Kailey + Nick’s Picture Perfect Summer Wedding

I’m going to get real annoying in this blog and use the same words over and over and OVER again. I can’t help it…because Kailey and Nick’s wedding day was picture perfect (here I go) in all the ways. AND I MEAN…all the ways. The weather, the locations, the people, the colors, Lucky (their dog), the church, the drive, no traffic…ALL THE THINGS were perfect. I’m a wedding photographer with hundreds of weddings of experience. Every once in a while…once in a blue moon…a wedding comes along that is just SO stress free, all goes well, and I leave feeling rested and refreshed. That really never happens…well, rarely. SO much has to come together for a truly flawless day AND THIS was one of those weddings. So, now that I’ve rambled for that introduction to this perfect day (here I go again), please give Kailey and Nick all your Hannah Barlow Photography love! Their wedding is live on the blog right now! I should also note I rushed home and started writing this blog right away so I wouldn’t forget a thing…it’s now almost a week later and I’m STILL so over the moon! ENJOY!

Kailey and Nick opted to get ready at Waterfront Hall in Wheeling, WV where their reception would be held. They chose to get married in a church and FUN FACT…every single one of my wedding ceremonies this year, thus far, have been in a church! It does seem church ceremonies are BACK! And I’m here for it! You don’t have to worry about the weather or the sun. You’re safe inside from wind…and there’s nothing better than a good, ole, traditional religious ceremony, in my opinion. There’s something so genuine about them and you can always feel the love. This one was no different.

But anyway, I’m getting off track here. Let’s start at the beginning of the day! SO, Becca and I met up with Chelsea Marne (of Chelsea Marne Photography in South Carolina). I did Chelsea’s brother in law’s wedding in 2020. She recently reached out and wanted to learn more about flash and flash photography at my weddings (especially receptions) so she came up this Father’s Day weekend and got to join us for the day! We made our way up to the second floor where everyone was getting ready….and I mean EVERYONE. It was a busy place!

If you’re new here on the blogs, I do things a little different than most photographers. It’s standard to put up just your prettiest most perfect pictures and just highlight the day, in general. I do put up my prettiest and most perfect pictures…but I also tell the behind the scenes. So, here’s a funny story for you!

Kailey had told me everyone would be together in the morning especially to exchange gifts (what you see above). What I missed, SOMEHOW, which was an important part to this story…is that Nick (the Groom) would be hanging out in the same room as Kailey (THE BRIDE) that morning. I don’t know…maybe they told me…maybe they didn’t. I do think I’d remember that! But the moment I saw Nick, he probably noticed…I hesitated. I HAVE MADE THIS MISTAKE BEFORE. Years ago (like 2017 because it haunts me to this day), I ran into someone who looked exactly like my groom. I thought it was my groom. I mean, I hadn’t seen him in over a year since their engagement session…it’s possible he looked slightly different, yes? Well, turns out that was the brother and they REALLY looked alike. Everyone had a good laugh…I was mortified. Still am to this day!

SO, the moment I saw Nick this day…in the same room as the bride…I had a moment. I even looked at Chelsea and said, “I’m pretty sure that’s Nick! BUT WHAT IF HE HAS A TWIN”…at which point I started checking my pages and notes. Nope…just a sister…and her boyfriend is also Nik. BUT NO TWIN. That’s got to be Nick, the groom…yes! BUT…there are a lot of people in this room….what if I mess this up?! AND IT LOOKS LIKE I DON’T KNOW MY OWN GROOM in front of EVERYONNNEEEE. Did they tell me they were getting ready together? I don’t remember that but maybe she did and I just didn’t remember. Alas, after some waiting on my part, his mom and dad started addressing him and I was SURE it was him and I did kind of tell him I had a Hannah panic moment thinking we’d found a long lost twin. Ok…silly crisis averted. Let’s move on!

So, while I was doing all the internal panicking, I was keeping it professional and getting right down to details! We did bride details! …and I grabbed Nick to go to the room where he WOULD eventually get ready…and we did a few groom details! Here is a preview of those!

Kailey and Nick allowing everyone to hang out and get ready with them will probably go down as some of my very favorite moments at a wedding…of all time. She had told me they’d be giving out gifts. I didn’t know they’d be super personalized, super emotional, super genuine gifts and with many of their family and friends present in this room. It was a whole vibe. I love to give my couple a gallery that reflects them as a couple and as individuals, so I told Chelsea and Becca to snap as many as they could…and they did. And we filled their gallery with SO many amazing moments. This was so NOT forced…it flowed…it felt so real. I felt like I was witnessing what family truly is…by definition. It spoke to my wedding photographer soul, I tell ya. So, if you need to, please scroll back up and just soak all that in.

And after that, I had to go back into planner photographer mode and get everyone back on timeline track. We ran outside to scout a first look location. Luck for us, not ONE event was happening on the waterfront which was amazing! Another perfect moment, we had ALL the options. After getting a game plan under way, we headed back up and it was time to get these beautiful humans ready! I am just in awe how beautiful all of this day turned out to be – people and all!

At many weddings, it came be quite overwhelming for everyone to have many people in one small room. Not this wedding. It was all hands on deck and man…these people really made us feel like family too! So, don’t let those pretty photos above fool you…a lot went into getting Kailey ready and it was all worth photographing!

Kailey! GIRLLLLLL!!! Are you kidding me?!

We did the same for the men and it was the same thing…laughs, love…just a generally amazing laid back good time! Lookin’ good too, Nick!

Then, we took the couple out and they got to have their first look filled with all the smiles and emotions! I even had Becca record it so the couple would have those memories!

The pure joy seeps out of the photos above and below!

