North Chili

Katie’s Mom contacted me a few months ago asking if I was available for a date in June for her daughter’s wedding and was elated to say that we were! I chatted with her about their day and when I looked up their venue (to be announced at a later date), I was over the moon in love! Joel, Katie and I discussed some of their details and I knew it would be a dream wedding!!

Over the next few weeks, Joel and I texted a few questions and answers back and forth and we finally landed on a date for an Engagement session! Yay!! We met at Black Creek Park in North Chili and the weather was nice 61 degrees, little breeze and some nice clouds but I could tell Katie was a little chilly so I knew tonight was about cuddles to keep warm!

Within 3 minutes I could tell we were going to have a great session! Their smiles were contagious and immediately I could see why they were getting married, they beamed for each other. They told me they hadn’t had a lot of practice before and I told them I didn’t believe them lol, they were NATURALS! No fake smiles here guys!!

We had so much fun walking around the park and showing them our posing techniques for their wedding day and by the end, I knew we would be golden on their wedding day. I can’t wait to celebrate with them in June but for now, here are a few of our favorites!!

Caralyn and I have known each other since our younger school days and she has trusted me to take her family’s photographs over the last few years. While it was always great to see them once a year, it was a TREAT when Caralyn told me that her and Brian had gotten engaged and she wanted me to photograph their wedding!

Over the next months, we decided to meet up for coffee every few weeks to become closer friends and of course, talk wedding details! She told me about the fall colors of her bridesmaids dresses and what visions she had for their alter that a friend was building for them. I couldn’t wait to see it all come together! Weeks came and went and as we got closer, Caralyn showed her concerns for the weather showing for stormy but I assured her not to pay too close attention to that until we were days away… unfortunately even the eve of their wedding it showed storms throughout the day and we were trying to come up with a way to keep everyone covered during the outdoor ceremony. We met at the rehearsal that evening and when Caralyn’s father was asked to lead us in prayer he said “The weather man says one thing, Lord, but you say another… ” and after the rest of his touching prayer for their wedding day, we all said “Amen”.

The next morning, I immediately jumped out of bed to check the weather forecast and to my absolute shock, all the rain predicted vanished and it was set to be a clear day!! It was truly a miracle!

After photographing Brian and his groomsmen, we switched gears to Caralyn and her bridesmaids before allowing them all to get in cooler air before the ceremony started. Beautiful music started to play as we watched the processional began. We watched each of the bridesmaids walk down the aisle before Caralyn made her entrance. Once she was visible to Brian, it was obvious that to each other, they were the only ones there in that moment. Her Dad flashed her a big smile and she gracefully walked her way to Brian who had been choked up since he first saw her. They had an amazing ceremony and a beautiful kiss to seal the deal!

We went on to family formals and bridal party photos with their various colors but then onto my favorite part of the day which is Bridal portraits between the couple! We didn’t have long before they were being announced into their reception so we did some portraits in the pathway near the lodge and planned to go back out after dinner when the sun would be lower to the horizon line and that’s exactly what we did!

After dinner and some dancing, we went out for more Bridal portraits, where Brian and Caralyn were able to have a little alone time as I asked them to cuddle on the bench under a beautiful tree, then ended with a trip to the ice cream truck they had hired for dessert. (9 Cone Cone) I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by so we documented them having their wedding day treat in lieu of cake before Dan and I left for the evening. I’m so glad we did!

I am so humbled when Clients trust me with their wedding days, always, but when a friend allows you to capture the day as you saw it, it pulls on the heartstrings just a little more. Congratulations Brian & Caralyn!!

Here are a few of our favorite from their day!