Cody & Andrea | A Joyful Summer Wedding at Gatherings on The Ridge in Eastman, Wisconsin.

July 11, 2017

I posted on Instagram last week that this photo Caleb shot of Cody and Andrea exiting their ceremony perfectly summed up their wedding day in a single photo.

JOY.

I have never shot a day quite like Cody and Andrea’s. Because we do engagement sessions with every single one of our wedding couples (give or take one or two due to unique circumstances!) I always feel like I know our couples pretty well going into their day. What I knew about Cody and Andrea already was that they are two of the most joyful people I have ever met and photographing them is SO much fun because I swear they forget there is even a camera present and just get lost in the moment with each other!! Both of these things shined through even MORE on their wedding day than they did during the engagement session but honestly, I couldn’t have predicted HOW strong and powerful their levels of love and joy would be … and just how much they would affect me personally!

Moments before the first look, Cody was quite literally shaking with excitement to see his bride. Nothing could have wiped the smile off face in those minutes before while he waited for Andrea to come walking out to him. Cody and Andrea did their first look at the incredibly stunning Villa Louis historical site in Prairie du Chien and as a photographer, WOW. I was in heaven!! The grounds are perfect for photos because not only are they beautiful but the light hits the property in all the right places!!!

Back to the first look : ) Andrea came walking down the cobblestone sidewalk and Cody turned when she was still a ways away from him so he could watch her walk to him. The minute he laid eyes on her it was like there was an explosion of his heart. He was SO overwhelmed with joy and the words that came pouring out of his mouth were filled with love, admiration, and excitement. I’ve just never seen a reaction quite like he had before!! The energy was unreal and Caleb and I couldn’t stop laughing and smiling and crying happy tears!! The rest of our time to follow, taking their portraits, was an absolute blast and again, like I mentioned earlier, these two were just lost in each other and FULLY enjoying their time together not as “portrait time” but as “we’re-about-to-be-husband-and-wife-!!!-alone-time” : )

As we expected, Cody and Andrea had the kindest bridal party and the whole group was like one big family. At the reception, Andrea’s Maid of Honor talked about how when she first met Cody, they were at a worship team tryout and sitting in the room was Cody, Andrea, her, and Cody’s best man. At the time, none of them really knew each other at all but now they are the best of friends and all sitting together at the head table of Cody and Andrea’s wedding : ) So special!!

Cody and Andrea — you know we absolutely ADORE the two of you and we can never thank you enough for yes, sharing your day with us but more than that, sharing yourselves with us. Your love is radical, wild, beautiful, committed, full of respect and admiration, full of LAUGHTER and jokes, and one that is lived and shared with open hands and a desire to glorify God in all that you do. Amazing <3 You have encouraged us more than you may ever know and we thank God so much for bringing you into our lives!!

Enjoy some of our FAVORITES from the most joyful wedding day ever ; )!!!!!

LOVE!!!!!

Love this group!!!

Oh, Cody! <3

Andrea’s mom crossed stitched this beautiful piece for the wedding day!

Andrea made the name cards for the reception using the watercolor paints she inherited from her Grandma Gokey (who she was very close with) after she passed away. So special! <3