06 • 09 • 15

AN ELEGANT, WHOLESOME SPRING WEDDING

COLLIN + MARISSA

PINIMAGEI remember meeting at Starbucks with Marissa & her mother after she got engaged, and she was ready to roll the details out. She came with a binder full of pinterest images, color swatches, and every detail under the sun. This girl is definitely a Type A personality, which I can appreciate that so much in her & so many of my friends because well, I’m not. I loved her excitement for the big day and listening to both her and her mom discuss why they wanted certain things. It was so great showing up on the wedding day and seeing so many of her dreams executed. At our initial meeting, she was not quite sure about this ‘first look’ deal, but after further discussion, she was convinced it was the best route for them to go. [personal plug: if you would like discuss why I am pro ‘first-look’ 100% just ask. The pros are endless.]

So let’s get into some of these details. This could be a little longer post, but for someone who has put in the effort this bride has, it deserves some background info for those of you who love following this topic. Marissa had so many details for me to photograph, all ready to go. She had a ‘parent’s pile’ with cards and gifts for them. She bought her dad a money clip that is engraved (see below), and she wrote a letter to her mom within a frame for a photo to go in. I loved how much she spoiled Collin on their wedding day, too. In the box below she bought him a Fossil watch & had attached an engraved ‘card’ to be placed in his wallet. You will also see a stack of letters that Collin received on their wedding day. Marissa began writing to her future husband before she had even met Collin. There was a ‘check list’ letter and other letters dated from at least back to 2010 that continued to their wedding day. What a precious gift!!!! Needless to say, there may have been a tear or two shed by Collin, which is a good thing she also gifted him a stitched tear rag. I loved how much he appreciated what she had done.

The day began at the hair salon, where her bridesmaid, Olivia, had the joy of doing her hair for the big day. These two go way back to high school! (Side note: Come to find out, Olivia & I may be related through marriage, who knew?! ) We headed back to the hotel to get Marissa in that gorgeous dress. Upon arriving there, I saw all the details she had gifted her bridesmaids. They had ADORABLE embroidered bags that had their jewelry, sunglasses, and adorable tops to wear while they were getting ready. Her mother was the only one helping her put her dress on and I loved getting the reactions of everyone after the reveal. Her bridesmaids were ecstatic for her & her brothers were taken back. Marissa’s dad had the best reaction & told her, “You are the most beautiful bride I have EVER seen.” My heart was so full watching this all unfold.

Off to portraits we went & they couldn’t have gone better. I love this group!! Because the day called for thunderstorms, they delayed setting up the outdoor ceremony. We were suppose to be photographing the bridal party portraits, but all the groomsmen were put to work. Even as guests were arriving, they all got their umbrellas out because we felt the drops, but it held off. Soon the beautiful ceremony began with worship, led by Dayne Gowan. Before Marissa even walked down the aisle, the pastor addressed Collin, asking him to commit to the responsibility of a Godly husband. Instead of the traditional candle lighting or sand ceremony, they tied a knot, which was perfect for them. I had goosebumps & tears from the time the ceremony started. It was pure, intentionally planned, and authentic.

Immediately following the ceremony I met up with the newly wed couple to start portraits, but Collin looked at us & said, I think we need to go inside. My heart sunk!! We did the majority of the pictures before, but we still had a few to do of them & then we had the entire bridal party shots to do. I’ll be honest, I thought to myself, these should have been done before the ceremony & now what are we going to do?! Most of my followers know, I do not opt for indoor photos at all, especially when we are talking about a bridal party. In my mind, I was frantically running through options of what to do because it was a downpour & I mean crazy wind and hard rain. Although I was regretting that we did not get the group portraits done beforehand, things could not have turned out more perfectly. Because it had turned into a mist, I told the group we are going outside & I have 6 clear umbrellas we will be using. I think they thought I was crazy, but I LOVED how these turned out & I’m honestly thankful we didn’t get the group shots in beforehand because I would have never shot these photos. They are so unique, fun, and gorgeous!!!! These are some of my favorite group shots ever! One of my absolute favorite detail is the little vial Marissa’s cousins had given her to capture the rain from her wedding day & seal it. They already had a cute little box for it with scripture tied to it. I’m obsessed with this. How thoughtful & how awesome to store the rain from your wedding day?!?!!?

This was one of the best receptions!!! It had a pie bar with homemade pies from Der Dutchman (which I got to take a whole Peanut Butter one home!!!). The food was served family style, which I HIGHLY recommend. I had never seen that done at a reception, but it was so much more efficient and you could eat what you wanted! The bride + groom had their siblings give toasts. They were hilarious and genuine. Marissa & her father had a choreographed dance, and the dance floor never stopped. You know you are in good company when the dance floor is non-stop at a dry wedding. It was packed & it was AWESOME! Towards the end, the boys & girls actually had a dance off going… EPIC!

Well, I will now let the photos speak for themselves!!