Mr. & Mrs. Going | The Callaway Jewel Wedding | Fulton, Missouri Wedding

October 17th couldn’t have been a more beautiful day for Anna and Grant to become husband and wife! With the sun shining, the leaves beginning to change, and the most perfect fall weather, everything was in place for a gorgeous celebration at Callaway Jewel in Fulton, Missouri. From heartfelt moments with family to endless laughter, happy tears, and one incredibly joyful couple, this wedding day was one I won’t soon forget!

We began the morning photographing the reception details, and Callaway Jewel was looking absolutely stunning! The entire space was beautifully decorated with elegant touches that made everything feel so warm and inviting. After capturing the gorgeous reception setup, I made my way over to photograph Anna’s bridal details, which were as pretty as could be! We also popped in to capture the girls getting their hair and makeup done as everyone enjoyed a relaxing morning together.

Meanwhile, Grant was getting ready with the help of his dad, his two brothers, and Anna’s dad. The guys had their own space in the groom’s suite, complete with a pool table, so naturally, we had to put it to good use once Grant was dressed and ready! From the very beginning of the day, everyone was so kind, welcoming, and easygoing! We knew we were in for a wonderful celebration!
Back at the house, Anna and her bridesmaids were still enjoying the morning in their matching pajama sets. We gathered everyone for a few photos before the girls started dancing around and having the best time! Now it was finally time for Anna to put on her dress!

With the help of her mom, Anna stepped into her stunning gown, and it didn’t take long for the happy tears to begin. Her mom was overcome with emotion several times as she watched her daughter transform into the most beautiful bride! Once Anna’s veil was in place, we brought her sister in to help with her shoes. The moment her sister saw her, she immediately began to cry. The two shared the sweetest embrace, and it was one of those tender little moments that reminds me why I love photographing weddings so much! Once Anna was fully dressed, we captured a few bridal portraits in the beautiful bridal suite, along with some special photos of her and her mom. Then it was time to head downstairs for her bridesmaid reveal!

The girls gathered in the cocktail room, eagerly waiting to see Anna in her wedding gown! As soon as they turned around, their reactions were priceless! There were huge smiles, excitement, and so much joy as they admired their beautiful friend. Anna’s mom watched on with the proudest smile as the girls celebrated together! They even shared a quick glass of champagne before we headed outside for another special moment. Anna’s first look with her dad was nothing short of beautiful! He was already emotional before she even stepped onto the front porch, and the moment he turned around and saw his daughter, he simply couldn’t hold back the tears. The two embraced in the warmest hug, taking a moment to soak it all in together. It was so evident throughout the entire day just how much this family loves and cherishes one another!

And speaking of family, what happened next was truly one of my favorite moments I’ve ever had the privilege of photographing. Anna and Grant decided to do something a little different for their first look, and I absolutely loved every second of it. Rather than sharing the moment entirely alone, they invited both sets of parents to be present as they saw each other for the first time and exchanged their private, handwritten vows. And let me tell you, it was absolutely beautiful!! As Anna and Grant stood together, they read the most heartfelt promises to one another. There were tears, laughter, hugs, kisses, and the sweetest little glances exchanged between the two. Just a few feet away, their parents watched as their children promised forever to each other. One moment everyone was wiping away tears, and the next they were laughing together! It was intimate, emotional, and so incredibly meaningful. In all my years of photographing weddings, I’ve witnessed countless beautiful first looks, but this one will forever hold a special place in my heart. I love that Anna and Grant chose to include the people who helped shape them into who they are today. Their love for family was woven into so many parts of their wedding day, and this moment captured that perfectly!

After drying a few tears, it was time for bridal party portraits and some photos of our beautiful bride and groom! The forecast had originally called for cloudy skies, but we were lucky enough to have sunshine all day long! The light was gorgeous as we explored the property at Callaway Jewel, capturing photos with the bridal party and spending some time with Anna and Grant.
These two are an absolute joy to photograph! Their laughter is contagious, their smiles are genuine, and the way they look at one another says everything you need to know about their relationship. They are constantly laughing, loving on each other, and simply enjoying being together! It’s so easy to see how perfectly these two complement one another. Their bridal party was equally wonderful! Everyone was so fun, cooperative, and full of energy, making our job incredibly easy. Before we knew it, guests were beginning to arrive, and it was time for the ceremony!

