Lawrence Country Club Summer Wedding

Friends – we are SO EXCITED to be back to share Samantha and Cody’s full wedding day!! One of the biggest pieces of advice we always give our couples is “you do you, boo.” It’s always so fun to see exactly how a couple’s wedding day plans all come together for the big day. And we always love seeing what unique touches they put on their wedding day and guest experience.

Samantha and Cody’s wedding day was no different. These two lovebirds incorporated so many traditions from their families, and it was so fun to see everything play out. The really cool thing about incorporating family traditions? Sam and Cody put their own spin on everything to make it their own.

Lawrence Country Club Summer Wedding

Getting Ready | At Home

Samantha and Cody both spent their mornings at two of their favorite places: home. Sam spent her morning having brunch and getting her hair and make-up done in the home that she grew up in with her two sisters. Which meant that she got to have her hair and make-up done at the kitchen table, while her new nephew crawled all over the kitchen. It meant that her mom, sisters, and all of her bridesmaids got to be nice and comfy in matching PJs just lounging at home.

Because it was a little bit of a drive, Sam waited until she got to the church to put her gown on. And after all of her bridesmaids and mom were dressed, gifts given and opened, tears shed, Samantha put on her wedding gown with the help of her sisters and mom. A moment that she’ll never forget? Sitting patiently, trying not to get lipstick on the veil she borrowed from her sweet momma to wear on her wedding day as her mom and sisters pinned it into her gorgeous up do.

And Cody?

Well. He got to spend the morning at home with his brother, brothers-in-law, and closest friends. With the family pups running through the house, excited because there were so many guests. Writing his sweet, sweet letter to Sam in the bedroom they share and completely surrounded by photos of the two of them, pre-wedding celebration cards, and everything that they’ve built their life together with.

Cody’s brother-in-law, Stephen (check out his engagement photos here), spent his morning making sure everyone’s pocket square was just right. Cody finally put on his classic black tux with a bow-tie, and it was time to head to the church.

Wedding Ceremony | St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Sam and Cody chose to not do a first look before their wedding ceremony. They wanted their special moment to happen as Sam was walking down the aisle. A lot of photographers push for their couples to do a first look. But to be honest? That’s not our decision to make. It’s not our wedding day, it’s yours. And it should happen exactly how you want it to happen.

Instead of a first look, Sam and Cody did a “no look first look.”

They stood on opposite sides of a door and exchanged gifts and letters before their wedding ceremony. And can we just tell you….. this moment was just as emotional and exciting as a first look would have been for them.

Samantha and Cody’s Catholic ceremony was performed by the same father who did all of their pre-marital counseling and classes. Oftentimes, this isn’t the same person and they were absolutely thrilled when he agreed to officiate their wedding. The ceremony was so sweet and beautiful. Quite possibly, our favorite moment happened when these two exchanged rings. There’s just something about the pure, unfiltered joy that exudes from a bride and groom when this happens.

(This is also Kyle’s favorite part of a wedding day to photograph.)

Wedding Party Portraits | Eudora Church & Lawrence Country Club

When we started talking with Samantha and Cody about where they wanted to do wedding party pictures, they were adamant about one thing: they wanted to go to a small, historic church in Eudora where Samantha’s grandparents had been married to take photos. It was a must have. There was absolutely no doubt or question that we would head to the church.

And the crazy-cool thing about this church? Samantha and Cody thought that it would be locked, and that they would just get to take photos outside. Miraculously, it was unlocked and they got to go in and stand in the same place where Sam’s grandparents had said their vows and exchanged their rings. The photos from the church might be some of Sam’s favorite from their whole day. We can’t say that we blame her. 🙂

Family traditions are so cool, friends.

And of course, upon arriving at Lawrence Country Club, we had to do some wedding party photos there too. Crazily enough, the golf course was pretty much empty and we could go pretty much anywhere. Kyle secured golf carts from the club for all of the wedding party to ride/drive in, and off we went. The laughter and shrieks that happened from the ride down the hill was just so much fun.

Wedding Reception | Lawrence Country Club

And can we just talk about Samantha and Cody’s reception for a minute? Because it was the absolute best capstone to their whole entire wedding day. Sam surprised Cody by having their cake baker add in a secret Captain America shield on the back of their gorgeous, three tier white wedding cake. The whole reception sang happy birthday to some of Sam and Cody’s cousins. One, who decided to bite the flame on his candle instead of blowing it out. These two lovebirds danced the hot August night away with their friends and family.

We actually managed to steal these two away for a few minutes at sunset to go play in the gorgeous golden light.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again… make time to do this at your wedding reception. It’s the perfect little break from all of the crazy for a few romantic moments with your spouse at the end of the best day ever. For real. We’ve never had a couple regret sneaking away for a few sunset photos.

When it was time to wrap everything up and leave their reception, Samantha had one last surprise for Cody up her sleeve. Cody thought they were going to do a classic sparkler exit at the end of the night. But Sam had other plans in mind. Instead, she had her parents pull out a giant bucket of giant light sabers for their friends and family to light up and wave as she and Cody exited.

And can we just tell you…

The excitement and joy on Cody’s face when he heard the Star Wars music coming from the hallway and saw all of the light sabers?

Well. We’re not sure he could have loved his new wife any more in that moment.

Samantha and Cody? They’re finally married. And they had the best day ever. What we love about it so much is that it was so completely and utterly them. They danced to the music they wanted, spent their mornings how they wanted, and had an exit unlike anyone else. It was so Sam and Cody.

Samantha and Cody – thank you, thank you, THANK YOU so much for letting us create your wedding photos!! We are so, so incredibly grateful and lucky to have gotten to spend the last year getting to know you two and are so incredibly excited to see where life takes you.

(And we’re so excited that we get to see you and your sweet family again next spring at Mark and Molly’s wedding!)

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

Or their spring engagement session with Miss Addie here.

Wedding Vendor Dream Team

Ceremony | St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Reception Venue & Catering | Lawrence Country Club

Wedding Dress | Mia’s Bridal & Tailoring

Bridesmaids Dresses | Bella Bridesmaids

Hair & Makeup | POSH KC

Tuxes | Calvin Klein from Men’s Wearhouse

Flowers | Branches & Twigs

DJ | DJ Andrew with Jukeboxx Media

Invitations | RSVP in the Village

Wedding Cake | Sweet Dreams Cake Company

Jewelry | Hannoush Jewelers

Videographer | Baysinger Films

Wedding Photographer | Rivas Weddings