Mr. & Mrs. Sullivan | Alpine Park and Gardens Wedding

There is no denying that 2020 has had its challenges and obstacles. But despite all the hurdles thrown Darby and Toby’s way, they still managed to pull off the most spectacular wedding day! On a beautiful Saturday during the last weekend of September, Darby and Toby gathered at Alpine Park and Gardens just outside of Columbia to officially become Mr. & Mrs. Sullivan. Based on how the day went, you would have never guessed that Darby and Toby were forced to change wedding venues due to Covid restrictions in Boone County. They took all the changes in stride and enjoyed the most perfect day with family and friends at the new location. Everything came together beautifully, as we knew it would with Darby in charge!

We arrived to the venue on the most gorgeous fall day! The reception space was all set up and looking amazing. No detail went unnoticed. You could truly see unique touches chosen by the bride and groom throughout the venue. Twinkling lights hung from the ceiling, and sparkling table cloths glammed up the space. Just down the path on the property, Darby and her girls were preparing for the day! Music and laughter filled the room as everyone continued with hair and makeup. Just outside of the bridal getting ready room, we were in heaven photographing all of Darby’s gorgeous bridal details. We always encourage brides to ask their florists for a few extra floral stems and greenery. And we are so glad Darby’s florist delivered on our request, because the extra blooms really boasted the overall look of her detail portraits.

We ventured down to a small cabin in the woods were Toby and his boys were getting ready. An excited Toby greeted us on the porch giddy as ever. He immediately asked how Darby was doing and told us how he couldn’t wait to see his bride. His groomsmen also gathered on the front porch as Toby put on his attire for the day! Everyone cracked jokes and chuckled as they watched Toby prepare for the day. Once Toby was ready, we had all the guys model for us. This was one of the funniest moments of the day. Toby and his groomsmen really took the modeling gig to heart and had us busting out laughing with their silly antics. We haven’t had this much fun with a group of groomsmen in a long while. We just love when everyone has fun with the day and makes our job so easy.

We headed back to Darby to finally get her ready for the day! We had her and all the girls join us outside for a quick portrait in their matching monogrammed jackets. Everyone looked flawless! As the bridesmaids headed back inside to put on their dresses, Darby read a special note from her hubby to be. She teared up several times as she read his sweet words. Waiting just inside the bridal suite was Darby’s mom. She helped Darby slip into her pretty wedding gown, put the jewelry in place, fastened her shoes, and added a veil to finish the look. Darby’s mom teared up as she looked at her daughter as a bride! Watching these moments unfold were priceless. It was finally time for her big reveal to her bridesmaids. Waiting outside, they all anxiously waited for Darby to arrive. As we told them to turn around, Darby was met with everyone cheering in excitement.

Darby let us know that it was very important to her to share a first look with her dad! We placed her dad just outside of the bridal suite in the garden where he would soon share the sweetest first look with his daughter. Darby paused for a moment before walking towards her father. She took a deep breath and preceded to walk up to her father. A gentle tap on the shoulder and Mr. Brundage spun around with the biggest grin on his face. He instantly pulled Darby in for the sweetest of hugs. He took a step back to admire his daughter as a bride and you couldn’t wipe the grin off his face. He looked so proud in that moment.

Next it was time for a few bridal party portraits before the wedding ceremony! We had so much fun capturing portraits with Darby and her bridesmaids and Toby and his groomsmen. They chose not to see each other before the wedding ceremony, so we made sure not to have Darby and Toby cross paths. Just down the way, guest began gathering at the ceremony site. Soft music played in the background as family and friends found their seats. As the ceremony began, Toby became quite emotional. He kept wiping his eyes as he waited in anticipation. Moments later, the soft white curtain was pulled back revealing Darby. Toby began to cry once again as he watched in awe as Darby glided towards him. She was escorted down the garden pathway by her father. As they made their way to Toby, Darby couldn’t stop smiling.

Darby and Toby shared in a beautiful wedding ceremony lead by a pastor. He spoke words of wisdom and made it clear to them that the key to marriage is to keep God as the center. Darby and Toby took part in braiding three strands of rope together to signify that a cord of three strands cannot be easily broken. The pastor read letters that Darby and Toby had written to each other, they exchanged vows, and rings before being pronounced husband and wife. They shared a kiss and happily made their way back up the aisle as guests cheered in celebration.

After the ceremony, we gathered with family for portraits and then ventured to a pretty lake area with the bridal party. We had a blast with Darby and Toby’s friends! Everyone was so fun to work with. As the sun hit golden hour, we soaked up the last bit of September rays with a few newlywed portraits. Darby and Toby couldn’t stop smiling as we snapped away documenting the sweetest of portraits. At some points we had these two cracking up in laughter and we enjoyed capturing their authentic connection! It’s evident that these two are absolutely smitten with one another. They light up when they are in the company of each other. Toby keeps Darby laughing, and Darby keeps Toby in line. Together, they are the most darling duo. As the sun began to set, we made our way back up to the reception area on the property.

Darby and Toby were announced into their reception and everyone cheered and applauded in excitement as the new Mr. & Mrs. Sullivan made their way to the head table. The night was kicked off with an amazing dinner, funny and sentimental toasts, and a cake cutting. After all of the first dances, the DJ had everyone dancing on the dance floor for the remainder of the night! So much love filled the reception space that weekend. It’s no surprise these two are blessed with a spectacular group of family and friends. Despite all the challenges COVID threw their way, their day was beautiful and perfect in every way. You can’t stop Love!

Darby and Toby, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for allowing us to be part of your very special day! We enjoyed capturing your wedding day memories! You two made our job easy and your family welcomed us in like old friends. We cannot thank you enough for the opportunity to capture day one as Mr. & Mrs. Sullivan. Cheers you two! Enjoy some of our favorites. Be sure to check out their wedding day film at the bottom of this post. Filmed by my ever so talented sister Liza with Major Films.