It was serendipity in my mind.  On the fourth of July, I photographed one of my favorite weddings to date, a beautiful outside golf course wedding.  The woman who owns the salon who did that bride’s hair contacted me a few weeks later, saying that she had a crazy far out question.  Her and her partner were getting married in 2 months…and were wondering if I could photograph for them. A few days prior to her contacting me, I would have had to say no, because my husband and I have been planning a trip to Virginia for months for a mentoring session (and Anniversary Session- happy 5 years to us!!!) with my favorite business owner and photographer Katelyn James.  But Katelyn had just contacted me saying she had been offered the opportunity to teach on Creative Live, which is a HUGE deal, and we had just rescheduled. I had a random open Saturday in the middle of my busiest 12 weeks of the year- and Heidi and Alyssa needed a photographer.  I was thrilled to hear from her, and as the details came through I just got more and more excited.  The wedding was going to be outside. At a State park.  They were getting ready in a beautiful hotel suite downtown Springfield.  Alyssa has a huge musical (and musical theatre!) background like me.  The details poured in during planning and during their wedding day, and I was just SO honored to be a witness to it all!

Before I say anything about this beautiful and oh so loved couple, I have to say something about their wedding details…because they were INCREDIBLE.  These were my favorite flowers ever–and they weren’t real (which I NEVER thought I would say!).  Their amazing coordinator Hannah (more on her later!) found these Sola flowers- basically, they are hand made flowers made out of various natural resources…and these ones were made out TAPIOCA.  Yes, like pudding (yum).  They were STUNNING, and SO detailed and intricate and beautiful- and will adorn their home forever now!!

Love. These. Shoes.  

They literally took my breath away!This is bride Heidi. She is outgoing, and kind, and funny, and very smart.  She is close to her family, and an incredibly talented business woman.  She moved states for love.  And while she claimed she doesn’t love the camera, she photographs BEAUTIFULLY!!!

And this is bride Alyssa.  The thing that stood out most to me was her smile and laughter- it is with her whole face, and her whole heart- you could hear her laughter throughout the day over everything!

Alyssa created a broach bouquet out of many pins and broaches from her grandmother’s collection, and each of which represented something. I adored hearing Heidi tell me about her soon-to-be-wife’s bouquet with such love in her voice!Heidi’s sister and mother…love these moments that make up a day!

Heidi’s sister was sewing Alyssa’s belt on to her dress…while on her!

First look on a grand staircase in a hotel? Ok!Love these!!

On to the state park!

Grandma flower girls….love it!!

Their dear friend Adam did their ceremony and was absolutely wonderful- he spoke from the heart, with wisdom, and with such great love for these best friends of his.

Beauties!!!

I was a little obsessed with this cake table….a friend of theirs made it all (seriously!!) and it was STUNNING!!!

Time for a few more portraits- LOVE this set!

Heidi and Alyssa, thank you SO much for asking me to be a part of your day! I am so excited for what the future holds for you both, and wish you all love and happiness! 

 

Creative team:

Coordinator/Designer: Hannah Graham (this woman is a GENIUS- she provided so much of the reception decor, but much more so took the initial desires of these brides, like “wedding outside at a park” and “non-traditional flowers” and made MASTERPIECES!  I would recommend her to ANYONE- and, she is totally nice and fun to work with!!)

Hair and Makeup: Full Blown, Blow Dry Bar

Getting ready suite: Hilton in Downtown Springfield

Flowers: Sola Flowers (you have to check out this website- amazing! The flowers came with just the heads, and Hannah- the amazing coordinator- wired and arranged/designed them all. There were hundreds all in all- they were unbelievable!!!)

Chair and Table Rentals: Signature Events Rental

Ceremony and Reception Location: Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Park

Videography team: Imagination Designs

If you loved this wedding, check out Heather and Mike’s outdoor September wedding here!