Dayton Weddings | Echo by Design | Wedding + Portrait Photography

..Mel Said Yes to Tom..

Back in February Mel contacted me and said, “I’m Engaged, and I don’t care what I have to do as long as you can photograph my wedding!” And yes it was all in one breath just like that 🙂 I think I had to step back for a minute because that was a lot in one sentence. I was elated that she was engaged, but I was honored that she had such a tall bill for me already. It felt good, really good!

She had the wedding date picked out to be July 30, 2011 and knew her theme would include sunflowers. I don’t think I could have gotten much happier! Because if you have followed the blog at all or seen any of my wedding photos on facebook, you would know that I am ADDICTED to sunflowers! They are my favorite and happen to be Mel’s too! And two years after my husband and I tied the knot it was kinda funny that I was actually able to get rid of some of the wedding decorations in my in-laws basement. And I know that they are going to someone who will get great use out of them!

So when Mel contacted me again for her and Tom’s engagement session she said that they wanted to do it at their house. I thought that it was so special, but mostly because they felt comfortable there! Tom farms and it was nothing short of “them.”

Tom re-gifted Mel’s grandmother’s ring to her as a sign of their engagement. It is beautiful.

Sometimes there is nothing more cool than a rustic barn!

I love Tom’s grin! They are just too sweet! And the sunflowers….ahh sigh 🙂

I LOVE this one of them in the corn!

Thank you Tom and Mel for letting me capture the love between the two of you. Can’t wait until you tie the knot next year!

..SUNFLOWER LOVIN..

love, echo

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..Shawn & Tracy Said I Do..

Imagine pulling into a beautiful private drive with the trees shading overhead, the waves of Lake Erie can be heard in the distance. Kids shouting and laughter ring through the air as they jump into the pool. Sailboats are pulling out of the marina expecting a great day of wind on the lake. And the sky was blue as blue could get.

I arrived early and began to catch every minute detail I could before the bride arrived. This day that I was capturing was being held at Catawba Island Club in Port Clinton. The hustle and bustle of their staff was supreme as they carried on their business to prepare only the best for Shawn and Tracy.

The ‘Mr. & Mrs. to be’ chose to see each other before their wedding ceremony. They wanted to spend some intimate time together and really enjoy their wedding day together as a couple. I was so happy because it really gave me a chance to be creative and have fun with them! Not only that but they were able to get to their party that much sooner!

So FINALLY, I give you Shawn and Tracy’s wedding day. Honestly I don’t know if this day couldn’t have gotten any more perfect for them.

I couldn’t get over the detail in her dress!

And her cute little flip-flops from Aldo.

I just love these next few images…

The backdrop…

Just as evening fell Shawn and Tracy said their vows.

I just think it’s the coolest thing when couple’s hire bagpipers. I have done a few now and they just sound so awesome! What a wonderful escort out.

Enjoying their first dance together as husband and wife.

On top of her absolutely gorgeous looking diamond, they personalized cigars to pass out during the toasts.

And after the toast, fireworks lit up the sky!

Here is to an amazing day and a wonderful couple. I wish you both the best of luck, congratulations to you again. Thank you for allowing Mandi and I to be such a special part of your stunning day.

..CIC..

love, echo

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echoes of love

..The Laughlin's..

Announcing the Laughlin family. You have heard her name mentioned many times already here on the blog and finally I have had the chance to put a face to the name for you! Meet Nicole, my beautiful sister #3. This means she is slightly older than me 🙂 Nicole is the one who placed the love of photography into my heart and I will always give her that credit. When Nicole was in college studying photography I would watch and ask what she was doing, and here I am years and years later fulfilling the dream of “growing up to be just like my big sister.” Well since that time she has made a family and now helps me out when I need it. I couldn’t be more grateful for everything she has done to push me forward into my dream job!

Anyways, one weekend when I was home for a wedding they were scheduled to take family portraits for the church bulletin. The rest of our family was already hanging out at sister #2’s house (Denise), when she called and wanted to stop by. Being a photographer and having your own taste and style she really didn’t care for the portraits taken, and knew she wouldn’t purchase any. So when she found out that I was in town, BAM the impromptu photo session began. After I had to drive a few miles down the road to grab all my gear 🙂 I loved being thrown into the moment and being challenged with the surroundings of having my family watch me as I worked away.

