I could go on for hours about how awesome Janelle and Shawn are. From the moment we sat down to chat about their wedding, I knew we were going to have a blast. With Janelle’s bubbly personality and infections laugh, and Shawn’s awesome way of just making everyone around him feel totally comfortable, you can’t really have a bad day. You might remember their awesome winter engagement session (and if you’ve been following along with the blog, they’re definitely an engagement session you’ll remember!), and their wedding day absolutely lived up to how much fun I was expecting. Janelle is ridiculously crafty, and designed, created, and set up every last detail of this wedding at her mom’s home, and not a single item was overlooked. I was joined by my absolutely wonderful colleague David Dinisco who captured the guys before the the ceremony, as well as some awesome details and reception photos. Surrounded by their wonderful family and friends (who know how to have a knock out party!), and graced with some perfect post-rain weather, we had an all-around amazing day.
I started my afternoon in a bustling room of wonderful ladies all excited for what was in store.
Just down the hall, David joined the guys while they enjoyed some pool with their extra time.
Janelle is always smiling. Always.
Many brides would hide from any guests who happened to be outside helping set up their ceremony space. Not Janelle – instant waving and excitement!
With everyone ready to go, we headed outside (after one last double check on lipstick en-route) for Janelle & Shawn’s first look.
This is exactly why I don’t tell my couples how they need to make their first look happen, and say nothing – Janelle enjoyed a few minutes before letting Shawn turn around, taunting him about how much it must be killing him to not be able to look!
I love these two – a first look filled with laughter, tears, and lots and lots of love.
When Janelle & Shawn were ready, we took some nice and easy portraits around the property before asking the rest of the bridal party to join us.
I think I’m going to bring all of my rustic couple’s to Janelle’s mom’s house – what do you think?
As guests began to arrive, we tucked the bridal party inside and headed over to the ceremony space.
Janelle & Shawn win for two things – first, most rockstar audience participation, and happiest ceremony. As Shawn walked arrived at the aisle, their guests went wild cheering, high fiving him down the aisle, with a wonderful round of applause. It totally set the tone for the whole day.
Janelle couldn’t help but burst into tears of joy as her grandmother walked her to her parents at the end of the aisle, who then in turn walked her to Shawn. I always tell every couple: have your emotions, and don’t hold them back. Smile. Cry. Laugh. Hug someone. Do what feels right. If you do that, your wedding images just fall into place. It 110% held true on Janelle & Shawn’s day, and every guest followed suit.
This is Janelle’s face when her officiant announced that it was time for them to read their personalized vows to each other. SO excited.
That is one happily married couple!
After the ceremony, we gathered immediate family for some casual family portraits.
As the sun set, we headed in to a beautifully decorated tent with the most wonderful hand made details. Every guest had their own mason jar for the night with their name on it!
Even their dessert bar perfectly matched their decor.
Janelle & Shawn were perfectly wrapped up in each other during their first dance, with just complete and utter joy shining from the two of them.
Time for some absolutely wonderful and memorable toasts!
Sometimes best man toasts involve some technical difficulties. When this happens, sometimes your groomsmen come to the rescue with some impromptu breakdancing distractions, and hilarity ensues.
Jeb’s best man toast was jam packed with a full slideshow telling the story of growing up with Shawn.
Janelle’s dad said a few beautiful words about his daughter, and emotions ran high.
What’s a great way to have some super awesome non-wedding, wedding food? Call the Taco Truck!
With all the formalities of the day complete, the only thing left to do: dance. And dance this crowd did.
Clearly, when your bride puts on Groucho Marx glasses on the dance floor, the only way to meet the challenge is to wear a horse head mask.
Janelle & Shawn, thank you for inviting me into your lives, and for allowing me to be a part of such a wonderful wedding day. I am so grateful to have been able to document your day for you!
If you’d like to see more of Janelle & Shawn’s wedding day, check out their slideshow!
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One great wedding day. Thanks for all the laughs, it truly was awesome! Love you both.
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Love them all ❤
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Beautiful pictures! Bride is georgeous
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Love love love them all! Beautiful wedding❤️
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I know that i am supposed to " comment" , however, the first 2 words that come into my mind is SPEECHLESS & BREATHTAKING!! The combination of such a talented photographer with such a Gorgeous setting ,and by far, one of the most BEAUTIFUL brides I have ever seen in my life, makes for the Ultimate and PERFECT wedding story photos! These certainly belong in a Bridal Magazine!
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These photos belong on Pinterest . beautiful job! Beautiful couple!
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Great photographs, what a nice record of a beautiful day.
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Amazing photos! And what a fun wedding!!
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Beautiful! I love the reception shots!
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Beautiful pictures - you captured some great action shots!
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Absolutely stunning!
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so beautiful!! love it
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Caroline, I must say you did a phenomenal job. My favorite things are 1) I felt like you were there just hanging out with us that day... It never felt forced or uncomfortable. 2) I absolutely love all the laughter captured especially at the ceremony. Best time ever! So happy to have all these images to look back and cherish the day forever. You are amazeballs!
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These pictures are AMAZING. Janelle you did such a fantastic job with all your details and Caroline you are the best photographer EVER. So impressed with these images!
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Beautiful wedding ❤️
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Amazing night for an amazing couple!
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Fantastic
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Your pictures are AMAZING!! Captured all the memorable moments!! <3
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Beautiful and amazing pictures, they capture how much love you all have for each other , congratulations !!!
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Best wedding ever!!! Well, technically it's the only wedding I've been to but whatever! Great pictures! Love you Nellie and my new bro Shawn!
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Hannie this is the cutest! We love you too!!
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Haha thanks Nell.
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One of the best weddings I have ever attended....absolutely stunning pictures!!
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Love love in each and every pic.
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Had a time, great job with these Caroline!
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Amazing night, amazing pictures, amazing couple love you guys!
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Amazing pictures
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What a awesome night
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You really did capture the day perfectly! The true love and the fun that this couple shares with themselves and with all of their friends and family shines through your photographs!!!! YAY!!!!
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What beautiful pictures and a beautiful wedding... The pictures capture the true love you two have for eachother! Glad i got on Facebook this morning what a way to start my day! Absolutely amazing! Congratulations
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Wow ..awesome picture u look Beautiful Janelle . All caption on the pics were perfect .. Everybody looked Amazing ..Congrats
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Amazing. Thanks for letting me be apart of your special day. Love you both
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Just watched every second. So awesome. Life needs a rewind button.
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Just watched this in it's entirety. Worth. Every. Second. What a wonderful time. This was almost like reliving it. Life needs a rewind button!
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Amazing pictures!!! - you captured the day perfectly :)
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LOVE
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AWESOME pictures :-)
M. Nicklas said: