Melody + Sean: WEDDING [Moscow, ID]
“I may never find words beautiful enough to describe all you mean to me, but I will spend my life searching for them.”
– J. M. Green
And *I* may never find words beautiful enough to describe this WEDDING.
Melody + Sean were married on a very warm summer evening in July (2019) at the Paradise Ridge Challenge Course. Despite the heat, their day was beautiful — so full of laughter, pretty details, friends, family, and Jesus.
And it was mostly DIY. *jaw drops*
Bridal hair GOALS, right??
The girls did their own flowers with blooms and greenery from a local flower farm (Stratton’s Cutting Garden) and roses from Costco. If you know my wedding story, you’ll know I’m a HUGE fan of making your own bouquet!!
Yep. Those are JELLIES.
(I can’t find the exact link she sent, but here’s a link to something similar: Jellies)
Prayers before the first look. ❤️
FUN FACT: this moment, right here, is when my main camera body decided to give up the ghost and the shutter started to fail. Luckily (actually, it wasn’t “luck” because I was prepared ON PURPOSE as always), I had my backup camera on the other shoulder and I was able to whip it out and keep shooting like normal.
Nothing to see here. *whistles*
You obviously don’t have to do a first look… you can do whatever the heck you want on your own wedding day…
BUT I always love shooting them. It’s always one of the best, sweetest moments from a wedding celebration. ❤️
Yep, we definitely broke out the rings before they were married. When we’re shooting wedding portraits before the ceremony, I always ask the couple if they’re comfortable with putting on their wedding rings. This entire day is about getting MARRIED, so who wants naked ring fingers on the photographs?!
Peep this romantic, adorable location… right in front of a storage shed (I kid you not). ❤️
Funnest (funnest?!) wedding party EVER!!
I, too, highly recommend filling your wedding party with siblings (and siblings-in-law)!! Such great memories.
Taking the “individuals” of bridesmaids and groomsmen with the bride and groom always winds up being one of my FAVORITE parts of a wedding day. I love getting tiny glimpses into each of these awesome people’s relationships!
Also, who says family photo time is boring when you have fun crews like THIS?
Look. At. These. Reception. Details.
Fairy-garden vibes much?
So much.
HIGH on my list of favorite wedding dinners ever — amazing Greek food from Mad Greek (in Downtown Moscow).
Also: BAKLAVA.
First dance vibes. ❤️
Someone’s Grandpa at the reception when he saw the bridesmaids absolutely owning the champagne game: “The mark of a truly strong woman is how well she can open a bottle of champagne.”
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED, Grandpa!
Toasts that make people cry are the BEST TOASTS.
Naked cake goals. ❤️
And then: PARTY TIME!! ❤️
This bride and groom AND their wedding party/friends/family sure can dance!! I always prefer an overcrowded dance floor to a lame-sauce shuffle. GET IT.
CONGRATULATIONS, Mr. + Mrs. McLeod!!
(now that it’s been over a year)
Thank you for letting me be part of your day. I loved every minute.
Except the part where my camera basically exploded.
VENDORS + HELPERS
Dress + veil: David’s Bridal
Shoes: Amazon
Bridesmaids dresses: Azazie
Hair + Make-up: friends, sisters
Jewelry: Cheryl Burchell
The Guy’s Stuff: JC Penny (suits), Azazie (ties), Amazon (shoes/belts)
Cake: Sovereign Cakes (Shelley Powers)
Catering: Mad Greek (Moscow)
Venue: Paradise Ridge Challenge Course
DJ: uncle, brother