Collected Retreat 2016 | A Collaborative Shoot at The Piggery at Anna Dean Farm

Collected Retreat is one of my favorite events of the year. I'm lucky enough to have hosts Mallory + Justin as some of my best friends, and they are absolute visionaries when it comes to all things creative, collaborative and fun.

Collected is a whole bunch of awesome creatives and wedding vendors coming together to imagine, design and network. It's crazy inspiring to work alongside people who are SO good at what they do and shoot just for the fun of it.

This year, for the first time, Collected was hosted at The Piggery at Anna Dean Farm and it provided the perfect backdrop for this colorful and textured shoot.

(Shot on Portra 160 | Developed/Scanned by Richard Photo Lab)

Collected 2016 hosted by Mallory + Justin

Vendors
Venue: The Piggery at Anna Dean Farm
Furniture & Styling: Borrow Rentals
Florals: Ashley's Floral
Cake: Hummingbird Bake Shop
Stationery: Baci Designer
Wooden Signs: With Love + Whimsy
Catering: Taproot Catering
Hair & Makeup: Beauty Therapy
Gowns & Accessories: Moon and Back Bridal
Backdrop: ELBOWGREASE design
Mobile Bar: Happy Camper Bar Car
Band: The Scenic Route
Bride & Groom #1: Sydney Bolek & Ross Newbauer
Bride #2: Sophia Termine
Groom #2: Brandon Marlowe

Kellsey & Tyler | Miami University Wedding

Oxford, Ohio is such a special place. If you went to college there, you think it's pretty awesome. If you met your spouse there, you think it's even more awesome. (I can attest to that fact because Nathan and I check both those boxes.)

Kellsey and Tyler met in that little town after graduating from college. A Southern gentleman through and through, Tyler had moved to Oxford from Kentucky to work for his fraternity (in fact, Tyler was one of my favorite co-workers post-college! :) ) and Kellsey stuck around after graduating from Miami to work for a different fraternity. As luck would have it, Oxford is small and most people know each other, especially if you're a young professional and work in the greek world.

These two have a lot in common: Their intense loyalty to their family and friends, their passion for life, their ambition in work and play. The years-long journey ahead of them is what they're most excited about and I know they're going to embrace it with their usual smiles and adventurous attitudes. 

Ceremony: Kumler Chapel
Reception: Oxford Community Art Center
Wedding Coordinator: Wes Fugate
Florist: Two Little Buds
Caterer: Village Pantry Catering
DJ: Perfect Day DJs
Hair and Makeup: Signature Salon
Bride's Dress: Sincerity, Belle Amour

Kristen & Dan | Palm Beach Aruba Wedding

Kristen and Dan traveled from Chicago to Aruba to get married in April. And Nathan and I were lucky enough to photograph the celebration. (Talk about a pinch-me moment!)

Wedding in Aruba made perfect sense for these two. They're laid back, fun and legitimately have smiles on their faces all the time. I even remember Kristen saying, "I love to smile," while she was getting ready on her wedding morning. :) All that and they got engaged in Aruba!

That happy island got a whole lot happier when Kristen and Dan said, "I do." I've never documented a more joyful wedding, and it will go down as one of the highlights of my photography career. Thanks a million for having us, Kristen and Dan!

Ceremony: Santa Filomena Catholic Church
Reception: Aruba Marriott Resort

Kristen & Dan | Aruba Snorkel Cruise Rehearsal Dinner

I can confidently say that this was the most fun rehearsal dinner I've ever photographed AND attended. A snorkel cruise in the middle of the Caribbean Sea? Yes, please!

When Kristen and Dan contacted me after Danielle and Ed's wedding, I jumped at the chance to work with this family again. Not only are they incredibly gracious and inclusive and easy to photograph, this family knows how to have a good time. And I knew that fun would be multiplied at a wedding on the beautiful island of Aruba.

Here's just a little taste of how the weekend went. Up later this week is Kristen and Dan's tropical wedding!

P.S. I wasn't hired by Jolly Pirates to advertise for them ... they were just that good! If you're headed to Aruba, I'd highly recommend checking them out!