2025 in Review: Weddings + Elopements
- Victoria Gail
- Jan 2
- 11 min read
2025 Year in Review — Weddings I Had the Honor to Capture
This year was an incredible year filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. As I look back through the weddings I had the privilege of photographing, I’m filled with gratitude for every couple who trusted me to tell their story. Below are highlights from each celebration — where it took place, what made it unique, and a link to explore the full gallery and a few of my favs from the day!
1. Will + Kelli—Tom's Country Place || Avon, Ohio
Date: May 16, 2025
Vibe: Chic, Classic, Pink!
This wedding was unforgettable because it set the tone for my entire season. Will and Kelli truly went above and beyond for their day. Their ceremony was so romantic and I had a blast dancing the night away with their friends and family. the bride shared some really sweet moments with her parents including Kelli presenting her mom with her bouquet during speeches, and her parents winning the anniversary dance where they received well wishes. I also loved photographing Kelli running barefoot during our sunset portraits! This wedding was such a beautiful day because Will and Kelli were so loving and they took every opportunity to be authentic, and unapologetically themselves. Totally this couple in a nutshell!
2. Gabriel + Alice — Pacific Grand Junction || Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Date: May 24, 2025
Vibe: Garden Vibes, Elegant, Cozy
An unforgettable moment from Gabriel and Alice's special day was their adorable first dance. Alice was a dancer growing up and choreographed this adorable routine for their first dance- it was so wholesome. While that was one of my favorite moments, these two had plenty that warmed my heart. In the morning, the girls got ready in Alice's childhood dining room, and we got to spend some quality time with her elder baby kitties. The ceremony perfectly encapsulated how important their faith is to their lives, and it was meaningful to witness the pair getting teary during their vows. We took portraits at Lakewood Park, followed by a quick break before an incredible reception in historic Olmsted Falls. Gabriel and Alice also ended the night with a paper airplane tunnel since the groom is a pilot for a living- it was everything!
3. Dawson + Mila —Horticultural Hall || Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Date: May 30, 2025
Vibe: Lakeside Town, Summery, Whimsical
Dawson and Mila's special day was met with some beautiful moments, a good luck rain drizzle before the ceremony, and some of my favorite portraits ever! The bride and her favorite people celebrated some cozy moments getting ready in one of the coolest Airbnb's I've ever seen. The ceremony and reception space was this beautiful fairy garden inspired center that I'm dying to go back to ASAP! What I love most about Dawson and Mila's story is how they met when they were young and practically grew up together. The energy and love from this day was beaming from beginning to end and I loved capturing the excitement in the air. For portraits, Dawson and Mila hoped into my car and we shot some unbelievable sunset portraits on the docks overlooking Lake Geneva. even now I'm still obsessed with them and I hope to return to this amazing town for another wedding as soon as. humanly possible.
4. Mitchell + Jazmine — Private Residence || Rockford, Illinois
Date: June 14, 2025
Vibe: Intimate, Detailed, High-Energy
This wedding was the definition of a good time! The live music, the attention to detail, and the feelings of joy and love were in the air all day. Not even the early summer heat could stop these two from having a good time. Mitchell and Jazmine decked out their families' private residence with an elegant, summery Victorian style completed a dessert shelf in the reception space- it was unlike anything I've ever seen before. Before friends and family sat down for the ceremony, chilled limoncello sips awaited them and it was a great way to start the celebration. Mitchell and Jazmine's ceremony was incredibly romantic and I could not help but feel teary when Jazmine's grandmother and mother walked her down the aisle and during their incredibly adorable vows. For their grand exit there was confetti involved which photographed in the best way to an iconic Paramore song. Then the party really got started! There was a lot of dancing, cold sparklers, and some of the best partying I've seen during a reception. I was definitely tired the next day after this wedding. I truly couldn't keep up with all the fun.
5. Bill + Katie — Hilton Downtown || Cleveland, Ohio
Date: June 21, 2025
Vibe: Black Tie, Colorful, Summery
This celebration was a very big deal not only due to its scale and logistics but, because the bride was my older cousin. Looking up to her my whole life, getting to play an important role in their big day meant everything to me. The weekend started off with an incredibly beautiful rehearsal dinner at Osteria Italian where the restaurant was decked out in elegant white florals. The wedding day began with a celebration and getting ready in Hilton's suites which set the tone for the party ahead. Bill and Katie then shared a sweet first look in the gardens of the hotel followed by a fun bus ride to St. Mary of the Falls where their ceremony was held. The ceremony was a blend of Catholic and Lebanese traditions to honor both Bill and Katie's backgrounds. Following the ceremony we took portraits in the summer sun down at the East 9th Cleveland sign and park area which was a beautiful backdrop to the summer celebration. After cooling down, the heat of the party cranked up as the reception began. There was an epic first dance, heartfelt speeches, and an incredible performance by the Cleveland Music Group who led the dancing and entertainment for the evening. The coolest part aside from their big, bright, beautiful florals? Their inclusion of their furry friends- Bonnie + Alby!
6.Brenden + Elise — Tall Oaks Resort || Kirtland, Ohio
Date: July 05, 2025
Vibe: Cozy Cabin Vibes, Sentimental, High-Energy
This wedding was one for the books. Brenden + Elise. Leading up to their big day they celebrated fifteen years together! Like any high school sweethearts, their big day highlighted many moments from their past and was filled with so much love and joy. Their friends and families were so incredibly kind and I had a blast getting to capture some incredibly raw moments between these two love birds.
7.Cullen + Lauren— The Aviator || Cleveland, Ohio
Date: July 18, 2025
Vibe: Upbeat, Formal, Summery Bash
Cullen and Lauren really know how to throw a party! Their big day was incredibly, unapologetically authentic. These two had us all dancing and having a great time. Their ceremony and first look were some of the sweeter moments but, my favorite was their grand exit following their first kiss. *que the confetti!* no literally!
8.Doyle + Lexi— Ironworks Community Center || Madison, Wisconsin
Date: July 19, 2025
Vibe: Industrial, Historical, Intimate
Doyle and Lexi's wedding was one of my most unique weddings this year. Their vibe and venue was unlike anything I've seen in awhile but, boy was it beautiful! The earlier half of the day was more historical and woodsy where the couple got ready and did the first half of their portraits whereas the ceremony and reception was industrial and cozy. Like many of my couples this year, Doyle and Lexi had an eye for detail and I was impressed by how they were able to create such a unique vibe for their celebration in a city meaningful to them and how their story began. I would love to come back to Madison soon!
9.Alejandro + Martha—The Mora Farms || Chicago, Illinois
Date: August 23, 2025
Vibe: Chic, Rustic, Family- Oriented
Alejandro and Martha's wedding was unlike any barn wedding I've experienced. They had a beautiful mass where I was able to capture some beautiful Mexican traditions such as the wedding lasso and Mary flower crowning. In between the ceremony and reception the couple shared some intimate, and emotional personal vows which brought me to tears behind my camera. Then, during their reception I got to witness a real party with lots of cowboy hats, amazing food, and even a traditional Mariachi band. This wedding was special to me because I was introduced to some wonderful traditions and cultural elements that I had not experienced at a wedding before. What also made this wedding stand apart from any other I've had in my career was that all of the major events were spoken only in Spanish. I am not fluent in Spanish nor are my speaking skills strong but, the videography team and my amazing couple kept me in the loop as to what was going on and what was coming next so that I could be ready to go. This wedding was a blast and I'm so grateful for the times when I am exposed to new traditions and means which people make their weddings personal to who they are.
10.Steve + Wendy— The Barn at Wolf Creek || Akron, Ohio
Date: August 29, 2025
Vibe: Rustic, Charming, Family-Oriented
Steve and Wendy brought a very unique charm to their intimate Friday celebration. When working with these two during the early stages of their planning I was very intrigued by Wendy and Steve's vision as there was a lot of discussion of sunflowers, cowboy boats, and lots of old school music. Their vision was unlike anything I could have imagined. Not only was the venue alone whimsical and chic, their sunflowers and wooden fixtures really brought the vision together! One thing that will forever stick out to me about this wedding was how family-oriented it was (and how cool Wendy's white cowboy boots were!).Steve and Wendy's blended family dynamic was so much fun to work with and even in their differences, all of them had such a wonderful sense-of-humor, and were so incredibly fun to be around. This wedding was such a blast and I had the time of my life dancing the night away with these guys!
11.Chris + Arianna— St. Paul Hellenic Center || Cleveland, Ohio
Date: September 20, 2025
Vibe: Romantic, Elegant, Timeless
Chris and Arianna's wedding was one I was looking forward to for a long time; this was my very first time shooting a giant Greek wedding. If you've ever seen the timeless 2002 film of a similar name, you would know that Greek families are large, and ready for a celebration in no time. I can say after celebrating with Chris, Arianna, and their families I can see the film's depiction is pretty accurate when portraying a traditional Greek wedding. However, where film and reality differ is clear- this Greek wedding was an incredible integration of tradition and elegant modernism. Chris and Arianna had all the elements of a traditional Greek wedding, but in its details, Chris and Arianna really made their big day their own. With sentimental moments the couple shared with Chris' grandfather, lots and lots of dancing, to some of my favorite flat lay details I've seen- this wedding was quite an experience that I won't soon forget! Not to mention, their big day saw the biggest turnaround in images in my entire career thus far with a whopping 4,335 images! I think it's going to be almost impossible to top that- but I think I'll make it happen!
