I’ve said it a dozen times over the course of my career and I’ll say it one more time… OCTOBER weddings are incredible, not only for all the fall colors but for the beautiful light that fills the sky. Jessie and Ben’s wedding at The Lodge at Mountain Springs Lake was nothing short of perfection, magnificence, beauty, and joy and I am SO honored they chose me to capture this incredible day. From the beautiful light filtering through the trees on the stone drive, or the first look by the lake, to the perfectly styled wedding party attire to the personal touches during their ceremony to the barn doors made by Ben’s dad, everything about this wedding had my jaw dropping minute after minute. (I should have known this would happen after their incredible engagement session at Waterloo Village last fall.)

The day started in the cottage by the main venue where Jessie and the girls were getting their hair done. I walked in and was so excited to see a few familiar faces of girls I went to high school with or have done engagement sessions for! I LOVE that I get to reconnect with old friends and acquaintances through this job! It’s one of the best parts! The girls were all wearing adorable flannel shirts and Jessie was drinking out of the most adorable mug that wrote: “Our Adventures Begins”. Ben had a matching mug and you better believe we were getting pictures of that!

While the girls wrapped up hair and makeup, I drove up to the cabin where Jessie and the girls were going to finish getting dressed. I started photographing her dress, along with the bridesmaid’s dresses before moving onto the rest of her details. When I began her details I almost started crying because she had an invitation addressed to me! Jessie, you are the sweetest!! As I was photographing the invites and everything else, the florist arrived with the bouquets and I’m pretty sure my jaw hit the floor. I have NEVER seen flowers so unique and stunning and Ben’s aunt actually grew the flowers and made the bouquets!! THIS FAMILY IS SO TALENTED!! And then, the ring box! Holy smokes! It was so personal and engraved with their initials and I’m just in awe of how special every little part of this wedding day was.

Once the girls got back, it was time to get Jessie into her dress. Her mom and maids of honor helped her get dressed and once we were all set, it was time for her first look with Ben!! We did this down by the lake and Ben’s reaction was priceless. “Ah boo, you look so good!!! So beautiful I love it!!” Their family and friends were across the lake hooting and hollering and cheering them on during their first look. It was adorable!! Once they were ready for portraits, they walked to the other side of the lake while the photo and video teams opted to drive over with all our gear.

We went right into wedding party pictures and then family formals near the lake and I am just in awe at how beautiful all of these turned out! I can’t get over the amazing colors and light that we had all day long, and despite the wind and bitter cold, this wedding party and family was amazing and endured the whole thing! Thank goodness for adorable shawls though! Everyone looks SOO GOOD.

From there, all the magic became, well, even more magical. Jessie and Ben hopped in my car and we ventured off for Bride and Groom portraits. We went back to where the main venue is and started out by the red barn while guests weren’t in the area. Then, we hopped back in my car to head back to the lake for more portraits and HOLY CRAP. As I was driving down the gravel road to the lake I almost died of excitement because the LIGHT coming through the trees was the most magical thing you could imagine. I slammed on the brakes and asked Jessie and Ben to get out of the car to do portraits on the road. And I’m not gonna lie these are some of my favorites bride and groom portraits I’ve ever taken. Period. I was like a five-year-old in Disney the whole time I was taking these, and once I felt that we exhausted the location, we hopped back in the car and went to the lake for some portraits on the dock, and with the beautiful trees and foliage behind them.

These two were absolutely adorable all day long. The way they talk to each other, look at each other and respect each other is like something straight out of a fairytale and I just LOVE watching them love each other so well. They were smiling NON-STOP all day long and I couldn’t ask for a more radiant and joyful couple. It was THE BEST.

Once their portraits were done, we drove to the main section of the venue again and my second shooter and I ran to get ceremony details before it began. Ben’s dad made the most beautiful and special barn doors that said “The Webbers” on top that everyone would walk through on their way to the ceremony site. They would close the doors as Jessie approached and open them for her to begin her walk down the aisle to her soon-to-be husband.

As soon as the doors opened, I’m pretty sure tears started to fall (for me anyway, no surprise there). Jessie and Ben’s ceremony was beautiful and personal and emotional. Friends spoke, they read their own vows, and they talked about a beautiful future together. It was beautiful to watch their parents during this time, it’s always my favorite things to watch their reactions, see the parents or grandparents hold hands while they remember their own vows, and just witness their children begin a new beautiful adventure together.

After the ceremony, Jessie and Ben went to join their cocktail hour while we photographed the reception details. All the table centerpieces were made by Ben’s dad, as well as the sweetheart table. He is so talented and I totally want a Mr. Webber furniture piece in my future home!!

Once the reception kicked off, the dance floor NEVER stopped. The band eluded to how Jessie and Ben met during entrances as they played “Found Love in a Hopeless Place” and everyone cracked up. Jessie and Ben met in a once in a lifetime chance moment. Jessie and her friends were in Atlantic City for a girls weekend, and Ben and his friends were there for a fun night out as well. They both said their friend groups were the only like-minded people at the club/bar and so their friend groups meshed and clung onto each other all night since everyone else was (most likely super sloppy and drunk, to put it nicely…I mean…it’s Atlantic City!)

So, since Jessie and Ben and their friends were not into the whole club scene, they ended up meeting (just by standing near each other), talking all night, and Ben invited Jessie and all her friends back to his house in Lancaster because he didn’t want to stop hanging out with her! Imagine that! So amazing!

But, the reception was the most insane and wonderful dance party you could imagine. The band had party costumes that guests wore, and multiple times called people up to the microphone to sing their hearts out. Everyone had an absolute blast! I got to sneak Jessie and Ben outside for a few night portraits with the venue in the background, and then we partied on the rest of the night until their sparkler exit!

I was there the entire reception (and then some) and I’m so thankful I got to witness this entire amazing celebration! They exited with sparklers waving from their friends and family and then hopped into my car to head to their honeymoon cabin where we took a few night shots of them cuddling on the porch. From there, we headed to their after party which was in the Orchard and this was just AMAZING. There were string lights leading guests through the forest to an open field where they were greeted by a food truck and a huge amazing bonfire! Everyone enjoyed late night food and drinks by the fire and under the pavilion and I couldn’t dream up a better way to end a perfect wedding day! (Because we all know fires are my favorite way to spend an evening!)

Jessie and Ben, thank you for bringing me into your life to document this wonderful and joyous time for you! I seriously cannot believe your incredible wedding at the Lodge at Mountain Springs Lake Resort has come and gone, and I’m just so freakin’ thankful I got to be a part of it. I cannot wait to see what your future holds. I LOVE YOU GUYS!!