I have been looking forward to this wedding day for about a year and a half. During that time, I have become very close with Tara and Kyle. We’ve bonded over dirt track racing, Dave Ramsey financial strategies, and our mutual love for barbecue in Storm Lake and all things pineapples. Now, let me say up front that this couple didn’t use pineapples as a wedding theme because of how trendy it is, they did it in memory of Kyle’s father who had passed before the wedding. I thought it was an amazing sentimental touch.

Knowing that we all bonded over Dave Ramsey’s process of getting out of debt, I think it’s awesome that Kyle and Tara will be starting their married life together debt free! They worked incredbily hard to pay for their wedding without using any form of debt. I giggle when I think about they night they paid me in full using an awkwardly large stack of cash, but I was also indescribably proud of them, knowing how much discipline it took for them to accomplish that! I am very impressed by these two, and so proud to call them friends!

Going in to the wedding day, I was a bit emotional. I even cried on the way to the lakes, because it’s a weird part of my job knowing that this “big day” also signifies the end of the process. After spending over a year getting to know brides, spending time with them, shooting their sessions, and chatting, it’s hard knowing that someone you’ve come to consider a friend won’t need you around in the same fashion. Good thing I know exactly where Tara will be sitting each Sunday night at the Clay County race track, so I can see her again whenever I want!

When Jason and I arrived at the Gull Point venue, we were so excited! I could not wait to see this for the first time, and I know that Kyle stayed up very late a year ago, trying to win the lottery online and secure their wedding date in this coveted location! And it did not disappoint! Between the winding sidewalks, the wooden swing overlooking the lake, the incredible stone and wood work surrounding the lodge and the beautiful ballroom where the reception dance takes place, I was taken back and knew exactly why Kyle and Tara wanted this venue so much! I couldn’t wait to get started shooting their details and portraits.

It’s no surprise now that I cry on every wedding day I shoot (I am still wondering when I will grow out of that) but I cried while shooting the entire ceremony. From start to finish, the entire thing. What got me started was hearing Kyle’s sister play “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” on her ukulele and continued when I saw Kyle and Tara starting at each other down the aisle with tears in their eyes. It felt as if no one else was there for the vows, because those two looked at each other in a way that I don’t see often and it was enough to make everything else around them vanish. So, yes I will admit that I cried the entire way through, but I made up for it on the “cool scale” later with my incredible dance skills when the “Wobble” came on. No joke, I get better and better each Saturday!

Thank you Kyle and Tara for choosing to invest in me. I have had such a fun year hanging out with you and getting to know you better! I wish you all of the best in your marriage and cannot wait to photograph your 50th wedding anniversary! I will be old, but I will still be there dancing with you to N’Sync!

HUGE THANKS TO THE CREATIVE TEAM!

VENUE // Gull Point

VIDEOGRAPHY // Jessica Brees Photography

CAKE // Caroll’s Bakery

GOWN // Elegance Bridal Boutique

BRIDESMAIDS // Elegance Bridal Boutique

TUXES // Squire Shoppe