With Downtown Cleveland and E. 4th Portraits

Harmony and Jay’s wedding ceremony and reception were at the Hyatt Arcade in downtown Cleveland.

Please enjoy, Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer

Just how much Harmony and Jay cared for each was obvious when
we did their engagement photos. The way they look at each other,
their ever present smiles when giving each other attention,
is a wonderful thing.

From the first look when they saw each other until when they
shared letters to each other during private time the bond
continued to show strongly. The importance of their families
was also key. I noticed Jay was very proud of his family’s
heritage and name and heard him mention that.

Everyone got ready at the Hyatt Arcade where we would be spending
the majority of this cold winter Cleveland day. Harmony and
her bridesmaids had a super nice and large suite.

Photos in the Arcade are always wonderful. There’s so many great
locations and architectural details and I love the challenge of
finding new angles with my couples as a Cleveland wedding photographer.

The Arcade opened in May of 1890 as the first indoor shopping center
in America. The history and architecture are worth a visit
if you’ve not been there.

Harmony’s mother Margi and matron of honor Sarah helped lace the dress.

The light streaming through the bourbon bottles in the room highlighted the wedding bands.

The men toasted with bourbon. Well here’s the exact details from Jay:
“it is a double maturation bourbon. Aged for seven years in
a typical Woodford Barrel, and then pulled and aged for an
additional two years in a Somona Pinot Noir cask.”

Jay with his parents Jim and Bonni.

Harmony’s parents Scott and Margi check out Harmony’s first moments in her dress.

Harmony and Jay decided to do a first look and see each other
before the ceremony so they could enjoy their cocktail hour.

I love this staircase at the Hyatt Arcade and the drama of it
for when they first saw each other.

I’m always keeping my eye for great photo possibilities during the wedding day.
Before we did the first look I noticed this light streaming into the
Hyatt Arcade. I hoped it would still be there when we were ready
to do some portraits.

As soon as they were done with their time together we hurried over to the area.
Once a maid’s cart was moved and they were in place I quickly ran
across the Arcade to make the photo from across the opening.

Harmony and Jay has some wonderful friends and they made for a great
bridal party. It was a cold winter Cleveland day with the typical
wind and freezing temperatures. As we were walking outside I heard a
few saying it was Harmony and Jay’s day and they should not complain
about going out in the cold for a few photos. Loved their attitude!

Harmony was very excited about her grand entrance with her father
for the wedding ceremony. Such a great moment.

The children in the wedding became occupied while Harmony walked down the aisle.

Thanks to Robin for assisting me this day and shooting the photos from the higher levels of the Arcade.

Harmony’s bouquet was made with Calla Lilies.

The couple’s entrance down the stairs for the reception was beautiful.

The cake was made by Wild Flour Bakery.

Matron of honor Sarah gave a toast.

The first dance.

Harmony dances with some of the children.

Loved the bar location in the old cigar shop.

Jay and his guys really get into “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey.

I love this photo of Harmony and Jay at the end of the night
with E. 4th Street in the background.

What a great wedding. Have a great life!

Thank you,

– Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer