Cassie and Chad came my way via my cousin Brad and his wife, Heidi.  You see, the four of them are kind of a package deal.  In a good way.   They’re the best of friends and through Brad and Heidi, I’d had the opportunity to hang out with Cassie a couple times…and I knew Chad was her guy.

So, when they called me for their wedding last year, I didn’t know them too well.  I just knew they were a LOT of fun to be around.  We spent  time chatting details, perfecting the timeline for their day, all leading up to their wedding in Indianapolis last March.  By the time I arrived at the church that day, we felt like great friends (you can always tell when the groom sees you and immediately comes in for a hug!). Little did I know that while it was the start of the marriage they’d planned for, it was also the start of a friendship I never expected.

We had hoped for a warmish Spring day…but this is Indiana.  It was almost April but felt more like January.  It was cold.  And rainy.  And windy.  And C.O.L.D.  Like always, I planned locations for such an event but Cassie wanted no part of staying inside.  And her adoring bridesmaids were along for the ride!  We ventured around Cassie’s home church in Shelbyville for portraits pre-ceremony then we headed downtown for the reception.

The theme for the day:  all things bright green and mustaches. SO Cass and Chad.

Color coordinated umbrellas even…yeah, we don’t mess around ;)

Oh my goodness…Cass’s expression walking down the aisle…Chad’s expression looking at Cassie’s dad.  I can’t decide which I love more!

Remember the mustache theme….there were cuff links, drinking cups…and the BUStache to complete the look!!!  Off to Monument Circle!  One thing about the truly crappy weather…the circle was virtually empty!  Love that there weren’t a lot of people in the background.

Above picture….TOTALLY not planned.  The one up in the air…that’s my cousin Brad.  This picture will be important in a later post ;)

The reception was held at The Rathskeller, one of Cassie and Chad’s favorite places in the city.

Instead of a traditional cake, they had two kinds of donuts and that “Gilford Distillery” bottle is the Groom’s cake!!!  Oh, and those donuts were mighty tasty the next morning for breakfast.  And again on the drive home…I may have taken home more than one!

I don’t often get pulled into photo booths…but they made me.  All the bridesmaids (my cousin’s wife, Heidi, on my left) plus the man of honor, Doug.

Another favorite of the couple…the band My Yellow Rickshaw!  They were fantastic!  And upon talking to them I found out they are from Jay County (closer to my hometown than Indy).  I still laugh about how we figured that…I only remember saying Adams County for some reason and through the mic, the guy was like SERIOUSLY?!  No WAY!!!

I still look at these pictures a year later and remember what a BLAST their entire day was!  Such great memories for me…I hope I’ve given them a thousand times more!  Stay tuned tomorrow for a follow up…their one year anniversary session we shot just last month!  Then I’ll appropriately gush about how much I love them :)

This little girl is about as good as it gets.  I think this is the third session I’ve had with her and every year goes kind of like this,  “Hey Casey (Ava’s mom), I know it’s only been half an hour, but I swear, we have so many good ones I have NO idea how you’ll pick one for your wall this time.”

And it’s always true.  Casey sees the images and tells me , “How will I choose?!”  And it’s because AVA is simply out of this world fun and easy to photograph!  She has such confidence and spunk, but is also so kind and sweet.  For a six year old…it’s more than impressive.  And did I mention how funny she is?  She’ll be standing there and all of a sudden whip out these model poses that leave Casey and I cracking up then the next minute she’s off running around and being curious about her surroundings.  Makes me want to be a six year old again!

I mean really, that hand on the face?! ALL AVA!

BAHAHAAAA!!!!!  Ava had been sitting there in a daze smiling but looking right past me.  So I put my camera to the side and made this exact face at her until she responded.  I just didn’t expect this response ;)

Thanks for another great session, Miss Ava!  And thank you, Casey, for once again making the trip up from Indy!!

I’d known Reginna for quite a while.  Her station at the salon was right next to my dear friend/stylist so when the conversations got loud, Reginna couldn’t help but get involved ;)  I loved her sweet demeanor.  There was just never any drama.  She was kind to everyone and I swear, was always smiling.  So, when I found out Reginna was engaged, I couldn’t wait to talk to her about what she had planned!  Initially, she and Trayson  had envisioned a summer outdoor ceremony, possibly in the same woods where Trayson proposed, with lots of rustic, hipster details that suited she and Trayson to a T.  I knew it would be fabulous.  We started planning and shot their fabulous engagement session on a FREEZING cold morning in November and I remember thinking I’m so glad it will be warmer for their wedding!

A few weeks later, Reginna called back and said…we’re moving the wedding up.  We just want to be married.

And when the day came, months earlier than the summer wedding they initially thought of, it was perfectly suited to them.  The day was cold and there was snow on the ground, but they didn’t care.  The ceremony was inside their church and it was one of the most memorable I’ve ever witnessed.  Their desire at the end of the day was to be united in marriage in front of God and their families and start their lives together.  And it was perfect.

I almost always ask my brides to show me a picture of their dress. Reginna could only show me portions of her gown as it was being made.

Yes, you heard me.  Reginna MADE her own wedding gown!  I’m still in awe.  It was FABULOUS!!!!!

Reginna is a stylist at Salon Vera Joley and we used it as her getting ready venue.

Ok, seriously.  Just flawless.

When it was time for their first look, Trayson waited for Reginna to approach.  One look and he just melted.  I love getting to be part of this from afar.

I cannot say enough how FABULOUS all these girls were.  You can’t see the goosebumps (or their boots to keep their feet from freezing off), but they’re there!  The guys were great too…but they were a little better clothed for the frigid temps!

A little joke…the guys passed a plastic glow ring to Trayson when it came time to exchange the rings.  I love the pink glow on his face!

Right after the ceremony, the church stayed filled and the guests enjoyed a praise and worship time with the newlyweds.  Talk about moving!

It’s been more than a year and I feel like it was yesterday!  I talked to Reginna tonight to get permission to share some fun news….She and Trayson are expecting!!!!!!!!  Due late-summer and sure to be as sweet as mom and dad!  Congrats!!!