Caleb + Annie’s Wedding Day
Caleb and Annie’s big day back in October was something so unique to be in the best way possible. This was the first ever brunch wedding I shot, and it was absolutely worth it! I picked up my second shooter at 6 am, stopped for a mandatory coffee run, and drove 2 hours to Eau Claire (while I was like 34 weeks pregnant). I remember passing into the bluffs in Wisconsin and the morning sun was streaming through the fog and the foliage was so gorgeous that we actually debated stopping for photos.
Once we got to the venue, it became clear how congenial and relaxed this wedding was going to be. Caleb actually was the first one at the venue when we arrived. Their venue was their family church. Caleb gave us the grand tour in the midst of running around and getting things ready. Annie arrived shortly after that, and she had already been up for hours getting ready for the day.
In lieu of a first look, Caleb and Annie decided to do a first touch. Truthfully, I had never shot a first touch before. I remember my second shooter, Alayna, texting me different ideas because we had no idea what to expect. We scoured the venue looking for places and ultimately decided on a shed. It sounds dingy, but actually it turned out to be the perfect spot!
The ceremony was at 10 AM in the grand sanctuary of their church. The high ceilings made for some amazing wide-angle shots. We were asked by the officiant to stay farther back during the ceremony than we had anticipated, but Alayna broke out the big zoom lens and was able to capture some amazing photos that showcased the intimacy of the ceremony. We were surrounded by family on both sides, and everyone was so thrilled to celebrate this sweet union. The seats were packed all the way down the aisle, but it felt very close, like everyone knew each other.
From the ceremony, we went to a park a few minutes away to take some bridal party photos. The bridal party was so sweet, and everyone was so supportive of Caleb and Annie. After that, the party began at a small reception hall, where they had a cute coffee bar and all the goodies were homemade. One thing about their reception that was different was the way they decided to handle the glasses clinking. Instead of giving the guests glasses to clink to get them to kiss, they set up cornhole. If you made it in, they had to kiss. I’ve never seen this before, and it was so fun to witness!
Truly, this was a wedding day that I'll never forget as a photographer! Second shooter was Alayna Gatrost Photography.
