Dayton Weddings | Echo by Design | Wedding + Portrait Photography

..Downtown Dayton Engagement | Isaiah + Beka..

It was the perfect night for some downtown Dayton engagement photos! We had planned on a session earlier in the week, but after Ohio’s little revert back to winter, we decided to see how the weather played out. We are so thrilled we did!

The weather was perfect, the light was perfect, and Isaiah + Beka were perfect. On the streets near the Schuster Center, we met for the first time! It was so good to finally meet them in person instead of seeing them from behind our computer screens! But just like with any of my clients, I felt like I already knew them!

You see, they have this sweet kind of love. A love that is easily attractable. They wear their hearts on their sleeves, and you can tell they were meant to be together. Like two magnets that instantly connect to one another.

Isaiah always knew it. From the minute he met Beka, he wanted to go out with her. He wanted to take her on a date and whisk her off her feet. They were at a church summer camp, and the feeling just wasn’t mutual. Despite being crushed, they became friends. After a few years of friendship, Beka found herself having the same feelings Isaiah always did.

Because Isaiah always knew.

When the time was right, he began to plan his proposal. He knew Beka always wanted to head out to Oregon. So he secretly called her boss and arranged for her to have some time off. He then surprised her at the airport, with packed bags and all and swept her off to her bucket list destination!! He recorded their whole journey, from the moment of the surprise trip to hiking Oneonta Gorge, Wachella Falls, and the proposal on Hug Point Beach. There, at sunset, Isaiah asked Bek to be his forever.

And without hesitation, Bek said yes… because she knew too.

Met the man of her dreams…check. Bucket list vacation…check. Ring on finger…check. Sounds like it was the perfect proposal, and I wish I would have known you then to capture it! Isaiah + Beka, your forever is approaching, and I am thrilled, blessed, and beyond honored to capture your story. It is going to be one gorgeous day!!

..ALWAYS KNEW..

love, echo

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echoes of love

..Tyler + Natalie | Yellow Springs Engagement Session..

Natalie was attending school in Columbus when she realized that a high school friend was going to be the man that she would marry. They were in the same circle of friends in high school and saw each other often. Natalie admits, I always had a small crush on him, but another guy friend in our circle liked me too. This kept Tyler from talking to me from our Junior year of high school to almost my Sophomore year of college. Because of the way he ignored me, I thought he didn’t even want to be my friend.

Eventually after high school ended, Tyler + Natalie went their separate ways. She went off to Capital University and Tyler to Heidelberg University. He played baseball and she ran track at their now, rival colleges. We reconnected and made chitchat because of this, and we soon became friends again. {How perfect, right?!?} We eventually became the support system for each other through bad breakups– and the more time we spent together as friends, I saw how different he was from the guys at my school. He was extremely respectful and outgoing. He had a strong faith in Christ just like I did, and he made me laugh and feel like I could be myself around him.

Natalie recalls that moment when she knew Tyler was the one. I was dating someone right before him whom I thought I would marry, who also lived right down the road from my championship indoor meet. My boyfriend at the time didn’t bother to come. {You guessed it!} Tyler on the other hand drove 2.5 hours to watch one race!

Since then, we have been through a lot. We both celebrated graduations, new job opportunities, and we did mission work in Peru together. I feel that if we had dated in high school, we wouldn’t have been right for each other then. In college we both truly accepted Christ and I feel that in His perfect timing He prepared our hearts for the relationship we have now.

Tyler realized that he let her go once, and sure as heck wasn’t going to let it happen again! So while he was on duty for the 4^th of July parade in Beavercreek, Natalie had the opportunity to be with him. When the parade was over, he pulled off at the end of the route into the Beavercreek High School parking lot. {Which was where they met!} All of their friends, family, and co-workers were there when we got out of the car. It was there that he asked me to marry him!! The perfect evening was then capped off by walking with everyone down to Rotary Park to watch the fireworks!

I don’t know about you, but I’m swooning over here!! Tyler knocked it out of the park whether he intended to or not! What was a really great friendship rekindled turned into something beautiful, and one wedding I can’t wait to witness!!

Tyler + Natalie, thank you for asking me to capture your day! It’s going to be beautiful in it’s own way because of your story. It’s going to be perfect, and this is only going to be the beginning!! I pray blessings upon blessings over you as you continue to prepare for your marriage. September will be here before you know it!

..RIVAL COLLEGES..

love, echo

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echoes of love

..Joe + Shannon | Dayton Engagement Session..

The beautiful fall breeze rustled through the trees on such a gorgeous day. A perfect evening for us to spend time in the Dayton Metropark atmosphere, and perusing the rustic brick streets that the downtown scene of 2nd Street Market had to offer. All of which, this now Dayton located couple had hoped for!!

Originally one from Florida and one from Michigan, Joe + Shannon managed to both find themselves in Dayton. While both of them took completely different paths of getting to their landing place here in the Miami Valley, they are thankful they did!

In June of 2013, Joe + Shannon braved the odds and chose to meet for lunch at a local steakhouse. They had met online and had been talking for a while before they decided to meet in person. Shannon said, When we met, we had such a great time that after lunch, we went for coffee. On my way home, Joey called and asked what my plans were for the night.

So when the first lunch date turns into an all day date, Joe + Shannon were hooked. They love grabbing coffee {reminiscent of their first date}, being outdoors with a glass of wine, and cuddling over scary movies. I’m sure to get in that extra cuddling!! …Wink! Wink!

Just shy of 2 years after their first date, Joe planned an outing to Young’s Jersey Dairy Farm. While Shannon was getting ready, Joe was packing “snacks” in the cooler, but really it was his hiding spot for the ring! Once they arrived and Joe found the perfect opportunity, he handed Shannon a box. Slightly puzzled, Shannon opened the box to find a letter he had written. The letter asked the ever perfect question, Will you marry me? When Shannon turned around, Joe was there on one knee with the ring!

