Katrina + Joshua | Wedding

As anyone that owns a business knows, there comes a point where you find yourself bogged down with more business and less passion and you can start to forget the reason you do what you do in the first place.  More than I would like to admit that happens to me.  Fortunately for me our wonderful clients help reel me back in a bit each time I get to document their lives.   However, every now and again there comes a day that overwhelmingly reminds me why I do what I do.

I met Katrina and Joshua through a friend and fellow photographer, Shelley Paulson.  She contacted me to see if I was available to shoot their small wedding on a Thursday as she was going to do it but could not in the end.  I was so happy she did.

Since it was a small affair on a Thursday afternoon I decided It was just going to be me and my cameras.   That day brought it all back to me as to why I love to be a witness to weddings.  I was so overtaken with the love of the families, excitement of the couple, and their belief in their faith that I could literally feel the power of  prayer of everyone there.  It really was an honor to be given such unwavering access to this event and be able to witness the power of this ceremony.

The ceremony and reception took place at James P. Davis Hall at Wyandotte County Lake on a perfectly beautiful afternoon.  It truly was a DYI wedding with everyone from family to friends pitching in to make it all happen.

Thanks Katrina and Joshua as well as your families for letting me in to your lives for that day.

It was the prefect reminder to how important my job is.

The photos:

One of the couples friends sweeps up the “altar” getting it ready  for the ceremony.

Some of the antique decor hung by Joshua and friends.  I liked the heart shape.

All the guys had to get ready in this tiny bathroom.  There was not even room for shoes on the floor.

Joshua putting on the final touches.

The coat room served as an impromptu hair saloon for the flower girls.

Katrina is all smiles after the dress goes on.

This was a sweet moment.  Katrina’s grandfather is no longer with them so she made sure to include a memory of him in the programs.  Here she is reading it as her grandmother feels the support around her.

Katrina and her sister take time for a short prayer prior to the ceremony starting.

Katrina’s father sees her for the first time.

Joshua waiting for the call for the ceremony to begin.

Seeing Katrina for the first time.

Love this moment as Katrina hugs her mom before the hand off to Joshua complete with her father and grandparents.

This was the most powerful ceremony I have witnessed.  Here the bridal party is lost in prayer as one of Katrina and Joshua’s friends sings an original song.

Communion.

This moment really moved me.  All of Katrina and Joshua’s family praying with them as a tear rolled down Katrina’s cheek.

The kiss!

The elation!

Time for some quick portraits.

Love this moment.  As the rest of the guests were getting food and drink in the other room Katrina and Joshua took a second to themselves as a few young ones looked on.  What I love the most about it is how Joshua is making sure to keep his cup of red drink away from his new bride’s dress.

They also had snow cones as an added delight.  A ring bearer finds them to be a bit tricky.

I loved how they were inseparable that day.  Here they are holding hands while talking with guests on each side of them.

Detail of the dress.

Introducing the bride and groom.

Making money with the kiss jar.

Katrina and her sister hold hands while their parents do a heartfelt toast.

Katrina’s sister’s toast included a prayer for the couple.

The first and last dance.

The exit.

On their way to the car and the honeymoon.

It was a such a perfect evening that I decided to take the long way home around the lake.  I found this tree and light and it made me stop and literally my last image on my card as well as the day.  Kind of fitting I thought.