Freemasons Hall Fort Wayne Wedding

Elizabeth and Brad

This is Fall?

The forecast called for rain and thunderstorms all week!  At the beginning of the week, there was an 80% chance of storms, then the forecast went down to only a small chance,  until the wedding day then a thunderstorm was almost certain!  A year ago when Elizabeth and Brad were planning their Freemasons Hall wedding reception, I’m sure their vision didn’t include 87 degrees and thunderstorms!   As I drove to Elizabeth and Brad’s wedding I prayed we’d have at least a few short windows of time where we could snap some photos without rain.  We made it through pre-ceremony photos with the sun coming and going, but NO rain! Small sigh of relief…

Hoping to beat the incoming storm, after the ceremony we  rushed through family formals to head to a local park where the bride and groom choose to have their wedding party photos.  We arrived at Lakeside Park and Rose Garden, only to learn they were setting up for a wedding set to start within the hour!  For a short time, we were allowed to take pictures on the dry concrete area.  Ran began to sprinkle and thunder rolled in the background as we quickly took as many bridal party portraits as we could.   We then moved on to the other side of the lake to a beautiful willow tree,  the thunder stopped and the sun came out!  It poured later that day, but by then we were inside the Freemasons Hall enjoying the reception, giving  Elizabeth and Brad and beautiful rain free wedding day for pictures!

 

I have to brag about this couple

I absolutely adore Elizabeth and Brad and have so enjoyed getting to know them over the past year!  In the small community where I live, it’s not unusual for me to know at least one person connected to the bride and grooms I photograph.  Brad and Elizabeth live a couple hours away,  and I did not meet them or have any connection to them until we met at their engagement session.   I felt like we connected right away.  Brad and my husband share a mutual love of backpacking, and had even hiked the same southern Indiana Knobstone trail a few months apart.   Elizabeth and Brad met while studying Biology in college and are both pursuing careers in that field.  My own kids hope to pursue science oriented careers, so I especially enjoyed hearing how Brad and Elizabeth are using their degrees.

 

Organization for the win!

Elizabeth was the most amazing bride!!!  So easy to work with and so sweet and thoughtful!  We worked together to plan a timeline to include all the moments she wanted to capture during the day.  Let me tell you, every photographer’s dream is a bride who wants to work with the photographer to plan a picture friendly timeline!  I was also impressed that she had everything for her big day gathered in one room at her church and her details ready for me in a bag–the day BEFORE the wedding!  I love organization, and my gratitude for her organization and preparation was huge!  Seriously, she could write a book on being a dream bride! Did I mention she did all this while also going to med school!   Thank you so much Elizabeth!!!

Brad is so easy to talk to and I always enjoyed hearing the stories of his latest hiking adventure!  He went hiking for his bachelor party weekend!  How awesome is that!  He’s so sweet to Elizabeth!  He’s also a thoughtful gentleman. Embarrassing confession here…  I’ve been to Lakeside Park twice and driven on the wrong side of the road both times–it was no longer a one way street!.  Let’s just say Google maps isn’t my best friend.  For the wedding party photos, I requested to  follow someone.  When I was stopped by a red light and Brad  stopped to wait for me–not a small thing when you’ve driven on the wrong side of the road twice!   The route he took is by far the easiest route to that destination–Google maps could learn a thing or two!

 

Toasts filled with laughter

The reception at Freemasons Hall in downtown Fort Wayne, was beautiful!  I love the huge white columns and my husband wowed me by getting some pre-party shots from the balcony!   The toasts were touching with a good dose of humor thrown in.  Brad’s brother shared a few childhood tales.  Elizabeth’s sister incorporated a LOT of Disney movies  and stories of their sisterhood in her toast.  Such a privileged to be a part of these special memories by capturing them.

I am going to miss this sweet couple so much!  It was such a joy to get to know them over a the past year.  Sit back and enjoy a few of my favorites from their big day!

 

A huge shout out the bride’s sister Sarah (below) for the dress shot!  There was absolutely no place to hang the dresses in the church!  Sarah discovered thumbtack will hold up a dress!  Who knew!?!

Ceremony at Bride’s Home Church | St. Mary Mother of God Catholic Church

Reception Venue | Freemason Hall Fort Wayne

Bridal Gown | Sophia’s Bridal

Bridesmaids Dresses | Azazie

Hair and Makeup | Hair by Jen Slack

Groom & Groomsmen’s Attire | Louie’s Tux Shop

Flowers | Wedding Dreams by Linda

Food and Table Decorations | Wedding Dreams by Linda

Wedding Party photo location | Lakeside Park and Rose Garden

Cake | Betty Olry

Bar Services | Cap ‘n’ Cork

DJ | Quattro Systems

Bride and Bridal party Jewlery | Etsy

 

Recently engaged?  Check out wedding planning tips here:  Top 5 Things to do When you Get Engaged   and  The Next Steps: What to do After You Get Engaged

To learn more about the Simply Seeking Photography wedding experience click here:  The Wedding Experience 

blessings,

Julie