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Weddings
Jan and Grant's wedding day has been eagerly anticipated for years. Because during college, they dated seriously...until they broke up. It took graduating college, multiple jobs, two individual moves to Colorado, lots of teary phone calls with mutual friends Q & Brittney (separately!), prayers and more tears, & finally a risky question and letter from Grant before they began to try again. And WOW. I think they both would tell you it was worth it--hard, and not so fun--but worth it to make it to their wedding day! And what a day it was!
December sparkles with twinkle lights, dreams of snow, and the hope of Christmas. It's arguably the most magical month of the year...so when Megan told me that she and Kelly were getting married on December 1, I'm pretty sure I squealed!
Anna and Jordan are native to Minnesota, but they actually both met in college at North Dakota State University! Jordan transferred there after completing his freshman year at Dordt College, where the seeds to connect with a campus ministry had been planted. Eventually, these two became friends through their involvement with The Navigators at NDSU, and through leadership team, campus life, and friends, these two became an item!
This is probably one of my very favorite wedding days. Not because it was the most extravagant (it was wonderfully simple) or some new exotic location (Omaha is not all that new!). Rather, it will forever be a favorite day simply because Naomi is like a sister to me, and James & Naomi have a way about them where everyone feels like family!
Elizabeth and Chris's wedding day threatened to rain. I'd been checking the Des Moines weather throughout the previous week, so that was no surprise to me. Still, nobody wants to have their wedding day shuffled by unexpected rainstorms! Thankfully, the skies were dry when everyone arrived at the church. After Elizabeth finalized her makeup and jewelry, she headed to a nearby barn for her first look with Chris! It was such a sweet moment, and they chatted for a good few minutes before starting more portraits. The sun even peeked out during bridal party photos! We wrapped up family photos (a part I rarely blog, but that is just so important during a wedding day) and drove back over to the church. Not long after, rain was pouring down outside!!! Everyone kept marveling at the miracle that the weather held while we were outdoors. Amazing!
The ceremony was held inside the new sanctuary of the Saylorville Baptist Church. It was simple and sweet--and I loved the foot washing portion of the ceremony! There were tender tears and huge smiles during the ceremony, especially as they were pronounced man and wife! On to the reception (with a few more portraits, because why not?!) and more tears, more laughs, and wonderful words said. Elizabeth's best friend gave a sweet speech, Chris' brother's toast made more than one person cry...and the "mad lib" game answers shared were HILARIOUS. Can I request all my couples do that instead of having glass clinks for kisses?! The Wagners' day was beautiful, and I was thankful to be part of such a wonderful wedding day!
Katie and Jackson's wedding day was beautiful, from start to finish. These two had been waiting for well over a year to get married--and excitement was in the air! Katie and the ladies were up early, happily getting ready at the home she grew up in, before heading over to the Celebration Farm!
Jackson and Katie's first look was so sweet--they wrote letters to each other and read them. I loved that! If any of my other couples want to do that...count me in! Also, it was a bit muggy and hazy from the wildfires happening in the country--but the clouds covered up the sun during the ceremony--which was so perfect. It made the heat more bearable for guests, and not squinting possible for the bridal party!
There is more I could share, but I'm going to just share the photos and let you enjoy this beautiful day for yourself!
I am so thankful to have been the one to document Madeline and Steven's first day of marriage! These two are beyond the best together, and I loved how joyful and God honoring the day was! The way Steven looked at Maddy all day, and the sweet way she always rested on him, shows the deep level of love and tender care they have for one another. These two tied the knot at Trinity Bible Church in Cedar Falls, and held their reception at the beautiful Old Fifty-Six Barn in Grundy Center!
Enjoy a few of my favorite moments and photos from their wedding day!
Once the girls were all ready, we headed over to the first look location. Since their reception was at a barn, but too far away to get to before the reception, Steven and Maddy decided to have their first look at the barn where we shot their engagement photos! I love the consistency in that. Plus, it was a gorgeous spot!
Vendors
Venue: Old Fifty-Six Barn in Grundy Center
Flowers: Bancroft Flowers
Caterer: Moment in Thyme
Event Planner: Ladybugs
“One look at you; my whole life falls in line.
