Great Lakes Science Center wedding

The fall colors were perfectly timed for Lauren and Patrick’s Valley of the Eagles wedding.

Please enjoy, Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer

This was my first Valley of the Eagles wedding and what a sweet and kind couple to spend the day with. I’d been here for a friend’s birthday party a few years back and wondered how they would fit everyone. I didn’t realize there was a moveable wall that massively increased the space for the dinner seating.

Lauren: “We chose a Valley of the Eagles wedding not only for the beautiful scenery and because Patrick has a love of golfing.”

We started in the bride’s room and then went to the guy’s getting ready in the basement. The lights that hang down there make for a moody light, dramatic backdrop.

The couple did a first look on the patio near the ceremony area. They read their vows to each other and I did overhear a bit of them as I photographed.
Lauren: “During our first look we were both VERY nervous. During our vows we both felt very comfortable and after we walked down as husband and wife into the reception area we both felt very excited to start our new chapter.

“We originally met on Hinge and when I got the courage to finally meet him, he ended up going to the wrong apartment that was an old lady. We then went to Goodnight Johnboy and danced.”

I know they both said this humorous issue brought them closer from the start.

Lauren: “When he proposed we were in Michigan and his friend Jacob – the eventual best man – had texted him that the place Patrick wanted to propose at was under construction. Before the proposal we were shopping and the famous Christmas ornament store called Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland and he was on his phone the whole time and I got annoyed that he wasn’t in the moment with me. Little did I know when we were walking around the town that Jacob was hiding in the bushes taking photos. My cousin Sarah, one of the bridesmaids, and her boyfriend and now fiance were also hiding and surprised me after he proposed. Later that evening our families surprised us at dinner.”

I loved all of the great backdrops on the golf course for scenic and beautiful wedding photography that a Valley of the Eagles wedding provided!

It’s the only Jack Nicklaus Design daily-fee course in Northern Ohio and captures the beauty of the Black River Valley. The elevation changes and black shale cliffs are part of the unique look as the course travels through the valley and along the Black River.

Candace was the coordinator for the Valley of the Eagle wedding and did a wonderful job guiding us around the course. I must also credit Lauren’s mother Gretchen for doing a great job with the wedding planning and all of the details involved with making it a success.

Lauren: “While walking down the aisle my dad had to tell me to slow down because I was walking too fast. Well I was so excited to get married and I was also freezing.

“At our wedding we had friends and family who came from all over the world – France, Austria and all over the United States. My friend from Austria, Vali, even came and wore lederhosen saying ‘I wanted to look like a true German for your wedding.’We met in high school when she was a foreign exchange student.”

As always if you’re still reading go ahead and enjoy those photos from this Valley of the Eagles wedding now!

Lauren’s mother Gretchen helped with the dress.

Sister Katy curled Lauren’s hair.

The best man Jacob adjusted Patrick’s tie.

Patrick and his father Pete.

Lauren’s father Dave walked her down the aisle.

The beautiful and tasty cookie table was coordinated by the groom’s mother Kelly.

Toasts were by father Dave and Kelly and Jacob.

Officiant: Jeffrey Miller (bride’s Uncle and Godfather)
Ceremony: Valley of the Eagles
Reception: Valley of the Eagles
Catering: Valley of the Eagles
Cookie table: coordinated by Kelly Burke (groom’s mother)
DJ: The DJ Crew
Cake: Kelsey Elizabeth
Florist: Botamer FLorist & More
Dress store and designer: David’s Bridal
Suit: The Black Tux
Engagement Rings: Chas. S. Rivchun & Sons, Jewelers
Wedding bands: Chas. S. Rivchun & Sons, Jewelers
Hair: Regina with Ichiban Salon
Makeup: Karen with Stella and Shay
Wedding coordinator: Candace with Valley of the Eagles
Signage-invites: Zazzle
Assistant: Parker Shaw