I’ve been looking forward to Greg and Elizabeth’s wedding at Cedar Lake Cellars Winery in Wright City for over a year now! I was so excited when she told me that they were booking Cedar Lake, because it really is one of my favorite venues in the Saint Louis area. When I found out I was pregnant, I begged my OB to let me shoot this wedding at 6 weeks after giving birth. She obliged, but she wasn’t too thrilled about the prospect. I’m so glad it worked out and that we were able to be there as Greg, Elizabeth, and Haillie made their family official!

We really lucked out with an absolutely gorgeous, sunny day! Rain was in the forecast all week, but I had faith it’d skip over us.

Cedar Lake Cellars has all of these cute little details throughout the property. If you’re a barn-loving, wine-drinking, burlap and lace, vintage-type of couple who loves the country, you should really check this venue out. It’s beautiful, the staff is lovely and oh so helpful, and it’s affordable! Win win!

I *LOVE* Elizabeth’s rose gold ring. Like obsessed with it. We had to do some epic ring shots with it. 🙂

…and her Vera Wang wedding gown…DROOL.

She also had these gorgeous bouquets made from a gal on etsy. They’re balsa wood, fabric roses, and book page flowers. Aren’t they awesome?! What a cool idea, and you’ll be able to always have it long after your wedding day.

Check out these custom blinged out shoes! She has their wedding date, their monogram, and little burlap flowers to tie in her centerpieces on them. They were so cute (and comfy!)

Pretty much in love with these two images of Greg and Elizabeth nervously awaiting their first look. That gown and that light…swoon!

Greg and Elizabeth also opted for a first look. We got a few minutes of overcast skies which was a huge blessing for this photographer who is kind of a light snob.

When I saw this image of Elizabeth and Haillie pop up on the back of my camera, I almost cried. This was the first day I had left Jackson to shoot a wedding, and the bond between a mother and her child is just amazing. I would print a huge canvas of this and hang it in my house if it were me. How special is it that Haillie got to be the flower girl at her mommy and daddy’s wedding?!

Cedar Lake has an awesome setup for ceremonies. But this ceremony was seriously the FASTEST CEREMONY EVER. Start to finish, probably less than 5 minutes. Made it a little difficult on me running around like a mad woman!

We opted to do the bride and groom portraits at sunset after they ate dinner and the guests were still eating. This is a great time to sneak away and give us time to get creative without pressure from the timeline and also gives you two a chance to have some alone time together. And the light…le sigh.

I love that they let their goofy personalities shine through. They’re so cute together!!

Elizabeth, you are breathtaking.

I *LOVE* when couples write their own vows. How cute are these little vow books! What a cool keepsake!

I adore this simple burlap and wildflower mason jar decor.

and the vintage books and the cute Mr and Mrs chair sign!

Their guestbook was one of a kind. They had these super cute little wooden hearts made that everyone signed. We signed one, too. 🙂

These little custom bride and groom champagne glasses were adorable!

Elizabeth + Greg chose not to cut a cake but instead had a sweets bar. Elizabeth’s mom and aunts made chocolate covered strawberries, pies, cheesecakes, and cookies. We had to sample. They were amazing. The cookies…Elizabeth…have Aunt Mary send me that recipe!!

Greg + Elizabeth’s daughter Haillie was pretty adorable, so we had to get some photos of her playing!

Like I said, they opted not to cut a cake, so instead Greg fed Elizabeth a chocolate covered strawberry, and Elizabeth fed Greg a chocolate chip cookie. Cookies…yum. My kind of “cake cutting.” And the light…see…this is why Cedar Lake Cellars Winery is one of my all time favorite venues.

Ummm, could Haillie be any cuter during her mommy and daddy’s first dance?!

And because it was my first time away from Jackson, when I saw Haillie dancing during the first dance, I had my second shooter, Katie, run over to the DJ to play a song so that Greg could dance with Haillie. These are some of the sweetest images I’ve ever taken.

and then Mommy joined in! I love these pictures so, so, so much.

Her maid of honor really tried hard to catch the bouquet. Her boyfriend was awfully happy she didn’t. (you should have been cheering her on to catch it, bud!!)

Before we left, Greg + Elizabeth let us pull them aside for some night portraits. Night portraits are the best. They’re romantic, so much fun, and I love that we can get a view of the whole party behind them!

Thanks for letting us capture the beginning of your marriage and making your family “official.” It was truly an honor. I really value the two of you as clients, friends, and fellow parents. <3

Venue: Cedar Lake Cellars Winery, Wright City, MO
Second Shooter: Katie Blattel Photography
Coordinator at Cedar Lake: Angie Roach
Florist: TheSunnyBee on Etsy
DJ: Dan (Family Friend)
Hairstylist + Makeup Artist: Kasey Lamm and Veronica Schwab
Wedding Gown: Vera Wang Style VW351157
Bridesmaids Dresses: Misdress on Etsy