Mr. & Mrs. Freitas | Wildcliff Weddings and Events Wedding

I had the pleasure of photographing Danielle and Ethan last year in October at Wildcliff for their engagement session. Ever since that day, I had been counting down the days to have these two back in front of my camera. I knew their wedding day would be nothing short of amazing. Pair a fall wedding day with a scenic wedding venue and madly in love couple, and you have the perfect combination for the most spectacular day. Danielle and Ethan share an undeniable bond that is evident in every portrait you snap of them. They have a giddiness about them that makes documenting their love story effortless! October 2, 2021 flew by in a flurry of excitement. It is one wedding day I won’t soon forget.

When I arrived on their wedding day, I met Danielle and her bridesmaids in the charming bridal cottage. They were all preparing for the day and excitement filled the air! While the girls got ready with hair and makeup, I stole her beautiful bridal details away and had fun styling all the pieces. I love when florists provide photographers with extra blooms and greenery for styling details. Their florist truly outdid herself with all of the gorgeous extra stems she provided us to work with. It truly makes all the difference for your detail shots.

By the afternoon, Ethan and his groomsmen had arrived to the property and were ready to prepare for the day. We all got on the self propelled ferry to make our way across the quarry to the man-cave. Ethan and his guys were great to work with. Ethan’s best man, Davis helped him with all of the finishing touches and made sure Ethan was looking dapper. Before heading back to meet with the girls, all of the guys gathered around to smoke cigars. Smoke, laughter, and jokes filled the air. Ethan and Danielle chose to write love letters to one another on the wedding day. As soon as Ethan began reading the sweet sentiments from his bride, he broke down and began crying. It was such a sweet moment to witness.

Just across the way, Danielle was anxiously waiting to get into her wedding gown. She slipped into the gorgeous gown, and her mom helped fasten her in place. Danielle looked radiant and she was beaming with confidence! After she was in her dress, she shared a first look with her bridesmaids and they all cheered as they witnessed Danielle as a glowing bride. The bridesmaids helped with the finishing touches of Danielle’s wedding day look. Everyone was ushered outside of the cottage so Danielle could soak in a private moment as she read Ethan’s letter. The moment would prove to be an emotional one as Danielle would smile as the happiest of tears streamed down her face.

Ethan and his Best Man share a close relationship so, Davis wanted to surprise Ethan with a funny joke on the wedding day. Ethan and Danielle had a first look scheduled at 2pm, however, we told Ethan that the first look had been moved up due to rain in the forecast. This was obviously a complete lie, but Ethan bought our story. He was anxious as he stood by the waters edge waiting for his bride to grace him with her presence. This was not the first look Ethan was anticipating. As he turned around, he was shocked to be met with his best man instead of his fiance. The two laughed and joked and hugged. It was such a fun lighthearted moment.

Before sharing a first look with Ethan, Danielle wanted to have a moment to reveal herself to her father and brother. They both waited patiently outside of the bridal cottage for Danielle to arrive. As Danielle’s father and brother spun around, they were both so excited and immediately embraced Danielle with the sweetest hugs. The big moment for Ethan and Danielle to share their first look was finally here! We made our way to the top of the property to be near the covered porch since rain was in the forecast. When we got to the top, it wasn’t raining, so we decided to have the first look on the bridge at the entry of the venue property.

Danielle and Ethan’s first look may just as well easily go down as one of my favorite first looks of all time! Danielle stood in place and gathered her thoughts before gliding towards her soon to be husband. As she reached the edge of the bridge, she called Ethan’s name and he turned around in pure shock. He was stunned at the sight of his beautiful bride. Instantly, he was overcome with emotion and squatted down to really take in the moment. Danielle reached her arms out wide and Ethan hugged her for the longest time. Danielle kindly wiped the tears away for Ethan. This is truly one first look that will play over and over in my mind for years to come.

It began to sprinkle as Danielle and Ethan were sharing their first look, so as soon as they were finished we made our way to the covered porch. We made it just in time, because as soon as we were under shelter, it began pouring down raining. We were determined to make the most of the weather. No rain was going to dampen our time. Danielle and Ethan made bride and groom portrait time an absolute breeze. These two are just such naturals in front of the camera. The pouring rain would soon slow to a sprinkle and then stopped completely. We made the most of any dry time during the day. We quickly stole Danielle and Ethan to the main treelined driveway for more portraits.

The rest of the afternoon was spent taking portraits with the bridal party and dodging little rain showers. Luckily, the rain was timed pretty perfectly and didn’t really inhibit our portrait time. We made our way down to the waters edge with the cliff side view for the intimate ceremony! As the music played Danielle was escorted down the hill by her father. Ethan once again was overcome with emotion and cried as his sweet bride made her way to him. The two were married in a short and sweet ceremony and sealed the deal with a romantic kiss before being pronounced Mr. & Mrs. Freitas.

We immediately stole the happy couple away after the ceremony for some just married shots by the water! It would sprinkle here and there but no major rain storms like they were calling for all day! After family portraits, we traveled to downtown Blackwater, Missouri where the reception would be held. We made a quick stop in a few garden areas for more portraits because we just couldn’t resist photographing more sweet moments with this darling couple and pretty light.

It was finally time for the celebrating to begin! The DJ announced the entire bridal party into the reception and the evening of celebrating was officially kicked off. Danielle and Ethan know how to have a good time. The night saw sentimental and funny toasts, amazing food and drinks, and lots and lots of dancing! We ended our day with Danielle and Ethan on a high note as they dashed through a tunnel of sparklers being held by their closest friends and families. It was a sparkling little ending to one magical day.

Danielle and Ethan, we cannot thank you enough for trusting my team to document such a special day in your lives. You two are truly something special and we cannot wait to see where this journey takes you now that you are husband and and wife. Enjoy some of our favorites from the gorgeous day! Many more to come.