Friday, March 2, 2018

James + Whitney || Dreamy Clear Lake, IA Wedding


James + Whitney 

Some weddings and couples just capture your heart from the very first meeting. Their engagement session took place on a super hot July day, and as we wandered around downtown dancing in the evening light, I fell in love with the heart of their relationship. Whitney described her and James as being simple, loving the Lord and each other and building a life together in service to Him and each other. Whitney is sweet and petite, and James is strong and protective. They fit together so perfectly and complement each other so well! 

Whitney's vision for their wedding was simple, romantic and fun. James grew up as a "camp kid" at IRBC, (where they met when Whitney was working as a dining hall girl!)  The camp is a beautiful property and one of my favorite places in the whole world.  I was so excited to take advantage of the beautiful lakeside grounds for portraits. However, the morning of the wedding dawned with looming black clouds, high wind, and not a break of sun in sight. We photographed in the dining hall and watched through the windows as the waves and rain rolled over the lake.






Whitney's gorgeous flowers brought together all the sweet details of the wedding colors.








The sweet + simple silhouette of her dress was the perfect summer wedding attire.





A funny memory from this moment - We had told James to meet us below the deck for the first look, but he came earlier than we thought and walked right past the window! Whitney shrieked and jumped back just in time, and James was none the wiser ;) 


Such sweet and attentive bridesmaids! 


Sisters or mother and daughter? i'm not sure I could tell ;) 








The cool as cucumber groomsmen


Just after the photos under the shelter of the deck, the rain let up for a sweet moment and the wedding party and I ran down through the soggy grass to the lake for some wedding party photos.


"When James and Whitney kiss, E'REBODY CHEER!" 


Have to snag a few rounds of carpetball before the ceremony ;) 









After the ceremony, we came outside to see that the rain had stopped and the sun was peeking out from the clouds, James and Whitney dashed off and we wandered around the campground as they enjoyed their first sweet moments as husband and wife. 





“After all," Anne had said to Marilla once, "I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string. ”James + Whitney's wedding day was such a perfect joining of two hearts. One of the ways in which Whitney described their relationship was that she loved seeing other relationships where the couple has extravagant monthly dates, unique hobbies and lots of traveling - but that she and James shared a love that was simple. They love each other, love the Lord, and want to serve and build a life and family together, and let the rest fall into place. I thought this Anne quote fit them quite perfectly 




Their story began at camp. James was working in Pots and Pans, and Whitney was a dining hall girl. Whitney walked around the corner with her arms full of dishes and James's heart was captured almost immediately. Whitney said he used to stand on the other side of the counter and talk to her while she was supposed to be working - so we decided they should stand on the same side of the counter this time ;) 

Thanks so much for reliving this beautiful wedding day with me! <3 

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