Dayton Weddings | Echo by Design | Wedding + Portrait Photography

..Jared & Jessica Said I Do..

Just imagine the beat of a steel drum, the sound of the running waves of Lake Erie, and the soft murmurs and gasps at the bride’s beauty as she makes her way down the aisle. It was more than a beautiful afternoon wedding at Mentor Harbor Yacht Club where Jared and Jessica chose to say their vows. The sun was high in the sky kissing the boat tops while the wind filled their sails as they swept by. The drums played on and finally Jared got to take the hand of his lovely bride, all nerves have now disappeared. The beating of their hearts matched the beat of the drum, in sync as they united as one.

I wish I could only explain through the photos of this beautiful couple how they felt for each other. How much Jared adored his bride in the looks that he gave her. And how Jessica’s smile could light up more than 10 rooms for a thousand years.

Their rings were just beautiful…

Jessica’s dress was handmade by a friend. I couldn’t believe how gorgeous it was, and how perfectly it fit her body type. Her friend actually had a dress featured in a very large wedding magazine. (I wish I could tell you which one.)

No detail was overlooked in this nautical themed wedding, this guy did amazing with the steel drums…

This is what you were imagining…

Mr. & Mrs. Martin

The very chic looking bridal party…

One of Nicole’s…

Why not kiss while they were waiting for their boat ride? (All the guests were brought by boat from the mainland to this small isle where Jared and Jessica had the ceremony.)

Nicole was taking this shot,

while I was getting this!

The beautiful LaMalfa…

The bride and groom were surprised with a tandem bike as a wedding gift. I love it!

Thank you Jared and Jessica for allowing me and Nicole to celebrate with you on your beautiful nautical day. Both of your families are amazing and you have a wonderful supportive group of friends. Good luck in your marraiage and I can’t wait for you to see the rest!

..STEEL DRUMS..

love, echo

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..Sneak Peek to J & J..

Before I widely introduce this couple, I just have to marvel in awe of the sophistication of them both. Meet the Martin’s, Jared and Jessica that is! Yet another amazing couple that has blessed me with the opportunity to tell their story. Jared and Jessica gave me the honor of shooting their wedding shortly after they saw Patrick & Jessica’s engagement portraits. And if you remember correctly I use to lifeguard with Patrick but also with his sidekick in action, Jared too.

Jared and Jessica met while at the University of Cincinnati, they both ran track and met during practice. “We were close friends for about a year and a half. Then he made me fall for him. Since then we have grown closer everyday,” says Jessica. They connected over sushi and coffee which led to this magnificent day.

And in just a few short weeks one more Whirlpool Park lifeguard will be tying the knot. Stay tuned, more images from this amazingly beautiful wedding and others to come!

..SOPHISTICATION..

love, echo

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..Perfect Timing..

I guess there is something perfect about perfect timing. I just happened to be in the very spot that a proposal was about to take place. He looked awesome in a navy blue crisp suit, dodging the rain drops with the ring in his hand. The sign on the window asked, “Brittany will you marry me?” I had approached him and he said he was waiting for his girlfriend to arrive. He had anxiously been awaiting her arrival for a while, she had been at a tea party with the ladies. I could tell he was nervous and I did my best to talk to him and keep him calm, we laughed as it continued to rain. I went back to what I was doing but kept a very close eye for her arrival. And then there she was, confused at where she was supposed to be. She looked adorable in a cute dress with heels and a red purse.

From a distance I watched the magic happen behind my lens, moving quickly yet quietly to capture the raw emotion that unfolded. Her hands were held over her mouth as tears streamed down her face. And then he did it, he got down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage. I couldn’t hear the words being spoken but they must have been pretty special, he placed the ring on her finger. She spoke, “It’s beautiful.“

I just love it!

I had to hold back a few tears of my own!

I DID IT!!

She was so much like me, she was caught up in the moment and forgot all about the ring.

Congratulations!

I couldn’t have been more blessed to share in this moment that I hadn’t expected. It was pretty special looking from the outside!

..THE UNEXPECTED..

love, echo

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..4 Years Ago Today..

Four years ago today this man that I call my husband proposed. He got down on one knee and asked me the greatest question a man could ever ask a woman. He asked if he could have my hand in marriage. As I stood there on the Lake Erie shoreline with the wind blowing across my face I told him Yes! I couldn’t believe the day had finally come where he wanted me just as much as I wanted him. I have never been so happy today that I was the day he got down on his knee.

I love you B!

..I SAID YES..

love, echo

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..Kendra & Evan Said I Do..

All week the weatherman was calling for rain, sixty percent chance. That is never a good sign when you planned your ceremony to be outside on the beautiful grounds of the Wood County Historical Society’s lawn. As the girls all got ready at Kendra’s parents house we prayed that the rain would hold off until after the ceremony, or disapear all together. The news got better as the day went on, they decreased to a forty percent chance. Then the phone rang, Pastor Scott needed to know whether they wanted to keep the church as an option. They had to close that door long before the ceremony was to begin. With the leap of faith that there would be no rain, they cancelled the church as a backup plan. We prayed even harder as we all continued to prepare our bride to walk down the aisle.

I’m happy to tell you that our prayers and hopes for no rain brought Kendra and Evan a beautiful afternoon of sunshine! Kendra looked stunning in her mother’s wedding dress and Evan looked just as handsome in his brown tux. Plenty of family and friends gathered around to watch this amazing couple give their lives to each other!

While getting ready at the Kohring household I was able to photograph Calvin & Darlene’s wedding photo. She as well looked beautiful!

I loved the detailed pearls on the beautiful dress that both mom and daughter wore.

Kendra’s something blue. I love them!

Calvin, Kendra’s father and I talked about this moment numerous times. I knew it was going to be an emotional one with his only daughter getting married. I just love the emotion running through this picture after I let him see her for the first time.

As a friend of Kendra’s, I always wanted her to be happy. There were so many times that I caught looks like these to solidify her happiness with Evan.

Announcing Mr. & Mrs. Evan Slates.

Probably one of my favorite portraits of the day!

Gotta love great big good looking bridal parties 😉 Every guy had two girls on their arm for the evening. They were pretty lucky.

One beautiful couple.

Kendra & Evan I wish you both the best of luck in your wonderful marriage together. You know that Brad and I are here for the both of you to support you and keep your marriage strong. We both love you dearly!

..PRAYING ON SUNSHINE..

love, echo

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