So here they are from left to right: Lance-5 yrs., Nicole and Chad- well I will keep that a secret, Braylee- 20 mos., and Seth- 17 yrs. This adorable picture took place after my family asked Braylee to show us her belly. Well with children sometimes you get exactly what you ask for. I loved it!

Denise has a litter of kittens in her yard. So if anyone wants one I will send you her way! I love how Braylee was in awe of the “meow.”

Grandpa always asks her to “show her guns.”

I just love him! He is such a ball of energy but is always ready to say cheese.

Playing on the tire swing!

And I can’t help it, she is the star of the show. The one that steals everyone’s hearts. And the one my sister refers to as “her problem child.” She knows that this little girl is going to give her the run for her money. The little girl she thought she would never have. And the little girl who will be a ton more girlie than Nicole has or ever will be!

Nicole, Chad (whom we call Bird), Seth, Lance, and Braylee girl- I love you all! MUAH! Hugs and kisses all around.

..FAMILY..

love, echo

P.S. I will be out-of-town this weekend, however those wonderful images of Tracy and Shawn are still coming your way!

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..Featuring Baby J..

You may remember this couple from back in June when I featured their wedding album here on the blog. Meet again Jon and Missy Jakubowski both very close friends of Brad and I’s. Missy and I roomed together all through college and after she graduated she moved to Washington DC. We went and visited about once a year and I got to see her and Jon when they were home for holidays and other special events in their families lives. But back in February while speaking to her on the phone and having a long conversation about what Jon and Brad were both going to do after Grad school, she said, “Should I tell you now or later that I’m pregnant?” And like a little girl I started screaming into the phone as she was laughing on the other end. Brad was in the living room wondering what the heck was going on while his wife was dancing around the kitchen. But when he saw I had tears in my eyes he figured it out and a big smile crossed his face! The dishes that I had been working on after dinner were no longer important, one of my best friends was having a baby!

So here we are just weeks away from meeting the little one that we have all called “Baby J.” Jon and Missy chose to move back to Bowling Green for Jon to start a new job and be close to family as the new addition arrived. So needless to say it had been such a blessing to have them back close to home. Now they are only two hours away instead of eight! Both of them can’t believe that they are just weeks away to having their own baby boy or girl. But I can say that we are all excited and can’t wait to meet the one we have prayed for all this time!

I just love the reflection of them in the water.

Sunflair shots are my favorite!

Jon & Missy both are runners, Missy has done her fair share of Marthon’s. So why expect anything less of her to run when she is 8 months pregnant?! This girl is still running about 7 miles a day ladies. Can’t say I’m going to be able to do it, heck I can’t even do that now!

She is so little that I had to have her push her stomach out so she looked pregnant 😉

And then there was no comparison next to Jon. I just love this 😉

Can I tell you both how much I adore you? You both are such wonderful friends to Brad and I and we would be nowhere without you. And to Baby J, hurry up! I can’t wait to meet your precious little self.

..BOY OR GIRL..

love, echo

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..Sneak Peek to Houston..

Their are some couples that for whatever reason you just don’t get a chance to meet face to face until the wedding day. That was the case with Tracy and Shawn, but I couldn’t of felt like I had known them any more! I have said before and I will say it again, I am so honored when a fellow photographer refers me to special people in their life. I met Mandi back when I was in school interning, and we have become really good friends. Always bouncing ideas off of each other and giving each other advice has been amazing. Mandi specializes in kids portraiture (you can check her out at Memories by Mandi,) but wasn’t quite ready to jump into the wedding realm all by herself. So thats where I came in.

But indulge me while I give them a sneak peek before they head to Africa for 3 years. I wish Shawn the best of luck as he continues his career working for Marathon.

Shawn and Tracy I hope Houston is treating you well before you head to Africa! Stay tuned because there is much more to share from your beautiful day!

..FACE TO FACE..

love, echo

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echoes of love