It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Ahern Banquet Center for a wedding and I was really excited to return, especially since it was with Deena and Spencer.  I photographed their engagement session almost a year before their wedding.  They brought their dogs to their session so you KNOW I loved them right?  If you haven’t figured it out, I am an animal lover.  So, I was very much looking forward to not only seeing them again but also one of their sweet pups who was a part of the ceremony!  Dog ring bearers are the BEST (sorry humans!).

After Deena and her ladies got ready at the hotel we headed over to Miller Nature Preserve to do a first look where I was the week before!  Again the weather was quite perfect!  It was a bit warm but the sun was shining and these two were full of smiles and love.  Just you wait to see their pictures from their first look.  It was perfection.

Thank you both so much for trusting me to capture your day!

Bridal Gown: Essense of Australia via For the Bride / Ceremony & Reception: Ahern Catering and Banquet Center / DJ: Sound Precision Entertainment / Florist: Kathy Wilhelmy Flowers

I started my day meeting up with the ladies who were getting ready at the Residence Inn at the Emerald Event Center.

After Deena was ready we headed over to Miller Nature Preserve where Spencer was waiting.  The bridal party stayed behind so we had about an hour and a half for just us!  I LOVED this and highly recommend it for all of my couples.

We started with the First Look and it was one of my favorites!

Once Spencer was able to take it in he teared up and then EVERYONE was crying.

Once we were all more collected we got the portraits underway and stuck to the shade as much as we could since it was a bit steamy out.

There were so many fun little nooks there, I really love this place!

There were still a lot of flowers in bloom which was fun against the wee bit of color in the leaves in the background.

There’s this small bridge there that I really loved and I’m glad we got to play on it.

These two were just so much fun to play with!

We popped into the conservatory for some pics but it was a bit steamy in there so we went back out pretty quickly!  Ha!  Still, these two were perfection in this spot!

When we pulled in the road that Miller Nature Preserve was off of caught my eye so I asked them if they’d be willing to take some photos there before we left and these are some of my favorites from the day!

The light was gorgeous!

The leaves were JUUUUST starting to change and I really wanted to come back to this spot in October but sadly no weddings were nearby to come back and play.  Maybe this year!

How gorgeous are they?!?

They were masters of the dip!

We had a bit of time before they were to regroup before the ceremony so we went to Veterans Memorial Park where their rehearsal was the night before.  They went out on this breakwater, I went in the water and magic happened.  I looove this image so much.

Yes I’ve said that a lot.  I love a lot of the images from this day.  Ha!

After they both cooled off, ate some lunch and regrouped we headed over to Aherns Banquet Center for the ceremony.  I love this photo of Deena greeting her sweet pup.

They have a gorgeous spot for ceremonies at Aherns and I LOVED it.

Spencer was barely holding in his tears.  This is why I always say First Looks don’t ruin the moment when you see each other on the aisle.

He ended up being a bit gun shy so Spencer’s Dad brought their pup up the aisle.

Isn’t this a neat spot??

They were all smiles!

The rings!

The kiss!!

How cute is this photo?  This dog was so darned cute.

I really loved the navy and gray colors together with the bridal party.

I really loved the navy bridesmaid gowns with the white hydrangea.

I LOVE that Spencer wore a navy suit to complement the gray suits and navy ties and vests on the guys.

I sent the bridal party in and finished up with a few more photos with Deena and Spencer before the reception.

The light was gorgeous and it made me sad to have to leave it behind but there was a fantastic party to get to!

I loved how much personality the uplighting added to the room at Aherns Banquet Center.

After they entered they cut the cake and it was hilarious.

Then it is time for toasts and Deena’s Dad started it off and it was a lovely speech.

Then it was time for the Best Man.

Then… holy cow.  Deena’s sisters performed a rap toast and it was unbelievable.

After dinner they kicked off the rest of the night with their first dance, which was just lovely.

Then it was the perfect parent dances!

As they danced the night away I got to play with the rings and I used some of the candy from their candy bar and I LOVED how fun this one turned out!