This is me coming back from a blogging hiatus to share the love I've gotten to capture this past year. Starting with the Flechler's! Lately I've been doing a lot of resting. I kept saying I was going to "winter" myself and I meant it! Last year was one of the toughest years I have ever been through. But in my grief, I have found time to rest. Which has ignited my love for what I do all over again.
When I first met the Flechler's, they warned me for their wedding day I am going to need a ladder. They were not kidding. Craning my neck looking up at Madison and Mason... for some reason I felt like I was home. My grandfathers side of the family was exceptionally tall. But moving to Indiana, getting to visit with them became few and far between. They blushed sharing with me how they met and I thought it was the sweetest thing. There is a new norm for finding your bestfriend/love of your life, and that's dating apps! For goodness sakes, I met my husband on a video game! You just can't deny a connection and chemistry! We ended up doing their engagement photos at a local flower farm then the wait for their beautiful wedding day began.
Saturday, November 11th 2023. We arrived at the hotel to meet Madison and Mason. The WARMTH that radiated from Madison was so infectious. I felt like an insect going straight into the light. Anything I felt before that moment melted away and the work extrovert inside of me came out. We got some detail and getting ready shots. Mason was having some "chill time" with the boys watching a game. Madison's hair was done and she was sitting in the makeup chair. I laughed at the thought of how their rooms seemed to be stacked on top of each other and two very different stories were happening at the same time. We headed over to Joe Huber's Family Restaurant.
It was my first time shooting at Joe Huber's, so we quickly scoped the area for spots to take photos. I'm a decent think-on-the-go person. We immediately figured out where we would shoot. The wonderful staff at Joe Huber's were hustling around making sure everything was perfect. We hid Madison and strategically placed Mason at the gazebo for the first look. He nervously stood facing away from the building. Madison, behind him was already choking back the tears! I thought she was going to take off running towards him. It was the sweetest first look. They looked each other up and down showering each other in whispered words. I gave them a little bit of space, then we went right into family portraits. The guests began funneling down the aisle to their seats. We made our way the ceremony area and prepped our camera settings. Everything was running perfectly on time. The weather felt beautiful. The families and friends were joyfully coming together. What an elevated vibe it was!
The DJ began playing a song.
"All my words fall short,
I got nothing new,
How could I express,
All my gratitude?
I could sing these songs,
As I often do,
But every song must end,
And You never do,
So I throw up my hands,
And praise You again and again,
'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah,
Hallelujah
And I know it's not much,
But I've nothing else fit for a King,
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah"
In a way, I feel like I'm expressing my gratitude with eye for capturing love. Seeing that this was not a song anyone was walking down the aisle to, I turned to hide my face from the guests. I used to never cry at weddings. But this year, tears found their way down my cheeks several times. In that moment, I felt like I was right where I was supposed to be in life. Doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing.
The families danced and celebrated together. One of my favorite moments was when the flower girl was being spun around on the dance floor to the song Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond. Or when a song began playing and everyone slow danced to it exactly where they stood. On or off the dance floor. I got to witness an infectiously joyful day. With warm joyful people. I can't wait to see what these two have in store for the future. Madison and Mason are incredible people and I wish them the very best. I am so honored to have captured the Flechlers wedding day!
These are the fabulous vendors that helped make this wedding perfect!
Venue | Joe Huber's Family Farm and Restaurant
Wedding Dress | Twirl Boutique
Florals | Aebersold Florist - New Albany, IN
Cake | Tina's Sweet Spot
DJ | Atmosphere Entertainment Inc - Springfield, KY
Photographers | Elisa Lucas Photography, LLC