Then, we had them exchange rings (something many of my couples who do a first look opt for so they have their rings on in their formal photos).

Then, Lucky (their very loved fur son) came to visit us! Shoutout to the gal (Hi, Cheyenne!!!!!) who babysat him throughout the day. He was exactly where we needed him at all times which allowed me to fill up the couple’s gallery with photos of him! I knew he was VERY important (remember he came to their engagement session HERE)…it was important we get lots and lots of wedding photos too!

Then, it was time for couple portraits. Ok…I have to be fair to all weddings…if there was anything that went “wrong” it was the fact that their photographer (Hi, It’s me…the photographer)…kept making them walk back and forth…..back and forth….back and FORTH…to spots for photos. It was the SUN and clouds, people…I couldn’t help it! HA! But I did feel bad about it and Kailey’s poor feet! I’m sure it felt like I was all over the place…quite literally.

All worth it though (Kailey’s feet may disagree) because we got SO many photos! Bridal party was up first! We grabbed them (they were standing off to the side waiting and ready to go…which also rarely happens)! The clouds stayed in place which allowed us to go right down to the water!

Then, we really got right down to it! I ADORE her dress. It’s strapless…it’s got sparkles…it fit her so well and it was STUNNING!

Nick’s up next keeping it classy! I told him their middle schoolers (they are teachers) are going to find these photos online and use them against him! HA!

…and then my favorite part, couple’s portraits! The sun peaked out JUST enough to give us that glow we love!

…and then we did some more walking!

…and dancing!

Then, Chelsea had the idea to stop here on our way back and I LOVE some fresh ideas!

Then, the littles showed up for their photo moments!

Then, it was time to head off to the church! When we arrived, I saw Cheyenne getting lucky ready for the ceremony. That’s right! He got to go to the ceremony too! Then, we popped in and saw the moms (who are two of the sweetest humans I’ve met lately) and got some candid pre-ceremony moments!

Time for the ceremony! I put both color and black and white versions in the couple’s gallery but I think everyone should see color. Some churches scare photographers and some couple’s hate red carpet. It is what it is and as long you’re getting THE moments…it’s fine! PLUS…there’s always back and white!

I usually always prefer color especially at a ceremony that has lots of emotions!

I caught this sweet, candid moment as they were leaving the church as the new Mr. and Mrs. Bruce!

Then, we went right into family formals. And HERE I GO AGAIN, I couldn’t believe how smooth and flawless these family formals went. Even Becca (who’s been doing this with me for three years now) said, “Wow! These were the easiest family formals ever!” AND it wasn’t a small list. Kailey and Nick opted to include all the aunts and uncles…we had a list! They are blessed to have a lot of grandparents present too! So, huge shoutout to everyone! I don’t want to single anyone out by choosing what to post and not post. Trust me…the family part of the gallery is LARGE. BUT…they did do a funny photo and I wanted to share. Someone late came to me at the reception and showed me that Kailey and her grandpa do this at EVERY special event. So, of course…I’m including it!

A traditional church photo to end this part of the blog!

Then, we headed back to the reception and got all those details photographed while DJ Brian Oliver gave me the run down of the evening! Actually, these were taken at the beginning of the day now that I’m looking at them (remember…I typed this a week ago…HA!). I DID redo these photos again with candles lit, glasses filled and what not…but here’s what I took earlier in the day!

Then, we ran down to where the couple was hanging out and took JUST a few more photos!

After announcements, they went right into speeches the traditional way!

I’m not surprised these two are musically talented and became educators. They’re so full of life and kindness and fun! They made a speech themselves before dinner and then after dinner played the shoe game and cut cake!

They went right into special dances after that! The laughs and joy and happiness never stopped flowing!

Then, DJ Brian Oliver did what he does best and got the party started! This was a great dancing group with lots to photograph before we left!

…and one last shoutout to Chelsea for coming up and spending the day with us! She nailed it with this “end of night” photo before we left and Im SO glad she grabbed it!

Oooo man. Where to end this one?! I will say, I came home and my husband asked me, “How did it go?” as he always does and I said, “Every wedding should be like this wedding…I couldn’t stop hugging people before I left!”. I wish you could have all experienced it because it just brought my wedding photographer heart so much joy. You can just tell when people are very genuine and there’s true love and happiness amongst them all. Every single person (and I’m serious…EVERY SINGLE PERSON) we ran across was kind and made us feel like family. I even told Kailey she should be a wedding planner! The time spent going into this day and all the organization definitely paid off!! I hope everyone gets to experience a day like Kailey and Nick’s but I know this is a rare occurrence because you can’t control the weather and city’s event calendar. From cool breezes to strangers walking through the waterfront to the actual wedding…it was all…perfect. And I’m both SO happy and sad it’s all over now! Bittersweet for sure!

So, please give Mr. & Mrs. Bruce all your Hannah Barlow Photography! Another one in the books!

---

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.

With permission specifically from the couple, galleries can be shared if you wish to view it in its entirely and/or order prints.

info@hannahbarlowphoto.com for more info.

Vendors

_________

Venue – Waterfront Hall in Wheeling, WV

Church – St. Mark’s Lutheran Church (Kruger St.) – Pastor Don Rush

Bride’s Gown – Maggie Sottero, Bridal Beginning

Bridemaid’s Dress – Birdy Grey

Men’s Attire – Tuxedo Junction

Hair – Jackie Hill

Makeup – La Carezza

Florist – The Farmhouse Peddler

Cake/Desserts – Frank’s Pastry Shop

Florsit – The Farmhouse Peddler

DJ – DJ Brian Oliver

Catering – Mountaineer Custom Catering