about it is that they have a sweet kind of love. Something remarkable and breathtaking in and of itself. I’m lucky to have shared in that love on yet another chilly October day.

I am soooo excited to share these images! Rosa and Patrick found this fantastic location for us to photograph them and their bridal party, I can barely stand it! For now…I’m LOVING this image!

Rosa and Patrick I am soooo happy for you and I am excited about your new life together!!! Be sure to check back soon and I will have some more shutter love of this amazing couple!

..SWEET LOVE..

love, echo

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echoes of love

..Cory & Abby | She Said Yes..

It was a chilly April afternoon when Cory and Abby decided to spend some time together at the local winery. After all, it was one of their favorite things to do together. They sat out on the porch under the heat lamps each enjoying a glass of wine, when Cory began to tell Abby just how much she meant to him. As he told her how much he loved her, his next action of hitting one knee explained it all. After Abby said yes, both of their families joined them to celebrate!

Which brings us to today…or should I say a couple of weeks ago? We decided to meet at what I believe is one of the most beautiful places in Northwest Ohio, Schedel Gardens. It’s nestled just outside of small town Elmore and has a vast array of landscaping that makes your eyes compete with which direction to look next. When I greeted Cory and Abby with hugs (yes…it’s true…I love hugs!), I was so excited to get started! They…or should I say Abby…had been working up some adorable little props. We started with one awesome vintage suitcase, but not just any suitcase! It was Abby’s Great Great Grandma’s suitcase. I got all bubbly inside just thinking about how special that was for her…AND… it still had her name tag on it! Even more, for the perfect touch they strung their wedding date from one end to the other. The excitement didn’t stop there! When Abby showed me the bottom of her shoes in outfit numero dos, I was equally excited to photograph them! She admitted that she was addicted to Pinterest, the new popular website filled with ideas.

As I walked through the gardens, getting to know Abby and Cory as a couple, I realized that Abby was a tad camera shy. Her nervous smile was equally as stunning as the real laugh that Cory adorned over her face. As our session moved on I noticed that she became more and more relaxed…thus why I always include engagement sessions in my collections! It’s such an ice breaker before the wedding day. I did reassure them then that the wedding day was always easier. Although the attention is still mostly 100% on you as a couple, you have your friends and family around to relax you all the more!

Abby and Cory, I am thrilled to be working with you on your outdoor vineyard wedding. It’s going to be gorgeous! Abby, I loved your shy smile and Cory, I adored how you can make Abby forget about the camera! Your both going to be stunning on your big day! Good luck and happy planning till June. It will be here before you know it.

..CAMERA SHY..

love, echo

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echoes of love

..Baby Doble | Oh Baby..

Back in July for our maternity photos and then again in August when my lil’ man was born we had two different photographer friends come take our portraits. In retrospect to both of those friends, they each mentioned that they were nervous to photograph me and my family. My answer to both of them…”I wouldn’t have hired you to take our photos if I didn’t trust that you were capable to do so.” Well, here I was with the table’s turned! Meet Tony and his wife Amber! I went to school with Tony at BGSU and we practically had all of our photography classes together. We had so much in common…Ironically, our home towns are ten minutes apart, we both had a deep passion for the photographic world, and we both married our high school sweethearts! When Tony proposed to Amber, he told his new fiance that he trusted only one person to take his wedding photos…me! For some reason I wasn’t nervous back then, maybe because it was that I had practically seen him every day through college. That was already 4 years ago, so when Amber contacted me about a maternity session I was stoked because I hadn’t seen them in FOREVER, then like a tidal wave the nerves took over. Just like my other photog friends, I became nervous about what they would think of the finished product. It’s amazing how it was now my turn to get over my insecurity as I thought of… “I wouldn’t have hired you to take our photos if…” yadda yadda yadda! I had to chuckle to myself through it all.

The day came and it was perfect, a little bit hotter than most October days, but perfect. I greeted them each with a hug and instantly put my hands all over Amber’s belly, gooing over how round and cute it was. It’s amazing how much I already missed being pregnant! I placed any nerves that I had aside by catching up on each other’s lives, like most friends we picked up right where we left off! We talked life, baby, and business while I was behind the camera. They are expecting a little girl, whom they have named Loralai and she is due on November 13th. I was just so happy to share in their joy and talk about their expectations and anticipations of her birth! After our session had wrapped up, I thanked them from the bottom of my heart to allow me to capture those moments. After all, I had just been there and knew how special they truly were! Tony explained when Amber approached him about the photos he said, “You know there is only one person I trust taking my photos.” Ahhh…such a sweet moment…such a sweet trust.

Tony goofed that he had a belly to match Amber’s!

While I was checking my settings, Tony through me the look on the left…I told him I had to keep it! Nothing short of him.

Amber and Tony, I can’t wait for you to meet Miss Loralai! Once again, thank you for choosing me to capture this precious time. I can’t wait to meet her and know that you both are going to be amazing parents!

..TRUST..

love, echo

P.S. If you would like to see some of Tony’s work, head on over to ..Moments Captured..! He currently resides in Bryan, Ohio

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echoes of love

..Sneak Peek to ‘The Open Road’ | We Said I Do..

Here is yet another story of high school sweethearts…I’ve had a few this year! Daphne met Dustin at a NASCAR race and it was one of those love at first sight type of moments. They hit it off and started dating. Dustin is a truck driver and they agreed that the relationship became a little complicated from being apart at times. But like they say…love never fails and this couple conquered those hard times.

So for this couple’s sneak peek to their ‘honeymoon,’ Daphne hit the road with Dustin. That is until they can go on their REAL Mexican getaway in the spring! Can’t wait to show you more from this hot and steamy day…

Dustin and Daphne, I hope the new marriage continues to conquer all things…even that open road! Hope you had fun!

..CONQUER..

love, echo

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echoes of love