Sam and Bryan got married at Marengo Ridge on this past Saturday, and we could not have asked for a better fall day! The sun was shining, they wore their hiking boots, and after the ceremony we all headed back to their house in Woodstock to celebrate.
This one was extra special for me because Sam is Jordan’s cousin. You may have heard me talk about my "cousin wife." That's Sam! She lived with us for about a year, and we got really close in that time. She was there when I found out I was pregnant with Charlie, and she was still living with us when she met Bryan. I feel like I’ve gotten to be a little part of their story from the beginning, so getting to photograph their wedding meant a lot to me.
Okay, I have SO many favorites from this day, but I think I got it down to three.
#3. They threw their wedding reception at their house! They put up a big tent at the end of their driveway in Woodstock, invited a small group of family and friends, and had food trucks come out. Smash burgers, tacos AND the Milk House ice cream truck. How fun is that?! I just love that after they got married, we all got to go back to their house and have dinner in the driveway.
#2. Hiking boots and sunset photos at Marengo Ridge. Sam and Bryan hike with their dogs all the time, so of course they wore hiking boots on their wedding day. And yes, we actually did a little hiking to get to some of their portrait spots! Their ceremony wrapped up with just enough daylight for us to get a few more photos of the two of them. I really wanted those for them, and I’m so glad we got them. You could not have asked for better weather on November 7th, and just wait until you see that sunshine in their last few portraits!
#1. Bryan seeing Sam. And then… release the hounds! We did their first look right behind their house in their neighbor’s yard, and I’ll never forget Bryan’s reaction when he turned around. He got so emotional, and I loved that they had a few minutes to just be together. It’s exactly why I love a first look. And then we let the dogs out for THEIR first look! They came running, and Sam and Bryan were every bit as excited to see them. Those dogs were just around all day, doing their thing. If one walked through a photo, I kept shooting. So if you’re scrolling through and thinking, Is that a dog in the corner of another picture? Yes. Yes, it is. And I kind of love how often that happened.
Sam and Bryan, thank you so much for trusting me with your wedding day. I love you both. I’m so glad I got to be there as family, and it means so much to me that I got to be the one to take these pictures for you. Now go grab a blanket and snuggle up. Your sneak peek is live!
Wedding Planner | Love Lush Events
Ceremony | Marengo Ridge Conservation Area
Bridal Makeup | MAIE House
Bridal Hair | B.Bliss Lounge
Wedding Dress | Katherine's Bridal
Reception DJ | Elite Signature DJ
Food Trucks | Smash'd Burgers & El Taco Feliz 2
Ice Cream Truck | Milk House Ice Cream
Bartender | Rolling Remedy Mobile Bar
Reception Favors | Quartz Creek Naturals
Sam and Bryan, I hope you had as much fun looking through these as I did picking them out! There are so many more I want you to see, and I can’t wait to share your full gallery with you soon!
Thanks for reading,