It is extremely important to me that I get to know each of my clients as friends. Going on such a grand adventure with couples and documenting their story begins with getting to know them. From the first call, to an in-person meeting, to the engagement session, I want to do my best to get to know my couples so that on their wedding day it doesn’t feel like a stranger is following them around, but a true friend who knows them and their story.

For Daniel and Laura’s wedding in Bloomington, Indiana, I had the pleasure of already being friends with both of them! Each graduated from Geneva College where my wife and I earned our degrees. Laura was a fellow music major with my wife and I, but we even got to share time with Daniel, who as an engineer had an artistic vein, being a part of our school’s choir, The Genevans.

Although she is originally from Oklahoma, Laura’s home since college has been Bloomington. She turned from being an outstanding pianist in college to being a top-notch business owner, opening two locations of Crumble Coffee & Bakery. I might be a little biased, but honestly this is the best coffee shop I’ve ever been to. Laura and her business partner have created an amazing experience.

Daniel’s home has always been in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it is there that he has been pursuing his engineering work post-college. Each of their hometowns being outside of Indiana meant that this was in many senses a destination wedding for much of the guest list! Although we were sad to leave our two boys at home, my wife and I were excited to be able to spend time with friends we haven’t seen for many years.

The wedding day started with Laura and her bridesmaids enjoying some time together with coffee and breakfast at Crumble. We quickly transitioned to capturing all the preparations and moved into Laura and Daniel’s first look, which we did at Jordan Hall Greenhouse at Indiana University. This provided us with a warm, tropical location, a welcome change from the cold Indiana winter. Their first look was one of my favorite parts of their wedding, as usual with my couples! It was a beautiful time for them to spend with just each other on an otherwise very busy day.

From there we had a relaxed timeline leading up to their ceremony at Bloomington RP Church, a building that is full of character and was established in the early 1800’s! It was clear throughout the ceremony that it was a time that everyone was cherishing. Laura’s face was especially beaming with joy as the congregation sang their favorite Psalms. Following the ceremony we turned to a time of celebration at Switchyard Brewing Company, a local area “urban production brewery and taproom.” It was the perfect setting for Laura and Daniel to enjoy time with their friends in a relaxed atmosphere.

I was truly honored to be a part of this amazing joining of two families. It was a weekend that I will remember for years to come and I look forward to seeing how Daniel and Laura grow together as a new family unit. Enjoy their photo story below!