I was still reeling from the adventure of Kim and Zach’s engagement session engagement session on the day of the wedding. We had so much fun at that initial shoot, I couldn’t wait to see what they had in store for their big party… and I’m happy to say that they didn’t disappoint!
I arrived at their venue, The Dawson, Kim was ready to get down to business! Jessi Seese had finished styling everyone, and Kristina from Nika Vaughan Bridal Artists had wrapped up the bridal party’s makeup design. After a few, tiny, last-minute touch ups, it was time to join the guys.
And the guys were already downstairs, beginning the day by enjoying each other’s company and a few drinks.
While Zach and his groomsmen assembled themselves in the designated ‘first look’ area, I took a portrait of Kim. She couldn’t have looked more gorgeous.
The first look happened on this scenic staircase inside The Dawson. Kim walked up behind Zach, tapped him on the shoulder, and after several moments admiring each other (and a sharing few kisses), we moved the whole gang out into the streets for the pre-ceremony photo session.
There were plenty of laughs and high spirits as we posed along the many backdrops the area had to offer. Garage doors, brick walls, wood facades… there were opportunities around every corner! Even though we were having fun, we got a lot of work done in a short amount of time, as bridesmaids and groomsmen all had their turn posing with the bridal couple.
Before we knew it, the time had come to return to venue. Ceremony time was drawing near and we wanted to grab family members for portraits prior to the big walk down the aisle.
We gathered around the bar, where family members and the wedding party enjoyed drinks while waiting for their turn in front of the camera.
And there was a special guest who arrived for portraits! Take a look at Kim and Zach’s engagement session for the scoop on this guest of honor!
Family portraits were completed as Kim and her sister recreated this photo from their youth. I’ll let Kim describe it: “So that was always one of our favorite picture of us because it summed up how I always made her my little sidekick. I always dressed her up as different characters and directed her in plays/videos/and general nonsense. Sometimes she loved it and sometimes she was very reluctant which was captured magically in this photo.”
The bridal party went backstage to prep as guests began to arrive and take their seats.
When everyone had arrived and settled, the ceremony began. Kim was escorted down the aisle by her father as Zach watched from the front. He was beaming from ear to ear, and both he and his bride wore their smiles throughout the ceremony. It was a perfect, gorgeous moment, and I’m happy to share some of my favorite images from the ceremony:
Kim’s mother looked amazing, too, as she watched the ceremony from the front row.
With vows, rings and a kiss exchanged, Kim and Zach were officially hitched! Their exit from the ceremony area was met with applause and cheers from their loved ones.
They headed out to the sidewalk while guests moved on to cocktail hour. There were many congratulatory hugs and kisses given.
While everyone enjoyed cocktails, I moved inside to take photos of details. And there were scores of gorgeous touches for me to photograph, too.
The reception area was green and lush- Heather from Bottle and Branch did an outstanding job with the decorative florals. They were perfect in every way!
As you can see, the reception was held on the Dawson’s patio. As the sun began to set, the staff came out to light candles, which made the lovely setting even more atmospheric.
Kim and Zach made a stamp that they used on many of their details for the day. Here, they used the stamp to mark the first page of their guestbook. Guests signed in by writing down their advice for the newlyweds.
Alice Hanson, a good friend of Kim’s, designed the bouquets and boutineers for the day. Alice even equipped Kim’s bouquet with a special friend! Kim tells me: “Alice was super awesome and attached a special little robot for me, knowing my obsession with robots.” Kim even had a robot themed bachelorette party!
Guests found their seats and enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by the staff at the Dawson. While plates were being cleared, speeches began with a toast from Kim’s father. He was followed by more family and friends, all of whom had loving words of advice and happy memories to share with the group.
Zach’s mother had a smile on her face throughout Zach’s father’s speech.
Kim’s sister was the last member of the wedding party to give a toast, and she had a prop to use for her speech…
After explaining how she didn’t want to let anyone see her cry, she donned a robot mask while talking. It was an incredibly sweet toast!
Here’s Kim’s mom, tearing up a bit during the speech.
Finally, the speeches were wrapped up by the bride and groom themselves, as they offered their sincerest thanks to their loved ones for sharing the day with them.
The dance floor was warmed up by the newlyweds as they shared their first dance as husband and wife.
Then they held a parent dance, during which Kim danced with her father and Zach (you can see him in the background) danced with his mother.
Uh-oh… someone’s being nosy! I wonder what she found…
Masks! Whoa, boy!!! Look who it is! Dolly!! Kim had a whole treasure chest full of silly, celebrity masks made for her guests to get crazy with. (Kim and Zach gave me the Dolly mask at end of the night, by the way, and it now has a place of honor in my home)
Dolly, Missy, Felon Bae, Christoper Walken, a T-Rex… I could tell my camera was about to get a workout. And the guests did not disappoint, either! Check out all the good times with this collection of reception pictures:
Beep beep- who got the keys to the Jeep? Vrrrroooom!
This guest was ready to get his freak on, with the help of Miss Missy.
He’s the dreamiest (alleged) criminal to ever achieve a literal 5 minutes of fame: Felon Bae!
The Christopher Walken mask channeled the actor’s extensive dancing talents directly into its wearer, which, long story short, turned out to be both a blessing and a curse.
It may not of had a soul, but the robot still had the spirit of a dancer.
Guests spent the evening enjoying cocktails, each other’s company and dancing to an eye-popping soundtrack provided by Noah of Style Matters.
… and guests also modeled all the latest head ware trends.
The pictures practically took themselves! Enjoy this progressively crazy collection of moments from Kim and Zach’s dance party!:
You know a party is truly epic when…
There were tons of crazy-fun moments, and I extremely happy that I was there to capture them!
My last picture of the evening was of Kim and Zach’s rings, which was taken on this Kitten Book. Kim tells me: “When Zach and I first hung out he showed me this hilarious video. We became obsessed with the video and quoted it all the time. Then, on our first official date, he surprised me with the actual book from the video.”
What a couple! What a wedding! What a party! Thanks for sharing it with me, Kim and Zach! Congratulations on your marriage!