12.Ryan + Brooke— Tom's Country Place || Avon, Ohio
Date: October 10, 2025
Vibe: Whimsical, Sentimental, Magical
My favorite thing about weddings besides taking photos is how each couple makes the experience personal to them. In the story of Brooke and Ryan, their wedding day was one big, beautiful homage to Disney- more specifically, Beauty and the Beast. The decor was absolutely beautiful but, my favorite aspect was one they didn't plan for but, a moment of improvisation on my part. When shooting their flat lay and getting ready moments at their home, I used Ryan and Brooke's Cinderella castle Lego set as a prop for their rings. Let me tell you- that photo was Disney magic in real time. I still get really excited about that photo even now. The day was incredibly emotional and I was tearing up behind my lens a few times. Their first look was so sweet, and the many Disney references their officiant used during the ceremony was so wholesome. Ryan and Brooke's wedding was such an incredible way to end this year because I got to capture some incredibly sweet moments that remind me time and time again why I'm so lucky and grateful to spend my life this way.
2025 In Elopements/ Special Events
While I love the hustle of a "big" wedding, I've been very fortunate to have a few intimate celebrations and elopements this year where I get to see a couple's love in its simplest form where it was typically just them and me. Here are my highlights from this year!
1.Freddy + Cinnette —St. Ignatius Chapel || Cleveland, Ohio
Date: March 08, 2025
Vibe: Glamorous, Family-Oriented, Sentimental
My very first event of the year took me to a very special place celebrating some very important people. I've been lucky to personally know the Diaz family since I was little and getting to celebrate their parents vow renewal was so special. Freddy + Cinnette's oldest son, Isaac is one of my oldest friends. We were in the same Kindergarten class and the rest is history. So when Isaac and his brother asked me if I would be willing to help them plan and photograph their parent's vow renewal- I was in! The afternoon itself was so special, and it was so nice getting to spend time with the family and witness and very special ceremony. Following the vow renewal, we did some portraits with a classic Cleveland police car (Freddy serves on the city's force) and their portraits were so much fun! Then, we celebrated with dinner and dancing in one of the school's atriums. What's really special is Isaac, his brother, and Freddy all had a special connection to the school as alumni and staff and were able to secure this incredibly beautiful, unique space. I had so much fun celebrating one of my oldest friends and his parents and Freddy and Cinnette's love story is truly an inspiration.
2.Alec + Tanya— Downtown Chicago|| Chicago, Illinois
Date: October 07, 2025
Vibe: Chic, Intimiate, Humble
Alec and Tanya's Elopement was such a dream session for me come to life. Since moving to Chicago I was dying to shoot a downtown elopement similar to the ones I'd see on my feed every once-in-awhile. Their session was so much fun! We started at the courthouse and then drove to North Avenue Beach. This truly felt like one of the last warm days for shooting on the lakefront and we soaked up every moment. Alec and Tanya truly made the most of their elopement session by popping some champagne as the sun went down- it was such a magical moment! I can't wait to shoot more city elopements in the city they are such a great time!
3.Matt + Cori —Cleveland Cultural Gardens || Cleveland, Ohio
Date: October 11, 2025
Vibe: Cozy, Heartfelt, Fall Vibes
Matt and Cori's elopement was an amazing experience from beginning to end. These two are very adventurous and it makes perfect sense they would want to celebrate their love outdoors. For their engagement session we hiked to Blue Hen Falls in the Cuyahoga Valley (it was quite a workout!). Then, on their big day they held an intimate ceremony in their local church with their parents in attendance. From there, we spent the afternoon taking photos around the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. This elopement was very lovely and I'm obsessed with how Matt + Cori personalized their elopement to match their love for nature. Their big day was the best way to end wedding season and I'm so excited to see what lay ahead for 2026!
A Little Love to My 2025 Couples
As I wrap up this look back on 2025, I’m reminded that every wedding I photograph is so much more than a date on my calendar. It’s a story I get to witness up close… a day filled with emotion, people, beauty, and fleeting moments that deserve to be remembered for a lifetime.
To each of my couples this year — thank you for trusting me, welcoming me in like family, and letting me capture your love in a way that feels true to you. Your stories shaped my year in the most beautiful ways. Thank for trusting me to preserve your best memories, and believing in me and my vision.
Here’s to 2026: new celebrations, new places, new faces, and even more moments to document with intention and heart.
If you’re planning your wedding and want images that feel warm, natural, and deeply personal, I’d love to connect. Let’s create something timeless together. 🤍