Viewing entries tagged
Wedding
November increases in popularity each year with couples getting married, and I truly love it. It’s a very underrated month! Gwen and Brady, however, are not underrated- they’re incredible, and everyone knows it! Click thru to see more of this elegant wedding at the 1868 Farmhouse.
This day was SO HOT but you’d not know it from the photos!! Regan, Grant, and their whole crew were troopers and we had a wonderful August wedding day in Pella at Sun Valley Barn!
This wedding was such a beauty, and we had the perfect day (a bit muggy at first, but what else is new in Iowa!?) to celebrate Laura + Derek’s vows! Check out this stunning couple and their Prairie Moon Winery day!
I know it’s only October, but looking back on this past year, I’m just so thankful and amazed that such incredible couples have chosen me to capture their wedding day on film. (Ok, it’s digital, but it’s more fun to say film! And who knows? Maybe someday I’ll add in some fine art film elements to my wedding photography packages!) These are just a few of my favorite outdoor and indoor photos from my weddings over the past year. I’ll do a more comprehensive blog post at the end of the year, but for now, it’s just fun to reminisce on these sweet days! From proposals to engagement photos to weddings… these are my people. Brides & grooms who are kind, joyful, adventurous, romantic, and who have hearts of gold. I couldn’t do this without them!
Joelle and Kyle complement each other perfectly. They're yin and yang, tall and short, laughter and thought, social and shy. These two had been acquaintances for a while, until a year of college in the same dorm made them more. ;) They had a gorgeous day, nestled in the city of Ames in central Iowa, and I had the joy of photographing this wedding day!
Shelby and Preston's wedding day at Riverside Bible Camp was an absolute dream! Shelby wanted things to keep with a simple, springtime feel, and I have to say that I'm slightly obsessed with ev.ery.thing. The girls and guys began their day getting ready at a hotel in Story City, making it easy for everyone to sleep in a little before the big day.
We began photos at Walnut Ridge Baptist Church, where Danae and her ladies were snacking on bagels, drinking sparkling cider, and getting made up. Knowing some of those women made the morning extra fun for me! Danae had chosen a gorgeous deep purple for her bridesmaids to wear, and I just have to say--this may be one of my favorite color palettes! Not to mention her ring...heavenly. I'm so thankful to have had the time for detail photos, especially the sweet heirloom handkerchief Danae carried!
“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 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
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!
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!
“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
