Casey & Matt's Winter Engagement Session at Edgewater and Downtown Cleveland, Ohio
Planning a winter engagement session in northeast Ohio can be tricky. I guess that goes for any session during any season, really. Unfortunately for me, there was a crazy rain/sleet/snow storm on the day Casey, Matt and I were going to shoot their e-sesh. While I was totally bummed, I'm so happy we waited for a better day because the sun and the sky sure didn't disappoint! We started our day at the Clevelander Bar in downtown Cleveland. I'm all for starting off every e-sesh at a bar, especially if it holds personal significance to the couple like this bar does for Casey and Matt. It's "their" bar - the place they found themselves at for plenty of dates. We even got some pictures in the part of the bar where they sat on the first date they had there, which made it just that much more sweet!
Of course, shooting downtown Cleveland isn't complete without a trip to East 4th Street. We hopped inside of the Cleveland Arcade to get warm and then made our way to Edgewater. Casey spent a lot of time growing up at Lake Erie, so it was great that we got to shoot by the water because it holds such a special place in her heart.
During the entire shoot, we spent a lot of time chit-chatting. That's one of the things I love most about working with couples - I get a sense of who they are individually and as a couple. Casey and Matt remind me a lot of Lou (my husband) and I. I tend to get lost in running away with ideas while Lou is much more grounded and reels me back in when I need it. We balance each other out, and I can tell Matt and Casey balance each other out, too. More than anything, they are just a super fun couple who are most definitely madly in love. Casey told me that they met at Matt's birthday party when she basically invited herself along and ended up DJ-ing the party to get everyone to dance (totally something I would do hah!). It clearly worked out perfectly for the both of them because Matt was completely smitten with her personality, confidence and how she just commanded the room. They ended up going for drinks the next week and well, the rest is kind of history!
I love their proposal story, and not just because Matt proposed at Debonne, a local winery (ya'll know I love wineries!). That's not the best part. After she said yes, they went down the street to another winery, where Casey was yet again surprised - this time because both of their families were there to celebrate with them! Matt, you romantic you!
Their next big celebration will be in October on their wedding day! Their ceremony will be at St. Robert's Church in Cortland, Ohio, which is actually the church I grew up in. The reception will be at Avion on the Water in Youngstown. They're planning rustic/vintage elegance when it comes to their decor and wedding day vibe, with navy, blush and gold accents. I'm a sucker for Fall and I love that they'll be incorporating lantern centerpieces and pumpkins along with lots of greenery and gold candles. The picture is totally painted in my mind and I can just feel the fall atmosphere in the most beautiful way. I also hear it's going to be quite the party, complete with a lot of dancing. I seriously can't wait!
Make up - Hayley Sprague
Photography assistant - Janel Liles