Le Chateau Pier Wedding | Francesca + Matt

Happy Monday! We are down to three weddings for the 2023 wedding season, and this is one of them! I’m back from Thanksgiving break and ready to get back to blogging and all things weddings so please sit back, relax, and enjoy Francesca and Matt’s wedding held at Le Château Pierre in Smithfield Ohio.

This wedding was such a change of pace for us after a very hectic fall! I knew that going into it too! Francesca had come to my studio and met with me prior to booking and laid out how the wedding day was going to go. They were having a small group of people in a more intimate wedding setting which is what Francesca had always dreamed of having for her wedding. So, I got there that morning with Lacey coming behind me and got to spend a laid-back morning with the ladies getting ready.

When I received this invitation in the mail, I absolutely loved it! I couldn’t help myself and had to text Francesca and let her know alllllll about it. I was even more excited to photograph it! You know, I see a lot of wedding invitations, and this one really got me REALLY excited. I don’t know..it was the classy but unique design, I think! Also, she’s a huge Disney fan. Actually, all of her family are Disney fans! So, you’ll be able to peep Disney details here and there throughout this wedding in blog!

Unique shoes?! YESSSS, please! I’m not sure where she got them from, but I have a feeling people will be asking so I promise to report back!

We get to see a lot of ways that couples remember their loved ones who are no longer with us or can’t be present on the wedding day. It’s not uncommon for people to have patches of clothing sewn into their dresses or suits. This couple took it a step further and had this fabric wound into a beautiful little pin that Francesca’s mom later pinned into the underside of her dress. It was worth showing because I felt like it was SUCH a nice little touch!

Le Chateau Pier was looking fabulous in navy, burgundy and gold! It was our first time at this venue! Huge shout out to Lacey who took the majority of these as we moved back-and-forth doing getting ready pictures and bridal party pictures.

The suite where the girls got ready was stunning! I couldn’t have asked for better light!

Fun fact! This day was my first time meeting Matt. They had had engagement photos done by another photographer so I didn’t get to meet him until this morning. I sure hope everyone warned him about my Hannah energy. Ha! I swooped right in there to get some “getting ready” photos before their first look!

Francesca said she absolutely loved when she was walking up to Matt and could hear the leaves crunching under her dress. It was all meant to be when I chose that location, I guess! I also loved whenever she showed off her shoes! That veil was her sister’s too! I forgot to mention that earlier!

Time for bride and groom portraits! The end of fall/beginning of winter sun and glow is HERE!

Time to show off the bride and groom by themselves and all the details that made their attire absolutely fabulous! I was REALLY digging Matt’s shoes! I don’t think Francesca knew about them either!

Everyone get this bridal party an absolutely deserved round of applause! It was a little chilly even with the warm sun out and they rocked photo time and very quickly. Even the kiddos were on board for photo time!

I know this little man (below)! He was the ring bearer and he is also a part of my son’s youth wrestling organization and his dad is a coach. So, when he asked if he could take a few pictures, I allowed him, of course. Check out the two photos on the right that he took! I told him he’s gonna take my job.

More bride and groom formals outside because, why not!? We had to do some walking and snuggling! And Francesca asked for some leaf throwing too!

These were photo requests from the bride and groom and I REALLY think this fits their personality! Lacey and I talked about it later and said, “Yep! THIS is it!”

… but then we got to this little location that had gold frames on the walls and I really thought that these would be my favorite photos. And they are! Except I think I like the black and white better than the color. It’s so hard for me! I’m a color loving gal but their black and whites are so good!

After that, it was time for the ceremony. Francesca had informed me that her two brothers were going to be the flower men and they did not disappoint in their duties.

Their wedding ceremony was in the same location as their wedding reception so guests didn’t have to go far to have a view of all the festivities of the afternoon and evening.

Then, we went back outside to do family formals, at the bride’s request, and then we moved right into just a few more bride and groom formals now that they had their rings on. I’m so glad she suggested we go back outside because the light was absolutely dreamy! I couldn’t decide if I liked the glow-ey haze or the more contrasty look, so we did both! You tell me! Lacey and I were tag teaming angles all day!

Once the reception got started, they went right into cake cutting, first dance and then the matron of honor and best man did their speeches. There were lots of happy tears being shed!

…and then, for the rest of the night…people danced their hearts out! These families don’t mess around with good music…I can confidently tell you that!

…and that’s a wrap on another wedding! With the 2023 Hannah Barlow Photography wedding season winding down, it was such a nice change to have a smaller group of people, a smaller bridal party, and a super laid-back couple. Francesca promised me it would be this way and while a lot of couples say that and then have a hectic day, this wedding was exactly how she had described it and I hope that this couple got everything they dreamed of and more out of their wedding day! CONGRATS TO THE CRITES!

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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 session/wedding day and do not represent an entire gallery.

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Venue/Catering – Le Chateau Pier in Smithfield, OH

Bride’s Gown – Sorelle Bridal Salon

Men’s Attire – Men’s Wearhouse

Hair – Robin Hukill from Salon Bellisima

Makeup – Jaimie Allemond

Florist – McCauslen Any Occasion Florist

Cake – Bethel Bakery

Stationary – Etsy

Officiant – Dante Fuscardo Esq.

Favors – Pittsburgh Popcorn Company