In the days leading up to Tayler and Greg’s wedding day, these two couldn’t have been more excited to just get married to their best friend. In the time I worked with them, it became very evident that while they were thrilled to be able to celebrate with family and friends, they were most excited to begin their life as a married couple and enjoy doing the simple things together. I was so excited to photograph their Muncie wedding at Muncie First Church of the Nazarene and wedding reception at Cornerstone Center for the Arts.
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Tayler’s joy is contagious; even when she fractured her foot playing volleyball the week of her wedding, you would have no idea because I don’t think the smile ever wiped from her face the entire day. The bride and bridesmaids began their day at The Creek House at Burton Farm, where they had stayed overnight between the rehearsal and wedding day. This was an absolutely stunning home with lots of room for the girls to hang out and prepare for the big day. They had even reserved a room just for the afternoon where Tayler would put on her wedding dress.
When I arrived, the girls were just pulling in from getting hair and makeup done. The girls came inside and began enjoy lunch and sharing stories while I photographed Tayler’s details. I absolutely loved having the time built into the day to be able to photographer all the stunning items that she had, from her dress to her bouquet, to her antique earrings they used to pin her handkerchief around her flowers. Much of the details were pulled together from family and friends, including the gorgeous florals used throughout the wedding day.
When it was time to put on Tayler’s dress, she chose to surprise her bridesmaids and have just her mom in the room to help. I loved that they had this opportunity because it gave them both a moment before the day truly began to breathe, to take in the moment, and a few tears were shed as Tayler admired herself in the mirror, now as a true bride – dressed from head to toe. It was an incredibly touching moment, and the bridesmaids were so surprised when she stepped out in her dress.
We took all of Tayler’s bridal portraits and portraits with her bridesmaids right on the property at The Creek House at Burton Farms, which made for an incredible backdrop. The weather on their wedding day was mostly cloudy, with some threats of rain… those types of clouds always make my heart happy because the colors were just so vibrant the whole day. Tayler and her 10 bridesmaids piled up outside for fun and laughter before it was time for them to begin heading to the church.
Meanwhile, my second shooter Cassie was hanging out with the boys at Muncie First Church of the Nazarene while they got dressed and prepared for the wedding ceremony. They too had a lot of fun, with both Tayler and Greg’s dad hanging out with them. Once I arrived, we took the boys outside for some groom and groomsmen portraits, and they had their fair share of laughs as the boys let loose and had fun together. Both the groomsmen and bridesmaids were an incredible team of friends and family that supported Tayler and Greg the entire day. Sometimes large wedding parties like Tayler and Greg’s can be a handful, but this team of 21 was the perfect match for loving on these two all day long.
We gave Tayler and Greg about 30 minutes before the ceremony began to just rest and relax inside the church. Tayler asked to do a first look with her dad and pray together before the ceremony; I’m not sure there was a dry eye in the room! You could tell that Tayler is the apple of her father’s eye, and I was so honored to be a part of their first look and capturing that for the two of them to treasure forever.
Tayler and Greg were married in the church where Tayler’s family has attended for quite some time, and their ceremony was incredibly special. Greg’s mother was escorted in by Greg and all of his brothers and father, and Tayler was given away by her father, who was beaming the entire time. Tayler and Greg shared in a unity candle ceremony as well as a time of kneeling prayer before their first kiss as husband and wife!
After the ceremony, family photos, and wedding party, we hung out with the newlyweds around the church property for their portraits. These two could not stop smiling, and it just made my heart so happy to see them so in love and full of joy in finally being husband and wife. When it started to sprinkle, Tayler and Greg were totally game to keep shooting outside. We moved under some beautiful trees on the church property until the rain started coming down a bit heavier. We decided to finish up their portraits inside at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, where they have gorgeous stairwells, ballet studios, and ballrooms to choose from for photo backgrounds.
Olivia, the wedding coordinator at Cornerstone, led us to a stunning naturally lit ballet studio on the second floor where we got to shoot to our heart’s content while Tayler and Greg just enjoyed being alone together before their real celebration began downstairs.
After capturing all the details of the reception, Tayler and Greg made their grand entrance to the wedding reception, with Tayler’s father giving a beautiful welcome speech before their taco bar dinner. After dinner, their best man and maid of honor, as well as father of the bride and father of the groom all shared in heartfelt toasts and speeches that left many in tears – including myself!
After speeches, Tayler shared a dance with her father, then Greg with his mother, and finally they had their first dance as husband and wife as their friends and family joined them on the dance floor in celebration of their marriage. With 350 guests in attendance, there was not a time that the dance floor was empty the whole night, which just made for such a fun reception for the couple!
I was so honored and privileged to be a part of Tayler and Greg’s beautiful wedding day. My heart was so full when I left at the end of the night because these two have been such a joy to work with. I wish them nothing but happiness and love for the rest of their marriage!
Autumn Howell Photography is a Fort Wayne wedding photographer, serving clients across central Indiana, including Kokomo, Muncie, Indianapolis, and Bloomington. Learn more about booking me as your wedding photographer!
Vendors:
Getting Ready Venue: The Creek House on Burton Farm
Wedding Ceremony Venue: Muncie First Church of the Nazarene
Wedding Reception Venue: Cornerstone Center for the Arts
Wedding Coordinator: Olivia Willard
DJ: Adam Strack
Florist: Linda Koeneman
Cake & Dessert: Sweet Tooth Cakes
Caterer: Get Fed
Invitation Designer: Shutterfly
Makeup Artist: Crystal Huddlestone
Hair Stylist: Salon & Spa Muncie
Wedding Dress: Wendy’s Bridal
Suit Designer: Kohl’s
