melanie & gardell {married}

melanie & gardell got married on a perfect fall day in missouri, with golden light and love overflowing.  i was so honored to be part of their day, and their story.  they're a columbia couple, and cheer for the tigers, which obviously holds a special place in my heart:)  but besides that, they are just seriously beautiful people.  they're warm and kind and gentle with each other and with their family & friends.  their day was amazing.

soon to be mrs.powell :)

with seriously rockin' shoes.  LOVE. THEM.

many thanks to layne haley who shot with me and captured their rings beautifully.

melanie, you are gorgeous!!

i love her mom's expression here...

the beautiful, rich flowers were perfect for fall.

and oh my goodness, their first look was the sweetest one i think i've seen yet!  i always love when a couple chooses to see each other before their ceremony because of the emotion; the tears, relief, calming factor.  it's all just beautiful.  when gardell first turned and saw melanie, he teared up.  and that right there is reason to have that moment to yourselves, not in front of the crowd.  they were able to hug and hold hands and share a private moment just the two of them (with me at a distance!) and it was awesome.

then we snuck off to shoot a few portraits in the beautiful afternoon light while we waited for their guests to arrive...
the wind did amazing things with her veil!

LOVE this!

before we knew it, their moment had arrived, and the ceremony began.  loved how proud melanie's men looked; her father to be escorting her down the aisle, and gardell to be waiting at the end for her.  she is well loved!

powell gardens is BEAUTIFUL and their chapel was seriously breathtaking.

yay!  married!  love how happy they both look:)

checking out the new bling...

and then we headed out for some evening portraits while their guests enjoyed a cocktail hour.  i love that they left plenty of room in their day for portraits...so we wandered around the gardens outside the chapel and it was simply beautiful...

love layne's capture here:

{sigh}

seriously, these are some of my favorites ever!

and then it was time to head into their super fun reception with great details....

LOVED their wedding party entrances, using props from the photo booth!!

and gardell takes his new wife for a twirl...

we heard some amazing toasts by melanie's dad, maid of honor and gardell's best man...

then they shared some sweet moments dancing together for the first time as husband & wife.

and they took their parents for a spin on the floor:

i think a photo booth is SUCH a fun idea and i loved how they created their own guest book this way as well.  and we got some serious laughs at the props their guests used!

okay, i had no idea gardell had these dance moves in him.  we were so impressed!!

and i loved how their friends & family took to the floor to celebrate and let loose alongside them.  such a great party!!

melanie and gardell, thank you thank you thank you.  for letting layne and i into your day (and your lives).  we had such a good time and i'm so honored you would trust us with such a momentous occasion.  everything about your vows, your time together that day and your families was simply amazing.  i hope hawaii was just what you needed & deserved after all the planning......and i can't wait to see y'all again in the future!

**click {HERE} to see a full online gallery in 4-6 weeks.