Inside Callaway Jewel, the ceremony space was absolutely breathtaking. The large window at the front of the venue filled the room with beautiful natural light, and a cross adorned with gorgeous florals stood as the centerpiece of the ceremony. As Anna made her way down the aisle, Grant waited for his bride, and the emotion in the room was undeniable.
One of the most meaningful details of their ceremony was that Grant’s dad had the honor of officiating their marriage. What a special thing to have your own father lead you through one of the most important moments of your life! Throughout the ceremony, there were heartfelt words, prayers, and plenty of happy tears. Anna and Grant also participated in a beautiful unity ceremony, braiding three cords together on a cross to symbolize their marriage with Christ at the center. A cord of three strands is not easily broken, and I loved the significance of that moment as they began their lives together!

After exchanging rings and making their promises before God and their loved ones, the two sealed their marriage with a kiss! And just like that, they were officially Mr. and Mrs. Going!
The newlyweds practically floated back up the aisle, hand in hand, wearing the biggest smiles. They were MARRIED!!! Following the ceremony, we gathered everyone for family portraits before sneaking the newlyweds outside for a few more photos while guests enjoyed cocktail hour outside by the pool. We made our way over to the beautiful grapevines on the property, where Anna and Grant soaked in their first moments as husband and wife! The sunshine was bright, but these two didn’t mind one bit! They laughed, showed off their new wedding rings, and enjoyed every second of being newlyweds.

Back inside, guests were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Going! As Anna and Grant were announced into their reception, they threw their hands into the air and made their way through the crowd, surrounded by cheers and smiling faces!! Once they reached the front of the room, you could see them taking it all in. All of their favorite people were gathered together in one place to celebrate their marriage. What a wonderful feeling that must have been! The two cut their wedding cake and shared their first bite. Then they hand delivered a slice of cake to Grant’s Grandpa. It was actually his birthday! He looked so thrilled to be honored by the bride and groom with a piece of his own cake! Next, Anna’s mom delivered a beautiful toast that had Anna wiping away tears more than once. It was such a heartfelt moment, filled with love and the sweetest words for the newlyweds. After everyone enjoyed dinner, we slipped outside once more to take advantage of the gorgeous evening light. Callaway Jewel delivered the most beautiful sunset! Anna and Grant spent their sunset portraits strolling hand in hand, dancing, laughing, and soaking up every second together. Grant picked Anna up, spun her around, and had her giggling from ear to ear! At times, he even became teary eyed just looking at his beautiful bride!
Those are the moments I love most. The unscripted, genuine little interactions that show exactly how two people feel about one another. These two have such a joyful, tender connection, and I couldn’t have been happier to capture it!

Back inside, it was time for more toasts, and let me tell you, I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard during wedding speeches in a long time! Anna’s sister and Grant’s two brothers delivered some absolutely hilarious toasts. Grant’s brothers especially had the entire room roaring with laughter! People were laughing so hard they were crying, and even I couldn’t help but join in!
I think it’s safe to say Grant’s parents raised three comedians! Between all the laughter, there were also plenty of heartfelt moments as friends and family shared their love for the newlyweds.
Next, Anna and Grant took to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. As the evening continued, they shared the traditional family dances before inviting married couples onto the dance floor for an anniversary dance.

I absolutely loved the special touch they added to this tradition! Anna and Grant had a plaque made to honor the couple who had been married the longest, along with a sash that read “Anniversary Queen.” How sweet is that? In all my years photographing weddings, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that done before. It was such a thoughtful way to celebrate a lasting marriage while beginning their own! And just when we thought the evening couldn’t get any more entertaining, Grant’s mom and her friends had a surprise up their sleeves! Dressed in the cutest coordinated outfits, the ladies took over the floor for a full musical performance, complete with singing into hairbrushes and choreographed dancing! Anna and Grant were absolutely loving every second of it, laughing and cheering along with everyone else. The energy in the room was incredible, and it was such a fun surprise for the newlyweds!

As our time together came to a close, we headed outside with Grant, his groomsmen, and a few of the guys for some celebratory cigar photos. It was the perfect way to wrap up a day that had been filled with so much laughter, love, and unforgettable memories!

Anna and Grant, what an absolute honor it was to be part of your wedding day! From the emotional first looks and heartfelt vows to the laughter filled speeches, beautiful sunset portraits, and the sweetest moments with your families, your day was truly something special! What I loved most was how evident your love for one another was in every single moment. You two have such a genuine joy about you, and the way you cherish your families, your faith, and each other is something I admire so much!

I hope that when you look back through your wedding photographs years from now, you remember not only how beautiful everything looked, but how it all felt! The excitement, the happy tears, the laughter, the hugs, and the overwhelming joy of beginning forever together!

Thank you for allowing me to capture these memories for you! I couldn’t be happier for the two of you, and I wish you a lifetime of countless beautiful adventures together! Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Going!