Cincinnati Picnic Wedding :: Sarah & David

"I just don't love formality for formality's sake," Sarah told me, as we talked over her wedding plans. She's not the bride who's dreamed about a poofy white dress since she was six, or who agonized over the perfect wedding color scheme.

But she and Dave did have one of the most amazing weddings I've ever been to. It was simple yet so rightly focused on the promises they were making to each other. The outpouring of love and involvement from their friends and family made this the kind magical summer evening that I hoped would go on and on and on. I honestly didn't want it to be over!

Of course, it's also one of my favorite weddings ever because I've know these two since childhood. And all 300 or so of their wedding guests. That made it so much fun - but also a challenge to keep focused on my job, and not stop and hug every person I saw. ;-)

While it was a simple affair, it was also full of fun details that added to the whimsy of the day: bridesmaids wearing their favorite dresses, groomsmen and dads sporting funky tuxedo tees, table linens collected from many of the women in their church, and a one-of-a-kind Shrek cake topper (with tattoos that matched the bride's!)...  I think this is a lot like what weddings looked like 100 years ago, where everyone wore their best dress, brought their best dish to pass, and danced until the sun went down. It was simply lovely.

These last photos of Sarah and Dave are some of my favorites from the day. Sarah lost her mom just a few months ago, and I wanted to somehow include her in the details of the celebration. Sarah's mom made this quilt, and I though it made such a sweet addition to these picnic wedding photographs. If there are windows in heaven, I know Sarah's mom had her nose pressed to the glass for the afternoon.

To see more of Sarah and Dave's special day, click here to watch a slideshow.

Or visit their gallery.

Thanks, Sarah and Dave, for letting me be a part of your special day. Having known you both for so long, I really can't tell you what an honor this was to photograph your wedding and witness your wedding vows. I'm so happy you found each other! Here's to the journey ahead!!