We’re heading back to Hodgin Valley Farm for a perfectly rustic wedding… so pull up a bail of hay and strap on some boots! Anna and Adam celebrated the day with ALL of their favorite things… farm animals, line dancing and the bridal party’s “gift of guns!” OH MY!
Although they both grew up very far apart, their interest in animals and common values would bring them together at the perfect time. Adam grew up in St. Mary’s, Kansas showing livestock in 4H, hunting, fishing and playing sports (baseball and football primarily). He attended Kansas State University and graduated with a bachelor’s in Animal Science with plans of attending vet school. Anna grew up in Apex, North Carolina trying to save any animal she could, riding horses, fishing and playing sports (softball and basketball). Sheattended North Carolina State University and graduated with degrees in Animal Science and Agricultural Education with plans of teaching animal science.
As undergraduates both Adam and Anna held leadership roles in the Block and Bridle organization at their respective Universities. As luck would have it Anna’s friend Lora decided to spend a semester at Kansas State University, and while she was there she became good friends with Adam. Finally in 2007 Lora introduced Adam to Anna at the National Block and Bridle convention in Kissimmee, FL. Susan. Adam’s Mom, likes to tell people that her son went all the way to Florida to meet a North Carolina girl. The rest is history.
They truly are a perfect match for each other not only because they share so many common interests, but because they’ve also found a deep connection through God and their families. Together they’ve made these their highest priorities. Later on Anna and her daughter Kaylee moved to Kansas that next summer so they could all be together. They spend their free time outdoors as much as possible: hunting, fishing, horseback riding and spending time with their dogs (Ty and Rein) and their horses (Mya and Ginny). They also spend a lot of time going to county fairs in Kansas where they watch the livestock shows. They are all very excited for Kaylee’s first year of 4H which will begin in September!
Cake: Delicious Cakes
Music/DJ: Joel Gillie Productions
Wedding Carriage: Gold Leaf Carriages
Shoes: Tony Lama Boots from RB Outpost in Manhattan, KS
Even little guys get to have their “getting ready” shots taken…
The bride’s father lifts her veil before giving her away.
I photographed this through the front door and cropped it a bit to the shape of a cross.
This was my favorite of a series of photos I took. Many of the kids were corralled into this room in the back during the ceremony. I think they wanted to get out after awhile…
This was a fun moment when we were trying to gather everyone up for a formal photo.
This is a little different than most of my “wedding bubble exit” photos but I really liked how it turned out.
Everyone was all smiles! Even the horse!
Anna has known the owner/driver of Gold Leaf Carriages most of her life.
It looks like this couple is sweet on each other too!
The bridal bouquet was made of wild flowers.
A fun photo of the bride and groom hijacking the carriage!
Each table had photocards printed with the names of the couples favorite animals.
The childrens table at the wedding was awesome! What kid wouldn’t want activity mattes and Toy Story themed chairs?
Anna and Adam executed an well rehearsed line dance that wowed everyone in attendance…
… my favorite part of the dance!
Luckily the rain stopped and the sun came out just for a half hour so that we could take some portraits on the beautiful Hodgin Valley Farm grounds.
I really like how these turned out. I was actually on the other side of the lake hundreds of feet away!
All of the farm animals wanted to have a nibble of Anna’s wildflower bridal bouquet. Anna was SO laid back and cool so it didn’t bother her.
The groom’s best man acts as a chair for the bride while the groom goes in to remove the garter. That’s teamwork!
Grandma had a special request to play the chicken dance at the wedding. It had been a long time since I’ve heard it but it was perfect for just such an occasion!
Anna’s sister gave a wonderful toast…
The bridal party gave the couple some new guns as a wedding gift and they requested to take a few wedding portraits with them.
I think this bridal portrait with the gun, garter and cowboy boots turned out quite nicely!
The rain returned but we made the most of it
Adam’s groomsmen helped him spell out KSU!
There’s no need to dance when there’s cake to be eaten!
The bride and her friends also choreographed a line dance…
All the girls rocked out their very own cowgirl boots!
I wanted to end on this photo… I love how it turned out.
4 comments
LOVE The pictures…. Im trying to plan my wedding and your photos HELPED SOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Its been awhile Craig, this looks like it was a fun wedding to photograph.
Craig, The pictures are great..I can not wait to see all of them.