Mr. & Mrs. Hostetter | Marshall, Missouri Wedding

There are some wedding days where laughter seems to follow you everywhere you go, and Lexi and Owen’s wedding day was certainly one of them! From getting ready at Lexi’s childhood home surrounded by family, to a traditional church ceremony, glowing portraits around the beautiful Missouri Valley College campus, and a packed dance floor to end the night, their day was filled with so much genuine joy!

I began the morning at the Saline County Fairgrounds, where Lexi and Owen’s reception was already completely transformed for the celebration ahead. A family friend had taken on the task of bringing their vision to life, and she did such a wonderful job! Blue tablecloths were paired with long wooden tables, gold chargers, candles, ferns, and greenery throughout the space. Every detail worked together beautifully, creating an elegant atmosphere while still feeling warm and personal.

After photographing all of their reception details, I headed to Alma, Missouri, where Lexi was getting ready at her childhood home! When I arrived, hair and makeup were underway and everyone was excited to officially get the day started. I spent some time photographing Lexi’s bridal details while everyone finished getting ready before it was finally time for her to put on her wedding dress. Before changing out of their PJs, we grabbed a few fun photos of Lexi and her bridesmaids together. Then, with the help of her mom and two sisters, Lexi stepped into her gown!
If there’s one thing I quickly learned, it’s that there is never a shortage of laughter when Lexi and her sisters are together. The three of them have the kind of goofy, close relationship filled with inside jokes and nonstop laughter, and even such an emotional part of the wedding day had everyone cracking up!

Once the sleeves of Lexi’s gown were pulled into place, you could really see the entire bridal look coming together. Her mom carefully placed her veil, and just like that, Lexi was officially a bride, and an absolutely stunning one! Before heading to the church, Lexi had several special first looks planned. She told me how much she loves surprises and surprising the people she loves, so naturally she wanted to experience their reactions when they saw her as a bride for the first time.

Her first look with her dad was especially sweet! As soon as he turned around, you could see the emotion and joy wash over his face. There was no mistaking how much he loves his little girl or how incredibly proud he was of her in that moment! The two embraced while Lexi did her best to hold back her own tears. She also surprised her grandparents and Owen’s parents, and each reaction was so much fun to photograph. Everyone was genuinely excited when they finally got the go ahead to turn around and see Lexi!

From there, we headed to Lexi’s hometown church for bridesmaid and groomsmen portraits before the ceremony. The couple had chosen to wait until the aisle to see each other for the first time, so we carefully kept them apart while photographing each side of the wedding party. Soon, guests began filling the church pews and it was finally time! With both of her parents by her side, Lexi made her way down the aisle toward Owen. His smile as he watched his bride walking toward him said everything! Her parents each hugged her before she joined Owen at the altar, where the two shared a beautiful traditional Lutheran ceremony. They exchanged their vows and rings, and before long, Lexi and Owen were officially pronounced husband and wife!

Rather than simply exiting the church, the newlyweds dismissed their guests row by row, personally thanking everyone for coming and sharing hugs along the way. It was such a thoughtful way to make sure they had a moment with each of the people who had come to celebrate them. After family portraits inside the church, everyone loaded into a Sprinter van and we headed toward Marshall, Missouri, for portraits at Missouri Valley College.

The campus made such a beautiful backdrop. The light was soft and glowy, the grounds were gorgeous, and I loved getting to explore the campus while photographing the entire wedding party before spending some time alone with the newlyweds! Lexi and Owen made my job incredibly easy. They are such a beautiful couple, but even more than that, their happiness around one another is effortless. Lexi has the most genuine smile and infectious laugh, and there was no shortage of either as I photographed the two of them together! Their excitement over finally being husband and wife was written all over their faces.

Once portraits were finished, we headed back to the fairgrounds, where their guests were anxiously awaiting their arrival. The wedding party was announced into the reception, followed by the newlyweds, and Lexi and Owen kicked off the evening by cutting their wedding cake. After a prayer, everyone settled in for a delicious dinner. Later in the evening, we stole the newlyweds away for another round of portraits outside. The sun stayed tucked mostly behind the clouds, but the open field gave us a beautiful, peaceful setting and a few minutes away from the busyness of the reception. Watching these two together, it was impossible not to see just how head-over-heels they are for one another.
Back inside, Toasts were delivered from Lexi’s two sisters, her dad and Owen’s brother. The speeches had the entire room going back and forth between laughter and tears, which felt pretty fitting for a day already filled with so much of both.

Then came first dances and then the shoe game! Lexi and Owen sat back to back answering questions about one another and their relationship, resulting in plenty more laughs from their guests! And once the dance floor officially opened, everyone was ready. The dance floor stayed packed, the music kept going, and Lexi and Owen’s family and friends made sure the newlyweds ended their wedding day with one hell of a celebration!

Lexi and Owen, congratulations! It was such a joy getting to document this chapter of your story and all of the people who clearly love you both so much. I wish you two the absolute best as you step into married life together, and I cannot wait to see where this next adventure takes you.
Here’s to Mr. & Mrs. Hostetter and a lifetime of laughter, inside jokes, and being completely head over heels in love!!