After Jaryd + Lauren officially became husband and wife we immediately moved on to the reception location.  Family met at a specified location so that we could take family portraits outside.  It was a gorgeous day and we couldn’t have asked for a better spot!  It was a nice change in scenery and it was definitely more picturesque.

While I waited for family members to arrive and gather, I made my way under the tent to capture the untouched details of the reception.  A home made sign greeted the arrivals as little green chairs held beautiful color.  It was simply perfect.  A rustic feel took over the tent with burlap table runners, wild flowers in mason jars, and even an old metal mailbox for their cards.  Tiny close pins held the seating chart as guests entered in, while the tables were adorned with mason jar mugs.  Sitting,just waiting to be filled with something sweet to drink.  Each place setting had a menu tucked right in the napkin, as dinner wasn’t far off and smelled so delish.  It was simply perfect!

I moved back into portrait mode and was able to get parents and grandparents done while having a ton of fun!  They couldn’t help themselves but stick around and capture this crowd.  What an amazing group of friends that Jaryd + Lauren chose to be with them on their wedding day.  They had quite the bridal party, numbering twenty five in all.  Yes, I said 25!  And they were full of energy and spunk.  We definitely kept the mood light and with the guys more than willing to make some silly faces…well, let’s just say I was laughing so hard I was crying looking at all the images!

Finishing up with the crowd, we sent them on so I could spend some alone time with the new couple.  It gave them the chance to breathe, and I think at that point the realization hit them.  They were together forever, blazing a trail of love on day 1.  It was no secret that I fell in love with them and their compassion for each other during their engagement session, and their wedding imagery only topped that.  The light was impeccable and I couldn’t have asked for anything more.  They were smitten over each other and I probably did my happy dance with each image I captured!

Although I could have played all evening with the precious couple and the amazing light, we had to get them to their reception!  The announcements were comical, the toasts were tear worthy, and the dances were enough to make anyone fall in love again.  The rest of the evening was more than I could have asked for and I enjoyed every bit with their family + friends.

Thank you SOO SO MUCH to the Holman, De La Torre, + Motsinger families, I couldn’t have been more blessed to spend such a gorgeous day with you!  The union of your families couldn’t be more perfect!  Congratulations again to Jaryd + Lauren, I pray years of happiness over your marriage and many blessings for all the ones to come!  Thank you again for allowing me to be such a big part of your wedding day, it was a true privilege!

..SIMPLY PERFECT..

love, echo

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echoes of love

I hopped in the car and traveled the road that I had traveled so many times before.  I wore out that path many times.  The journey from my parents home to Bowling Green, the city of my alma mater and the church that became family to us during our 4 years there.  I cranked up the volume on the radio, just like the old days, and took in the all too familiar drive.  Happy and excited to be joining Jaryd + Lauren on their special day!

I pulled into the lot, anxious to be with the couple and their families.  The sun was out, the birds were singing, and guests were beginning to trickle into the doors of Dayspring.  Behind the scenes, Jaryd had a room full of guys that were bursting at the seams with energy.  Creating an atmosphere that I believe every groom needs on his wedding day.  It kept things light, and kept Jaryd relaxed while he was more than ready to see his wife-to-be.

On the other side of the sanctuary, the ladies laughter spread down the hall.  Their giggles of excitement filled the room, each putting the finishing touches on their makeup and spraying their hair down just one more time.  When it was time for Lauren to step into her dress, she asked that only family was present.  She had stepped in the dress many times before, but the smile that slipped across her face so gently showed that she knew this time was for real.  A momentary qualm took over, after realizing that her belt wasn’t in her bag.  Looking at the clock I quickly reassured her that she had plenty of time before the ceremony to have it delivered, calming the tears that had begun to well up in her eyes.  It didn’t take long for the belt to make it’s way into the room and the sigh of relief when it did…it made all the difference!

Before Lauren made her way to the back of the sanctuary, her Dad came in to see her.  His precious little girl, his arms couldn’t have stretched any further for her.  He reached her and held her tightly in his arms.  Telling her just how beautiful she looked.  In just a few moments he would be handing her off to the man that had come and asked for her hand.  He had so much trust and faith in Jaryd and he knew that Jaryd would take good care of her.  The music was perfect.  He looked at Lauren one last time, and then the doors flew open as they walked together down the aisle.  He fought back the tears of the moment, leading her to Jaryd’s shining face.  It was time.  The last time that she would carry his name.  After accepting Lauren to be his wife, Jaryd came down to them from the platform, shook his hand, and tucked his little girl’s arm into the cradle of his arm as he led her to the stage.

