My little cousin is married! As I edited through Erin & Shawn's photos I found myself reliving all those moment not just as their photographer, but as their family member and someone who cares very much about their happiness. It is always such a great experience to get to witness and document someone's wedding day, but when that day includes your entire family, and many friends you've known your entire life, it becomes even more important.
And yes, I was even tearing up a little while editing these images watching the day go by again. Wondering how in the world my little cousin is old enough to be married. She's exactly 10 years younger than me (so, there's no way she could be old enough to be married, right? :) My sister & I used to dress her up in all sorts of crazy outfits and I would take pictures her using my very first camera (a little 110 film LeClick-bright purple and yellow, oh yeah).
I obviously do not know Shawn as well as Erin, but I will tell you what I do know. He is a kind, good hearted person and will treat Erin as she deserves to be treated and love her as she deserves to be loved. So what else do you need to know, right? I have actually known some of his family members for a very long time too, which makes everything I was saying before continue to be true.
The ceremony was held at the Lutheran Church in Altenburg, Missouri and Saxon Lutheran Memorial was the beautiful fall backdrop for their wedding photos.
So, let's talk details, as there were so many wonderful ones to talk about. First, the bride did all her own flowers. Her mom (my aunt) Janet is a wonderful florist and altogether crafty genius and together they did all the gorgeous decorations for the hall, the church and the flowers. You can find her at Garden Gate in Cape Girardeau, Missouri if you are in the need of a great florist!
I was also happy to have been able to go wedding dress shopping with Erin - yay for The White Room here in Nashville where Erin got her dress! And that veil she's wearing, it's her mom's, from her own wedding in 1975. Totally unaltered and looking perfect with the dress Erin chose.
Music and DJ services by Mike Engert. Beautiful and tasty wedding cakes from Hoeckle's Bakery. (and seriously, if you are reading this and have never had a Hoeckele's donut I just feel sad for you, they are wonderful, and you must immediately go to Perryville, Missouri and get one) Wedding party formal attire from Andrew Jackson's. Catering provided by Tractor's Classic American Restaurant. Reception site was the lovely Bavarian Hall in Jackson, Missouri.
All the vendors were great and did an amazing job!
What a great day and what a joy to be the one capturing it for you. I wish you the best marriage and life together, and look forward to watching your relationship grow.
~ Mandy
