Wedding Date: October 18th 2025

There's a moment early in almost every wedding day that tells me exactly what kind of day it's going to be, and for Sara and Tessa, it happened before either of them had even seen the other. A quiet Pabst Blue Ribbon shared between mother and daughter, in honor of a father who wasn't there to see the day but was clearly still very present in it. I got to catch it, and honestly, moments like that are why I love this job.

From there we headed into the vineyard for their first look, and the timing couldn't have been better. Yellows and oranges everywhere, the vines catching that early autumn color just right. Sara turned around, and the two of them just lit up, smiles first, then a kiss, easy and joyful and completely unposed. It's one of my favorite kinds of first looks to shoot, the ones where a couple forgets to be nervous the second they see each other.

Their wedding party, three and three, brought exactly the kind of energy you want on a day like this. Comfortable with each other, a little goofy, genuinely close. It showed in every photo.

The ceremony space is what really got me, though. Outdoor but covered, and it felt like walking into an enchanted forest, the kind of setting you don't need to dress up because it's already doing all the work. Partway through, the sun broke through the canopy and lit the whole space up. I don't get handed light like that very often, and when I do, I try to slow down and just take it in for a second before I keep shooting.

Back at the reception, the dessert table leaned fully into autumn, warm colors and textures that matched the whole feel of the day. The toasts were sweet and the first dance had that easy, unhurried quality that told me these two were just enjoying being married, no performance needed.

Then came the moment I won't forget. We stepped out for an evening stroll, and it started raining. Instead of rushing back inside, Sara and Tessa just started dancing right there in it. No hesitation, no worrying about hair or makeup, just the two of them laughing and swaying together while the rain came down around them. I couldn't have planned a better way to end the day if I'd tried.

Vendors: The Gardens of Castle Rock (venue), Apples 2 Apples Catering (catering), Cafe Latte (cake/desserts), Cat (makeup), Whitney (hair), Schelley Lund (wedding planner)