Hannah & Ryan’s Mighty Oak Lodge Wedding

Aug 7

A Wedding I Had Been Looking Forward to for Years

Some weddings are special because of the venue. Some are special because of the details. And some are special because of the people.

For me, Hannah and Ryan's wedding was all three. The funny thing is that I had actually been looking forward to this wedding longer than they had been engaged.

I first met Hannah and Ryan at Hannah's sister Holly's wedding back in 2024. That wedding has always stood out in my mind because of how connected and welcoming the entire family was. It was one of those days where I genuinely felt less like a vendor and more like I had been invited into the celebration. At one point during the reception, I remember seeing Hannah and Ryan dancing together and thinking, "I would love to photograph their wedding someday." They weren't even engaged yet.

So when Hannah eventually reached out about wedding photography, I was thrilled. And to make things even better, she was getting married at Mighty Oak Lodge, a venue I had wanted to photograph for years. Ironically, it's one of the very few venues outside of my own family venues that I ever seriously considered when planning my own wedding. Needless to say, I had been excited about this day for a while.

Starting the Day Slowly

One thing I loved about Hannah and Ryan's wedding was how intentional they were about creating space for meaningful moments. Instead of jumping straight into getting ready photos, they started the morning together in pajamas, drinking coffee and reading their vows privately. It was such a peaceful way to begin the day. Afterward, I moved into detail photos while the girls continued getting ready. The entire morning felt calm and relaxed, which set the tone for the rest of the day.

First Looks and Happy Tears

Once everyone was ready, we moved into a series of first looks. Hannah shared a first look with her bridesmaids, followed by a sweet first look with her dad. Then it was finally time for Hannah and Ryan to see each other. Their first look was one of those moments where everything else seemed to fade into the background.

And then came an unexpected bonus. The groomsmen ended up getting their own little first look moment afterward, which wasn't originally planned but ended up being incredibly cute and one of those fun memories that makes a wedding day feel uniquely theirs.

A Different Approach to Family Photos

After first looks, we moved into bridal party portraits. Normally, I would use that time for additional bride and groom portraits, but because it was still fairly early in the day, the lighting wasn't quite where I wanted it yet. Instead, we focused on the bridal party and then tackled family photos before the ceremony.

If you've followed me for any amount of time, you know I typically recommend family photos after the ceremony. But every wedding is different, and Hannah was exceptionally organized. With a smaller family list and a clear plan, pre-ceremony family photos worked beautifully and allowed everyone to enjoy more of the celebration afterward.

A Meaningful Ceremony

The ceremony itself was beautiful. There were tears, laughter, family involvement, and so many meaningful moments woven throughout. A family prayer and communion made the ceremony feel especially personal, and by the time Hannah and Ryan made their way back down the aisle together, there was so much joy shown in their guests!

Prioritizing Time with Guests

One thing that was very important to Hannah and Ryan was spending time with their guests. Rather than disappearing for an extended portrait session after the ceremony, they chose to head straight into the reception.

We knocked out their special dances before dinner, then everyone settled in for a meal of burgers and fries—which honestly felt perfect for a warm May wedding. Simple, fun, and exactly what they wanted.

The Sweetest Summer Surprise

And speaking of fun... An ice cream truck pulled up during the reception. I don't know if there's a more perfect late-spring wedding treat. Guests loved it, the photos were adorable, and I can personally confirm that the ice cream was excellent.

Chasing Golden Hour

As the evening continued, we waited for the light to soften before sneaking away for sunset portraits. The only challenge? We slightly underestimated just how much daylight late spring in Missouri provides. Golden hour took its sweet time arriving, but once it did, it was absolutely worth the wait.

The soft light, the scenery at Mighty Oak Lodge, and the relaxed energy of the day came together perfectly. Some of my favorite portraits from the entire wedding happened during those few minutes.

Ending the Night

The evening wrapped up with a streamer send-off and plenty of hugs goodbye. The entire day felt joyful, intentional, and centered around the people who mattered most to Hannah and Ryan. And after looking forward to this wedding for years, it somehow managed to exceed every expectation.

Final Thoughts

Hannah and Ryan's wedding was a beautiful reminder that the best wedding days aren't necessarily the ones packed with elaborate timelines or endless traditions. They're the ones that reflect the couple. Coffee and vows in pajamas. Family-centered moments. Burgers and fries. An ice cream truck. Golden hour portraits. Time spent with the people they love most. Everything about this day felt authentically Hannah and Ryan, and it was such an honor to finally photograph the wedding I had secretly hoped for all those years ago.

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