Wedding Date: June 13th 2025

Anna and Gordon’s wedding weekend started the way all great celebrations should: on the water, surrounded by people who know how to show up fully and have a really good time. The night before the wedding, I had the chance to photograph their rehearsal dinner on a boat, and it was such a fun and unexpected way to kick everything off. Kids ran around in sailor hats, laughter echoed across the deck, and Anna showed up in a bold orange jumpsuit that matched the energy of the whole evening perfectly. As the sun dipped lower, sailboats filled the lake and the sky softened into those quiet sunset tones that make you pause for a second. It felt special in that effortless way you can’t plan, only experience.

When the wedding day arrived, it somehow topped it all. If there were ever a day that felt pulled straight from the pages of a magazine, this was it. Bavaria Downs Equestria West was the setting, a place that feels like home to us and a venue we’re lucky to call friends. Capturing weddings there is always meaningful, but Anna and Gordon brought their own layer of color, personality, and heart to the space.

The morning and early afternoon were full of energy. Anna’s dress reveal to her bridesmaids was nothing short of epic. Her bouquet was a rainbow of color, bright and joyful, perfectly fitting her vibrant personality and fearless sense of style. Before the ceremony, she shared sweet first looks with her sister and father, followed by a few quiet solo moments that let everything settle in.

There wasn’t a first look between Anna and Gordon, and honestly, it made the anticipation even better. I spent time bouncing between the girls and the guys as they got ready, laughing, playing games, and soaking in those in-between moments that tell just as much of the story as anything else.

The ceremony took place indoors in front of the stone fireplace hearth, and it was stunning. The colorful ceremony décor softened the space and made it feel warm and inviting. When Anna walked in, it was the first time Gordon saw her that day, and the emotion was real and unfiltered. Those are the moments I never take for granted.

After the ceremony, we stepped outside for a stroll with their dog. Then they toasted with their own signature drinks, laughing and breathing it all in before rejoining their guests. As everyone made their way toward the reception, guests filled the hallways waving ribbon streamers, cheering and guiding Anna and Gordon forward in one big moving celebration.

Inside, the reception space was elegant and glowing. Candlelight set the tone for heartfelt toasts that had the room hanging on every word. Their first dance unfolded softly in that warm light, followed by a party that didn’t hold back for a second. The dance floor filled instantly, and it stayed that way all night.

The night wrapped up the way it began, with intention and ease. A quiet moment on the patio, cigars lit, conversations lingering just a little longer before the day finally came to a close.

Vendors: Bavaria Downs Equestria West (venue), Malana Olson (florist), D'Amico (catering), Troy Knetchel (videographer), Colby John (dress designer), Flutter Bridal (dress boutique), Lindsay Lickteig (hair and makeup), BlueWater Kings (music), Paradise Charter Cruises (rehearsal dinner venue)