A Gorgeous Summer Wedding at The Venue at Shadow Rock | Sarah & Braiden

Oct 3

August 1st, 2025 | Dusty Blue, Sage Green, & Lavender-Inspired Color Palette

This was one for the books.

Sarah & Braiden’s wedding at The Venue at Shadow Rock was my first time shooting at this gorgeous venue, and my first time working with a full planner team - so I was a little nervous going into it. But I was also really excited. One of the bridesmaids and the bride’s brother were actually a past SOP couple (which always makes a wedding day extra fun), and I had a feeling it was going to be a special one.

Turns out, it might have been one of my favorite weddings of the entire 2025 season.

A Calm, Cool, Perfect August Day (Seriously)

Let’s start with the weather. August in Missouri is usually... a lot. But somehow we got a cold front the day before, and it ended up being one of the most pleasant August days I can remember. The breeze? Cool. The lighting? Glowy and dreamy. The vibe? Absolutely perfect.

The colors for the day were equally stunning - dusty blue and sage green with pops of bright florals in purples, pinks, peaches, and dried lavender. It was such a beautiful combo and photographed like a dream.

Getting Ready & First Looks (With a Sweet Twist)

We started the day with getting ready photos for both Sarah and Braiden. Shadow Rock has great bridal and groom suites with plenty of space and light - huge win. And in the middle of Braiden’s photos, we got a quick change of plans: he was needed in the bridal suite. Sarah had gotten overwhelmed, and she just needed her person for a minute.

It ended up being such a meaningful moment. You could see how much he steadied her and helped her feel grounded again. Once things settled, we moved into first looks - first with her dad and brothers (cue the tears), and then a private first look between Sarah & Braiden. So sweet.

We were also able to knock out a ton of portraits before the ceremony even started - bridal party, bride and groom, all of it. It made the rest of the day feel relaxed and unhurried.

A Ceremony Filled With Prayer, Purpose, and Perfect Timing

The ceremony itself was held outdoors, and right before it started... the sun dipped behind a cloud. The result? Cool breezes and soft, glowy light. Truly perfect timing.

One of the most meaningful touches of the ceremony was the ring warming - a tradition where the wedding rings are passed through the hands of family members to be prayed over before the vows. While the rings were being blessed by family, the bridal party circled the couple and prayed over them too. It was a really powerful, intentional moment.

Sunset Photos from the Overlook (Worth Every Second)

I won’t go too deep into the reception here - it was lovely and relaxed - but let’s talk about that sunset. Dawn, the venue owner and a fellow photographer, had tipped me off that there’s a lookout point just a two-minute drive from the venue. So during golden hour, we loaded up and made the quick trip.

WORTH IT.

Like... possibly career favorite photos. The soft light, the open sky, the joy and calm of that just-married moment - it all came together better than I could’ve imagined.

Final Thoughts

This day was full of intentionality, tenderness, and joy. Sarah & Braiden were a dream to photograph, and The Venue at Shadow Rock made the perfect backdrop for their wedding. I’m so excited to share a few of my favorite moments from their gallery.

Scroll down to see the highlights!