Allison & Zack wedding: a sunshiney wedding on a sunshiney day

I have a special fondness for couples with whom I can immediately be myself. Allison & Zack are one of those couples. They are so easy-going, and you can not only see how comfortable they are together, as a team, but you can literally see how comfortable everyone else is around them.

Weather-wise, their engagement session a couple of months ago was quite the opposite of what was in store for them on the wedding day, last Saturday. But the same good humor and grace that I witnessed when we combatted rain showed up in full force for the wedding.

Courtney Tompson was my trusted second shooter that day.

Allison’s mother is clearly so proud of her daughter, who is a talented graphic designer here in Columbia, Mo. I wasn’t at the hotel long when I saw them share a hug to begin the day.

And then it was go time…

Her bridesmaids were dolls, too. And there was something about this image that I just loved. The calmness, I think.

From dress to blooms, you can tell Allison has an eye for style.

Ahhh, the power of Sponge Bob for keeping lil’ ones out of the way of hustling and bustling women.

Ahhh, the power of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for keeping the boys innocently entertained.

Back at the ladies ranch…

the flower girl’s mother (also a bridesmaid) sized her daughter up before we left.

Allison even made these darling pink flower barettes to go in all her bridesmaids’ hair. She didn’t make the bling, though… 😉

Isn’t she beautiful?

The bride and groom opted to see one another well in advance of the ceremony. So we had a private first glance moment out at Stephens Lake where the rest of the day’s events were to take place.
How sweet it is…

Ignoring the beautiful, yet unforgiving sun, we all trekked down the paths at the park in search of some cool locales for some group photos.

Cheesey? you don’t know the half of it. These boys were all about performing in front of the camera.

The ladies…ahh…the ladies. All so sweet. And check out the color palette!! I LOVE!

I love how into it they all look. See? The coaching worked! 😉

Back to the pavillion we went to rest up and get ready for the ceremony. I caught this of Allison as she talked with her parents.

Courtney caught this heckuva cute moment with the grandparents, looking over the lovely programs that Allison designed herself. (I think she should go into the business of designing stationery for weddings. Her stuff was soooo good! Had I only found her before I got married!! ;))

Here comes the bride!!! From Courtney’s perspective.

How’s this for hungry lil’ boys??? The ring bearer enjoyed his ring-bearing pillow a bit too much, eh?

A moment Courtney caught that I LOVEEEEE!

And the Mr. and Mrs.!!!

The speeches were so special…and funny.


and i won’t reveal whose speech led to this response from Allison & Zack….

Their first dance had sweet moments…and funny moments… and moments in which Allison rolled her eyes lovingly at her new husband. Such an enjoyment to watch!

The cake was sooooo good!!

The couple (smartly!!) planned some extra time for some “just the two of them” shots. Courtney and I were ecstatic to use up the last rays of sunshine with the newlyweds.

Courtney’s beautiful moment.

And my view.

FAVORITE!!

A catch by my counterpart…

Moments later, Allison left her husband in the dust…

And a photo of me with the loving couple!!! The only time I’ll ever come between them. 😉 haha

The last thing I saw as we walked to our cars to go home…the ringbearer turned flowerboy…

Allison & Zack!! I wish you both the best as you embark on a life together. Your wedding was so much fun and I enjoyed getting to know you both. Have a wonderful first summer as married…and here’s to many more!!

Oh! and I almost forgot…here are the vendors that made their day even more special:

Ceremony/Reception venue: Stephens Lake pavillion/park

Florist: Hy-Vee

Baker: Donita’s Cakes & Catering

Caterer: Donita’s Cakes & Catering (Michelle was the coordinator)