A Tuesday in August set the scene for MaKayla and Tim’s intimate wedding at the Holden Arboretum in beautiful Cleveland, Ohio.

MaKayla + Tim met me at the airport on Monday evening, dressed in tie dye, and drove me back to Tim’s family home. There I met all of their closest friends and family and shared a meal with them. I pulled my camera out for a beautiful speech and gift giving from MaKayla’s dad. After dinner, I snapped some photos of the ceremony rehearsal and joined in for some ice cream for dessert.

Tuesday morning, I woke up in the same AirBNB that MaKayla and her family.

Aunties chased down coffee and breakfast sandwiches, while the bride-to-be and her friends slowly woke up and piled into one bedroom. The girls started the morning off with a Bible study and blessings for MaKayla before heating up the curling irons and putting on makeup. While they were getting ready, Tim headed out to his favorite barber for a fresh cut for his wedding day. I met up with Tim at his home for a few photos before we all left for the Holden Arboretum.

Tim found a quiet spot to work on his vows, while MaKayla snuck inside the Lantern Court Estate located on the property of the Holden Arboretum. She got dressed and shared a few meaningful first looks with her brother, her bridesmaids, and her dad. And then, it was time for the ceremony.

MaKayla and Tim chose both their fathers to officiate their intimate Tuesday wedding. Every piece of their ceremony was planned with thought and intention. A potted plant adorned in tie dye ribbon in memory of MaKayla’s sister, Hannah. A pitcher, towels, and basin for a foot washing ceremony. An arch decorated in florals courtesy of a dear family friend. Under the afternoon sun, on a warm August weekday, these two said “I do.”

MaKayla’s family has lived in Spain for years. So after the ceremony, she got to FaceTime with a few friends from back home.

After the ceremony, we snuck away for a few newlywed portraits around the arboretum. Because it was a weekday wedding, there was a lot of freedom to walk around and enjoy the scenery.

We got a little lost on our drive over to the reception, and once we arrived, we realized that no one was in charge of picking up dinner. That little bump in the road didn’t stop anyone from having a good time. MaKayla’s aunt and uncle rounded up some snacks from their camper for an impromptu appetizer tray to tide us over. After some last minute coordination, dinner was dropped off by some really great friends. In an open-air shelter house filled with decorated picnic tables, we celebrated the newly weds with delicious Mexican food and bundt cakes.

Heart felt speeches were delivered and many many hugs were given.

As the last hugs were given, Tim + MaKayla took me with them for some final portraits before they headed out for their hotel. We had dreamed of stopping by the shoreline, but with the sun swiftly setting, we settled for hopping the fence into an open field next to a cemetery.

The light was fading fast, but that didn’t stop us from making the most of these intimate wedding portraits.

Cheers to the Czirrs!

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