Weddings are an incredibly special occasion, the once in a lifetime kind, and you want to make sure you get the most out of the experience. Here are a few tips from a Dayton wedding photographer for getting the most out of your wedding day.

Your wedding day is of the most special days of your life. While the traditional elements of a wedding are beautiful and important, there are some unique ways to level up your wedding and make it truly memorable.

These images are from a recent editorial I photographed in Ft. Wayne, Indiana at the Sunken Gardens- which is a beautiful location for an outdoor wedding. The florist got creative for this photo shoot and designed a wearable bouquet for the bride. I love this non-traditional take on the bridal bouquet for so many reasons.

This elegant, styled picnic wedding editorial was absolutely gorgeous. I love the idea of having a more unique elopement that fits your personality, and this is clamping at its finest. There was a beautiful picnic spread laid out on a low table, with fluffy pillows for seating. If you are looking to have elopement photos done, or even just a few photos to announce your big news- this is a great idea for how to style it!

I am so excited to share a photos from the recent bridal showcase at The Marmalade Lily. All the vendors came together to show their beautiful work and the result was stunning. There were so many amazing Cincinnati area wedding vendors. Shear hotness even styled hair & makeup live at the event.

Every wedding day is different, but at this Dayton wedding, something happened that I have never seen before. I have been photographing weddings for quite a while, but this was definitely a first. Here’s the scoop. Nichole & Kyle got married on the same day as Nichole’s grandparents. They wanted to celebrate that they share the same special wedding anniversary day, so they surprised her grandparents with a cake of their own during the reception. It was such a sweet moment.

This design set up at the Dayton Arcade was so elegant. There is something so classic and elegant about a black, white & gold wedding color palette. The lounge area had a modern vibe- with a curved white couch and round ottoman - the perfect place for wedding guests to relax and enjoy the party! Another favorite element of this wedding reception set-up was the bar- it looked so classy. What a great design to complement the black and white penny tile floors inside the newly renovated Dayton Arcade.

If you are looking for spring wedding inspiration, look no further! Yesterday’s bridal showcase at The Marmalade Lily was overflowing with gorgeous spring wedding ideas that I am so excited to share with you. From the bright and colorful vintage rentals to the unique statement floral design, all the vendors did an amazing job bringing their best spring ideas for couples to gather information and plan their weddings. There was a bright and colorful boho lounge area that was a definite show-stopper.

Honestly, you can weave bookish ideas into every nook and cranny of your wedding design and I am absolutely here for it. If you and your love are avid readers or enjoy perusing the shelves of old bookstores, then maybe a book-inspired wedding would be a great fit for you. Here are a few ideas I have seen in the past that turned out so beautifully.