Ashley & Grant | A Kansas Wedding

This was a wedding like no other…  The bride, Ashley, is family (Karen’s cousin to be exact), the wedding was in her parent’s backyard, our daughter was the flower girl, and the reception was at the ZOO!  In other words…it was a most perfect wedding!  :)  The day started out like any other.  We knew it was going to be a hot day, but were prepared to deal with it.  What we weren’t prepared for was the news we received upon arrival to the house.   We heard a rumor that the wedding cake was MISSING!  What made the news even more distressing is that Ashley made two, or was it three trips? to the bakery a few weeks before the wedding to be sure that everything was perfect.  On the day of the wedding, Ashley’s aunt went to the bakery to get to cake only to discover that it wasn’t there.  It wasn’t anywhere.  NO CAKE.  The news was relayed to the bride, and from what we were told, she pretty much just shrugged her shoulders and said, “It’s ok, I still get to marry Grant.”  Don’t you just love her?!?  I mean really!  Ashley was the total and complete opposite of a Bridezilla!  She was simply a dream to work with.  :)  In the end, the cake was found (still not sure how you LOSE a cake), and the rest of the day went rather smoothly! 

Wedding Details:

• Date:  May 29, 2010
• Wedding Location:  Bride’s Parents backyard in Kansas
• Interim Photos:  Around town in Salina, KS
• Reception:  Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure, Salina, KS

First a couple of pics of the dress:

Since the wedding was going to be in the bride’s parent’s backyard, the bride was able to get ready at home.  How convenient is that?!  There’s no need to worry about forgetting anything…

The flower girl assisting with the bridal shoes…  I love the ‘people train’ of everyone helping each other!

While I was inside with the girls, Matt went outside to get some shots of the shoes and rings…

Here’s the beautiful bride…ready to take some photos before the wedding.  She had these adorable umbrellas, so we decided to make use of them.  Oh!  And the dresses…they were stunning!  :)

Mackenzie was so excited to be the Flower Girl, and took her job very seriously.  She wanted to help Ashley all day long…

I just love this shot:  Grant was looking out of the window to watch the beginning of the wedding.  Mackenzie was so enthralled with everyone’s rolls that she wanted to be a part of everything.  I love that she is watching him, as he watches the wedding.  It was so priceless!

Isn’t the backyard stunning?!  Everything looked amazing!

    They are married!  WOO HOO!!

Some more details for you.  The bride and her helpers, spent MANY hours on the decorations for her wedding.  They made all the bouquets, center pieces, cake toppers, aisle runners, etc.  They were some very busy ladies!

The tree in the photo below had been struck by lightening earlier in the year.  Instead of getting rid of it, a neighbor suggested that they paint it black and add some blossoms to it.  Well, it seemed like a perfect idea…especially since the theme of the wedding was cherry blossoms!    They stood the large branches up against the arbor and created a tastefully decorated area for the bride and groom to get married.  Doesn’t it look amazing??!Here’s a bigger picture for you…so you get what I am trying to explain!

The flowers above the arbor…

After the wedding, the bride and groom cooled off in the house, and said hello to a few of their guests.  Grant asked Ashley if they could turn Star Wars back on the TV!!

After a quick break, we headed to the park for some ‘tween photos…you know, the ones that take place between the wedding and the reception!?  Well, here’s a few of what we got… 

Oh!  Wait, I need to mention that just like during their engagement shoot, they were willing to do pretty much anything…including going down a SLIDE!  :)

 

Here’s a photo of the cake that almost didn’t make it!  It’s not exactly what the bride ordered…ok, it’s really not even close to what the bride ordered.  But, it was cake, and it was good!  :)

Matt had to help cut the “groom’s cake”…it was frozen solid!  :)  Grant’s favorite cake is a Mint Ice Cream Cake…so Ashley surprised him with one at the reception.

Ashley’s sister, Mika, caught the bouquet!  Is she NEXT?!?  We’re ready when she is!!!

These adorable giraffe’s greeted guests as they entered the reception hall.

Ashley and Grant ~ Words can not express how excited we were to photograph your wedding.  We are so lucky to have you as family, and adore your love and enthusiasm for each other and those around you.  We wish you continued happiness as you begin your new life as husband and wife.  WE LOVE YOU!!!

~Karen and Matt

Julie & Chris | Wedding Photos

We kicked off the wedding season this year with Julie & Chris.  You may remember them from their engagement shoot last October…if not, take a peek!  :)  They are such a cute couple, and simply amazing together.  During their reception, it was fun to watch them totally dissolve into each other, and completely forget that they were dancing in front of hundreds of guests.

Wedding Details:

• Date:  May 7, 2010
• Wedding Location:  First United Methodist Church, St. Charles, MO
• Interim Photos:  Main Street, St. Charles, MO
• Reception:  Foundry Art Center, St. Charles, MO

Here’s the beautiful church the couple was married in…

Yummy details….Take a close look at the necklace Julie wore…it has been in her family for generations! 

All the girls together one last time with Julie as a single lady!  Aren’t they gorgeous?!

We had a little wait in the basement of the church before the wedding officially started.   At first I was bummed because there weren’t any windows to get some natural lighting so that I could take a few portraits of Julie.  In the basement, there was only one teeny, tiny window that didn’t boast much light.  Then I noticed there was a plain white wall which would be perfect for some portraits of the bride!  I think it worked out quite well…what do you think?!

Time to walk down the aisle! I love that Matt captured Chris’s expression as Julie walked towards him…

    I love that you can see the Pastor’s face as Julie and Chris move to take their first kiss as man and wife!  :)   She looks so happy for them!    After the wedding, we moved on to Main Street in St. Charles.

What a better place bustle your wedding dress, eh?  Is Julie’s face hilarious, or what?!  LOVE IT!

I loved the bricks on the Old Millstream Inn Restaurant and suggested we take a few photos in front of it…Julie informed me that that would be perfect because that is where she and Chris had their first date! 

While we were taking pictures, who should drive up, but “Dr. Love”!

Here are just a few more photos we took before the reception…

 

The reception took place in the Foundry Art Center…it was PERFECT!

 

Take a look at the middle of the dance floor…

Matt captured one of those delicious tender moments…where the couple escapes into their own little world.

 

I think the ladies had fun, don’t you?!

Julie & Chris ~ Thank you for letting us share in the priceless memories of your wedding day.  You wedding was absolutely perfect from start to finish, and we hope that your wedding photos reflect the excitement of the day.  We want to wish you the best of everything as you begin your new life together!  Congrats!!

~Karen & Matt