Downtown Cleveland Mall

ATTN Bride & Grooms-to-be of Northeast Ohio: Raise your hand if you’ve ever envisioned holding your Cleveland wedding ceremony on the grounds of a bona fide historical treasure. Any takers? Well if your hand is awkwardly levitating off your computer desk right now, I suggest that you keep reading. Leah and Robert, the super genuine, super in love, and super ambitious subjects of my most recent shoot, successfully planned and executed the first-ever nuptials to take place at Mall C in the heart of downtown. **Beams with pride.**

The Mall, which is composed of sections A, B, and C, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The Cleveland Restoration Society is currently pursuing a National Historic Landmark designation, but ask any true Clevelander and they’ll be quick to tell you we’ve already given the space its own stamp of glorified-history approval. Take the groom, Robert, for example. His unhealthy obsession love for Cleveland was one of the couples’ deciding factors in chosing to tie the knot here. (As if any true Brown’s fan would want to get hitched anywhere OTHER than within close proximity to FirstEnergy Stadium.)

The ceremony overlooked the Cleveland Convention Center and offered their family and friends sweeping views of the lake. With personalized vows and a limited guest list, the affair was intimate despite its open location. Post-ceremony photos at the shores of Edgewater served as a nice change of scenery, and the reception followed soon after at 78th Street Studios. All in all, this Cleveland wedding was one for the books. Kudos to Leah and Robert for blazing the trail for other couples hoping to make use of Mall C and all of its wedding potential glory.

Leah gets some finishing touches. A gold and pearl headpiece stands out and offers a fresh take on a traditional tiara. Leah works on her vows to Robert. Capturing these next few shots was one of the coolest experiences I’ve had shooting pre-ceremony with a bride. Mall C in all its sunny glory. Robert stands patiently over the observation deck overlooking the Cleveland Convention Center Leah’s father gives her away. Edgewater Park facing east. Simple and elegant details contribute to the overall aesthetic of the reception, held at 78th Street Studios. Ever the locavores, Leah and Robert pay tribute to their Cleveland-based vendors. Guests toast with Great Lakes Brewing Co. beer. The couple takes their first dance as husband and wife.