Lauren & Josiah | Kansas City Wedding & Icelandic Honeymoon
kansas city, mo & iceland
In March I was able to take mountain engagement photos for Lauren and Josiah in Woodland Park, CO. We had about two hours in the car together and had a lot of time to get to know each other. We chatted about our mutual friends through Summit ministries, how Lauren and Josiah met through some of their mutual friends, the church they go to in Kansas City, the Iceland honeymoon they had just recently booked. This was a particularly intriguing topic of conversation, because as it happens, my husband and I would be embarking on a Northern European cruise in early July, but we were flying into Iceland at the end of June. I quickly realized that we would be in Reykjavik during the exact same time!
We connected super naturally and had a blast together (and honestly, it wasn't hard because they are both so personable and fun), and on our drive back to where we left their car, they asked if I would be available to also photograph their June wedding in Kansas City. I was thrilled, and also offered to take some honeymoon photos for them in Iceland (because what are the odds we would be in the same city on the other side of the world at the same time?!). And then I got really excited to start planning.
A June wedding in Kansas City
In late June, three days before my husband and I were flying to Reykjavik, I flew to Kansas City. The next morning I got all of my gear prepped, stopped at Panera for some chow, and made my way to their beautiful church in the countryside right around lunch time. Their church was surrounded by green pastures, country fences, quaint homes and lots of trees. Being the middle of the summer, it was sticky outside. Hot, humid, and made me feel like I was dripping from the moment I stepped out of the car. What else would you expect in Kansas in June?
I met Lauren in the children's nursery, which she was using as her "getting ready" room, and after giving her a hug and huge congratulations, I got to work. I started by capturing some of the fun "getting ready" frenzy: flower girls twirling in their dresses, makeup all over the place, hair being curled. She wasn't in her dress yet, which meant I was able to take her dress and some of her beautiful extra touches outside to get close up shots. I absolutely LOVED her "something blue:" pale blue linen heels with a ribbon that ties at the ankle. SWOON. Her bouquet was a beautiful, wild, wonderfully untamed collection of wildflowers, and her and Josiah's rings are so unique and stunning (her engagement ring is a moonstone). I then moved on to Josiah's getting ready room, to get some fun shots of he and his groomsmen adjusting their ties, buttoning cuff links, and joking around.
The sweet pre-ceremony moments
About forty-five minutes before the ceremony, we went out to the back of the church where there's a beautiful clearing in some trees. I knew all the greenery and shade would provide the PERFECT setting for Lauren's first look with her bridesmaids, as well as the photos of the bride and groom with their bridal party.
I got all the bridesmaids situated and turned around so they couldn't see the church door, and then quietly walked to the door to help Lauren hold her dress and navigate walking through grass in heels. Once she was positioned and ready, I counted to three and her bridesmaids turned around and just began gushing over how stunning Lauren looked. I loved seeing each of their faces when they saw her, and knew it was just a taste compared to Josiah's face when he would get to see her too.
We proceeded with bridesmaids photos, mostly me helping them position their bouquets just so and letting them be themselves. This crew is clearly a tightly knit group of friends, and they had so much fun together. Then I helped Lauren back inside and got Josiah and his groomsmen positioned. Groomsmen photos are always so much fun because the guys usually just joke around with each other. They were gleeful when I asked how they felt about tossing their best friend into the air together, and gave me the best ever James Bond smolders as they fiddled with their cuff links and ties. SO fun.
Lauren and Josiah opted out of a first look, and instead wanted to have a moment to hold each other's hands and say hello around a corner right before the ceremony. It was so sweet to be able to see both of their faces as they held each other's hands; I could see the anticipation and joy in each of their faces. It was time.
Time to say "I Do"
Lauren and Josiah's ceremony was so sweet. They had several nods to Lauren's father, who had passed several years ago, around the sanctuary. There were candles lining the steps. And most of all, their community was glowing over the joy of getting to witness their union. Though the sanctuary was very dark, all eyes were on Lauren and Josiah on stage, and their love was captivating.
After their dance down the aisle when they were pronounced man and wife, I followed them to a back room to capture the signing of the marriage license (WOOHOO, it's legal!!). Lauren and Josiah took a few minutes to themselves to soak it all in, and I went back to the sanctuary to capture some of the marvelous charcuterie spread that was being set up for their reception.
Once they were ready, we went outside again for family photos and then their bridal portraits, both of which were overflowing with joy and laughter. And then, we partied. Lauren and Josiah are almost professional swing dancers (not even kidding), and their entire reception was filled with swing dancing, country line dancing with friends, and so much joy.
Lauren and Josiah — you both are some of the most genuine, joy filled people I've ever met. Thank you for asking me to be a part of your big day, and thank you for being down to adventure with me through the rugged terrain of Iceland =) Wishing you both so much happiness!