I prayed for you; before I called you mine.
I can’t believe it’s true...
I get to love you.”
Andrea and Gabe's wedding day has been a highlight of my summer! Although we hadn't met in person until their wedding rehearsal, the soon-to-be bride & groom made me feel welcome and at ease right away. Saturday dawned, and any chance of rain almost disappeared. It was a warm and sunny day…just perfect for June, and especially for taking wedding photos outside! I'm so thankful these two trusted me to travel to St. Paul, Minnesota to be capture their wedding day.
Andrea and Gabe married in the chapel at the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, their alma mater (where they met!). It was a sweet and simple day, full of kind people and lots of laughter. A highlight of the ceremony was definitely when Gabe played a song he wrote for Andrea…I don't know if there was a dry eye in the room! The reception was nearby at the New Brighton Community Center, for a late lunch, dancing, and Andrea surprising Gabe with brand new, matching ukelales! These two know how to love each other well!
Shout out to Sue of Jubilee Flower Studio for doing an amazing job with the flowers!
“Touch my soul and hold it tight
I’ve been waiting all my life
I won’t scar your young heart
Just take my hand.”
Oh, where to begin! These two. Katie and Jake met at Iowa State through the same campus ministry. At first glance, they appeared opposites. He was, through and through, a farm boy. She was also from a small town, but had dreams of moving overseas. Jake is tall. Katie is …not short, but not as tall as Jake. ;) Jake started off quiet, Katie's personality matches her brilliant hair.
However, the Lord had plans for these two! Katie recruited Jake to go overseas one summer (to Mongolia!). They started hanging out, talking, and the mutual interest grew. Surprise, surprise—they started dating. And got engaged! And that brings us to a month ago. March 18, 2017. The day Katie and Jake married, surrounded by their family and best friends…including a few from around the world! It was a day to celebrate…but first…everyone had to get dolled (and guy'd) up. :)
Next up: the first look. Oh, it was sweet! Also, even though the sun was harsh and the wind just as harsh (in a cold way)…we found a spot at the reception location, Prairie Moon Winery in Ames, and it was just perfect for the big reveal!
On to bridal party portraits! I am going to be real—March is a hard month to make pretty portraits. Everything is still dead, and you don't know if it'll be warm or snowing. I knew campus would at least provide us a few options for open shade, and some evergreens. Iowa State's campus is never a bad choice…it's always gorgeous! ;)
We headed back to warm up inside (it doesn't look it, but it there was a bitter wind.) The musicians began to warm up, the girls put finishing touches back on their makeup, and the ceremony began!
Post-ceremony, everyone heading next door to Prairie Moon. White Willow did an amazing job with the decor—all the greens and white tones were perfect. Katie & Jake's wedding party also did a great job on their entrances. (After being a bridesmaid in 3 weddings, I can attest to how hard it is to come up with fun things to do in the two seconds you think about it before walking in front of 300 people!!)
Cake cutting. Jake's mom put (plastic) spiders in their cake. It was great!
We snuck out to grab a few more portraits in the golden light, around the winery. I narrowed it down, but it was hard! These two rocked it.
Oh—you thought we were done? NOT EVEN CLOSE! Y'all …these two are getting about twice what I normally give out for weddings! This is a new record for me, blogging-wise, and otherwise. Maybe I'm just going to overshoot my 2017 weddings this year? Bring it! Too much pretty!
Vendor Details
Ceremony: Christ Community Ames
Reception: Prairie Moon Winery
Catering: Hickory Park
Videography: Jason & Emily Stuhrenberg
Katie's Dress: Orange City Chrysalis
Bridesmaid's Dresses: Sarah Wood
Event Coordinator: Taylor H. at White Willow Events
Digital photos are wonderful. They're easy to share, transport, manage. However, nothing can replace printed images. The art of printed photos, scrapbooks, and albums has gone by the wayside in lieu of CD's, flashdrives, and online sharing. It's a shame!
I can't fix or change that. And honestly, I wouldn't really want to! However, I hope to offer my clients the chance to have high quality, long-lasting, and beautiful albums to display for years to come. These albums will be cherished on wedding anniversaries, or after a fight when better times need to be remembered. They'll be pulled out to show their children as they recant how they met, got engaged, and the day they said, "I do."
