JoDee & Tony | January 17, 2026
St. Joseph Catholic Church & Westphalia, Missouri Wedding
If I had to describe JoDee and Tony’s wedding day in one word, it would be memorable, and not just because it was filled with emotional, heartfelt moments from beginning to end. January 17, 2026, brought one of the coldest wedding days I have ever photographed. The temperatures were absolutely blistering, with wind gusts that made it nearly impossible to stay outside for longer than five to ten minutes at a time before your hands would start tingling from the cold. Despite the brutal winter weather, JoDee and Tony’s wedding day was overflowing with warmth, love, and deeply meaningful moments that no temperature could overshadow!
We began the day at the charming Westphalia Inn, where JoDee and her bridesmaids were getting ready for the celebration ahead. The suite was filled with music, laughter, and so much excitement as hair and makeup artists worked their magic. The energy in the room was contagious, and it was the perfect way to start such a special day!
Before slipping into her gown, JoDee shared some sweet pajama portraits with her girls, filled with all the giggles! When it was finally time for JoDee to put on her wedding dress, her sweet mom helped carefully fasten each delicate buttons and place her veil. JoDee radiated pure beauty and happiness, the kind of glow that only comes from marrying the love of your life!
One incredibly meaningful detail JoDee incorporated into her day was the tattoo she had done in memory of her dad. Her gown sleeves were designed perfectly to showcase the tribute, and it was such a touching way to keep him close to her throughout the day.
When JoDee revealed her bridal look to her bridesmaids, the room instantly erupted with cheers, excitement, and a few tears! It was such a beautiful moment of celebration and support from the women who mean so much to her.
One of the most emotional moments of the day came next. Since JoDee recently lost her dad, she chose to share a first look with her dad’s brother and her dad’s best friend, who has become a father figure in her life. Watching this moment unfold was incredibly moving. There truly wasn’t a dry eye in the room as they embraced JoDee and shared in such a meaningful tribute to her dad’s presence and influence in her life.
We ventured outside the Westphalia Inn for bridesmaid portraits, and these ladies were absolute troopers. The wind was fierce and the temperatures were beyond cold, but they handled it with grace and smiles before we quickly made our way across the street to St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Tony and his groomsmen joined us there for a few quick outdoor portraits before retreating inside the warmth of the church. Up in the loft, Tony shared a few incredibly sweet moments with his parents as he prepared to see his bride!
As the ceremony approached, Tony waited anxiously at the altar for the doors to open! The moment JoDee appeared, escorted down the aisle by her uncle, Tony lit up with the biggest smile and pure excitement.
JoDee carried her dad’s jacket with her as she walked down the aisle, an incredibly touching tribute. She stopped at the pew reserved for him, carefully placing his jacket on the seat. A linen reading “Reserved for the Father of the Bride” was draped across the pew, with his photo placed beside a vase of flowers, honoring her dad, Patrick, lovingly known as “Crotch” by family and friends.
Each bridesmaid paused during their walk down the aisle to place a flower into the vase for JoDee’s dad. Later in the day, JoDee would take these flowers to her dad’s gravesite. It was such a deeply thoughtful and emotional way to include him in every part of the celebration. Although he wasn’t physically present, his love and influence were felt throughout the entire day!
JoDee and Tony were married during a beautiful and traditional Catholic Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church. They sealed their vows with a kiss and joyfully made their way back up the aisle, officially beginning their new life together!
After family portraits inside the stunning church, we made our way to the cemetery for one of the most emotional moments of the entire day. JoDee gently placed the bouquet of flowers in the vase in honor of her dad and then read him a heartfelt letter she had written for him on her wedding day.
It was an incredibly moving moment to witness. Watching Tony sit beside JoDee, supporting her with so much love and strength, spoke volumes about their relationship and the partnership they are building together!
Next, we stopped at the Westphalia Winery for portraits. Just as we arrived, the sun made a beautiful appearance, casting golden light across the fields, but it did very little to warm the temperatures. The cold was intense, but JoDee and Tony powered through as we captured a handful of quick bridal party portraits and bride and groom portraits in record time before rushing back inside to warm up.
Back at the reception hall, JoDee and Tony stepped outside briefly once more for a few portraits with her dad’s blue Ford truck, another sentimental tribute that made the day even more meaningful.
The reception was packed with loved ones ready to celebrate the newlyweds! Guests mingled, shared stories, and enjoyed drinks before the wedding party arrived. Once inside, toasts followed, bringing both laughter and tears throughout the room. JoDee’s mom delivered an especially powerful speech honoring her late husband that had many guests wiping away tears.
JoDee and Tony shared their first dance as husband and wife, beaming with happiness! JoDee then surprised her mom with a special dance together that left her mom incredibly emotional.
Tony shared a sweet dance with his mom, and then JoDee had one final surprise, a dance with her sister. As Alex Warren’s Save You a Seat played in the background, the sisters danced together while holding their dad’s jacket. Their mom eventually joined them, creating one of the most powerful and emotional moments of the entire evening. By the end of it, I was completely in tears behind my camera.
The rest of the evening was spent celebrating, dancing, and soaking in every moment with friends and family! This group absolutely knew how to throw a party and made for the perfect start to my 2026 wedding season.
Despite the brutally cold temperatures, JoDee and Tony created a wedding day filled with warmth, love, and unforgettable memories!
JoDee and Tony, thank you so much for allowing me the honor of documenting day one of your marriage! It was truly special witnessing your love story and all the meaningful ways you honored family throughout your celebration.
Cheers to the beginning of your forever together!
