We’d like to start a conversation this afternoon about a subject that is near and dear to our hearts. The question of whether to have a “first look” before the ceremony or not. For our long-time readers, you’ll know that we LOVE first looks. The opportunity to have a private moment before the ceremony, the chance to leisurely capture the emotion of seeing each other for the first time in all your wedding finery. To be able to kiss and hug and snuggle a bit before all the tradition begins. Well, we’ll leave it a that! But we DO totally get the impact of seeing each other as the bride walks toward her groom. We DO get it that THIS is sometimes THE BEST moment of the whole day! So what do you think? What are YOUR plans?
Ashley and Andrew were married at the Bryn Du Mansion in Granville Ohio. They chose to have a first look session …
from Bliss Weddings and Events … Ashley and Andrew attended a near by college – Dennison University, and knew that the mansion was the perfect location for their wedding. Thier emotional first look was on Dennision’s campus, just down the road from the Bryn Du Manstion. Ashley pretty much gave us carte blache with the design. After discussing the feel of her summer garden wedding, we felt that mixing clean whites, beautiful plum purple with touches of grassy green created the perfect palette for this summer wedding.
photography courtesy of C Studios
The ceremony was held on the mansion’s front drive overlooking the expansive front lawn. Parasols were provided to help shade the guests as well as a fruit infused ice water station was also available to guests as they waited for the ceremony to begin. During the ceremony Ashely and Andrew performed a sand ceremony. As a personal touch, the sand was from Ashley’s parent’s beach house. Her mom scooped the sand and drove it all the way to Ohio a few days prior to the wedding.
Ashley and Andrew greeted guests as they entered the cocktail area on the West Terrace. Servers were also on hand to pass sparkling prosecco with fresh raspberries to help them cool off in the summer heat. Guests then made their way down to the West Lawn where Ashley and Andrew’s reception tent was waiting. Guest’s dined on Boursin Crusted Filets and Maryland Crab Cakes – homage to Ashley’s hometown Bethesda Maryland. After dinner guests were treated to wedding cake by Jan Kish’s La Petite Fleur and scoops of Ashley and Andrew’s favorite ice cream from Whit’s Frozen Custard in Granville. As guests departed for the evening, each received a small bag of Parisian macaroons from Pistacia Vera, a Columbus Ohio favorite!
Guests traveled from all over the country to join in the festivities for the wedding. Guests stayed at the historic Granville Inn (shown in Ashley’s getting ready photos), haunted Buxton Inn and family friendly Cherry Valley Lodge. Guests were greeted in their hotel rooms with custom designed hotel welcome boxes that were filled with goodies, including some of Ashley and Andrew’s favorite cookies. The next morning Ashley and Andrew joined their guests for a send off brunch at the Granville Inn. {Side note: You can’t tell by looking at the pictures but it was 95 degrees that day with 100% humidity. It was SO beyond hot! Everyone was able to forget about the heat and really just enjoyed the day with Ashley and Andrew and their families.}
Congratulations ~ Ashley and Andrew! And a big thank-you to Bliss Wedding and Event Design for sharing!!
So ~ to do or not to do ~ a First Look Session?
We’d love to hear from you guys ~ those who’ve been there and those who are planning to be!
(Photographers and Planners feel free to chime in!)
Photography: C Studios / Flowers: Flowers On Orchard Lane / Event Planning and Design: Bliss Wedding & Event Design / Venue: Bryn Du Mansion / Invitations: Seedlings / Cocktail Musicians: Class Acts Entertainment / Reception Entertainment: Jaded Angel / Catering: Made From Scratch / Rentals: Lasting Impressions / Linens: La Tavola Linens / Accommodations: Granville Inn / Cake: Jan Kish, La Petite Fleur Favors: Pistacia Vera / Wedding Gown: Lea-Ann Belter via La Jeune Mariee