No two weddings are ever the same. Each is special and unique to the wonderful couple getting married. They all feature personal, even heirloom, details that speak of the bride and groom’s legacy. But, Jessica + Mark planned one of the most personal weddings I’ve ever had the privilege of capturing. 

Jessica + Mark were married on a beautiful fall day on their own land purchased last year. In the field with the mountains behind them, they started their lives as husband and wife. Over the last year, they have worked tirelessly to renovate their farm house and refurbish the barn in time to welcome 300 family and friends to their forever home to start their married life together. 

Hosting their wedding at home brought Jessica such a sense of peace and allowed her to be fully present throughout the day. While getting ready, she kept mentioning how she was waiting on the nerves to set in but they never came. After the ceremony, she told me what a good day it was and she attributes her calmness to the fact that they were married at home. 

The personal touches didn’t stop with the location either. Jessica + Mark made careful efforts to make sure the day was as authentic to them as they could. Mark wore his black cowboy along with monogrammed cuff links he received from being part of a dear friend’s wedding. They both rocked wedding cowboy boots which could not have been more fitting.

Family is incredibly important to both Jessica + Mark. For Jessica’s “something blue”, she wore an heirloom blue ring placed on her finger by her grandmother. And it was extremely special that Mark’s great-grandmother was even able to make it outside to the ceremony to see the two be wed.

Jessica arrived at the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage owned by her dad. As her favorite horse pulled her up to the ceremony and her dad helped her out of the carriage, Mark had a tear in his eye seeing her for the first time that day. It’s clear to everyone that meets them that they love each other beyond measure and capturing the look on Mark’s face as he saw her was a beautiful moment. After saying “I Do” Jessica + Mark, exited the ceremony in the same carriage she arrived in while guests celebrated at cocktail hour which featured a repurposed grain feed bin bar for the occasion. 

In addition to their large wedding party, Jessica + Mark had seven flower girls and three ring bearers, including Jessica’s triplet nieces (Mandi’s girls Kate, Abby, and Nattie). They joked that it would be impossible to ask one or two and not the rest so they had them all. I’m so glad they did too because the fluffy blush skirt dresses with lace top were too cute and all seven girls looked adorable strutting down the aisle with the boys in their suspenders!

While Jessica + Mark planned a welcoming, relaxed and truly perfect day for their guests, their guests were busy planning an even bigger surprise for the newlyweds. At the end of the night, a couple of Mark’s auctioneer groomsmen stood up to auction off a dance with Jessica. What they didn’t know is many guests contributed to give the bride and groom a generous cash bundle to take on their honeymoon as a surprise. As the bidding went higher and higher, Jessica + Mark were wondering if this was for real. When the “bidding” stopped, they were in total awe of the amazing gift from their family and friends. 

Jessica + Mark, I am so glad I was able to capture your special day. It was filled with endless amounts of love and the two of you have the most wonderful support system in your friends and family. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you both! Two beautiful people with the most joyous love for each other – May it continue for 50 years more!

-xo-

Jamie