New, Updated Wheeling White Palace Wedding

Teresa and Joey were the first ones to take me to the White Palace since its recent updates…and it’s been a while since the updates were complete so this was very exciting for me! Their wedding ended up being everything I expected and MORE! It’s very…very…VERY rare there’s a wedding I didn’t need a watch and never felt like I was racing a timeline and putting out fires (come to think of it…I don’t think there were any hiccups in this day) and this was one of those weddings I can talk and brag up and it’s a BREATH OF FRESH WEDDING DAY AIR! So, I’m going to show you and tell you all about it now that I’m back from vacation!

Please give the new Mr. and Mrs. Lokant are your Hannah Barlow Photography love and ENJOY!

First up this morning we stopped at the White Palace to photograph all the decor. Bria (Event Aesthetics) was already there setting up. We’d chatted weeks prior about the early start timeline (Catholic weddings are that way) and she rewrote her timeline so I’d be able to get there and photograph things and THAT is the beauty of working with amazing vendors you know! Bria is definitely one of the BEST!

I’m so impressed with the updates here too at the White Palace! It’s just beautiful! Dalis…I’ll be messaging you with updated photos!

Then, we headed over to St. Michael’s parish on National Road in Wheeling where the ladies were AHEAD OF SCHEDULE (you read it correctly) and finishing getting ready! We said our “hellos” and got right down to these classy, beautiful details! What I REALLY loved most about this wedding was how classic and traditional it felt with all the white details, Catholic Church ceremony (full ceremony and mass) and just beautiful, down to earth humans.

Joey and the other men had arrived too (AGAIN…ahead of the timeline…let me see those praise hands) so we grabbed up his brother Michael and got some getting ready moments. Fun fact: These were taken in a tiny, church stairwell! I plan on doing a whole series on the photo locations for this wedding…location does NOT matter…promise! What do I always say? “You’re just going to have to trust me…” and this couple has never not trusted me and I appreciate them for it SO much!

AND THESE…were taken in a children’s Catholic Church classroom! As I said before, I tell people all the time, “you’re just going to have to trust me!”…it’s all about light and the subject and moment…very much less about the location! And let’s not forget the beautiful people (which will continue to be the main theme for this blog post).

Teresa’s mom helped her finish getting in her dress!

…then some other’s jumped in and help!

Who’s crying?! Everyone should strive for relationships like these ones!

Then, we enjoyed some last minute moments before the ceremony!

Final adjustments from the prettiest and sweetest and most mannerly little ladies!

One o’clock was near and it was time for the ceremony! I think EVERYONE loves a great groom reaction when those doors open!

Here comes the bride! This was such a beautiful ceremony and I truly enjoyed it so much! The Priest had us smiling and laughing and gave things a traditional BUT modern twist…yes, it’s possible!

Mr. & Mrs. Lokant, everyone! You know what I also loved? The Priest announced the first kiss! That never used to be a thing and my arms appreciate it (and so do my nerves).

As we always do, we flew into family formals as we were racing confession and Saturday mass that was coming up. Shoutout to my second, Lacey, who carried the load and took photos of the receiving line (not pictured) and caught this moment below as Teresa made her way back into the church where I had set up for family formals.

As we always do, we had a list and we had a plan! I highlighted just a few of the family formals we captured. Please Note: This is not a complete collage. MANY other photo groupings were taken and delivered to the couple. Reach out to them (or me with their permission) if you’d like copies of your group!

We got one full traditional bridal party shot too! I told this group they need to teach future bridal parties how easy and fast photos can be! For real! They were on it!

Then, it was the couple’s request to head to Oglebay for formal photos! Let’s go!

Up first…the ladies of the bridal party!

Teresa made the most beautiful, traditionally classic bride!

Because we had SO much time in this timeline…we got to play around and take all kinds of fun photos!

Then, we added the men!

Then, we subtracted the ladies…efficiency is KEY!

Joey sealing the deal on this classy wedding but in a navy, blue tux!

…and again…because we had time…we got to do fun photos with the men too! It’s very very rare we have this much time for photos and we were loving it!

…and now…for those classy, couple portraits!

If you want traditional wedding photos, you HAVE to go to the mansion at Oglebay! Teresa’s parents also had some wedding photos here years ago!

Then, we made our way over to the fountain and I saw this little spot and an opportunity! In all these years of photographing weddings at Oglebay, I’ve never photographed at this angle with the concrete wall and I do believe these may be some of my favorites now from this wedding! As always, shoutout to Lacey for those second angles including behind the grass!

It was getting warm out all dressed up, so we paused and put the couple on the bus and went down to one more location we’d pass on our way to the White Palace!

Almost ready to head to the reception!

I LOVE this little spot…always have! AND that’s a wrap on formal photos. Let’s go to the reception!

We arrived. We got settled and then DJ Brian Oliver welcomed the couple to their reception!

While I am not a huge fan personally of speeches at weddings (some people make it weird and if you know me well…you know I don’t do uncomfy feelings well…HA!), this was NOT the case with this group. Once again, they filled my heart right up! They were kind, good hearted, sometimes funny…sometimes deep…sometimes there were tears…and it was exactly what a wedding speech(es) should be! Michael’s brother even read a letter from their late father. Jeff, I hope I did well in these photos (he knows what we’re talking about here).

I believe it was Lacey who caught this sweet moment when the couple cut their cake…surrounded by the sweet flower girls.

Brian welcomed the couple and Joey’s mom and Teresa’s dad for their special dances.

…and as if this wedding was not great enough at this point already…they packed the dance floor! It didn’t matter what Brian played, they danced! It was a “wrap my arm through my camera strap because there’s no room on this dance floor” kind of wedding (so the camera doesn’t get knocked out of my hand). It didn’t matter who you were at this wedding but you were dancing and having a grand time!

…and it kept going and going. There was so much to photograph!

It’s rare…I maybe get ONE a year…where it just feels like such a perfect day. There was NO stress at this wedding…even during family formals. Heck, I was so relaxed during family formals I ended up getting out of there JUST on time. Teresa and Joey’s family and friends are the types of people who just wrap you right up in their kindness and love and make you feel a part of the whole day…and they make you feel like part of the family. Many made time to chat with us and ask about us and tell us their own stories and you can always tell at a wedding how loved the couple is…and the love for Teresa and Joey is up there on the charts. I’m getting all mushy…but it’s all worth mentioning. It’s no surprise to me why Teresa and Joey are who they are…and it’s been such a gift to be their wedding photographer. I wish and hope all the rest of 2025 has the same vibe we got at this wedding…the world would be a better place, I’m telling’ ya!

Ok…that’s enough of all my feelings…CONGRATS TO THE NEW MR. & MRS. LOKANT!

WHAT.A.DAY.

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Vendors

Reception Venue/Catering – Wheeling White Palace

Church – St. Michael’s Parish in Wheeling, WV

Bride’s Gown – Henri’s Cloud Nine in Columbus, Ohio

Bridesmaids’ Dresses – Azazie

Men’s Attire – Men’s Wearhouse

Hair – Studio 27

Florist – Event Aesthetics

Video/Film – Jay Morris Video Productions

Cake – Sweet Notes

DJ – Brian Oliver

Transportation – Red Carpet Limo

Stationary – Minted

Favors – Etsy