Mr. & Mrs. Knaebel | Kleffner Valley Wedding

When Mariah and Jacob booked their wedding date with me, I couldn’t help but count down the days until their big day. Not only were they the sweetest couple to work with, but their venue, Kleffner Valley in Loose Creek, Missouri, was completely new to me—and I was beyond excited to photograph their love story there! Kleffner Valley is a stunning new barn-inspired venue built from four local family barns. It blends rustic charm with modern touches, making it an absolutely perfect setting for a wedding. The real showstopper for me, though, was the bridal suite. With four gorgeous windows flooding the space with natural light, this classy and elegant suite offered an ideal backdrop for stunning getting-ready portraits. And let’s not forget the vintage green couch—seriously, it’s a dream for photographers!

As we got closer to Mariah and Jacob’s wedding day, the weather forecast was causing a bit of anxiety. Rain was predicted, and the chances only seemed to go up as the days went on. I knew we had to have a backup plan in place, but Kleffner Valley’s large barn door opening in the back of the venue turned out to be a lifesaver! Even with the rain, we were able to stay covered and still capture some absolutely breathtaking images, all while showing off the beautiful venue.

When we arrived on the morning of the wedding, the weather was definitely on the gloomy side—it rained and rained, and the skies stayed overcast. But the second I saw Mariah, her radiant smile and upbeat energy instantly lifted spirits off anyone around her. She wasn’t letting the rain dampen her excitement for the day ahead! We started by photographing the reception details, and I have to say, Mariah and Jacob did an incredible job of bringing their romantic, moody vision to life. Candles, rich fall florals, and a sophisticated vibe set the stage for an unforgettable celebration!

While Mariah and her bridesmaids were getting ready upstairs in the bridal suite, Jacob and his groomsmen were preparing off-site. When Jacob arrived, it was such a special moment—his parents helped him with the finishing touches of his wedding day look, and then Jacob surprised them with heartfelt gifts. T here wasn’t a dry eye in the room after Jacob’s dad gave him a sentimental gift that left everyone teary-eyed!

Meanwhile, upstairs, Mariah was about to slip into her gown. Before she did, we had so much fun photographing her and the girls in their matching sweatshirts. The joy on Mariah’s face is absolutely contagious—she is a natural beauty and so amazing to work with! With the help of her mom and two sisters, Mariah was soon dressed and ready to go. They added her jewelry, placed her veil just right, and she looked stunning! Despite the rain outside, we made the most of the bridal suite’s gorgeous light and got some beautiful portraits of Mariah in her gown.

Though the rain was coming down, we were lucky that Kleffner Valley provided us with some indoor options for portraits. The bridesmaids stayed inside, while we ventured out into the misty weather for some stunning group shots. Once the groomsmen arrived, the rain had slowed to a light mist, giving us the perfect window of opportunity to capture their portraits.

The ceremony was held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia, where Mariah and Jacob were surrounded by family and friends. It was a beautiful, traditional Catholic Mass, and when they were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Knaebel, everyone cheered! After the ceremony, we snuck away with the newlyweds for a few intimate balcony shots, and while the rain was still lingering, it didn’t stop us from capturing some beautiful moments.

Once the rain gave us a little break, we headed to the nearby winery for bridal party and couple portraits. We were blessed with a full hour of dry weather, and even though it was still a little gloomy, the misty atmosphere added an incredible layer of drama to the photos. Mariah and Jacob were so easy to photograph—especially with their playful and goofy energy! Jacob kept Mariah laughing the entire time, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. The way these two interact is pure magic!

After the portraits, we headed back to Kleffner Valley for the reception. Guests were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newlyweds, and when Mariah and Jacob entered, the place erupted in cheers. Toasts were delivered, and they had everyone in stitches with laughter. It was clear that their loved ones were just as excited as they were to celebrate the couple!

The evening continued with a delicious dinner and tons of dancing. Mariah and Jacob’s first dance was absolutely beautiful—just a glimpse of the love they share. But what really stood out was how everyone, from family to friends, came together to celebrate this incredible couple. The energy in the room was electric!

Before we called it a night, we made our way back upstairs to the bridal suite one last time to take advantage of that gorgeous vintage green couch. It was a perfect match for Mariah’s wedding color palette, and of course, we had to get a few more portraits to end the day. Mariah and Jacob were absolute pros at modeling and made my job so easy.

Even with the rain, this wedding day was so much fun! Mariah and Jacob handled the weather like champs, and their love for each other was so evident throughout the entire day. I couldn’t be more grateful to have been a part of their special day—documenting their love story was an absolute honor!

Mariah and Jacob, thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to capture your beautiful wedding day! It was such a privilege to witness the start of your marriage, and I am so excited for all the amazing years ahead for you both. Cheers to the Knaebels and many, many happy years!