Rachel + Troy’s Oglebay Wedding

Hello Hello!! Rachel and Troy’s wedding from last weekend is next on the blog today! I went into this wedding weekend with high anticipation and had set the bar high for myself and for my couples. I knew it was going be great no matter what and it definitely didn’t disappoint – rainy forecast aside WHICH we were able to avoid. So, plot twist, we didn’t get any rain this day! BUT we did get a lot of wind and I’ll talk more about that later. I met Rachel and Troy 2 and 1/2 years ago. That’s right…TWO AND A HALF years ago at an Oglebay bridal show where their wedding would also be held. At the time 2024 seemed so far away and here we are now! They hired me more for personality from what I understand than my photos themselves. That’s always a great compliment because I often think I’m too much for people… but not these two. We jived so well then…then again at their engagement session HERE too so I just KNEW this wedding would be great!

So, enough about all that and all my introductory rambling…it’s time to see their wedding! ENJOY!

Ashleigh and I started off the day early at Oglebay(Catholic wedding and all that). We got right down to details! Shoutout to the ladies in the bridal party AND Cloud 9 for putting us AHEAD (that’s right) of schedule!

Then, we weaved our way through Oglebay’s lodge and met up with the men and Troy’s parents for some getting ready moments!

Troy’s mom helped him pin some special people and memories in his jacket!

Then, we weaved our way BACK to the ladies’ room! Justin Geery (Geery Media) was with us too this whole time! You’ll see him (and his camera skills) here later!

…and in what felt like SECONDS…it was time for the first look(s)! Rachel got to see her dad before we took her out to meet up with Troy. At this point, the forecast looked pretty clear (although dark skies were threatening) BUT that wind…Boyyyyyy OooOo boy. THAT WIND! If you saw my IG stories, you saw I was photoshopping for literally….dayssssssssss. BUT you’d never know now! After the first looks, we did take a detour to Oglebay’s Pine Room where the couple would be having their reception. That’s not why we went though…we went because the flowers there just happened to match their wedding colors! And you know me…I can’t pass up an opportunity like this! Shoutout to Ashleigh for the second angles! We were scooting because we had a bridal party to meet up with! But again, we HAD to stop here first!

Then, it was off to formal photos with the bridal party! Can we talk about these colors ESPECIALLY how Rachel was able to match her brother’s suit just PERFECTLY to the bridesmaids dresses?! I can NOT believe they didn’t come from the same place…but they didn’t! That suit actually came from Shein and I was SHOCKED! It was perfectly matched up! Also, these colors made my heart happy! I haven’t photographed a set like this before!

And now Troy’s side of the bridal party!

The wind was crazy but this bridal party didn’t miss a beat. I have SO many different variations (all of which had to be photoshopped in one way or another to control the hair…). I had to share these ones though because they were a big highlight of my day! We were having so much fun and we were only a few short hours into the day. Little did I know, much more fun was to come at the reception! This was simply the ‘walking’ prompt and they took it to a whole new fun level!

Then, we got right down to bride and groom portraits! I’m not usually a fan of the “yellow” mansion but man…these are some of my FAVORITES! It’s Troy and Rachel….that’s it!

…and we need movement for video purposes and need to use ALL The time we have!

We did a whole bunch of stair photos which you may have seen in the sneak peek. But these ones below….AHHHHHHHHH!!! I love these too. It’s the yellow mansion photos or these…I can’t decide!

After we completed all the formal photos (sans family which we’d planned to get later), we were off to St. Mary’s church in St. Clairsville, Ohio! It’s not my first or even second time here and it’s great to be back! I’ve not missed a first kiss in the whole decade I’ve done this and this was the closest I’ve EVER come…and I mean that. I caught this first kiss by the skin of my TEETH! Let me explain a bit…for some context. It’s very rare they announce a first kiss at Catholic weddings. Heck, sometimes they don’t do a first kiss at all. So it’s “tradition” that my assistants and I just hold our cameras real close and up pretty much the whole ceremony (which can be 60-90 minutes) and definitely any time the couple is standing because…you just never know. WELL, the couple was pronounced, they went to the front…the crowd cheered…they smiled….and then they started to walk. AND members of the church were walking in front of them…SooOooOoO I finally put my camera down…only for Rachel and Troy to stop and kiss. The ninja like moves that came out of Justin Geery (video) and I will make me giggle for a long time! BUT…we got it! WE GOT IT! Ashleigh did too…but it’s just the back of Troy’s head because she’s at the side! HA!

Ok! Enough about that…every wedding has a “moment” and that was my moment for the day…which is saying something. This day went so smoothly! So, after family formals, I had the couple go to the alter for some photos!

Top photos (featured below) by Justin Geery with my camera. (He’s film/video but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know the camera and exposure…HA!). Then, the couple requested a photo with the vendors so Ashleigh snapped the bottom one and then we included her in a iPhone photo! Troy and Rachel are the sweetest!

Then, we were off to the Pine Room at Oglebay! There were personal touches everywhere!

Then, the new Mr. and Mrs. McAuliff were announced. They cut their cake and shared a great choreographed first dance!

Grandma had a birthday and it was the most wholesome moment!

THEN, the party got started and OooooO my GOODNESS me! Justin, Ashleigh and I kept looking at each other and laughing and smiling. We could NOT believe the party that was happening in front of us and the kicker? I don’t believe very many people were even drinking…NOT that you have to have drinks to party like this…but it’s typically the “norm”. At most weddings, the party doesn’t really get happening until the drinks start flowing….NOT this group. I have a feeling this is very much the norm for them. There were smiles and laughs and shenanigans everywhere we looked!

We pause the party for just a few moments to do the traditional garter removal and garter/bouquet toss.

THEN, we got right back into it! Yes…they’re on the ground. They rowed the boats and raced (I’m not kidding). They polka’ed and did alllllllllll the things. I want a dance party like this every wedding!

If I didn’t already know that Rachel and Troy were filled with infectious joy, their guests sure did seal the deal! Good golly! There was so much uniqueness in dancing and so much joy and laughter happening on this dance floor…I’m not sure ANYTHING would have stopped this group from having a GREAT time! We had such a great time at this wedding. I’m so grateful it didn’t rain as forecasted the week prior. ALL weddings should feel like this in the end and guess what?! I got to see Rachel and Troy and their families the next day when I arrived for another wedding. I was welcomed all the same…with hugs and smiles and greetings. Be like Rachel and Troy and their wedding…plan it so all the details are personal and exactly what you want…and smile and laugh and embrace everyone and everything to create the most memorable and joyous wedding day experience! That’s it for this one!

CONGRATS TO THE MCAULIFFS!

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Wedding Venue – Oglebay Pine Room

Bride’s Gown – The White Magnolia (Jacksonville, FL)

Bridesmaids’ Attire – Azazie

Hair/Makeup – Cloud 9

Videographer – Justin Geery

Cake – Missy Bozovich

DJ – Richard Stinard

Catering – Figaretti’s

Stationary – Canva/Shutterfly