Today is bittersweet as I’m sharing my last wedding of the 2017 season… What a year it has been! I am truly thankful.

Kayla and Eric’s wedding day was the absolute best end to last year’s wedding season that I could have imagined. And I’m sure for those that know these two, they would have absolutely guessed that that would be the case! I remember first meeting Kayla (and her mom and sister, too!) as a freshman at Illinois College in Jacksonville, and I have always known her to be kind, caring, and so gosh darn sweet to those in her life!

These two met in high school and first dated when they were 15 and 17… And when it was time for Eric to go off to college, they went their separate ways. It wasn’t until they met up in Chicago in 2014 that things changed, and their relationship sparked again. In October of 2016, Eric took Kayla on a trip to San Diego where he proposed to her at sunset… On a cliff… Overlooking the ocean. HEART EYES. Can you just picture how beautiful and magical that moment must have been for this couple? And my favorite part of this proposal was that Kayla was wearing her pink heels (yes, even on a cliff!) to support her mom during Breast Cancer Awareness month. How very sweet!

The past year for these two has been full of travel, baseball, friends’ weddings, time with their puppies Quigley + Reno, visits to see their family and friends, and of course, wedding planning! And through it all, Kayla and Eric are two of the most kind and joyful people I have ever met. To say that these two are amazing is an understatement!

When Kayla and Eric first told me their wedding day vision, I was in LOVE… Winter white, gray, silver, and black — classic, simple, and elegant. Oh, and I let’s not forget the donuts! As Kyle and I arrived on their wedding day, all of the ladies were so laid back, comfy in their red buffalo plaid flannels, and enjoying the morning together. I just loved documenting this time before the hustle and bustle of the day truly began! P.S. – This December 16th wedding day was nearly 60 degrees. How in the world did we manage that?!

Then, it was time for Kayla to dress in her beautiful long sleeve lace wedding gown, her grandmother’s bracelet, and her cathedral length veil… You guys, this bride was STUNNING. And gosh, that light for these getting ready photos was my favorite. As we moved through bridesmaid and groomsmen photos prior to the ceremony, Kayla and Eric were both so eager to see one another. And the joy and sheer emotion on their faces when they saw each other in the chapel (oh yes, the very chapel that BOTH of their parents were married in!) was incredibly beautiful.

As the day went on, Kayla and Eric were easy-going, relaxed, and truly living in each moment of the day. I love these two because they didn’t let little things stress them out along the way during their wedding day, and they celebrated their new marriage with so much joy, laughter, and love. It was wonderful to see this couple on their very best day yet with their very dear loved ones, family, and friends.

Kayla and Eric… Thank you! Being your wedding photographer was an absolute honor. I truly could not have imagined a better end to our 2017 wedding season, and that is 100% thanks to the two of you! Cheers to your married years!