Kelly and Mark had an absolutely gorgeous day for their wedding, and with how stormy and gloomy it has been the last few days in Cincinnati, I look back on the beauty of that day with even more fondness.  They truly lucked out!

We had been so excited for their big day which was held at one of our favorite wedding venues, The Bell Event Centre, in Cincinnati.  We love EVERYTHING about that place, from the ambiance, the intimate European church feel, to the amazing architecture….but most of all, the food.  I could do an entire post of how AMAZING the food is there.  YUM!

But let’s go back to the beginning of the day….

I had heard about “THE” shoes that Mark got her when they were at Harrods in London.  When I walked in and saw them, it was love at first sight.  :)

Kelly had a fabulous team of vendors to make her day perfect, one being the talented Nancy of Brideface.

the gorgeous girls!!

While the girls got all prettied up, the boys enjoyed the famous burgers at Zola’s.

Then they headed over to the hotel to get dressed too.  Mark helped his little brother Tray get his tie fixed.  One thing I adore about Mark and Kelly is that they volunteer with the “Big Brothers/Big Sisters” in Cincinnati.  This association is actually how they met, when Mark brought Tray swimming at the YMCA where Kelly worked.  :)

Tray was a very proud jr. best man.

Beautiful dress…

When the incredible Katie Elfer’s delivered the flowers, I fell in love yet again!!! They were STUNNING and she did such a beautiful job.  I couldn’t resist snapping a shot of them right away, as soon as she laid them down.

A surprise under the shoes….

Her girlies help her with her earrings.

B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!!!!

The boys waiting for us to arrive!

I loved this one of Kelly laughing.

They decided to see each other before hand, and we ran around downtown getting some fun shots.

Then we waited before the ceremony…..

As Kelly gets her veil on, I snapped this when she threw the blusher (the front veil) back.

A proud Papa and his girl.

Is this place stunning or what!!!???!

*LOVE* this!

The weather was brilliant at cocktail hour, and the funk bluegrass band was the perfect touch!

Receptions details were PERFECT!!  Special thanks to Lindsey with Cincy Event Planning!  She did a great job of making sure everything went according to plan.

Very touching toasts….

Each table had their own cake with different filling and they were fantastic!  Cakes done by by Fantasy in Frosting.

First dance as a married couple.

We just adore Kelly and Mark.  We always wonder how we are lucky enough to work with the most wonderful couples in town!!  They are just fantastic, and so incredibly sweet to us.

On a sad note, when they returned from their honeymoon earlier this week, they found that their beloved cat (their baby) had a stroke, and she passed away the next day.  They have had a really tough week.  Seeing their beautiful wedding day, being surrounded by such amazing friends and family- I hope it can cheer them up a little bit.  :(

K+M, thank you for having us.  What an honor it has been to get to know you two, and be a part of the beginning of your lives together.  Brett and I wish you all the happiness in the world!

much love,

jess+brett

I am not even sure where to begin with Jenny + Dan.  They are such a sweet and special couple that I have known individually for years.  You see, both of them are bestest friends with my little sister Ashley, and they are in a very tight circle of friends so I have watched them all grow up.  I also watched along with my sister as Jenny + Dan each toyed with the idea of  one another, but being such good friends, they never pursued it.  I had an inkling that they would end up dating at some point- they seemed so ridiculously perfect for each other…..so whenever I was hanging with Ashley and we were talking about her friends, I always asked if anything had happened yet.  :)

So how did it finally work out?  Well, Jenny was so kind as to try and hook her good friend Dan up with another friend of hers.  Ummm….girls, you know how this goes.  :) As soon as she saw him with her friend, it was over.  She knew she wanted him.  And the rest, is beautiful history.  Doesn’t that sound like an episode of “Friends?”

Jenny and Dan chose a beautiful place for their wedding and reception.  The Inn at Oneonta was new to us, and we are so glad we know about it now!  Located about 20 minutes south of downtown Cincy, it is a hidden jewel in Melbourne, KY.  It’s an old historic home on the Ohio river, with gorgeous gardens, a chapel and endless other treasures scattered about the large property.   Brides, if you are looking for an outdoor venue, this place is worth the look!!

Back to my Jen + Dan….

When I walked in the room where Jenny was getting ready, I saw these roses laying there that Dan had given her the morning before he would marry his bride.

Jenny was getting all dolled up, and I knew she would be a pretty bride, but DANG, she was HOT!

Her dress was perfection in the form of fabric and beads.

As she opened her gifts from Dan, my jaw dropped.  One of them was a surprise horseback ride at sunset on a beach in Oregon, to take place the week after their wedding.  How insanely romantic!

Her shoes rocked.

Dan the man…Looking mighty FINE!

Seriously??!  WOW to three beautiful brothers!  I kinda have a special place in my heart for three brothers.  :)  I think this could be an ad for Ralph Lauren.

Mom and the girls help Jenny get the dress on….

Bling and berries. :)

A couple bridals and groomals that I fell in love with.

The girls getting sassy!  And yes, there are *10* bridesmaids.

The boys being goofballs.  What’s new!

When they met up for the first time, it was so emotional…I don’t normally cry, but my eyes were not dry with these two.  Such a precious moment.

Prayer before the ceremony….

This sweet little flower girl walked right down the isle perfectly!!  At the end she got this huge grin on her face, and I turned around to see her Mom holding her barbie doll!  Brilliant Mama!!  :)

Jenny was so stunning.

You two are ridiculously good looking.

Reception details!!

First dance.

LOVED their cake with the bride pinching the groom topper!!

We loved that Jenny and Dan cut out little portions of their day to slip out and grab portraits of the two of them.

This is SO them.

These guys LOVE to dance, like crazy love!!

Oh, and I have to mention that I had 4 “studio3z” brides there that night!  I was bummed that I didn’t get a shot w/them all.  :(  But, how cool seeing my girls there!

A couple night shots to end on….

Jenny and Dan, it was such a pleasure to be there on your big day!!  Brett and I are so over the moon happy for you two, and we can’t wait to watch your love (and family) grow as the years go by!!  :)  You guys are such a super rad couple.

We love you, and pray that God blesses your new life together.

jess + brett