Silver Lake Sand Dunes Engagement Session

When Meg & Rainer were trying to decide on the best location for their adventure engagement session they tossed around multiple ideas, including the Redwoods in California and the Arizona desert, but Meg told us that her heart kept coming back to the sand dunes in Michigan. It’s a special place for them; they didn’t feel like any other place would feel as much like who they are.

They’re getting married at a castle in Charlevoix, Michigan later this year, and so it was quite fitting that we kept to the theme of their day by remaining in the Great Lakes state for their engagement pictures.

engagement sessions, destination sessionseastlyn brightFebruary 4, 2021Michigan, Lake, Outdoor, Summer, CoastComment

Golden Hour Anniversary Photos in Dayton Ohio

We love engagement sessions—couples are so eager and excited about starting their lives together, and it’s always a special time to share in with our couples. But there is just something so powerful about working with couples whose relationship has already stood the test of time. Michelle and Marco have been together for twelve years, and at the time of the session, married for four. Relationships take hard work, and they were so candid about their own struggles to make it to where they are today. Because of their willing openness, we were able to create authentic environments that in turned helped us create images personal to them.

engagement sessionseastlyn brightDecember 16, 2020Englewood Metro ParkGolden Hour, Atmosphere Aerosol, Sunset, Summer, Dayton, Ohio, OutdoorComment

Backyard Fall Wedding in Cincinnati

Melanie always dreamed of getting married at her childhood home, but with the amount of people they knew that they wanted to include in the celebration, she never thought it would be possible. However, because of the pandemic and the need to cut the guest list short for everyone’s safety, her childhood dream actually became a reality.

Melanie & Josh held their lovely intimate ceremony next to her parent’s home on top of a hill that overlooks a stunning view of the lake. It was a pleasantly clear and warmer day for mid-October, so the sunset gave off a beautiful glow through the peak fall foliage that lined the driveway.

weddingseastlyn brightDecember 1, 2020Lytle Park HotelIntimate Wedding, Backyard, Fall, Autumn, Cincinnati, Ohio, Outdoor, Golden Hour, Traditional Wedding, WeddingComment

Acadia National Park Elopement

In the midday sun, with only their immediately family present, they exchanged vows and rings atop Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. This Mt. Desert Island backdrop was an expansive view of the sea, other nearby islands and sailboats.

Afterward, for portraits we spent some time exploring the different overlooks and view points; and then made our way down to the coast to explore the otter cliffs. Lauren & Michael wore their hiking boots, and we scrambled across the rocks as the waves thundered loudly with each crash against the cliffside.

destination weddings, elopements, weddingseastlyn brightOctober 5, 2020Maine, National Park, New England, Outdoor, Coast, Mountain, Beach, Intimate Wedding, Summer, ElopementComment

Engagement Photos at John Bryan State Park

The light, accented by wild roses white, draped golden through summertime foliage, and the seamless air welcomed us to run and dance and laugh, spinning joyfully like the leaves of John Bryan’s trees.

Yellow Springs, Ohio is surrounded by beautiful nature parks, seas of wheat, and whimsical charms. It created the perfect environment to celebrate Seth & Hailey’s engagement with these photos.

engagements, engagement sessionseastlyn brightJuly 6, 2020Dayton, Ohio, Golden Hour, Sunset, Outdoor, SummerComment

10 Reasons to Plan an Elopement in Response to Covid-19

With so much remaining uncertainty, couples are not even given hope that their wedding can still happen next year. Like everything else pertaining to this virus, the surge of 2020 couples needing to re-book could not have been foreseen, and therefore, many venues and vendors are already completely booked with 2021 couples.

It’s a devastating mess.

Some couples will still want their dream, big weddings and are willing to wait to have them—that’s completely okay and we applaud your patience.

However, we also know there are many of you that may not want to wait another year or even longer to start your lives together. That’s okay too. We’re here to help. So, in this post, we’re giving you 10 reasons why we believe planning an elopement or intimate ceremony may be a beautiful option for you.

elopements, destination weddings, weddings, wedding inspirationeastlyn brightMay 7, 2020Wedding PlanningComment

13 Reception Table Ideas for Your Wedding

Looking for inspiration for your own unique celebration? We have you covered here—get ready for the dinner (or brunch) parties of your dreams.

We’ve gathered, from the weddings we’ve personally photographed, 14 reception table designs into one post! This lovely table settings collection ranges from simple elegance to wild greenhouse favorites to incredible one-of-a-kind vintage finds. Enjoy!

wedding inspiration, weddingseastlyn brightApril 16, 2020Wedding Planning, OutdoorComment

Beautiful at Home Wedding in Rural Indiana

The song of katydid greeted the morning, and fireflies lit up the humid June night like twinkling stars. From dawn to dusk nature surrounded the day. Open fields dotted in golden wisps, and winsome shade foliage, like giant hosta and fern, joined the narrative. At sunset, puffy clouds turned into a sky garden resembling pink peonies in fullest bloom.

Even the house, where everyone got ready, fit perfectly into the enchanting storybook like scene. It used to be a barn, but an artist remodeled it into a home plumb full of whimsy, adding creative elements, but leaving the rustic charm.

weddingseastlyn brightApril 1, 2020Outdoor, Indiana, Backyard, Tented, Sunset, Golden Hour, Summer, Farm, Farmhouse, Traditional Wedding, WeddingComment

THE JOURNAL

Real wedding and elopement stories, heartfelt moments, and location guides from Ohio, Jackson Hole, and beyond.