Sara and Nick got married over the weekend!! These two were married a few days ago on Saturday September, 23rd down at a Lake Shafer in Monticello, Indiana right across the lake from the amusement park Indiana Beach. We decided to head down a day early to scout their locations on Friday and find a spot for formal portraits. We were able to meet up with them to catch up with them for the first time in about four months (when we met up with them for dinner at an in-the-middle spot of Peru, Indiana) after we checked in to our cabin-! We found a spot next to exactly where Sara had thought she'd like some photos and got to scout some spots for a wedding dress photo and some preparation photos. The weather was extremely warm for the first day of fall and stayed that way throughout the weekend. The area hit 90 degrees with full humidity making their wedding the next day (day #2 of the fall season) one of the hottest spots in the entire United States on Saturday!
Some background information on these two: They grew up in two completely different sides of the country! Sara hails from Washington state on the west coast, while Nick is from here in Indiana. On top of that, the two met out in our nation's capital on the east coast: Washington D.C. While living and working in D.C. when they met, the two had already gone through law school and happened to meet in D.C. While together in D.C. Sara encouraged Nick to take an offer to run a law firm with his great friend back in Indiana and now the Sara and Nick live in Noblesville, Indiana (which is a bit north of our capital of Indianapolis, Indiana for you out-of-staters). It's extremely fitting that given the nature of their well-versed travels that we both met with them and then photographed their wedding day in cities that none of us frequent often: a city of Peru, Indiana (about an hour away/ in the middle of our two cities) and then at their wedding location of Monticello, Indiana (about an hour and a half away from their city // a couple hours for us)! Both times involved awesome craft beer too, which is something both they and we love!
Fast-forward to Saturday: The big day! We headed over to Lake Shafer where the two were getting ready separately for their wedding ceremony and the two of us separated and went to photograph each of them getting ready. Sara was still getting her hair done after she did her make-up and Nick was with his groomsmen making a few last minute adjustments to his formal attire. The bridesmaids were already dressed, so they invited up some family to come and join them in helping Sara get ready. Meanwhile, Nick and the groomsmen enjoyed a few extra minutes in the hotel air conditioning before heading out to the lake for photos. There was a bit of chaos trying to find a few cars to head 15 minutes away to photograph Sara & Nick's First Look and formal portraits with their bridal party, but the bridal party handled it with grace as Sara prepped to get her dress on and give out gifts.
WIth the help of her sister, mom, and bridesmaids, Sara got her beautiful wedding gown on and then opened her note and gift from Nick. Sara was calmed by Nick's note and loved his gift! Nick opened his note and present and almost teared up being so touched by Sara's thoughtfulness. Nick and his guys then headed off with Jason to go to the First Look location and get photos of the groomsmen with Nick. Sara gave her bridesmaids and mom their gifts (making her mom tear up and saving her dad's gift for when she would see him later in the day), then headed over to the First Look location about 15 minutes away! Though running a bit behind schedule, Sara was calm and ready to sneak up on a see Nick when we got to the location!
Nick and Sara had their First Look at the edge of Lake Shafer and couldn't stop hugging, kissing, and giddily checking each other out! It was a perfectly serenely intimate moment before the ceremony to come! First Looks are so intimate and sweet (though rare these days), so it's always beautiful and exciting to get to capture a couple's first sight of each other on their wedding day after all of the intense preparation with friends and family-!
After their First Look, Sara & Nick got some portraits with their entire bridal party, Sara got photos with her bridesmaids, and then they had some more photos with some awesome family before it was quickly time to get back to the wedding/ reception venue for their wedding ceremony-!
There was a bit of time where everyone in the bridal party headed inside to cool off prior to the ceremony, and then it was time for the wedding! The bridal party made it down the aisle, then Nick headed down, and then Sara's song started playing. Sara came down the steps of the reception deck and was beaming as she headed down the aisle. The two met beneath a trellis that they had built prior to the ceremony that was placed near the edge of the lake. As the two exchanged their vows (both laughing about how they at the beginning of their relationship they got stuck in their car in a snowstorm on vacation in Montana and surprisingly didn't want to kill each other!) an audience of a couple pontoon boats gathered to spectate the event. They exchanged rings and had shared their first kiss as husband and wife beneath the shadow of the bed and breakfast's signature lighthouse.
After the ceremony we captured a few photos of Nick and Sara together on a dock next door, then got a few photos of them relaxing on a swing with their craft beers just prior to them signing their official marriage documents! After that they headed into a couple rooms and came out when they were announced into the reception After being announced, we snapped a few more photos of they and their families at the reception, then dinner began.
After dinner, Sara & Nick cut their wedding dessert (apple pie!) and the BEST homemade caramel apple cheesecake was served to guests as dessert. While desserts were being enjoyed, tables were moved and removed and the dance floor was cleared for the speeches/ toasts! We placed 2 chairs near the edge of the floor and Sara and Nick took their places facing their Maid of Honor (one of Sara's best friends since childhood) and Best Man (Nick's brother). The speeches were a cheerful addition to the night's events and in addition there was even an impromptu Nick's business partner/ great friend/ officiant!
After the speeches, it was time for Sara & Nick's First Dance. Their dance was romantic with some fun moves interspersed. Following their First Dance we snatched another photo of them by the lit up lighthouse, then they went back up to the elevated dock to enjoy their live band-! It's always extremely rare now-a-days for couples to have a live band versus a DJ, so it was a huge treat to hear this awesome Chicago band who was really into the music!
The band rocked the rest of the night as the dance floor i.e. dock filled up with everyone jumping and singing along! We were a bit bummed because Nick had planned to have his old band go up and play together with him, but his singer had an imperative obligation and wasn't able to come. Right before we went to head out an hour after we were done photographing, Nick surprised us and headed up onto the "stage" and sat down at the drums to play music with his friends for Sara and all of their guests! They rocked it with their other friend stepping in to fill the role of lead singer ! (We're so glad that we had one camera still out an hour after we were done photographing and had already packed our car up with the camera gear before we saw them head to the stage on the dock!) This was a perfect last thing to capture at the end of the night as things wound down at the reception!
So many congratulations, Sara and Nick! We're so happy you that two have been able to enjoy your years together and we know that you have a lifetime of happiness ahead of you! It was an honor to capture your beautiful day and we know that all of your friends and family had an amazing time celebrating your love!
Coming up this weekend we have Saturday off to celebrate and attend Jenny's alma mater of Miami University of Ohio (a university of 208 years- a school before Florida was a state) playing the University of Notre Dame here in town. THEN on Sunday (the first day of October!) we will be capturing the rest of Eileen & Dustin's Engagement Session that got rained out a couple weekends ago in St. Joe, Michigan on Lake Michigan.
Also coming up in October we have so many things to look forward to photographing: more beautiful fall weddings throughout Indiana, Infant Portrait Sessions, Family Portrait Sessions, and Holiday Portrait Sessions!! We can't wait to share all of these awesome Sessions with ya in one of the best seasons of the year: Autumn! ((We'll also be sharing our Halloween family portrait prior to our Christmas photo before things traditionally slow down for the winter as we head into more wedding consultations and back end work in January with our "down season.")) Have a fantastic weekend and stay safe! (Let's hope fall weather comes our way and kicks out this 90 degree weather over the past week!)