H & P’s Timeless Union Club Cleveland Wedding
When I first met H and P, I liked them almost immediately, they both had kind demeanors and the kind of personalities that just sort of welcomed you in. The first time we sat down in the studio to really get to know each other we talked far longer than any of us planned on simply because we had so many things to talk about.
The two of them we’re dreaming of a Union Club wedding celebration in downtown Cleveland with a timeless style and feel. But everytime we sat down together it never seemed to fail, when we would connect on their wedding I would almost always walk out with some kind of helpful tip. Everything from the right vendor to call in the Cleveland area to refinish hardwood floors, where to go to get the best deal on a new banister for staircases, and the raining champion… the proper vacuum to purchase. Which dispite the fun of their celebration might be the actual winner here.
I know you came to hear about their wedding day, we’ll get there I promise. For a venue that is as timeless as the Union Club and as steeped in history, it can wait. Pun entirely intended. For a little backstory there, I’d been researching, and what I mean is researching vacuums for a really obnoxiously long time. Have you bought a vacuum recently? If you haven’t, don’t. It’s such a terrible experience. There are exactly 7,000 options. All of them are terrible according to the reviews and will break by next Thursday. There is no clear direction if you have wood floors… well, I guess technically information did exist but it was all written in 2014 so none of it applies anymore and all the vacuums have since been discontinued… UGGGG. I had it narrowed down to three choices and I just couldn’t decide. Enter the most lovely bride.
In case you’re wondering, I’m feeling great about vacuuming now because she helped me through my little crisis and I now own the best vacuum I’ve ever owned. And although vacuuming really has nothing to do with weddings, it sort of sums the two of them up. Always available to help, always thinking of what they can do to be helpful, and considerate of those around them.
The sort of people you might enjoy spending time with. I certainly did.
Legacy and History
This was especially wonderful because no sooner had H and P chosen us as their photography team did the pandemic hit and hit hard. We spend many a Zoom session, talking through their options and Ohio’s then regulations.
They decided they wanted to begin their days in their respective homes. H chose to get ready with her family in a home that she had bought and remodeled herself. Hence, amazing remodeling tips she was able to pass along to me. P started his day off in the home that the couple would end up living in as they begin their married life together. It was important to both of them to have pieces of the homes that were so deeply important to their history in their wedding images something that I thoroughly agree with. Your wedding should be personal, I love when couples see that.
Mass with a Filipino Cord and Veil Ceremony
The couple chose to get married at Rocky River United Methodist Church, faith and family being incredibly important to both of them. The ceremony was filled with touching moments including both mothers being handed a rose, and because P is of Filipino heritage, they chose to include the traditional Cord and Veil within the ceremony.
After the couple’s epic exit from the church with their family and friends cheering on, they entered their white 1961 Bentley and we went to create portraits. Now, to be very clear the couple was absolutely stunning, and I’m quite used to drawing a crowd wherever we go with beautiful couples and gorgeous gowns… but I think the most laughable moment of the day came when we had someone approached and asked, not to take photos with a couple but if the couple could step out of the way so that they could grab a photo with the car. 😉 That was only balanced slightly by the fact that when we stopped by their new home for a few portraits, the little girls who were playing in the street thought that a real life princess had just arrived. I know this because I saw their faces in pure wonder and shock, and then they said it out loud, it was possibly the sweetest moment of the day! When I asked the girls what they thought they said they’d never seen anyone so beautiful in all their lives. Pretty sure they were right, just ask the groom.
Union Club Cleveland Celebration
The highlight of the couple’s day came when they stepped into their cocktail hour and reception both hosted at Union Club in Cleveland, Ohio. The bride had shared that she never really liked the idea of a traditional wedding and more favored the idea of some kind of an intimate elopement or micro wedding. But that all changed the first time she stepped into the Union Club for the first time at Christmas. She shared with me that for the first time she could imagine herself walking down the stairs in her beautiful dress and the idea of marrying P with a lot of people around sounded like a whole lot of fun. Suddenly she couldn’t imagine anything else.
Union Club’s Unique History
One of the things that is so unique about The Union Club is its long and iconic history. The Union Club is a historic venue dating back to 1872, and in its early days was home to many famous visitors including multiple US presidents. It makes for a beautiful historic wedding venue and a bit of an iconic treasure sitting right in the heart of downtown Cleveland.
A highlight for me personally was the couple’s first dance together as a married couple followed by the emotional speeches their family gave, specially the brides father. First of all, if you want to have a great evening having incredible music is a pretty solid move in that direction. If you want to read more about that topic or how to choose your music you can find more on that topic here. Hanna and Patrick had Dave Banks Big Band who did a fantastic job creating a perfect balance between great ambiance and sheer fun. Which set an incredible backdrop for their epic first dance. It also helped that H had the perfect Anne Barge dress on the compliment their dance moves, overall it was the moment of the day.
But their family toasts came in a close second. H’s father broke down while reading his speech, and just about took the whole room with him. It was obvious that everyone person who spoke had one thing in common. They loved and cherished the bride and groom.
To the couple, cheers to many years of happiness and joy together. And to everyone else, if you need any help with recommendations of any kind, this is your couple. 😉
