Emiley & Freddy’s Traditional, Summer Wedding

Every once in a while I get a wedding that’s traditional with all the usual wedding things but also so different..in the most amazing ways! This describes Emiley and Freddy’s wedding a few weekends ago! My gosh. I left wanting to dance the night away (they danced…HARD…all night) but also, I wanted to sit back and just take it all in. I’ve never (and that’s a bold statement from someone who has done hundreds of weddings) seen two families come together so beautifully and genuinely and share every moment with one another in such a great and joyous way. This blog will be very reception heavy because that’s really where it all came together…the families, the love, alllll the joy and fun!!!! But I’m going to tell you ALL about the traditional wedding stuff first. Please give the Rios family all your Hannah Barlow Photography love because my most recent wedding is live on the blog right now!

This couple has been so incredibly laidback during this whole experience. From the moment I met them virtually online all the way from Texas to the end of this wedding day, the most important thing to them was each other, their family and friends, blending their families…and dancing! Emiley didn’t care about hundreds of photos of her shoes, rings, and invites. In fact, I didn’t even have the rings to photograph…the Priest did! And that’s A OK with me! She didn’t want PJ pictures or many getting ready pictures. It was very laid back, relaxed…the most important thing to her that morning was that everyone was fed and hydrated (I do believe she forgot herself)…and that included making sure we were fed too!

But in true Hannah fashion, I had to have SOME details…so we took a few and they’re so classy and so simple but beautiful and VERY “this wedding”!

The morning was a breath of fresh air for us photographers and videographer (HEY, Tyler!)! There was zero stress going into the early Catholic ceremony! Just a few moments with Emiley’s mom and sisters!

THEN, I made my way to the church and there was a little stress. On my way to get set up, I saw all the men’s flowers laying in the box with less than 15 minutes to spare before ceremony start. Cue my pivot into “wedding planner”. Shoutout to the ladies who were guiding guests and handing out programs at the back of the church because I put them to work…nicely…professionally (I hope)! They helped me get the flowers to the women AND find the men. That’s when I found Freddy and his side of the bridal party at the front of the church with the Priest getting ready to start. We pinned flowers real fast and I snapped some photos of the groom!

…and just like that! Here comes the bride!

This was your traditional Catholic ceremony (I actually didn’t realize this was Becca’s FIRST Catholic ceremony and she’s been with me three years)! But it was also, “nontraditional” but it wasn’t nontraditional…and here I go! Let me explain in my Hannah way. It had all the things I expect at a Catholic ceremony except…it was very much “Emiley and Freddy”. The Priest incorporated stories of Emiley’s family and Freddy’s family and both their cultures and history complete with explaining the significance of July 25th in the Freddy’s culture, speaking Spanish to the congregation at different points in the service…you name it..it was covered. Both sides of the family were represented and BECAUSE it was “different” in some ways, I noticed immediately and was paying attention! It most definitely brought a smile to my face many many times…except when I fell into the pew. If anyone heard that, I’m sorry. (No…for real…I lost my balance and plopped RIGHT into a pew…cameras banging and all). Oy.

My photographer heart started singing when I caught this moment (below). The one big thing I noticed about these two in my few interactions is how much they genuinely love and respect one another. I DID get the first kiss…but I like to single out the true moments each blog that represent the couple specifically. Freddy kissing Emiley’s hand was one of them so instead of the first kiss I’m sharing this moment! They are now the Rios family!

After family formals, we went to Hidden Acres Winery where this couple would be celebrating (and Boy OOoOO BOY did they celebrate). Burt first, I had to get all the details photographed in the reception area before they arrived in the party bus!

Once they arrived and we wrangled everyone into one space, we got started on bridal party photos and it was HOT. I do love a summer wedding and I anticipate it every year but then it’s hot…and I’m hoping for winter again! Check back in November and I’ll be wishing for these 90 degree days again! At least I could still feel my finders here!

The ladies were beautiful, sweet and kind. I loved the subtle pink. The breeze really added something because that veil FLEW just beautifully too!

Full bridal party together (minus the ring bearer and flower girl…don’t want to leave them out)!

Then, the men!

We moved over to a shaded area and got some family formals in there here and there in between bride and groom portraits (always some of my favorites)!

Sometimes you can just tell in photos when people really…truly…love one another. I think that comes through in these photos, yes?!

SHOUTOUT TO TYLER (Tyler Newpol Films) for suggesting this little location to wrap up formal photos! I know it’s a fan favorite because I’ve seen this on Hidden Acres site now. I’ve seen this as the couple’s profile photo…heck, I’m adding them to my website! The white background REALLY makes it “wedding”!

After that, we had a few loose ends to tie up (literally…we needed to bustle the train). I needed a few more photos of the cake…and it was time to partyyyyyyyyyyy with DJ Mad Mike (who is unlike ANY other DJ I have EVER worked with…and I’ve now worked with him twice)!

