Jess & Marty’s Elegant Wheeling Wedding

Wedding #2 for the 2024 wedding season is up! Let’s do this! Jess and Marty’s wedding was highly anticipated in my book and by the end of the night…I just stood there and smiled and smiled ear to ear because their reception party was ROCKIN’ and exactly what I expected out of these two!

So, let’s get this wedding blog started, shall we? Their very classy gold and deep green wedding in Wheeling, WV is on the blog right now! You know what to do! Give them all your Hannah Barlow Photography love and ENJOY!

Lacey and I started off the day navigating Oglebay’s new layout (while under construction). We stopped in Glessner and got what we needed to get of reception decor and then we made our way to the ladies’ getting ready suite for some details and mingling!

We were loving (and cackling) over Marty’s presence this morning! His head kept popping up! I absolutely love details like this!

Then, we ran over to the Cottage A area to find Marty and the men. You just never know what you’re going to get with the men at weddings (let’s be honest…most men loathe photo time) but the vibe in this cabin was 10/10! We got some relaxed (ok..hilarious) getting ready shots and then got their groom and groomsmen formal photos complete!

Then, we headed back to Oglebay’s lodge to get the beautiful bride ready BUT FIRST…her bridesmaids gave her a very special and personalized gift – definitely one of the sweetest most thoughtful gifts I’ve had the pleasure of watching be opened! It was a scrap book complete with wedding invites, photos AND a “stolen” program from the rehearsal (so no detail left behind).

NOW! It’s time to get the bride ready and then off we went for formal photos of the ladies!

Off to the church we went!

In almost a decade of weddings, I’ve be IN a wedding myself at this church but never photographed one here so that was totally fun! Also, we had to get Jess off the bus without a whole lot of people seeing her. I knew who I could count on…I asked the groomsmen to use their jackets to play bodyguard and they did not disappoint and took this role very seriously! Thanks, guys!

Then, it was time for some first looks with Jess’ dad, Craig!

AND Marty! (But they didn’t really see one another…just a few words were exchanged).

Ceremony time!

After family formals which went way smoother than we’re used to (THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING ON THE BALL), we headed up to Oglebay’s mansion because Jess requested one…and only ONE photo. She wanted a veil flying in the wind in front of the mansion photo! Shoutout to Lacey for being the best veil thrower and behind the bush diver (if you saw my IG story…you know).

That’s not actually what happened first though. I got excited and ahead of myself. We did bridal party photos and then turned them loose!! All hail amazing bridal parties like this – fun, kind and easy to work with!

Then, we got right down to business with bride/groom formals!

More veil flying in the wind mansion photos!

Off to the reception we go!

You can always judge the level of friendship with a bridal party and couple based on the UNprompted moments! This level was HIGH!

Mr. & Mrs. Engle, everyone!

Now, if you’re a loyal Hannah Barlow Photography reader, you know what I usually show and don’t show. Speeches aren’t something I share often simply because they are…speeches. They’re usually pretty standard and often with the same words and stories used. We expect them…but the photos just aren’t something I feel readers will OoOOo and AhhHhhh over. HOWEVER, Carla and Tony checked ALL the wedding speech boxes. They went by memory…by heart. Nope…no phones or pieces of paper (which I do expect…it’s not easy to make a speech in front of hundreds of people up on a stage). They memorized theirs or went on the fly…regardless, they were GREAT! They were also heartfelt with some laughs but also not too much but also justtttttttt right. To say I was impressed…that’s an understatement! I even told them so! So, give it up for these two (and Jess’ dad, Craig) for some great speeches!

They did all the traditional reception things too – cake cutting, dances, AND bouquet and garter which we just don’t get anymore so that was totally fun!

…and then, DJ Brian Oliver got the party started and it was SOMETHING. We usually get about one to two weddings a year with a packed dance floor like this. Congrats to Jess and Marty for being one of them! These receptions are so great but even harder to photograph because there’s just no space for us to go and get far enough back to get photos. BUT we did it…because it didn’t matter who you were…almost everyone was on that dance floor getting DOWN! The reception portion of their wedding gallery is large…but here’s just a handful of my favorites!

Jess and Marty were just as sweet as I remember back at their engagement session (See it HERE). Seeing all their family and friends surround them at their reception solidified what I already knew…they’re sweet kind humans who are very much loved. So, please give the new Mr. and Mrs. Engle ALL your Hannah Barlow Photography love! Their wedding blog is complete! Thanks for reading and Happy Thursday, everyone!

---

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.

---

Vendors

Magical Mayhem Events

Bridal Gown – Sorelle

Bridesmaids’ Attire – Azazie

Men’s Attire – Men’s Wearhouse

Hair – Altered Images

Makeup – Legal Hair

Florist – McCasulins Florist

Video – Elevated Media

DJ – DJ Brian Oliver

Cake – Abbie’s Sweet Designs

Reception Venue/Catering – Oglebay

Transportation – Red Carpet Limo