Mr. & Mrs. Benge | Capital Bluffs Event Center | Jefferson City, Missouri

October 10th was a day full of sunshine, laughter, heartfelt moments, and one very big surprise! Karlie and Zach celebrated their marriage surrounded by their favorite people at the beautiful Capitol Bluffs in Jefferson City, Missouri! From the vibrant florals and emotional first looks to a hilarious grand entrance and a secret that had been kept for an entire year, their wedding day was one we won’t soon forget!

When we arrived at Capitol Bluffs that morning, we got straight to work photographing all of the reception details. Karlie and Zach had completely transformed the space into a colorful celebration, incorporating rich maroon and red tones throughout their decor. Floral arrangements, floating candles, and thoughtfully selected details filled the room. It was evident just how much time and effort had gone into bringing their wedding vision to life, and everything came together beautifully!

After capturing the reception space, we made our way to photograph Karlie’s bridal details before the excitement of getting ready began. Zach eventually arrived with his groomsmen, and the guys started getting ready for the day. Zach had a little help from his dad as he put on the finishing touches of his wedding attire. Meanwhile, Karlie was getting ready with the help of her mom, and that’s when the emotions really started to flow! As soon as Karlie’s mom saw her daughter in her wedding gown, she couldn’t hold back the tears. It was such a sweet moment between the two of them, and you could see just how much it meant to her to witness her daughter as a bride.

But the special reveals weren’t over yet! Karlie shared a first look with her dad, who was absolutely thrilled to see his daughter all dressed up for her wedding day. Afterward, her bridesmaids got their own special reveal, and the excitement continued as everyone prepared for the ceremony. Karlie and Zach had decided early on that they wanted to save the moment they saw each other for the ceremony. Rather than sharing a traditional first look, they opted for something a little different, a first touch! The two stood back to back, holding hands without ever catching a glimpse of one another. It was a sweet opportunity to share a moment together before walking down the aisle while still keeping the anticipation of that first look intact.

Afterward, we headed outside for wedding party portraits, and let me tell you, October certainly wasn’t feeling much like fall that afternoon! The sun was shining bright, and temperatures were surprisingly warm for an October wedding. We found some beautiful shaded areas beneath the front porch for Karlie and her bridesmaids, while Zach and his groomsmen ventured out near one of the ponds on the property. Despite the heat and sunshine, everyone was in great spirits, and the guys had plenty of fun celebrating with Zach.

As guests began arriving, we headed back inside for the ceremony. The ceremony was officiated by someone close to the couple, making the celebration feel even more personal! Before Karlie made her entrance, both her mom and Zach’s mom walked down the aisle and lit individual candles that would later be used during the couple’s unity candle ceremony. And then came the moment everyone had been waiting for! Karlie appeared alongside her dad, who proudly escorted her down the aisle! Zach had the biggest smile on his face as he watched his bride walking toward him. After waiting all day to see each other, it was such a sweet moment to witness! The two exchanged handwritten vows, and they couldn’t have been more fitting for their personalities. One minute, guests were wiping away tears, and the next, the room was filled with laughter. Their vows were heartfelt, personal, and sprinkled with just the right amount of humor!! They also took part in a unity candle ceremony, using the flames their mothers had lit earlier to symbolize the joining of their lives and families.
Before long, Karlie and Zach were officially announced as husband and wife!

The newlyweds happily made their way back up the aisle, but not without one final memorable moment. Zach stopped to give his bride a grand dip right there in the aisle, making for the perfect ending to their ceremony!

Following the ceremony, we headed outside for family portraits before making our way over to the Missouri State Capitol for a few wedding party photos. Their bridal party was so excited for the two of them, and everyone made our time together so much fun! Once we finished up with the group, we spent some time strolling around the Capitol grounds with just Karlie and Zach, capturing their first portraits together following the ceremony. One thing I’ve always loved about photographing these two is how easy they are to work with!! They’re so natural together, and Karlie is almost always laughing whenever she’s around Zach! Whether he’s making her smile or the two are simply enjoying a quiet moment together, their personalities shine through in their photos. We had such a great time with them before heading back to Capital Bluffs to celebrate!

Now, I’ve photographed plenty of wedding receptions over the years, but Karlie and Zach’s entrance was definitely one for the books! As guests eagerly awaited the arrival of the newlyweds, Karlie made her entrance to the song “Where’s My Husband?” but there was just one problem. Her husband was nowhere to be found! Karlie walked through the doors by herself, dramatically looking around for Zach as the music played! And just when everyone was wondering where he was, Zach appeared, scooped Karlie up over his shoulder, and carried her toward the front of the room! To make the moment even more exciting, cold sparks erupted on either side of them as they made their grand entrance!! It was hilarious, unexpected, and absolutely perfect for these two!

Once everyone settled in, the couple enjoyed heartfelt toasts from members of their wedding party before guests were treated to dinner. After dinner, we whisked the newlyweds away for one of my favorite parts of a wedding day, sunset portraits! Capitol Bluffs has such beautiful grounds during golden hour, and we took full advantage of them as we explored the property on golf carts.
Since Karlie and Zach both enjoy golfing, we knew we had to incorporate a few golf inspired portraits into their wedding gallery! It was such a fun way to include something they love doing together while making their portraits feel even more personal. And the light that evening? Absolutely gorgeous! After capturing some of my favorite images from the day, we headed back inside to continue the celebration!

Back at the reception, Karlie and Zach shared their first dance before taking the dance floor with their parents for the traditional parent dances. But before the night was over, they had one more surprise waiting for their guests. And this one was BIG!! During the reception, Karlie and Zach announced that they had actually been married for an entire year! That’s right! The two had secretly tied the knot one year earlier, and October 10th wasn’t just their wedding celebration, it was also their one year wedding anniversary! Their family and friends were absolutely ecstatic to learn that the newlyweds had been keeping such a big secret! It was such a fun and unexpected twist to an already memorable day! While everyone had gathered to watch Karlie and Zach exchange vows and celebrate their marriage, they were actually celebrating an entire year of married life together.

The rest of the evening was spent celebrating, dancing, and enjoying the company of all the people who love these two most! Beyond all the beautiful details and special moments, one of the things that stood out to us most was how incredibly kind everyone was. Their family and friends welcomed us with open arms and treated us like old friends throughout the entire day. As photographers, that always means so much to us!

Karlie and Zach, thank you for allowing us to be part of such a special celebration! We had the best time spending the day with you both, laughing alongside you, and capturing all the memories that made your wedding so unique.
We couldn’t have asked for a sweeter couple or a more beautiful October day!
Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness, laughter, adventures on the golf course, and many more anniversaries to come!
Congratulations, Karlie and Zach!