I'm so excited to now offer high quality albums to my clients! They definitely exceed anything you can get on snapfish. ;) It was so much fun to design this one for the Freemans, who married last summer in Des Moines, and I wanted to give you all a peek into their wedding album. It's never too late to order one—even if your wedding was 5 years ago, I'd love to create one for you! Or, if you are getting married in 2017, add one to your photography package!
It will be worth it…I promise!
I forgot to get a good photo of the cover, so excuse the one of it in the box! Don't you just love the beautiful grey fabric? It reminded me of the groomsmen's suits from the wedding day! Also, take note of how well it lays flat when open (below).
Ahhhh! If I had an album of my own, I'd never stop looking at it. (Insert heart eyes emoji here!) It's my dream that someday, all my clients will insist on these in their photography packages. How could you not? ;)
PS! I still have openings this summer and fall! If you are getting married in Ames, Cedar Falls, Des Moines or beyond and looking for a wedding photographer… shoot me an email and let's talk! I can't wait to create more beautiful images of wonderful weddings.
November can be a gorgeous month, especially on sunny days. This November was unseasonably warm. All the way until Selena & Josh's wedding, that is! Thursday we had weather in the 60's, but Saturday was mostly in the 30's and pretty windy to boot. The bridal party put up with me begging them to head outside for photos, and were such troopers! The light really was gorgeous, and I'm thankful we made it happen. :)
This wedding was simple and sweet. So many dear friends came to see these two married off, and laughter reverberated through the sanctuary and reception hall the entire day! A few moments that I loved were Selena's first look with her dad…and the cake cutting. ;) Scroll along to see for yourself!
Jared and Alea had the sweetest August wedding one could dream of! It was a joy to capture them on their wedding day, making a covenant together in front of all their family and friends. It was perfectly them, which means boots, country music, and some of the best home cooked food that you could imagine was involved! I think that my favorite part of this day (besides Alea's dance with her father—talk about a real tear jerker!) was sneaking out for sunset photos on the golf course. MMMMMM, yes please. (Also, shoutout to my lil sister for seconding and snagging some of these photos!)
“At last, at last
Bones of my bones
And flesh of my flesh
At last”
Jesse & Sophie. Two people, so perfectly designed by a Creator for life with one another. They met through college, and most of their relationship has been long distance (try Iowa to Indonesia!) but now they finally get to live life…TOGETHER! Despite some crazy heat and humidity, and a few unexpected rainshowers, this day was lovely. Sophie and her girls got ready at the church, in the library. Her parents married here, and now, it was her turn! We took wedding party photos at the old brick church building, which was gorgeous and turned out splendidly. After the wedding, we headed to the reception hall in Nevada, where the BEST DANCE PARTY of my life happened. (And everyone else's too, I'd bet!) A highlight of the night was when "Jesse's Girl" came on & Jesse proceeded to dance enthusiastically to it. ;) The evening ended with a birdseed exit—and I LOVE how it looks like glitter in the photos! What a night!
“I’m gonna live where the green grass grows
Watchin’ my corn pop up in rows
Every night be tucked in close to you
Raise our kids where the good Lord’s blessed
Point our rocking chairs towards the west
Plant our dreams where the peaceful river flows”
It's hard to express this day with words. Jess was my very closest friend for three years in high school, and watching her move away to college after graduation was so hard for my little 18 year old heart. However, our friendship remained constant…through twitter, skype, and the occasional sleepover. A few years in, Jessa started talking to a boy. Brandon. "B." And wouldn't you know it, college graduation, way too many miles of driving most weekends, a puppy-turned-dog, and grad school later, they are finally married!
Photographing Jessa's wedding day was so very sweet. It's what we dreamed of in high school, come true at last! Actually, it's not. It's better. Because our dreams in high school were sub-par and awfully hilarious. Good thing God knows better than that. ;) Enjoy Jess and Brandon's wedding day photos—a sweet summer day full of sunshine, prairie flowers, family, friends, and so much love!
