Brett & Ashely's Wedding Sneak Peek - Lawrence, Kansas Wedding Photography
So I finished up my busy season with one of my favorite weddings of the year! Last weekend was Brett & Ashely's wedding ceremony in Russell, Kansas. I have to admit, a lot of times when someone tells me they are having an outdoor wedding I think "oh NO.." I've been to quite a few outdoor weddings that have either ended up indoors, or terribly hot or windy outdoors. Not to mention as a photographer we're always concerned about lighting, and the sun being as bright as it is can sometimes be a challenge to work with. However this past Saturday was a magnificant day. It was in the upper 60's with just barely a breeze and beautifully sunny skies! Not to mention this couples choice of decorations were just fantastic. Before I get to the sneak peek, here is a little about the couple:
BRETT & ASHELY MAI - OCTOBER 18, 2014
HOW AND WHEN DID YOU GUYS FIRST MEET?
We met in our hometown of Russell, Kansas. We had always seen each other around but officially met in 2002-2003 through, Brett's sister and one of my best friends since high school, but we didn't start dating until 2007 after we went to a George Strait concert with a big group of friends.
HOW DID HE PROPOSE?
Brett invited a group of our close friends and our parents over on New Year's Eve to play board games and to ring the new year together. Some of us decided it would be fun to meet a few more friends at a local bar, but before we could, we just HAD to play Monopoly. It took a little (ok a lot) to talk me into playing a game that normally takes hours to get through. So we all gathered around the board game and everyone picked a game piece. Everyone knows I always want to be the hat so I put the game piece on the board. He took it away and said "You can't have the hat, but you can have the ring" I said "NO, I don't want to be the...Wait what??" As I looked down, I saw the most beautiful ring ever and realized he was down on one knee! Come to find out, almost everyone there was in on it in some way. He thought of everything! It was so perfect!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE BRIDES AND GROOMS?
We worked together and made a cake/cupcake stand, benches and many other items for our wedding. It took a lot of patience and time but we wanted to put our touch on as much as we could. Get the big items (ceremony/reception venue, DJ, photographer) booked first. All the smaller things are easier to decide on after that. Use the help offered to you, even if it isn't until the day of. Things will go wrong and won't be exactly what you had in mind, but in the end it will be beautiful and no one but you will know. Don't stress about the small stuff. Ask questions and don't assume everyone knows what you want and how you want it. It goes fast so hold hands as much as possible, dance and be sure to have fun!
Vendors:
Cake - Simply Devine - (I taste a lot of wedding cakes in my profession and this was the best one I've ever had)
Dress - A Timeless Tradition - Ellis, KS
Flowers - From Hobby lobby, bride and sister in law put them together theirselves!
Head table decorations - Wedding Connections - (Again one of my favorite vendors)
And on to the sneak peek:
Ryan & Jami's Wedding Sneak Peek - Lawrence, KS Wedding Photography
October 4th will be a day to remember for Ryan and Jami. Their beautiful wedding was held at the Messiah Luthran Church in Hays Kansas on one of the most perfect days of the year. Jami Started out by having her hair done at Off the Top in Hays, followed by make up by Dax at Body and Soul who is so fun to work with and absolutely amazing at what she does. The girls then met back at the church to get dressed and I just loved the way all the bridesmaids were helping Jami and everyone was having such a wonderful time (see photos below). I also loved that I could feel the excitement that Jami and Ryan had as I spoke with them both before their first look which led them into a wonderful ceremony and fun filled reception. I asked Ryan and Jami a couple questions so we could get to know them a little more.
How and when did you guys meet?
In the summer of 2008 we met at a house party that happened to be inbetween both our hometowns.
Tell us about your proposal:
Ryan made me a romantic dinner at home, lured me into our spare bedroom (told me the dog had made a mess and I needed to help clean up) and we on bender knee as I turned the corner. It was on valentines day 2013.
What kinds of things do you like to do together?