This was probably one of the most jam packed with action wedding receptions I’ve ever photographed. Every time I looked there was a “new character unlocked”. My first guest of the night to get a photo? THIS GUY…he didn’t even hesitate to pose for me and it’s a sentimental photo because Emiley’s family are HUGE into basketball! So, thank you, sir, for starting off their reception gallery RIGHT…I do believe you are the FIRST photo in the reception portion! HA!

Emiley had told me she wanted a big party. The DJ said, “they’re not doing anything traditional after special dances…they want to PARTY for two and a half hours and we’re going to do that”. No money dance…not garter or bouquet toss…nope! And at some weddings, this is risky business and I wonder if the reception will keep on going…this wedding? IT KEPT GOING…AND GOING. As soon as he dropped the first beat for introductions and they came out…I got the BIGGEST smile on my face! When the parents and bridal party are entering like this? No doubt…it’s going to be SOMETHING!

The bridal party was not going to be outdone!

Then, these two rolled in…Let’s do this!

They spent some time getting the crowd pumped up even more! I’m telling you…you wouldn’t have been able to have a conversation with anyone in this moment! The walls were rocking, the volume was UP and everyone (and I mean everyone) was up out of their seats and celebrating!

They went right into their first dance, which of course, was choreographed so well and really displayed all their just married joy! Also, peep their kids in the background there. They opted to have their whole immediate family with them at the head table and allowed the bridal party to sit at tables with their significant others, family and friends!

Then, parent dances occurred. And when I tell you the energy never stopped…I couldn’t stop smiling!

Emiley’s dad welcomed everyone. He introduced many people and welcomed people from near and far. He even encouraged everyone to find someone they don’t know, introduce themselves, and to have a GRAND time. Honestly, I’m a broken record here but it was one of the most heart warming and genuine dad welcome speeches I’ve heard in a long time!

There was no lack of energy, smiles and happy tears from the head table during this speech!

Then, Bri…one of Emiley’s sisters…came out to say the blessing before dinner but just like the rest of this day…she followed it up with ENERGY…cheers and getting everyone pumped up! A blessing and cheering doesn’t usually go together…at this wedding? It was perfection and I can’t even explain it. You had to be there! I’m sure glad I was there!

During dinner, I found this! As a lover of Christmas, I did all my research about July 25th and thought this was such a nice touch!

Wedding party speeches were great! Genuine…there were happy tears…memories…stories! You name it!

Ok! Now to the PARTY! Heyyyyyyyyy!!! You see that past Hannah Barlow Photography couple (below…top left)? That’s Carmie and Primo…they’re the reason I was at this wedding and it was SO good to see them after SEVEN years. Thanks for the referral!

And hollllyyyyyy crap! Once Mike opened the dance floor, Becca called it ‘overwhelming’ in the BEST way! We had to wrap the camera straps around our arms and truly get in there to get these photos! The dance floor was PACKED! It totally confirmed what this couple had told me…this group was going to DANCE AND PARTY! And this was EARLY in the night. Like the first or second song early so alcohol can’t be blamed…maybe a little…but honestly, they all seemed just happy to dance!

This is such a small preview of their gallery. Trust me! Reach out to them to see the whole thing if they are ok with sharing! Remember when I said “new character unlocked”…well, it’s true. Typically and at most weddings, it’s the same group who truly STAYS on the dance floor all night. People will come and go but we usually find ourselves standing around here and there because it’s weird to keep photographing the same people….feels invasive, ya know? Not with this group! I kept circling to “find someone new” to photograph and my goodness…there was ALWAYS someone new. “Ooo you’re NEW…snap. OoooOo I haven’t seen YOU before…snap”. It didn’t matter who it was at this wedding I swear most people ended up on the dance floor at some point! Becca and I kept passing each other in the craziness and just smiling and laughing.

Our time at this reception….FLEW by and even while packing up I still found myself standing up and catching moments!

Some weddings you leave with the biggest smile on your face realizing this world isn’t always such a scary place. Everyone should get an opportunity to spend time with people like this because it truly fulfills your love for humans and this world! Emiley, Freddy and the Rios family…the Masloski family…I hope this day and night was everything you all hoped for and MORE.

It’s my hope and DREAM (seriously…someone get engaged soon and call me) to see these groups again and to spend another wedding day and evening with them! This is a group my second shooters would fight over…because it’s not every wedding you get to be a part of something so wholesome but GRAND. Congrats to the Rios family…congrats to the Malsoskis…congrats to ALL!

---

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

The Church – Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Steubenville, OH

Reception Venue/Catering – Hidden Acres Winery

Bride’s Gown – David’s Bridal

Bridesmaids/Wedding Party Attire – Birdy Grey and Men’s Wearhouse

Hair – Legal Hair & Day Spa

Makeup – Makeup by Izzie

Florist – Thompson’s Florist

Video/Film – Tyler Newpol Films

Cake/Desserts – Downtown Bakery – Steubenville, OH

DJ – DJ Mad Mike

Transportation – Heavenly Rides

Stationary – The Knot