One of my favorite weddings last year was Kristin and Adam’s affair in Van Wert, Ohio last June. I think this was the first wedding where I knew almost every little detail about the day before I showed up! Kristin and I have so much in common and as her wedding was coming together, we both enjoyed sharing details/ideas for how to make the day flawless! I would say Kristin was a modern bride in her taste but also wanted a slightly vintage nod to show in her details, decor and venues. I think she nailed every one perfectly!
With an outdoor ceremony, we both made alternative plans for all things in case of rain. My rule goes something like, “If we plan on the worst case scenario, we’ll be prepared for anything!” We never needed our Plan B as the day was an absolute stunner, blue skies and all! Kristin chose to prepare for the day at a local Bed and Breakfast, Hughes Inn. The room itself was wonderful and I was extra thrilled that the owners permitted us to shoot on their beautiful grounds before the ceremony.
You will see later that Kristin and Adam were surrounded by a great group of friends in their wedding party…Kristin chose to have just her Maid of Honor, Jamie, help her into her gown. It was quite the contrast to most bridal rooms as all the girls are busy and excited for the bride. Jamie and Kristin have been life long friends and I so enjoyed being a part of their conversations…my favorite being how Kristin couldn’t wait to start a family. I’ll explain later why this statement has stuck with me over the months ;)
The first look is always my favorite part of the day….Adam was waiting for Kristin behind the Inn :)
LOVED this group of girls so much! They felt like friends immediately…such beauties!!! And Kristin did a fabulous job choosing their jewelry!
Kristin’s dad arranged for his friend to bring his car into town for a few portraits before the ceremony. I cannot remember his name, but I remember the look on his face when he saw Kristin…he has known Kristin since she was a little girl and it was obvious how much he cared for her…and what an honor it was to him to be asked to participate in this way.
Can you say HOT??!!!!! After finishing all of our portraits, we headed off to Willow Bend Country Club for the ceremony…Loved the attention to detail Kristin had here. They displayed photos of their engagement session along with some old family photos and vintage handkerchiefs on the display rack. The table was also a lovely place to display an old bird cage, books and her wedding programs made my the ever-talented Alicia of Sophie- A Design Boutique.
Quite the difference in what each of these men were feeling in this moment ;)
The reception was a perfect continuation of the day with beautiful centerpieces and linens. It wasn’t long before the party was in full swing. And quite the party it was! I hated for it to end myself!!!
We snuck out for a few night portraits….my favorites from the day :)
Kristin and Adam, thank you, thank you for not only allowing me to be a part of your wedding but for being a joy to work with. I have so enjoyed keeping in touch with you since the wedding and I am looking forward to the newest additions to your family……
Yes, this is the part I told you about earlier! Kristin couldn’t wait for she and Adam to start their family and she didn’t have to wait long! They found out about two months after the wedding that they were expecting…and a month after that they discovered it was TWINS!!!!!!! I think I even called that one in her room the morning of the wedding! And I just recently learned that Jamie (MOH) is expecting too! Glad I didn’t drink the water in that bridal suite ;)
Looking forward to the arrival of the boys in the next month or two! All the best to you both as you become parents! What a YEAR you guys have had!!!!!
I always adore photographing people I have a relationship with outside of my job. It adds a connection for me that is kind of hard to explain…maybe it’s more like the comfort of knowing everyone’s names ;) Dusty’s family has been in my life for many years as we attend the same church. His sister, Katie, was one of the first people to trust in my work and hire me to photograph her wedding without having much to go on…I’ll always be grateful to her for that. When Dusty and Jennifer contacted me to photograph their wedding last Spring, I was again grateful to have another friend trust me to be with them on the most important day of their lives.
I always squeal with delight when I find that a bride will be wearing a cathedral length veil…my favorite. Dusty’s uncle, Brad, is an amazing pianist and plays from this piano on many Sunday mornings :)
Dusty and Jennifer opted for a first look which was the best decision they could have made. I don’t think Jennifer knew how emotional she would be about seeing Dusty and it helped to calm her nerves and enjoy the rest of the day. I had Dusty all ready to go and we were both waiting for Jen….and she never came out!!!! I went back in to find her with her sister…Jen had looked out the window and saw Dusty from behind and was so overcome that she needed a few extra minutes to gather herself back together to meet him at the end of the sidewalk :)
With a Spring wedding, you NEVER know what you’re going to get when it comes to the weather. We were so lucky that it was perfect…if you don’t count the soggy mess we called the ground! What you can’t see is Jen sporting some big ole brown boots under her gown to walk through the yard!
Oh my…I just love this kid. Brason is Dusty’s nephew and the cutest, most ornery thing you’ll ever see!
Loved their first dance so much….and while Dusty and Jen were on the dance floor, Dusty’s nephew Bear was trying to stay awake for the party ;)
Wow, can’t believe they will soon be celebrating their first anniversary!!! Dusty and Jennifer, I am so thankful to have been a part of your day…many more years of happiness to you both!!!!
This was a day I was looking forward to as much as the people getting married….or something like that! I have adored Jamie and Kyle since we almost got my truck stuck in a muddy field during their engagement session! It wasn’t exactly a traumatizing experience that bonded us together or anything…it was just REALLY funny. Jamie and Kyle’s is a relationship full of laughter. And of comfort and friendship. I knew their wedding day would be perfectly suited to who they are as a couple: Fun. Relaxed. Laughter infused into every moment. And Jamie has a laugh that is more than contagious. It grabs ahold of you and takes you along for the ride. I arrived for the day wearing my seat belt ;)
During our last meeting before the big day, we went over last minute details where it was casually mentioned that she was wearing a cathedral length veil…EEK! My.Favorite. What she didn’t mention was how insanely gorgeous her dress was! I couldn’t stop gushing over the design of the skirt! It gave the traditionally shaped gown a very soft yet modern feel…and it suited Jamie’s personality perfectly.
The girls may hate me for posting a picture of them not made up yet, but I absolutely adore Jamie’s mom’s reaction to seeing her only daughter all done up :)
That’s one GORGEOUS ring!!!!!
We were lucky that this wedding took place just on the cusp of the crazy heat we experienced this summer. Don’t get me wrong, it was still very hot and humid, but we weren’t melting ;) I was so thankful Jamie and Kyle opted for a First Look and finished all their portraits pre-ceremony. It gave us the liberty to make a last minute decision to head to a new location for all the pictures where we could stay as cool as possible in the shade of the woods.
Remember Alex and Tyler’s wedding from last summer? The entire family (mom + dad + son Jami) was part of the wedding party…Jami needed a bit of adjustment from mom before his moment in front of the camera ;)
Below, one of my many favorites from the day!
With extra time to burn, we made a short stop on the way to the reception for some laid back images with an urban feel…and I have to tell the story. Remember earlier I said how excited I was about Jamie’s veil? I was almost heartbroken when she told me she only wanted to wear it for the ceremony. I asked her a couple of times if she wanted to wear it for any pictures and she was all NO WAY! Well, since we’re friends and all….I made a second last minute decision of the day. I made her wear it for just a FEW shots downtown. I may have smirked a bit when she told me they were some of her favorite images from the entire ;)
Such a fun wedding party! So many of them have been in weddings I’ve photographed before…it’s like hanging out with the gang again :)
Jamie and Kyle, I absolutely adore you both to pieces! I am so glad to have been a part of your day. All the best to you both as you start the next chapter in your relationship as husband and wife. Continue to find love and laughter in all things you do…it will serve you well :)
