Some wedding days are beautiful because of the venue, the flowers, or the perfect weather. And while Lauren and Christian's wedding had all of those things and more, that's not what we'll remember most. What we'll remember is how intentional they were. Every part of their day — from the rehearsal dinner to the very last dance — pointed back to the love they shared and the people they care about most. It was about celebrating the people who shaped them, honoring their faith, and beginning their marriage surrounded by the community that's walked alongside them for years. And getting to be part of that was something we'll never take for granted.
One thing that made this wedding especially unique was that Lauren and Christian invited us to capture their rehearsal dinner the night before. We don't always get that opportunity, and honestly, it made their wedding day feel even more special. By the time Friday rolled around, we already knew their families, had met their friends, and had laughed alongside the people who would be celebrating them all weekend. Walking into their wedding felt less like showing up for work and more like showing up for friends.
One of the sweetest moments from the rehearsal dinner happened before it even officially began. Christian had been told his grandpa wouldn't be able to make the trip from Pennsylvania, so when his grandpa walked in, completely unexpected, the look on his face said it all. Lauren and Christian's mom had secretly arranged the surprise, and it was one of those moments that reminds you how much love can fit into one room.
Every detail had meaning
Lauren and Christian thought through every detail of their wedding day. Lauren wore beautiful family pearls, continuing a tradition that has been passed down through the women in her family. She wore her grandmother's ring and carried a delicate hand-knit handkerchief made by her grandmother, adding little pieces of family history into one of the biggest moments of her life.
Christian might be one of the most sentimental grooms we've ever worked with. He handwrote notes to each of his groomsmen with pictures, thanking them for the role they've played in his life. He wrote heartfelt letters to his parents and to Lauren's parents — and of course, his vows to Lauren did not disappoint.
But our favorite surprise came during their first look. Instead of simply exchanging private vows, Christian handed Lauren a beautifully bound album filled with every love letter they'd written to each other while navigating long distance. Watching her flip through those pages was such a beautiful reminder that the strongest marriages are often built long before the wedding day ever arrives — and continue long after the wedding-day bliss.
Black Iris Estate
Black Iris Estate in Carmel, Indiana provided such a timeless backdrop for their wedding day. Between the elegant architecture, the gorgeous willow chapel, and the perfectly manicured grounds, it was the perfect setting for their love story. It's not our first time at Black Iris either — we filmed Madelyn + Austin's wedding here back in 2024, in the vine-draped greenhouse on the other side of the estate. Two completely different days at the same address, which is part of why we love this place.
Lauren shared an emotional first look with her dad before the ceremony. At first, we weren't quite sure if he was going to be the emotional type… and then the tears came. Those are always some of our favorite moments — the ones that catch people completely off guard. Even their dog made a special appearance for portraits, which, if you've followed us for any amount of time, you know we absolutely love meeting your fur babes.
A ceremony centered on faith
Their ceremony was one we'll remember for a long time. Not only because of the heartfelt vows they exchanged, but because they intentionally paused the ceremony for a time of worship. Watching family members, friends, and the wedding party worship together was incredibly moving. You could see that their faith wasn't simply something included in the ceremony — it was the foundation of everything they were building together.
One particularly meaningful tribute honored one of Christian's close friends who had passed away. A reserved chair sat in remembrance during the ceremony, and his friend's young daughter served as one of the flower girls. It was such a beautiful way to acknowledge someone whose presence was deeply missed while still making them part of such an important day.
Portraits that felt like a dream
Everything came together for portraits. The evening light was absolutely perfect, Black Iris Estate looked stunning, and Lauren and Christian made our jobs incredibly easy. I mean, come on — look at them! We also had the opportunity to work alongside Bri from Bri Burton Photo, and she was an absolute dream. We love working with vendors who are just as excited to get creative as we are, and the whole afternoon felt effortless. We bounced ideas off one another, chased beautiful light, and captured some of our favorite images and footage of the season.
The party they promised
During our very first video call with Lauren and Christian, they told us one thing: “We're going to have a party!” They definitely delivered. The reception kicked off with an epic club-style entrance from their bridal party before the dance floor completely took over the night. There were pom-poms, glow sticks, cigars, guests playing the harmonica, and enough energy to keep everyone on the dance floor for hours.
One of our favorite little moments happened when Lauren's dad proudly pulled out his IU blazer to represent the family rivalry. Before long, Lauren was dancing around the reception in her wedding dress wearing the blazer, and it was one of those perfectly unplanned moments that made the night feel so personal.
The speeches throughout the weekend were another highlight. If only we could have an eight-hour highlight film! Between the rehearsal dinner and reception, every parent, sibling, and best friend shared stories that had everyone laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. It became so obvious just how deeply loved these two are.
As the night came to a close, everyone gathered outside with pom-poms for their send-off. We don't always get to stay through the very end of the evening, so getting to capture their final private dance before they ran through all of their favorite people to the getaway car was such a special way to close out an unforgettable day.
Lauren + Christian
Lauren and Christian, thank you for trusting us not only with your wedding day, but with your entire wedding weekend. Getting to be part of your rehearsal dinner made your wedding feel even more personal, and by the end of it all, it truly felt like we were celebrating friends.
Thank you for inviting us into such a meaningful season of your lives. Your faith, your intentionality, and the way you love the people around you left such an impression on us. We're so grateful our paths crossed, and we can't wait to see all that marriage has in store for you both. And we definitely have to plan a visit to come see you guys!
Xoxo,