The Ellis House Fairmont WV Wedding

Hello! It was my first time at the Ellis House in Fairmont, WV and it was black tie too and I had the sweetest couple and I had a former Hannah Barlow Photography couple there and it was just AMAZINGGGGG in ALL the ways! I AM going to go on and on and on about this wedding but not here in the intro. That’s for later! Their sneak peek blew up earlier this week when I posted it and now their wedding blog is live! So, please give Kristen and Steven all your love!! Please enjoy their Ellis House Fairmont WV wedding!

Lacey and I took off extra early and it is a GOOD thing we did! We left knowing we’d arrive 45 minutes early…only to arrive 15 minutes early! You all know how it is heading to Fairmont from Washington, PA….79 is NOT kind when it comes to traffic. The Ellis House in Fairmont, WV is also a new venue for us so I wanted to scout. Well, a GPS reroute and turnaround later (because of an overturned box truck) got us there 15 minutes early and THAT gave us the time we needed to do a little self tour and photograph this venue!

We photographed the reception space justttttttttt in case it rained and cocktail hour ended up inside. This year is throwing me back to 2021 wedding season when it just simply WOULD NOT STOP RAINING! It’s all about the “just in case”…these photos were just in case! We did get to get them again later with the candles lit and what not…but we had these IF we needed them and I felt great about it!

Can we talk about the guest “seating chart”?! It’s a bookshelf wall Kristen’s dad made! Every book had a name and table number on it! I mean…I MEAN!!!!! SOOooooOo neat, right?!

Then, we made our way up to the White House (I don’t know what they actually call it…I’ll find out!) and met up with the ladies and moms! Then, we got right down to details. These details are everything I love in a wedding…they’re classy, but bright and white and it just felt WEDDING!

Then, after I got those done we cleaned up the room, cleared off the bed and got right into the getting ready portion of the day! Because The Ellis House is an all in one location, it was extra important we stay on schedule so we could get the ladies dressed, get them outside for photos AND back in before guests arrived!

…and some black and white photos for good measure!

…and we did exactly that! The moms joined us too! I’ve done a lot of weddings…you all know this! There are two types of moms…the moms who hover because they don’t trust us to get all of the photos (this, unfortunately will probably be me one day)…and moms like these two who simply just want to be a part of the moments and genuinely enjoy watching it all unfold and because they were there, I asked them to get in on some of these photos too!!! This group was quite literally one big happy family!

Now, the bridesmaids! I kid you not! The color of these bridesmaids dresses was the same color my own bridesmaids wore almost two decades ago!

I don’t think there was one person who would have ever doubted that Kristen would make a STUNNER of a bride! I love the neck detail on this dress!!! I never get to see dresses like this!

The Ellis House in Fairmont, WV is neat because the way it’s set up, you can go inside and “hide” while still getting to see all the hustle and bustle – guests arriving, ceremony space being set up…you name it. If it’s happening outside (front OR back) you can catch a glimpse of it! That meant I was snapping photos too!

Kristen’s mom had the idea to do some photos on the stairs! I approve!

Then, I was called up for a “very important moment” and I was all in a fluster thinking I forgot something BIG! Well, kind of…the bride and one of her maids of honor (who was also a past bride of mine) had hung up Kristen’s mom’s CURLING IRON (it’s been through a lot) in order for it to have it’s own moment! I cracked up laughing…I may have to delete this later! HA! You’ll see them playing the “who did it” below! THIS is exactly how laid back and fun this day was though so it’s worth sharing to prove it!

Then, the men arrived after a round of golf and they had to get ready! How come my golfers always make it in time for tee time but I’ve got to rush them out the door when the timeline falls behind at a wedding?! HA! I did raise my eyebrow on that one! BUT…in all seriousness, I gave them a hard time but we were only 15 minutes behind and they were so cooperative we actually got all their photos done AHEAD of the scheduled end time!

Then, I HAD to get some moments with Steven and his mom! As a boy mom, I know these moments are so important!

…and to wrap up this portion of the day…first look with dad!

Then, it was time for the ceremony. See how light and bright these photos are? Welllllllll…it wasn’t exactly like that in real life. You know when the wind blows just a certain way? And you can smell rain coming? And the temperature changes? And the air feels different? YEP! That’s what we were experiencing during this ceremony. I did have umbrellas close! JUST in case. And you know what is CRAZY?! No one ever mentioned the possible rain…not a person! They were so “in the moment”…or maybe they just have great poker faces! REGARDLESS, there was no tension or stress…nothing! Just enjoyable moments!

