Madison and Daniel

Making jokes and occasionally holding back tears. That is the foundation of this day. There was no sitting around stressing about the upcoming events, and there were no boring parts. I jumped into this wedding already having the best time, and you should scroll on to see just what I mean.

Mama standing in as makeup and hair stylist since they were all finished getting ready by the time I arrived.

The two Dad’s taking a stroll to the reception area together.

When I first met Daniel at the top of the Groom area, I had the first impression that he was going to be a chill and quiet dude. The few moments after that initial meeting quickly to my favorite Groom of the year.

“Wait, can we kiss? Don’t look!”

First look was incredible. The sequence of events were basically: Daniel in awe of Madison, asking each other how they are feeling, impressions of various characters, and gazing upon the ducks they made friends with the day before. This is the definition of my ideal couple.

The ladies killing it with the posing.

The guys setting the standard for all my future Grooms and Groomsmen.

As I explained this shot I wanted to do, Madison got excited and said she saw it on my website <3

The horses cooperating as the foreground elements.

The green pines, and the freshly fallen fall leaves.

They did a high five on their own, but I wasn’t ready for it. I asked them to do it again because I need more of this energy.

I asked Caroline how many times people sing her Sweet Caroline. The answer is SO MANY.

The wedding party was small, but the awesomeness they packed could surpass even the most stacked crew. Having a groomsman double as the officiant was also amazing. The ceremony was both beautiful and hilarious.

Practiced the dip kiss twice less than an hour before the ceremony, and pulled it off flawlessly. My favorite part of the photo is the two Dad’s absolutely elated in the background.

Reunited! Aspen giving all the kisses.

First official family portrait.

I am forever scarred by this moment. One of the poses I ask the bride to do is have the groomsmen hold her across their arms. The shoulder strap snapped, and it had to be safety pinned back in place. Thank you Alison to the Alter for coming to save the day. Madison took it in stride though, and immediately started making jokes. I on the other hand played this moment over and over in my head while lying awake in bed.

They did somewhat pick him up, but I loved the process more than the result.

Castle Farm has a tradition. If a calf is born on your wedding day, you get to name it. Madison hopped the fence during the getting ready portion to see the new baby, and they also got to experience one of his first poops. The calf’s name is officially Bear.

When Daniel asked Madison’s parents for permission to marry her, he wrote them a letter telling them how much he loved her. During the welcome speech, Dad read a passage which was beautiful.

Recognizing those who could not be here, and dedicating her bouquet to her sister <3

Speaking of Sweet Caroline, that song kicked off the night.

The very beginning of the day, Madison told me her 91 year old Grandfather will probably be one of the first on the dance floor and he will probably have his harmonica. There was no harmonica, but he was out there first thing, and he was one of the last to leave.

Backing it up against Mom.

Every wedding blog, I pick a favorite dancer of the night. It has been a bride maybe once, and a groom probably never. Today, it is the both of them. The definition of dance like no one is watching in the best way possible.

After the cake cutting Madison said “I don’t want to eat cake, I want to go back to dancing!”

Drinking a beer in style.

There it is. The definition of my ideal wedding day and my ideal wedding clients. You don’t need hundreds of guests to fill the seats. Bring on the people who will party and the party will be one to remember.