felicia the Photographer

felicia The photographer

Hillary + Blake

Blake and Hillary celebrated their big day with their friends and family at The Providence Baptist Church and Rumely Event Space in the West Bottoms of Kansas City. Their day was absolutely brimming with perfection and love, not to mention incredible light! If you missed their engagement session, you can check that out here, but it seems like the light is always just a little sweeter when they’re in front of my lens. Over the past year, it’s been oh so delightful to get to know these two. I knew their wedding would be something special because of how well we connect on a personal level, but their images surpassed my expectations!

Rumely Event Space Wedding Photos

Details

Getting Ready

Fair warning: the getting ready portion is my favorite part of the day. Every second is packed with anticipation and excitement and it often feels like this part of the day is moving in slow motion because every movement is so pivotal in the transformation from woman to bride. Combine that emotional charge with glorious windows in a room with 15ft ceilings and I inundate you with gobs of images. This is me not apologizing.

First Look

The excitement and ease both Blake and Hillary displayed before the first look is so indicative of their relationship: peaceful, pleasant, steady and sure.

Portraits // Industrial

Potentially my favorite bridal party ever, comin’ at ya!

Ceremony at The Providence Baptist Church

I’d like to suggest two observations: 1) notice how Blake reacts to seeing Hillary walking down the aisle towards him, even after they had a First Look. 2) After lighting the unity candle together Blake and Hillary pray with their eyes closed. They both wipe tears from their eyes at the exact same time; talk about being in sync with someone.

Portraits // Field

Let me tell you a little story about this field. First, my philosophy when it comes to shooting is always one of asking for forgiveness rather than permission. I figure, I’m always willing to leave a place as nice or better than I found it, and we rob a location of nothing by taking a picture there. Well, this field. A few days before the wedding, I drove around Providence Baptist to figure out some nice, convenient spots for Hillary and Blake’s portraits. I found the perfect field complete with a pull-off and metal gate just around the corner. Fast forward to the wedding day. Timmy, my 2nd shooter, and I steal Blake and Hillary right after the ceremony and take them to the field, where we begin shooting in the most glorious light. We were there for about 15 minutes, and about 5 before we plan to leave, we hear a gun shot. We’re out in the country, so this isn’t too absurd. We looked around and didn’t see anything weird- no birds flying or animals sprinting in our direction, and so we continue. Once we’ve finished, Timmy and I take Hillary and Blake back to the church to meet up with the limo and the bridal party. After we drop them off, I realize I forgot to shut the gate– the one that was chained but conveniently unlocked today… so Timmy and I hurry back to shut the gate before heading to the reception. As I pull off to the side of the road, we look at each other with wide eyes, because the gate is chained and locked. We look closer, and down in the ditch there are two hunters with their white truck, loading the deer they had just shot into the bed… 🙂 I think these pictures were well worth risking our lives (just kidding. kind of.), but you can be the judge! 😉

Reception at The Rumely Tractor Historic Space

Great people with great families throw even greater parties. End of story.

Blake and Hillary,

I know you know this, but I so appreciate you two! Your kind hearts and welcoming families made my job a piece of cake! I hope that these moments frozen in time can serve as a blessing to your marriage and remind you of the love you have for each other and how many amazing people love you together. Wishing you so much joy as you begin this new chapter!!