Solankis-6687.jpg
Posts in Weddings
JD & Emily // Lawrence, Kansas

Back in July, I got a note from JD.

"...It fits right in with how my fiance, Emily, & I feel weddings should be remembered - not as an event, but as a marker of the beginning of a lifelong journey. However corny, we know that in reality it's not about the wedding, it's about the marriage, and we desire someone to document this special time with the same eye."

Without sensationalizing the whole thing too much, JD & Emily are the reason I enjoy documenting weddings so much. Plain & simple, straight up. The words he said - in his very first email to a stranger, no less - just aren't said all that often, you know? And while initially reading these first couple of paragraphs he dropped into my inbox, I knew immediately, beyond anything else, that not only did I want to watch him marry his bride, but that I needed to watch him marry his bride.

To make pictures of feelings & memories & stories like JD & Emily's is a downright pleasure, & an even bigger honor. They're the types that seemingly teach you a life lesson simply by letting you into their lives for a day. Here's the beautifully cold - and eventually snowy - day on which they wed.

Ceremony: Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church // Lawrence, Kan.
Reception: Stony Point Hall // Baldwin City, Kan.
Flowers: Hyvee
Dinner: The Merc // Lawrence, Kan.

JD & Em's engagement portraits: right here

Nick & Shannon — Kansas City, Missouri

It was for this day that Nick & Shannon drove from Minnesota and combined all of their family with all of their closest friends, called up some pedicabs, threw out a few fanny packs & glow sticks, hauled lots of homemade beer up lots of steps, and then were granted the most beautiful October weather this city has ever seen.

Then, they got married smack dab in the middle of it all.

And then, they threw what will forever be known as the craziest dance party any of us ever saw.

Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Urban Event at the Historic Firestone Building
Bridal Makeup: Skyline Salon
Music & Entertainment: KC Mobile DJ

Kansas City, WeddingsRusty Wright
Jared & Stephanie — Kansas City, Missouri

I always said I'd never use my camera at a close friend's wedding.

But I believe I'd say differently now.

I've known Jared since the early nineties, when all we cared about was action figures & wrestling each other. We lived together when he & Stephanie began dating. We've been alongside each other for many an adventure, both for fun & for work. And somewhere along the line of watching him & Stephanie - and more importantly because of their graciousness - we all decided that I would bring my camera along on their wedding day. 

I can say this. I see & experience weddings - and life, for that matter - a bit differently through a viewfinder. I like that. I was grateful on their wedding day, and I'm even more grateful here & now to have been just a small part & a witness to it all. The result was one of the funner weekends I've had, & a stack of pictures of which I'm more proud than most.

Be sure to click the play button, too, for a bit of accompanying audio. (And, to see the entire thing set to motion & music, head over to Vimeo.)

Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Guild
Flowers: Good Earth Floral Design
Videographer: Ryan Waggoner
Music & Entertainment: Sean Elwood
Hors d'oeuvres & Dinner: Orange
Design: Tenineteen

Kansas City, WeddingsRusty Wright