Lauren and Ryan got married on the perfect July day. It rained (just a little!)—a sweet sign of good luck, but all storms held off, with no humidity to show for the season! They chose to get married at Ryan's home church, and held the reception a short drive away in Van Meter, IA. These two had their closest friends standing up with them, and so many family members to celebrate with them on their big day. Lauren was so laid back and thoughtful of everyone around her. Seriously the sweetest bride that could be! Ryan incorporated his infamous "Chapstick flip" into the ceremony, and kept his new bride smiling all day long with his care for her. It was truly an honor to photograph their wedding (especially after shooting the proposal and engagements, and literally getting back into the country three days before!). They moved out to Maryland for Ryan's job a few days later, and are currently on their honeymoon! Hope you two are having a blast exploring Maine and taking some photos of your own. :)
Overcast days with just a touch of rain, and a beautiful sunset to end the night, are any photographer's dream. Liz and Scott's wedding day did not disappoint! Although, the fact that they cared more about the guests in attendance and the marriage than the details of the decor made the day absolutely perfect. (The details were there, thoughtful and sweet! Complete with homemade pies and desserts…so tasty.) The Hansens' chose to have their wedding at Riverside Bible Camp, just a short drive from Iowa State University—where Scott graduated with an engineering degree that morning. Talk about a monumental day! ;)
Venue: Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp
Dress: J. Crew
Dress Hanger: Got Joy Gifts
Flowers: Heaven Scent
Cake: New Pioneer Co-Op
Also, many thanks to the wonderful Erin, who snagged some amazing shots of the guys getting ready & others throughout the day!
Erin got the shot above and I love it:) It's so much fun having a second shooter who can grab similar but wider/closer shots alongside me!!!
“And oh, we got time, yeah,
So darling, just say you’ll stay right by my side
And oh, we got love, yeah,
Darling, just swear you’ll stand right by my side.””
Austin and Michelle's story is one of grace. Of friendship and dating, of breaking up and spending time apart and waiting...and then, oh joy!, reconnecting. Jesus has used these two in their college, in the world, and in the ministry of their lives separately—Michelle is almost done with nursing school, and Austin is studying to be a youth pastor. Their lives will be better and stronger together, for a "chord of three strands is not easily broken." Celebrating their love on a surprisingly cold March day was a sweet treat! These two are so loved by the family & friends that joined them there. Many, many blessings on your married life! It was so much fun to travel to Omaha and to photograph this wonderful Nebraska wedding! ;) Thank you for trusting me to capture your day:)
Wedding Venue: Nebraska Christian College
Cake: The Cake Gallery
Popcorn from Jock & Jill's Popcorn
Cupcakes by Infinity Cupcakes
Sara and I attended the same high school, but since we didn't run in the same circles, we never met. Fast forward to this spring, when I received an email from her asking about engagement and wedding photos! It was so wonderful to spend time getting to know these two over the course of the summer, and their wedding was such a simple and personal affair. Jake and Sara wed at the Waterloo Center for the Arts, the perfect location for wedding, reception, and bridal party photos! Also…my favorite part of the day might have been Sara's first look with her son. He was so shy and yet so happy, and it is something that I'm sure he'll remember for years to come:)
“I haven’t seen her
For a month or so
Young love feels like finding buried gold”
Kyle and Bailie met in college. Over time, a friendship and then relationship was built. Even as Kyle switched universities (to the other side of the country!) to pursue pastoral ministry, and Bailie finished her degree and began working a few more states eastward, their relationship has stayed strong. This is not due to their own strength, bur rather, that their relationship was founded on Christ, His love, and His grace.
Kyle and Bailie had such a perfect wedding day! Not only was the weather wonderful for their outdoor wedding at The Celebration Farm, but joy was so evident in every moment & step along the way! From their time praying together before the ceremony (but no first look!) to the time of worship during the ceremony, from enjoying the yummiest Mediterranean food for dinner to dancing the night away with dear friends and family, this day was 100% them & absolutely glorious to behold.
Wedding Venue: The Celebration Farm
(with help from Katie!)
Caterer: Oasis Falafel
Dessert: Heyn's Ice Cream
Florist: Hyvee Floral