Dana & Ben: Married in Hermann, MO

So here’s the truth: Dana was my very first Relic Photography bride. She booked me just after I launched my website and I was seriously nervous when she sent me the contract in the mail. I had done a few weddings prior to launching my site but they were for friends and for free…and in case you’ve never read my bio, I’m a big believer in “you get what you pay for” so doing a wedding for “free” felt like no pressure. Doing a wedding for an actual, paying client…WHOLE different story.

Her wedding was several months away when she booked me, so I’ve shot a few weddings as “Relic” in the meantime, but I was excited for this wedding to come because it represented a huge defining moment of my life story.

I loved every minute of her day…from the classy hanger and beautiful dress…

…to the shiny new rings and beautiful stained glass windows  in the chapel…

..to the sunset at the end of the day…

…but I’m getting ahead of myself. The wedding was at a beautiful chapel in Hermann, MO and I cannot say enough about what an amazing job they did with every detail of Dana and Ben’s wedding day. The wedding coordinator was an absolute delight to work with and the owner of the place was at the reception making sure even the “help” (i.e. me) felt like an honored guest.

The first look:

One of the many nice touches added at Hermann Hill Chapel is their champaign toasts. There was one set up for the bride and groom at their “first look”, another during the ceremony where all the guests participated and, of course, the traditional one during the reception. The bubbly was enjoyed by all, all day long!

Love, love, LOVE this sweet flower girl:

Dana was AB-so-malutely gorgeous! For reals.

…and Ben didn’t look too shabby himself.

Dana’s uncle walked her down the aisle and seemed so proud of his sweet niece!

I love these pics from the ceremony captured by the ever-so-talented Krissy.

What you don’t know about these beautiful bridesmaids is that two of the three had recently had a baby…um…can you say, “where’s the baby fat?” So annoying (and simultaneously, so beautiful).

Ben doesn’t give the smiles away for free…he made me work for it…

…but when I mustered up some “funny” it was worth the effort!

It could not have been a more perfect fall day and I’m in love with these pictures.

…and what would a Hermann wedding be without some pics in a wine cellar?

This wedding was my first trip to Hermann (well, if you don’t count the time when I was 8 and my parents thought it would be fun to take the train there from St. Louis only to find out that the town shuts down several hours before the train home is available…but that’s a different blog post…).

Anyway, Hermann is Be-U-tiful! Seriously. It was so hard to choose which places to stop and do pictures but I love what we got on their little main street…

…and off the beaten path.

um…can you say “favorite?” Yup.

Favorite #2. (btw, both favorites so far were captured by Krissy…which, I’m not gonna lie, is slightly annoying 🙂 ). But none-the-less, this MUST be printed on canvas.

…after downtown Hermann…back to Hermann Hill at sunset for a few more group shots…

Favorite #3. Also needs to be on canvas. Probably hanging in your foyer.

From the first look to these last “formal” pictures, Ben and Dana’s love was tangible and as a photographer you pray that you do justice to that on film.

These last two were curteousy of one of Ben’s groomsman who loves photography too and could not resist the urge to grab my camera and get a couple shots in himself. No question he needs to take the same leap I did 7 months ago!

Ladies and gentlemen: Mr. and Mrs. Ben Bradshaw.

 The toasts were a beautiful balance of laughter…

…and heartfelt emotion…

…and the first dance was full of the same love we saw all. day. long. 

…and guess who caught the toss bouquet???? Boo-yah!

Dear Dana and Ben: You will forever hold a special place in my story for letting me be a part of yours. My sincere gratitude.