Now that I am located near Indianapolis, I am really itching to start booking some Bloomington, Indiana wedding photography clients! There are so many beautiful locations for extraordinary weddings here! While I am dreaming of all the gorgeous photos in my future, I thought I would share a pretty wedding from last summer.

Laura & Sam

Laura and Sam met when Sam sold her a phone at the company he worked for. He was instantly smitten and reached out through social media to ask her on a date. After dinner and drinks, it would be over a year before they would get together again. However, once they got the ball rolling, there was no stopping it. A 12 month whirlwind romance later, Sam and Laura were ready to say ‘I Do.’ Sam was so excited he couldn’t wait to propose and popped the question the day he picked her ring up.

When this duo isn’t out crushing their professional goals or gym routines, they enjoy spending time at home with their two dogs. Their top favorite activities include watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette, working on home improvement projects and the yard, and enjoying a meal and cocktails together.

Getting Ready

Family and traditions are super important to Laura and Sam. They both wanted to experience the moment they saw each other on their wedding day to be when Laura walked down the aisle. Keeping that in mind, they made sure to get ready at two locations so as not to accidentally run into each other and ruin the surprise.

Laura got ready with her maids in a beautiful loft apartment that was available above her venue. It was perfect, with lots of space for the girls to relax and spread out. There was also ample natural light, which made all of their getting ready photos turn out so pretty! Once Laura was ready to get dressed, we moved to her home church to take advantage of the outdoor garden and beautiful grounds there.

Sam and his groomsmen donned their wedding duds at a hotel nearby. This was a really fun group with upbeat attitudes and lots of laughter to share. These guys really loved each other and you could see it.

Once Sam was dressed, he stole away to open a letter Laura had written for him. She also surprised him with the most beautiful book of boudoir photos she secretly created. I almost had to pick his jaw off the floor when he opened it!

The Ceremony

Laura’s family has a long history with the little Baptist chapel she and Sam decided to have their ceremony at. At least 3 generations have been a part of the congregation and one of the stained glass windows was even donated by Laura’s grandparents.

The ceremony was as beautiful and touching as anyone could hope for. My favorite part was the look of pure joy on the happy couple’s faces as they shared their first kiss and exited.

The Bridal Party

Photographing Sam and Laura’s Bridal Party was made easy not only by how kind and cooperative everyone was, but also just by how photogenic they are! What a group of truly beautiful people!

The Reception Details

The design and decor at Sam and Laura’s reception are what wedding dreams are made of. A simple color palette of green and ivory was gilded with pops of gold. The juxtaposition of glamorous chandeliers and rustic brick walls and exposed beams was the perfect compliment. Every corner of the ballroom was decked in luxurious details that reflected the couple’s tastes perfectly.

The Hightlights

My top highlights from the evening had to be the Grand Entrance, Father-Daughter Dance, and First Dance. The pure bliss Sam and Laura felt in those moments and the connection they share with each other and their family was palpable. Not only did those moments speak to the soul, they were exquisite because of the many cherished people included against a dazzling backdrop.

Photographing Laura and Sam’s wedding was a wonderful experience and and all-around joy. Creating marvelous photographs is life giving, but being a part of purposeful moments is something I will never get over.

I really look forward to creating and witnessing weddings like this in my new area! If you’re interested in booking my services for Bloomington, Indiana Wedding Photography, reach out by filling out my contact form! I look forward to hearing all about you and what you have planned for your big day!