Lauren + Jaryd beamed at each other, soaking up all the happiness they could as all of their friends and family looked out.  They exchanged the vows that they had wrote one another, placed symbolic rings on each other’s fingers, and took communion as they became one.  Nearing the end of the ceremony, Lauren shrugged her shoulders in pure awe as the moment she had been waiting for was on the cusp of completion.  To become Jaryd’s wife.  Pastor Scott gave the final blessing, looked at Jaryd and said, you may finally kiss your bride!  The room filled with spirit and applause as they shared the first kiss as husband and wife.

Jaryd + Lauren, SO many congratulations to the both of you and the joining of you both together and as families!  You are two very blessed people and I am more than thankful to have shared it with you!  Stay tuned for there is much, much more beautiful things of your day to come!  {Thank you so much to family + friends who have waited to see this post!  A family emergency had put me behind and I’m on the road to catching up!}

..FILLED WITH SPIRIT..

love, echo

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echoes of love

Their exit out of the church was a grand one!  After being re-announced as the new Mr. + Mrs. Caleb + Yolanda {aka Lollie,} was showered in a sea of petals.  They were met by my Dad’s 1957 Chevy Bel Air in which they left and took a spin around the block.

Upon their return, portraits began and it swept us into an awesome afternoon.  The weather was gorgeous and they couldn’t have asked for a better day.  The sun was shining, yet there was still enough cloud cover in the sky to help with the great lighting.  Heading out onto the grounds near the church we found some gorgeous pear trees in bloom.  I had to hand it to the two best men, Roger + Brad for making those images happen!  Lollie wanted nothing more than to have raining petals, and raining petals is what she got!  While Nicole, Bethany, and I were capturing their smiles and kisses from every angle, the new couple was soaking in what had just happened!  We continued the portraits downtown and then went on to the reception to get announced!

Caleb + Lollie had a surprise for the guests.  Not only did each couple have their own signature song to come in to, we all broke out in Gangnam style in unison after their grand entrance.  It was pretty awesome and really got the crowd excited for the rest of the evening!  I was then overcome with the feeling that I was about to give a speech.  I’ve heard so many.  I couldn’t mess up.  I didn’t have any excuses.  I had rehearsed it and it was pain staking that I was the last one before my Dad’s.  Brad’s was sincere, Roger’s was funny, Anna’s was truthful, and then mine.  Mine was truth.  Although marriage can be tough, your stronger + better together.  Because three cords are not easily broken.  I was about to lose it.  I regained as much composure as I could muster up and went on to explain 1 Corinthians 13.  The truth about love.  It is patient, and kind,…, it’s not rude, or self-seeking… only to continue to tell them that God’s love is the same.  I congratulated them, and in the whisk of relief handed the mike over to my Dad.  He looked around the room, astonished that people from Indiana, Michigan, Texas, Virginia, Massachusetts and more came to celebrate with them.  Friends + family traveled near and far to celebrate with them.  They were loved and the tears of realization hit them.

Of course they didn’t stop there.  The dances began.  Caleb + Lollie held each other close.  I picked up my camera, happy to help capture what are some of my favorite moments from a wedding day.  They swayed back and forth talking.  Still in awe that they were husband + wife.  He pulled her in and sang in her ear and their faces were written with joy.  Finishing up, Caleb handed her hand over to my father.  The moment she took his hand, the tears came.  He almost wasn’t here for this.  Life was almost cut short for him and her biggest fear in life was that this day would never come for them to have that dance.  Tears streamed down her face, as they did mine, my Mom, and each one of my sisters.  A soft spoken thank you that he was here and in that moment with her.  That all 5 of us had the chance to dance with our Daddy on our wedding day.  He took his hand and lifted her chin, just as a proud Dad does.  He looked her in the eyes and told her she didn’t have to cry, but all she could do was cry and hold on to him.  There weren’t many dry eyes in the room and she hung on to him like no one else was in the room.  I was a mess.  My camera was soaked.

The tears continued.  Caleb + Marcia’s dance was equally tear worthy.  Even though Lollie had the moment that she feared she would never have, Caleb wasn’t as lucky.  His father wasn’t there, and as him and Marcia danced, he wasn’t afraid to hold on to his Mom and wish with all his heart that he could have been there.  To extend his hand and say congratulation son, you’ve made me proud and you look like a real man today!  Even though he couldn’t hear those words or physically hug him he knew that his Mom was holding him up.  That she was the strength that carried him on.  Each of Caleb’s sister’s had their own set of tears, and as they danced they remembered him.

