This isn’t a story about a New Years Eve wedding. It’s a love story about a travel nurse from Iowa and a professional baseball player from Cincinnati.
One ordinary Wednesday night, they met at a busy bar in Arizona, and that ordinary night quickly became the start of something magical. The two found themselves immediately immersed in conversation, the chaotic club scene around them fading into the background. Listening to Allison recount that first day they met, it’s clear that they knew they’d found someone special right from the beginning. Fast forward years later to Maxpatch Mountain in Asheville and Eric set up his GoPro to “take a picture” of the two of them, secretly set it to record, and dropped to one knee to ask Allison to love him forever.
So far, these two have already taken on long distance dating, career changes, CRNA school, and a major home renovation. They have proven they have what it takes to support each other through the stressful times, laugh together through life’s most joyful moments, and dream big for the future they will build together. Allison, there’s never been a more joyful bride than you. The way you light up when Eric walks into a room is the most endearing thing. And the way he sneaks those glances at you when you aren’t looking, just taking in your beauty, so proud that you are his… we pray you two never let those feelings fade. The feeling of being the luckiest people in the world to wake up next to each other. The feeling that you’ve found the one you’ll love forever.
And yeah, we could talk about the 60 degree Cincinnati winter day you got for your New Years Eve wedding. Or the way the rain held off until after dark. Or the beautiful flowers, the killer balloon drop, the reception outfit you rocked… But that’s not what this story is about. It’s about a great love story. One that’s just beginning, with the best chapters yet to come.
Did you love this New Years Eve wedding? Check out Kate and Kevin’s beautiful celebration at The View Mt. Adams! Are you engaged and looking for a photographer to capture YOUR love story? Let’s chat!
The water has always been a huge part of Rachael and Bobby’s story, so it couldn’t have been more fitting to celebrate their marriage with a gorgeous Anderson Pavilion wedding overlooking the river. Bobby grew up boating, and he and Rachael actually met on a University of Cincinnati water skiing team boating trip. And when it came time to pop the question, Bobby asked Rachael to be his wife on the river in their ski boat. There’s something extra special about doing things in a way that feels authentic and helps tell your unique love story, and these two did a beautiful job of that.
Bobby and Rachael infused fun into every part of their celebration, even setting up their seating chart to place East Siders on one side and West Siders on the other. And during toasts Bobby’s best man said he was always the hardest worker he knew, whether it was as team captain of their bowling team to making the college waterskiing team to Glee Club. Bobby put that Glee club experience to good use when he serenaded Rachael with Randy Travis’ “Forever and Ever, Amen” on the dance floor.
I always try to tell our couples to plan the best they can and then try not to stress on the wedding day when little things go differently than expected. From hair and makeup running way behind to cicadas to an unexpected pop up rain shower during portraits, the smiles never left Rachael and Bobby’s faces. These two were so thankful, kind, selfless, and just plain wonderful. Rachael and Bobby, I hope you had the most amazing honeymoon in St. Lucia and you never get tired of reliving this day. It felt awfully perfect to us!
Love this Anderson Pavilion Wedding? Check out Katie and Riley’s big day at Smale Park!
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Vendor Team:
Venue – Anderson Pavilion
Florals – Lutz Flowers
Videography – Little Brown Dog Productions
Cake – The BonBonerie
Bridal Gown – Lace Bridal Couture – Allure Bridals
As her sister, Ellie, mentioned in her speech at The View Mt. Adams, Kate came home after her first date with Kevin and announced, “That was the last first date I’ll ever go on.” These two met on the dance floor at the wedding of their mutual friends, and even though Kevin was living in New York at the time and Kate was in Cincinnati, they decided to give it a go. The first two years of their relationship were spent dating long distance, but they both knew from the beginning that hard season of too short visits and tearful goodbyes would be worth it.
Kevin introduced Kate to his parents, and ten minutes after meeting her his dad said, “What the hell are you waiting for? Marry this girl!” Family is crazy important to these two, and that was a major factor in their decision to postpone their wedding almost a year to avoid the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic. They couldn’t imagine celebrating without all of their family and friends present. Chris and I have said multiple times since their wedding that we want to remember the way these families treated their children’s spouses when our own little girls get married. We have already begun praying for our babies’ spouses, and we can only hope that they will be as easy to love as Kate and Kevin are.
These two had a record-setting bridal party for us – over 30 people including the flower girl and ring bearers! It’s easy to assume no one really has that many close friends, as family playfully ribbed them at their Cincinnati Art Museum rehearsal dinner. “Who has this many “very close friends”???” But spend any amount of time with this group, and you’ll immediately find that Kate and Kevin truly love and are loved by everyone who knows them. Kate and Kevin are both natural encouragers. Kate got emotional telling all of her bridesmaids how uniquely special they are to her, and Kevin spent his time looking out for everyone and making sure they were having fun. They even spent their whole wedding day thanking and checking in on US!
Kate and Kevin, you two have such a beautiful foundation for your marriage. It’s clear how much you respect and cherish each other immediately, and it’s no surprise that your kindness draws everyone you meet to each of you. We are so thankful to know you both and your sweet families! It was such a blessing to get to be a small part of your wedding day – thank you for trusting us with such precious memories!
Vendors:
Venue – The View at Mt. Adams
Planner – Elegant Events by Elisa
Florals – Courtenay Lambert Florals
Stationery – Poeme
Watercolor – Who Drew New York
Styling Mat – Elysian Market
Band – Soul Pocket
Shoes – Bella Belle Shoes
Cake – The BonBonerie
Did you love this wedding at The View Mt. Adams? Check out a wedding at another iconic Cincinnati spot – Music Hall!
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Lanaya and David couldn’t have had a more perfect day for their Covington wedding! We have loved these two right from the start when David and Chris bonded over their mutual affection for Skyline Chili (check out their fun Skyline engagement session!), but the more we have gotten to know them, the more we have loved them. They are two of the kindest, funniest people, and it was clear from the very beginning of their wedding day how important it was to David that the day turned out perfectly for his bride.
As his brother said in his toast, Lanaya has held David’s attention for forever. David shared that when he thinks of the future, all he sees is her. And it’s obvious why. Not only is Lanaya a stunning beauty, but she is a driven, selfless, sweet person. These two compliment and challenge each other, and most importantly, they have so much fun together. David is a huge LeBron James fan, and for their introductions, one of the groomsmen took over for the DJ and introduced the whole bridal party like they were being announced at a basketball game. Their friends brought such a fun energy to their day and kept everyone laughing from beginning to end.
Even a last minute venue change, COVID restrictions, and a postponed honeymoon couldn’t put a damper on their excitement to get married. Lanaya said it perfectly in her vows when she said, “Although I’m so excited that this day is finally here, it’s what’s to come after today that I am looking most forward to.” Wishing a lifetime of happiness and forever adventures for you both – you deserve it! We love you both!
Did you love this Covington wedding? Check out Katie and Branden’s surprise wedding at Hotel Covington!
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