Romantic Summer Wedding at Fire Stables

Melissa and Kt’s wedding day at Fire Stables? It’s the stuff dreams are made of. It was the best day ever. Like, for real. We wouldn’t lie to you.

Sure, we say that about a lot of weddings. But you know what? It’s because it’s 100% true.  And the one single thing that all of these wedding days have in common that make them the best day ever for each couple?

Easy. The people.

You might think, especially those of you in the wedding industry, that all weddings look the same on paper. And we’ll be the first to admit that there are some similarities.

But what makes each and every wedding day unique and absolutely the best day ever? It’s the people involved. The couple and their love for each other. Their emotions and reactions and real, true, raw feelings. It’s the people they choose to surround themselves with. Their kiddos, best friends, siblings, nieces and nephews, parents, co-workers, so on and so forth. The ultimate VIPS. 

Because whether you think they do or not, it’s those people that help make the day happen. That help spur and contain, inspire and motivate that emotion from our couples.

And that real-true, raw emotion?

That’s what makes every wedding day that we get to photograph the best day ever.

So. Now that we’ve gotten that out there, are you ready to hear about Melissa and Kt’s best day ever?  K. Good. 🙂

Romantic Summer Wedding at Fire Stables

Getting Ready

Did we mention before that Kt and Melissa both work in the wedding industry? If we didn’t, that’s something you should totally know. Why does it matter? Because, while Melissa spent her morning getting her hair and makeup done and giggling with her best girlfriends, Kt spent her morning making sure everything at the venue was picture perfect.

From hanging garlands on the gazebo to building and icing their wedding cake, Kt was all over it. Melissa, meanwhile was given careful instructions to not leave the bridal suite for any reason. There would be no accidental first looks today!

Kt finally, finally took a few minutes to get herself ready for her wedding day with her broskies, laughing and cracking jokes the whole entire time. And when her brother suddenly disappeared from the room? She didn’t think anything of it. Just Blake being Blake.

First Look

What Kt didn’t know, that Melissa, all of her attendants, and Kyle and I knew, was that Melissa and Blake had a special first look planned for Kt. To ensure the wedding day was full of all the lighthearted laughter, Melissa talked Kt’s brother into doing a first look with Kt wearing a 1980s wedding dress and gown. And friends. When the moment came? We’re not going to lie, we had a hard time keeping quiet. 🙂

You see, Kt and Melissa had chosen to have their first look happen on the venue porch overlooking the pond and grounds. Kt was facing away from the door, hands clutched in anticipation, just willing herself to take deep breathes. And when she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders, it only crossed her mind for half a second that they weren’t Melissa’s.

Until Blake started squeezing her shoulders. When Kt finally turned around? Of course she didn’t find her bride, but instead, her brother, in all of his gloriousness. And really, we could try to use words, but we’ll just let Kt’s reaction tell you everything you need to know. 🙂

After a few minutes of full-on laugh-until-you-cry-tears, Blake hid himself away and Melissa came out onto the porch. Again, Kt had her hands clutched tight and was working on breathing in and out. This time when she turned around, her beautiful bride was waiting for her.

We know these two have dreamt about this moment for a long, long time. And we feel pretty safe in saying that it was everything they dreamt of and then some. Friends. Those first few moments after a first look? They’re so precious. And so magical and full of so much emotion. We LOVE it!

Portraits

One of the things that we always recommend to our couples is that immediately following their first look we spend some time, just the four of us, doing portraits for a few minutes. Why? Well, to really let them soak in that whole “it’s finally wedding day and we’re getting married” feeling. Kt and Melissa for sure wanted to soak up that feeling all day long, and it was all that we could all do to keep Kt from breaking out in happy tears during our time together before their wedding party joined us.

Wedding Party

Because we all know, that wedding parties, especially this year, bring the fun, laughs, and a little bit of chaos. We don’t always show them, but the thing we always start wedding parties with is the nice, pretty, formal photos. Why? We want to be sure that we get those for sure. And once everyone else knows that we’ve gotten all of the formal stuff done? Well, let’s just say that things loosen up a little bit. Kt’s brother, Blake, definitely loosened things up a little bit to get his sister and beautiful bride to laugh and smile on their wedding day.

Sometimes, friends, we don’t ask questions and just take pictures. 🙂

Wedding Ceremony

Kt and Melissa quite possibly had one of the most emotional pre-ceremony breaks that we’ve ever seen. And that’s saying something. What caused all of the happy tears? 1. It was almost ceremony time. 2. Kt’s grandma had a ring, once upon a time, that had gotten lost and nobody could ever find. Somehow, miraculously, Kt’s aunts found it before the wedding day and surprised her with it moments before their wedding ceremony. There just wasn’t a dry eye, friends.

And don’t even get us started on their ceremony. So, so incredibly beautiful. Even though the morning had been a little cloudy, the sun came out at ceremony time. The seats were full, and everyone made it down the aisle in one pieces. As Melissa’s mom walked her down the aisle, you could just feel the anticipation. And when Kt took Melissa’s hand and walked with her to the gazebo to stand between their friends and family? So many happy tears, you guys.

And of course. Because, you know, it’s us… we had to take advantage of the gorgeous sunshine, and these sweet newlyweds just after their ceremony. Luckily they had a TON of family and friends present at their wedding, which meant we got more time for a few extra photos before heading into the reception!

Wedding Reception

You guys. What a party Kt and Melissa had. After dinner and a few very, very memorable toasts, these two danced all night with their VIPs. Kt even brought out a few sequined hats and props for a little MJ tribute.

WHAT A DAY.

Kt and Melissa – we are so, so, SO incredibly happy for you both and cannot wait to see where life takes you. Thank you so much from the very bottoms of our hearts for letting us create your wedding photos!!

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