Mr. and Mrs. Lark - 11.11.23

As wedding season winds down (only one more to go!), I can’t help but be so grateful to my amazing couples from this year who have tied the knot. It has been a privilege to photograph so many beautiful weddings, and Katie and Aaron were no exception.

The new Mr. and Mrs. tied the knot at a STUNNING venue down in Janesville, WI called 10 South. It is a big, gorgeous brick building that has been repurposed into an event space complete with bridal suites upstairs.

When we arrived my handsome second shooter (aka my hubby) commented that he felt like we had been there before. I argued that I didn’t think we had. I knew we had never shot a wedding there before but suggested it may look similar to other places we may have been.

Well folks, he was right. Turns out we HAD been there before… my cousin got married there about six years ago!

My small world moments of the day did not stop there, however. As usual, we went to check in with the bride upon arrival. Imagine my surprise when one of the two makeup artists is a bride from a wedding we shot last year here in Stevens Point! As if that weren’t enough, one of the guests was my second cousin… he works with the bride. Yeah, lots of freakish coincidences for one day.

Katie and Aaron met almost EIGHT years ago, when they were both freshmen at Winona State University. Katie was studying with a friend of Aaron’s and their study location was close to Aaron’s room. For our groom, it was that very day that he knew she was the one. In his very own words, “I saw her, and everything in my life changed.” The feeling was very mutual for Katie. After their first time hanging out, she knew she found her soul mate.

When I met the two of them last fall for their engagement shoot, I knew they had something special. The love they share is very clear in the way they interact with one another. For Aaron, Katie’s sheer existence is his favorite thing about her. He loves how much she completes him and gushes that she is “the most wonderful and beautiful thing that has ever existed”. (Cue the collective “awwwwwww”)

Katie’s favorite thing about Aaron is how he makes her laugh. He apparently doesn’t think he’s funny but she says that he always makes her laugh and “always knows what to say to make [her] giggle”.

Their details were also just stunning. That mauve color base matched the venue perfectly, especially the bride’s suite. The train of her dress literally killed me (in a good way). SO pretty!

Their chosen venue actually has a nice patio behind it, complete with a fireplace and space for tables, lawn games, and other fun things. This was the location of two of the most emotional first looks I have ever witnessed. The first of her first looks was with her dad and brothers. Just seeing her dad’s face as he turned around and saw his daughter as a bride was enough to make me tear up behind my camera. He just kept shaking his head in such a way that made me feel like he thought he was dreaming because of how perfect she looked.

And then there’s Aaron’s first look. We all know how much I love a crying groom but MAN he did not disappoint in the slightest. The sheer awe in his eyes as tears streamed down his face ensured we all knew how beautiful he found his bride without him having to say a word. Let’s just say I teared up even more at that one.

They were married in a very short and sweet ceremony. And when I say short, I mean short. It was maybe 7 minutes long! But that’s all these two needed. No need for fanfare and frills. Just the two of them pledging their lives to one another. Everyone was definitely feeling the love… I witnessed many a guest and wedding party member dabbing a kleenex to their eyes.

After an amazingly delicious dinner (seriously though, that gourmet mac n cheese was to DIE for), the DJ got the music flowing and the dance floor stayed packed the rest of our time there. They even busted out some fun glowing/blinky rings for everyone and a cute pair of sunglasses that had their names and wedding date on them made the rounds as well.

We had SO much fun capturing this amazing day. Wishing these two a long and blessed marriage!