Rachel and Brett’s Greystone Hall Wedding

Anytime I have the opportunity to photograph an engagement shoot, I’m that much more excited about shooting the wedding. It’s like getting a head start on the big day. Rachel and Brett had such a great engagement session that I was definitely pumped for their wedding.

Rachel and Brett held their ceremony and reception at the beautiful Greystone Hall in Akron, OH. I started out with the bridesmaids as they got ready at the Blu-Tique Hotel in downtown Akron.

Once we arrived at Greystone, my second shooter and I began scouting good spots for the first look. We decided the stairwell was ideal because we could capture multiple angles, and a large window flooded the space with natural light. Greystone has tons of amazing photo locations, so after the first look, we took advantage of as many as we could.

The ceremony was held in the Doric Room on the 4th floor, where the classic architecture created a stunning backdrop as Rachel and Brett said their vows. They concluded the ceremony with a literal tying of the knot before their big kiss.

Cocktail hour took place in the Barrister’s Lounge, yet another gorgeous space filled with beautifully detailed woodworking and a classic bar featuring woodwork that looked like it belonged to a different century. Woodworking is a hobby of mine, so I’m always noticing and appreciating amazing craftsmanship.

The reception was held in the Grand Ballroom, an incredible room with architecture from another era. The ballroom features more than 3,500 square feet of dance floor, an imperial staircase at one end, a large stage at the other, and massive arched pane-glass windows lining both sides. No matter which direction I shot, I had an amazing backdrop.

Rachel and Brett’s reception made full use of the space. Their choreographed first dance was elegant and classy. But this crowd was ready to party. Once the dance floor opened, it was packed.

Before I left for the night, I invited Rachel and Brett to take a few more photos with just the two of them. We returned to the top of the staircase, which feels almost like a balcony overlooking the ballroom, for a dip shot they had practiced for their dance. Then we went outside to get a few images with a totally different vibe. I spotted a tall window with a stairwell behind it and immediately knew I wanted a silhouette shot. Finally, we took a photo in the middle of the street. Brett lifted her up right at the peak of blue hour. I lit them subtly from the front and used a stronger backlight to separate them from the background. The backlight blends seamlessly with the streetlights, creating highlights and reflections on the cars lining the street.

I had an awesome time with Rachel and Brett, and I loved working with the incredible wedding professionals who helped make their day so special.

First of all, the staff at Greystone is second to none. They went above and beyond to ensure Rachel and Brett had the best experience. Sarah Delaine Brides made Rachel and the bridesmaids look amazing with her hair and makeup skills. The West Side Bakery made a beautiful cake that perfectly fit the vibe of the wedding, and Hi-Fi Entertainment handled all the audio logistics (and there were a lot for this wedding) while doing an incredible job as MC and DJ. The proof was on the dance floor.

Here are some of the photos from this awesome wedding.