Fall wedding season began with a whirl of heat, beauty, woods, logs, and rustic beauty that absolutely took my breath away. A while ago, an old friend of mine got engaged. Then a few months ago, a very very dear friend of mine told me that she had been asked to photograph that wedding, and as someone who is just getting started at weddings and also was going to be 34 weeks pregnant and would have to travel across the country from her home to get to the wedding near me, was wondering if I would be her help for the day and backup if she couldn’t make it…and of course I said YES! I was SO excited to get to photograph with my sweet Morgan, as it is one of the many passions and similarities she and I share.  She knows this, but in my dream world she ends up living near me and we spend our days galavanting in fields at sunset photographing people we love…one can dream!  I wouldn’t ever miss a rare opportunity to spend a day with her, and was so honored to be able to help her.

As the details for the day became clearer, I began to realize how much this day would speak to my heart, and my soul, as an artist. The bride was using my favorite colors and textures for her wedding style.  There was lots of family involved in every aspect of the day.  It was going to be an outdoor wedding, all in one place for the whole festivities.  She was going to wear her mother’s wedding dress. People, this wedding was speaking to me LONG before we got there and it never stopped!

I have to take one more minute (who am I kidding, when is it EVER just a minute!) to say something about Heather and Michael.  And Morgan, my dear friend.  There was no short amount of tears and emotion out of me in preparation for this wedding and on the day of. You see, Heather and Morgan grew up together (I met Morgan at college) and were a part of a community that is tight knit to say the least. Morgan made a facebook post the week before Heather’s wedding discussing the army of moms and women that had helped with her own wedding, and how Heather had been a part of that, in addition to about 10 other families that have just been instrumental in the raising, and the weddings, of each other.  And while I read it, a tear slipped down my face, and then again on the way home from the wedding as I thought about this community.  These families that have been SO involved in each others lives, mostly connected through church and some home schooling and youth groups.  They aren’t perfect- there have been fights and difficulties and challenges of being in a community as close knit as they are.  But there has been such enormous love, and support, and dedication to each others lives, and it is what I crave and pray we will be able to give our kids.  My heart yearns for those sort of friendships that they all built together, that their parents built, where everything was a team and group effort. And the weddings of these girls as they have grown up are such a beautiful demonstration of that.  Morgan’s mother in law helped Heather’s mom sew Heather into her wedding dress (you read that right!) while an army of other mothers and daughters and sons set up the reception and wedding while dads of all of these kids sang at the reception…you will see the threads throughout that create their tapestry, and it is just stunning.

Ok enough words, I will let the pictures tell the story now!
True Colors Salon in Mt Zion had the CUTEST furniture and details- I wanted it all!

We then headed to Heather’s parent’s home to start detail shots in a completely IDEAL, rustic, and beautiful environment.

I just love this all!

Rose gold rings.  Seriously.

Sewing the bride into her mother’s wedding dress.

Heather, you are BEAUTIFUL!

Heather’s mother’s name had been inscribed on the dress when she wore it- and then her beautiful mom added Heather’s.

First look time…Love these moments.

We had 2 photographers and 2 videographers and a few parents all in the background here so I didn’t take very much here…but I admit, I love Heather’s chlidhood playset in these shots.  There is something poetic about it to me.
Heather…you are bridal perfection!!!

This is just about my favorite portrait location ever.

I’m not really a family portraits poster…but I can’t help it with these proud grandparents!

Exchanging gifts, finally at the stunning and historic Rockome Gardens.

Heather and Michael gave us SO much portrait time…and with this stunning location, we needed it!

Oh a nose crinkle laugh…so much joy!

Faaaavorite!

How beautiful are these awesome ladies?!

These bouquets by Shirley’s Flower Shoppe BLEW me away–absolutely stunning!

This ceremony location was dreamy. On the right, Heather and Michael are surrounded by their siblings in prayer. There wasn’t a dry eye…

Sunset photos…my FAVORITE part of portraits!

The reception barn was just adorable, even with the heat!! 🙂

Favorite.

A duo that has been absolutely instrumental in my life in endless ways (and also happen to be Morgan’s dad and sister!) sang the daddy-daughter dance song…it was wonderful in every way.

My beautiful Morgan, her baby boy, and me…excuse our faces after photographing for 11 hours in 95+ degree heat!

Us and the bride- nice capture, TJ!! 😉

Congratulations beautiful Heather and Mike. I am so excited for you, and was so honored to be a part of your day! And Morgan, my sister, thank you so much for allowing me to help.  Love you always.