Amanda and Andrew spent almost two full years planning their wedding, and I am not sure how much of that time I spent with them, but it feels like all of it! We have gotten to know each other so well, and I sincerely enjoyed them as people. They are the little bit of city to match my little bit of country!

When I drove to Des Moines to meet them for the first time, Amanda agreed to have supper with me and she let me choose Red Robin. Anyone who lets me have RR steak fries is a bestie in my book! Right away after meeting her, I knew she had impeccable taste! She had gotten her hair, makeup and nails done for the session and planned the perfect outfits. Oh, and she adores cute shoes, especially high heels! I am so envious of anyone who can rock high heels…I think I am more of a tennis shoe or flip flop type of gal! If you haven’t seen their engagement photos, check those out first!

I absolutely love being a local photographer between Sioux City and Cherokee, but let me tell you it was so much fun to get a change of scenery and shoot in Des Moines! Summerset winery was such a fun venue! They really planned their venue around photo possibilities and it was so easy to shoot a wedding there! I will admit that I samples the wine…but not until the very end of the working day! *wink, wink*

I could talk about all of the pretty details, how gorgeous Amanda was in her dress, how fun both the mother of the groom and the mother of the bride were, but you know what I really want to talk about? Their first look!! Not every couple chooses a first look, and I don’t push one on them, but this first look definitely takes the romantic cake! It was a high pressure situation for me, because the light was changing every minute or so with clouds blowing through.  At the very last minute, I pushed Andrew out of the gazebo and onto the sidewalk and I am so glad that I did! The lighting was perfect with the concrete as a natural reflector! I prepped both of them, and then stood back to let them have the moment to themselves. I shot with my 135 so that I could crop in for intimate images without standing right next to them and the interaction between them was dreamy!

Andrew did not cry, but I won’t hold that against him. They took a few minutes just looking at each other. It looked like they were chatting, but I don’t think it was anything in particular. What I remember the most is the absolute sparkle in Andrew’s eye! He could not peel his eyes off of his bride to be and he continued to brush the hair out of her (somewhat sweaty) face and took her hand to kiss it not once, but twice! He was the definition of a gentlemen and that was the moment that I cried during their wedding day! Trust me, there is at least one moment when I cry every single time!

I was right on the money when I said that these two have impeccable taste because they pulled off a glamorous wedding, made incredible by it’s simplicity and attention to detail! They didn’t go overboard, they stuck closely to the theme, and put their money into all the right places budget wise! Also – I am incredibly jealous of their honeymoon destination!! They are currently sitting on the beach or the rainforest in St. Lucia!! I am hoping they think these images are as pretty as their surroundings, but it’ll be hard to top St. Lucia!

VENDOR INFORMATION

VENUE // Summerset Winery

FLORIST // Baqara

DJ // A Special Event DJ

BRIDAL GOWN // David’s Bridal

BRIDESMAID DRESSES // David’s Bridal

TUXEDOS // Men’s Wearhouse

 

If you’re getting married in 2019, and still looking for a wedding photographer, I have a few more dates available and would love to chat about all your wedding plans! Check out my portfolio, and message me for more information!