Soft music was playing. Sheer white curtains were released gently closing after the sweet flower girls made their way down the aisle. The guests took only seconds to rise to their feet. Mary stood on the other side of the white curtains with her father on her arm. Logan, the groom, smiled at the soft silhouette behind the curtains. Before they could call themselves teenagers, did Logan imagine this moment the day he bought Mary a promise ring? A soft moment in the music started playing and the curtains were pulled back. Logan smiled even bigger, then his lips pressed into a thin line as he was trying to hold back tears. They have been sweethearts since childhood. Mary smiled, as always so contagious, and it prompted a tearful smile from Logan. They bowed their heads and prayed.
Late in the night in early February, I was doing my usual late night editing on my couch next to my husband. A message came in from a sweet older sister seeking a photographer for her younger sisters upcoming wedding. I replied, then turned to my husband. "I have an inquiry for a wedding on one of your race weekends." I told him. "Is that so?" he replied. "I am going to meet them for coffee. If it feels right in my gut, I will be open to booking. And if it doesn't feel right, I will kindly let them know I will be out of town." He agreed this was reasonable. I know he secretly hoped I would be traveling with him to California that weekend. But after the coffee date and how I gushed over how much I loved Mary and Logan's story and how sweet her sisters Bethany and Mandy are... He knew he would be flying solo! I feel humbled and honored that they chose us to capture their special day! In May, we met again for their engagement session and it made me even more excited for them!Â
Early on their wedding day, I was woken up by thunder and rain! It's June! Why is it raining? It has been raining up something silly in Southern Indiana! Luckily in the afternoon, the rain had stopped. When my second shooter and I arrived at Merry Ledges in the Woods. We said a quick hello to everyone and began scouting the wedding venue grounds. Bethany, sporting rain boots, gave us a quick tour of the area and pointed out details to look out for. As my blue lace flats filled with water and mud, I made a mental note to buy some rain boots for weddings! I walked a little slower through the slippery and squishy woods to scout locations. The reception hall about stopped me in my tracks. They gorgeously decorated it with paper wildflowers, pulling off this rustic yet classic antique style. Framed letters and pictures of Mary and Logan decorated the outskirts of the room pulling you into their love story. Bethany joked that their engagement pictures look so perfect, like they came in the frame to begin with. Maybe stock engagement photos are in my future. Haha! Looking around, I tilted my head to the ceiling to suck the tears building up in my eyes back down. My heart is with this family.Â
After their beautiful ceremony, I thoroughly enjoyed family picture time as well as Marriage Portraits. That's my jam!!! The organization wouldn't have been as beautifully executed without my right-hand woman and second shooter Heather Wilkerson, checking off the wedding questionnaire list of who we needed for family portraits. Famished and parched we got to the reception hall. I quickly set up my flash stand, flipped through my camera settings and gave the thumbs up. The roar of the reception hall when Mary and Logan entered the room hit my soul! The guests were excused to line up for the perfect pizza and rootbeer buffet. I headed over to my gear to switch out memory cards and get off my feet for a minute. We ended up having a fun vendor powwow over in the corner with Missi Bush, the very sweet owner of Merry Ledges in the Woods. And Jason Wetherholt, a very talented videographer who was absolutely phenomenal to work beside throughout the day! After the reception fun. Heather and I quickly passed out bubbles and guided the guests outside for the grand bubbly exit! I could only dream of days this perfect for my clients!
These are the amazing vendors that helped make this day perfect!
Planning & Organization | Bethany Harrington and Family
Venue | Merry Ledges in the Woods
Photographers | Elisa Lucas, Heather Wilkerson
Videographer | Jason Wetherholt
DJ |Â Anthony Stafford