After our sob fest was over, we broke out the party crowd.  The floor was hoping all night and needless to say we had a great opportunity to head out and get some fabulous sunset portraits!  ENJOY and remember DISCLAIMER: NOT ALL OF THESE IMAGES ARE MINE!!  Thank you to ..Bethany.. + Nicole for helping capture Caleb + Lollie’s day!

This is my angle.  I love Lollie’s sweet smile.

Another one of mine on the left, Nicole’s on the right, and Bethany’s angle below that!

Caleb + Lollie!  I hope you have a blast on your honeymoon and I hope that you enjoy Part II of your wedding day!  I love you both so much and I can’t wait to see you guys spend the rest of your life together.  Many blessings over this first year and all that are to come!!

..SEA OF PETALS..

love, echo

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echoes of love

Definitively, one person can’t be in more than two places at once.  This became my dilemma on my sister’s wedding day.  I so badly wanted to be capturing every moment from every angle possible! Yet I knew as her sister she needed me the most standing at her side on the most important day of her life.  To come along side her and be a pillar of support.  I’ve done family weddings before, but none that I was physically in.  So in knowing that I couldn’t play both roles effectively, I asked my good friend ..Bethany.. to come alongside Nicole + I to capture Yolanda {Lollie} + Caleb’s special day.  AS A DISCLAIMER, I DID NOT TAKE A BULK OF THESE IMAGES!!

We stayed at the hotel that we would be getting ready at overnight.  A perfect start to the morning with breakfast, hair, and makeup.  While Lollie was getting ready, I was able to capture the early morning and all of her details.  Nicole met us right before Lollie was to get dressed, and since her dress was zip up, she was in it in no time at all.  She looked stunning and I couldn’t wait for Caleb to see her!

At the church, Bethany started with the guys.  A goofy bunch to say the least.  She started out with a few portraits {which are to come,} and then proceeded to capture Caleb prepare for the day.  Meanwhile, Lollie and all of us girls proceeded to the church.  Arriving and sweeping her away before anyone could see her.  Downstairs we watched her take part with her Mother-In-Law to be, Marcia in a Hungarian tradition.  Marcia had to pour her a glass of wine in which Lollie had to drink it and then throw it over her shoulder, allowing it to break.  The more pieces it became the more success their marriage would be.  Shortly after this is when the raw emotions began to unfold.

Upstairs, Caleb’s sister’s had each wrote him a note or had some piece of advice to share with him.  Carrie specifically had wrote down words of wisdom that she felt that their Father had passed on to them.  {I just happened to pass through during this moment and LOST IT!}  She then handed over the dog tags that belonged to their Dad.  While each of them wept and hugged one another wishing he was there, Lollie was downstairs waiting anxiously for her first look with Dad.  We made a line in front of her and as Dad strutted into the room we broke, allowing him to see Lollie for the first time.  His little girl.  His baby girl.  Tears welling up in his eyes.  Peeking around my camera, I wiped away my own, and looked on as my Mom had her own set of tissues out.  A sweet moment that we all wished Caleb could have had.

Trying to pull all of ourselves back together, I prayed over Lollie before we went upstairs.  Before I walked down the aisle I told her I loved her and left the ceremony up to Bethany + Nicole!  Reaching the front and waiting for Lollie’s best friend Anna to come in, I glanced at Caleb as I could already see the tears coming to his eyes.  They were perfect.  His happiness was perfect.  Then finally the doors opened and the beacon of light that came through showered her in radiance.  My Dad’s composure was solemn, yet proud.  As Lollie beamed, I watched Caleb just smile and tears of joy well up in his eyes.  He handed her off and the ceremony began.

Midway through the ceremony, Caleb + Lollie then took part in a Mexican wedding tradition, called a Lasso Ceremony.  Taking a decorative double rosary, mostly beaded, and placing each around the bride and grooms head.  It rests on their shoulders during a prayer and symbolizes the unity that the couple is entering into.  Much like the unity candle ceremony, which was also done.  The rest of the ceremony was beautiful and witnessing it from a different point of view was refreshing.  As they shared their first kiss I knew just how truly happy they were.  As they exited, they both had happy tears in their eyes, knowing that it was only the beginning of forever for them.

Caleb + Lollie!  I can hardly believe this day has come and gone and still so much more to share!  Thank you for having me be a part of your day and I know that Nicole + Bethany feel the same!  Stay tuned for Part II to come!!  Love you both!

..BEGINNING OF FOREVER..

love, echo

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echoes of love