Melissa is a girl after my own heart in a few ways…1.) She knew she had to have me on her wedding day.  What a blessing that is!!!  When a bride and/or groom just gush about how they love my photographs, I blush.  As silly as it sounds and no matter how many people tell me how ‘amazing, talented, and professional‘ I am, to this day it still softens my heart.  I can’t explain it!  2.) She is about the most organized bride you will ever meet!  Not only did she have everything planned MONTHS in advance, she had detailed lists of everything that needed to be done and accomplished for her wedding day. 3.) She LOVES sunflowers!  Ahhhh, it makes me swoon.  Sunflowers just purely make me happy, they are so brilliant and golden, and I love them!  So when she told me that she was planning on having sunflowers in her wedding decor, I was off the wall ecstatic.

When I showed up on the wedding day for Tom and Melissa to tie the knot, I knew it would be one fabulous day.  We had PLENTY of time to do everything, and being 37 weeks pregnant that was music to my ears.  I was able to take my time to capture all the much needed portraits and not completely exhaust my slightly swollen feet.  Nicole and I loved photographing all of the details they put into their day, including one of the ever growing trends of personalized dress hangers.  Tom was happy go lucky staying entertained by his guys, while Melissa saw her Dad for the first time in the dressing room.  Being his little girl and only child, Melissa choked back tears as her father some how held it together.  The walk down the aisle was a happy one as Tom’s big grin lit up the room.  I love that grin, it just fits him so well!  After a perfect ceremony they were announced as the new Mr. & Mrs!

For portraits, Melissa did not disappoint in choosing locations.  When we talked, we agreed that the ‘go-to spot’ wasn’t where she wanted her wedding portraits to be.  So we headed into downtown for some of that broken down building look that I LOVE!!  So rustic and yet so beautiful when you put a bride and groom in the middle of it!  Tom and Melissa both were making the portraits come out like a piece of cake.  Mel’s big blue eyes and Tom’s affection for her were enough for me to just keep pressing that shutter button.  We had sooo much fun and I could have shot there all day!  We took a nice break for everyone to cool off and ‘hydrated’ at a local establishment.  After our break, the big red barn was the next location choice where the color was just beautiful.  Not only were we lucky enough to get a great big ol’ country barn, but how about a nice rusty tractor for the mix?  Wayyy to much fun!

Normally I like to split my weddings into multiple posts, but because I am single digit days away from my due date, I chose to go with one big one!  I hope everyone enjoys the images taken by Nicole and I…

Tom and Melissa, I hope you had a blast in Hawaii!!!  Maybe this will make your tropical return that much better!  Congratulations to the both of you and I couldn’t be more excited for your new life together.  Hoping to have the rest of your images viewable soon!

..BIG GRIN..

love, echo

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echoes of love

I could hear Jaci and Brett’s prayers about 150 miles away…they were loud and clear!  All they REALLYYY wanted was for me to be at their wedding day.  When I spoke with Jaci just a week or so before, I told her that my pregnancy was going well!  Unfortunately for her and Brett, I would only know a couple of days before whether or not I was going to make it.  Nervousness was definitely there, but lucky for them not much progress had been made on my end.  So with just one week away from my due date, I headed up the much traveled road to Findlay to be with the happy couple.  Both of them were elated that I had made it, and that made every fiber in my body excited to be there with them.  To know that they cared THAT MUCH and had to have me THAT badly really sunk in deep!  More importantly, to think that I made their day special just as much as everyone else.  Ahhh, I bask in the thoughts…

So while they are out enjoying the sun and the sand in beautiful Jamaica, I wanted to share one of my favorites with you!

Jaci and Brett, I don’t think I could thank you enough for your love and support!  Congratulations to the both of you, I can’t wait to show you more as soon as possible.  Baby is +/- one week away….

..PRAYERS..

love, echo

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echoes of love

After the charming wedding ceremony was finished, the couple had their spin around the block in a Silver T-top Corvette.  They arrived back shortly after to start all of those sought after wedding photos.  Kelly and JT wanted to head back to the Inn where she and the girls first started off their morning!  It was humid, but the bridal party kissed those thoughts goodbye and put their party faces on.  Even though the heat can be killer sometimes, they all hung in there with me and gave me the fun and sass I was looking for.  I bet you will agree with me that they helped turn on the heat factor…here is a shout out to the smoking hot Bates bridal party!

I sent the hopping party on the limo bus provided by ..Diamond Chariots.. out of Clyde (They do a fantastic job in chouffering for the day!), while I continued with Kelly & JT!    I love having that time with the bride and groom where no one is with them except me and my assistant for the day.  It tends to relax you as the couple, and helps relieve some of the ‘pressure of performing’ in front of the camera.  Overall, JT and Kelly did an awesome job at getting close and showing me their model sides!

We made our way to the reception where April from ..Your Perfect Day.. had assisted Kelly in all of the lovely decorations.  Everything flowed in the chosen apple green and black colors with accents of demask print everywhere you looked.  The cake looked extra delicious, while the alluring candy table had plenty of sugar for anyone’s sweet tooth.  Our brand new couple was announced in and the party was kicked off for the night full of fun and dancing.  It was such an amazing day celebrating with yet another friend who tied the knot!

Having a little fun….but just a little 😉

Girls looking good above…how about the guys??

Jay’s angle!

Love Jaylene’s close ups!

Requested photo by Kelly…

(Reception detail photos to come….)

Kelly and JT, thank you so much for allowing me to be with you on the most special day of your lives.  I had such a blast and I couldn’t be more excited for the both of you and what is to come!  To the Echelberry and Bates families, congratulations and thanks for being so welcoming on such a cherished day!

..PARTY..

love, echo

 

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echoes of love

I knew that the weekend was going to be a challenge, but for my couples I’m willing to do just about anything!  Back in January when I announced my pregnancy, I wasn’t sure how I would be doing when it came to this last weekend.  Especially being 37 almost 38 weeks along.  I think the adrenaline and this amazing couple kept me motivated to move forward, even amongst the inevitable July heat!

Melissa’s contagious smile and attitude made the day fun, complimenting Tom’s big ol’ shy grin!  I can’t wait to show more of the images from their stylish country wedding!  Until then, here is a sneak peek to the ever gorgeous Hawaii!

Mel and Tom, soak up every minute in Hawaii!  You will have to let me know how beautiful it is and the places you go.  I am determined to make it there someday!

..MOTIVATED..

love, echo

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echoes of love