Little Piney Lodge Wedding in Hermann, MO

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Where do I even begin…

Jake and Kayla began their lives together 10 years ago.

Ten. Years. Ago.

The year was 2008. I was dying my hair with sharpies while these two were finding their soulmates.

Life works in weird ways, my friends.

I first met Jake and Kayla (and 90% of the people in the wedding party) in Las Vegas in July 2016. I knew one person out of the 10 or so that were on this trip. I hopped off the plane with my buddy, and somehow, all of these wonderful people allowed me into their lives. Little did we know this Las Vegas wedding photographer would get to be a part of so many more memories with them!

Vegas 2016

So Jake bought a ring the following April and held onto it until December 2016.

I hid in the bushes for an hour in the December cold for these two.

Totally worth it.

So we had a party to celebrate, and we went to Vegas a year and a half later for their bachelor/ette party!

Engagement Party that night

Vegas 2018

Basically, I’m just really lucky to be so much a part of this group of lovely people.

“BLAH BLAH BLAH I DON’T CARE, AMBER.” – You, probably.

Okay, okay, fine. Here’s the good stuff.

You all already know how much I love details. I loved getting to see all the things that culminated out of 10 years of love! And as an added bonus, Jake’s cufflinks were his grandfather’s. Cue the tears from the photographer… After details, Kayla and her ladies got dressed. Then finally… the moment we’ve all been waiting for!

So the instant Jake started crying, I started crying. Ugh. Problems of an #empathicphotographer. And to make the most perfect wedding even more perfect, these two had the BEST unity ceremony. That’s right. Unity whiskey shot.

They kissed, we screamed, and it was finally official.

Then it was time to party! (even though the wedding party was way ahead of the rest of us) We danced, we dined, we toasted, and we partied the night away! For a special treat, scroll to the bottom of this post to see why this groomsman was so surprised during the maid of honor’s toast. Major congrats to Kayla and Jake! Thank you so much for sharing your big day with me!

Are you ready to have this much fun on your wedding day? Give me a shout! This Las Vegas wedding photographer would love to capture your day.

Michelle's toast to Kayla and Jake from Amber Garrett on Vimeo.

Video by Lizzie Roberts.

Thanks to all the vendors who took part in this amazing day!

Photography: Amber Garrett Photography

Venue: Little Piney Lodge

Catering: A Catered Affair

DJ: S&M Productions

Coordinator: Tyler Parton

Bridal hair: Anna at Salon Nefisa

Bride’s shoes: Toms

Bride’s bracelet: Carol B Designs

Florals: Terra Flora

Rings: Shane Co.

Bride’s dress: David’s Bridal

Bride’s handkerchief: Epically Embroidered

Men’s tuxedos: Men’s Warehouse

Groom’s shoes: Florsheim Shoe Co.