Here comes the bride! Steven did his very best to hold it together. I thought he’d crack…he didn’t! BUT ALMOST!

So, this ceremony location at the Ellis House in Fairmont, WV is RIGHT in front of the white house I showed you earlier and right where I did photos! You don’t have to go far at this venue!

A PERFECT dip!

At this point, the sky was dark. I was thinking, “we’re never going to get any outdoor photos after this” so, as the couple was walking from their ceremony to the house, I had them pause and we rapid fired a whole bunch of photos. AND YOU KNOW WHAT?! These ended up being some of my favorites! Again, these were my “just in case” photos!

We got the full bridal party together as fast as we could!

Then, we raced through family formals (because…possible rain) and got right down to the rest of the couple’s formal photos! Kristen and Steven…from the moment I met them both together…have always been so kind and fun and EASY to photograph! They make a STUNNING couple and bride and groom! Remember their engagement session (HERE)? Well, their wedding photos are even BETTER!

OMMMGGGGGG!!!! We did it! WITH NO RAIN! I couldn’t believe it. The Wedding Gods really showed up because the radar was looking terrible! We released the couple to go relax and enjoy the rest of cocktail hour. Then, we went back down to the Ellis House’s reception space and got down to business with all those reception detail shots. I do still include the ones above at the beginning of this blog in the couple’s gallery but it always looks SO much prettier when it’s lit up…candles and all!

It was starting to sprinkle at this point. The bridal party and couple were still outside! Shoutout to Kristen’s friend, Jenna, who was wedding planner/coordinator for the day! I told her she REALLY needs her own business! She was fab! Between us, her, DJ Brian Oliver…we were racing around to get this couple announced for the sky opened up! AND WE JUST MADE IT!

They went RIGHT into cutting their cake! ANOTHER friend of theirs made the cake. It was chocolate chip cookie cake with peanut butter filling (you read it correctly)! It was Steven’s pick and I hear she nailed it! We didn’t get a chance to try it but it looked DIVINE! That’s Lacey’s signature photo on the right (below)!

I got the inside as proof too! Well, Lacey did! She’s going to kill me for showing the back! She told me not to get the back…but this is real life AND I needed to see the inside!

There were speeches and dances and all the traditional things and it never felt like “too much”. They did this stuff that most people expect at a wedding and decided not to do other things like garter, money dance, etc! I LOVE a wedding like this…a little of this…but not a little of that!

Then, DJ Brian Oliver opened up the floor and it was time to DANCE!

And that’s it! That’s a wrap on another wedding this September! I still have TWO more this month and then a whole bunch in October and then one in November before I’m done for the year! I LOVE a new venue too…so photographing this wedding at the Ellis House in Fairmont WV was so fun and the gallery is SO gorgeous!

To all of Kristen and Steven’s friends AND the couple themselves…thank you for welcoming us and making us feel such a part of this day! Thank you for not panicking about the weather and trusting all us vendors (and vendor friends) to make this day amazing! Couples often are worried when us photographers have never been to a venue but Lacey and I felt so refreshed and so inspired with this fresh “canvas”. I sure hope the photos show all the love and joy that went into this day! The Haltermans are on their honeymoon right now but said they’d read this on the beach! Their gallery is going out next! ENJOY, everyone!

So, one more time, please give them ALL your Hannah Barlow Photography, love! Happy Friday, everyone! Thanks for reading!

Two more photos we took right as we were leaving! K! That’s it! Promise!

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If you’re interested in having your own wedding at The Ellis House Fairmont, WV location, please contact them direction using this link RIGHT HERE!

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Disclaimer: Hannah Barlow Photography blogs only represent a small portion of photos the couple actually receives in their private gallery.  The blogs are meant to highlight favorite photos and favorite moments of the wedding day and do not represent an entire gallery.

With permission specifically from the couple, galleries can be shared if you wish to view it in its entirely and/or order prints.

info@hannahbarlowphoto.com for more info.

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Vendors

Venue – The Ellis House Fairmont WV

Wedding Planner/Coordinator – Jenna Schwartzmiller

Bride’s Gown – Stella York / House of Fashion

Ladies’ Attire – Christina Wu Celebration / House of Fashion

Men’s Attire – House of Fashion

Hair – Shelli Noble & Tess Leohner

Florist – Three Little Buds

Cake/Desserts – Family & Friends

DJ – Brian Oliver

Catering – Dish’d Design Co. (Dinner), Baker Cheese Company (Cocktail Hour)

Transportation – Metro Limousine

Officiant – David Hess (Bride’s Uncle)

Stationary – Zola

Flower Wall – Double B Event Rentals