When Tim and I got married almost 15 years ago, Jana was a little girl..younger than my own daughter is now (wow..that’s crazy to think about!). I guess I’ve always pictured her a little girl, even as she grew up. We knew when she brought Caleb home that a ring would soon follow. When Caleb proposed, I crossed my fingers it would work out for me just to attend the wedding! They wanted a fall date and my schedule is alway pretty crazy then. I was so thrilled she asked me to photograph the day and also have a little input as to the planning. She and Caleb SO wanted an outdoor ceremony. No matter when you get married in Indiana, there is always a chance of some fluke weather freak-October snow storm or who knows what….but as luck would have it, they had the MOST gorgeous warm fall day. I can say that that the week after was FREEZING and the week after that was crazy windy! We had a team of family members helping with all of the details from decorating the location to moving chairs/directing traffic/lining up the getaway vehicle. This family is wonderful..and I feel so blessed that I got to marry in :)
The wedding took place at Fellowship Point in Berne, IN. Just down the road from Jana’s home, it was the perfect relaxed setting for their early afternoon ceremony. I don’t often get the chance to photograph wedding portraits in morning light….good grief it was sooo pretty! We spent much of Friday decorating at Fellowship and figuring out where we would put everything the next morning. Caleb made this gorgeous arch himself for the altar!
Jana knows I LOVE shoes…especially a pair of sparkly ones ;) Their wedding was very relaxed and with the terrain, Jana needed something way more practical! She surprised me that morning when I opened the box to find these beauties inside!!!
ALWAYS one of my favorite parts of the day when the couple chooses to do a First Look. We tucked Caleb back in the trees and I was the only one who got to witness them. Every couple reacts so differently when they see each other for the first time…I was in tears at the pure JOY on their faces. Lots of laughter and smiles! But that’s how these two are ALL the time :)
Everything went so smoothly all morning. Miles, the ring bearer, was going to be the wild card ;) He pulled his baby sister in a wagon down the aisle and the poor guy just couldn’t contain his excitement! When the best man and maid of honor were taking their turn, Miles took off and made his way THROUGH them…with his sister laying on her back with her feet straight up in the air! It was hilarious!
During rehearsal the night before, Caleb kept picking up his mom after they hugged…I didn’t know if he would do it during the ceremony :)
One of my favorite parts of the ceremony was when everyone stood and sang hymns acapella. I love that Caleb and Jana’s faith and upbringing in their love for the Lord was such a huge part of the day, even though it wasn’t held in a church.
Caleb and Jana literally ran down the aisle and around the building without ever stopping to look back! They had their getaway ready and waiting!
Jana and Caleb greeted all of their guests as they entered the reception. There were wonderful speeches, an acapella performance from the group that Jana’s dad, Ted, performs with, cake cutting, AND the photo booth. This was a first for me and in lieu of party and dancing, this was a GREAT way to involve the guests! We used a quilt made my Jana’s Grandma as the backdrop for another personal touch. I wish I could have posted them all..but these were some of my favorites (and a few people you might recognize!) :)
After their send-off, the three of us went back to Fellowship Point for their portraits. Eventually, the family and wedding party started trickling in and joined the bride and groom for their first dance as husband and wife.
Jana and Caleb, we love you dearly. I still don’t think you’re old enough to be married, but then again I’m pretty sure Tim and I were married when we were that age. It just doesn’t seem possible :) I see such a strong foundation of love and friendship in your relationship. Your faith in God and faith in each other will carry you through a lifetime of joys and trials. I can’t wait to watch you two become parents someday and add to this crazy family!
I’m spending this chilly Friday packing my bags for another fabulous wedding on tap for tomorrow! Brooke feels like family, well, technically she is in the cousin of a cousin kind of way ;) There is always an added note of fun to be asked to shoot the wedding of someone I’ve known for so long. I was thrilled from the first official meeting with Brooke and her mom, although I had a pretty good idea of what Brooke’s wedding would look like just by knowing her. I have no doubt that everything has been planned to the “T” and the only thing we’ll have to deal with is this darn COLD weather…I mean, really, this winter needs to MOVE ON! Brooke and Marcus are such a sweet couple and I can’t wait to spend tomorrow with them!
We took their engagement pictures around Van Wert on one of the hottest days of last summer. We were so glad to have a beautiful indoor location to escape the humidity for a while!
I have rarely ever seen Brooke NOT smile…but oh my, that expression is smokin’!
I didn’t hate the fact that I had to wade in the pond for a bit for these images…I’m serious, it was smoldering out and the water felt GOOOOD!
See you tomorrow guys…don’t forget your winter coats ;)
Tomorrow is the day Megan and Joel have been waiting for…and also my first wedding in the states of 2013! Although we will be dodging water puddles and skipping the more-than-soggy grass, the day will be perfect because it’s about the two of them. We shot their engagements early last fall and incorporated so many things that have meaning to them, including the Harley Davidson jacket that was part of Joel’s proposal and shooting at Joel’s parents farm :) These two are flawless together and I’m SO warming up my dancing shoes as we speak for the party to follow tomorrow night!
We had to include a few pictures of Hazel!
Ok, Joel…really?!!! Such a stud! ;)
Don’t these two have THE best smiles?! :D
It’s official..I adore the two of you…See you in the morning!!!!!!!!
