A week before practically a heat wave in November, a week after the same. On the day of the wedding, it was freezing. As I have stated in some of my previous blogs when the weather outside is uncomfortable being hot or cold I do my best to keep my couples cool or warm.

So we did our best to work around it.

First off Cedar creek is a huge venue, and there are so many awesome places to both shoot and stage different parts of your wedding day. Like Melissa, during here getting ready which is where this day starts.

The girls got ready in the manor house and I have to say this place looked amazing! This old manor was built in 1860 and it has all the amazing characteristics. We all had a great time getting ready and Melissa looked amazing!

My wife and I (my wife seconds with me when a second is needed/wanted) went down to scope out the reception area, because it was all set up. It was stunning this was the first time I have been to this venue and I have to say. WOW. I mean I guess it wasn’t my first time. We did have the engagement shoot at Cedar creek but I didn’t get to go into any of the houses or reception areas.

Once I stepped into the reception hall it was amazing! So open, tons of natural light, and an amazing fireplace. Not to mention enough space to seat everyone and their grandmother. haha No, but in all seriousness, it is an amazing spot, and I would love to have the opportunity to shoot at Cedar Creek again.

We left the reception location and walked back up to the Manor house. I left Megan (my wife) with the girls to finish up with them and capture Melissa getting into her dress while I went and got images of Sean getting ready.

Sean was getting ready in the Cedar Lodge. this place is huge and they have a lot of indoor rooms for other guests. Sean was getting ready in the game room which was a good size and also had a TV playing the game. The next room had a pool table. I mean this place was set up with guys in mind, it was an awesome spot.

I left Sean to go help Melissa get ready for their first look. She wanted to do it just outside these barn doors that split open from the center. Which was a perfect idea and I think we got some amazing images!

Next up was ceremony, but before we went out I saw an opportunity to capture the bride and her maids, I think it turned out pretty well considering we were in a room full of people and it was extremely loud.

Everyone was getting prepared to head out to the ceremony are, remember I told you it was cold. Even though it was cold it was an amazing ceremony with a shot of alcohol at the arbor, which I can say I have never seen before. I love when my couples go off the rails and add something personal to their wedding that even I haven’t seen before.

As with every wedding that is in November sun was setting and was almost gone I grabbed Sean and Melissa we went a very short distance and I got them some sunset images under a tree that still had its red autumn leaves. Cedar creek is a huge place but it was so cold we could go down to the lake or the bridge so I created something amazing for them just a few short steps from their ceremony location.

We moved to the wagon house to get a bridal party and individuals, it was cramped but we made due and they made some awesome memories. As with every couple I put them on the spot and tell them to do something fun. That gets them thinking and they end up doing something silly which is fun for everyone.

The next thing on the list was a huge challenge, I never back down from a challenge I believe we learn from them. Melissa had asked if I could capture her entire family, the first challenge was finding a warm place for 60+ people. That’s right 60. Have you ever had to line 60 people up for a photo? It was tough but I think we got it. Inside the reception hall at Cedar Creek was the perfect place to do it.

After that came food, the dances, and the speeches all were very awesome, but what I was most excited about was at the end of the night Sean and Melissa wanted to do an end of the night dance with just them.

Oh man, I was so excited I love doing these. Before they started their dance Melissa told me she had been told that the light dim but they do, no problem I said I will give you the look you are wanting without needing to mess with the lights…trust me. They started their dance and it was awesome, once it was over I showed her the back of my camera, she welled up. She said that is exactly how she had picture it and it was perfect. Such an amazing end to an amazing night.