Michaela & Patrick's Swan Lake Event Center Wedding in Powell, Ohio

Michaela and Patrick got married on July 24, 2026 at Swan Lake Event Center on Liberty Road in Powell, Ohio. It's a venue I love bringing a camera to: 20 wooded acres around a lake with a lighted fountain, about 30 minutes from downtown Columbus.

On film, that means every part of the day gets its own backdrop without anyone getting in a car. Water, trees, bridges and a reception hall that opens right onto the lake. If you're planning a wedding in Powell or anywhere in Delaware County, here's how their day unfolded, and a few things I noticed from behind the camera and in the edit. You can also see more of our work as photographers and videographers serving Delaware and Powell.

Michaela and Patrick booked our Epic Grand package: 10 hours of photo and video coverage with two videographers, two photographers and a drone. That let one team follow the whole day, from the first detail shots in the morning to the last song of the night, with photographers and videographers working off the same plan. If you're weighing that choice, here's why one team for photo and video makes the day easier, and how a 10 hour wedding day usually flows.

Details First

We started with the drone over the circle drive and the lake, then moved inside for details. Michaela's invitation was tied with a pink ribbon, her shoes sat with roses, and the rings rested on their vow books. Patrick's watch and cologne got their own moment, and so did a ring on a folded handkerchief.

From the edit: I opened the full film on that drone push over the drive, then cut straight to the rings. A wide establishing shot followed by something small and personal tells you where you are and who this day belongs to. (If you've wondered whether drones are still allowed at weddings, I wrote about what the DJI drone ban means for wedding footage.)

Getting Ready With Her Mom and Grandmother

Michaela's getting ready was full of family. Her bridesmaids laughed on the couch while her hair was curled, she opened a gift, and then her mom and grandmother helped her into her dress. Her grandmother did the buttons herself, smiling the whole time.

There was a quiet moment in the mirror with her mom and grandmother, and a long hug with her grandmother after. Her necklace went on last, and we caught it in a close shot with her ring.

Patrick and His Dad

Across the property, Patrick got dressed with his dad. His grandfather started on the bow tie, then his dad finished it, and the two of them shared a smile before his dad helped him into his jacket. His mom helped with his cufflinks, and he put on the watch from that morning's detail shots.

From the edit: I cut back and forth between Michaela's dress and Patrick's bow tie, so the two sides of the morning build toward the same moment.

First Looks: Her Dad, Then Her Bridesmaids

Michaela's first look was with her dad by the lake. She walked up behind him, he turned, and they held onto each other for a long time. Her mom and brother joined them, and her parents read a letter together with her, which became a framed keepsake.

From the edit: I kept that first look on our main camera's own audio, without music over the top. The sound of the moment carries it better than any song could.

Then came her bridesmaids, who saw her for the first time with their bouquets in hand. There was a lot of hugging and very little standing still.

The Ceremony

The ceremony was outside, with florals lining the aisle and a unity candle table up front. Their programs were printed as a custom newspaper, The Wedding Post, and one was pinned to a tree by the aisle.

We covered the ceremony with three cameras plus a separate audio recorder, so every angle stayed in sync and the vows came through clearly. Michaela walked down the aisle with her dad, and the officiant welcomed both families before the vows.

Couple Portraits Around the Lake

Swan Lake gave us more portrait spots than we had time for. We started with Patrick on his own by the trees, then Michaela by the water, then the two of them together under the willow, across the white bridge, by the gazebo and through the hydrangeas. Her veil caught the wind more than once, and we let it.

A few favorites: a kiss under the willow, the two of them reading their own Wedding Post together, and a quiet embrace between the porch columns by the lantern. Moving portraits always read better on film than posed ones, so most of these started with a walk.

Bridal Party and Family

The bridesmaids brought parasols, and the best shot of the day might be all of them in the air at once. The groomsmen walked up in sunglasses and did not take the lineup very seriously, which is exactly what I want on camera.

We finished with the whole wedding party cheering behind a dip kiss, then family formals: the largest group, both sides of the family, and a portrait of the couple with their grandmothers.

Cocktail Hour by the Lake

Cocktail hour moved out onto the patio over the lake, with a saxophonist playing and the fountain going behind the railing. Guests laughed by the water, raised glasses, and a whole table waved at the camera.

Inside the Reception

The reception hall carried the newspaper theme through, with copies of The Wedding Post on the tables, a seating chart under an arch, florals in the windows and the cake on its own table.

One of my favorite parts was watching guests open the cards and letters waiting at their seats. Those little reactions ended up as their own run in the film.

After the grand entrance and cake cutting, they had their first dance. In the full film I kept the first dance as one continuous moment, all the way to the kiss at the end, then moved into the parent dances.

The toasts came from Michaela's dad, the matron of honor and the best man. The room laughed a lot, and the speeches were recorded clean enough that every line holds up in the film.

Sunset on the Tracks

As the sun dropped we stepped out for a few last portraits on the railroad tracks. The light came in low behind them, Michaela twirled, her veil flew, and we ended with a kiss under the veil. These are some of the warmest frames from the whole day.

Open Dancing

Then the dance floor took over. For the close of the film I stayed on close and medium shots of the dancing, and cut them a little faster as the night went on, so the energy builds the way it did in the room.

The Wedding Film

Along with their wedding photos, Michaela and Patrick received a full wedding film and a highlight film. The full film runs from the morning details through the full ceremony, every toast, the dances and the open dancing.

The highlight runs about seven minutes. I built it around their vows as a voiceover: Patrick's words first, then Michaela's, playing over the getting ready, first looks and portraits. It's scored with an original cinematic piece that starts with soft piano and builds into a full orchestra by the portraits and the reception. If you're curious how I put a highlight together, here's a look at how I edit different styles of wedding film.

Michaela and Patrick, thank you for trusting us with your day. It was a joy to film.

Planning your own wedding at Swan Lake or anywhere in Central Ohio? Take a look at our wedding photo and video packages, then check whether your date is still open.

About the Author

Kodjo Somana is the founder and lead filmmaker of Kodjoarts in Columbus, Ohio. He studied filmmaking at the Columbus College of Art & Design and has filmed more than 400 weddings over 10+ years. Kodjoarts is a multi year winner of The Knot Best of Weddings and holds a 5.0 rating across 110+ Google reviews. Learn how Kodjoarts started, see who will be behind the cameras, or read what our couples have said.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Swan Lake Event Center?

Swan Lake Event Center is at 5900 Liberty Road in Powell, Ohio, on 20 wooded acres around a lake. The venue says it's about 30 minutes from downtown Columbus and just minutes off the 315 exit.

What is a Swan Lake Event Center wedding like on film?

Varied, in the best way. You get the lake and its lighted fountain, trees, bridges and a reception hall with a terrace over the water, all within a short walk. For Michaela and Patrick we filmed first looks, portraits, cocktail hour and sunset photos without anyone leaving the property.

Where can you have the ceremony at Swan Lake?

The venue lists several outdoor ceremony sites, including the Waterfall, Apu's Landing, The Forest and The Meadow, plus indoor options in the Main Hall, the Terrace and the parlors. Ask the venue which indoor space they hold as a backup if the weather turns.

How far ahead should we book a videographer for a Powell wedding?

Summer Saturdays fill first, so most couples book us 9 to 12 months out. Here's more on how far in advance to book a photographer and videographer in Columbus.



How much does a wedding videographer cost in Central Ohio?

Our wedding videography packages start at $2,250, and photo plus video packages are available too. I broke down what drives the price in what a wedding videographer costs in Columbus.