Ohio Wedding Photographer // Phillip + Mandi

Ohio can have pretty iffy weather when it comes to the summer. My sweet cousin Elise got married a few years ago in this same town at about the exact same time of year and you would have thought we lived in a rain forest. It rained for DAYS. Seriously, it poured for 5 days straight. I bring this up because when I first met Mandi, and she was telling me about her wedding plans and she casually mentioned that their reception was going to be outside, a little bit of my heart sank. All I could picture was a muddy, rainy, disaster. Now thankfully my cousin had a back up to the back up plan (literally the back up plan was to hold the ceremony/reception under the rented tent but that was under 2 feet of water) and her big day, although totally not in the way she pictured, turned out perfectly. Mandi and Phillip on the other hand, had the most gorgeous weather (sorry Elise!). It was arguably, the best day in August, if not the entire summer and they made the most of it. 

So far, I have been lucky enough to have clients with the most amazing friends and family. All of the weddings that I've been able to photograph have felt so incredibly special because you can literally feel the love between all of them. I'm really trying not to sound super mushy or over-the-top, but seriously, Mandi and Phillip's families and their friends were no exception. 

Mandi and Phillip were married in Phillip's home town of Tiffin, Ohio at St. Joseph Catholic Church. They were surrounded by their friends and family, many of which traveled hours to be there to celebrate with them. The groom and his men wore matching navy blue suits and suspenders, both of which Phillip made a point to tell me were his choice. :) Mandi wore a stunning Melissa Sweet strapless gown and her maids were dressed in champagne from head to toe. This classic look was topped off with white roses, hydrangea and baby's breath bouquets and boutonnieres that made everything just "fit".

Their reception, held at Pioneer Mill, next to a river, at sunset (!!!), was a photographer's dream. Phillip and Mandi's first dance was to Ray Lamontagne's You Are The Best Thing  and 50% of the guests were on the dance floor for Hang on Sloopy (GO BUCKS!). The cake was cut and the group danced the night away to Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and many, many others. At one point the DJ announced Michael Jackson's Will You Be There had been requested 14 times and this Free Willy hit literally had everyone on their feet. Can I get a slow clap? 

Mandi and Phillip, I was so honored to be your photographer. I loved telling the story of your day and capturing all of the little moments that made it so special. Sharing these images with you has been one of the biggest joys of my career so far. I'm so looking forward to bringing my future clients to your beautiful home (*wink, wink*) and more importantly I'm truly grateful to call you both friends. Wishing you a long, wonderful, adventurous marriage!