A Fairytale Youngstown, OH Wedding | Hannah Barlow Photography | WV Wedding Photography

 

It’s here!  I’m SO excited to introduce to you, Mr. & Mrs. Csernik!  Remember Jim and Nicole?  I met them back in January!  You probably remember their engagement session a couple of months ago!  You can see i here if you’re interested but be sure to come back and see this beautiful, fairytale wedding with touches from Beauty and the Beast!  It was definitely a well-planned, traditional wedding fit for a prince and princess!  Let’s go back a bit first.  Nicole originally reached out to me and wanted to meet up before deciding on a wedding photographer! So, I threw my coat on a week later and we met halfway at a tiny, coffee shop.  You know me…any excuse to talk, right?!  I rattled theirs ears off about everything that goes into having your wedding photographed by Hannah Barlow Photography!  Lucky for me, they decided to book on the spot and I couldn’t have been more thrilled!  Nicole had such a calm, loving personality (and I later found out she can be super quirky too!).   Jim seemed like an easy going guy who was also super organized and meant business (this came in REALLY HANDY once the wedding rolled around)!  I really had good feelings about our match from the start and this wedding didn’t disappoint!

I actually didn’t know their whole story until Nicole’s sister told it during her maid of honor speech at the reception!! These two were set up by some mutual friends.  Nicole dragged her sister along for the first date and it was epic (and complete with FiveFinger toe shoes! HA!).  The rest is history (those shoes too apparently)!! These two are such a great match!  They definitely compliment one another and it was very apparent while sorting through photos how much they truly and unconditionally love one another.  The amount of giggling and cuddling and dreamy looks I was given was outstanding (and made my job easy).  While Nicole originally was very calm during our initial interactions, I was so excited to see her quirky personality unfold and the magnitude of facial expressions she was capable of giving me was hilarious!  Jim has a fun, playful side too and it definitely came out when he was hanging with the guys or generally just trying to make Nicole giggle!  Just wait until you see these images! 

So, let’s get down to business, shall we?! James Vincent Csernik and Nicole Elizabeth Parry were united in marriage last Saturday, May 20th!  Kari and I packed my car early that Saturday morning and headed to Youngstown, Ohio to capture their big day!  Check out some of my favorites from this fairytale wedding!

Enjoy!

Check out these details!  A HUGE shoutout to Kari for pointing out the “happily ever after” ribbon!  It was such a nice touch and I was so happy to capture that element!  You don’t see tiaras much anymore either…but I’m really hoping they’re making a come back because I wore one myself when I was married!

We arrived at Nicole’s parent’s home in the morning.  It was a cool but sunny day!  Nicole’s parents were so welcoming!  Imagine a photographer entering your home, snooping around, and then suggesting some furniture be moved! HA!  They didn’t even bat an eyelash and started moving things for me immediately!  As soon as I saw this window though, I just KNEW I had to photograph in front of it! This home was beautiful and they couldn’t have been more accommodating (while hiding they might think I’m crazy)!  I think the photos were totally worth it, right?!  It’s been a while since I’ve had my hands on a traditional, ball gown.  Beautiful!  Just beautiful!  Check out this stunning black and white image of her gown!

Nicole has an extremely sweet personality and she loves unconditionally.  You could definitely tell she is always thinking of others and she made a few special things for some very special people in her life! 

Now, it’s time to get ready! EEEEKKKK!

…and (drum roll) get ready for one of the most stunning photos I think I have ever taken!  WOW!  I asked the girls to arrange her dress and they NAILED it!  I feel like this could have been a mannequin challenge too! HA!  Four beautiful girls!  That window…the dress! AHHH!! So, many great elements to make this photo phenomenally beautiful!  I can’t get enough! Check it out below!

Now, here comes the bride!! Nicole and Jim were married at Wildare United Methodist Church in Cortland, OH!  It was just down the road from her parent’s home!  It’s very rare you see a bride wear her veil over her face anymore (I didn’t even do it back in 2008)!  So, this was such a nice surprise and I got some beautiful images I don’t normally get to catch!

