Sam & Devin's Candid, Colorful Wedding Day at Jeffrey Mansion in Bexley, Ohio

By Kodjo — Lead Photographer & Videographer, Kodjoarts

When Sam and Devin first sat down with us to plan their wedding day coverage, they were upfront about one thing: they did not want to feel stiff in their photos. No forced smiles, no stand-here-look-there poses that feel like they belong in a catalog instead of their own wedding album. They wanted candid. They wanted real. They wanted photos and video that actually looked and felt like them.

So that's exactly what we set out to capture.

Setting the Tone Before the Day Even Started

Our approach for Sam and Devin was simple: instead of directing every pose down to the smallest detail, we gave them prompts and let them run with it. Something like, "Walk up to Sam and be a flirt, make her giggle," and then we'd step back and let them interpret it however felt natural. A little movement, a little laughter, a little improvisation. Our job was to be ready to capture the moment they created, not to manufacture it ourselves.

By the time the day arrived, that mindset had set the tone for everything.



A Gorgeous Venue (and a Weather Scare)

Jeffrey Mansion in Bexley is one of those venues that does a lot of the work for you: the architecture, the grounds, the light all come together beautifully. We started the day with drone shots of the property while the weather held its breath. Rain had been a real possibility, and honestly, a little bit of a worry going into the morning. But it held off completely, and we got to work with clear skies and that gorgeous mansion backdrop all day.

From there, it was the usual rhythm we love: detail shots, getting-ready moments for both Devin and Sam, and all the quiet, in-between moments that set the stage for everything that follows.

A Little About Jeffrey Mansion Itself

If you haven't been to Jeffrey Mansion, it's worth knowing why it's become such a popular spot for Bexley-area weddings. The estate sits on roughly 40 acres of parkland along Alum Creek, with mature gardens, wooded walking trails, and an open meadow that all make for incredible natural backdrops in any season.

The mansion itself dates back to the early 1900s, built as an English-style brick residence by Robert H. Jeffrey while he was serving as Columbus's mayor. Today, the property has two distinct event spaces: the original Jeffrey House, with large window-lined rooms overlooking the back meadow and an upper garden terrace that's perfect for outdoor ceremonies, and the Carriage Court, a newer addition with exposed brick, timber beams, a copper-topped bar, and a covered patio with bistro lighting that's ideal for cocktail hour. You can see more details on the City of Bexley's official Jeffrey Mansion page.

For us as photographers and videographers, that combination of historic architecture, manicured gardens, and natural woodland in one location is a dream: it means we can move from elegant indoor portraits to garden shots to a more wild, natural woodland look without ever leaving the property.

The First Look: Where Everything Loosened Up

If there's one moment that set the tone for the rest of the day, it was the first look. Instead of rushing in to start snapping immediately, we gave Sam and Devin a moment to just be: to take each other in, laugh, talk, react however they naturally would. No direction, no posing. Just us, quietly capturing it.



That moment changed everything. Once they had that time together, the rest of the day felt completely different. The stiffness they'd worried about? Gone. From that point on, every photo session (couples portraits, family photos, all of it) had this easy, natural energy running through it.

Couples Who Bring the Energy Make All the Difference

Sam and Devin were an absolute joy to work with. They leaned all the way into the "be you" mindset: if a prompt felt silly, they let it be silly. If it called for a quiet moment, they gave us that too. The result was a set of portraits that don't feel staged at all. They feel like Sam and Devin, on one of the best days of their lives, having fun with the people they love. (If you want to see this candid approach in action at a different kind of venue, check out Marla & Avery's wedding at the Columbus Museum of Art.)



A Stunning Mid-Day Change: The Red Qipao

One of our favorite parts of the day was when Sam changed into a vibrant red Chinese dress (qipao) for a separate outdoor portrait session. The color against the mansion's grounds was striking, a beautiful nod to tradition that also gave us some of the most visually rich images of the entire day. Moments like this are exactly why we love weddings that incorporate personal and cultural touches; they add depth and meaning that you simply can't recreate.

Ending the Night with Sparklers

As the celebration wound down, Sam and Devin made their exit through a tunnel of sparklers, and it was every bit as magical as it sounds. The light, the motion, the energy of everyone cheering them on... it made for some absolutely stunning photo and video moments to close out the day.

Behind the Scenes: Photo and Video, Working as One

Coverage like this only works when the whole team is in sync. Throughout the day, our photo and video team stayed in constant communication, staying out of each other's frames, anticipating each other's moves, and making sure every angle was covered without anyone feeling crowded. After years of working weddings together, that kind of chemistry becomes second nature, and it's a big part of how we're able to deliver both stunning photos and cinematic video from the same day without either one getting in the way of the other. If having one team handle both sides of your coverage sounds appealing, take a look at our wedding photography + videography combo packages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Weddings at Jeffrey Mansion

Where is Jeffrey Mansion located?

Jeffrey Mansion is located in Bexley, Ohio, just east of downtown Columbus, within Jeffrey Mansion Park along Alum Creek.

How many guests can Jeffrey Mansion accommodate?

Between its two event spaces (the Jeffrey House and the Carriage Court), the venue can comfortably host up to around 175 guests, making it a great fit for both intimate weddings and larger celebrations.

Can you have an outdoor ceremony at Jeffrey Mansion?

Yes. The upper garden terrace at the Jeffrey House is a popular spot for outdoor ceremonies, and the surrounding gardens and meadow offer plenty of additional options for portraits and smaller gatherings.

Is Jeffrey Mansion a good location for wedding photography and videography?

Absolutely. Between the historic architecture, manicured gardens, open meadow, and wooded trails, there's an incredible range of backdrops within a short walk, which is exactly what made Sam and Devin's coverage so visually varied.

What happens if it rains on a wedding day at Jeffrey Mansion?

Both event spaces offer covered indoor options, so a rainy forecast doesn't mean losing the day. That said, like Sam and Devin's wedding, Ohio weather can surprise you. We always come prepared with a backup plan, but we're just as happy when the sun cooperates.

Does Kodjoarts offer both photography and videography for weddings at Jeffrey Mansion?

Yes, we cover both photo and video for weddings at Jeffrey Mansion and other venues throughout the Columbus area, with a team that's used to working together seamlessly on the same day.

Can we request a more candid, less posed style like Sam and Devin's?

Definitely. If a more relaxed, candid approach is what feels right for you, we're happy to build your coverage around guided prompts and natural moments rather than a long list of formal poses, just like we did here. Learn more about our approach on our wedding photography and wedding videography pages.

Final Thoughts

Sam and Devin set out to have a wedding day that felt like them: fun, candid, full of energy and personality, and that's exactly what they got. From the drone shots over Jeffrey Mansion to the sparkler send-off, every part of the day came together beautifully, rain or no rain.

Congratulations again to Sam and Devin. Thank you for trusting us with your day!

Looking for a Columbus, Ohio wedding photographer and videographer who specializes in candid, story-driven coverage? Get in touch with Kodjoarts to talk about your big day.

About the Author Kodjo is the lead photographer and videographer behind Kodjoarts, a Columbus, Ohio-based wedding photography and videography studio with over 10 years of experience and 400+ weddings captured. He specializes in candid, personality-driven storytelling that helps couples feel like themselves on camera.