Joe + Shannon, I am honored to have captured your lovely imagery here in Dayton!! But I CANNOT wait to be a part of your Michigan destination wedding next year! Twenty sixteen is almost here, and thus the countdown to your wedding day! It will be here before you know it! Thank you for letting me hang out with you on such a beautiful fall day, and more importantly, asking me to be your photographer!

..WE WENT FOR COFFEE..

love, echo

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echoes of love

..Jay + Emily | Dayton Engagement Photographer..

It was no surprise to me that they met through a volleyball league, as their stature was just a little bit higher than mine. We joked about me needing a step stool and how Jay has to duck to get into some spaces. We had just ordered some tasty Grater’s Ice Cream and settled into our seats. While we flipped through albums, they shared their vision of what they were looking for on their day. Romantic. Simple. Perfect. That’s it.

I couldn’t wait to hear how they met, because in my head I guessed something athletic! Jay + Emily met through a mutual friend, but didn’t really take the time to connect with one another. They each were a part of their own separate outdoor sand volleyball teams, and began to see one another on a weekly basis. They eventually formed a friendship and decided that they were going to go out on their first date in July of 2013.

Their connection grew strong over volleyball, hiking, camping, and hanging out around the grill for cookouts with friends! Life was good. Then after purchasing a ring for the girl of his dreams, Jay couldn’t wait any longer. On May 9^th, 2015, Emily had just finished getting ready. They had plans to go out to dinner. When she walked out to leave, she found Jay holding a huge bouquet of tulips. I turned to put them down and when I turned back around, he had a single tulip and was getting down on one knee. Sheer joy took over. Of course Emily said yes, and dinner was a little bit more celebratory that night!

Here they are now planning their beautiful outdoor May wedding. And just like their engagement, their wedding will be romantic, simple, and perfect. Our time together was much of the same. The fall sunshine did not disappoint on a perfect September night as we roamed the beautiful Eastwood Metropark.

Jay + Emily! I am absolutely thrilled to photograph your wedding and I can’t wait to celebrate your day with you!! I know it’s going to be perfect, because I can see how perfect you are with each other. I see how you guys laugh together, how you make each other smile, and how your relaxed presence calms one another! What a blessing that is to have, and I hope you hold on to that for a lifetime.

..ROMANTIC. SIMPLE. PERFECT..

love, echo

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echoes of love

..Aaron + Rachel | Dayton Wedding Photographer..

The wind whispered soft swooshes through the willow tree, while the leaves danced in the wind. The long hanging branches swayed back and forth and the moments that were captured near and underneath were so sweet. It was almost if God was singing them a sweet melody.

The morning hours brought preparation and anticipation, but nothing compared to the moments that were to come.

Rachel came down the hillside from the house, walking under that harmonious melody of the willow tree. On the other side of the bridge, Aaron waited for her. Slow torture. A beautiful torture that kept him from spinning around in one foul swoop. The creaking bridge gave indication that she was close.

And then he felt the soft touch of her hand. He took a deep breath in, preparing himself to turn around, and with the slowest turn…he saw his bride. His face went from a grin to a slow beaming smile. It was so tender. So bittersweet. So innocent, in every way.

Aaron took his bride in his arms, pulled her close and just held her. Rachel fought back tears of happiness, and pure delight dwelled inside them. Backing away, I could still feel the tenderness from a far. A soft touch here, a slow turn there, and laughter that even made the angels swoon.

They were magnetic.

In the background the storm was brewing and they almost didn’t even notice. The winds swirled through the trees and we decided it was time to head inside. Eyes were on the radar as Aaron + Rachel had an important decision to make. After agonizing over moving their outdoor wedding indoors, they chose to wait to see if it would pass over.

The shelf cloud moved in, and behind it there was quite the storm. Everyone in the tents were moved inside while the sky lit up with flashes of lightning and roars of thunder. The sky spared no expense, dumping buckets of rain on the ceremony chairs. They waited, and waited, and waited with hope diminishing while the light disappeared.

Once they realized that the rain was there to stay, Aaron + Rachel chose to fly on a whim and get married under the only spot available. With everyone crowded in and packed nice and tight out of the rain, Rachel finally made her way down the aisle. The roars of cheers and applause filled the space, and Rachel’s bouquet went into the air with sheer happiness. After waiting for so long, it was happening. In no way, shape or form in any way that they had planned, but it was happening. There would be no singing and no feet washing-but the vows and rings were exchanged, and that’s all that mattered. Their plans went with the wind; and if you ask them, I’m sure that they’d say that it was perfect anyways. Even as the rain continued, the sunset began to show itself on the other side of the storm. Sending a beautiful wave of color across the sky as they sped off.

The rain did let off, eventually opening up the dance floor under the night sky.

Aaron + Rachel, I was so honored to spend the day with you. I believe it surely won’t be forgotten. There are stories in your day that you will share with your kids and grandkids for a lifetime. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of it. I was lucky enough to experience the love of your families, so I pray that you follow their love and guidance as you travel this road called marriage. Blessings over this first year and all the years to come, because the journey only becomes more sweet along the way!

..PERFECT ANYWAYS..

love, echo

::Vendor Love::

..Venue.. | Beechwood Golf Course

..Event Coordinator.. | Emily Hans

..Brides Dress.. | Lillian’s

..Mens Tuxes.. | President Tuxedo

..Officiant.. | Jim Chronister/Greg Hyre

..Florist.. | The Rose Post

..Cake Artist.. | Kristi’s Cakes

Echo by Design Wedding Photography is based in Dayton, Ohio. Also serving Cincinnati, Columbus, and Destination Weddings worldwide.

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echoes of love