Summer 2025 River City Wedding Wheeling, WV

Hi, everyone! It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted a wedding and it was a GREAT one last weekend! So, let’s do this! Rebecca and Trent’s wedding last weekend was perfection…while a little warm and toasty…still absolutely perfection! We moved through this day with ease and it was SUCH a breath of fresh air. There was no rushing…there was no stress…there was just wonderful people, amazing vibes and all the wedding happiness and joy we thrive on! I NEEDED this. So bad! It was truly soul fulfilling after going more than a month without a wedding! So, without stalling too much…please give this happy couple all your Hannah Barlow Photography love! Their wedding is live on the blog right now!

Rebecca and Trent are the sweetest humans. I knew this immediately when I did their engagement session last year (see it HERE). I came to find out halfway through that session that I’d actually photographed her brother and sister in law’s engagement session! SO, that was a total fun fact and surprise! I remembered them immediately AND got to see them at this wedding! So, I had all the good feels going into this wedding. It had also been a long time (maybe four-ish years) since I’d been to River City for a wedding. SO, I stopped there first and BOY AM I GLAD I DID! It was GORGEOUS!

I got to see their day of coordinator (Hi, Miah!) and chat with her a bit and then I left for Rebecca’s parents’ house. Fun fact, I got stuck behind a truck that put me about five minutes behind and you KNOW I don’t do five minutes behind. Lucky for me, Becca (my assistant/second shooter…we realized how confusing the double names was later..HA!) beat me there and was able to chat and get a plan before I arrived! I got to meet everyone and then we got right down to business with these details!

They’re classy…and stunning!

In between all that, we caught some getting ready moments too with some of Rebecca’s favorite people!

If you know Rebecca, she has the sweetest aura and personality. It’s no surprise she’s a kindergarten teacher! She’s just so easy to be around and I quickly realized everyone in this group was the same way! Getting ready moments were candid and sweet and BEAUTIFUL!

…magazine worthy really!

It was an early ceremony though so we left for the church where I got to meet some of Trent’s favorite people especially his mother! I pulled them aside for a second to do those oOooO so important getting ready moments with mom and son! (Photos of Rebecca and her mom were taken too..but I’m doing my Hannah BEST to not make this blog a 100 page novel…stay with me. HA!)

I’ve been to this church before in Bridgeport, Ohio! It’s beautiful and no red carpet which I LOVE! The Priest didn’t remember me at first…but I came with screen shots and receipts. The next thing I knew I was hanging out with Father in the back and he was scrolling my phone to look at the other wedding blog I did and he was a part of four years ago! HA! It makes me laugh just typing it. Who would have thought?! At this church you get sent to the loft for photos but the last wedding…I begged and pleaded for him to let me sit with the guests…and he did. AND at the end of that wedding he told me I was welcome back to his church any time…and I held him to that this day! And he let me sit with the guests again for photos!

It was a really beautiful ceremony too!! I love the best man’s reaction to looking down the aisle at Rebecca and then looking for Trent’s reaction! HUGE shoutout to Rebecca’s family who allowed me to sit with them! They not only let me sit with them but they went above and beyond to make sure I had good angles “elbow down…squat down…” etc. I asked them to do none of this but they did it anyway to make sure I had good photos for the couple and I am SO appreciative you have NO idea…no idea!

What a sweet moment. The good thing about me being put in the seats with the guests is that I can almost always get this angle and photo!

The colors at this church really embraced the whole feel and color palette for this wedding. I LOVE when it all works out like that! The new Mr. and Mrs., everyone!

…and now that they were pronounced Mr. & Mrs…it was time for formal photos. We traveled to our other location. I’ve been here before but it’s been a while and I thought it would really match the classy boho theme Rebecca had going on.

First up…I had to meet the Goose…who travels and participates in this friend groups’ activities! I told them it needs its own IG page!

Then, we got down to business! The men went first because it was HOT and I didn’t want them to overheat!

Then, full bridal party for efficiency’s sake! This was an amazing group to photograph! No complaints and such a lovely kind group of friends!

Then, we went back to our original spot to photograph the ladies!

I could never take TOO many photos of Rebecca as a bride!

And now…for those bride groom portraits! I don’t know how they were doing it but there was never a complaint about the heat. Just them soaking up all the love and excitement on this wedding day…and probably some sweat too! They make a good looking couple, don’t they?!

We did have to take a break. We were all feeling it…light headed especially. So, a little AC break and a water break and then we were back to it! The sun even came back out to give us that summer glow!

They walked and executed a PERFECT dip!

…and because I’ll say I’m done and then never really be done taking photos…I wanted just a few more. I’d seen lots of wild flowers when I was driving in so I asked the party bus driver (who was FABULOUS) to follow me and stop so I could take about five more minutes of photos.

Then, we headed back to River City where I was VERY thankful for air conditioning and I know everyone else was too! This is usually the point I’m racing into a reception to get those last minute photos and all stressed out…NOT AT THIS WEDDING! It was SO nice to just be able to set up and move around and get the shots I needed without a clock ticking for announcement time.

DJ Nick Arno welcomed everyone, parents, bridal party and the NEWLY MARRIED COUPLE!

It’s a “small” thing but may have been one of my very parts of the day and that was when Rebecca and Trent’s moms welcomed everyone before speeches and dinner. Speeches tend to run long at weddings but these two had the most sincere, short and sweet welcomes. I particularly loved Jackie’s face in this one (below) because if you were there…you know she offered cab rides home to anyone who needed it…but they had to go home. Not another bar or party…and it didn’t have to be THEIR home…but a home and I LOVED it so much! These families are so genuine and sweet and it was amazing to be a part of this day with them! I hope my kids let me and the other mom make a speech like this one day too! I’ll always remember them!

Then the best man and maids of honor got to say their words too! Look at the smiles!

The cookie table was personal AND a hit! I got a lot more photos but had to make sure the nut rolls made it into the blog! I believe the family said they’re Hungarian! One really kind lady took me over and told me the story! It’s hard to hear all the details with all the music but she was super proud!

Strange to put here but love to give credit where credit is due. This dinner was THE BEST dinner I’ve ever had at River City! Hats off to the chef!

Then, they did all the traditional things. Cake cutting and dancing!

…and then they partied the rest of the night! And yes…the Goose made the photos multiple times!

That’s a wrap on wedding #5 for the year! It was a GREAT one with all my favorite things – perfect timeline, amazing people…lots of pretty photos afterward! I SO enjoyed seeing all the familiar faces but also meeting lots of new people! We very much felt embraced (and not as hired vendors) at this wedding! I was SO happy to have been a part of it! Rebecca and Trent, I hope it was EVERYTHING you wanted it to be and more and that you love these photos! Thanks for reading, everyone! Have a great evening!

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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.

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Vendors

Reception Venue/Catering – River City

Church – St. Joseph Church in Bridgeport, Ohio

Planner – Miah Runkle

Bride’s Gown – Sorelle

Bridesmaids’ Dresses – Azazie

Men’s Attire -Men’s Wearhouse

Hair/Makeup – Cloud 9

Florist – Bodnar & Son Florist (Monica Bodnar)

Videographer – Tim Pierce

Cake – Lunas Bakery

Other Desserts/Cookie Table – Jackie Petersen, Family and Friends

DJ – Nick Arno

Catering – River City

Transportation – Red Carpet Limo