It is funny where life takes you, and photographing the beautiful wedding of Kaitlin & Dylan is a perfect example of that. Crazily enough, I first met Kaitlin years ago when she was a high school intern in my 2nd grade classroom, long before a career as a professional photographer was even a thought in my mind. I thought she was just the sweetest, and I was SO impressed with her ability to connect with the kids in the classroom, her natural talent for teaching, and her drive and motivation. She was going to make an amazing teacher and I was so excited to help her in any way I could. I even wrote her a letter of recommendation for UMD! Fast forward to years later, now I am a photographer and Kaitlin is an amazing teacher. And I got the privilege of photographing her wedding day. How special is that?
What is also really amazing is that although both Kaitlin and I have lived a lot of life between the time we met and her wedding day, one thing remained constant through all those years: Kaitlin & Dylan! Since she interned in my classroom all those years ago, I have followed Kaitlin on social media, watching her life take it’s path. It was so awesome to see her on her journey, and one thing I was always impressed with the strength of Kaitlin & Dylan’s relationship, so I was so honored to be asked to document their wedding day! They were high school sweethearts and just by looking at them you can tell they have a special kind of love. It is a love that got them through a lot of life transitions and changes, and finally brought them together in marriage <3
The photo above about sums up Kaitlin & Dylan’s stunning wedding at the Farm at Eagle’s Ridge. They were lucky enough to have what I call a Mary Poppins wedding day: practically perfect in every way…. topped off with one of the most gorgeous sunsets I have ever seen. And I honestly can’t think of two people more deserving of such a wonderful day full of love and laughter!
Ok now let me gush about the details of this stunning wedding! First of all: succulents!!! These florals by Petals With Style are simply stunning. The color palette of pastel peach and mint was gorgeous and these flowers pulled it all together.
Can I just say I always love a bride who wears flats on her wedding day? Just sayin haha And these sparkly ones were just perfect.
In honor of a Honeymoon in Ireland, gotta start the day with some Guiness!
How adorable are these two? Kaitlin’s little brother and sister are seriously too cute!
You guys. SIMPLY stunning. Taylor and Sydney killed it with Kaitlin’s hair and makeup. Kaitlin is a natural beauty but they really brought her romantic vision to life for her hair and makeup!
Kaitlin did a first look with her dad. One of my favorite things to photograph. This one didn’t disappoint. A father seeing his daughter on her wedding day is one of the most amazing moments! Watching her mom react to seeing it was just as special. I definitely cried too haha.
The Farm at Eagle’s Ridge is definitely up there as one of my all time favorite venues. Everywhere you look it is gorgeous. Between the florals from Petals with Style, coordination by Cindy from Planned Perfection and some amazing touches by Shumaker PDT , the reception area looked perfect!! I loved that each table was labeled with a place that Dylan and Kaitlin hiked. Their wedding really showcased their adventurous spirits- and what better way to continue the adventure than to get married?
You GUYS. Shumaker PDT provided this AMAZING setup with a vine covered suspended cake table. A perfect place to put the gorgeous cake by Rosie’s Creative Cakes. Absolutely one of the most unique and gorgeous cake setups I have seen! And the inside of the barn was just perfect!
While all the final touches were being put in place inside, Kaitlin and Dylan were outside saying their vows <3 Lots of smiles and happy tears all around!
One of my all time favorite moments to date is this sweet capture by my second photographer Angelina of A. Stice Photography. This photo sums up why a second photographer is so important (and why in 2017 I include it in every package). While I was photographing the vows, she noticed Kaitlin’s sweet little brother truly touched by the moment. So glad Angel was there to capture it. If you see Teddy, though, don’t tell him you saw him cry – it is super sweet but also he doesn’t think it’s “cool” haha!
That moment when you are married and you just want to click your heels and do a jig haha!
Post ceremony candids are EVERYTHING <3
Then we got to celebrate with the wedding party!
And then the party got started while Dylan and Kaitlin slipped out for some portraits! I love that they were game for going back outside at sunset- it would have been such a waste not to get some with that vivid cotton candy sky!
The sky kept getting better and better and they stayed out there with me and took full advantage! So glad they did!!! Then the party officially got started! Dinner by The Accomac (AH-mazing!) ancing, toasting, laughing, topped off with the most stunning cake cutting you ever saw—yep, all bases were covered! <3
The kids led the party with the worm and the Whip and Nae Nae lol!
And the CAKE! ALLLL the heart eyes!!!!
I think one thing that makes these two special is that their relationship is grounded in friendship. They are best friends that make time to have fun and adventures together, and that is so very important. Not only that, but they simply adore each other. Wedding days can sometimes be nerve wracking, but they focused on all the right things…namely each other! They certainly made my job easy since they spent the entire day laughing and smiling at each other <3 They ended their perfect evening with a sparkler exit and some after-dark portraits!
PS- the video of their day, and especially this exit by Moving Memories is also super awesome!!
I love that these two are super adventurous and up for anything because it let us get some amazing photos and gave them some beautiful memories! I know that their love for each other and their adventurous spirit will take them on an amazing journey together and they will continue to make memories together for the rest of their lives! I am so excited to see where life takes these two, and was so honored to be there to capture all the joy and love on their wedding day! Kaitlin & Dylan, wishing you a life of love, laughter and lots more adventures together!! <3 <3 <3
Photography // K. Rainier Photography
Assistant Photographer // A. Stice Photography
Venue // The Farm at Eagles Ridge
Coordinator // Cindy Ray, Planned Perfection
Caterer // The Accomac
Florals // Petals with Style
Videographer // Moving Memories
DJ // Klock Entertainment
Hair // Hair by Taylor Pusateri
Makeup // Sydney Buell
Baker // Rosie’s Creative Cakes
Attire // Love it At Stella’s
Cake Table, Uplighting, Decor // Shumaker PDT