Heather Neal Photography

So many things to love about this fun and gorgeous wedding. I loved that they incorporated a game element that was personal to them in the them. I loved that it was at one of my favorite locations, not only for weddings but I am often here shooting High School Seniors, Family photos, Maternity session, engagement sessions and I have even shot staff photos for an orthodontic office here! Most of all, I loved how much this couple loved each other and how excited they were to start their forever together!

I have to be honest. The first time a couple contacted me and told me they were having a “backyard” wedding I was nervous. That turned out to be one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever shot and all of them I have shot since then have been right up there with it. I have learned that if someone has a “backyard” in mind for a wedding, it’s usually not your typical backyard.

Rhianna and Jacobs wedding location was no different. How lucky were they to have a groomsman with several acres that held woods, pastures, a creek and horses?!?!? This couple was just the sweetest from the moment I met them at our first consultation and I know they will enjoy many years of happiness together.

If a couple were to ask me for my best wedding planning advice from my experience as a wedding photographer, my #1 answer would be: make it your own! When thinking of all of the “traditions” from weddings we have been to in the past, so many of them are done just because that’s how it’s always been done. But I suggest stopping and thinking about what’s really important and shows who you are as a couple. If Amanda and Phil ever get bored in their current jobs, they could definitely have a future in wedding planning. This bride and groom DIY’d almost every detail of their wedding from the cake, personalized glasses made of wine bottles that were party favors, centerpieces/champagne chillers…even the BEER BIKE! It truly was one of the most beautiful and fun wedding celebrations I have been honored to attend and I was blessed to be asked to capture this gorgeous day!

Whenever I am asked to shoot a wedding it always feels a little like winning the lottery…and not because of anything to do with money. Weddings are one of the most important days of two people’s lives and the beginning of their lives together. They also represent who they are as a couple and the life they have already started building so far. It’s so much fun to get to spend the whole day with a couple and get to see all of the personality and fun details they want to share to make their wedding express all of that! This wedding didn’t just feel like winning the lottery, it was like hitting the mega millions! There was a horse, there were two of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen, there were two gorgeous brides, there was a barn and cows and….I could go on and on. Ashley and Jazmine also are two really cool ladies. They are building their own homestead with lots of land, garden and all kinds of animals! They are such a great couple and their love was evident all day long. I wish them many happy years together and can’t wait to see where life takes them.