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Sarah & Elisha > A Quaint Fall Church Wedding

Reflecting on this particular wedding day for my cousin Sarah, brings me back to summers that would never end– the ones spent playing hide and seek, pretending to be a myriad of characters, treasure hunting in the creek, residing in the treehouse, and begging our parents to have a sleepover so we could do it all again the next day. It brings me back to more grown up memories; to coffee dates, supporting each other in college and as we began teaching; game and movie nights and sleepovers, this time at Sarah’s very own house. Who would’ve ever thought after all those times watching 27 Dresses, amidst other rom coms that next it would be Sarah’s wedding and I’d be photographing it?! It kinda seems straight out of a Hallmark movie. And I would say Sarah and Elisha’s love story equally lives up to that title. As Sarah is not only my cousin, but a best friend, I felt I got to watch this unfold. That made this wedding day even more anticipated and beautiful. From the warm fall color pallet and quaint, timeless decor to everyone involved that made it happen it was a perfect day!

Sarah chose to get ready at her house, which was a very good idea in my opinion since her house has the prettiest light and always looks the cutest. If I wasn’t doing photos of this day I would’ve been a bridesmaid, along with my sister, so Sarah made it a point to include me in some of the photos and parts of the day- I even wore a matching dress! This was so thoughtful and I enjoyed spending my day with them starting off at the getting ready portion! We decided to do all the getting ready things in front of the beautiful generously lit living room windows and adjacent to the pretty fireplace. Sarah’s mom, my aunt, helped her get her dress fastened along with some help from the maid of honor. I was obsessing over the light as Sarah slipped into her shoes. Then the videographer and I headed over to the church to capture Elisha and his guys getting ready.

After finishing up getting ready we headed to Battlefield Park since it’s close to the church and offered more variety! There was a perfect section of fall trees and leaves where we decided to do the first looks, first Sarah with her Dad and then with Elisha. When her Dad turned around it was a quiet, short and sweet moment– but his face said it all and showed the love he had for his daughter. When it was Elisha’s turn he was almost giddy with emotions seeing Sarah in her stunning gown for the first time, she truly looked like a princess so I don’t blame him! I’ve also never seen Sarah this happy. Whenever Elisha and Sarah are together all they have to do is look at each other before the smiles erupt into contagious laughter and joy. I could give them one prompt and it turns into a million little moments because that’s just how much they love each other. This continued throughout the rest of their portraits and even at sunset later. We ventured around a little to capture the full bridal party photos under a bold red tree, that really brought out the burnt orange color Sarah had selected. I even hopped in some of the bridal party photos as Sarah was so kind to include me and thanks to my great second shooter!! We ended with a few more fairytale-esque portraits in a glowing spot near the pond a photographer friend once shared with me, it always has the perfect glow!

My favorite parts of the day were the quiet uninterrupted moments, like the one that came next when Sarah rode with me from the park where we did portraits back to the church. She and I just got to talk and soak it in, that she was getting married that day. She kept expressing it didn’t feel real, and while it may have felt that way, all I had to do was look at these two and I could clearly see how real it was. Getting to share that moment with a best friend means so much, and I’ll treasure that forever. It was a full circle moment knowing Sarah’s story and thinking back on all the conversations we’ve had leading up to Elisha and this day. I know he was an answered prayer for Sarah and I’ve been privileged to watch it play out.

Sarah got married in her home church, Crestview Holy Sanctuary. This was the church my mom got saved in and I grew up visiting for Vacation Bible School and countless family events over the years; it was also the church both my parents and Sarah’s parents got married in.

Yet despite all this sentiment, and in all these times attending, I’d never seen the fellowship hall and sanctuary look more beautiful. It’s a classic, older feeling church with vaulted wood ceilings and walls but they truly transformed it into an elegant clean backdrop for the wedding. My second shooter said it looked more like an event space for the reception and I couldn’t agree more. The space had been transformed with white linens, burnt orange runners and warm flower arrangements, with twinkle lights and candles galore adding a certain enchanted feel. Don’t even get me started on the food, from all the homemade options on the buffet – the mac and cheese is my absolute favorite, to the extravagant array of sweets like macaroons and the gorgeous cake a bridesmaid made! What’s even crazier is they did this all themselves! My aunt Sharon outdid herself on the food. Friends and family alike united to make this day happen. The warmth of the day was truly felt amongst so many family, friends, and familiar faces. The speeches just reiterated this and how loved Sarah and Elisha are, plus supported in their new journey as husband and wife!

We ended the night first with a bubble send-off descending the steps of the church, and then with another of those more quiet moments. Elisha and Sarah rode with me to a nearby golf course for some sunset portraits. I loved getting this time to chat with them before we joined the videographer for some amazing sunset photos nestled under the perfect yellow fall tree and the pond reflecting the golden light. Afterwards, I dropped Sarah and Elisha off at their house, I don’t normally get to chauffeur the bride and groom around so this was fun!

Thank you Sarah and Elisha for asking me to capture such and important day! I’ve loved watching your story unfold and I hope these photos tell it well. Enjoy a few more of may favorites!