Intimate Church Wedding Ceremony

We’re going to be real honest with you for a minute. We’re not quite sure how all of you planning 2020 weddings did it. With all of the planning, devastation, more planning, more rescheduling, more planning and changed plans again? You all truly deserve a medal for your hard work and patience. Today we’re sharing Caitlyn and Steve’s intimate church wedding ceremony with you, and they, too, deserve one of those medals. 

Friends, Caitlyn and Steve had to replan their wedding three times. 

And then COVID still hit them right where it hurts. You see, after these lovebirds had replanned their wedding twice, thanks to occupancy limits and just postponing, they finally, FINALLY had their big day scheduled and plans that they were excited about. They were going to get married at their church, the same church where Caitlyn’s sisters were married, in fact. And after that? They were going to meet all of their friends and family at a local rec hall to celebrate with a laidback reception. 

But the week of their wedding? 2020 had other plans for them. 

One of Caitlyn’s sisters tested positive for COVID. And, so did the rest of her sister’s entire family: husband, daughter, and son. Which meant that the week of her wedding? Caitlyn not only had to find a new place to get ready, but also had to get married without her sister and best friend. And her flower girl and ring bearer. This also meant that Caitlyn and Steve completely cancelled their wedding reception, since so many of their already small wedding party was sick. And, it meant that Caitlyn’s big sister didn’t get to see her little sister get married. 

And speaking from the perspective of a big sister? Friends, I can’t even imagine. 

But, regardless of all of the changes, yet again, Caitlyn and Steve still wanted to get married. At their church, with as many of their friends and family in attendance as they could. And you know what? That’s exactly what they did. 

Instead of getting ready at her sister’s house and then heading to the church, Caitlyn just got ready at the church. And while her momma and sister were helping her get dressed, Steve was nervously putting his suit on across the building in the groom’s room. Originally, these two lovebirds had planned on waiting to see each other until Caitlyn walked down the aisle. But because of everything else changing on their big day?

They made a day-of-decision to do a first look instead of waiting. 

Which meant they got to enjoy a few precious minutes of warm sunshine together, just the two of them, before saying their vows. Their intimate church wedding ceremony was live streamed so that all of their friends and family could tune in to see them get married, even though they couldn’t be there in person. 

And Caitlyn’s sister? 

She surprised her by showing up outside the church, knocking on the door of a hallway we were doing portraits in so she could still see her little sister on her wedding day. This was easily one of the most emotional, meaningful moments we’ve ever had the honor to photograph on a wedding day. Caitlyn’s sister was in tears, in her bridesmaid dress, with her mask on, talking to her  through the door of the church. Caitlyn did her best to keep it together as Steve held her hand while they talked with her sister for a few precious minutes. And you better believe we made them pose for a photo of all of them together.

But, friends, of all the moments that happened on Caitlyn and Steve’s wedding day? 

Our favorite was quite possibly the very last thing that happened. Leading up to her wedding day one of Caityn’s biggest wishes was for her Dad to be able to come and walk her down the aisle. And when it couldn’t happen? It just about broke her heart. You see, Caitlyn’s Dad also had COVID, and wasn’t able to visit or leave his care facility because of it. So, needless to say, after their ceremony, Caitlyn and Steve wanted to pay her dad a visit so he could see his little girl and her new husband all dressed up on their wedding day. 

And when he appeared in the door of his care facility? 

Oh man, friends. All the feelings happened for Caitlyn and Steve all over again. (Who are we kidding, for us too.) He was so incredibly proud of his little girl, and was so incredibly happy to see her and Steve. To be able to give them his well wishes and blessing. And, of course, to take a socially distanced photo with them on their wedding day. 

Intimate Church Wedding Ceremony

Kansas City Wedding Location | Sterling Acres Baptist Church

Caitlyn and Steve – thank you, thank you, THANK YOU so much, from the very bottom of our hearts for letting us tag along on your wedding day. Thank you so much for letting us into your lives and for letting us experience all of your biggest, and most meaningful moments with you. For trusting us to document these special moments for you and your family. We can’t wait to see what the next year has in store for you two, and have no doubt that if you survived planning your 2020 wedding, you will for sure survive anything and everything else life has to throw at you. 

Feel like you’re missing something? Check out Caitlyn and Steve’s Sneak Peek here.