We love to go camping, go on walks with our dogs, work on our house and sometimes just cuddle up and watch TV together.
What advice would you like to give to future brides/grooms planning their wedding?
Don't stress out, you don't want to make yourself sick before your honeymoon!
Vendor info:
Wedding: Messiah Luthran Church - Hays, KS
Reception: VFW - Hays, KS
Dress: Schoen's Bridal in Downs, KS
Flowers: Regina's Flowers - Hays, KS
Cake: Kari Hass - Parties by design
Makeup: Dax Mclaughlin - Body and Soul - Hays, KS
Hair: Off the Top - Hays, KS
Here is a little sneak peek of their wonderful day:
Phillip & Amanda's Wedding Sneak Peek - Lawrence, KS Wedding Photography
Phillip and Amanda had a perfect day this past Saturday for an outdoor wedding. A few days before the wedding there was an 80% chance of rain in the forcast, but day by day the chances got less and less and Saturday turned out to be perfect! (Ok it was a little warm and muggy, but you really can't complain!).
HOW DID YOU MEET?
Phillip and Amanda have actually know each other since they were 12 years old! So awesome. Phillip says he can even remember giving Amanda Jolly Ranchers in Middle school (how cute, he must have had a crush way back then!) However they grew apart, but reconnected a few years ago and then started dating.
HOW DID HE PROPOSE?
Kiel and Sarah's Wedding Sneak Peek | Wedding Photography | Lawrence, Kansas
Kiel & Sarah, what a wonderful couple! They were wed this past weekend at the United Methodist Church in Hays, Kansas. It was a pleasure working with them, they had such a quiet but joyful presence about them it made the day even more enjoyable. Before sharing thier sneak peek with you, here is a little more about this lovely couple:
WHERE DID YOU GUYS FIRST MEET?
I had seen Kiel around before but we had never met. One night in 2007, I was studying for finals at the University library when I took a break and saw his photo on MySpace. I took a chance and sent him a message. One thing led to another and we agreed to meet up and listen to a band play at Gella's for our first date.
HOW DID HE PROPOSE?
One evening last October we went out to eat supper at Gella's, which is where we had had our first date. Afterwards Kiel wanted to go for a walk in the park. During our walk he got down on one knee and proposed.
I really didn't know it was going to happen that evening, but he acted kind of nervous during supper and then I was a little suspicious when he wanted to go to the park :)
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO TOGETHER AS A COUPLE?
We enjoy doing a lot of things together. We both share a love of Star Trek and science fiction. We have gone to two Comic-Cons together and met/gotten autographs from/photos with many of our favorite actors and childhood heroes. We also have enjoyed going to many great concerts and traveling.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE BRIDES/GROOMS WHO ARE PLANNING THEIR WEDDING?
Try to plan ahead and get as much stuff done ahead of time as possible. There is always lots of last minute stuff to do and things you will forget about, so it is a lot easier to have as much done ahead of time as possible. The more you try to do at the last minute, the more stressed you will be. Just remember to slow down and enjoy yourself!
VENDORS:
Cake: Rosie Leiker
Dress: Pure Elegance Bridal
Flowers: Flowers by Frances
Church: United Methodist of Hays, KS
Reception Venue: American Legion of Hays, KS
Johnny & Erin's Wedding sneak peek - Lawrence, KS Wedding Photography
Another wonderful wedding to be had this past weekend with Johnny & Erin Rupp. Erin and her girls started out by getting their hair and makeup done, then proceeded to the First United Methodist Church to get dressed in their newly remodeled Brides room. The remodel was very nice making a beautiful place for the bride to get ready. They had a lovely ceremony preceeded by a sweet first look where Johnny got to see his beautiful bride for the first time. After the ceremony we went to Ft. Hays for a few outdoor photos, but it was pretty hot that day! Their reception was heald out at the Schenk building where they even rented our photo booth for a little fun for all their guests. Here is a little sneak peek of their perfect wedding day!