October 31, 2020

Sheldon and Christine are such a fun, sweet couple. They’ve both spent years in singlehood, but I believe they would both say it was worth the wait when they found each other! They are such genuinely nice people and we loved getting to know them.

October 31st dawned crisp and clear, a perfect late fall day. We started with the bridal party photos at a beautiful property with ponds and gorgeous fall trees. It was a little bit chilly but the sunshine was perfect! The bridesmaids navy dresses and their white and mauve bouquets looked stunning with the fall foliage. The families joined us there as well for their photos. The couple drove around all day in a ’77 Grand Prix that belonged to Christine’s father many years ago when her parents were married!

After lunch with their families, the guests began to arrive. Soft harp music played as they were seated in the sanctuary. Friends of the bride and groom sang as Christine’s father walked her up the aisle to where Sheldon was waiting… the long awaited moment had finally come! Christine’s father performed the ceremony and then the bride and groom filled a glass box with sand in a unity ceremony. Their families surrounded them for a prayer of blessing before they joyfully walked back down the aisle hand in hand, husband and wife!

This wedding we did things a little differently, and as I like to show my blog posts in chronological order, you’ll see the bride and groom portraits in between the ceremony and reception. I and the bride and groom went to White Chimneys immediately after the ceremony for their portraits while my husband Curtis along with the help of Julianna Stoltzfus ( thank you so much, Julianna!) photographed the reception.

I’ve always wanted to shoot at White Chimneys and it did not disappoint! It’s a wedding venue that’s part farm/ part European gardens and it has so many options! I could have spent all afternoon with them- they were basking in that just married feeling and they were a delight to photograph! And can we talk about Christine’s bouquet!? It was just perfection.

The reception was held at Faith Mennonite High school, and the gym was transformed with string lights and 400 white candles. The bridal table was underneath a white pergola (built by the groom!) Every detail was perfect, from the coffee bar to the dessert bar to the cake adorned with sugared blueberries. ( so pretty!)

The meal consisted of tortillas with all the fillings, done to perfection by Ken and Rose Kratzer. The bride and her family made the cheesecakes for dessert, and the bridal table was served lattes which were being poured in the kitchen by Hans and Chandra, another one of our 2020 couples.

The evening ended with open mic, where as usual friends and family shared meaningful thoughts and funny stories about the newlyweds. ( this is pretty much my favourite part of receptions 🙂 Sheldon’s friends and coworkers from Bald Eagle Boy’s Camp sang a camp song, and the bride’s father quoted a scripture to Sheldon and Christine that he had often quoted to the bride in her childhood.

Sheldon and Christine, you’ve both lived quite full and adventurous lives already, but I have a feeling the adventure has only begun! Thank you for the honor of documenting your day… it was such a joy to be there!

Dress: made by the bride

Florals: Rebekah Barkman

Catering: Ken and Rose Kratzer

Cake: Rachel Weaver