I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. It’s a great city, and I’m still a hardcore Cardinals fan. When Emily called me and asked if I’d be willing to shoot her wedding, I was honored! You see, Emily is the little sister of one of my very best friends (and one of my groomsmen) David. Our families are incredibly close, and I imagine we would have been guests at the wedding had we not been the photographers.

The wedding was at the b-e-a-utiful Botanical Gardens on one of the most perfect spring days you could ask for. It was a late morning wedding (which was something new for us), with a lunch reception at the Randall Gallery. Emily has grown up into a beautiful woman, and Joe is a really lucky guy and has also gained a really wonderful set of in-laws!

It was nice to see old friends, and it was a pleasure having my sister help us out with some detail photos and my mom help us with coordinating. Thanks to both of you!

Erin and Deken were married right here in sunny Dayton, Ohio. Beavercreek to be precise, which was wonderful because it’s only a few miles away. The weather was perfect, and it was so wonderful to drive 10 minutes and come home to our couch when the reception was over. Local weddings FTW!

The thing that struck us the most about their wedding was the incredible focus on God and his role in marriage. Deken and Erin each wrote their own vows, and the love and respect was tangible. They each spoke of their acute sense that God had brought them together for a reason. They are such a great couple, and we are so excited to see that they’ve put Christ at the center of this new marriage. We’re looking forward to seeing how God blesses them!