What an awesome wedding Shelby and Jacob had. Leading up to their wedding, however, with a different story. The week prior, the forecast was showing an 80% chance of rain with a chance of strong gusty winds and severe storms. This is Illinois though, don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes. However, every day leading up to their big day, the same forecast. I wasn’t feeling too confident by Friday when the forecast was still showing strong winds for the next day. To make things more interesting, they had an outdoor wedding in a tent. Outdoors, a tent, these things don’t pair well with strong winds. We were going to make it work, though. Shelby and Jacob’s energy and mindset said the same. Covid has messed with weddings enough, and we weren’t about to let a little weather affect our mindsets. 🙂
Saturday is here, I arrive at the location, and it’s not too bad out. No wind, at least. We did pictures of Shelby and her bridesmaids right away, just in case it rained. It started to lightly rain as we were wrapping up and as soon as all of us got inside, it poured! I mean, poured! Thirty minutes until the wedding, and it looks like we are standing under a waterfall. We wait it out. About 10 minutes before the wedding was to start, the rain stopped, and although it was a little humid, there was no more rain and no wind. I mean, not even a light breeze. I’ll take a little sweat over storms and wind any day.
The wedding was fantastic. After the ceremony, we went around, taking pictures of the two of them. This was a wedding of firsts for me. I love it when I can have a first at a wedding considering I’ve been a wedding photographer for 11 years now. Shelby is the first bride I’ve photographed on a horse, and these pictures looked dreamy!! It was another first that a bride drove the groom and me to a photo location. I don’t know how she did it with all that dress. And lastly, this is the first time I stepped knee-deep in a pond to get pictures. My shoes and one pant leg were covered in mud. And it wasn’t just mud. It was that muck that stinks like the bottom of the pond. It was worth it, though.
After the pictures, everyone changed into casual clothing. It then turned into a backyard party style reception. I’m such a fan of this!! I didn’t so much love my stinky pants and shoes, but I loved the casual, laid back feel of their reception. People playing yard games, others hanging out, and the group was small enough that Shelby and Jacob were able to engage with all their guests. I know it’s not a traditional wedding feeling, but some of these changes that have happened with weddings due to Covid, I’m such a huge fan! All in all, it was a great day!
