It’s my favorite blog post ever to put together! Best of weddings, version 2017. Last year marked our fourth busy wedding year and our 7th year shooting weddings! Somehow, all this still feels completely new and exciting AND feels like we’ve been doing this incredible job forever.In April, we’ll hit five years of being in business. WHAT?! Did you know most small businesses fail within the first five years? Every wedding we book, every couple we work with, we feel affirmed over and over again that this is where we’re supposed to be (all the joy that we get from weddings, doesn’t hurt either :]). Let me tell you friends, there’s no way 20 year old Kaitlyn who spent most of her spare time stalking wedding photography blogs ever thought she’d be where we are now.

We’ve shot over 60 weddings as a team at this point! That’s over 120 brides and grooms that we’ve had the absolute honor of serving and documenting and happy crying with. What a privilege and what a blessing. Truly. It is never lost on us. From the most gorgeous venues to the smallest, sentimental details to the emotional moments between loved ones. We get to be only a few feet from it all every time and get the enormous responsibility of making that day relivable for generations to come. David and I are on such highs when we leave wedding days! Our feet hurt and our shoulders ache, but we’re just coursing through with joy, chattering about what we loved most that day.

I love putting together this post because I love what we do! Last year, I challenged myself to pick one favorite moment from each wedding day. You know, the ones we wanted to bottle up and keep forever because they were so sweet! And this year, I wanted to do the same! I love cataloging these memories because they made up a large portion of our lives as well as our couples! And as a creative, I also love seeing how my work has grown over the last year :] (but to be fair, I just scrolled through the 2016 weddings post and went all heart eyes over that one hahah!)

So here it is! All the moments that were so, so special. And all of my favorite images from the last year of weddings. (get ready friends, it’s a long one!)

2017, you were incredible! And 2017 couples, we love you so and truly, we’re obsessed with you all! Thanks for letting us be the one’s preserving your wedding days!

Drew & Liz – Their ceremony and their personal vows just blew us away. Everything they promised was so well though through and so personalized to them. They even stopped to exchange a kiss, mid vows, out of habit and it was the sweetest thing.

Also, portraits in the barrel room for the win!

Chris & Nikki – The moment they walked down the aisle as husband and wife. They were both elated and immediately started celebrating! Their guests erupted into loud cheers as soon as they were pronounced Mr and Mrs!

Favorite getting ready photo of the year!

Shadow Creek we LURRRVE you!

Max & Casey – Oh goodness this ceremony. Can I choose the whole thing as a moment? The intense rain thunder storm delayed their ceremony by almost an hour so the anticipation was even higher than a normal wedding day! Max and Casey stood so close and held their hands tight the entire time, nodding and promising and waiting until they were officially husband and wife!

Also, I’d like to steal Casey’s dress, okay? :]

Okay, I had to choose two favorites for this one. This sweet grandpa threw his cane to the side with the biggest smile on his face when he saw the happy couple so he could hug them tight!

Andrew & Jordie – Daddy/daughter first look! Oh my goodness. It was so tough not to audibly cry! And things went downhill from there because Jordie’s brothers came out right after and got super emotional as well!

Stephen & Chloë – In all honesty, this might be the hardest one to choose! Stephen and Chloë’s day was emotional from start to finish! (maybe because their son is the same age as Ollie ;]) I will treasure this one moment forever though! They prayed together under a tree just minutes before the ceremony and then both had a new resolve as they walked back in the church. It was time!

She’s also my style icon.

Michael & Emily – When he saw her walking down the aisle. All day long, they both alluded to this moment and it did not disappoint. Michael was just speechless as Emily drew closer. For them, this moment was even more powerful because it pointed to their King Jesus who they spoke of all evening long.

I’d like to carry this bridal suite with me to every wedding, mmk?

Favorite exit of 2017!

Jacob & Rachael – This sweet bride did a first look with her childhood best friend and absolutely everyone in the room was in tears. They’d been through a lot together and this moment helped prep her for that long walk down the aisle to her groom! (also not pictured, when every man present at the reception danced with Rachael during one song! She’s so loved!)

Cory & Beth – Safe to say we’ll never get over this one! When Beth walked down the aisle, Cory buckled at the knees, hung on to his dad, and then lifted his hands in the air and beckoned Beth to get to him faster. It was the most moving thing I’ve ever witnessed at a wedding! (also literally everyone was crying alongside him!) ((beth is also one of my sweet college friends and shew did I love seeing her as a bride! most excited bride ever!))

JP & Lily – Their first look! There was SO much joy! It was like all of their jitters melted away as soon as they saw each other. They fell back into their natural rhythm because they are BEST friends and together is better for them.

Also, omg the BAND! It was such a party!

Brandon & Ellen – During their ceremony, they sang “All Glory Be to Christ” and the sun came out from hiding about halfway through. It was divine and beautiful and so fitting for two people who are pure sunshine and joy. Their day was such a testimony of who God is and what He’s done and we just love these two.

Did I mention that Brandon’s one of our old college students so we were especially weepy?

Also they climbed on top of a barn for me and it was WORTH IT!

Andrew & Cindy – Married on top of a mountain and as the rain was starting to trickle down, Andrew picked up his bride and spun her around and it was something I’ll never forget!

Those views!

Martin & Elise – Their ceremony. So incredibly well done and performed by their best friend. The light surrounding the two of them throughout was almost angelic! It was an elegant and emotional and charming just like Martin & Elise are together.

Favorite wedding dress of the year!! (i might be biased because it’s the only one I’ve ever seen that is similar to mine!)

Cosmos Club. We’ve got a big fat crush on you. Favorite venue of the year!

Will & Allison – Those few moments right after their first look. They were so content. So at ease. They fell into this post without any prompting. Both elated to be together. “I love you and I like you.”

Michael & Nicolette – SELFISH FAVORITE MOMENT ALERT! This was one of my favorite people’s vow renewals so I picked a moment I was a part of! We all prayed and thanked God for the woman that Nicolette is. She changed my life forever and being in a room with these women and praising Jesus for her life was the best (most teary eyed, mascara running) way to enter a ceremony.

Cutest little baby alert!

Best BFF moment!

Wes & Becky – SNOW WEDDING! And our last of the year! The first look, amidst a snowstorm, on a perfectly blush mansion. All my dreams. And it didn’t hurt that Wes’s reaction was so sweet! I loved watching these two cuddle up in the freezing cold!

Favorite reception portrait of the year!

That’s a wrap on 2017! It was our best yet!