I’ve been waiting to post this wedding for a long time.  You see, Abby is Mrs. French Fries on the Weddingbee Blog, and I wanted to let her blog her story first.  If you would like to see this wedding from the bride’s perspective, click here.

Abby and Joel had a beautifully planned Friday wedding.  I love a Friday wedding – the energy is so different; so light, so fun.  The fact that the wedding is on a weekday opens up the possibilities.  Having followed Abby & Joel’s planning journey on Weddingbee, I knew a lot of what to expect on their wedding day.  What I didn’t know and what we couldn’t plan for was how incredible the storm was that would plow thru their day.  We had sunshine and a slight breeze until right after the ceremony.  Stepping outside to re-evaluate the light for family formals, we saw the storm moving in from the west.  We knew it was supposed to rain that day, but it had been predicted to happen later.  I quickly checked the radar on my iPhone and within minutes we had rearranged our picture schedule and had Abby & Joel and the wedding party out in the cornfields behind their church (see above).  But before we get to all of that, let’s start at the beginning:

I’m not sure flower girls and ring bearers get any cuter than this:

I have to confess.  Abby and Joel were married in my hometown, at a church I’ve been to for numerous other weddings and events for our family and friends.  It was an odd experience being there to shoot a wedding, but really fun too.

This little guy was trying so hard to take my picture, it was just so adorable.  His Dad even sent me the results.  I just can’t get over the pouty expression and the pink bowtie!

And then it rained. No, poured.  We high-tailed it for the east side, hoping to beat the storm, but it was moving at a quick sixty-mile-an-hour clip and before we knew it we were surrounded by downed trees and branches and a deluge of rain.  No joke, trees split in half, there were branches all over the road.  We took refuge at the Dekoven Center, and as soon as the rain let up, we had some fun with Abby & Joel’s wedding pictures there.  If rain is lucky on a wedding day, Abby & Joel have been blessed by the gallon.

The pink and candy theme continued at the reception.  A Friday wedding with buckets, vases and jars full of candy everywhere, and magnificent reception lighting?  Yes, sign me up!

That lighting I mentioned?  This is why it is so worth it, below.  You can’t beat a beautifully lit ballroom for stunning reception and dancing pictures.  Twilight Lghting and Design provided the lighting for this reception and they did an awesome job.

Abby & Joel – it has been such a joy to get to know you (and your puppies!) over the last year or so.  And it was a complete honor to share in your wedding day.  Thank you for your patience and perseverance in the rain.  It definitely made for a unique story, and some fantastic memories.  Ones that I hope are just the beginning of what you will create in the years to come.

The Details:

Ceremony: St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church

Reception: Marriott of Racine

Bride’s Gown: Justina McCaffrey Haute Couture

Makeup: B Lovely Salon

Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Aria

Groom’s Suit: Calvin Klein

Groomsmen’s Suits: their own

Florist: Petals Floral Design

DJ : Sound By Design

Lighting: Twilight Lighting and Design

Linens: Carousel Linen Rental