They did a bubble send off before jumping in the limo!! Check out the groomsmen!  Even they were getting in on the action! 

I think this sums up the bridal party!  They were SO fun and SO cooperative! Nicole and Jim had an amazing schedule and left plenty of time for photos.  We took these at Fellows Riverside Gardens (Mill Creek Park) in Youngstown, OH. It was a perfect place for wedding photos!  It was so perfect we did have to fight for a spot though….lots of brides and future brides (girls in prom dresses) were having their photo taken this day!

Now, let’s move onto the really good stuff!! Check out these beautiful formal photos of the new Mr. and Mrs.!  There were so many opportunities at Fellows Riverside Gardens to take amazing bride and groom photos!

Lots of gazebos!

Seriously, she looked like a princess and she played the part so well!  These are some of my favorites!

You probably remember this place from their engagement photos too!  This is Lanterman’s Mill.  I believe it’s also part of Mill Creek Park.  Nonetheless, it’s such a beautiful place to take wedding photos, right?!   This is right next to the Fellows Riverside Gardens! Again, SO many opportunities at these locations!  Great picks, you two! 

Off to the reception now!  

These two celebrated their union at the Maronite Center in Youngstown!  I walked in and immediately saw this sign!! I knew it was going to be a good party!  And boooooy and boy did I document some good times! 😉

Check out these Beauty and the Beast themed wedding decorations!  Nicole and Jim did all of this themselves! Can you believe it?!  It was SO gorgeous!  It is definitely spot on for the theme while still incorporating their own unique touches!  It was simply beautiful and elegant and FUN to photograph!

Now, let’s get this party started!  

I just want to make a note about these balloons.  Usually, if balloons are present, it’s done the traditional way – helium, ribbon…the works.  Nope.  Not at this wedding!  We walked into a whole dance floor of balloons (complete with “Mr.” and “Mrs.” writing on them).  They were a hit!  The kids were playing with them.  The adults were playing with them.  They were kicked around during dancing…the fun went on and on!

Ok…now, it’s really time to party!

Shoutout to the guy’s in the upper left hand corner and bottom photos!  They were what I like to call “the guys” for the night.  You know (if you’re a photographer), these are the guys who are more than willing to pop into your shot, pose, smile, dance….whatever!  They were frequently the subject of the shenanigans going on at this reception!  Check out the fun that was happening!

And last but not least…Jim spun his bride one last time for the last song!  It was a beautiful day!  Kari and I can’t thank you both enough for letting us be a part of it AND for being so organized and cooperative!  We had a BLAST!  Also, I want to shout out to Kari!  She’s newer to photography and has been tagging along with me to engagement shoots.  This was her very first wedding with me and she ROCKED it! 🙂  Many more weddings to come for the two of us!  I can’t wait to show you!  

Congrats again, Mr. & Mrs. Csernik!!  It’s always bittersweet to post these blogs because I never know when I’ll see or hear from my couples again!  After months (sometimes years) of chatting and planning, it always seems so final and I don’t like it one bit!  Hopefully, I’ll run into these two again (maybe at some weddings 😉 ) and they’ll get to be subjects on my camera once more!  A girl can hope, right?!

Want to see more?

You can see their Youngstown engagement session here.

Also, be sure to check back at the end of the year for the Best of the Best, Behind the Scenes, Outtakes, and MORE!

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So many wonderful vendors worked together to make this day memorable!! Please use the information and links below if you’d like more information!

Gown – Alfred Angelo

Bridesmaid’s Dresses – Dillard’s

Men’s Attire – Rondinelli Tuxedo Company

Ceremony Decor (Flowers Up Front) – C&C Ribbons

Hair/Makeup – Alexa Medved (Cousin) –  Ibi David Salon and Spa

Baker – Sweets by Christine

DJ – Mr. Music DJ