Shane & Alea | A Beautiful Fall Wedding in Montpelier, Ohio

There is just something about a fall wedding in Northwest Ohio that I will never get tired of. The changing colors, the cooler air, and the feeling that everything is slowing down just a little. And when you add in a couple like Shane and Alea, it makes for a wedding day that is pretty hard to beat.

From the moment I arrived, I knew it was going to be a good one.

One of my favorite things about Shane and Alea's wedding day was how relaxed everything felt. The girls spent the morning getting ready right in Alea's living room, and I absolutely loved it.

There was no rushing around, no unnecessary stress. Just a room full of people who love Alea, spending time together, laughing, exchanging gifts, and of course, getting their hair and makeup done.

Sometimes I think we get so caught up in making a wedding day look perfect that we forget how important it is to actually enjoy it.

Shane and Alea chose to do a first look before their church ceremony, and I couldn't have loved that decision more. I know some couples worry that doing a first look will somehow take away from that special moment of walking down the aisle. But if you ask me, it doesn't take away from it at all. It just builds on it.

A first look gives you something that is actually pretty hard to find on your wedding day. Time alone together. Time to hug a little longer, laugh off those pre-wedding jitters, take a deep breath, and just be together before everything begins. And the best part? You get to experience that moment without an entire room full of people watching.

For Shane and Alea, it also allowed us to capture some of their wedding portraits before the ceremony, which meant less rushing afterward and more time to enjoy their celebration. As a wedding photographer, one of the biggest pieces of advice I give my couples is to build a wedding timeline that allows you to actually be present. Your wedding day goes by so incredibly fast, and those little pockets of intentional time together are worth everything. And trust me, seeing each other before the ceremony doesn't make walking down the aisle any less special. Sometimes it makes it even sweeter.

From their first look to their church ceremony, wedding party portraits, and everything in between, the entire day felt like such a beautiful reflection of Shane and Alea.

here was thought behind the details, intention behind the moments, and so much love surrounding them. But what I appreciated most was that nothing felt forced. They had found that perfect balance of planning a beautiful wedding while still allowing themselves to relax, laugh, and soak it all in.

And honestly, those are some of my favorite weddings to photograph. The ones where couples aren't so focused on everything going perfectly that they forget to enjoy the people standing right in front of them.

Shane and Alea did just that.

The evening brought us to the Veterans Memorial in Montpelier, Ohio, for a reception full of celebrating, laughter, and one wedding tradition that I will probably never forget. And when I say I've photographed hundreds of weddings and still experience something new, I mean it. Because this was a FIRST. When Shane and Alea told me they were going to auction off the bride and groom, I had absolutely no idea what they were talking about. An auction? At a wedding? Apparently, it was a family tradition, so I just rolled with it. And let me tell you... I GET IT NOW. Once everything got started, I quickly realized this might be one of the most entertaining wedding reception traditions I've ever witnessed.

Forget the traditional dollar dance or dollar dash. I'm pretty sure the bride and groom auction has officially taken its place in my book! I love when couples incorporate traditions that are meaningful to their families. Those are the moments that make a wedding uniquely theirs, and they are always so much fun to photograph. And this one? Definitely one for the books.

Shane & Alea, what a privilege it was to be part of your wedding day. Wishing you both all the best <3

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Planning a Wedding in Ohio, Indiana, or Michigan?

If you're newly engaged and searching for a wedding photographer in Northwest Ohio, Northeast Indiana, or Southern Michigan, I'd love to hear your story!

I'm the photographer behind L.a. Lens-Photography, based in Northwest Ohio and photographing weddings throughout Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and beyond.

My approach to wedding photography is a mix of genuine emotion, true-to-color editing, beautiful portraits, and all those candid, unscripted moments that make your day yours.

Whether you're planning a traditional church wedding in Montpelier, an intimate countryside celebration, or a beautiful wedding venue somewhere across the Midwest, my goal is always the same: to create photographs that feel like you.

**I'm only taking 2–3 more weddings for 2027, and my 2028 wedding calendar is officially O